The interaction of BDNF with estrogen in the development of hypertension and obesity, particularly during menopause

Network Pharmacology-Guided Evaluation of Ginger and Cornelian Cherry Extracts Against Depression and Metabolic Dysfunction in Estrogen-Deficient Chronic Stressed Rats

This study investigated the therapeutic effects of water extracts from Zingiber officinale Roscoe (ginger) and Cornus officinalis Siebold and Zucc. fruits (COF) water extracts on depression-like behavior and metabolic dysfunction in estrogen-deficient rats exposed to chronic mild stress (CMS). Network pharmacology analysis identified three bioactive compounds in ginger and four in COF, with 11 overlapping targets linked to both depression and metabolic pathways, primarily involving NR3C1, HTR2A, MAOA, and SLC6A4 genes associated with hypothalamic-pituitary-adrenal (HPA) axis regulation and neurotransmitter modulation. Ovariectomized rats received 200 mg/kg/day of ginger or COF extracts for 7 weeks, with a 4-week CMS protocol initiated at week 3. Both extracts significantly improved depression-like behaviors, memory performance, glucose tolerance, lipid profiles, and bone mineral density, normalized HPA axis markers (corticosterone and ACTH), and increased hippocampal serotonin and dopamine levels. Ginger demonstrated greater efficacy in improving memory and metabolic outcomes compared to COF. Molecular docking further validated these findings, revealing strong and stable interactions between key phytochemicals-such as hydroxygenkwanin and telocinobufagin-and target proteins MAOA, HTR2A, and NR3C1, supporting their mechanistic role in stress and mood regulation. These results support supplementing ginger and COF extracts as promising botanical interventions for estrogen-deficiency-related mood and metabolic disorders, with potential clinical application at a human-equivalent dose of 1.5 g/day.

Semaglutide and High-Intensity Interval Exercise Attenuate Cognitive Impairment in Type 2 Diabetic Mice via BDNF Modulation

Background/Objectives: Diabetes frequently leads to cognitive impairment, encompassing issues with memory and executive function, as well as depression and anxiety. This study examines the impact of high-intensity interval exercise (HIIE) alongside glucagon-like peptide-1 receptor agonist (GLP-1 RA) semaglutide on cognitive dysfunction associated with diabetes. Methods: Db/db mice were divided into a control group, semaglutide group, HIIE group, and semaglutide combined with HIIE group to study metabolic and neurobehavioral effects. Cognitive and behavioral tests, hippocampal morphology, and molecular analyses (APP, BDNF, Aβ, p-Tau, PKA, AMPK) were performed. HT22 cells under high glucose were treated with semaglutide, L-lactate, PKA inhibitor H89, and AMPK inhibitor Compound C to validate mechanisms. Results: Over 8 weeks, both HIIE and semaglutide improved neuronal morphology and cognitive performance while reducing depression in db/db mice. However, the current study observed no synergistic effects. Both therapies decreased Aβ and p-Tau protein levels and increased BDNF levels in the hippocampus, likely through the AMPK and PKA signaling pathways, respectively. In vitro, HT22 cells under high glucose conditions exhibited elevated APP and p-Tau expression and reduced BDNF levels, which could be altered by L-lactate and semaglutide. The AMPK inhibitor Compound C and the PKA inhibitor H89 attenuated the increase in BDNF levels induced by L-lactate and semaglutide, but their combination mitigated this inhibitory effect. This study suggests that while HIIE and semaglutide improve cognitive function and reduce depression via BDNF, their combined use did not show the anticipated synergistic benefits due to potential antagonism between the AMPK and PKA pathways. Conclusions: This has important implications for designing exercise prescriptions for cognitive impairment in diabetics.

Unraveling the gut microbiota's role in PCOS: a new frontier in metabolic health

Polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS) is a common endocrine and metabolic disorder affecting reproductive-age women, characterized primarily by hyperandrogenism, ovulatory dysfunction, and metabolic abnormalities. In recent years, the gut microbiota has garnered widespread attention for its potential role as a key regulator of host metabolism in the pathogenesis of PCOS. Studies have shown that PCOS patients exhibit dysbiosis in their gut microbiota, characterized by reduced microbial diversity, an imbalance in the ratio of Firmicutes to Bacteroidetes, changes in the abundance of specific taxa, and abnormal levels of metabolic products. These alterations may exacerbate metabolic dysfunction in PCOS through multiple mechanisms, including influencing host energy metabolism, disrupting lipid and bile acid metabolism, and inducing chronic inflammation. Addressing gut dysbiosis through the modulation of patients' microbiomes-such the use of, prebiotics, fecal microbiota transplantation, and optimizing diet lifestyle-may offer strategies for improving metabolic abnormalities and alleviating clinical symptoms in PCOS. Additionally, the gut microbiome promises as a potential marker, aiding in the precise diagnosis and personalization of PCOS. Although our current understanding of how the gut microbiota influences PCOS is still limited, research is needed to explore the causal relationships and mechanisms involved, providing a more reliable theoretical basis for clinical. This review aims summarize the research progress on the relationship between gut microbiota and PCOS, and to suggest future directions to promote the development of prevention and treatment strategies for PCOS.