Improvements in hippocampal-dependent memory and microglial infiltration with calorie restriction and gastric bypass surgery, but not with vertical sleeve gastrectomy.

BACKGROUND: Much recent evidence suggest that obesity and related comorbidities contribute to cognitive decline, including the development of non age-related dementia and Alzheimer's disease. Obesity is a serious threat to public health, and few treatments offer proven long-term weight loss. In fact, bariatric surgery remains the most effective long-term therapy to reduce weight and alleviate other aspects of the metabolic syndrome (MetS). Unlike the demonstrated benefits of caloric restriction to prevent weight gain, few if any studies have compared various means of weight loss on central nervous system function and hippocampal-dependent cognitive processes. DESIGN AND RESULTS: Our studies comprise the first direct comparisons of caloric restriction to two bariatric surgeries (Roux-en-Y gastric bypass (RYGB) and vertical sleeve gastrectomy (VSG)) on cognitive function. Weight loss following caloric restriction, RYGB and VSG was associated with generalized improvements in metabolic health and hippocampal-dependent learning, as measured in the radial arm maze and spontaneous alternation tests. However, VSG-treated rats exhibited deficits on spatial learning tasks in the Morris water maze. In addition, whereas VSG animals had elevated hippocampal inflammation, comparable to that of obese controls, RYGB and calorie-restricted (pair-fed, PF) controls exhibited an amelioration of inflammation, as measured by the microglial protein ionized calcium binding adaptor molecule 1 (IBA1). We also assessed whether GHR (ghrelin) replacement would attenuate hippocampal inflammation in VSG, as post-surgical GHR levels are significantly reduced in VSG relative to RYGB and PF rats. However, GHR treatment did not attenuate the hippocampal inflammation. CONCLUSION: Although VSG was comparably effective at reducing body weight and improving glucose regulation as RYGB, VSG did not appear to confer an equal benefit on cognitive function and markers of inflammation.

The anaphylactic release of platelet-activating factor from perfused guinea-pig lungs.

The release of platelet-activating factor (Paf-acether) and of its inactive precursor/metabolite lyso-platelet activating factor (lyso-Paf) from control and sensitized guinea-pig isolated lungs challenged with antigen was investigated. Control guinea-pig lungs perfused either through the pulmonary circulation or through the airways and challenged with antigen did not release Paf-acether. Sensitized guinea-pig isolated lungs perfused through the pulmonary circulation and challenged with antigen released lyso-Paf but not Paf-acether. Sensitized guinea-pig isolated lungs perfused through the airways and challenged with antigen released three times more lyso-Paf and also Paf-acether. These results support a possible role for Paf-acether in respiratory anaphylaxis in the guinea-pig.

Release of PAF-acether and eicosanoids from guinea-pig alveolar macrophages by FMLP: effect of cyclo-oxygenase and lipoxygenase inhibition.

Adherent guinea-pig alveolar macrophages stimulated in vitro with FMLP (1 microM) for 5-60 min released PAF-acether, TXB2 and LTB4, with maximal levels being achieved after a 5 min incubation. The levels of eicosanoids were maintained during the 60 min incubation period, whereas the levels of PAF-acether decreased and were no longer detectable after 60 min incubation. Indomethacin (1 microM) completely suppressed the release of TXB2 stimulated by FMLP (1 microM for 5 min) whilst potentiating the release of LTB4. The selective 5-lipoxygenase inhibitor, BW A137C (1 microM), abolished the stimulated release of LTB4 without affecting the release of TXB2. BW755C (1-20 microM) caused a dose-related inhibition of TXB2 release but did not affect LTB4 release, while none of the drugs studied affected the release of PAF-acether. These results indicate that the FMLP-induced release of PAF-acether from guinea-pig alveolar macrophages is not susceptible to modulation by selective inhibition of lipoxygenase or cyclo-oxygenase and is therefore not secondary to the synthesis of LTB4 or TXB2.

Inhibition of antigen-induced contraction of guinea-pig airways by a leukotriene synthesis inhibitor, BAY x1005.

BAY x1005 ((R)-2-[4-quinolin-2-yl-methoxy)phenyl]-2-cyclopentyl acetic acid), an inhibitor of leukotriene synthesis, was evaluated, both in vitro and in vivo, for inhibition of antigen-induced airway contraction in the sensitised guinea-pig. Antigen (ovalbumin 0.001-10 micrograms/ml) challenge of tracheae in the presence of pyrilamine and indomethacin induced contractile responses which were inhibited by BAY x1005 with an IC50 value of 0.36 (0.2-0.8) microM. Using the same test system BAY x1005 (1 microM), ICI D2138 (0.3 microM) or AA 861 (1 microM) had similar inhibitory activities, whereas MK 886, MK 591, and Zileuton (A64077) all tested at 1 microM and REV 5901 (10 microM) had no significant effect. Using tracheae from non-sensitised (control) guinea-pigs the calcium ionophore A23187 (1 microM) induced a maximal contraction which was significantly inhibited by BAY x1005 at 1 microM, whereas MK 886 was only active at 3 microM. BAY x1005 tested at 10 microM and 3 microM had no effect against leukotriene D4- or KCl-induced contractions of guinea-pig tracheae respectively. In the anaesthetised ovalbumin sensitised guinea-pig BAY x1005 caused a dose-related inhibition of ovalbumin-induced bronchoconstriction, with approximate ID50 values of 0.85 mg/kg i.v. and 6.3 mg/kg p.o. In the same model MK 886, MK 591, AA 861 and ICI D2138 each given at 10 mg/kg p.o. had no significant inhibitory activity against antigen challenge. Six hours after administration BAY x1005 (10 mg/kg p.o.) was still effective against the antigen-induced response.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)