Na+ controls hypoxic signalling by the mitochondrial respiratory chain.

All metazoans depend on the consumption of O2 by the mitochondrial oxidative phosphorylation system (OXPHOS) to produce energy. In addition, the OXPHOS uses O2 to produce reactive oxygen species that can drive cell adaptations1-4, a phenomenon that occurs in hypoxia4-8 and whose precise mechanism remains unknown. Ca2+ is the best known ion that acts as a second messenger9, yet the role ascribed to Na+ is to serve as a mere mediator of membrane potential10. Here we show that Na+ acts as a second messenger that regulates OXPHOS function and the production of reactive oxygen species by modulating the fluidity of the inner mitochondrial membrane. A conformational shift in mitochondrial complex I during acute hypoxia11 drives acidification of the matrix and the release of free Ca2+ from calcium phosphate (CaP) precipitates. The concomitant activation of the mitochondrial Na+/Ca2+ exchanger promotes the import of Na+ into the matrix. Na+ interacts with phospholipids, reducing inner mitochondrial membrane fluidity and the mobility of free ubiquinone between complex II and complex III, but not inside supercomplexes. As a consequence, superoxide is produced at complex III. The inhibition of Na+ import through the Na+/Ca2+ exchanger is sufficient to block this pathway, preventing adaptation to hypoxia. These results reveal that Na+ controls OXPHOS function and redox signalling through an unexpected interaction with phospholipids, with profound consequences for cellular metabolism.

m-Terphenylamines, Acting as Selective COX-1 Inhibitors, Block Microglia Inflammatory Response and Exert Neuroprotective Activity.

Inhibition of cyclooxygenase-2 (COX-2) has been extensively studied as an approach to reduce proinflammatory markers in acute brain diseases, but the anti-neuroinflammatory role of cyclooxygenase-1 (COX-1) inhibition has been rather neglected. We report that m-terphenylamine derivatives are selective COX-1 inhibitors, able to block microglia inflammatory response and elicit a neuroprotective effect. These compounds were synthesized via a three-component reaction of chalcones, ß-ketoesters, and primary amines, followed by hydrolysis/decarboxylation of the ester group. Together with their synthetic intermediates and some urea derivatives, they were studied as inhibitors of COX-1 and COX-2. The m-terphenylamine derivatives, which were selective COX-1 inhibitors, were also analyzed for their ability to block microglia inflammatory and oxidative response. Compound 3b presented an interesting anti-inflammatory and neuroprotective profile by reducing nitrite release, ROS overproduction, and cell death in organotypic hippocampal cultures subjected to LPS. We thus show that COX-1 inhibition is a promising approach to provide enhanced neuroprotection against acute inflammatory processes, which are crucial in the development of a plethora of acute neurodegenerative injuries.

From single drug targets to synergistic network pharmacology in ischemic stroke.

Drug discovery faces an efficacy crisis to which ineffective mainly single-target and symptom-based rather than mechanistic approaches have contributed. We here explore a mechanism-based disease definition for network pharmacology. Beginning with a primary causal target, we extend this to a second using guilt-by-association analysis. We then validate our prediction and explore synergy using both cellular in vitro and mouse in vivo models. As a disease model we chose ischemic stroke, one of the highest unmet medical need indications in medicine, and reactive oxygen species forming NADPH oxidase type 4 (Nox4) as a primary causal therapeutic target. For network analysis, we use classical protein-protein interactions but also metabolite-dependent interactions. Based on this protein-metabolite network, we conduct a gene ontology-based semantic similarity ranking to find suitable synergistic cotargets for network pharmacology. We identify the nitric oxide synthase (Nos1 to 3) gene family as the closest target to Nox4 Indeed, when combining a NOS and a NOX inhibitor at subthreshold concentrations, we observe pharmacological synergy as evidenced by reduced cell death, reduced infarct size, stabilized blood-brain barrier, reduced reoxygenation-induced leakage, and preserved neuromotor function, all in a supraadditive manner. Thus, protein-metabolite network analysis, for example guilt by association, can predict and pair synergistic mechanistic disease targets for systems medicine-driven network pharmacology. Such approaches may in the future reduce the risk of failure in single-target and symptom-based drug discovery and therapy.

In Silico Prediction of the Toxic Potential of Neuroprotective Bifunctional Molecules Based on Chiral N-Propargyl-1,2-amino Alcohol Derivatives.

N-Propargylamines are useful synthetic scaffolds for the synthesis of bioactive molecules, and in addition, they possess important pharmacological activities. We obtained several neuroprotective molecules, chiral 1,2-amino alcohols and 1,2-diamines, able to reduce by almost 70% the rotenone and oligomycin A-induced damage in SH-SY5Y cells. Furthermore, some molecules assessed also counteracted the toxicity evoked by the Ser/Thr phosphatase inhibitor okadaic acid. Before extrapolating these data to preclinical studies, we analyze the molecules through an in silico prediction system to detect carcinogenicity risk or other toxic effects. In light of these promising results, these molecules may be considered as a lead family of neuroprotective and relatively safe compounds.

Melatonin's efficacy in stroke patients; a matter of dose? A systematic review.

There is a lack of effective therapies for stroke patients; its treatment is even more difficult considering the unexpected onset of the disease. In the last decade, melatonin has emerged as a promising neuroprotective agent which is able to cross the blood-brain-barrier (BBB) and with a low toxicity profile. The aim of this systematic review was to summarize and critically review clinical and pre-clinical evidence related to melatonin's effectiveness as a stroke treatment. Together with a comparative dose extrapolation with those used in the selected randomized controlled trials (RCTs), and based on these data to discuss whether the administered doses correlate with those advisable in human patients. To address this purpose, we performed a systematic review of the available literature. A total of 529 records were screened with the selecting of six full articles containing RCTs that met the inclusion/exclusion criteria. The evidence drawn from these six reports was analyzed to identify remaining gaps, treatment efficacy, and to suggest future directions. The primary outcome reported was the reduction of the oxidative response; the secondary outcome was the increase of the survival rate of the patients in the intervention groups. Calculations derived from animal studies revealed that the translational doses to humans were substantially higher than those employed in the RCTs. The findings of this systematic review revealed that there are insufficient RCTs to prove melatonin's value in stroke patients. Nevertheless, the evidence is promising, and further clinical research may support the benefits of melatonin in stroke patients, if the adequate dose is administered.

Curcumin reduces renal damage associated with rhabdomyolysis by decreasing ferroptosis-mediated cell death.

Acute kidney injury is a common complication of rhabdomyolysis. A better understanding of this syndrome may be useful to identify novel therapeutic targets because there is no specific treatment so far. Ferroptosis is an iron-dependent form of regulated nonapoptotic cell death that is involved in renal injury. In this study, we investigated whether ferroptosis is associated with rhabdomyolysis-mediated renal damage, and we studied the therapeutic effect of curcumin, a powerful antioxidant with renoprotective properties. Induction of rhabdomyolysis in mice increased serum creatinine levels, endothelial damage, inflammatory chemokines, and cytokine expression, alteration of redox balance (increased lipid peroxidation and decreased antioxidant defenses), and tubular cell death. Treatment with curcumin initiated before or after rhabdomyolysis induction ameliorated all these pathologic and molecular alterations. Although apoptosis or receptor-interacting protein kinase (RIPK)3-mediated necroptosis were activated in rhabdomyolysis, our results suggest a key role of ferroptosis. Thus, treatment with ferrostatin 1, a ferroptosis inhibitor, improved renal function in glycerol-injected mice, whereas no beneficial effects were observed with the pan-caspase inhibitor carbobenzoxy-valyl-alanyl-aspartyl-(O-methyl)-fluoromethylketone or in RIPK3-deficient mice. In cultured renal tubular cells, myoglobin (Mb) induced ferroptosis-sensitive cell death that was also inhibited by curcumin. Mechanistic in vitro studies showed that curcumin reduced Mb-mediated inflammation and oxidative stress by inhibiting the TLR4/NF-κB axis and activating the cytoprotective enzyme heme oxygenase 1. Our findings are the first to demonstrate the involvement of ferroptosis in rhabdomyolysis-associated renal damage and its sensitivity to curcumin treatment. Therefore, curcumin may be a potential therapeutic approach for patients with this syndrome.-Guerrero-Hue, M., García-Caballero, C., Palomino-Antolín, A., Rubio-Navarro, A., Vázquez-Carballo, C., Herencia, C., Martín-Sanchez, D., Farré-Alins, V., Egea, J., Cannata, P., Praga, M., Ortiz, A., Egido, J., Sanz, A. B., Moreno, J. A. Curcumin reduces renal damage associated with rhabdomyolysis by decreasing ferroptosis-mediated cell death.

Serum Amyloid A1 as a Potential Intracranial and Extracranial Clinical Severity Biomarker in Traumatic Brain Injury.

Extracranial injury is frequently present in patients with traumatic brain injury (TBI). However, no reliable biomarker exists nowadays to evaluate the magnitude and extension of extracranial injury as well as the identification of patients who are at risk of developing secondary injuries. The purpose of this study was to identify new possible peptide biomarkers by mass spectrometry analysis in patients with TBI and ascertain whether the novel biomarker discovered by peptide mass fingerprinting, serum amyloid A1 (SAA1), is capable of reflecting the condition of the patient and both intracranial and extracranial injury extension. Demographic characteristics, clinical data, and serum samples were prospectively collected from 120 patients with TBI (Glasgow Coma Scale [GCS] score 3-15) on admission. Biomarkers were quantified by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay. Intracranial lesion volume was measured from the semiautomatic segmentation of hematoma on computed tomography (CT) using Analyze software. Functional outcome was evaluated using the Glasgow Outcome Scale (GOS) at hospital discharge and GOS extended scores at 6 months. The SAA1 levels were significantly associated with intracranial (GCS score at admission, lesion load measured with cranial CT, and pupil responsiveness) and extracranial clinical severity (all Abbreviated Injury Scale regions, Injury Severity Score, major extracranial injury, polytrauma, and orthopedic fractures presence), along with systemic secondary insults and functional outcome. SAA1 was is associated with the volume of traumatic intracranial lesions. The SAA1 levels were correlated with astroglial S100ß and glial fibrillary acidic protein (GFAP), neuronal neuron-specific enolase (NSE), and axonal total tau (T-tau) and phosphorylated neurofilament heavy chain (pNF-H) injury markers. SAA1 predicts unfavorable outcome and mortality at hospital discharge (area under the curve [AUC] = 0.90, 0.82) and 6 months (AUC = 0.89). SAA1 can be established as a marker for the overall patient condition due to its involvement in the neuroendocrine axis of the systemic response to craniocerebral trauma.

NOX4-dependent neuronal autotoxicity and BBB breakdown explain the superior sensitivity of the brain to ischemic damage.

Ischemic injury represents the most frequent cause of death and disability, and it remains unclear why, of all body organs, the brain is most sensitive to hypoxia. In many tissues, type 4 NADPH oxidase is induced upon ischemia or hypoxia, converting oxygen to reactive oxygen species. Here, we show in mouse models of ischemia in the heart, brain, and hindlimb that only in the brain does NADPH oxidase 4 (NOX4) lead to ischemic damage. We explain this distinct cellular distribution pattern through cell-specific knockouts. Endothelial NOX4 breaks down the BBB, while neuronal NOX4 leads to neuronal autotoxicity. Vascular smooth muscle NOX4, the common denominator of ischemia within all ischemic organs, played no apparent role. The direct neuroprotective potential of pharmacological NOX4 inhibition was confirmed in an ex vivo model, free of vascular and BBB components. Our results demonstrate that the heightened sensitivity of the brain to ischemic damage is due to an organ-specific role of NOX4 in blood-brain-barrier endothelial cells and neurons. This mechanism is conserved in at least two rodents and humans, making NOX4 a prime target for a first-in-class mechanism-based, cytoprotective therapy in the unmet high medical need indication of ischemic stroke.

The emergence of melatonin in oncology: Focus on colorectal cancer.

Within the last few decades, melatonin has increasingly emerged in clinical oncology as a naturally occurring bioactive molecule with substantial anticancer properties and a pharmacological profile optimal for joining the currently available pharmacopeia. In addition, extensive experimental data shows that this chronobiotic agent exerts oncostatic effects throughout all stages of tumor growth, from initial cell transformation to mitigation of malignant progression and metastasis; additionally, melatonin alleviates the side effects and improves the welfare of radio/chemotherapy-treated patients. Thus, the support of clinicians and oncologists for the use of melatonin in both the treatment and proactive prevention of cancer is gaining strength. Because of its epidemiological importance and symptomatic debut in advanced stages of difficult clinical management, colorectal cancer (CRC) is a preferential target for testing new therapies. In this regard, the development of effective forms of clinical intervention for the improvement of CRC outcome, specifically metastatic CRC, is urgent. At the same time, the need to reduce the costs of conventional anti-CRC therapy results is also imperative. In light of this status quo, the therapeutic potential of melatonin, and the direct and indirect critical processes of CRC malignancy it modulates, have aroused much interest. To illuminate the imminent future on CRC research, we focused our attention on the molecular mechanisms underlying the multiple oncostatic actions displayed by melatonin in the onset and evolution of CRC and summarized epidemiological evidence, as well as in vitro, in vivo and clinical findings that support the broadly protective potential demonstrated by melatonin.

Podocytes are new cellular targets of haemoglobin-mediated renal damage.

Recurrent and massive intravascular haemolysis induces proteinuria, glomerulosclerosis, and progressive impairment of renal function, suggesting podocyte injury. However, the effects of haemoglobin (Hb) on podocytes remain unexplored. Our results show that cultured human podocytes or podocytes isolated from murine glomeruli bound and endocytosed Hb through the megalin-cubilin receptor system, thus resulting in increased intracellular Hb catabolism, oxidative stress, activation of the intrinsic apoptosis pathway, and altered podocyte morphology, with decreased expression of the slit diaphragm proteins nephrin and synaptopodin. Hb uptake activated nuclear factor erythroid-2-related factor 2 (Nrf2) and induced expression of the Nrf2-related antioxidant proteins haem oxygenase-1 (HO-1) and ferritin. Nrf2 activation and Hb staining was observed in podocytes of mice with intravascular haemolysis. These mice developed proteinuria and showed podocyte injury, characterized by foot process effacement, decreased synaptopodin and nephrin expression, and podocyte apoptosis. These pathological effects were enhanced in Nrf2-deficient mice, whereas Nrf2 activation with sulphoraphane protected podocytes against Hb toxicity both in vivo and in vitro. Supporting the translational significance of our findings, we observed podocyte damage and podocytes stained for Hb, HO-1, ferritin and phosphorylated Nrf2 in renal sections and urinary sediments of patients with massive intravascular haemolysis, such as atypical haemolytic uraemic syndrome and paroxysmal nocturnal haemoglobinuria. In conclusion, podocytes take up Hb both in vitro and during intravascular haemolysis, promoting oxidative stress, podocyte dysfunction, and apoptosis. Nrf2 may be a potential therapeutic target to prevent loss of renal function in patients with intravascular haemolysis. Copyright © 2017 Pathological Society of Great Britain and Ireland. Published by John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.

QuinoxalineTacrine QT78, a Cholinesterase Inhibitor as a Potential Ligand for Alzheimer's Disease Therapy.

We report the synthesis and relevant pharmacological properties of the quinoxalinetacrine (QT) hybrid QT78 in a project targeted to identify new non-hepatotoxic tacrine derivatives for Alzheimer's disease therapy. We have found that QT78 is less toxic than tacrine at high concentrations (from 100 µM to 1 mM), less potent than tacrine as a ChE inhibitor, but shows selective BuChE inhibition (IC50 (hAChE) = 22.0 ± 1.3 µM; IC50 (hBuChE) = 6.79 ± 0.33 µM). Moreover, QT78 showed effective and strong neuroprotection against diverse toxic stimuli, such as rotenone plus oligomycin-A or okadaic acid, of biological significance for Alzheimer's disease.

Supramolecular Interactions Modulating Electrical Conductivity and Nanoprocessing of Copper-Iodine Double-Chain Coordination Polymers.

Two coordination polymers (CPs), based on Cu(I)-I double zig-zag chains bearing isonicotinic acid or 3-chloroisonicotinic acid as terminal ligands with molecular recognition capabilities, have been synthesized and fully characterized. Both compounds present extended networks with supramolecular interactions directed by the formation of H-bonds between the complementary carboxylic groups, giving supramolecular sheets. The chloro substituent allows establishing additional Cl···Cl supramolecular interactions that reinforce the stability of the supramolecular sheets. These CPs are semiconductor materials; however, the presence of chlorine produces slight changes in the I-Cu-I chains, generating a worse overlap in the Cu-I orbitals, thus determining a decrease in its electrical conductivity value. These experimental results have also been corroborated by theoretical calculations using the study of the morphology of the density of states and 3D orbital isodensities, which determine that conductivity is mostly produced through the Cu-I skeleton and is less efficient in the case of the chloro derivative compound. A fast and efficient bottom-up approach based on the self-assembly of the initial building blocks and the low solutibility of these CPs has proved very useful for the production of nanostructures.

Multitarget-Directed Ligands Combining Cholinesterase and Monoamine Oxidase Inhibition with Histamine H3 R Antagonism for Neurodegenerative Diseases.

The therapy of complex neurodegenerative diseases requires the development of multitarget-directed drugs (MTDs). Novel indole derivatives with inhibitory activity towards acetyl/butyrylcholinesterases and monoamine oxidases A/B as well as the histamine H3 receptor (H3R) were obtained by optimization of the neuroprotectant ASS234 by incorporating generally accepted H3R pharmacophore motifs. These small-molecule hits demonstrated balanced activities at the targets, mostly in the nanomolar concentration range. Additional in vitro studies showed antioxidative neuroprotective effects as well as the ability to penetrate the blood-brain barrier. With this promising in vitro profile, contilisant (at 1 mg kg-1 i.p.) also significantly improved lipopolysaccharide-induced cognitive deficits.

Regulation by L channels of Ca(2+)-evoked secretory responses in ouabain-treated chromaffin cells.

It is known that the sustained depolarisation of adrenal medullary bovine chromaffin cells (BCCs) with high K(+) concentrations produces an initial sharp catecholamine release that subsequently fades off in spite depolarisation persists. Here, we have recreated a sustained depolarisation condition of BCCs by treating them with the Na(+)/K(+) ATPase blocker ouabain; in doing so, we searched experimental conditions that permitted the development of a sustained long-term catecholamine release response that could be relevant during prolonged stress. BCCs were perifused with nominal 0Ca(2+) solution, and secretion responses were elicited by intermittent application of short 2Ca(2+) pulses (Krebs-HEPES containing 2 mM Ca(2+)). These pulses elicited a biphasic secretory pattern with an initial 30-min period with secretory responses of increasing amplitude and a second 30-min period with steady-state, non-inactivating responses. The initial phase was not due to gradual depolarisation neither to gradual increases of the cytosolic calcium transients ([Ca(2+)]c) elicited by 2Ca(2+) pulses in BBCs exposed to ouabain; both parameters increased soon after ouabain addition. Νifedipine blocked these responses, and FPL64176 potentiated them, suggesting that they were triggered by Ca(2+) entry through non-inactivating L-type calcium channels. This was corroborated by nifedipine-evoked blockade of the L-type Ca(2+) channel current and the [Ca(2+)]c transients elicited by 2Ca(2+) pulses. Furthermore, the plasmalemmal Na(+)/Ca(2+) exchanger (NCX) blocker SEA0400 caused a mild inhibition followed by a large rebound increase of the steady-state secretory responses. We conclude that these two phases of secretion are mostly contributed by Ca(2+) entry through L calcium channels, with a minor contribution of Ca(2+) entry through the reverse mode of the NCX.

Positive allosteric modulation of alpha-7 nicotinic receptors promotes cell death by inducing Ca(2+) release from the endoplasmic reticulum.

Positive allosteric modulation of α7 isoform of nicotinic acetylcholine receptors (α7-nAChRs) is emerging as a promising therapeutic approach for central nervous system disorders such as schizophrenia or Alzheimer's disease. However, its effect on Ca(2+) signaling and cell viability remains controversial. This study focuses on how the type II positive allosteric modulator (PAM II) PNU120596 affects intracellular Ca(2+) signaling and cell viability. We used human SH-SY5Y neuroblastoma cells overexpressing α7-nAChRs (α7-SH) and their control (C-SH). We monitored cytoplasmic and endoplasmic reticulum (ER) Ca(2+) with Fura-2 and the genetically encoded cameleon targeting the ER, respectively. Nicotinic inward currents were measured using patch-clamp techniques. Viability was assessed using methylthiazolyl blue tetrazolium bromide or propidium iodide staining. We observed that in the presence of a nicotinic agonist, PNU120596 (i) reduced viability of α7-SH but not of C-SH cells; (ii) significantly increased inward nicotinic currents and cytosolic Ca(2+) concentration; (iii) released Ca(2+) from the ER by a Ca(2+) -induced Ca(2+) release mechanism only in α7-SH cells; (iv) was cytotoxic in rat organotypic hippocampal slice cultures; and, lastly, all these effects were prevented by selective blockade of α7-nAChRs, ryanodine receptors, or IP3 receptors. In conclusion, positive allosteric modulation of α7-nAChRs with the PAM II PNU120596 can lead to dysregulation of ER Ca(2+) , overloading of intracellular Ca(2+) , and neuronal cell death. This study focuses on how the type II positive allosteric modulator PNU120596 (PAM II PNU12) affects intracellular Ca(2+) signaling and cell viability. Using SH-SY5Y neuroblastoma cells overexpressing α7-nAChRs (α7-SH) and their control (C-SH), we find that PAM of α7-nAChRs with PNU120596: (i) increases inward calcium current (ICa ) and cytosolic Ca(2+) concentration ([Ca(2+) ]cyt ); (ii) releases Ca(2+) from the ER ([Ca(2+) ]ER ) by a Ca(2+) -induced Ca(2+) release mechanism; and (iv) reduces cell viability. These findings were corroborated in rat hippocampal organotypic cultures. [Ca(2+) ]cyt , cytosolic Ca(2+) concentration; [Ca(2+) ]ER , endoplasmic reticulum Ca(2+) concentration; α7 nAChR, α7 isoform of nicotinic acetylcholine receptors; α7-SH, SH-SY5Y stably overexpressing α7 nAChRs cells; C-SH, control SH-SY5Y cells; Nic, nicotine; PNU12, PNU120596.

Electrical Conductivity and Strong Luminescence in Copper Iodide Double Chains with Isonicotinato Derivatives.

Direct reactions between CuI and isonicotinic acid (HIN) or the corresponding esters, ethyl isonicotinate (EtIN) or methyl isonicotinate (MeIN), give rise to the formation of the coordination polymers [CuI(L)]n with L=EtIN (1), MeIN (2) and HIN (3). Polymers 1-3 show similar structures based on a CuI double chain in which ethyl-, methyl isonicotinate or isonicotinic acid are coordinated as terminal ligands. Albeit, their supramolecular architecture differs considerably, affecting the distances and angles of the central CuI double chains and thereby their physical properties. Hence, the photoluminescence shows remarkable differences; 1 and 2 show a strong yellow emission, whereas 3 displays a weak emission; and 1 and 2 are semiconductors with moderate room temperature conductivities, whereas 3 has increased electrical conductivity up to 3×10(-3)  S cm(-1) . Additionally, 1 and 2 present an irreversible transition to a highly conducting phase with a conductivity almost 4 orders of magnitude higher and a quasi-metallic behaviour. Thermogravimetric analysis (TGA) coupled to a mass spectrometer and magnetic measurements point to a partial thermally induced oxidation of the carboxylate groups of the ligands with Cu(I) to Cu(0) reduction. DFT calculations have been carried out to rationalise these observations.

A review of metal-catalyzed molecular damage: protection by melatonin.

Metal exposure is associated with several toxic effects; herein, we review the toxicity mechanisms of cadmium, mercury, arsenic, lead, aluminum, chromium, iron, copper, nickel, cobalt, vanadium, and molybdenum as these processes relate to free radical generation. Free radicals can be generated in cells due to a wide variety of exogenous and endogenous processes, causing modifications in DNA bases, enhancing lipid peroxidation, and altering calcium and sulfhydryl homeostasis. Melatonin, an ubiquitous and pleiotropic molecule, exerts efficient protection against oxidative stress and ameliorates oxidative/nitrosative damage by a variety of mechanisms. Also, melatonin has a chelating property which may contribute in reducing metal-induced toxicity as we postulate here. The aim of this review was to highlight the protective role of melatonin in counteracting metal-induced free radical generation. Understanding the physicochemical insights of melatonin related to the free radical scavenging activity and the stimulation of antioxidative enzymes is of critical importance for the development of novel therapeutic strategies against the toxic action of these metals.

Neuroprotective effect of melatonin against ischemia is partially mediated by alpha-7 nicotinic receptor modulation and HO-1 overexpression.

Melatonin has been widely studied as a protective agent against oxidative stress. However, the molecular mechanisms underlying neuroprotection in neurodegeneration and ischemic stroke are not yet well understood. In this study, we evaluated the neuroprotective/antioxidant mechanism of action of melatonin in organotypic hippocampal cultures (OHCs) as well as in photothrombotic stroke model in vivo. Melatonin (0.1, 1, and 10 µM) incubated postoxygen and glucose deprivation (OGD) showed a concentration-dependent protection; maximum protection was achieved at 10 µM (90% protection). Next, OHCs were exposed to 10 µM melatonin at different post-OGD times; the protective effect of melatonin was maintained at 0, 1, and 2 hr post-OGD treatment, but it was lost at 6 hr post-OGD. The protective effect of melatonin and the reduction in OGD-induced ROS were prevented by luzindole (melatonin antagonist) and α-bungarotoxin (α-Bgt, a selective α7 nAChR antagonist). In Nrf2 knockout mice, the protective effect of melatonin was reduced by 40% compared with controls. Melatonin, incubated 0, 1, and 2 hr post-OGD, increased the expression of heme oxygenase-1 (HO-1), and this overexpression was prevented by luzindole and α-bungarotoxin. Finally, administration of 15 mg/kg melatonin following the induction of photothrombotic stroke in vivo, reduced infarct size (50%), and improved motor skills; this effect was partially lost in 0.1 mg/kg methyllycaconitine (MLA, selective α7 nAChR antagonist)-treated mice. Taken together, these results demonstrate that postincubation of melatonin provides a protective effect that, at least in part, depends on nicotinic receptor activation and overexpression of HO-1.

Guanosine controls inflammatory pathways to afford neuroprotection of hippocampal slices under oxygen and glucose deprivation conditions.

Guanosine (GUO) is an endogenous modulator of glutamatergic excitotoxicity and has been shown to promote neuroprotection in in vivo and in vitro models of neurotoxicity. This study was designed to understand the neuroprotective mechanism of GUO against oxidative damage promoted by oxygen/glucose deprivation and reoxygenation (OGD). GUO (100 µM) reduced reactive oxygen species production and prevented mitochondrial membrane depolarization induced by OGD. GUO also exhibited anti-inflammatory actions as inhibition of nuclear factor kappa B activation and reduction of inducible nitric oxide synthase induction induced by OGD. These GUO neuroprotective effects were mediated by adenosine A1 receptor, phosphatidylinositol-3 kinase and MAPK/ERK. Furthermore, GUO recovered the impairment of glutamate uptake caused by OGD, an effect that occurred via a Pertussis toxin-sensitive G-protein-coupled signaling, blockade of adenosine A2A receptors (A2A R), but not via A1 receptor. The modulation of glutamate uptake by GUO also involved MAPK/ERK activation. In conclusion, GUO, by modulating adenosine receptor function and activating MAPK/ERK, affords neuroprotection of hippocampal slices subjected to OGD by a mechanism that implicates the following: (i) prevention of mitochondrial membrane depolarization, (ii) reduction of oxidative stress, (iii) regulation of inflammation by inhibition of nuclear factor kappa B and inducible nitric oxide synthase, and (iv) promoting glutamate uptake.

Therapeutic Potential of Melatonin Counteracting Chemotherapy-Induced Toxicity in Breast Cancer Patients: A Systematic Review.

The purpose of this systematic review is to provide an overview of the existing knowledge on the therapeutic potential of melatonin to counteract the undesirable effects of chemotherapy in breast cancer patients. To this aim, we summarized and critically reviewed preclinical- and clinical-related evidence according to the PRISMA guidelines. Additionally, we developed an extrapolation of melatonin doses in animal studies to the human equivalent doses (HEDs) for randomized clinical trials (RCTs) with breast cancer patients. For the revision, 341 primary records were screened, which were reduced to 8 selected RCTs that met the inclusion criteria. We assembled the evidence drawn from these studies by analyzing the remaining gaps and treatment efficacy and suggested future translational research and clinical trials. Overall, the selected RCTs allow us to conclude that melatonin combined with standard chemotherapy lines would derive, at least, a better quality of life for breast cancer patients. Moreover, regular doses of 20 mg/day seemed to increase partial response and 1-year survival rates. Accordingly, this systematic review leads us to draw attention to the need for more RCTs to provide a comprehensive view of the promising actions of melatonin in breast cancer and, given the safety profile of this molecule, adequate translational doses should be established in further RCTs.