Scaling the Andean Shilajit: A Novel Neuroprotective Agent for Alzheimer's Disease.

Alzheimer's disease (AD) is a multifactorial neurodegenerative disorder without a cure, despite the enormous number of investigations and therapeutic approaches. AD is a consequence of microglial responses to "damage signals", such as aggregated tau oligomers, which trigger a neuro-inflammatory reaction, promoting the misfolding of cytoskeleton structure. Since AD is the most prevalent cause of dementia in the elderly (>60 years old), new treatments are essential to improve the well-being of affected subjects. The pharmaceutical industry has not developed new drugs with efficacy for controlling AD. In this context, major attention has been given to nutraceuticals and novel bioactive compounds, such as molecules from the Andean Shilajit (AnSh), obtained from the Andes of Chile. Primary cultures of rat hippocampal neurons and mouse neuroblastoma cells were evaluated to examine the functional and neuroprotective role of different AnSh fractions. Our findings show that AnSh fractions increase the number and length of neuronal processes at a differential dose. All fractions were viable in neurons. The AnSh fractions inhibit tau self-aggregation after 10 days of treatment. Finally, we identified two candidate molecules in M3 fractions assayed by UPLC/MS. Our research points to a novel AnSh-derived fraction that is helpful in AD. Intensive work toward elucidation of the molecular mechanisms is being carried out. AnSh is an alternative for AD treatment or as a coadjuvant for an effective treatment.

N-Acetyl Cysteine and Catechin-Derived Polyphenols: A Path Toward Multi-Target Compounds Against Alzheimer's Disease.

BACKGROUND: Alzheimer's disease (AD) is a multifactorial disease, that involves neuroinflammatory processes in which microglial cells respond to "damage signals". The latter includes oligomeric tau, iron, oxidative free radicals, and other molecules that promotes neuroinflammation in the brain, promoting neuronal death and cognitive impairment. Since AD is the first cause of dementia in the elderly, and its pharmacotherapy has limited efficacy, novel treatments are critical to improve the quality of life of AD patients. Multitarget therapy based on nutraceuticals has been proposed as a promising intervention based on evidence from clinical trials. Several studies have shown that epicatechin-derived polyphenols from tea improve cognitive performance; also, the polyphenol molecule N-acetylcysteine (NAC) promotes neuroprotection. OBJECTIVE: To develop an approach for a rational design of leading compounds against AD, based on specific semisynthetic epicatechin and catechin derivatives. METHODS: We evaluated tau aggregation in vitro and neuritogenesis by confocal microscopy in mouse neuroblastoma cells (N2a), after exposing cells to either epicatechin-pyrogallol (EPIC-PYR), catechin-pyrogallol (CAT-PYR), catechin-phloroglucinol (CAT-PhG), and NAC. RESULTS: We found that EPIC-PYR, CAT-PYR, and CAT-PhG inhibit human tau aggregation and significantly increase neuritogenesis in a dose-dependent manner. Interestingly, modification with a phloroglucinol group yielded the most potent molecule of those evaluated, suggesting that the phloroglucinol group may enhance neuroprotective activity of the catechin-derived compounds. Also, as observed with cathechins, NAC promotes neuritogenesis and inhibits tau self-aggregation, possibly through a different pathway. CONCLUSION: EPIC-PYR, CAT-PYR, CAT-PhG, and NAC increased the number of neurites in Na2 cell line and inhibits tau-self aggregation in vitro.

High quality RNA extraction from Maqui berry for its application in next-generation sequencing.

Maqui berry (Aristotelia chilensis) is a native Chilean species that produces berries that are exceptionally rich in anthocyanins and natural antioxidants. These natural compounds provide an array of health benefits for humans, making them very desirable in a fruit. At the same time, these substances also interfere with nucleic acid preparations, making RNA extraction from Maqui berry a major challenge. Our group established a method for RNA extraction of Maqui berry with a high quality RNA (good purity, good integrity and higher yield). This procedure is based on the adapted CTAB method using high concentrations of PVP (4 %) and ß-mercaptoethanol (4 %) and spermidine in the extraction buffer. These reagents help to remove contaminants such as polysaccharides, proteins, phenols and also prevent the oxidation of phenolic compounds. The high quality of RNA isolated through this method allowed its uses with success in molecular applications for this endemic Chilean fruit, such as differential expression analysis of RNA-Seq data using next generation sequencing (NGS). Furthermore, we consider that our method could potentially be used for other plant species with extremely high levels of antioxidants and anthocyanins.

BioEnterics® intragastric balloon (BIB®). Single ambulatory center Spanish experience with 714 consecutive patients treated with one or two consecutive balloons.

BACKGROUND: The BioEnterics® Intragastric Balloon (BIB®) is a well-established device for temporary treatment in morbidly obese patients. The aim of this study is the evaluation, in a population of 714 consecutive outpatient setting cases, BIB® results in terms of weight loss and comorbidity change. METHODS: BIB® was positioned in all cases after diagnostic endoscopy. The device was inflated under direct endoscopic vision with saline solution (600-700 ml) and methylene blue (10 ml). Intubation was carried out in patients with body mass index (BMI) > 40 kg/m(2) affected by sleep apnea or chronic obstructive pulmonary disease. After 6 months, balloon removal was carried out, and patients were discharged with drug therapy and 1,000 kcal diet. More than 100 patients underwent a second consecutive balloon positioning. One month from the removal of the first BIB, patients were given a second BIB. Patients were followed up weekly. Mortality, complications and their treatment, postplacement symptoms, comorbidities, BMI, percentage of excess BMI loss (%EBL), and percentage of excess weight loss (%EWL) were considered. Data are expressed as mean ± standard deviation. RESULTS: From June 1, 2005, to May 31, 2007, 714 patients underwent BIB® placement (143 males/571 females; mean age, 38.4 ± 16.1; mean BMI, 37.6 ± 5.7 kg/m(2); mean EW, 56.3 ± 27.1 kg). After 6 months, mean BMI was 31.1 ± 7.2, mean %EWL was 41.6 ± 21.8, mean BMI loss was 6.5 ± 12.7, and mean %EBL was 44.5 ± 22.6. Of 714 patients, 112 underwent a second BIB placement. At the time of the second balloon placement, mean BMI was 32.9 ± 6.7 kg/m(2); range was 31-51. After the second balloon removal, mean BMI was 30.3 ± 7.2. CONCLUSIONS: BIB® treatment is a safe and effective procedure for weight reduction, without mortality and with very low morbidity rates even in nonhospitalized patients. A second balloon can also be positioned without difficulties, achieving good results after 12 months of treatment.