scholarly journals Emerging Roles of Sestrins in Neurodegenerative Diseases: Counteracting Oxidative Stress and Beyond

2019 ◽  
Vol 8 (7) ◽  
pp. 1001 ◽  
Author(s):  
Chen ◽  
Yang ◽  
Lin ◽  
Yang

Low levels of reactive oxygen species (ROS) are critical for the operation of regular neuronal function. However, heightened oxidative stress with increased contents of oxidation markers in DNA, lipids, and proteins with compromised antioxidant capacity may play a harmful role in the brain and may be implicated in the pathophysiology of neurodegenerative diseases. Sestrins, a family of evolutionarily-conserved stress-inducible proteins, are actively regulated by assorted stresses, such as DNA damage, hypoxia, and oxidative stress. Three highly homologous genes that encode sestrin1, sestrin2, and sestrin3 proteins exist in the genomes of vertebrates. Under stressful conditions, sestrins are activated with versatile functions to cope with different types of stimuli. A growing body of evidence suggests that sestrins, especially sestrin2, can counteract oxidative stress, lessen mammalian/mechanistic target of rapamycin (mTOR) expression, and promote cell survival, thereby playing a critical role in aging-related disorders including neurodegeneration. Strategies capable of augmenting sestrin expression may; thus, facilitate cell adaptation to stressful conditions or environments through stimulation of antioxidant response and autophagy process, which may carry clinical significance in neurodegenerative diseases.

2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
Johnson Olaleye Oladele ◽  
Adenike T. Oladiji ◽  
Oluwaseun Titilope Oladele ◽  
Oyedotun M. Oyeleke

Neurodegenerative diseases are debilitating disorders which compromise motor or cognitive functions and are rapidly becoming a global communal disorder with over 46.8 million people suffering dementia worldwide. Aetiological studies have showed that people who are exposed to agricultural, occupational and environmental toxic chemicals that can interfere and degenerate dopaminergic neurons are prone to developing neurodegenerative diseases such as Parkinson Disease. The complex pathogenesis of the neurodegenerative diseases remains largely unknown; however, mounting evidence suggests that oxidative stress, neuroinflammation, protein misfolding, and apoptosis are the hallmarks of the diseases. Reactive oxygen species (ROS) are chemically reactive molecules that have been implicated in the pathogenesis of neurodegenerative diseases. ROS play a critical role as high levels of oxidative stress are commonly observed in the brain of patients with neurodegenerative disorders. This chapter focus on the sources of ROS in the brain, its involvement in the pathogenesis of neurodegenerative diseases and possible ways to mitigate its damaging effects in the affected brain.


2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
Jose L Salazar ◽  
Sheng-An Yang ◽  
Yong Qi Lin ◽  
David Li-Kroeger ◽  
Paul C Marcogliese ◽  
...  

TM2 domain containing (TM2D) proteins are conserved in metazoans and encoded by three separate genes in each species. Rare variants in TM2D3 are associated with Alzheimer's disease (AD) and its fly ortholog almondex is required for embryonic Notch signaling. However, the functions of this gene family remain elusive. We knocked-out all three TM2D genes (almondex, CG11103/amaretto, CG10795/biscotti) in Drosophila and found that they share the same maternal-effect neurogenic defect. Triple null animals are not phenotypically worse than single nulls, suggesting these genes function together. Overexpression of the most conserved region of the TM2D proteins acts as a potent inhibitor of Notch signaling at the γ-secretase cleavage step. Lastly, Almondex is detected in the brain and its loss causes shortened lifespan accompanied by progressive electrophysiological defects. The functional links between all three TM2D genes are likely to be evolutionarily conserved, suggesting that this entire gene family may be involved in AD.


2020 ◽  
Vol 21 (7) ◽  
pp. 2501 ◽  
Author(s):  
Thomas Nury ◽  
Gérard Lizard ◽  
Anne Vejux

Neurodegenerative diseases, particularly Parkinson’s and Alzheimer’s, have common features: protein accumulation, cell death with mitochondrial involvement and oxidative stress. Patients are treated to cure the symptoms, but the treatments do not target the causes; so, the disease is not stopped. It is interesting to look at the side of nutrition which could help prevent the first signs of the disease or slow its progression in addition to existing therapeutic strategies. Lipids, whether in the form of vegetable or animal oils or in the form of fatty acids, could be incorporated into diets with the aim of preventing neurodegenerative diseases. These different lipids can inhibit the cytotoxicity induced during the pathology, whether at the level of mitochondria, oxidative stress or apoptosis and inflammation. The conclusions of the various studies cited are oriented towards the preventive use of oils or fatty acids. The future of these lipids that can be used in therapy/prevention will undoubtedly involve a better delivery to the body and to the brain by utilizing lipid encapsulation.


Antioxidants ◽  
2019 ◽  
Vol 8 (11) ◽  
pp. 529 ◽  
Author(s):  
Ricardo A. Pinho ◽  
Aderbal S. Aguiar ◽  
Zsolt Radák

This review highlighted resistance training as an important training type for the brain. Most studies that use physical exercise for the prevention or treatment of neurodegenerative diseases have focused on aerobic physical exercise, revealing different behavioral, biochemical, and molecular effects. However, recent studies have shown that resistance training can also significantly contribute to the prevention of neurodegenerative diseases as well as to the maintenance, development, and recovery of brain activities through specific neurochemical adaptations induced by the training. In this scenario we observed the results of several studies published in different journals in the last 20 years, focusing on the effects of resistance training on three main neurological aspects: Neuroprotective mechanisms, oxidative stress, and cognition. Systematic database searches of PubMed, Web of Science, Scopus, and Medline were performed to identify peer-reviewed studies from the 2000s. Combinations of keywords related to brain disease, aerobic/resistance, or strength physical exercise were used. Other variables were not addressed in this review but should be considered for a complete understanding of the effects of training in the brain.


2006 ◽  
Vol 54 (5) ◽  
pp. 549-557 ◽  
Author(s):  
Joseph Burdo ◽  
Richard Dargusch ◽  
David Schubert

System x−c, one of the main transporters responsible for central nervous system cystine transport, is comprised of two subunits, xCT and 4F2hc. The transport of cystine into cells is rate limiting for glutathione synthesis, the major antioxidant and redox cofactor in the brain. Alterations in glutathione status are prevalent in numerous neurodegenerative diseases, emphasizing the importance of proper cystine homeostasis. However, the distribution of xCT and 4F2hc within the brain and other areas has not been described. Using specific antibodies, both xCT and 4F2hc were localized predominantly to neurons in the mouse and human brain, but some glial cells were labeled as well. Border areas between the brain proper and periphery including the vascular endothelial cells, ependymal cells, choroid plexus, and leptomeninges were also highly positive for the system x−c components. xCT and 4F2hc are also present at the brush border membranes in the kidney and duodenum. These results indicate that system x−c is likely to play a role in cellular health throughout many areas of the brain as well as other organs by maintaining intracellular cystine levels, thereby resulting in low levels of oxidative stress. (J Histochem Cytochem 54: 549–557, 2006)


2020 ◽  
Vol 21 (19) ◽  
pp. 7152 ◽  
Author(s):  
Kyung Hee Lee ◽  
Myeounghoon Cha ◽  
Bae Hwan Lee

The brain is vulnerable to excessive oxidative insults because of its abundant lipid content, high energy requirements, and weak antioxidant capacity. Reactive oxygen species (ROS) increase susceptibility to neuronal damage and functional deficits, via oxidative changes in the brain in neurodegenerative diseases. Overabundance and abnormal levels of ROS and/or overload of metals are regulated by cellular defense mechanisms, intracellular signaling, and physiological functions of antioxidants in the brain. Single and/or complex antioxidant compounds targeting oxidative stress, redox metals, and neuronal cell death have been evaluated in multiple preclinical and clinical trials as a complementary therapeutic strategy for combating oxidative stress associated with neurodegenerative diseases. Herein, we present a general analysis and overview of various antioxidants and suggest potential courses of antioxidant treatments for the neuroprotection of the brain from oxidative injury. This review focuses on enzymatic and non-enzymatic antioxidant mechanisms in the brain and examines the relative advantages and methodological concerns when assessing antioxidant compounds for the treatment of neurodegenerative disorders.


2013 ◽  
Vol 2013 ◽  
pp. 1-10 ◽  
Author(s):  
Zuzana Šišková ◽  
Marie-Ève Tremblay

A series of discoveries spanning for the last few years has challenged our view of microglial function, the main form of immune defense in the brain. The surveillance of neuronal circuits executed by each microglial cell overseeing its territory occurs in the form of regular, dynamic interactions. Microglial contacts with individual neuronal compartments, such as dendritic spines and axonal terminals, ensure that redundant or dysfunctional elements are recognized and eliminated from the brain. Microglia take on a new shape that is large and amoeboid when a threat to brain integrity is detected. In this defensive form, they migrate to the endangered sites, where they help to minimize the extent of the brain insult. However, in neurodegenerative diseases that are associated with misfolding and aggregation of synaptic proteins, these vital defensive functions appear to be compromised. Many microglial functions, such as phagocytosis, might be overwhelmed during exposure to the abnormal levels of misfolded proteins in their proximity. This might prevent them from attending to their normal duties, such as the stripping of degenerating synaptic terminals, before neuronal function is irreparably impaired. In these conditions microglia become chronically activated and appear to take on new, destructive roles by direct or indirect inflammatory attack.


2020 ◽  
Author(s):  
Laura Casares ◽  
Juan Diego Unciti ◽  
Maria Eugenia Prados ◽  
Diego Caprioglio ◽  
Maureen Higgins ◽  
...  

ABSTRACTOxidative stress and inflammation in the brain are two key hallmarks of neurodegenerative diseases (NDs) such as Alzheimer’s, Parkinson’s, Huntington’s and multiple sclerosis. The axis NRF2-BACH1 has anti-inflammatory and anti-oxidant properties that could be exploited pharmacologically to obtain neuroprotective effects. Activation of NRF2 or inhibition of BACH1 are, individually, promising therapeutic approaches for NDs. Compounds with dual activity as NRF2 activators and BACH1 inhibitors, could therefore potentially provide a more robust antioxidant and anti-inflammatory effects, with an overall better neuroprotective outcome. The phytocannabinoid cannabidiol (CBD) inhibits BACH1 but lacks significant NRF2 activating properties. Based on this scaffold, we have developed a novel CBD derivative that is highly effective at both inhibiting BACH1 and activating NRF2. This new CBD derivative provides neuroprotection in cell models of relevance to Huntington’s disease, setting the basis for further developments in vivo.


Author(s):  
S. A. Tsiumpala ◽  
K. M. Starchevska ◽  
V. I. Lushchak

Introduction. Under normal conditions, oxidative stress and proinflammatory processes are tightly controlled. However, during neuroinflammation and overproduction of reactive oxygen species (ROS), homeostasis is disrup­ted, which may lead to development of Alzheimer’s disease, Parkinson’s disease and other neurodegenerative disorders. Inflammatory processes may result in neurodegenerative disorders. Sulforaphane is an isothiocyanate compound which has potential for treatment of neurodegenerative disorders. Its therapeutic potential is based on the ability to activate transcription of genes, that regulate protective cellular mechanisms. The importance of stu­dying sulforaphane as a neuroprotector is based on the fact, that dementias are the seventh leading cause of death glo­bally and actively progress due to aging of human population. In this review, the anti-inflammatory effects of sulforaphane in the brain and its use as a potential neuroprotector in the treatment of neurodegenerative diseases are discussed. The aim of the study – to review available literature sources on the potential use of sulforaphane to prevent or mitigate neuroinflammation. Conclusions. Economic and technological development of mankind and the improvement of the general qua­lity of life leads to prolongation of human life. But, achievements of longevity give new challenges to humanity. In young age and early adulthood, the organisms can relatively easily maintain homeostasis, then in old age intensification of oxidative stress and inflammatory processes can lead to the development of dementias and mental disorders. What should we do now to save clear mind in old age? In this review, sulforaphane is considered to be a potential neuroprotector. Biologically active supplements and drugs containing sulforaphane can weaken up inflammatory processes in the brain and in the body in general, and therefore they can be used for prevention and treatment of neurodegenerative diseases.


2021 ◽  
Vol 22 (21) ◽  
pp. 11444
Author(s):  
Lauren Elizabeth Millichap ◽  
Elisabetta Damiani ◽  
Luca Tiano ◽  
Iain P. Hargreaves

Many neurodegenerative and inherited metabolic diseases frequently compromise nervous system function, and mitochondrial dysfunction and oxidative stress have been implicated as key events leading to neurodegeneration. Mitochondria are essential for neuronal function; however, these organelles are major sources of endogenous reactive oxygen species and are vulnerable targets for oxidative stress-induced damage. The brain is very susceptible to oxidative damage due to its high metabolic demand and low antioxidant defence systems, therefore minimal imbalances in the redox state can result in an oxidative environment that favours tissue damage and activates neuroinflammatory processes. Mitochondrial-associated molecular pathways are often compromised in the pathophysiology of neurodegeneration, including the parkin/PINK1, Nrf2, PGC1α, and PPARγ pathways. Impairments to these signalling pathways consequently effect the removal of dysfunctional mitochondria, which has been suggested as contributing to the development of neurodegeneration. Mitochondrial dysfunction prevention has become an attractive therapeutic target, and there are several molecular pathways that can be pharmacologically targeted to remove damaged mitochondria by inducing mitochondrial biogenesis or mitophagy, as well as increasing the antioxidant capacity of the brain, in order to alleviate mitochondrial dysfunction and prevent the development and progression of neurodegeneration in these disorders. Compounds such as natural polyphenolic compounds, bioactive quinones, and Nrf2 activators have been reported in the literature as novel therapeutic candidates capable of targeting defective mitochondrial pathways in order to improve mitochondrial function and reduce the severity of neurodegeneration in these disorders.


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