NT-020, a natural therapeutic approach to optimize spatial memory performance and increase neural progenitor cell proliferation and decrease inflammation in the aged rat.

The process of aging is linked to oxidative stress, microglial activation, and proinflammatory factors, which are known to decrease cell proliferation and limit neuroplasticity. These factors may lead the transition from normal aging to more severe cognitive dysfunction associated with neurodegenerative diseases. We have shown that natural compounds such as polyphenols from blueberry and green tea and amino acids like carnosine are high in antioxidant and antiinflammatory activity that decreases the damaging effects of reactive oxygen species (ROS), in the blood, brain, and other tissues of the body. Furthermore, we have shown that the combination of these nutrients (called NT-020) creates a synergistic effect that promotes the proliferation of stem cells in vitro and in vivo. In the current study, we examined the effects of NT-020 on neurogenesis and performance on a Morris water maze (MWM). Aged (20-month-old) male Fischer 344 rats were treated with 135.0 mg/kg per day (n = 13) of NT-020. Young (3-month-old) (n = 10) and aged (20-month-old) (n = 13) control male Fischer 344 rats were treated with water by oral gavage. All groups were treated for a period of 4 weeks. Although there was no difference in performance in the MWM when comparing all aged rats, when the data for aged impaired rats were compared, there was a significant difference between groups on the last day of training with the treatment group performing better than controls. Using the cell cycle-regulating protein (Ki67), doublecortin (DCX), and OX6 antibody markers, cell proliferation, neurogenesis, and microglial activation were estimated in the dentate gyrus (DG) of young and aged animals. Cell proliferation was also examined in the subventricular zone (SVZ). A decreased number of OX6 MHC II-positive cells, increased neurogenesis, and increased number of proliferating cells were found in rats treated with NT-020 in comparison with aged control rats. In sum, NT-020 may promote health, proliferation, and maintenance of neurons in the age animals and exert antiinflammatory actions that promote function in the aged stem cell niche.

pp120/ecto-ATPase, an endogenous substrate of the insulin receptor tyrosine kinase, is expressed as two variably spliced isoforms.

The insulin receptor possesses tyrosine kinase activity which is thought to mediate the biological effects of insulin upon target cells. pp120 is a liver-specific glycoprotein of apparent molecular size of 120 kDa that is phosphorylated on tyrosine residues by the receptors for insulin, insulin-like growth factor-I, and epidermal growth factor. Previously, we demonstrated that pp120 is identical to a liver-specific ecto-ATPase. In the present study, we have cloned the rat gene encoding pp120/ecto-ATPase. The gene is contained within approximately 15 kilobases of genomic DNA, and consists of nine exons interrupted by eight introns. Using the reverse transcriptase/polymerase chain reaction, we isolated cDNA clones complementary to rat liver mRNA encoding pp120/ecto-ATPase. Sequence analysis indicated the presence of two populations of cDNA's that differ by the presence or absence of a 53-base pair (bp) fragment encoding the juxta-membrane region of the cytoplasmic domain. By cloning the corresponding region of the ecto-ATPase gene, we demonstrated that the 53-bp represents exon 7 of the gene. This 53-bp exon undergoes alternative splicing, thereby giving rise to two mRNA variants. Deletion of this 53-bp cassette exon introduces a frameshift, and results in a premature chain termination codon that truncates the cytoplasmic domain. The truncated cytoplasmic domain contains 10 rather than 71 amino acid residues. Because the short isoform of ecto-ATPase lacks the putative sites for tyrosine- and serine-specific phosphorylation, this alternative splicing may have a major effect upon the physiological function of the enzyme.