Kynurenine Pathway in Respiratory Diseases

The kynurenine pathway is the primary route for tryptophan catabolism and has received increasing attention as its association with inflammation and the immune system has become more apparent. This review provides a broad overview of the kynurenine pathway in respiratory diseases, from the initial observations to the characterization of the different cell types involved in the synthesis of kynurenine metabolites and the underlying immunoregulatory mechanisms. With a focus on respiratory infections, the various attempts to characterize the kynurenine/tryptophan (K/T) ratio as an inflammatory marker are reviewed. Its implication in chronic lung inflammation and its exacerbation by respiratory pathogens is also discussed. The emergence of preclinical interventional studies targeting the kynurenine pathway opens the way for the future development of new therapies.

Development and Validation of a Risk Score for Mild Cognitive Impairment in Individuals with Type 2 Diabetes in China: A Practical Cognitive Prescreening Tool

Aim

Numerous evidence suggests that diabetes increases the risk of cognitive impairment. This study aimed to develop and validate a multivariable risk score model to identify mild cognitive impairment (MCI) in patients with type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM).

Methods

This cross-sectional study included 1256 inpatients (age: 57.5 ± 11.2 years) with T2DM in a tertiary care hospital in China. MCI was diagnosed according to the criteria recommended by the National Institute on Aging-Alzheimer's Association Workgroup, and a MoCA score of 19-25 indicated MCI. Participants were randomly allocated into the derivation and validation sets at 7:3 ratio. Logistic regression models were used to identify predictors for MCI in the derivation set. A scoring system based on the predictors' beta coefficient was developed. Predictive ability of the risk score was tested by discrimination and calibration methods.

Results

Totally 880 (285 with MCI, 32.4%) and 376 (167 with MCI, 33.8%) patients were allocated in the derivation and validation set, respectively. Age, education, HbA1c, self-reported history of severe hypoglycemia, and microvascular disease were identified as predictors for MCI and constituted the risk score. The AUCs (95% CI) of the risk score were 0.751 (0.717, 0.784) in derivation set and 0.776 (0.727, 0.824) in validation set. The risk score showed good apparent calibration of observed and predicted MCI probabilities and was capable of stratifying individuals into 3 risk categories by two cut-off points (low risk: ≤ 3, medium risk: 4-13, and high risk ≥ 14).

Conclusion

The risk score based on age, education, HbA1c, self-reported history of severe hypoglycemia, and microvascular disease can effectively assess MCI risk in adults with T2DM at different age. It can serve as a practical prescreening tool for early detection of MCI in daily diabetes care.

Gut microbiota in overweight and obesity: crosstalk with adipose tissue

Overweight and obesity are characterized by excessive fat mass accumulation produced when energy intake exceeds energy expenditure. One plausible way to control energy expenditure is to modulate thermogenic pathways in white adipose tissue (WAT) and/or brown adipose tissue (BAT). Among the different environmental factors capable of influencing host metabolism and energy balance, the gut microbiota is now considered a key player. Following pioneering studies showing that mice lacking gut microbes (that is, germ-free mice) or depleted of their gut microbiota (that is, using antibiotics) developed less adipose tissue, numerous studies have investigated the complex interactions existing between gut bacteria, some of their membrane components (that is, lipopolysaccharides), and their metabolites (that is, short-chain fatty acids, endocannabinoids, bile acids, aryl hydrocarbon receptor ligands and tryptophan derivatives) as well as their contribution to the browning and/or beiging of WAT and changes in BAT activity. In this Review, we discuss the general physiology of both WAT and BAT. Subsequently, we introduce how gut bacteria and different microbiota-derived metabolites, their receptors and signalling pathways can regulate the development of adipose tissue and its metabolic capacities. Finally, we describe the key challenges in moving from bench to bedside by presenting specific key examples.

Association between lipid accumulation products and osteoarthritis among adults in the United States: A cross-sectional study, NHANES 2017-2020

OBJECTIVE

Using cross-sectional data from the 2017-2020 National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey (NHANES) for American, the aim of this research is to investigate the potential association between Lipid Accumulation Products (LAP) and the risk of osteoarthritis (OA).

METHODS

Data from the NHANES (2017-2020) were downloaded and further analyzed. The participants between 20 and 80 years reported having OA, and other relevant variables and information on LAP were included. The linear and non-linear associations between LAP and OA were evaluated using multivariable logistic regression analysis and smoothed curve fitting methods. A two-part linear regression model was also used to estimate threshold effects.

RESULTS

The increased risk of OA was shown to have a nonlinear relationship with higher LAP, showing a solid threshold impact with a saturation value of 120.00 cm × mmol/L, according to our data. The two variables showed a positive relationship to the left of the saturation point but no significant association to the right, pointing to a complicated nonlinear relationship between OA prevalence and LAP.

CONCLUSIONS

Our findings revealed that LAP was an independent risk factor for OA when it was <120.00 cm × mmol/L. The LAP index may serve as a valuable method for predicting and diagnosed OA. To validate our results, further large-scale prospective research are required.

1-Benzylindoles as inhibitors of cytosolic phospholipase A2α: synthesis, biological activity, aqueous solubility, and cell permeability

Cytosolic phospholipase A2α (cPLA2α) is considered an interesting target for the development of new anti-inflammatory drugs, as it is significantly involved in the formation of pro-inflammatory lipid mediators. Recently, in a ligand-based virtual screening approach, 2,4-dichlorobenzyl-substituted 4-[2-(indol-3-ylmethylene)hydrazineyl]benzoic acid 7 was found to be an inhibitor of cPLA2α with micromolar activity. This compound has now been systematically varied to increase inhibitory potency. The studies performed led to 5-(1-benzylindol-3-ylmethyl)-2H-tetrazol-2-yl)pentanoic acid derivatives that exhibited submicromolar activity against the enzyme. The most potent compounds were also tested for their water solubility and for permeability in a Caco-2 model. Among other things, it was found that in Caco-2 cells, the pentanoic acid chain of the molecules can be metabolised to a considerable extent to propionic acid by β-oxidation.

Inhibition of CD38 enzymatic activity enhances CAR-T cell immune-therapeutic efficacy by repressing glycolytic metabolism

Chimeric antigen receptor (CAR)-T therapy has shown superior efficacy against hematopoietic malignancies. However, many patients failed to achieve sustainable tumor control partially due to CAR-T cell exhaustion and limited persistence. In this study, by performing single-cell multi-omics data analysis on patient-derived CAR-T cells, we identify CD38 as a potential hallmark of exhausted CAR-T cells, which is positively correlated with exhaustion-related transcription factors and further confirmed with in vitro exhaustion models. Moreover, inhibiting CD38 activity reverses tonic signaling- or tumor antigen-induced exhaustion independent of single-chain variable fragment design or costimulatory domain, resulting in improved CAR-T cell cytotoxicity and antitumor response. Mechanistically, CD38 inhibition synergizes the downregulation of CD38-cADPR -Ca2+ signaling and activation of the CD38-NAD+-SIRT1 axis to suppress glycolysis. Collectively, our findings shed light on the role of CD38 in CAR-T cell exhaustion and suggest potential clinical applications of CD38 inhibition in enhancing the efficacy and persistence of CAR-T cell therapy.

Nicotinic Acid Adenine Dinucleotide Phosphate (NAADP)-Mediated Calcium Signaling Is Active in Memory CD4+ T Cells

Nicotinic acid adenine dinucleotide phosphate (NAADP), identified as one of the most potent calcium-mobilizing second messengers, has been studied in different eukaryotic cell types, including lymphocytes. Although aspects of NAADP-mediated calcium release in lymphocytes are still under debate, the organelles pertaining to NAADP-mediated calcium release are often characterized as acidic and related to lysosomes. Although NAADP-mediated calcium release in different subsets of T cells, including naïve, effector and natural regulatory T cells, has been studied, it has not been widely studied in memory CD4+ T cells, which show a different calcium flux profile. Using a pharmacological approach, the effect of Ned-19, an NAADP pathway antagonist, on the involvement of NAADP in TCR activation in murine memory CD4+ T cells and their downstream effector functions, such as proliferation and cytokine production, was studied. According to this study, Ned-19 inhibited TCR-mediated calcium flux and its downstream effector functions in primary memory CD4+ T cells. The study also revealed that both extracellular and intracellular calcium stores, including endoplasmic reticulum and lysosome-like acidic calcium stores, contribute to the TCR-mediated calcium flux in memory CD4+ T cells. NAADP-AM, a cell permeable analogue of NAADP, was shown to release calcium in memory CD4+ T cells and calcium flux was inhibited by Ned-19.

Correction: Assessing the consistency of iPSC and animal models in cystic fibrosis modelling: A meta-analysis

[This corrects the article DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0272091.].

Untargeted Metabolomic Profiling Reveals Differentially Expressed Serum Metabolites and Pathways in Type 2 Diabetes Patients with and without Cognitive Decline: A Cross-Sectional Study

Diabetes is recognized as a risk factor for cognitive decline, but the underlying mechanisms remain elusive. We aimed to identify the metabolic pathways altered in diabetes-associated cognitive decline (DACD) using untargeted metabolomics. We conducted liquid chromatography-mass spectrometry-based untargeted metabolomics to profile serum metabolite levels in 100 patients with type 2 diabetes (T2D) (54 without and 46 with DACD). Multivariate statistical tools were used to identify the differentially expressed metabolites (DEMs), and enrichment and pathways analyses were used to identify the signaling pathways associated with the DEMs. The receiver operating characteristic (ROC) analysis was employed to assess the diagnostic accuracy of a set of metabolites. We identified twenty DEMs, seven up- and thirteen downregulated in the DACD vs. DM group. Chemometric analysis revealed distinct clustering between the two groups. Metabolite set enrichment analysis found significant enrichment in various metabolite sets, including galactose metabolism, arginine and unsaturated fatty acid biosynthesis, citrate cycle, fructose and mannose, alanine, aspartate, and glutamate metabolism. Pathway analysis identified six significantly altered pathways, including arginine and unsaturated fatty acid biosynthesis, and the metabolism of the citrate cycle, alanine, aspartate, glutamate, a-linolenic acid, and glycerophospholipids. Classifier models with AUC-ROC > 90% were developed using individual metabolites or a combination of individual metabolites and metabolite ratios. Our study provides evidence of perturbations in multiple metabolic pathways in patients with DACD. The distinct DEMs identified in this study hold promise as diagnostic biomarkers for DACD patients.

Study protocol for a prediction model for mild cognitive impairment in older adults with diabetes mellitus and construction of a nurse-led screening system: a prospective observational study

INTRODUCTION

With an increasing number of older adults in China, the number of people with cognitive impairment is also increasing. To decrease the risk of dementia, it is necessary to timely detect mild cognitive impairment (MCI), which is the preliminary stage of dementia. The prevalence of MCI is relatively high among older adults with diabetes mellitus (DM); however, no effective screening strategy has been designed for this population. This study will construct a nurse-led screening system to detect MCI in community-dwelling older adults with DM in a timely manner.

METHODS AND ANALYSIS

A total of 642 participants with DM will be recruited (n=449 for development, n=193 for validation). The participants will be divided into MCI and none-MCI groups. The candidate predictors will include demographic variables, lifestyle factors, history of diseases, physical examinations, laboratory tests and neuropsychological tests. Univariate analysis, least absolute shrinkage and selection operator regression screening, and multivariate logistic regression analysis will be conducted to identify the outcome indicators. Based on the multivariate logistic regression equation, we will develop a traditional model as a comparison criterion for the machine learning models. The Hosmer-Lemeshow goodness-of-fit test and calibration curve will be used to evaluate the calibration. Sensitivity, specificity, area under the curves and clinical decision curve analysis will be performed for all models. We will report the sensitivity, specificity, area under the curve and decision curve analysis of the validation dataset. A prediction model with better performance will be adopted to form the nurse-led screening system.

ETHICS AND DISSEMINATION

This prospective study has received institutional approval of the Medical Ethics Committee of Qidong Hospital of TCM (QDSZYY-LL-20220621). Study results will be disseminated through conference presentations, Chinese Clinical Trial Registry and publication.

TRIAL REGISTRATION NUMBER

ChiCTR2200062855.

Circular RNAs, Noncoding RNAs, and N6-methyladenosine Involved in the Development of MAFLD

Noncoding RNAs (ncRNAs), including circular RNAs (circRNAs) and N6-methyladenosine (m6A), have been shown to play a critical role in the development of various diseases including obesity and metabolic disorder-associated fatty liver disease (MAFLD). Obesity is a chronic disease caused by excessive fat accumulation in the body, which has recently become more prevalent and is the foremost risk factor for MAFLD. Causes of obesity may involve the interaction of genetic, behavioral, and social factors. m6A RNA methylation might add a novel inspiration for understanding the development of obesity and MAFLD with post-transcriptional regulation of gene expression. In particular, circRNAs, microRNAs (miRNAs), and m6A might be implicated in the progression of MAFLD. Interestingly, m6A modification can modulate the translation, degradation, and other functions of ncRNAs. miRNAs/circRNAs can also modulate m6A modifications by affecting writers, erasers, and readers. In turn, ncRNAs could modulate the expression of m6A regulators in different ways. However, there is limited evidence on how these ncRNAs and m6A interact to affect the promotion of liver diseases. It seems that m6A can occur in DNA, RNA, and proteins that may be associated with several biological properties. This study provides a mechanistic understanding of the association of m6A modification and ncRNAs with liver diseases, especially for MAFLD. Comprehension of the association between m6A modification and ncRNAs may contribute to the development of treatment tactics for MAFLD.

MiRNAs as potential therapeutic targets and biomarkers for non-traumatic intracerebral hemorrhage

Non-traumatic intracerebral hemorrhage (ICH) is the most common type of hemorrhagic stroke, most often occurring between the ages of 45 and 60. Hypertension is most often the cause of ICH. Less often, atherosclerosis, blood diseases, inflammatory changes in cerebral vessels, intoxication, vitamin deficiencies, and other reasons cause hemorrhages. Cerebral hemorrhage can occur by diapedesis or as a result of a ruptured vessel. This very dangerous disease is difficult to treat, requires surgery and can lead to disability or death. MicroRNAs (miRNAs) are a class of non-coding RNAs (about 18-22 nucleotides) that are involved in a variety of biological processes including cell differentiation, proliferation, apoptosis, etc., through gene repression. A growing number of studies have demonstrated miRNAs deregulation in various cardiovascular diseases, including ICH. In addition, given that computed tomography (CT) and/or magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) are either not available or do not show clear signs of possible vessel rupture, accurate and reliable analysis of circulating miRNAs in biological fluids can help in early diagnosis for prevention of ICH and prognosis patient outcome after hemorrhage. In this review, we highlight the up-to-date findings on the deregulated miRNAs in ICH, and the potential use of miRNAs in clinical settings, such as therapeutic targets and non-invasive diagnostic/prognostic biomarker tools.

Relation of the kynurenine pathway with normal age: A systematic review

BACKGROUND

The kynurenine pathway (KP) is gaining more attention as a common pathway involved in age-related conditions. However, which changes in the KP occur due to normal ageing is still largely unclear. The aim of this systematic review was to summarize the available evidence for associations of KP metabolites with age.

METHODS

We used an broad search strategy and included studies up to October 2023.

RESULTS

Out of 8795 hits, 55 studies were eligible for the systematic review. These studies suggest that blood levels of tryptophan decrease with age, while blood and cerebrospinal fluid levels of kynurenine and its ratio with tryptophan increase. Studies investigating associations between cerebrospinal fluid and blood levels of kynurenic acid and quinolinic acid with age reported either positive or non-significant findings. However, there is a large heterogeneity across studies. Additionally, most studies were cross-sectional, and only few studies investigated associations with other downstream kynurenines.

CONCLUSIONS

This systematic review suggests that levels of kynurenines are positively associated with age. Larger and prospective studies are needed that also investigate a more comprehensive panel of KP metabolites and changes during the life-course.

Stay in touch with the endoplasmic reticulum

The endoplasmic reticulum (ER), which is composed of a continuous network of tubules and sheets, forms the most widely distributed membrane system in eukaryotic cells. As a result, it engages a variety of organelles by establishing membrane contact sites (MCSs). These contacts regulate organelle positioning and remodeling, including fusion and fission, facilitate precise lipid exchange, and couple vital signaling events. Here, we systematically review recent advances and converging themes on ER-involved organellar contact. The molecular basis, cellular influence, and potential physiological functions for ER/nuclear envelope contacts with mitochondria, Golgi, endosomes, lysosomes, lipid droplets, autophagosomes, and plasma membrane are summarized.

Regulation of autophagy by perilysosomal calcium: a new player in β-cell lipotoxicity

Autophagy is an essential quality control mechanism for maintaining organellar functions in eukaryotic cells. Defective autophagy in pancreatic beta cells has been shown to be involved in the progression of diabetes through impaired insulin secretion under glucolipotoxic stress. The underlying mechanism reveals the pathologic role of the hyperactivation of mechanistic target of rapamycin (mTOR), which inhibits lysosomal biogenesis and autophagic processes. Moreover, accumulating evidence suggests that oxidative stress induces Ca2+ depletion in the endoplasmic reticulum (ER) and cytosolic Ca2+ overload, which may contribute to mTOR activation in perilysosomal microdomains, leading to autophagic defects and β-cell failure due to lipotoxicity. This review delineates the antagonistic regulation of autophagic flux by mTOR and AMP-dependent protein kinase (AMPK) at the lysosomal membrane, and both of these molecules could be activated by perilysosomal calcium signaling. However, aberrant and persistent Ca2+ elevation upon lipotoxic stress increases mTOR activity and suppresses autophagy. Therefore, normalization of autophagy is an attractive therapeutic strategy for patients with β-cell failure and diabetes.

Biological and Physical Performance Markers for Early Detection of Cognitive Impairment in Older Adults

Dementia is a major cause of poor quality of life, disability, and mortality in old age. According to the geroscience paradigm, the mechanisms that drive the aging process are also involved in the pathogenesis of chronic degenerative diseases, including dementia. The dissection of such mechanisms is therefore instrumental in providing biological targets for interventions and new sources for biomarkers. Within the geroscience paradigm, several biomarkers have been discovered that can be measured in blood and that allow early identification of individuals at risk of cognitive impairment. Examples of such markers include inflammatory biomolecules, markers of neuroaxonal damage, extracellular vesicles, and DNA methylation. Furthermore, gait speed, measured at a usual and fast pace and as part of a dual task, has been shown to detect individuals at risk of future dementia. Here, we provide an overview of available biomarkers that may be used to gauge the risk of cognitive impairment in apparently healthy older adults. Further research should establish which combination of biomarkers possesses the highest predictive accuracy toward incident dementia. The implementation of currently available markers may allow the identification of a large share of at-risk individuals in whom preventive interventions should be implemented to maintain or increase cognitive reserves, thereby reducing the risk of progression to dementia.

A genomics perspective of personalized prevention and management of obesity

This review discusses the landscape of personalized prevention and management of obesity from a nutrigenetics perspective. Focusing on macronutrient tailoring, we discuss the impact of genetic variation on responses to carbohydrate, lipid, protein, and fiber consumption. Our bioinformatic analysis of genomic variants guiding macronutrient intake revealed enrichment of pathways associated with circadian rhythm, melatonin metabolism, cholesterol and lipoprotein remodeling and PPAR signaling as potential targets of macronutrients for the management of obesity in relevant genetic backgrounds. Notably, our data-based in silico predictions suggest the potential of repurposing the SYK inhibitor fostamatinib for obesity treatment in relevant genetic profiles. In addition to dietary considerations, we address genetic variations guiding lifestyle changes in weight management, including exercise and chrononutrition. Finally, we emphasize the need for a refined understanding and expanded research into the complex genetic landscape underlying obesity and its management.

Bafilomycin A1 Molecular Effect on ATPase Activity of Subcellular Fraction of Human Colorectal Cancer and Rat Liver

Bafilomycin A1 inhibits V-type H+ ATPases on the molecular level, which acidifies endo-lysosomes. The main objective of the study was to assess the effect of bafilomycin A1 on Ca2+ content, NAADP-induced Ca2+ release, and ATPase activity in rat hepatocytes and human colon cancer samples. Chlortetracycline (CTC) was used for a quantitative measure of stored calcium in permeabilized rat hepatocytes. ATPase activity was determined by orthophosphate content released after ATP hydrolysis in subcellular post-mitochondrial fraction obtained from rat liver as well as from patients' samples of colon mucosa and colorectal cancer samples. In rat hepatocytes, bafilomycin A1 decreased stored Ca2+ and prevented the effect of NAADP on stored Ca2+. This effect was dependent on EGTA-Ca2+ buffers in the medium. Bafilomycin A1 significantly increased the activity of Ca2+ ATPases of endoplasmic reticulum (EPR), but not plasma membrane (PM) Ca2+ ATPases in rat liver. Bafilomycin A1 also prevented the effect of NAADP on these pumps. In addition, bafilomycin A1 reduced Na+/K+ ATPase activity and increased basal Mg2+ ATPase activity in the subcellular fraction of rat liver. Concomitant administration of bafilomycin A1 and NAADP enhanced these effects. Bafilomycin A1 increased the activity of the Ca2+ ATPase of EPR in the subcellular fraction of normal human colon mucosa and also in colon cancer tissue samples. In contrast, it decreased Ca2+ ATPase PM activity in samples of normal human colon mucosa and caused no changes in colon cancer. Bafilomycin A1 decreased Na+/K+ ATPase activity and increased basal Mg2+ ATPase activity in normal colon mucosa samples and in human colon cancer samples. It can be concluded that bafilomycin A1 targets NAADP-sensitive acidic Ca2+ stores, effectively modulates ATPase activity, and assumes the link between acidic stores and EPR. Bafilomycin A1 may be useful for cancer therapy.

RNA therapeutics for treatment of diabetes

Diabetes is an ongoing global problem as it affects health of more than 537 million people around the world. Diabetes leaves many serious complications that affect patients and can cause death if not detected and treated promptly. Some of the complications of diabetes include impaired vascular system, increased risk of stroke, neurological diseases that cause pain and numbness, diseases related to the retina leading to blindness, and other complications affecting kidneys, heart failure, muscle weakness, muscle atrophy. All complications of diabetes seriously affect the health of patients. Recently, gene therapy has emerged as a viable treatment strategy for various diseases. DNA and RNA are among the target molecules that can change the structure and function of proteins and are effective methods of treating diseases, especially genetically inherited diseases. RNA therapeutics has attracted deep interest as it has been approved for application in the treatment of functional system disorders such as spinal muscular atrophy, and muscular dystrophy. In this review, we cover the types of RNA therapies considered for treatment of diabetes. In particular, we delve into the mechanism of action of RNA therapies for diabetes, and studies involving testing of these RNA therapies. Finally, we have highlighted the limitations of the current understanding in the mechanism of action of RNA therapies.

Two-pore channel-2 and inositol trisphosphate receptors coordinate Ca2+ signals between lysosomes and the endoplasmic reticulum

Lysosomes and the endoplasmic reticulum (ER) are Ca2+ stores mobilized by the second messengers NAADP and IP3, respectively. Here, we establish Ca2+ signals between the two sources as fundamental building blocks that couple local release to global changes in Ca2+. Cell-wide Ca2+ signals evoked by activation of endogenous NAADP-sensitive channels on lysosomes comprise both local and global components and exhibit a major dependence on ER Ca2+ despite their lysosomal origin. Knockout of ER IP3 receptor channels delays these signals, whereas expression of lysosomal TPC2 channels accelerates them. High-resolution Ca2+ imaging reveals elementary events upon TPC2 opening and signals coupled to IP3 receptors. Biasing TPC2 activation to a Ca2+-permeable state sensitizes local Ca2+ signals to IP3. This increases the potency of a physiological agonist to evoke global Ca2+ signals and activate a downstream target. Our data provide a conceptual framework to understand how Ca2+ release from physically separated stores is coordinated.

Tryptophan, an important link in regulating the complex network of skin immunology response in atopic dermatitis

Atopic dermatitis (AD) is a common chronic relapsing inflammatory skin disease, of which the pathogenesis is a complex interplay between genetics and environment. Although the exact mechanisms of the disease pathogenesis remain unclear, the immune dysregulation primarily involving the Th2 inflammatory pathway and accompanied with an imbalance of multiple immune cells is considered as one of the critical etiologies of AD. Tryptophan metabolism has long been firmly established as a key regulator of immune cells and then affect the occurrence and development of many immune and inflammatory diseases. But the relationship between tryptophan metabolism and the pathogenesis of AD has not been profoundly discussed throughout the literatures. Therefore, this review is conducted to discuss the relationship between tryptophan metabolism and the complex network of skin inflammatory response in AD, which is important to elucidate its complex pathophysiological mechanisms, and then lead to the development of new therapeutic strategies and drugs for the treatment of this frequently relapsing disease.

Recent advances in the synthesis and medicinal perspective of pyrazole-based α-amylase inhibitors as antidiabetic agents

Diabetes is a serious health threat across the globe, claiming millions of lives worldwide. Among the various strategies employed, inhibition of α-amylase is a therapeutic protocol for the management of Type 2 diabetes mellitus. α-Amylase is a crucial enzyme involved in the breakdown of dietary starch into simpler units. However, the clinically used α-amylase inhibitors have various drawbacks. Therefore, design and development of novel α-amylase inhibitors have gained significant attention. The pyrazole motif has been identified as a versatile scaffold in medicinal chemistry, and recent studies have led to the identification of various pyrazole-based α-amylase inhibitors. This review compiles therapeutic implications of pyrazole-appended α-amylase inhibitors; their synthesis, biological activities, structure-activity relationships and molecular docking studies are discussed.

Neurodegenerative Disease: From Molecular Basis to Therapy

Neurodegenerative diseases are a heterogeneous group of age-related disorders characterised by the progressive degeneration or death of neurons in the central or peripheral nervous system [...].

Alzheimer's disease early diagnostic and staging biomarkers revealed by large-scale cerebrospinal fluid and serum proteomic profiling

Amyloid-β, tau pathology, and biomarkers of neurodegeneration make up the core diagnostic biomarkers of Alzheimer disease (AD). However, these proteins represent only a fraction of the complex biological processes underlying AD, and individuals with other brain diseases in which AD pathology is a comorbidity also test positive for these diagnostic biomarkers. More AD-specific early diagnostic and disease staging biomarkers are needed. In this study, we performed tandem mass tag proteomic analysis of paired cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) and serum samples in a discovery cohort comprising 98 participants. Candidate biomarkers were validated by parallel reaction monitoring-based targeted proteomic assays in an independent multicenter cohort comprising 288 participants. We quantified 3,238 CSF and 1,702 serum proteins in the discovery cohort, identifying 171 and 860 CSF proteins and 37 and 323 serum proteins as potential early diagnostic and staging biomarkers, respectively. In the validation cohort, 58 and 21 CSF proteins, as well as 12 and 18 serum proteins, were verified as early diagnostic and staging biomarkers, respectively. Separate 19-protein CSF and an 8-protein serum biomarker panels were built by machine learning to accurately classify mild cognitive impairment (MCI) due to AD from normal cognition with areas under the curve of 0.984 and 0.881, respectively. The 19-protein CSF biomarker panel also effectively discriminated patients with MCI due to AD from patients with other neurodegenerative diseases. Moreover, we identified 21 CSF and 18 serum stage-associated proteins reflecting AD stages. Our findings provide a foundation for developing blood-based tests for AD screening and staging in clinical practice.

MicroRNA Expression Profile in Acute Ischemic Stroke

Introduction

Acute ischemic stroke with large vessel occlusion (LVO) continues to present a considerable challenge to global health, marked by substantial morbidity and mortality rates. Although definitive diagnostic markers exist in the form of neuroimaging, their expense, limited availability, and potential for diagnostic delay can often result in missed opportunities for life-saving interventions. Despite several past attempts, research efforts to date have been fraught with challenges likely due to multiple factors such as inclusion of diverse stroke types, variable onset intervals, differing pathobiologies, and a range of infarct sizes, all contributing to inconsistent circulating biomarker levels. In this context, microRNAs (miRNAs) have emerged as a promising biomarker, demonstrating potential as biomarkers across various diseases, including cancer, cardiovascular conditions, and neurological disorders. These circulating miRNAs embody a wide spectrum of pathophysiological processes, encompassing cell death, inflammation, angiogenesis, neuroprotection, brain plasticity, and blood-brain barrier integrity. This pilot study explores the utility of circulating exosome-enriched extracellular vesicle (EV) miRNAs as potential biomarkers for anterior circulation LVO (acLVO) stroke.

Methods

In our longitudinal prospective cohort study, we collected data from acute large vessel occlusion (acLVO) stroke patients at four critical time intervals post-symptom onset: 0-6 hours, 6-12 hours, 12-24 hours, and 5-7 days. For comparative analysis, healthy individuals were included as control subjects. In this study, extracellular vesicles (EVs) were isolated from the plasma of participants, and the miRNAs within these EVs were profiled utilizing the NanoString nCounter system. Complementing this, a scoping review was conducted to examine the roles of specific miRNAs such as miR-140-5p, miR-210-3p, and miR-7-5p in acute ischemic stroke (AIS). This review involved a targeted PubMed search to assess their influence on crucial pathophysiological pathways in AIS, and their potential applications in diagnosis, treatment, and prognosis. The review also included an assessment of additional miRNAs linked to stroke.

Results

Within the first 6 hours of symptom onset, three specific miRNAs (miR-7-5p, miR-140-5p, and miR-210-3p) exhibited significant differential expression compared to other time points and healthy controls. These miRNAs have previously been associated with neuroprotection, cellular stress responses, and tissue damage, suggesting their potential as early markers of acute ischemic stroke.

Conclusion

This study highlights the potential of circulating miRNAs as blood-based biomarkers for hyperacute acLVO ischemic stroke. However, further validation in a larger, risk-matched cohort is required. Additionally, investigations are needed to assess the prognostic relevance of these miRNAs by linking their expression profiles with radiological and functional outcomes.

Tryptophan Metabolism in Obesity: The Indoleamine 2,3-Dioxygenase-1 Activity and Therapeutic Options

Obesity activates both innate and adaptive immune responses in adipose tissue. Adipose tissue macrophages are functional antigen-presenting cells that promote the proliferation of interferon-gamma (IFN-γ)-producing cluster of differentiation (CD)4+ T cells in adipose tissue of obese subjects. The increased formation of neopterin and degradation of tryptophan may result in decreased T-cell responsiveness and lead to immunodeficiency. The activity of inducible indoleamine 2,3-dioxygenase-1 (IDO1) plays a major role in pro-inflammatory, IFN-γ-dominated settings. The expression of several kynurenine pathway enzyme genes is significantly increased in obesity. IDO1 in obesity shifts tryptophan metabolism from serotonin and melatonin synthesis to the formation of kynurenines and increases the ratio of kynurenine to tryptophan as well as with neopterin production. Reduction in serotonin (5-hydroxytryptamine; 5-HT) production provokes satiety dysregulation that leads to increased caloric uptake and obesity. According to the monoamine-deficiency hypothesis, a deficiency of cerebral serotonin is involved in neuropsychiatric symptomatology of depression, mania, and psychosis. Indeed, bipolar disorder (BD) and related cognitive deficits are accompanied by a higher prevalence of overweight and obesity. Furthermore, the accumulation of amyloid-β in Alzheimer's disease brains has several toxic effects as well as IDO induction. Hence, abdominal obesity is associated with vascular endothelial dysfunction. kynurenines and their ratios are prognostic parameters in coronary artery disease. Increased kynurenine/tryptophan ratio correlates with increased intima-media thickness and represents advanced atherosclerosis. However, after bariatric surgery, weight reduction does not lead to the normalization of IDO1 activity and atherosclerosis. IDO1 is involved in the mechanisms of immune tolerance and in the concept of tumor immuno-editing process in cancer development. Serum IDO1 activity is still used as a parameter in cancer development and growth. IDO-producing tumors show a high total IDO immunostaining score, and thus, using IDO inhibitors, such as Epacadostat, Navoximod, and L isomer of 1-methyl-tryptophan, seems an important modality for cancer treatment. There is an inverse correlation between serum folate concentration and body mass index, thus folate deficiency leads to hyperhomocysteinemia-induced oxidative stress. Immune checkpoint blockade targeting cytotoxic T-lymphocyte-associated protein-4 synergizes with imatinib, which is an inhibitor of mitochondrial folate-mediated one-carbon (1C) metabolism. Antitumor effects of imatinib are enhanced by increasing T-cell effector function in the presence of IDO inhibition. Combining IDO targeting with chemotherapy, radiotherapy and/or immunotherapy, may be an effective tool against a wide range of malignancies. However, there are some controversial results regarding the efficacy of IDO1 inhibitors in cancer treatment.

SIRT1 regulates endoplasmic reticulum stress-related organ damage

Endoplasmic reticulum (ER) stress plays a key role in the pathogenesis of several organ damages. Studies show that excessive ER stress (ERS) can destroy cellular homeostasis, causing cell damage and physiological dysfunction in various organs. In recent years, Sirtuin1 (SIRT1) has become a research hotspot on ERS. Increasing evidence suggests that SIRT1 plays a positive role in various ERS-induced organ damage via multiple mechanisms, including inhibiting cellular apoptosis and promoting autophagy. SIRT1 can also alleviate liver, heart, lung, kidney, and intestinal damage by inhibiting ERS. We discuss the possible mechanism of SIRT1, explore potential therapeutic targets of diseases, and provide a theoretical basis for treating ERS-related diseases.

Two-pore channels (TPCs) acts as a hub for excitation-contraction coupling, metabolism and cardiac hypertrophy signalling

Ca2+ signaling is essential for cardiac contractility and excitability in heart function and remodeling. Intriguingly, little is known about the role of a new family of ion channels, the endo-lysosomal non-selective cation "two-pore channel" (TPCs) in heart function. Here we have used double TPC knock-out mice for the 1 and 2 isoforms of TPCs (Tpcn1/2-/-) and evaluated their cardiac function. Doppler-echocardiography unveils altered left ventricular (LV) systolic function associated with a LV relaxation impairment. In cardiomyocytes isolated from Tpcn1/2-/- mice, we observed a reduction in the contractile function with a decrease in the sarcoplasmic reticulum Ca2+ content and a reduced expression of various key proteins regulating Ca2+ stores, such as calsequestrin. We also found that two main regulators of the energy metabolism, AMP-activated protein kinase and mTOR, were down regulated. We found an increase in the expression of TPC1 and TPC2 in a model of transverse aortic constriction (TAC) mice and in chronically isoproterenol infused WT mice. In this last model, adaptive cardiac hypertrophy was reduced by Tpcn1/2 deletion. Here, we propose a central role for TPCs and lysosomes that could act as a hub integrating information from the excitation-contraction coupling mechanisms, cellular energy metabolism and hypertrophy signaling.

Channels, Transporters, and Receptors at Membrane Contact Sites

Membrane contact sites (MCSs) are specialized regions where two or more organelle membranes come into close apposition, typically separated by only 10-30 nm, while remaining distinct and unfused. These sites play crucial roles in cellular homeostasis, signaling, and metabolism. This review focuses on ion channels, transporters, and receptors localized to MCSs, with particular emphasis on those associated with the plasma membrane and endoplasmic reticulum (ER). We discuss the molecular composition and functional significance of these proteins in shaping both organelle and cellular functions, highlighting their importance in excitable cells and their influence on intracellular calcium signaling. Key MCSs examined include ER-plasma membrane, ER-mitochondria, and ER-lysosome contacts. This review addresses our current knowledge of the ion channels found within these contacts, the dynamic regulation of MCSs, their importance in various physiological processes, and their potential implications in pathological conditions.

GLP-1/GLP-1RAs: New Options for the Drug Treatment of NAFLD

Non-alcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD) has recently emerged as a global public health concern. Currently, the cornerstone of NAFLD treatment is lifestyle modification and, if necessary, weight loss. However, compliance is a challenge, and this approach alone may not be sufficient to halt and treat the more serious disease development, so medication is urgently needed. Nevertheless, no medicines are approved to treat NAFLD. Glucagon-like peptide-1 (GLP-1) is an enteropeptide hormone that inhibits glucagon synthesis, promotes insulin secretion, and delays gastric emptying. GLP-1 has been found in recent studies to be beneficial for the management of NAFLD, and the marketed GLP-1 agonist drugs have different degrees of effectiveness for NAFLD while lowering blood glucose. In this article, we review GLP-1 and its physiological roles, the pathogenesis of NAFLD, the correlation between NAFLD and GLP-1 signaling, and potential strategies for GLP-1 treatment of NAFLD.

miRNAs as modulators of neuroinflammation and excitotoxicity: Implications for stroke therapeutics

Stroke is a widespread neurological disorder associated with physical disabilities, mortality, and economic burden. In recent decades, substantial progress has been achieved in reducing the impact of this public health problem. However, further understanding of the pathophysiology of stroke and the underlying genetic pathways is required. The pathological mechanisms of stroke comprise multifaceted molecular cascades regulated by various microRNAs (miRNAs). An increasing number of studies have highlighted the role of miRNAs, which have received much attention during the last decades as an important class of post-transcriptional regulators. It was shown that miRNAs exert their role in the etiology of stroke via mediating excitotoxicity and neuroinflammation. Additionally, miRNAs could be helpful as non-invasive or minimally invasive biomarkers and therapeutic agents. Thus, the current review focused on the interplay of these miRNAs in stroke pathology to upgrade the existing therapeutic strategies.

The Metabolic Score for Insulin Resistance Index is Superior to the Triglyceride and Glucose Index in Identifying Nonalcoholic Fatty Liver Disease in Hyperuricemia Subjects

Purpose

Hyperuricemia (HUA) is a recognized risk factor for non-alcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD). Early diagnosis and the identification of predictive factors are important for the HUA population. This study aimed to investigate the potential relationship between the metabolic score for insulin resistance (METS-IR) index and the triglyceride and glucose (TyG) index with NAFLD in individuals with HUA.

Patients and Methods

A total of 5537 HUA participants were included in the study. Hepatic ultrasonography was conducted following the latest diagnostic criteria to diagnose NAFLD. The relationship between the TyG and METS-IR index and NAFLD was evaluated by multivariable logistic regression analysis and restricted cubic spline model (RCS). In addition, the area under the curve (AUC), positive likelihood ratio, and negative likelihood ratio were explored to compare the predictive value of IR surrogates for NAFLD with HUA. The AUCs of the two indicators were compared using the DeLong test.

Results

Multivariable logistic regression analysis revealed that elevated TyG (OR = 2.285, 95% CI: 1.525, 3.428) and METS-IR (OR = 1.242, 95% CI: 1.219, 1.266) indices significantly increase the risk of NAFLD. Meanwhile, the RCS analysis revealed a -log-shaped nonlinear relationship between NAFLD risk and the METS-IR index (P non-linear < 0.001), contrasting with the linear association observed with the TyG index (P non-linear = 0.763). Notably, the risk of NAFLD demonstrated a significant escalation when the METS-IR index exceeded the threshold of 39.208 (OR=1). Compared to the TyG index (AUC = 0.734, 95% CI: 0.721~0.748), the METS-IR index (AUC = 0.821, 95% CI: 0.810~0.832) demonstrated superior predictive value for NAFLD in individuals with HUA according to the DeLong test.

Conclusion

In the HUA population, the METS-IR index has a higher predictive value for NAFLD than the TyG index, contributing to early diagnosis and disease prevention.

Reduced lysosomal density in neuronal dendrites mediates deficits in synaptic plasticity in Huntington's disease

Huntington's disease (HD) usually causes cognitive disorders, including learning difficulties, that emerge before motor symptoms. Mutations related to lysosomal trafficking are linked to the pathogenesis of neurological diseases, whereas the cellular mechanisms remain elusive. Here, we discover a reduction in the dendritic density of lysosomes in the hippocampus that correlates with deficits in synaptic plasticity and spatial learning in early CAG-140 HD model mice. We directly manipulate intraneuronal lysosomal positioning with light-induced CRY2:CIB1 dimerization and demonstrate that lysosomal abundance in dendrites positively modulates long-term potentiation of glutamatergic synapses onto the neuron. This modulation depends on lysosomal Ca2+ release, which further promotes endoplasmic reticulum (ER) entry into spines. Importantly, optogenetically restoring lysosomal density in dendrites rescues the synaptic plasticity deficit in hippocampal slices of CAG-140 mice. Our data reveal dendritic lysosomal density as a modulator of synaptic plasticity and suggest a role of lysosomal mispositioning in cognitive decline in HD.

P-selectin-dependent leukocyte adhesion is governed by endolysosomal two-pore channel 2

Upon proinflammatory challenges, endothelial cell surface presentation of the leukocyte receptor P-selectin, together with the stabilizing co-factor CD63, is needed for leukocyte capture and is mediated via demand-driven exocytosis from the Weibel-Palade bodies that fuse with the plasma membrane. We report that neutrophil recruitment to activated endothelium is significantly reduced in mice deficient for the endolysosomal cation channel TPC2 and in human primary endothelial cells with pharmacological TPC2 block. We observe less CD63 signal in whole-mount stainings of proinflammatory-activated cremaster muscles from TPC2 knockout mice. We find that TPC2 is activated and needed to ensure the transfer of CD63 from endolysosomes via Weibel-Palade bodies to the plasma membrane to retain P-selectin on the cell surface of human primary endothelial cells. Our findings establish TPC2 as a key element to leukocyte interaction with the endothelium and a potential pharmacological target in the control of inflammatory leukocyte recruitment.

Positive association between different triglyceride glucose index-related indicators and psoriasis: evidence from NHANES

Background

Psoriasis is a chronic inflammatory skin disease with effects that extend beyond the skin. Insulin resistance (IR) has been associated with psoriasis, but it remains unclear how indicators related to the triglyceride glucose (TyG) index, which were associate with IR, are associated with the condition.

Objective

The purpose of this study was to investigate the association between psoriasis and three TyG-related indicators: triglyceride glucose-body mass index (TyG-BMI), triglyceride glucose-waist to height ratio (TyG-WHtR), and triglyceride glucose-waist circumference (TyG-WC).

Methods

Data from adults aged 20 to 80 years in the National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey (NHANES) from 2003 to 2006 and 2009 to 2014 were utilized. Institutional Review Board approval and documented written consent was obtained from participants by NHANES (Protocol #2005-06). The patients were divided into three groups based on TyG-BMI, TyG-WC, and TyG-WHtR: Q1 (1st quintile), Q2 (2nd-3rd quintiles), and Q3 (4th-5th quintiles). Differences between the groups were further explored. Multivariate logistic regressions were used to investigate the correlation between these three indicators and psoriasis, with results expressed as odds ratios (OR) and 95% confidence intervals (CI). Subgroup analysis and supplementary analysis was further conducted to explore potential influencing factors.

Results

The study included 9,291 participants, of which 260 had psoriasis. Compared Q2 and Q3 of TyG-BMI, TyG-WC, and TyG-WHtR to Q1, there were significantly associate with psoriasis. Among the three indicators, TyG-WC consistently had the highest OR values in Models 1 and 2 (Model 1: Q3 OR (95% CI) = 2.155 (1.442-3.220); Model 2: Q3 OR (95% CI) = 2.029 (1.341-3.069)). While in Model 3, the TyG-BMI shows more significant relationship with psoriasis (Model 3 of TyG-BMI: Q3 OR (95% CI) = 1.948 (1.300-3.000)). Similar results were observed in the majority of subgroups and in supplementary analysis.

Conclusion

This study identified a stable and strong positive association between TyG-related indicators (TyG-BMI, TyG-WC, and TyG-WHtR) and psoriasis. This association persisted even after adjusting for multiple factors. It is suggested that high IR is significantly associated with psoriasis.

A nomogram model for predicting 5-year risk of prediabetes in Chinese adults

Early identification is crucial to effectively intervene in individuals at high risk of developing pre-diabetes. This study aimed to create a personalized nomogram to determine the 5-year risk of pre-diabetes among Chinese adults. This retrospective cohort study included 184,188 participants without prediabetes at baseline. Training cohorts (92,177) and validation cohorts (92,011) were randomly assigned (92,011). We compared five prediction models on the training cohorts: full cox proportional hazards model, stepwise cox proportional hazards model, multivariable fractional polynomials (MFP), machine learning, and least absolute shrinkage and selection operator (LASSO) models. At the same time, we validated the above five models on the validation set. And we chose the LASSO model as the final risk prediction model for prediabetes. We presented the model with a nomogram. The model's performance was evaluated in terms of its discriminative ability, clinical utility, and calibration using the area under the receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curve, decision curve analysis, and calibration analysis on the training cohorts. Simultaneously, we also evaluated the above nomogram on the validation set. The 5-year incidence of prediabetes was 10.70% and 10.69% in the training and validation cohort, respectively. We developed a simple nomogram that predicted the risk of prediabetes by using the parameters of age, body mass index (BMI), fasting plasma glucose (FBG), triglycerides (TG), systolic blood pressure (SBP), and serum creatinine (Scr). The nomogram's area under the receiver operating characteristic curve (AUC) was 0.7341 (95% CI 0.7290-0.7392) for the training cohort and 0.7336 (95% CI 0.7285-0.7387) for the validation cohort, indicating good discriminative ability. The calibration curve showed a perfect fit between the predicted prediabetes risk and the observed prediabetes risk. An analysis of the decision curve presented the clinical application of the nomogram, with alternative threshold probability spectrums being presented as well. A personalized prediabetes prediction nomogram was developed and validated among Chinese adults, identifying high-risk individuals. Doctors and others can easily and efficiently use our prediabetes prediction model when assessing prediabetes risk.

Sex difference in liver diseases: How preclinical models help to dissect the sex-related mechanisms sustaining NAFLD and hepatocellular carcinoma

Only a few preclinical findings are confirmed in the clinic, posing a critical issue for clinical development. Therefore, identifying the best preclinical models can help to dissect molecular and mechanistic insights into liver disease pathogenesis while being clinically relevant. In this context, the sex relevance of most preclinical models has been only partially considered. This is particularly significant in NAFLD and HCC, which have a higher prevalence in men when compared to pre-menopause women but not to those in post-menopausal status, suggesting a role for sex hormones in the pathogenesis of the diseases. This review gathers the sex-relevant findings and the available preclinical models focusing on both in vitro and in vivo studies and discusses the potential implications and perspectives of introducing the sex effect in the selection of the best preclinical model. This is a critical aspect that would help to tailor personalized therapies based on sex.

Inflammatory Pathways in Overweight and Obese Persons as a Potential Mechanism for Cognitive Impairment and Earlier Onset Alzeihmer's Dementia in the General Population: A Narrative Review

The overweight status or obesity can be confirmed through classical methods such as the body mass index (BMI) and the waist-to-hip ratio (WHR). Apart from metabolic issues such as atherosclerosis, liver steatosis, or diabetes mellitus, long-term obesity or overweight status can pose a risk for cardiovascular and neurovascular complications. While some acute adverse events like coronary syndromes of strokes are well-documented to be linked to an increased body mass, there are also chronic processes that, due to their silent onset and evolution, are underdiagnosed and not as thoroughly studied. Through this review, we aimed to collect all relevant data with regard to the long-term impact of obesity on cognitive function in all ages and its correlation with an earlier onset of dementia such as Alzheimer's disease (AD). The exact mechanisms through which a decline in cognitive functions occurs in overweight or obese persons are still being discussed. A combination of factors has been acknowledged as potential triggers, such as a sedentary lifestyle and stress, as well as a genetic predisposition, for example, the apolipoprotein E (ApoE) alleles in AD. Most research highlights the impact of vascular dysfunction and systemic inflammation on the nervous system in patients with obesity and the subsequent neurological changes. Obesity during the early to mid-ages leads to an earlier onset of cognitive dysfunction in various forms. Also, lifestyle intervention can reverse cognitive dysfunction, especially dieting, to encourage weight loss.

Angiotensin-converting enzyme inhibitors and statins therapies-induced changes in omics profiles in humans and transgenic tau mice

BACKGROUND

Hypertension and hyperlipidemia are considered risk factors for Alzheimer's disease (AD) and other related dementias. Clinically approved medications typically prescribed to manage these conditions have shown an association with reduced risk of developing AD and could be explored as potential repurposed therapeutics.

OBJECTIVE

We aimed to explore the effects of the pharmacological treatment with angiotensin-converting enzyme inhibitors (ACEI) and statins (STAT) on AD-related neuropathology and the potential benefits of their concurrent use.

METHODS

We investigated the effect of ACEI, STAT or combination of both by exploring the transcriptomic, proteomic and tau pathology profiles after treatment in both human patients and in P301S transgenic mice (PS19) modeling tauopathies and AD. We performed bioinformatic analysis of enriched pathways after treatment.

RESULTS

Proteomics and transcriptomics analysis revealed proteins and genes whose expression is significantly changed in subjects receiving treatment with ACEI, STAT or combined drugs. In mice, treatment with the ACEI lisinopril significantly decreased brain levels of total tau (Tau) and phosphorylated tau (pTau)-181, while the STAT atorvastatin significantly reduced the levels of pTau-396. The combined therapy with lisinopril and atorvastatin significantly decreased Tau. Moreover, brain levels of lisinopril were negatively correlated with Tau. Among the others, CD200, ADAM22, BCAN and NCAM1 were significantly affected by treatments in both human subjects and transgenic mice.

CONCLUSIONS

Our findings provide significant information that may guide future investigation of the potential use of ACEI, STAT, or the combination of the two drug classes as repurposed therapies or preventive strategies for AD and other neurodegenerative diseases.

Longitudinal Sleep Patterns and Cognitive Impairment in Older Adults

Importance

Sleep disturbances and clinical sleep disorders are associated with all-cause dementia and neurodegenerative conditions, but it remains unclear how longitudinal changes in sleep impact the incidence of cognitive impairment.

Objective

To evaluate the association of longitudinal sleep patterns with age-related changes in cognitive function in healthy older adults.

Design, Setting, and Participants

This cross-sectional study is a retrospective longitudinal analyses of the Seattle Longitudinal Study (SLS), which evaluated self-reported sleep duration (1993-2012) and cognitive performance (1997-2020) in older adults. Participants within the SLS were enrolled as part of a community-based cohort from the Group Health Cooperative of Puget Sound and Health Maintenance Organization of Washington between 1956 and 2020. Data analysis was performed from September 2020 to May 2023.

Main Outcomes and Measures

The main outcome for this study was cognitive impairment, as defined by subthreshold performance on both the Mini-Mental State Examination and the Mattis Dementia Rating Scale. Sleep duration was defined by self-report of median nightly sleep duration over the last week and was assessed longitudinally over multiple time points. Median sleep duration, sleep phenotype (short sleep, median ≤7 hours; medium sleep, median = 7 hour; long sleep, median ≥7 hours), change in sleep duration (slope), and variability in sleep duration (SD of median sleep duration, or sleep variability) were evaluated.

Results

Of the participants enrolled in SLS, only 1104 participants who were administered both the Health Behavior Questionnaire and the neuropsychologic battery were included for analysis in this study. A total of 826 individuals (mean [SD] age, 76.3 [11.8] years; 468 women [56.7%]; 217 apolipoprotein E ε4 allele carriers [26.3%]) had complete demographic information and were included in the study. Analysis using a Cox proportional hazard regression model (concordance, 0.76) showed that status as a short sleeper (hazard ratio, 3.67; 95% CI, 1.59-8.50) and higher sleep variability (hazard ratio, 3.06; 95% CI, 1.14-5.49) were significantly associated with the incidence of cognitive impairment.

Conclusions and Relevance

In this community-based longitudinal study of the association between sleep patterns and cognitive performance, the short sleep phenotype was significantly associated with impaired cognitive performance. Furthermore, high sleep variability in longitudinal sleep duration was significantly associated with the incidence of cognitive impairment, highlighting the possibility that instability in sleep duration over long periods of time may impact cognitive decline in older adults.

N6-methyladenosine RNA modification in nonalcoholic fatty liver disease

Nonalcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD) is the most common chronic liver disease worldwide, influencing numerous regulatory axes and extrahepatic vital organs. The molecular mechanisms that lead to the progression of NAFLD remain unclear and knowledge on the pathways causing hepatocellular damage followed by lipid accumulation is limited. Recently, a number of studies have shown that mRNA N6-methyladenosine (m6A) modification contributes to the progression of NAFLD. In this review, we summarize current knowledge on m6A modification in the metabolic processes associated with NAFLD and discuss the challenges of and prospects for therapeutic avenues based on m6A regulation for the treatment of liver disease.

A diet containing cod backbone proteins attenuated the development of mesangial sclerosis and tubular dysfunction in male obese BTBR ob/ob mice

PURPOSE

The obese black and tan, brachyuric (BTBR) ob/ob mouse spontaneously develops features comparable to human diabetic nephropathy. The primary aim of the present study was to investigate if a diet containing fish proteins would attenuate or delay the development of glomerular hypertrophy (glomerulomegaly), mesangial sclerosis and albuminuria in obese BTBR ob/ob mice.

METHODS

Obese BTBR.CgLepob/WiscJ male mice were fed diets containing 25% of protein from Atlantic cod backbones and 75% of protein from casein (Cod-BB group), or casein as the sole protein source (control group). Kidneys were analysed morphologically, and markers for renal dysfunction were analysed biochemically in urine and serum.

RESULTS

The Cod-BB diet attenuated the development of mesangial sclerosis (P 0.040) without affecting the development of glomerular hypertrophy and albuminuria. The urine concentration of cystatin C (relative to creatinine) was lower in mice fed the Cod-BB diet (P 0.0044).

CONCLUSION

A diet containing cod backbone protein powder attenuated the development of mesangial sclerosis and tubular dysfunction in obese BTBR ob/ob mice, but did not prevent the development of glomerular hypertrophy and albuminuria in these mice.

A case-control comparison of acute-phase peripheral blood gene expression in participants diagnosed with minor ischaemic stroke or stroke mimics

BACKGROUND

Past studies suggest that there are changes in peripheral blood cell gene expression in response to ischaemic stroke; however, the specific changes which occur during the acute phase are poorly characterised. The current study aimed to identify peripheral blood cell genes specifically associated with the early response to ischaemic stroke using whole blood samples collected from participants diagnosed with ischaemic stroke (n = 29) or stroke mimics (n = 27) following emergency presentation to hospital. Long non-coding RNA (lncRNA), mRNA and micro-RNA (miRNA) abundance was measured by RNA-seq, and the consensusDE package was used to identify genes which were differentially expressed between groups. A sensitivity analysis excluding two participants with metastatic disease was also conducted.

RESULTS

The mean time from symptom onset to blood collection was 2.6 h. Most strokes were mild (median NIH stroke scale score 2.0). Ten mRNAs (all down-regulated in samples provided by patients experiencing ischaemic stroke) and 30 miRNAs (14 over-expressed and 16 under-expressed in participants with ischaemic stroke) were significantly different between groups in the whole cohort and sensitivity analyses. No significant over-representation of gene ontology categories by the differentially expressed genes was observed. Random forest analysis suggested a panel of differentially expressed genes (ADGRG7 and miRNAs 96, 532, 6766, 6798 and 6804) as potential ischaemic stroke biomarkers, although modelling analyses demonstrated that these genes had poor diagnostic performance.

CONCLUSIONS

This study provides evidence suggesting that the early response to minor ischaemic stroke is predominantly reflected by changes in the expression of miRNAs in peripheral blood cells. Further work in independent cohorts particularly in patients with more severe stroke is needed to validate these findings and investigate their clinical relevance.

Genome-wide investigation and expression analysis of OSCA gene family in response to abiotic stress in alfalfa

Alfalfa is an excellent leguminous forage crop that is widely cultivated worldwide, but its yield and quality are often affected by drought and soil salinization. Hyperosmolality-gated calcium-permeable channel (OSCA) proteins are hyperosmotic calcium ion (Ca2+) receptors that play an essential role in regulating plant growth, development, and abiotic stress responses. However, no systematic analysis of the OSCA gene family has been conducted in alfalfa. In this study, a total of 14 OSCA genes were identified from the alfalfa genome and classified into three groups based on their sequence composition and phylogenetic relationships. Gene structure, conserved motifs and functional domain prediction showed that all MsOSCA genes had the same functional domain DUF221. Cis-acting element analysis showed that MsOSCA genes had many cis-regulatory elements in response to abiotic or biotic stresses and hormones. Tissue expression pattern analysis demonstrated that the MsOSCA genes had tissue-specific expression; for example, MsOSCA12 was only expressed in roots and leaves but not in stem and petiole tissues. Furthermore, RT-qPCR results indicated that the expression of MsOSCA genes was induced by abiotic stress (drought and salt) and hormones (JA, SA, and ABA). In particular, the expression levels of MsOSCA3, MsOSCA5, MsOSCA12 and MsOSCA13 were significantly increased under drought and salt stress, and MsOSCA7, MsOSCA10, MsOSCA12 and MsOSCA13 genes exhibited significant upregulation under plant hormone treatments, indicating that these genes play a positive role in drought, salt and hormone responses. Subcellular localization results showed that the MsOSCA3 protein was localized on the plasma membrane. This study provides a basis for understanding the biological information and further functional analysis of the MsOSCA gene family and provides candidate genes for stress resistance breeding in alfalfa.

NLRP3 inflammasome in cognitive impairment and pharmacological properties of its inhibitors

Cognitive impairment is a multifactorial and multi-step pathological process that places a heavy burden on patients and the society. Neuroinflammation is one of the main factors leading to cognitive impairment. The inflammasomes are multi-protein complexes that respond to various microorganisms and endogenous danger signals, helping to initiate innate protective responses in inflammatory diseases. NLRP3 inflammasomes produce proinflammatory cytokines (interleukin IL-1β and IL-18) by activating caspase-1. In this review, we comprehensively describe the structure and functions of the NLRP3 inflammasome. We also explore the intrinsic relationship between the NLRP3 inflammasome and cognitive impairment, which involves immune cell activation, cell apoptosis, oxidative stress, mitochondrial autophagy, and neuroinflammation. Finally, we describe NLRP3 inflammasome antagonists as targeted therapies to improve cognitive impairment.

A phase transition reduces the threshold for nicotinamide mononucleotide-based activation of SARM1, an NAD(P) hydrolase, to physiologically relevant levels

Axonal degeneration is a hallmark feature of neurodegenerative diseases. Activation of the NAD(P)ase sterile alpha and toll-interleukin receptor motif containing protein 1 (SARM1) is critical for this process. In resting neurons, SARM1 activity is inhibited, but upon damage, SARM1 is activated and catalyzes one of three NAD(P)+ dependent reactions: (1) NAD(P)+ hydrolysis to form ADP-ribose (ADPR[P]) and nicotinamide; (2) the formation of cyclic-ADPR (cADPR[P]); or (3) a base exchange reaction with nicotinic acid (NA) and NADP+ to form NA adenine dinucleotide phosphate. Production of these metabolites triggers axonal death. Two activation mechanisms have been proposed: (1) an increase in the nicotinamide mononucleotide (NMN) concentration, which leads to the allosteric activation of SARM1, and (2) a phase transition, which stabilizes the active conformation of the enzyme. However, neither of these mechanisms have been shown to occur at the same time. Using in vitro assay systems, we show that the liquid-to-solid phase transition lowers the NMN concentration required to activate the catalytic activity of SARM1 by up to 140-fold. These results unify the proposed activation mechanisms and show for the first time that a phase transition reduces the threshold for NMN-based SARM1 activation to physiologically relevant levels. These results further our understanding of SARM1 activation and will be important for the future development of therapeutics targeting SARM1.

CEBPD REGULATES OXIDATIVE STRESS AND INFLAMMATORY RESPONSES IN HYPERTENSIVE CARDIAC REMODELING

ABSTRACT

Hypertension seems to inevitably cause cardiac remodeling, increasing the mortality of patients. This study aimed to explore the molecular mechanism of CCAAT/enhancer-binding protein delta (CEBPD)-mediated oxidative stress and inflammation in hypertensive cardiac remodeling. The hypertensive murine model was established through angiotensin-II injection, and hypertensive mice underwent overexpressed CEBPD vector injection, cardiac function evaluation, and observation of histological changes. The cell model was established by angiotensin-II treatment and transfected with overexpressed CEBPD vector. Cell viability and surface area and oxidative stress (reactive oxygen species/superoxide dismutase/lactate dehydrogenase/malondialdehyde) were assessed, and inflammatory factors (TNF-α/IL-1β/IL-6/IL-10) were determined both in vivo and in vitro . The levels of CEBPD, miR-96-5p, inositol 1,4,5-trisphosphate receptor 1 (IP3R), natriuretic peptide B, and natriuretic peptide A, collagen I, and collagen III in tissues and cells were determined. The binding relationships of CEBPD/miR-96-5p/IP3R 3' untranslated region were validated. CEBPD was reduced in cardiac tissue of hypertensive mice, and CEBPD upregulation improved cardiac function and attenuated fibrosis and hypertrophy, along with reductions of reactive oxygen species/lactate dehydrogenase/malondialdehyde/TNF-α/IL-1β/IL-6 and increases in superoxide dismutase/IL-10. CEBPD enriched on the miR-96-5p promoter to promote miR-96-5p expression, whereas CEBPD and miR-96-5p negatively regulated IP3R. miR-96-5p silencing/IP3R overexpression reversed the alleviative role of CEBPD overexpression in hypertensive mice. In summary, CEBPD promoted miR-96-5p to negatively regulate IP3R expression to inhibit oxidative stress and inflammation, thereby alleviating hypertensive cardiac remodeling.

Correlation between inflammatory biomarkers, cognitive function and glycemic and lipid profiles in patients with type 2 diabetes mellitus: A systematic review and meta-analysis

This study aimed to quantitatively estimate the correlation between systemic inflammation with cognitive function, as well as glycemic and lipid profiles in patients with type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM). The PubMed, Web of Science, EMBASE, SCOPUS, CNKI, Wanfang, VIP, and CBM databases were searched from its inception until June 2023 (PROSPERO registration: CRD42022356889). We analyzed data extracted from observational studies to quantify the correlations (r) as the pooled effect size and further performed subgroup analyses and sensitivity analyses. A total of 32 studies involving 7,483 patients with T2DM were included. The findings revealed a significant moderate negative correlation between interleukin-6 (IL-6), tumor necrosis factor-α (TNF-α), and C-reactive protein (CRP) levels with Montreal Cognitive Assessment scores. TNF-α levels also had moderate negative correlation with Mini-Mental State Examination scores. For glycemic and lipid profiles, there was a significant moderate positive correlation between CRP and TNF-α levels and glycated hemoglobin (HbA1c), and TNF-α levels were also found to be lowly positively correlated with fasting blood glucose (FBG). CRP levels were found to have a low positive correlation with total cholesterol (TC), and IL-6 levels were found to be lowly positively correlated with triglycerides. The results indicate that elevated levels of IL-6, CRP, and TNF-α are significantly associated with cognitive impairment in patients with T2DM and may serve as inflammatory markers for T2DM with mild cognitive impairment. The CRP and TNF-α levels were more strongly correlated with HbA1c than with FBG and TC. Further research is needed to determine the clinical value of these inflammatory biomarkers and to investigate potential causal mechanisms underlying this association.