A high-sucrose diet aggravates Alzheimer's disease pathology, attenuates hypothalamic leptin signaling, and impairs food-anticipatory activity in APPswe/PS1dE9 mice.

High-fat and high-sugar diets contribute to the prevalence of type 2 diabetes and Alzheimer's disease (AD). Although the impact of high-fat diets on AD pathogenesis has been established, the effect of high-sucrose diets (HSDs) on AD pathogenesis remains unclear. This study sought to determine the impact of HSDs on AD-related pathologies. Male APPswe/PS1dE9 (APP/PS1) transgenic and wild-type mice were provided with HSD and their cognitive and hypothalamus-related noncognitive parameters, including feeding behaviors and glycemic regulation, were compared. HSD-fed APP/PS1 mice showed increased neuroinflammation, as well as increased cortical and serum levels of amyloid-ß. HSD-fed APP/PS1 mice showed aggravated obesity, hyperinsulinemia, insulin resistance, and leptin resistance, but there was no induction of hyperphagia or hyperleptinemia. Leptin-induced phosphorylation of signal transducer and activator of transcription 3 in the dorsomedial and ventromedial hypothalamus was reduced in HSD-fed APP/PS1 mice, which might be associated with attenuated food-anticipatory activity, glycemic dysregulation, and AD-related noncognitive symptoms. Our study demonstrates that HSD aggravates metabolic stresses, increases AD-related pathologies, and attenuates hypothalamic leptin signaling in APP/PS1 mice.

The Cyanthin Diterpenoid and Sesterterpene Constituents of Hericium erinaceus Mycelium Ameliorate Alzheimer's Disease-Related Pathologies in APP/PS1 Transgenic Mice.

Hericium erinaceus was used in traditional Chinese medicine for physiologically beneficial medicines. Recently, it has become a candidate in causing positive brain health-related activities. We previously reported that Hericium erinaceus mycelium ameliorates Alzheimer's disease (AD)-related pathologies. To reveal the role of the cyanthin diterpenoid and sesterterpene constituents on this effects, erinacine A and S were isolated and their effects on attenuating AD-related pathology in APPswe/PS1dE9 transgenic mice were investigated. A 30 day short-term administration of erinacine A and S were performed to explore the effect of each erinacine on AD-related pathology including amyloid ß production and degradation, plaque formation, plaque growth, glial activation and neurogenesis deterioration. Our results indicated the benefit effects of both erinacine A and S in cerebrum of APPswe/PS1dE9 mice, including: (1) attenuating cerebral plaque loading by inhibiting plaque growth; (2) diminishing the activation of glial cells; (3) raising the level of insulin degrading enzyme; and (4) promoting hippocampal neurogenesis. Moreover, erinacine A reduced the level of insoluble amyloid ß and C-terminal fragment of amyloid precursor protein which was not mediated by erinacine S. We further performed a long term administration of erinacine A and found that erinacine A recovered the impairment in the tasks including burrowing, nesting, and Morris water maze. Our data pointed out that although both erinacine A and S reduce AD pathology via reducing amyloid deposition and promoting neurogenesis, erinacine A can also inhibit amyloid ß production and is worth to be further developed for AD therapeutic use.

Astragalus membranaceus-Polysaccharides Ameliorates Obesity, Hepatic Steatosis, Neuroinflammation and Cognition Impairment without Affecting Amyloid Deposition in Metabolically Stressed APPswe/PS1dE9 Mice.

Astragalus membranaceus is commonly used in traditional Chinese medicine for strengthening the host defense system. Astragalus membranaceus-polysaccharides is an effective component with various important bioactivities, such as immunomodulation, antioxidant, anti-diabetes, anti-inflammation and neuroprotection. In the present study, we determine the effects of Astragalus membranaceus-polysaccharides on metabolically stressed transgenic mice in order to develop this macromolecules for treatment of sporadic Alzheimer's disease, a neurodegenerative disease with metabolic risk factors. Transgenic mice, at 10 weeks old prior to the appearance of senile plaques, were treated in combination of administrating high-fat diet and injecting low-dose streptozotocin to create the metabolically stressed mice model. Astragalus membranaceus-polysaccharides was administrated starting at 14 weeks for 7 weeks. We found that Astragalus membranaceus-polysaccharides reduced metabolic stress-induced increase of body weight, insulin and insulin and leptin level, insulin resistance, and hepatic triglyceride. Astragalus membranaceus-polysaccharides also ameliorated metabolic stress-exacerbated oral glucose intolerance, although the fasting blood glucose was only temporally reduced. In brain, metabolic stress-elicited astrogliosis and microglia activation in the vicinity of plaques was also diminished by Astragalus membranaceus-polysaccharides administration. The plaque deposition, however, was not significantly affected by Astragalus membranaceus-polysaccharides administration. These findings suggest that Astragalus membranaceus-polysaccharides may be used to ameliorate metabolic stress-induced diabesity and the subsequent neuroinflammation, which improved the behavior performance in metabolically stressed transgenic mice.

Xuefu Zhuyu decoction ameliorates obesity, hepatic steatosis, neuroinflammation, amyloid deposition and cognition impairment in metabolically stressed APPswe/PS1dE9 mice.

ETHNOPHARMACOLOGICAL RELEVANCE: Metabolic syndrome and vascular dysfunction was suggested to be the risk factors for Alzheimer's disease (AD). Xuefu Zhuyu decoction (XZD) is a traditional Chinese medicine used to treat metabolic syndrome and cardiac-cerebral vascular disease. The effects of XZD on ameliorating metabolic syndrome, amyloid-related pathologies and cognitive impairment in an animal model of AD with metabolic stress was investigated. MATERIALS AND METHOD: The animal model of AD with metabolic stress was created by administrating high-fat diet and a low-dose injection of streptozotocin prior to the appearance of senile plaques in APP/PS1 transgenic mice. The diabesity-associated metabolic changes and AD-related pathological alterations were examined. RESULTS: We found that XZD reduced body weight, insulin and leptin level, HOMA-IR, hepatic triglyceride, serum Aß42 in the metabolic stressed AD animal. XZD also ameliorated oral glucose tolerant, Aß deposition, astrocyte and microglia activation in the vicinity of plaques, and nesting behavior in the metabolic stressed AD animal. CONCLUSION: The results of this study suggest that XZD is able to reduce the peripheral metabolic stress-mediated vascular hypoperfusion, neuroinflammation and AD-related pathology in APP/PS1 mice.

Evaluation of the In Vivo Therapeutic Effects of Radix Paeoniae Rubra Ethanol Extract with the Hypoglycemic Activities Measured from Multiple Cell-Based Assays.

Background. Radix Paeoniae Rubra (Chi Shao) contains several phytochemicals with hypoglycemic actions. Current research aims to explore potential insulinotropic effects and long-term therapeutic efficacy of such herb against type 2 diabetes. Methods. Composition analysis for the ethanol extract (PRExt) was executed by high performance liquid chromatography. Polyphenol-enriched fraction was characterized by high pressure size exclusion chromatography. Multiple cell platforms were employed to evaluate hypoglycemic bioactivities. In animal experiments, blood glucose, the homeostasis model assessment (HOMA)-index assessment, glucose tolerance test, and in vivo glucose uptake were all measured. Additional effects of PRExt on obesity and hepatic steatosis were evaluated by serum and histological analysis. Results. PRExt provides multiple hypoglycemic effects including the enhancement of glucose-mediated insulin secretion. Pentagalloylglucose and polyphenol-enriched fraction are two insulinotropic constituents. Moreover, PRExt intraperitoneal injection causes acute hypoglycemic effects on fasted db/db mice. Oral administration of PRExt (200 mg/kg b.w.) gradually reduces blood glucose in db/db mice to the level similar to that in C57J/B6 mice after 30 days. The improvement of glucose intolerance, HOMA-index, and in vivo glucose uptake is evident in addition to the weight loss effect and attenuation of hepatic steatosis. Conclusion. PRExt is an effective antidiabetic herbal extract with multiple hypoglycemic bioactivities.

The ethyl acetate fraction of corn silk exhibits dual antioxidant and anti-glycation activities and protects insulin-secreting cells from glucotoxicity.

BACKGROUND: In this study, we aimed to develop a Stigmata Maydis (corn silk) fraction with dual bio-activities against oxidative stress and protein glycation to protect ß-cells from diabetes-induced failure. METHODS: Corn silk fractions were prepared by partition and chemically characterised by thin-layer chromatography. Free radical scavenging assay, glycation assay, and cell-based viability test (neutral red) were employed to decide the best fraction. Cell death analysis was executed by annexin V/ Propidium iodide staining. Cell proliferation was measured by WST-1. Finally, ß-cell function was evaluated by ß-cell marker gene expression (RT-PCR) and acute insulin secretion test. RESULTS: Four corn silk fractions were prepared from an ethanolic crude extract of corn silk. In vitro assays indicate ethyl acetate fraction (YMS-EA) was the most potent fraction. YMS-EA also attenuated the hydrogen peroxide- or methylglyoxal-induced induction of reactive oxygen species, reduction of cell viability, and inhibition of cell proliferation. However, YMS-EA was unable to prevent hydrogen peroxide-induced apoptosis or advanced glycation end-products-induced toxicity. Under hyperglycemic conditions, YMS-EA effectively reduced ROS levels, improved mRNA expression of insulin, glucokinase, and PDX-1, and enhanced glucose-stimulated insulin secretion. The similarity of bioactivities among apigenin, luteolin, and YMS-EA indicated that dual activities of YMS-EA might be derived from those compounds. CONCLUSIONS: We concluded that YMS-EA fraction could be developed as a preventive food agent against the glucotoxicity to ß-cells in Type 2 diabetes.

Cudrania cochinchinensis attenuates amyloid ß protein-mediated microglial activation and promotes glia-related clearance of amyloid ß protein.

BACKGROUND: Microglial inflammation may significantly contribute to the pathology of Alzheimer's disease. To examine the potential of Cudrania cochinchinensis to ameliorate amyloid ß protein (Aß)-induced microglia activation, BV-2 microglial cell line, and the ramified microglia in the primary glial mixed cultured were employed. RESULTS: Lipopolysaccharide (LPS), Interferon-γ (IFN-γ), fibrillary Aß (fAß), or oligomeric Aß (oAß) were used to activate microglia. LPS and IFN-γ, but not Aßs, activated BV-2 cells to produce nitric oxide through an increase in inducible nitric oxide synthase (iNOS) expression without significant effects on cell viability of microglia. fAß, but not oAß, enhanced the IFN-γ-stimulated nitric oxide production and iNOS expression.The ethanol/water extracts of Cudrania cochinchinensis (CC-EW) and the purified isolated components (i.e. CCA to CCF) effectively reduced the nitric oxide production and iNOS expression stimulated by IFN-γ combined with fAß. On the other hand, oAß effectively activated the ramified microglia in mixed glial culture by observing the morphological alteration of the microglia from ramified to amoeboid. CC-EW and CCB effectively prohibit the Aß-mediated morphological change of microglia. Furthermore, CC-EW and CCB effectively decreased Aß deposition and remained Aß in the conditioned medium suggesting the effect of CC-EW and CCB on promoting Aß clearance. Results are expressed as mean ± S.D. and were analyzed by ANOVA with post-hoc multiple comparisons with a Bonferroni test. CONCLUSIONS: The components of Cudrania cochinchinensis including CC-EW and CCB are potential for novel therapeutic intervention for Alzheimer's disease.

The Components of Flemingia macrophylla Attenuate Amyloid ß-Protein Accumulation by Regulating Amyloid ß-Protein Metabolic Pathway.

Flemingia macrophylla (Leguminosae) is a popular traditional remedy used in Taiwan as anti-inflammatory, promoting blood circulation and antidiabetes agent. Recent study also suggested its neuroprotective activity against Alzheimer's disease. Therefore, the effects of F. macrophylla on Aß production and degradation were studied. The effect of F. macrophylla on Aß metabolism was detected using the cultured mouse neuroblastoma cells N2a transfected with human Swedish mutant APP (swAPP-N2a cells). The effects on Aß degradation were evaluated on a cell-free system. An ELISA assay was applied to detect the level of Aß1-40 and Aß1-42. Western blots assay was employed to measure the levels of soluble amyloid precursor protein and insulin degrading enzyme (IDE). Three fractions of F. macrophylla modified Aß accumulation by both inhibiting ß-secretase and activating IDE. Three flavonoids modified Aß accumulation by activating IDE. The activated IDE pool by the flavonoids was distinctly regulated by bacitracin (an IDE inhibitor). Furthermore, flavonoid 94-18-13 also modulates Aß accumulation by enhancing IDE expression. In conclusion, the components of F. macrophylla possess the potential for developing new therapeutic drugs for Alzheimer's disease.

Increased expression of manganese-superoxide dismutase in fibroblasts of patients with CPEO syndrome.

Alterations in the expression of free radical scavenging enzymes and production of reactive oxygen species (ROS) in tissue cells may contribute to the pathogenesis of mitochondrial diseases such as chronic progressive external ophthalmoplegia (CPEO) syndrome. Since the mitochondria with impaired respiratory function in affected tissues generate more ROS via electron leakage, we examined the expression levels of free radical scavenging enzymes in primary culture of muscle fibroblasts of eight patients with CPEO syndrome. The results showed that the enzyme activity and protein levels of Mn-SOD of the fibroblasts from CPEO patients were significantly increased but those of Cu,Zn-SOD, catalase and glutathione peroxidase (GPx) were not increased compared with controls. A similar pattern was observed in the mRNA levels of Mn-SOD and GPx in muscle fibroblasts of all CPEO patients. The activity ratios of Mn-SOD/catalase and Mn-SOD/GPx in muscle fibroblasts of the CPEO patients were increased 1.7-3.4 and 1.8- to 5.3-fold, respectively, compared to those of the controls. Moreover, by using flow cytometry we found that the production of O2(*-) and H2O2 in the fibroblasts was about 2 times higher than those of controls. The 8-OHdG/dG ratios in total DNA of muscle biopsies from three CPEO patients were much higher than those of age-matched controls as determined by high performance liquid chromatography (HPLC). In the light of these findings, we suggest that the increase in expression of Mn-SOD, ROS production and oxidative damage in affected tissues may play an important role in the pathogenesis and progression of the CPEO syndrome.