Oleic acid ameliorates amyloidosis in cellular and mouse models of Alzheimer's disease

Water extract of moschus alleviates erastin-induced ferroptosis by regulating the Keap1/Nrf2 pathway in HT22 cells

ETHNOPHARMACOLOGICAL RELEVANCE

Moschus, first described in the Shennong's Classic of the Materia medicine, is a scarce and precious animal medicine. Modern pharmacological researches have suggested that Moschus has neuroprotective actions, and its mechanism is related to anti-inflammatory, antioxidant, and anti-apoptosis effects. Ferroptosis is one of the major pathologies of Alzheimer's disease (AD) and is widely implicated in the pathogenesis and progression of AD. Although previous studies have suggested that Moschus possesses neuroprotective effect, whether Moschus could mitigate neuronal damages by inhibiting the onset of ferroptosis is unknown in model cells of AD.

AIM OF THE STUDY

The aim of study was to explore the water extract of Moschus (WEM) on ferroptosis caused by erastin and the potential mechanism.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

Erastin was used to stimulate HT22 cells to form ferroptosis model to evaluate the anti-ferroptosis effect of WEM by cell counting kit-8 and lactic dehydrogenase (LDH) tests. The malondialdehyde (MDA) and glutathione (GSH) kits are used for detection of MDA and GSH levels, and 2',7'-dichlorofluorescein diacetate and C11 BODIPY 581/591 fluorescence probe are used for evaluation of reactive oxygen species (ROS) and lipid peroxide (LOOH) levels. And Western blot was used to test nuclear factor erythroid 2-related factor 2 (Nrf2), Kelch-like ECH-associated protein 1 (Keap1), heme oxygenase-1 (HO-1), and ferroptosis associated proteins including glutathione peroxidase 4 (GPX4), cystine/glutamate antiporter subunit (SLC7A11), ferritin heavy chain 1 (FTH1), ferroportin1 (FPN1), transferrin receptor (TFRC). In addition, the Nrf2 inhibitor ML385 was applied to verify whether WEM prevents erastin-induced ferroptosis by activating the Keap1/Nrf2 pathway.

RESULTS

After WEM treatment, erastin-induced HT22 cell survival was significantly elevated, the accumulation of intracellular MDA, ROS, and LOOH were significantly reduced, the level of GSH and expressions of ferroptosis inhibitors GPX4 and SLC7A11 were significantly increased, and iron metabolism-related proteins TFRC, FPN1, and FTH1 were regulated. These effects of WEM are implemented by activating the Keap1/Nrf2 pathway.

CONCLUSIONS

This study demonstrated that WEM could perform neuroprotective effects by alleviating ferroptosis, verified that WEM treatment of AD can be mediated by the Keap1/Nrf2 pathway, and provided theoretical support for the application of WEM in the treatment of AD.

Therapeutic potential of oleic acid supplementation in myotonic dystrophy muscle cell models

BACKGROUND

We recently reported that upregulation of Musashi 2 (MSI2) protein in the rare neuromuscular disease myotonic dystrophy type 1 contributes to the hyperactivation of the muscle catabolic processes autophagy and UPS through a reduction in miR-7 levels. Because oleic acid (OA) is a known allosteric regulator of MSI2 activity in the biogenesis of miR-7, here we sought to evaluate endogenous levels of this fatty acid and its therapeutic potential in rescuing cell differentiation phenotypes in vitro. In this work, four muscle cell lines derived from DM1 patients were treated with OA for 24 h, and autophagy and muscle differentiation parameters were analyzed.

RESULTS

We demonstrate a reduction of OA levels in different cell models of the disease. OA supplementation rescued disease-related phenotypes such as fusion index, myotube diameter, and repressed autophagy. This involved inhibiting MSI2 regulation of direct molecular target miR-7 since OA isoschizomer, elaidic acid (EA) could not cause the same rescues. Reduction of OA levels seems to stem from impaired biogenesis since levels of the enzyme stearoyl-CoA desaturase 1 (SCD1), responsible for converting stearic acid to oleic acid, are decreased in DM1 and correlate with OA amounts.

CONCLUSIONS

For the first time in DM1, we describe a fatty acid metabolism impairment that originated, at least in part, from a decrease in SCD1. Because OA allosterically inhibits MSI2 binding to molecular targets, reduced OA levels synergize with the overexpression of MSI2 and contribute to the MSI2 > miR-7 > autophagy axis that we proposed to explain the muscle atrophy phenotype.

Experimental and pharmacoinformatic approaches unveil the neuropharmacological and analgesic potential of chloroform fraction of Roktoshirinchi (Achyranthes ferruginea Roxb.)

ETHNOPHARMACOLOGICAL RELEVANCE

Achyranthes ferruginea (A. ferruginea) Roxb. is a common plant used in traditional medicine in Asia and Africa. It has a variety of local names, including "Gulmanci" in Nigeria, "Dangar" in Pakistan, "Thola" in Ethiopia, and "Roktoshirinchi" in Bangladesh. It is edible and has several ethnomedical uses for a wide range of illnesses, including hysteria, dropsy, constipation, piles, boils, asthma, and shigellosis. However, the neuropharmacological and analgesic potential of A. ferruginea remains uninvestigated.

AIM OF THE STUDY

To assess the neuropharmacological and analgesic potential of A. ferruginea through a multifaceted approach encompassing both experimental and computational models.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

Methanol was used to extract the leaves of A. ferruginea. It was then fractionated with low to high polar solvents (n-hexane, chloroform, ethyl acetate, and water) to get different fractions, including chloroform fraction (CLF). The study selected CLF at different doses and conducted advanced chemical element and proximate analyses, as well as phytochemical profiling using GC-MS. Toxicological studies were done at 300 μg per rat per day for 14 days. Cholinesterase inhibitory potential was checked using an in-vitro colorimetric assay. Acetic acid-induced writhing (AAWT) and formalin-induced licking tests (FILT) were used to assess anti-nociceptive effects. The forced swim test (FST), tail suspension test (TST), elevated plus maze (EPM), hole board test (HBT), and light and dark box test (LDB) were among the behavioral tests used to assess depression and anxiolytic activity. Network pharmacology-based analysis was performed on selected compounds using the search tool for interacting chemicals-5 (STITCH 5), Swiss target prediction tool, and search tool for the retrieval of interacting genes and proteins (STRING) database to link their role with genes involved in neurological disorders through gene ontology and reactome analysis.

RESULTS

Qualitative chemical element analysis revealed the presence of 15 elements, including Na, K, Ca, Mg, P, and Zn. The moisture content, ash value, and organic matter were found to be 11.12, 11.03, and 88.97%, respectively. GC-MS data revealed that the CLF possesses 25 phytoconstituents. Toxicological studies suggested the CLF has no effects on normal growth, hematological and biochemical parameters, or cellular organs after 14 days at 300 μg per rat. The CLF markedly reduced the activity of both acetylcholinesterase and butyrylcholinesterase (IC50: 56.22 and 13.22 μg/mL, respectively). Promising dose-dependent analgesic activity (p < 0.05) was observed in chemically-induced pain models. The TST and FST showed a dose-dependent substantial reduction in immobility time due to the CLF. Treatment with CLF notably increased the number of open arm entries and time spent in the EPM test at doses of 200 and 400 mg/kg b.w. The CLF showed significant anxiolytic activity at 200 mg/kg b.w. in the HBT test, whereas a similar activity was observed at 400 mg/kg b.w. in the EPM test. A notable increase in the amount of time spent in the light compartment was observed in the LDB test by mice treated with CLF, suggesting an anxiolytic effect. A network pharmacology study demonstrated the relationship between the phytochemicals and a number of targets, such as PPARA, PPARG, CHRM1, and HTR2, which are connected to the shown bioactivities.

CONCLUSIONS

This study demonstrated the safety of A. ferruginea and its efficacy in attenuating cholinesterase inhibitory activity, central and peripheral pain, anxiety, and depression, warranting further exploration of its therapeutic potential.

Chemical Characterization, Phenolic Compounds Quantification, and Assessment of Antioxidant and Anti-Acetylcholinesterase Activities of Byrsonima sericea DC fruits

Byrsonima sericea is a species native to Brazil that is widely used in traditional medicine. The seed ethanol extract (SEE) had the highest content of total phenols (179.35 mg GAE g-1 extract) and flavonoids (10.42 mg QE g-1 extract) and was the most active in relation to antioxidant activity (DPPH: IC50 =4.25 μg mL-1 and ABTS: IC50 =4.82 μg mL-1 ). The peel/pulp ethanol extract (PEE) had the best anticholinesterase activity (IC50 =6.02 μg mL-1 ). Chromatographic investigation identified gallic acid, isoquercitrin, quercetin and amentoflavone in SEE, and gallic acid, isoquercitrin, quercetin and rutin in PEE. Six fatty acid methyl esters and seven triterpenes were identified, highlighting oleic acid in the seed hexane extract (61.85 %) and in the peel/pulp hexane extract (52.61 %), and betulin in the peel/pulp hexane extract (5.25 %). The substances and biological activities identified in B. sericea characterize this fruit as a functional food for future studies.

Unlocking the Molecular Variations of a Micron-Scale Amyloid Plaque in an Early Stage Alzheimer's Disease by a Cellular-Resolution Mass Spectrometry Imaging Platform

Uncovering the molecular changes at the site where Aβ is deposited plays a critical role in advancing the diagnosis and treatment of Alzheimer's disease. However, there is currently a lack of a suitable label-free imaging method with a high spatial resolution for brain tissue analysis. In this study, we propose a modified desorption electrospray ionization (DESI) mass spectrometry imaging (MSI) method, called segmented temperature-controlled DESI (STC-DESI), to achieve high-resolution and high-sensitivity spatial metabolomics observation by precisely controlling desorption and ionization temperatures. By concentrating the spray plume and accelerating solvent evaporation at different temperatures, we achieved an impressive spatial resolution of 20 μm that enables direct observation of the heterogeneity around a single cell or an individual Aβ plaque and an exciting sensitivity that allows a variety of low-abundance metabolites and less ionizable neutral lipids to be detected. We applied this STC-DESI method to analyze the brains of transgenic AD mice and identified molecular changes associated with individual Aβ aggregates. More importantly, our study provides the first evidence that carnosine is significantly depleted and 5-caffeoylquinic acid (5-CQA) levels rise sharply around Aβ deposits. These observations highlight the potential of carnosine as a sensitive molecular probe for clinical magnetic resonance imaging diagnosis and the potential of 5-CQA as an efficient therapeutic strategy for Aβ clearance in the early AD stage. Overall, our findings demonstrate the effectiveness of our STC-DESI method and shed light on the potential roles of these molecules in AD pathology, specifically in cellular endocytosis, gray matter network disruption, and paravascular Aβ clearance.

The ameliorative effect of Piper trioicum in attenuating cognitive deficit in scopolamine induced neurotoxicity in experimental rats

ETHNOPHARMACOLOGICAL RELEVANCE

In traditional system of medicine, Piper species, or its components are widely used to treat many diseases including memory improvement. One of the wild species Piper trioicum Roxb. (Piperaceae) is found in South Asian countries. The whole plant is used as folk medicine to improve memory.

AIM OF THE STUDY

To our knowledge, no previous research has investigated the neuroprotective activities of P. trioicum. So, we studied the ameliorative effect of P. trioicum in attenuating cognitive deficit in scopolamine induced neurotoxicity in experimental rats.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

Wistar rats were exposed to scopolamine (3 mg/kg, i. p.) for 14 consecutive days, and the effect of P. trioicum (HAPT; oral, 300, 400 mg/kg) on scopolamine-invoked neurotoxicity in brain were studied. During the experimental period, behaviour analyses of rats were observed 30 min post-drug administration. The role of antioxidants of HAPT in scavenging cellular oxygen/peroxyl radicals were studied. Acetylcholinesterase and butyrylcholinesterase inhibitions, and mode of inhibition kinetics of HAPT were studied. Pathogenic cellular oxidative (MDA, GSH, SOD, and CAT), DNA damage (8-oxodG), neurochemical (acetyl- and, butyryl-cholinesterase), β-secretase (BACE-1 and 2), MAPτ, and neuroinflammation (IL-6, TNF-α) biomarkers in extension to the histopathological observation of brain cortex were studied. GC-MS/MS analysis was carried out to investigate the presence of bioactive constituents in HAPT.

RESULTS

HAPT, a rich source of phenol and flavonoid type antioxidants were responsible in quenching oxygen/peroxyl radicals and protected the cellular membrane, and lipoproteins against ROS in DPPH, ORAC, and CAPe tests. HAPT inhibited acetylcholinesterase and butyrylcholinesterase activities, and showed competitive-inhibition (reversible) towards cholinesterase activities. HAPT-400 significantly improved the learning and memory-impairment by restoring oxidative MDA, GSH, SOD, CAT, and DNA damage (8-oxodG) markers of serum, and cortex. It also improved acetyl- and, butyryl-cholinesterase, β-secretase, and MAPτ level in brain by restoring proinflammatory cytokines IL-6, and TNF-α indicators in neurotoxic rats. GC-MS/MS reported therapeutic significance active compounds were molecular-docked towards target proteins, found that proscillaridin showed the highest affinity towards AChE, BuChE, BACE1, and BACE2 with binding energy of ΔGb -9.1, ΔGb -10.2, ΔGb -11.4 and ΔGb -11.5 Kcal/mol, respectively. Cymarin and morphine-3-glucuronide showed the second highest binding affinity towards AChE (ΔGb -8.8) and BuChE (ΔGb -10.0), respectively. In BACE-1, betulin showed the second highest binding affinity ΔGb -10.7 Kcal/mol and in BACE-2, morphine-3-glucuronide showed the second highest binding affinity ΔGb -9.8 Kcal/mol.

CONCLUSIONS

Synergistic impact of proscillaridin, Cymarin, morphine-3-glucuronide, betulin like compounds in HAPT improved memory impairment, healing of tissue architecture of cortex with the restoration of neurochemical, neuroinflammation, and oxidative indicators in neurotoxic rats.

Association of metabolic dysfunction with cognitive decline and Alzheimer's disease: A review of metabolomic evidence

The discovery of new biomarkers that can distinguish Alzheimer's disease (AD) from mild cognitive impairment (MCI) in the early stages will help to provide new diagnostic and therapeutic strategies and slow the transition from MCI to AD. Patients with AD may present with a concomitant metabolic disorder, such as diabetes, obesity, and dyslipidemia, as a risk factor for AD that may be involved in the onset of both AD pathology and cognitive impairment. Therefore, metabolite profiling, or metabolomics, can be very useful in diagnosing AD, developing new therapeutic targets, and evaluating both the course of treatment and the clinical course of the disease. In addition, studying the relationship between nutritional behavior and AD requires investigation of the role of conditions such as obesity, hypertension, dyslipidemia, and elevated glucose level. Based on this literature review, nutritional recommendations, including weight loss by reducing calorie and cholesterol intake and omega-3 fatty acid supplementation can prevent cognitive decline and dementia in the elderly. The underlying metabolic causes of the pathology and cognitive decline caused by AD and MCI are not well understood. In this review article, metabolomics biomarkers for diagnosis of AD and MCI and metabolic risk factors for cognitive decline in AD were evaluated.

Trichosanthis Semen Exerts Neuroprotective Effects in Alzheimer's Disease Models by Inhibiting Amyloid-β Accumulation and Regulating the Akt and ERK Signaling Pathways

Background

Alzheimer's disease (AD), the most common form of dementia, is characterized by memory loss and the abnormal accumulation of senile plaques composed of amyloid-β (Aβ) protein. Trichosanthis Semen (TS) is a traditional herbal medicine used to treat phlegm-related conditions. While TS is recognized for various bioactivities, including anti-neuroinflammatory effects, its ability to attenuate AD remains unknown.

Objective

To evaluate the effects of TS extract (TSE) on neuronal damage, Aβ accumulation, and neuroinflammation in AD models.

Methods

Thioflavin T and western blot assays were used to assess effects on Aβ aggregation in vitro. TS was treated to PC12 cells with Aβ to assess the neuroprotective effects. Memory functions and histological brain features were investigated in TSE-treated 5×FAD transgenic mice and mice with intracerebroventricularly injected Aβ.

Results

TSE disrupted Aβ aggregation and increased the viability of cells and phosphorylation of both protein kinase B (Akt) and extracellular signal-regulated kinase (ERK) in vitro. TSE treatment also suppressed the accumulation of Aβ plaques in the brain of 5×FAD mice, protected neuronal cells in both the subiculum and medial septum, and upregulated Akt/ERK phosphorylation in the hippocampus. Moreover, TSE ameliorated the memory decline and glial overactivation observed in 5×FAD mice. As assessing whether TS affect Aβ-induced neurotoxicity in the Aβ-injected mice, the effects of TS on memory improvement and neuroinflammatory inhibition were confirmed.

Conclusions

TSE disrupted Aβ aggregation, protected neurons against Aβ-induced toxicity, and suppressed neuroinflammation, suggesting that it can suppress the development of AD.

Effects of small molecules on neurogenesis: Neuronal proliferation and differentiation

Neurons are believed to be non-proliferating cells. However, neuronal stem cells are still present in certain areas of the adult brain, although their proliferation diminishes with age. Just as with other cells, their proliferation and differentiation are modulated by various mechanisms. These mechanisms are foundational to the strategies developed to induce neuronal proliferation and differentiation, with potential therapeutic applications for neurodegenerative diseases. The most common among these diseases are Parkinson's disease and Alzheimer's disease, associated with the formation of β -amyloid (Aβ ) aggregates which cause a reduction in the number of neurons. Compounds such as LiCl, 4-aminothiazoles, Pregnenolone, ACEA, harmine, D2AAK1, methyl 3,4-dihydroxybenzoate, and shikonin may induce neuronal proliferation/differentiation through the activation of pathways: MAPK ERK, PI3K/AKT, NFκ B, Wnt, BDNF, and NPAS3. Moreover, combinations of these compounds can potentially transform somatic cells into neurons. This transformation process involves the activation of neuron-specific transcription factors such as NEUROD1, NGN2, ASCL1, and SOX2, which subsequently leads to the transcription of downstream genes, culminating in the transformation of somatic cells into neurons. Neurodegenerative diseases are not the only conditions where inducing neuronal proliferation could be beneficial. Consequently, the impact of pro-proliferative compounds on neurons has also been researched in mouse models of Alzheimer's disease.

Trachyspermum ammi Bioactives Promote Neuroprotection by Inhibiting Acetylcholinesterase, Aβ-Oligomerization/Fibrilization, and Mitigating Oxidative Stress In Vitro

Neurodegenerative diseases (NDs) are a large category of progressive neurological disorders with diverse clinical and pathological characteristics. Among the NDs, Alzheimer's disease (AD) is the most widespread disease, which affects more than 400 million people globally. Oxidative stress is evident in the pathophysiology of nearly all NDs by affecting several pathways in neurodegeneration. No single drug can manage multi-faceted diseases like NDs. Therefore, an alternative therapeutic strategy is required, which can affect several pathophysiological pathways at a time. To achieve this aim, hexane and ethyl acetate extract from Trachyspermum ammi (Carom) were prepared, and GC/MS identified the bioactive compounds. For the cell-based assays, oxidative stress was induced in SH-SY5Y neuroblastoma cells using hydrogen peroxide to evaluate the neuroprotective potential of the Carom extracts/bioactives. The extracts/bioactives provided neuroprotection in the cells by modulating multiple pathways involved in neurodegeneration, such as alleviating oxidative stress and mitochondrial membrane potential. They were potent inhibitors of acetylcholine esterase enzymes and displayed competitive/mixed-type inhibition. Additionally, anti-Aβ1-42 fibrilization/oligomerization and anti-glycation activities were also analyzed. The multi-faceted neuroprotection shown via Carom/Carvacrol makes it a prospective contender in drug development for NDs.

Unravelling the role of NFE2L1 in stress responses and related diseases

The nuclear factor erythroid 2 (NF-E2)-related factor 1 (NFE2L1, also known as Nrf1) is a highly conserved transcription factor that belongs to the CNC-bZIP subfamily. Its significance lies in its control over redox balance, proteasome activity, and organ integrity. Stress responses encompass a series of compensatory adaptations utilized by cells and organisms to cope with extracellular or intracellular stress initiated by stressful stimuli. Recently, extensive evidence has demonstrated that NFE2L1 plays a crucial role in cellular stress adaptation by 1) responding to oxidative stress through the induction of antioxidative responses, and 2) addressing proteotoxic stress or endoplasmic reticulum (ER) stress by regulating the ubiquitin-proteasome system (UPS), unfolded protein response (UPR), and ER-associated degradation (ERAD). It is worth noting that NFE2L1 serves as a core factor in proteotoxic stress adaptation, which has been extensively studied in cancer and neurodegeneration associated with enhanced proteasomal stress. In these contexts, utilization of NFE2L1 inhibitors to attenuate proteasome "bounce-back" response holds tremendous potential for enhancing the efficacy of proteasome inhibitors. Additionally, abnormal stress adaptations of NFE2L1 and disturbances in redox and protein homeostasis contribute to the pathophysiological complications of cardiovascular diseases, inflammatory diseases, and autoimmune diseases. Therefore, a comprehensive exploration of the molecular basis of NFE2L1 and NFE2L1-mediated diseases related to stress responses would not only facilitate the identification of novel diagnostic and prognostic indicators but also enable the identification of specific therapeutic targets for NFE2L1-related diseases.

Diet and lifestyle impact the development and progression of Alzheimer's dementia

Dementia is a growing public health concern, with an estimated prevalence of 57 million adults worldwide. Alzheimer's disease (AD) accounts for 60-80% of the cases. Clinical trials testing potential drugs and neuroprotective agents have proven futile, and currently approved drugs only provide symptomatic benefits. Emerging epidemiological and clinical studies suggest that lifestyle changes, including diet and physical activity, offer an alternative therapeutic route for slowing and preventing cognitive decline and dementia. Age is the single most common risk factor for dementia, and it is associated with slowing cellular bioenergetics and metabolic processes. Therefore, a nutrient-rich diet is critical for optimal brain health. Furthermore, type 2 diabetes (T2D) is a risk factor for AD, and diets that reduce the risk of T2D may confer neuroprotection. Foods predominant in Mediterranean, MIND, and DASH diets, including fruits, leafy green vegetables, fish, nuts, and olive oil, may prevent or slow cognitive decline. The mechanisms by which these nutrients promote brain health, however, are not yet completely understood. Other dietary approaches and eating regimes, including ketogenic and intermittent fasting, are also emerging as beneficial for brain health. This review summarizes the pathophysiology, associated risk factors, and the potential neuroprotective pathways activated by several diets and eating regimes that have shown promising results in promoting brain health and preventing dementia.

Integrating Nutrient Biomarkers, Cognitive Function, and Structural MRI Data to Build Multivariate Phenotypes of Healthy Aging

BACKGROUND

Research in the emerging field of Nutritional Cognitive Neuroscience demonstrates that many aspects of nutrition - from entire diets to specific nutrients - affect cognitive performance and brain health.

OBJECTIVE

While prior research has primarily examined the bivariate relationship between nutrition and cognition, or nutrition and brain health, the present study sought to investigate the joint relationship between these essential and interactive elements of human health.

METHODS

We applied a state-of-the-art data fusion method, Coupled Matrix Tensor Factorization, to characterize the joint association between measures of nutrition (52 nutrient biomarkers), cognition (Wechsler Abbreviated Test of Intelligence and Wechsler Memory Scale), and brain health (high-resolution Magnetic Resonance Imaging measures of structural brain volume) within a cross-sectional sample of 111 healthy older adults that had an average age of 69.1 years, were 62% female and had an average Body Mass Index of 26.0.

RESULTS

Data fusion uncovered 3 latent factors that capture the joint association between specific nutrient profiles, cognitive measures, and cortical volumes, demonstrating the respects in which these health domains are coupled. Hierarchical cluster analysis further revealed systematic differences between the observed latent factors, providing evidence for multivariate phenotypes that represent high versus low levels of performance across multiple health domains. The primary features that distinguish between each phenotype were: (i) nutrient biomarkers for monounsaturated and polyunsaturated fatty acids; (ii) cognitive measures of immediate, auditory, and delayed memory; and (iii) brain volumes within frontal, temporal, and parietal cortex.

CONCLUSIONS

By incorporating innovations in nutritional epidemiology (nutrient biomarker analysis), cognitive neuroscience (high-resolution structural brain imaging), and statistics (data fusion), the present study provides an interdisciplinary synthesis of methods that elucidate how nutrition, cognition, and brain health are integrated through lifestyle choices that affect healthy aging.

Impact of Nut Consumption on Cognition across the Lifespan

Cognitive health is a life-long concern affected by modifiable risk factors, including lifestyle choices, such as dietary intake, with serious implications for quality of life, morbidity, and mortality worldwide. In addition, nuts are a nutrient-dense food that contain a number of potentially neuroprotective components, including monounsaturated and polyunsaturated fatty acids, fiber, B-vitamins, non-sodium minerals, and highly bioactive polyphenols. However, increased nut consumption relates to a lower cardiovascular risk and a lower burden of cardiovascular risk factors that are shared with neurodegenerative disorders, which is why nuts have been hypothesized to be beneficial for brain health. The present narrative review discusses up-to-date epidemiological, clinical trial, and mechanistic evidence of the effect of exposure to nuts on cognitive performance. While limited and inconclusive, available evidence suggests a possible role for nuts in the maintenance of cognitive health and prevention of cognitive decline in individuals across the lifespan, particularly in older adults and those at higher risk. Walnuts, as a rich source of the plant-based polyunsaturated omega-3 fatty acid alpha-linolenic acid, are the nut type most promising for cognitive health. Given the limited definitive evidence available to date, especially regarding cognitive health biomarkers and hard outcomes, future studies are needed to better elucidate the impact of nuts on the maintenance of cognitive health, as well as the prevention and management of cognitive decline and dementia, including Alzheimer disease.

The Role of Dietary Lipids in Cognitive Health: Implications for Neurodegenerative Disease

Neurodegenerative diseases are a group of disorders characterised by progressive loss of brain function. The most common of these is Alzheimer's disease, a form of dementia. Intake of macro- and micro-nutrients impacts brain function, including memory, learning, mood, and behaviour. Lipids, particularly phospholipids and sphingolipids, are crucial structural components of neural tissues and significantly affect cognitive function. The importance of functional foods in preventing cardiovascular disease is well-documented in the current literature. However, the significance of such foods for central nervous system health and neurodegenerative diseases is less recognized. Gut microbiome composition affects cognitive health and function, and dietary lipids are known to influence gut health. Thus, this review will discuss different sources of dietary lipids and their effect on cognitive functioning and their interaction with the gut microbiome in the context of neurodegenerative disease.

Interdisciplinary Approaches to Deal with Alzheimer's Disease-From Bench to Bedside: What Feasible Options Do Already Exist Today?

Alzheimer's disease is one of the most common neurodegenerative diseases in the western population. The incidence of this disease increases with age. Rising life expectancy and the resulting increase in the ratio of elderly in the population are likely to exacerbate socioeconomic problems. Alzheimer's disease is a multifactorial disease. In addition to amyloidogenic processing leading to plaques, and tau pathology, but also other molecular causes such as oxidative stress or inflammation play a crucial role. We summarize the molecular mechanisms leading to Alzheimer's disease and which potential interventions are known to interfere with these mechanisms, focusing on nutritional approaches and physical activity but also the beneficial effects of cognition-oriented treatments with a focus on language and communication. Interestingly, recent findings also suggest a causal link between oral conditions, such as periodontitis or edentulism, and Alzheimer's disease, raising the question of whether dental intervention in Alzheimer's patients can be beneficial as well. Unfortunately, all previous single-domain interventions have been shown to have limited benefit to patients. However, the latest studies indicate that combining these efforts into multidomain approaches may have increased preventive or therapeutic potential. Therefore, as another emphasis in this review, we provide an overview of current literature dealing with studies combining the above-mentioned approaches and discuss potential advantages compared to monotherapies. Considering current literature and intervention options, we also propose a multidomain interdisciplinary approach for the treatment of Alzheimer's disease patients that synergistically links the individual approaches. In conclusion, this review highlights the need to combine different approaches in an interdisciplinary manner, to address the future challenges of Alzheimer's disease.

Bidirectional communication between brain and visceral white adipose tissue: Its potential impact on Alzheimer's disease

A variety of axes between brain and abdominal organs have been reported, but the interaction between brain and visceral white adipose tissue (vWAT) remains unclear. In this review, we summarized human studies on the association between brain and vWAT, and generalized their interaction and the underlying mechanisms according to animal and cell experiments. On that basis, we come up with the concept of the brain-vWAT axis (BVA). Furthermore, we analyzed the potential mechanisms of involvement of BVA in the pathogenesis of Alzheimer's disease (AD), including vWAT-derived fatty acids, immunological properties of vWAT, vWAT-derived retinoic acid and vWAT-regulated insulin resistance. The proposal of BVA may expand our understanding to some extent of how the vWAT impacts on brain health and diseases, and provide a novel approach to study the pathogenesis and treatment strategies of neurodegenerative disorders.

Olive- and Coconut-Oil-Enriched Diets Decreased Secondary Bile Acids and Regulated Metabolic and Transcriptomic Markers of Brain Injury in the Frontal Cortexes of NAFLD Pigs

The objective of this study was to investigate the effect of dietary fatty acid (FA) saturation and carbon chain length on brain bile acid (BA) metabolism and neuronal number in a pig model of pediatric NAFLD. Thirty 20-day-old Iberian pigs, pair-housed in pens, were randomly assigned to receive one of three hypercaloric diets for 10 weeks: (1) lard-enriched (LAR; n = 5 pens), (2) olive-oil-enriched (OLI, n = 5), and (3) coconut-oil-enriched (COC; n = 5). Pig behavior and activity were analyzed throughout the study. All animals were euthanized on week 10 and frontal cortex (FC) samples were collected for immunohistochemistry, metabolomic, and transcriptomic analyses. Data were analyzed by multivariate and univariate statistics. No differences were observed in relative brain weight, neuronal number, or cognitive functioning between diets. Pig activity and FC levels of neuroprotective secondary BAs and betaine decreased in the COC and OLI groups compared with LAR, and paralleled the severity of NAFLD. In addition, OLI-fed pigs showed downregulation of genes involved in neurotransmission, synaptic transmission, and nervous tissue development. Similarly, COC-fed pigs showed upregulation of neurogenesis and myelin repair genes, which caused the accumulation of medium-chain acylcarnitines in brain tissue. In conclusion, our results indicate that secondary BA levels in the FCs of NAFLD pigs are affected by dietary FA composition and are associated with metabolic and transcriptomic markers of brain injury. Dietary interventions that aim to replace saturated FAs by medium-chain or monounsaturated FAs in high-fat hypercaloric diets may have a negative effect on brain health in NAFLD patients.

Medicine-food herb: Angelica sinensis, a potential therapeutic hope for Alzheimer's disease and related complications

Alzheimer's disease (AD) is a progressive neurodegenerative disease, which has brought a huge burden to the world. The current therapeutic approach of one-molecule-one-target strategy fails to address the issues of AD because of multiple pathological features of AD. Traditionally, the herb of Angelica sinensis (AS) comes from the root of an umbrella plant Angelica sinensis (Oliv.) Diels. As a typical medicine-food herb, studies have shown that AS can alleviate AD and AD-complications by multiple targets through the various foundations of pharmaceutical material and dietary supply basis. Therefore, this review summarizes the pharmacological effects of AS for the treatment of AD and AD-complications for the first time. AS contains many effective components, such as ligustilide, z-ligustilide, n-butylidenephthalide, α-pinene, p-cymene, myrcene, ferulic acid, vanillic acid and coniferyl ferulate. It is found that AS, AS-active compounds and AS-compound recipes mainly treat AD through neuroprotective, anti-inflammation, and anti-oxidant effects, improving mitochondrial dysfunction, anti-neuronal apoptosis, regulating autophagy, regulating intestinal flora and enhancing the central cholinergic system, which shows the multi-component and multi-target effect of AS. The role of dietary supplement components in AS for AD intervention is summarized, including vitamin B₁₂, folic acid, arginine, and oleic acid, which can improve the symptoms of AD. Besides, this review focuses on the safety and toxicity evaluation of AS, which provides a basis for its application. This review will provide further support for the research on AD and the application of medicine-food herb AS in a healthy lifestyle in the future.

Greater intake of the MEDI diet is associated with better cognitive trajectory in older adults with type 2 diabetes

AIMS

To determine associations of three dietary patterns (Mediterranean (MEDI) diet, the Dietary Approaches to Stop Hypertension (DASH) diet and the Mediterranean- DASH Intervention for Neurodegenerative Delay (MIND) diet) with cognitive decline in older adults with type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2D).

METHODS

This is a longitudinal observational study. Participants (N = 960) from the Israel Diabetes and Cognitive Decline (IDCD) study were included in this study. A multivariable-adjusted model including all three dietary patterns concurrently was developed to investigate their independent effect on cognitive decline.

RESULTS

The mean follow up was 4.1 ± 2.1 years. While high adherence to both the MIND and the MEDI diet was associated with a slower decline, in the multivariable model only the associations of higher MEDI diet intake with greater decline in global cognition and in executive functions remained significant (β = 0.013, SE = 0.006; P = 0.042; β = 0.001, SE = 0.008, Pv = 0.023 respectively).

CONCLUSIONS

In older adults with T2D, adherence to the MEDI is related to better cognitive trajectory. Diet is a meaningful factor in the path linking T2D and cognition.

Chronic-Antibiotics Induced Gut Microbiota Dysbiosis Rescues Memory Impairment and Reduces β-Amyloid Aggregation in a Preclinical Alzheimer's Disease Model

Alzheimer's disease (AD) is a multifactorial pathology characterized by β-amyloid (Aβ) deposits, Tau hyperphosphorylation, neuroinflammatory response, and cognitive deficit. Changes in the bacterial gut microbiota (BGM) have been reported as a possible etiological factor of AD. We assessed in offspring (F1) 3xTg, the effect of BGM dysbiosisdysbiosis in mothers (F0) at gestation and F1 from lactation up to the age of 5 months on Aβ and Tau levels in the hippocampus, as well as on spatial memory at the early symptomatic stage of AD. We found that BGM dysbiosisdysbiosis with antibiotics (Abx) treatment in F0 was vertically transferred to their F1 3xTg mice, as observed on postnatal day (PD) 30 and 150. On PD150, we observed a delay in spatial memory impairment and Aβ deposits, but not in Tau and pTau protein in the hippocampus at the early symptomatic stage of AD. These effects are correlated with relative abundance of bacteria and alpha diversity, and are specific to bacterial consortia. Our results suggest that this specific BGM could reduce neuroinflammatory responses related to cerebral amyloidosis and cognitive deficit and activate metabolic pathways associated with the biosynthesis of triggering or protective molecules for AD.

Butea superba Roxb. Extract Ameliorates Scopolamine-Induced Cognitive and Memory Impairment in Aged Male Rats

Butea superba Roxb. (B. superba) is a herb that has been used for rejuvenation, to improve sexual performance, or to prevent erectile dysfunction function. Alzheimer's disease (AD) is a chronic neurodegenerative disorder that is the main cause of progressive dementia. This study aimed to investigate the amelioration for cognitive and memory dysfunction of B. superba ethanolic extract (BSE), a possible mechanism of action, and its toxicity. The results from the Y-maze test, novel object recognition test, and passive avoidance test exhibited that the administration of BSE at 50 mg/kg (BSL) and 200 mg/kg (BSH) could ameliorate scopolamine-induced cognitive impairment in all behavior testing. Moreover, BSE could prevent the cognitive deficit in a dose-dependent manner in a passive avoidance test. Furthermore, BSE inhibited acetylcholinesterase's (AChE) ex vivo activity in the cerebral cortex and hippocampus. Also, the in vitro and ex vivo antioxidative effects of BSE revealed that BSE had free radical scavenging activities in both DPPH and FRAP assay. Furthermore, male rats treated with BSE at 200 mg/kg/day for two weeks could significantly increase serum testosterone compared with control (P < 0.05). The GC-MS analysis and previous studies revealed that BSE contained propanoic acid, 3,3'-thiobis-, didodecyl ester, oleic acid, gamma-sitosterol, and stigmasterol which may play an important role in cognitive and memory impairment prevention. The toxicity test of BSE in rats at 50 and 200 mg/kg/day for two weeks showed that relative organ weight, serum creatinine, ALT, ALP, and CBC levels of both treated groups were not significantly different compared to the CON (P > 0.05). These results suggest that BSE may not be toxic to the vital organ and blood. In conclusion, BSE has the potential to be developed as a health supplement product or medicine for AD prevention and treatment.

Fatty acids and beyond: Age and Alzheimer's disease related changes in lipids reveal the neuro-nutraceutical potential of lipids in cognition

Lipids are essential in maintaining brain function, and lipid profiles have been reported to be altered in aged and Alzheimer's disease (AD) brains as compared to healthy mature brains. Both age and AD share common metabolic hallmarks such as increased oxidative stress and perturbed metabolic function, and age remains the most strongly correlated risk factor for AD, a neurodegenerative disease. A major accompanying pathological symptom of these conditions is cognitive impairment, which is linked with changes in lipid metabolism. Thus, nutraceuticals that affect brain lipid metabolism or lipid levels as a whole have the potential to ameliorate cognitive decline. Lipid analyses and lipidomic studies reveal changes in specific lipid types with aging and AD, which can identify potential lipid-based nutraceuticals to restore the brain to a healthy lipid phenotype. The brain lipid profile can be influenced directly with dietary administration of lipids themselves, although because of synergistic effects of nutrients it may be more useful to consider a multi-component diet rather than single nutrient supplementation. Gut microbiota also serve as a source of beneficial lipids, and the value of treatments that manipulate the composition of gut microbiome should not be ignored. Lastly, instead of direct supplementation, compounds that affect pathways involved with lipid metabolism should also be considered as a way of manipulating lipid levels to improve cognition. In this review, we briefly discuss the role of lipids in the brain, the changing lipid profile in AD, current research on lipid-based nutraceuticals and their therapeutic potential to combat cognitive impairment.

Kefir metabolites in a fly model for Alzheimer's disease

Alzheimer's Disease (AD) is the most common cause of dementia among elderly individuals worldwide, leading to a strong motor-cognitive decline and consequent emotional distress and codependence. It is traditionally characterized by amyloidogenic pathway formation of senile plaques, and recent studies indicate that dysbiosis is also an important factor in AD's pathology. To overcome dysbiosis, probiotics-as kefir-have shown to be a great therapeutic alternative for Alzheimer's disease. In this present work, we explored kefir as a probiotic and a metabolite source as a modulator of microbiome and amyloidogenic pathway, using a Drosophila melanogaster model for AD (AD-like flies). Kefir microbiota composition was determined through 16S rRNA sequencing, and the metabolome of each fraction (hexane, dichloromethane, ethyl acetate, and n-butanol) was investigated. After treatment, flies had their survival, climbing ability, and vacuolar lesions accessed. Kefir and fraction treated flies improved their climbing ability survival rate and neurodegeneration index. In conclusion, we show that kefir in natura, as well as its fractions may be promising therapeutic source against AD, modulating amyloidogenic related pathways.

Combined Oral and Topical Application of Pumpkin (Cucurbita pepo L.) Alleviates Contact Dermatitis Associated With Depression Through Downregulation Pro-Inflammatory Cytokines

Background: Depression and contact dermatitis (CD) are considered relatively common health problems that are linked with psychological stress. The antioxidant, anti-inflammatory, and antidepressant activities of pumpkin were previously reported. Objectives: This study aimed to evaluate the efficacy of the combined topical and oral application of pumpkin fruit (Cucurbita pepo L.) extract (PE) in relieving CD associated with chronic stress-induced depression and compare it to the topical pumpkin extract alone and to the standard treatment. Materials and Methods: Forty male albino rats were exposed to chronic unpredictable mild stress (CUMS) for 4 weeks for induction of depression and then exposed to (1-fluoro-2, 4-dinitrofluorobenzene, DNFB) for 2 weeks for induction of CD. Those rats were assigned into 4 groups (n = 10 each); untreated, betamethasone-treated, PE-treated and pumpkin extract cream, and oral-treated groups. Treatments were continued for 2 weeks. All groups were compared to the negative control group (n = 10). Depression was behaviorally and biochemically confirmed. Serum and mRNA levels of pro-inflammatory cytokines, such as TNF-α, IL-6, COX-2, and iNOS, were assessed. Oxidant/antioxidant profile was assessed in the serum and skin. Histopathological and immunohistochemical assessments of affected skin samples were performed. Results: Pumpkin extract, used in this study, included a large amount of oleic acid (about 56%). The combined topical and oral administration of PE significantly reduced inflammatory and oxidative changes induced by CD and depression compared to the CD standard treatment and to the topical PE alone. PE significantly alleviated CD signs and the histopathological score (p < 0.001) mostly through the downregulation of pro-inflammatory cytokines and the upregulation of antioxidants. Conclusion: Pumpkin extract, applied topically and orally, could be an alternative and/or complementary approach for treating contact dermatitis associated with depression. Further studies on volunteer patients of contact dermatitis are recommended.

The Neuroinflammatory and Neurotoxic Potential of Palmitic Acid Is Mitigated by Oleic Acid in Microglial Cells and Microglial-Neuronal Co-cultures

Neuroinflammation has been implicated in the pathogenesis of neurodegeneration and is now accepted as a common molecular feature underpinning neuronal damage and death. Palmitic acid (PA) may represent one of the links between diet and neuroinflammation. The aims of this study were to assess whether PA induced toxicity in neuronal cells by modulating microglial inflammatory responses and/or by directly targeting neurons. We also determined the potential of oleic acid (OA), a monounsaturated fatty acid, to counteract inflammation and promote neuroprotection. We measured the ability of PA to induce the secretion of interleukin-6 (IL-6) and tumor necrosis factor-α (TNF-α), the induction of the nuclear factor kappa-light-chain-enhancer of activated B cells (NF-κB) signalling pathways, as well as the phosphorylation of c-Jun, and the expression of inducible nitric oxide synthase (iNOS). Finally, to determine whether PA exerted an indirect neurotoxic effect on neuronal cells, we employed a microglia-neuron co-culture paradigm where microglial cells communicate with neuronal cells in a paracrine fashion. Herein, we demonstrate that PA induces the activation of the NF-κB signalling pathway and c-Jun phosphorylation in N9 microglia cells, in the absence of increased cytokine secretion. Moreover, our data illustrate that PA exerts an indirect as well as a direct neurotoxic role on neuronal PC12 cells and these effects are partially prevented by OA. These results are important to establish that PA interferes with neuronal homeostasis and suggest that dietary PA, when consumed in excess, may induce neuroinflammation and possibly concurs in the development of neurodegeneration.

Consumption of Oleic Acid on the Preservation of Cognitive Functions in Japanese Elderly Individuals

We recruited 154 community-dwelling elderly individuals and conducted a cohort study to find out the nutrient intake that is suitable for maintaining cognitive function in Japanese elders. Cognitive function was evaluated by the two functional tests, the Montreal Cognitive Assessment (MoCA) and Wechsler Memory Scale-Delayed Recall (WMS-DR), and daily nutrient intake was estimated from a Brief-type Self-administered Diet History Questionnaire (BDHQ). By a multiple regression analysis, among the four major nutrients (protein, fat, carbohydrate and ash), we detected a significant correlation between the score of cognitive functions assessed by both MoCA and WMS-DR and daily consumption of fat (p = 0.0317 and p = 0.0111, respectively). Among categories of fatty acid, we found a significant correlation between the score of both MoCA and WMS-DR and consumption of monounsaturated fatty acid (MUFA) (p = 0.0157 and p = 0.0136, respectively). Finally, among MUFAs, we observed a significant correlation between the score of both MoCA and WMS-DR and consumption of oleic acid (p = 0.0405 and p = 0.0165, respectively). From these observations, we can propose that daily consumption of fat, especially in oleic acid, has a beneficial effect against cognitive decline in community-dwelling Japanese elderly individuals.

The role of peripheral fatty acids as biomarkers for Alzheimer's disease and brain inflammation

Alzheimer's disease (AD) is a complex and heterogeneous neurodegenerative disease. A wide range of techniques have been proposed to facilitate early diagnosis of AD, including biomarkers from the cerebrospinal fluid and blood. Although phosphorylated tau and amyloid beta are amongst the most promising biomarkers of AD, other peripheral biomarkers have been identified and in this review we synthesize the current knowledge on circulating fatty acids. Fatty acids are involved in different biological process including neurotransmission and inflammation. Interestingly, some fatty acids appear to be modulated during disease progression, including long chain saturated fatty acids, and polyunsaturated fatty acids, such as docosahexaenoic acid . However, discrepant results have been reported in the literature and there is the need for further validation and method standardization. Nonetheless, our literature review suggests that fatty acid analyses could potentially provide a valuable source of data to further inform the pathology and progression of AD.

Dietary Fatty Acid Factors in Alzheimer's Disease: A Review

Alzheimer's disease (AD) is an irreversible neurodegenerative disease characterized by brain function disorder and chronic cognitive function impairment. The onset of AD is complex and is mostly attributed to interactions between genetic factors and environmental factors. Lifestyle, dietary habits, and food consumption are likely to play indispensable functions in aged-related neurodegenerative diseases in elderly people. An increasing number of epidemiological studies have linked dietary fatty acid factors to AD, raising the point of view that fatty acid metabolism plays an important role in AD initiation and progression as well as in other central nervous system disorders. In this paper, we review the effects of the consumption of various dietary fatty acids on AD onset and progression and discuss the detrimental and beneficial effects of some typical fatty acids derived from dietary patterns on the pathology of AD. We outline these recent advances, and we recommend that healthy dietary lifestyles may contribute to preventing the occurrence and decreasing the pathology of AD.

Hyperglycemia alters lipid metabolism and ultrastructural morphology of cerebellum in brains of diabetic rats: Therapeutic potential of raffia palm (Raphia hookeri G. Mann & H. Wendl) wine

The present study investigated the effect of raffia palm (Raphia hookeri) wine (RPW) on hyperglycemia-mediated lipid metabolites and pathways, functional chemistry and ultrastructural morphology of cerebellums in type 2 diabetes (T2D). T2D was induced in male Sprague-Dawley rats by feeding with 10% fructose ad libitum for 2 weeks before injecting intraperitoneally with 40 mg/kg bodyweight (bw) streptozotocin. Following confirmation of hyperglycemia at blood glucose >200 mg/dL, diabetic rats were treated with RPW at 150 and 300 mg/kg bw respectively. Metformin served as the standard drug. Negative and normal controls consisted of untreated diabetic and non-diabetic rats, respectively. After 5 weeks of treatment, the rats were humanely sacrificed, and their cerebellum excised from the harvested brains. GC-MS analysis revealed significant alterations in cerebellar lipid metabolites depicted by changes in unsaturated and saturated fatty acids, fatty - esters, alcohols, and amides, glycols and steroids on induction of T2D. Pathway enrichment analysis of the lipid metabolites revealed inactivation of arachidonic metabolic pathway following T2D induction. Treatment with both doses of RPW restored most of the metabolites, while reactivating arachidonic acid metabolism (high dose only). Low dose of RPW led to the activation of retinol metabolism. Both doses of RPW maintained cerebellar functional chemistry as revealed by FTIR analysis. TEM analysis revealed swollen mitochondria, depleted numbers of synaptic vesicles, and shrunk synaptic clefts following induction of T2D. These ultrastructural morphologies were improved in RPW-treated rats. These results portray the therapeutic potential of raffia palm wine in the management of neurodegenerative complications in T2D.

Camellia oil alleviates the progression of Alzheimer's disease in aluminum chloride-treated rats

Alzheimer's disease (AD), the most common type of dementia, is associated with oxidative stress, inflammation, and gut microbiota (GM) imbalance. Recent studies have demonstrated that camellia oil has antioxidant and anti-inflammatory activity and modulates the immune system and GM. However, the effect of camellia oil in alleviating AD pathogenesis remains unclear. An SD rat model of cognitive decline was established by the daily oral administration of aluminum chloride. The results revealed that the aluminum chloride-treated group exhibited deteriorated memory capacity and increased expression of AD-related proteins, whereas these features were mitigated in camellia oil-treated groups. Treatment with camellia oil increased antioxidant enzyme levels and decreased MDA levels. Additionally, camellia oil modulated the expression of cytokines by inhibiting RAGE/NF-κB signaling and microglial activation. Interestingly, autophagy-related proteins were increased in the camellia oil-treated groups. Moreover, camellia oil increased the abundance of probiotics in the GM. Camellia oil can reverse AD brain pathology by alleviating deficits in memory, increasing learning capacity, increasing antioxidant activity, modulating the expression of immune-related cytokines, enhancing autophagy and improving the composition of GM in aluminum chloride-treated rats, implying that AD pathogenesis may be mitigated by treatment with camellia oil through the microbiome-gut-brain axis.

Common disbalance in the brain parenchyma of dementias: Phospholipid profile analysis between CADASIL and sporadic Alzheimer's disease

Sporadic Alzheimer's disease (SAD) is the most common form of dementia, and cerebral autosomal dominant arteriopathy with subcortical infarcts and leukoencephalopathy (CADASIL) is the most frequent hereditary ischemic small vessel disease of the brain. Relevant biomarkers or specific metabolic signatures could provide powerful tools to manage these diseases. Therefore, the main goal of this study was to compare the postmortem frontal cortex gray matter, white matter and cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) between a cognitively healthy group and CADASIL and SAD groups. We evaluated 352 individual lipids, belonging to 13 lipid classes/subclasses, using mass spectrometry, and the lipid profiles were subjected to multivariate analysis to discriminate between the dementia groups (CADASIL and SAD) and healthy controls. The main lipid molecular species showing greater discrimination by partial least squares-discriminant analysis (PLS-DA) and a higher significance multivariate correlation (sMC) index were as follows: phosphatidylserine (PS) PS(44:7) and lysophosphatidylethanolamine (LPE) LPE(18:2) in gray matter (GM); phosphatidylethanolamine (PE) PE(32:2) and phosphatidylcholine PC PC(44:6) in white matter (WM), and ether PE (ePE) ePE(38:2) and ether PC (ePC) ePC(34:3) in CSF. Common phospholipid molecular species were obtained in both dementias, such as PS(44:7) and lyso PC (LPC) LPC(22:5) in GM, PE(32:2) in WM and phosphatidic acid (PA) PA(38:5) and PC(42:7) in CFS. Our exploratory study suggests that phospholipids (PLs) involved in neurotransmission alteration, connectivity impairment and inflammation response in GM, WM and CSF are a transversal phenomenon affecting dementias such as CADASIL and SAD independent of the etiopathogenesis, thus providing a possible common prodromal phospholipidic biomarker of dementia.

Lipids and Alzheimer's Disease

Lipids, as the basic component of cell membranes, play an important role in human health as well as brain function. The brain is highly enriched in lipids, and disruption of lipid homeostasis is related to neurologic disorders as well as neurodegenerative diseases such as Alzheimer’s disease (AD). Aging is associated with changes in lipid composition. Alterations of fatty acids at the level of lipid rafts and cerebral lipid peroxidation were found in the early stage of AD. Genetic and environmental factors such as apolipoprotein and lipid transporter carrying status and dietary lipid content are associated with AD. Insight into the connection between lipids and AD is crucial to unraveling the metabolic aspects of this puzzling disease. Recent advances in lipid analytical methodology have led us to gain an in-depth understanding on lipids. As a result, lipidomics have becoming a hot topic of investigation in AD, in order to find biomarkers for disease prediction, diagnosis, and prevention, with the ultimate goal of discovering novel therapeutics.

Multiple Pathways Involved in Palmitic Acid-Induced Toxicity: A System Biology Approach

Inflammation is a complex biological response to injuries, metabolic disorders or infections. In the brain, astrocytes play an important role in the inflammatory processes during neurodegenerative diseases. Recent studies have shown that the increase of free saturated fatty acids such as palmitic acid produces a metabolic inflammatory response in astrocytes generally associated with damaging mechanisms such as oxidative stress, endoplasmic reticulum stress, and autophagic defects. In this aspect, the synthetic neurosteroid tibolone has shown to exert protective functions against inflammation in neuronal experimental models without the tumorigenic effects exerted by sexual hormones such as estradiol and progesterone. However, there is little information regarding the specific mechanisms of tibolone in astrocytes during inflammatory insults. In the present study, we performed a genome-scale metabolic reconstruction of astrocytes that was used to study astrocytic response during an inflammatory insult by palmitate through Flux Balance Analysis methods and data mining. In this aspect, we assessed the metabolic fluxes of human astrocytes under three different scenarios: healthy (normal conditions), induced inflammation by palmitate, and tibolone treatment under palmitate inflammation. Our results suggest that tibolone reduces the L-glutamate-mediated neurotoxicity in astrocytes through the modulation of several metabolic pathways involved in glutamate uptake. We also identified a set of reactions associated with the protective effects of tibolone, including the upregulation of taurine metabolism, gluconeogenesis, cPPAR and the modulation of calcium signaling pathways. In conclusion, the different scenarios studied in our model allowed us to identify several metabolic fluxes perturbed under an inflammatory response and the protective mechanisms exerted by tibolone.

Fatty acid metabolism in the progression and resolution of CNS disorders

Recent advances in lipidomics and metabolomics have unveiled the complexity of fatty acid metabolism and the fatty acid lipidome in health and disease. A growing body of evidence indicates that imbalances in the metabolism and level of fatty acids drive the initiation and progression of central nervous system (CNS) disorders such as multiple sclerosis, Alzheimer's disease, and Parkinson's disease. Here, we provide an in-depth overview on the impact of the β-oxidation, synthesis, desaturation, elongation, and peroxidation of fatty acids on the pathophysiology of these and other neurological disorders. Furthermore, we discuss the impact of individual fatty acids species, acquired through the diet or endogenously synthesized in mammals, on neuroinflammation, neurodegeneration, and CNS repair. The findings discussed in this review highlight the therapeutic potential of modulators of fatty acid metabolism and the fatty acid lipidome in CNS disorders, and underscore the diagnostic value of lipidome signatures in these diseases.

Cassia tora prevents Aβ1-42 aggregation, inhibits acetylcholinesterase activity and protects against Aβ1-42-induced cell death and oxidative stress in human neuroblastoma cells

BACKGROUND

Alzheimer's is a complex neurodegenerative disease and is characterized by extraneuronal accumulation of β-amyloid peptide. Because of its complex nature, multi-target directed ligands (MTDLs) are increasingly being considered as promising anti-Alzheimer therapeutic agents. This study is aimed at determining the effects of Cassia tora ethyl acetate fraction on several Alzheimer-associated deleterious events in test tubes as well as in human neuroblastoma SK-N-SH and SH-SY5Y cell lines.

METHOD

Ethyl acetate fraction of C. tora was purified by chromatography, characterized by 1H and 13C NMR, and tested for its ability to prevent Aβ 1-42 aggregation by thioflavin-T fluorescence and transmission electron microscopy. We also analyzed the intracellular ROS level and cytotoxicity in SK-N-SH and SH-SY5Y cell lines.

RESULTS

The extract inhibits the formation of Aβ 1-42 aggregation from monomers and oligomers, as also acetylcholinesterase activity, Aβ 1-42 -induced cell death, and Aβ 1-42 -dependent intracellular ROS production in both SK-N-SH and SH-SY5Y cells. In-depth chromatographic and spectroscopic analysis of the extract revealed that the active molecules are most likely triglycerides of oleic acid (C18H34O2).

CONCLUSION

We demonstrate for the first time that Cassia tora fraction prevents Aβ 1-42 aggregation, inhibits acetylcholinesterase and alleviates Aβ 1-42 -induced oxidative stress in human neuroblastoma cells. We further suggest the possible use of triglycerides of oleic acid as efficient anti-Alzheimer agents.

Effects of Moxibustion and Moxa Smoke on Behavior Changes and Energy Metabolism in APP/PS1 Mice

Objective

To investigate the antiaging effects of moxibustion and moxa smoke on APP/PS1 mice and to illustrate the mechanism of moxibustion improving Alzheimer's disease (AD).

Methods

36 male APP/PS1 mice were randomly assigned into three groups (n = 12), including a model control group, a moxibustion group, and a moxa smoke group. In addition, 12 C57BL/6 normal mice served as a normal (negative) control group. Mice in the moxibustion group received moxibustion intervention using Guanyuan (RN4) acupoint. Mice in the moxa smoke group received moxa smoke exposure with the same frequency as the moxibustion group. Behavioral tests were implemented in the 9th week, 3 days after the completion of the intervention. Tricarboxylic acid cycle and fatty acid metabolomics assessments of the mice were determined after behavioral tests.

Results

In this study, relative to normal mice, we found that AD mice showed altered tricarboxylic and fatty acid metabolism and showed behavioral changes consistent with the onset of AD. However, both the moxibustion and moxa smoke interventions were able to mitigate these effects to some degree in AD mice.

Conclusions

The data suggest that tricarboxylic acid cycle and unsaturated fatty acid metabolomics changes may be a target of AD, and the beneficial effects of moxibustion on cognitive behaviors may be mediated by the energy metabolism system.

Protective effect of Kumquat fruits and carrot seeds extracts against brain aging in rats

Introduction: Protection of brain against accelerated aging helps avoiding the occurrence of neurodegenerative diseases. So, the current work was conducted to evaluate the rescuing role of kumquat fruits crude ethanol extract, carrot seeds ethanol and petroleum ether extracts against the brain aging induced by D-galactose in rats. Methods: Forty male Sprague Dawley rats were divided equally into five groups. Group I was served as normal control, rats of group II were daily injected intraperitoneally (i.p.) with 150 mg/kg BW of D-galactose. Rats of group III, IV and V were daily injected i.p. with the same dose of D-galactose and administered orally with 250 mg/kg BW/day of kumquat fruits crude ethanol extract, carrot seeds ethanol extract and carrot seeds petroleum ether extract, respectively. After 6 weeks the rats were scarified, brain tissues were analyzed for malondialdehyde (MDA), catalase (CAT) as well as histological examination. Also, the plasma was analyzed for MDA, tumor necrosis factor-α (TNF-α), creatinine and urea levels, as well as CAT, butyrylcholinesterase (BChE), aspartate transaminase (AST) and alanine transaminase (ALT) activities. Results: From the results, it was elucidated that the tested extracts suppressed both the reduction in CAT and the elevation in MDA either in brain or plasma and the increase in plasma TNF-α, BChE as well as liver and kidney parameters. Conclusion: The tested extracts can be served as potent protective agents against the accelerated aging parameters which may be due to anti-oxidant and anti-inflammatory activities.

Neuroprotective effects of oleic acid in rodent models of cerebral ischaemia

Oleic acid (OA) is released from brain phospholipids after cerebral ischaemia; however, its role in ischaemic injury remains unknown. We hypothesised that OA has neuroprotective effects after cerebral ischaemia, which may be exerted through peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor gamma (PPAR-γ) activation, since OA is an endogenous ligand of PPAR-γ. The effects of OA administration were evaluated in rodent models of middle cerebral artery occlusion (MCAO), photothrombosis, and four-vessel occlusion (4-VO). We determined the time window of therapeutic opportunity and examined the ability of the PPAR-γ antagonist GW9662 to reverse OA’s protective effects after MCAO. We found that OA administration decreased the MCAO-induced infarct volume and functional deficits, photothrombosis-induced infarct volume, and 4-VO-induced hippocampal neuronal death. Additionally, OA was highly efficacious when administered up to 3 h after MCAO. Pre-treatment with GW9662 abolished the inhibitory effects of OA on the infarct volume and immunoreactivity of key inflammatory mediators in the ischaemic cortex. Our results indicate that OA has neuroprotective effects against transient and permanent focal cerebral ischaemia, as well as global cerebral ischaemia. It may have therapeutic value for the ischaemic stroke treatment with a clinically feasible therapeutic window. The OA-mediated neuroprotection might be attributable to its anti-inflammatory actions through PPAR-γ activation.

Mediterranean and MIND Diets Containing Olive Biophenols Reduces the Prevalence of Alzheimer's Disease

The risk of Alzheimer’s disease (AD) increases with nonmodifiable conditions including age and lack of effective efficacious pharmacotherapy. During the past decades, the non-pharmacotherapy mode of treatment of dietary modification received extensive attention in AD research. In order to reduce the AD pathology and cognitive decline, various dietary patterns have been attempted including caloric restriction (CR), dietary approaches to stop hypertension (DASH), ketogenic diets (KD), Mediterranean diet (MedDi) and Mediterranean-DASH diet Intervention for Neurological Delay (MIND) diet. Higher adherence to the MedDi diet was associated with decreases in cardiovascular and neurological disorders including AD and related cognitive decline. However, another emerging healthy dietary pattern MIND diet has also been associated with slower rates of cognitive decline and significant reduction of AD rate. Olive serves as one of the building block components of MedDi and MIND diets and the exerted potential health beneficial might be suggested due to the presence of its bioactive constituents such as oleic acids and phenolic compounds (biophenols). A few trials using medical food showed an optimal result in presymptomatic or early stages of AD. The review supports the notion that MedDi and MIND diets display potential for maintaining the cognitive function as nonpharmacological agents against AD pathology and proposed preventative mechanism through the presence of olive biophenols and presents the gaps along with the future directions.

Non-Alcoholic Fatty Liver Disease, and the Underlying Altered Fatty Acid Metabolism, Reveals Brain Hypoperfusion and Contributes to the Cognitive Decline in APP/PS1 Mice

Non-alcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD), the leading cause of chronic liver disease, is associated with cognitive decline in middle-aged adults, but the mechanisms underlying this association are not clear. We hypothesized that NAFLD would unveil the appearance of brain hypoperfusion in association with altered plasma and brain lipid metabolism. To test our hypothesis, amyloid precursor protein/presenilin-1 (APP/PS1) transgenic mice were fed a standard diet or a high-fat, cholesterol and cholate diet, inducing NAFLD without obesity and hyperglycemia. The diet-induced NAFLD disturbed monounsaturated and polyunsaturated fatty acid (MUFAs, PUFAs) metabolism in the plasma, liver, and brain, and particularly reduced n-3 PUFAs levels. These alterations in lipid homeostasis were associated in the brain with an increased expression of Tnfα, Cox2, p21, and Nox2, reminiscent of brain inflammation, senescence, and oxidative stress. In addition, compared to wild-type (WT) mice, while brain perfusion was similar in APP/PS1 mice fed with a chow diet, NAFLD in APP/PS1 mice reveals cerebral hypoperfusion and furthered cognitive decline. NAFLD reduced plasma β₄₀- and β₄₂-amyloid levels and altered hepatic but not brain expression of genes involved in β-amyloid peptide production and clearance. Altogether, our results suggest that in a mouse model of Alzheimer disease (AD) diet-induced NAFLD contributes to the development and progression of brain abnormalities through unbalanced brain MUFAs and PUFAs metabolism and cerebral hypoperfusion, irrespective of brain amyloid pathology that may ultimately contribute to the pathogenesis of AD.

Converging and Differential Brain Phospholipid Dysregulation in the Pathogenesis of Repetitive Mild Traumatic Brain Injury and Alzheimer's Disease

Repetitive mild traumatic brain injury (rmTBI) is a major epigenetic risk factor for Alzheimer’s disease (AD). The precise nature of how rmTBI leads to or precipitates AD pathology is currently unknown. Numerous neurological conditions have shown an important role for dysfunctional phospholipid metabolism as a driving factor for the pathogenesis of neurodegenerative diseases. However, the precise role in rmTBI and AD remains elusive. We hypothesized that a detailed phospholipid characterization would reveal profiles of response to injury in TBI that overlap with age-dependent changes in AD and thus provide insights into the TBI-AD relationship. We employed a lipidomic approach examining brain phospholipid profiles from mouse models of rmTBI and AD. Cortex and hippocampal tissue were collected at 24 h, 3, 6, 9, and 12 months post-rmTBI, and at ages representing ‘pre’, ‘peri’ and ‘post’ onset of amyloid pathology (i.e., 3, 9, 15 months-old). Total levels of phosphatidylcholine (PC), phosphatidylethanolamine (PE), LysoPE, and phosphatidylinositol (PI), including their monounsaturated, polyunsaturated and saturated fatty acid (FA) containing species were significantly increased at acute and/or chronic time points post-injury in both brain regions. However, levels of most phospholipid species in PS1/APP mice were nominal in the hippocampus, while in the cortex, levels were significantly decreased at ages post-onset of amyloid pathology. Sphingomyelin and LysoPC levels showed coincidental trends in our rmTBI and AD models within the hippocampus, an increase at acute and/or chronic time points examined. The ratio of arachidonic acid (omega-6 FA) to docosahexaenoic acid (omega-3 FA)-containing PE species was increased at early time points in the hippocampus of injured versus sham mice, and in PS1/APP mice there was a coincidental increase compared to wild type littermates at all time points. This study demonstrates some overlapping and diverse phospholipid profiles in rmTBI and AD models. Future studies are required to corroborate our findings in human post-mortem tissue. Investigation of secondary mechanisms triggered by aberrant downstream alterations in bioactive metabolites of these phospholipids, and their modulation at the appropriate time-windows of opportunity could help facilitate development of novel therapeutic strategies to ameliorate the neurodegenerative consequences of rmTBI or the potential triggering of AD pathogenesis by rmTBI.

Disruption in Brain Phospholipid Content in a Humanized Tau Transgenic Model Following Repetitive Mild Traumatic Brain Injury

Repetitive mild traumatic brain injury (mTBI) is a risk factor for the development of neurodegenerative diseases such as chronic traumatic encephalopathy typified by immunoreactive tau aggregates in the depths of the sulci. However, the underlying neurobiological mechanisms involved have not been largely explored. Phospholipids are important molecules which form membrane lipid bilayers; they are ubiquitous to every cell in the brain, and carry out a host of different functions. Imbalance in phospholipid metabolism, signaling and transport has been documented in some neurological conditions. However, not much is currently known about their roles in repetitive mTBI and how this may confer risk for the development of age-related neurodegenerative diseases. To address this question, we designed a longitudinal study (24 h, 3, 6, 9, and 12 months post-injury) to comprehensively investigate mTBI dependent brain phospholipid profiles compared to sham counterparts. We use our established mouse model of repetitive mTBI that has been extensively characterized up to 1-year post-injury in humanized tau (hTau) mice, which expresses all six human tau isoforms, on a null murine background. Our data indicates a significant increase in sphingomyelin, phosphatidylethanolamine (PE), phosphatidylcholine (PC), and derivative lysoPE and lysoPC at acute and/or sub-acute time points post-injury within the cortex and hippocampus. There was also a parallel increase at early time points in monounsaturated, polyunsaturated and saturated fatty acids. Omega-6 (arachidonic acid) to omega-3 (docosahexaenoic acid) fatty acid ratio for PE and PC species was increased also at 24 h and 3 months post-injury in both hippocampus and cortex. The long-term consequences of these early changes in phospholipids on neuronal and non-neuronal cell function is unclear, and warrants further study. Understanding phospholipid metabolism, signaling and transport following TBI could be valuable; they may offer novel targets for therapeutic intervention not only in TBI but other neurodegenerative diseases.

Mediterranean diet adherence and rate of cerebral Aβ-amyloid accumulation: Data from the Australian Imaging, Biomarkers and Lifestyle Study of Ageing

Accumulating research has linked Mediterranean diet (MeDi) adherence with slower cognitive decline and reduced Alzheimer's disease (AD) risk. However, no study to-date has examined the relationship between MeDi adherence and accumulation of cerebral Aβ-amyloid (Aβ; a pathological hallmark of AD) in older adults. Cognitively normal healthy control participants of the Australian Imaging, Biomarkers and Lifestyle (AIBL) Study of Ageing completed the Cancer Council of Victoria Food Frequency Questionnaire at baseline, which was used to construct a MeDi score for each participant (score range 0-9; higher score indicating higher adherence). Cerebral Aβ load was quantified by Pittsburgh Compound B positron emission tomography at baseline, 18 and 36 months: Only individuals categorised as "Aβ accumulators", and thus considered to be on the AD pathway, were included in the analysis (N = 77). The relationship between MeDi adherence, MeDi components, and change in cerebral Aβ load (baseline to 36 months) was evaluated using Generalised Linear Modelling, accounting for age, gender, education, Apolipoprotein E ε4 allele status, body mass index and total energy intake. Higher MeDi score was associated with less Aβ accumulation in our cohort (β = -0.01 ± 0.004, p = 0.0070). Of the individual MeDi score components, a high intake of fruit was associated with less accumulation of Aβ (β = -0.04 ± 0.01, p = 0.00036). Our results suggest MeDi adherence is associated with reduced cerebral AD pathology accumulation over time. When our results are considered collectively with previous data linking the MeDi to slower cognitive decline, it is apparent that MeDi adherence warrants further investigation in the quest to delay AD onset.

Modulatory Effects of Dietary Amino Acids on Neurodegenerative Diseases

Proteins are playing a vital role in maintaining the cellular integrity and function, as well as for brain cells. Protein intake and supplementation of individual amino acids can affect the brain functioning and mental health, and many of the neurotransmitters in the brain are made from amino acids. The amino acid supplementation has been found to reduce symptoms, as they are converted into neurotransmitters which in turn extenuate the mental disorders. The biosynthesis of amino acids in the brain is regulated by the concentration of amino acids in plasma. The brain diseases such as depression, bipolar disorder, schizophrenia, obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD), and Alzheimer's (AD), Parkinson's (PD), and Huntington's diseases (HD) are the most common mental disorders that are currently widespread in numerous countries. The intricate biochemical and molecular machinery contributing to the neurological disorders is still unknown, and in this chapter, we revealed the involvement of dietary amino acids on neurological diseases.