Investigating the plasma-liver-brain axis of omega-3 fatty acid metabolism in mouse knock-in for the human apolipoprotein E epsilon 4 allele

Providing lysophosphatidylcholine-bound omega-3 fatty acids increased eicosapentaenoic acid, but not docosahexaenoic acid, in the cortex of mice with the apolipoprotein E3 or E4 allele

BACKGROUND

Several mechanisms have been proposed for the brain uptake of omega-3 fatty acids (n-3), including passive diffusion of the unesterified form and the use of Mfsd2a transporter for the lysophosphatidylcholine (LPC) form. We hypothesize that the accumulation of LPC n-3 in the brain is lower in mice carrying the apolipoprotein E ε4 allele (APOE4), a major genetic risk factor for developing sporadic Alzheimer's disease in humans.

OBJECTIVE

Determine whether two or four months of supplementation with LPC n-3 increases the levels of docosahexaenoic acids (DHA) and eicosapentaenoic acids (EPA) in the frontal cortex of APOE3 and APOE4 mice.

METHODS

APOE3 and APOE4 mice were administered LPC n-3 (9.6 mg DHA + 18.3 mg EPA) or sunflower oil (control) by oral gavage for two or four months (n = 5-8 per genotype, per treatment, and per treatment duration). At the end of the treatment period, frontal cortices were collected, and their FA profiles analyzed by gas chromatography with flame ionization detection.

RESULTS

After two months of gavage with LPC n-3, APOE3 mice showed increased levels of EPA in their cortex, but not DHA. In APOE4 mice, neither EPA nor DHA levels were significantly affected. After four months of LPC n-3, both APOE3 and APOE4 mice exhibited higher EPA levels, while changes in DHA levels were not statistically significant.

CONCLUSION

LPC n-3 supplementation increased EPA, but not DHA, levels in the frontal cortex of mice in a duration- and APOE genotype-dependent manner. Further research is needed to explore the implications for brain health.

Synthesis and Preclinical Evaluation of 22-[18F]Fluorodocosahexaenoic Acid as a Positron Emission Tomography Probe for Monitoring Brain Docosahexaenoic Acid Uptake Kinetics

Docosahexaenoic acid [22:6(n-3), DHA], a polyunsaturated fatty acid, has an important role in regulating neuronal functions and in normal brain development. Dysregulated brain DHA uptake and metabolism are found in individuals carrying the APOE4 allele, which increases the genetic risk for Alzheimer's disease (AD), and are implicated in the progression of several neurodegenerative disorders. However, there are limited tools to assess brain DHA kinetics in vivo that can be translated to humans. Here, we report the synthesis of an ω-radiofluorinated PET probe of DHA, 22-[18F]fluorodocosahexaenoic acid (22-[18F]FDHA), for imaging the uptake of DHA into the brain. Using the nonradiolabeled 22-FDHA, we confirmed that fluorination of DHA at the ω-position does not significantly alter the anti-inflammatory effect of DHA in microglial cells. Through dynamic PET-MR studies using mice, we observed the accumulation of 22-[18F]FDHA in the brain over time and estimated DHA's incorporation coefficient (K*) using an image-derived input function. Finally, DHA brain K* was validated using intravenous administration of 15 mg/kg arecoline, a natural product known to increase the DHA K* in rodents. 22-[18F]FDHA is a promising PET probe that can reveal altered lipid metabolism in APOE4 carriers, AD, and other neurologic disorders. This new probe, once translated into humans, would enable noninvasive and longitudinal studies of brain DHA dynamics by guiding both pharmacological and nonpharmacological interventions for neurodegenerative diseases.

Potentiality Assessment of the Acetylcholinesterase-Inhibitory Activity of Olive Oil with an Additive Edible Insect Powder

Edible insects (Alphitobius diaperinus Panzer, Gryllus campestris, Tenebrio molitor, Chorthippus biguttulus) are rich in nutrients that potentially inhibit acetylcholinesterase (AChE), but also improve cognition. The aim of this study was to evaluate four varied species of freeze-dried edible insects (purchased from a store); their nutrient composition, including fat, total phenolic compounds, vitamins, and antioxidant properties; and the potential inhibitory effect of AChE. An additional goal was to obtain olive oil with the addition of edible insects. Such oil was characterized by high oxidizing properties and showed high affinity to AChE. The results showed that mealworms and grasshoppers had the highest content of fats (PUFA/SFA) and phenolic compounds. These insects also showed a high content of vitamins, which correlated with the highest affinity for AChE. Therefore, they were added as a functional additive to olive oil. Olive oil with the addition of edible insects showed a higher affinity for AChE and enriched the olive oil with vitamin C and B vitamins.

Natural antioxidants that act against Alzheimer's disease through modulation of the NRF2 pathway: a focus on their molecular mechanisms of action

Characterized by a complex pathophysiology that includes the intraneuronal formation of neurofibrillary tangles and the extracellular deposition of β-amyloid plaques, Alzheimer's disease (AD) is a terminal neurodegenerative disease that causes dementia in older adults. Oxidative stress in the brain is considered as one of the contributing factors to the pathogenesis of AD, and thus, antioxidants have attracted much interest as potential therapeutic agents against the disorder. Natural antioxidants are typically characterized by low acute and chronic toxicity, which facilitates their potential therapeutic application. One important molecular target for the beneficial effects of natural antioxidants is the nuclear factor erythroid-derived 2-related factor 2 (NFE2L2/NRF2). NRF2 is a key transcription factor that orchestrates the cellular antioxidant response through regulating the expression of oxidative stress-related genes harboring the antioxidant response element (ARE) in their promoters. Indeed, in the case of excessive oxidative damage, NRF2 migrates to the nucleus and binds to ARE, activating the transcription of antioxidant protector genes. There is increasing evidence that NRF2 is implicated in AD pathology through dysfunction and altered localization, which renders it as a potential therapeutic target for AD. Thus, this review summarizes the most recent (2018-2023) advances on the NRF2-modulating activity of natural antioxidants observed in vitro and in AD animal models. This information will help elucidate the molecular mechanisms governing the antioxidant activity of such phytochemicals to highlight their therapeutic potential against common neurodegenerative diseases, such as AD.

APOE Peripheral and Brain Impact: APOE4 Carriers Accelerate Their Alzheimer Continuum and Have a High Risk of Suicide in PM2.5 Polluted Cities

This Review emphasizes the impact of APOE4-the most significant genetic risk factor for Alzheimer's disease (AD)-on peripheral and neural effects starting in childhood. We discuss major mechanistic players associated with the APOE alleles' effects in humans to understand their impact from conception through all life stages and the importance of detrimental, synergistic environmental exposures. APOE4 influences AD pathogenesis, and exposure to fine particulate matter (PM_2.5), manufactured nanoparticles (NPs), and ultrafine particles (UFPs) associated with combustion and friction processes appear to be major contributors to cerebrovascular dysfunction, neuroinflammation, and oxidative stress. In the context of outdoor and indoor PM pollution burden-as well as Fe, Ti, and Al alloys; Hg, Cu, Ca, Sn, and Si UFPs/NPs-in placenta and fetal brain tissues, urban APOE3 and APOE4 carriers are developing AD biological disease hallmarks (hyperphosphorylated-tau (P-tau) and amyloid beta 42 plaques (Aβ₄₂)). Strikingly, for Metropolitan Mexico City (MMC) young residents ≤ 40 y, APOE4 carriers have 4.92 times higher suicide odds and 23.6 times higher odds of reaching Braak NFT V stage versus APOE4 non-carriers. The National Institute on Aging and Alzheimer's Association (NIA-AA) framework could serve to test the hypothesis that UFPs and NPs are key players for oxidative stress, neuroinflammation, protein aggregation and misfolding, faulty complex protein quality control, and early damage to cell membranes and organelles of neural and vascular cells. Noninvasive biomarkers indicative of the P-tau and Aβ₄₂ abnormal protein deposits are needed across the disease continuum starting in childhood. Among the 21.8 million MMC residents, we have potentially 4 million APOE4 carriers at accelerated AD progression. These APOE4 individuals are prime candidates for early neuroprotective interventional trials. APOE4 is key in the development of AD evolving from childhood in highly polluted urban centers dominated by anthropogenic and industrial sources of pollution. APOE4 subjects are at higher early risk of AD development, and neuroprotection ought to be implemented. Effective reductions of PM_2.5, UFP, and NP emissions from all sources are urgently needed. Alzheimer's Disease prevention ought to be at the core of the public health response and physicians-scientist minority research be supported.