Antioxidant Interventions in Neuropsychiatric Disorders

Evaluation of hesperetin-loaded on multiple wall carbon nanotubes on cerebral ischemia/reperfusion injury in rats

The present study aimed to develop novel hesperetin-loaded on multiple wall carbon nanotubes (Hst-MWCNTs) to resolve the restricted bioavailability of hesperetin (Hst) and to enhance its preventive effect on cerebral ischemia-reperfusion (I/R). The physicochemical characteristics of Hst-MWCNTs were evaluated by Fourier-transform infrared spectra (FT-IR) and field emission scanning electron microscopy (FE-SEM). Forty male Wistar rats were randomly divided into five groups (control, I/R, MWCNTs, Hst, and Hst-MWCNTs). Hst, MWCNTs and Hst-MWCNTs (15 mg/kg orally) were pretreated for 14 days, and then I/R was induced by bilateral common carotid artery occlusion (BCCAO). Learning and memory deficits were evaluated using the novel object recognition test (NORT). The percentage of infarct size, catalase (CAT), superoxide dismutase (SOD), glutathione reductase (GRx), glutathione peroxidase (GPx) activities, malondialdehyde (MDA), and glutathione (GSH) levels was evaluated. Caspase-3 and Bcl-2 expressions were detected by qRT-PCR and Western blot analysis. Compared to the I/R group, Hst-MWCNTs considerably reduced learning and memory deficits, infarct size, and MDA levels. CAT, SOD, GRx, GPx activities and GSH levels were significantly increased in the Hst-MWCNTs group than in the I/R group. Additionally, Hst-MWCNTs significantly reduced the Caspase-3 expression but increased the Bcl-2 expression. All these results indicated that MWCNTs could be used as a promising novel carrier to enhance the oral bioavailability of Hst and to treat cerebral I/R injury.

Oxidative stress and therapeutic implications in psychiatric disorders

Increasing evidence indicates that disturbances of antioxidant defense system and presence of oxidative stress can play a part in a wide range of neuropsychiatric disorders, including schizophrenia, bipolar disorder, and major depression, as well as antipsychotic-induced tardive dyskinesia (TD). Moreover, researchers have embarked on using antioxidant treatment as adjunct therapy for psychiatry disorders. Evidence from clinical, pre-clinical and epidemiological studies suggests that a benefit of using antioxidant compounds should be considered as an adjunctive therapy in these patients. These are some of the main perspectives that are reviewed by four articles in this special section. Overall, there has been growing recognition of the importance of oxidative stress in the pathophysiology of psychiatric disorders and the development of TD. The collection of articles in this special section will contribute to providing more efficacious treatments arising from a better appreciation of the roles of oxidative stress in these psychiatric disorders.