STARs in the CNS

2016 ◽  
Vol 44 (4) ◽  
pp. 1066-1072 ◽  
Author(s):  
Ingrid Ehrmann ◽  
Philippe Fort ◽  
David J. Elliott
Keyword(s):  
Signal Transduction ◽  
Central Nervous System ◽  
Nervous System ◽  
Target Genes ◽  
Protein Splicing ◽  
Neural Connectivity ◽  
Star Protein ◽  
Myelin Associated Glycoprotein ◽  
Survival Of Motor Neuron

STAR (signal transduction and activation of RNA) proteins regulate splicing of target genes that have roles in neural connectivity, survival and myelination in the vertebrate nervous system. These regulated splicing targets include mRNAs such as the Neurexins (Nrxn), SMN2 (survival of motor neuron) and MAG (myelin-associated glycoprotein). Recent work has made it possible to identify and validate STAR protein splicing targets in vivo by using genetically modified mouse models. In this review, we will discuss the importance of STAR protein splicing targets in the CNS (central nervous system).

Neuropharmacological Profile and Chemical Analysis of Moroccan Ormenis mixta L.

2018 ◽  
Vol 16 (S1) ◽  
pp. S55-S64
Author(s):  
G. Hajjaj ◽  
A. Bahlouli ◽  
M. Tajani ◽  
K. Alaoui ◽  
Y. Cherrah ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Central Nervous System ◽  
Nervous System ◽  
Body Weight ◽  
Traditional Medicine ◽  
Behavioral Tests ◽  
Phytochemical Screening ◽  
Activity Profile ◽  
Acute Toxicity Study ◽  
Pharmacological Studies

Ormenis mixta L. is traditionally used for central nervous system (CNS)-related diseases. Its anti-stress properties have received attention in Moroccan traditional medicine and aromatherapy. However, no pharmacological studies have yet been undertaken on this plant in Morocco. The present study provides a preliminary phytochemical screening and psychopharmacological profile of the essential oil and aqueous extract from Ormenis mixta L. by using behavioral tests in vivo, at graded doses. The result of this research shows that Ormenis mixta L. was safe up to 2 g/kg b.w. (body weight) in the acute toxicity study, possesses potential psychostimulant effect, and has antianxiety and antidepressant-like activity. This activity profile of Ormenis mixta L. was similar to the typical psychostimulant, caffeine. The exact mechanism of action underlying this stimulant-like effect should be clarified with further detailed studies. These results explained the extensive use of Ormenis mixta L. as a traditional medicine in Morocco.

scholarly journals Plant Species of Sub-Family Valerianaceae—A Review on Its Effect on the Central Nervous System

Plants ◽  
2021 ◽  
Vol 10 (5) ◽  
pp. 846
Author(s):  
Gitishree Das ◽  
Han-Seung Shin ◽  
Rosa Tundis ◽  
Sandra Gonçalves ◽  
Ourlad Alzeus G. Tantengco ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Central Nervous System ◽  
Nervous System ◽  
Plant Species ◽  
Current Knowledge ◽  
Biological Properties ◽  
In Vivo Studies ◽  
Food Species ◽  
The Central Nervous System ◽  
Preclinical And Clinical Studies

Valerianaceae, the sub-family of Caprifoliaceae, contains more than 300 species of annual and perennial herbs, worldwide distributed. Several species are used for their biological properties while some are used as food. Species from the genus Valeriana have been used for their antispasmodic, relaxing, and sedative properties, which have been mainly attributed to the presence of valepotriates, borneol derivatives, and isovalerenic acid. Among this genus, the most common and employed species is Valerianaofficinalis. Although valerian has been traditionally used as a mild sedative, research results are still controversial regarding the role of the different active compounds, the herbal preparations, and the dosage used. The present review is designed to summarize and critically describe the current knowledge on the different plant species belonging to Valerianaceae, their phytochemicals, their uses in the treatment of different diseases with particular emphasis on the effects on the central nervous system. The available information on this sub-family was collected from scientific databases up until year 2020. The following electronic databases were used: PubMed, Scopus, Sci Finder, Web of Science, Science Direct, NCBI, and Google Scholar. The search terms used for this review included Valerianaceae, Valeriana, Centranthus, Fedia, Patrinia, Nardostachys, Plectritis, and Valerianella, phytochemical composition, in vivo studies, Central Nervous System, neuroprotective, antidepressant, antinociceptive, anxiolytic, anxiety, preclinical and clinical studies.

Further studies on free-radical pathology in the major central nervous system disorders: effect of very high doses of methylprednisolone on the functional outcome, morphology, and chemistry of experimental spinal cord impact injury

1982 ◽  
Vol 60 (11) ◽  
pp. 1415-1424 ◽  
Author(s):  
H. B. Demopoulos ◽  
E. S. Flamm ◽  
M. L. Seligman ◽  
D. D. Pietronigro ◽  
J. Tomasula ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Spinal Cord ◽  
Central Nervous System ◽  
Nervous System ◽  
Free Radical ◽  
Tissue Injury ◽  
Functional Restoration ◽  
Radical Reactions ◽  
Free Radical Reactions ◽  
Cord Injury

The hypothesis that pathologic free-radical reactions are initiated and catalyzed in the major central nervous system (CNS) disorders has been further supported by the current acute spinal cord injury work that has demonstrated the appearance of specific, cholesterol free-radical oxidation products. The significance of these products is suggested by the fact that: (i) they increase with time after injury; (ii) their production is curtailed with a steroidal antioxidant; (iii) high antioxidant doses of the steroidal antioxidant which curtail the development of free-radical product prevent tissue degeneration and permit functional restoration. The role of pathologic free-radical reactions is also inferred from the loss of ascorbic acid, a principal CNS antioxidant, and of extractable cholesterol. These losses are also prevented by the steroidal antioxidant. This model system is among others in the CNS which offer distinctive opportunities to study, in vivo, the onset and progression of membrane damaging free-radical reactions within well-defined parameters of time, extent of tissue injury, correlation with changes in membrane enzymes, and correlation with readily measurable in vivo functions.

scholarly journals INFLUENCE OF ANESTHESIA ON EXPERIMENTAL NEUROTROPIC VIRUS INFECTIONS

1946 ◽  
Vol 84 (4) ◽  
pp. 277-292 ◽  
Author(s):  
S. Edward Sulkin ◽  
Christine Zarafonetis ◽  
Andres Goth
Keyword(s):  
Central Nervous System ◽  
Nervous System ◽  
Diethyl Ether ◽  
Cervical Region ◽  
Virus Infections ◽  
Ether Anesthesia ◽  
Neurotropic Virus ◽  
Experimental Infections

Anesthesia with diethyl ether significantly alters the course and outcome of experimental infections with the equine encephalomyelitis virus (Eastern or Western type) or with the St. Louis encephalitis virus. No comparable effect is observed in experimental infections produced with rabies or poliomyelitis (Lansing) viruses. The neurotropic virus infections altered by ether anesthesia are those caused by viruses which are destroyed in vitro by this anesthetic, and those infections not affected by ether anesthesia are caused by viruses which apparently are not destroyed by ether in vitro. Another striking difference between these two groups of viruses is their pathogenesis in the animal host; those which are inhibited in vivo by ether anesthesia tend to infect cells of the cortex, basal ganglia, and only occasionally the cervical region of the cord. On the other hand, those which are not inhibited in vivo by ether anesthesia tend to involve cells of the lower central nervous system and in the case of rabies, peripheral nerves. This difference is of considerable importance in view of the fact that anesthetics affect cells of the lower central nervous system only in very high concentrations. It is obvious from the complexity of the problem that no clear-cut statement can be made at this point as to the mechanism of the observed effect of ether anesthesia in reducing the mortality rate in certain of the experimental neurotropic virus infections. Important possibilities include a direct specific effect of diethyl ether upon the virus and a less direct effect of the anesthetic upon the virus through its alteration of the metabolism of the host cell.

A radiotracer method for the measurement of central nervous system catecholamines in vivo

1978 ◽  
Vol 56 (3) ◽  
pp. 535-538 ◽  
Author(s):  
S. W. Tang ◽  
H. C. Stancer ◽  
J. J. Warsh
Keyword(s):  
Central Nervous System ◽  
Animal Model ◽  
Nervous System ◽  
Specific Activity ◽  
Brain Catecholamines ◽  
Radiotracer Method ◽  
New Strategy ◽  
The Central Nervous System ◽  
6 Hydroxydopamine

A new strategy for measurement of brain catecholamines was tested in an animal model. [3H]Norepinephrine was infused intravenously in rabbits to label the peripheral norepinephrine pools. The specific activity of urinary 3-methoxy-4-hydroxymandelic acid was consistently higher than that for 3-methoxy-4-hydroxyphenylglycol (MHPG). Central sympathectomy with 6-hydroxydopamine abolished this difference. Using the formula we propose, it is estimated that 30–50% of urinary MHPG originates from the central nervous system.

scholarly journals Astrocyte-Derived CCL2 is Associated with M1 Activation and Recruitment of Cultured Microglial Cells

2016 ◽  
Vol 38 (3) ◽  
pp. 859-870 ◽  
Author(s):  
Mingfeng He ◽  
Hongquan Dong ◽  
Yahui Huang ◽  
Shunmei Lu ◽  
Shu Zhang ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Central Nervous System ◽  
Nervous System ◽  
Microglial Activation ◽  
Culture Media ◽  
Microglial Cells ◽  
Migration Ability ◽  
Migration Assay ◽  
Tnf Α

Background/Aims: Microglia are an essential player in central nervous system inflammation. Recent studies have demonstrated that the astrocytic chemokine, CCL2, is associated with microglial activation in vivo. However, CCL2-induced microglial activation has not yet been studied in vitro. The purpose of the current study was to understand the role of astrocyte-derived CCL2 in microglial activation and to elucidate the underlying mechanism(s). Methods: Primary astrocytes were pre-treated with CCL2 siRNA and stimulated with TNF-α. The culture medium (CM) was collected and added to cultures of microglia, which were incubated with and without CCR2 inhibitor. Microglial cells were analyzed by quantitative RT-PCR to determine whether they polarized to the M1 or M2 state. Microglial migratory ability was assessed by transwell migration assay. Results: TNF-α stimulated the release of CCL2 from astrocytes, even if the culture media containing TNF-α was replaced with fresh media after 3 h. CM from TNF-α-stimulated astrocytes successfully induced microglial activation, which was ascertained by increased activation of M1 and enhanced migration ability. In contrast, CM from astrocytes pretreated with CCL2 siRNA showed no effect on microglial activation, compared to controls. Additionally, microglia pre-treated with RS102895, a CCR2 inhibitor, were resistant to activation by CM from TNF-α-stimulated astrocytes. Conclusion: This study demonstrates that the CCL2/CCR2 pathway of astrocyte-induced microglial activation is associated with M1 polarization and enhanced migration ability, indicating that this pathway could be a useful target to ameliorate inflammation in the central nervous system.

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