Cerebral Vitamin B5 (D-Pantothenic Acid) Deficiency as a Potential Cause of Metabolic Perturbation and Neurodegeneration in Huntington's Disease

Brisk walking improves motor function and lower limb muscle strength in Chinese women aged 80 years and older

This study investigates the effects of a 12-week brisk walking exercise regimen on motor function improvements in elderly women. Twenty-six elderly women, aged 84.2 ± 3.2 years, participated in a 12-week brisk walking exercise program. Fitness assessments and blood biomarker analyses (including CHO, HDLC, LDLC, TC) were conducted pre- and post-intervention. Additionally, targeted metabolomics was employed to measure short-chain fatty acids, amino acids, and vitamin metabolites. The intervention led to significant enhancements in participants' flexibility (p < 0.05), lower limb muscle strength (p < 0.01), and cardiorespiratory endurance (p < 0.01), while muscle mass showed no significant changes. Fifteen significant differential metabolites were identified (VIP > 1.0, FC > 1.2 or < 0.8, and p < 0.05), with arginine, ornithine, aspartic acid, glutamine, phenylalanine, tyrosine, and pantothenic acid playing key roles across seven metabolic pathways. A 12-week brisk walking exercise program significantly enhanced flexibility, lower limb muscle strength, and cardiorespiratory endurance among elderly women. These improvements did not extend to muscle mass or upper limb muscle strength. The observed enhancement in exercise capacity may be attributed to improved regulation of neurotransmitters.

Role of metabolomic profile as a potential marker to discriminate membranous nephropathy from IgA nephropathy

BACKGROUND

Membranous nephropathy (MN) and IgA nephropathy (IgAN) are the most common primary glomerulopathies worldwide. The systemic metabolic changes in the progression of MN and IgAN are not fully understood.

METHODS

A total of 87 and 70 patients with MN and IgAN, respectively, and 30 healthy controls were enrolled in this study. Untargeted metabolomics was performed to explore the differential metabolites and metabolic pathways in the early stage of MN and IgAN. To judge the diagnostic ability of biomarkers, receiver operating characteristic curve analysis (ROC) were performed.

RESULTS

Principal component analysis (PCA) and orthogonal partial least-squares discriminant analysis (OPLS-DA) suggested that patients with MN and IgAN showed an obvious separation trend from the healthy controls. In addition, 155 and 148 metabolites were identified to be significantly altered in the MN and IgAN groups, respectively. Of these, 70 metabolites were markedly altered in both disease groups; six metabolites, including L-tryptophan, L-kynurenine, gamma-aminobutyric acid (GABA), indoleacetaldehyde, 5-hydroxyindoleacetylglycine, and N-alpha-acetyllysine, showed the opposite tendency. The most affected metabolic pathways included the amino acid metabolic pathways, citrate cycle, pantothenate and CoA biosynthesis, and hormone signaling pathways.

CONCLUSIONS

Substantial metabolic disorders occurred during the progression of MN and IgAN. L-tryptophan, L-kynurenine, GABA, indoleacetaldehyde, 5-hydroxyindoleacetylglycine, and N-alpha-acetyllysine may show potential as biomarkers for the identification of MN and IgAN.

Neuroprotective effect of dexpanthenol on rotenone-induced Parkinson's disease model in rats

Parkinson's disease (PD) is the second most common and progressive neurodegenerative disease. This experimental study was designed to investigate the neuroprotective effects of dexpanthenol on antioxidant and anti-inflammatory processes in a rotenone-induced Parkinson's disease model in rats. Twenty-one male rats were randomly divided into 2 groups. The rotenone group (n = 14) was administered rotenone by intrastriatal injection, and the vehicle group (n = 7) was administered DMSO with the same application route. All animals underwent rotational movement testing with apomorphine injection 10 days later. Those with Parkinson's disease model were randomly divided into 2 groups. While 1 ml/kg of saline was applied to the saline group (n = 7), 500 mg/kg was administered to the dexpanthenol group intraperitoneally for 28 days. After 28 days, all rats were euthanized and brain tissue was removed. While striatal areas were evaluated immunohistochemically, brain MDA, TNF-α, and HVA levels were measured to evaluate their anti-oxidative and anti-inflammatory effects. In the dexpanthenol group, the total count (p < 0.001) and intensity (p < 0.001) of dopaminergic neurons in the striatal areas increased compared to the saline group. It was revealed that MDA (nmol/g) (p < 0.001) and TNF-α (pg/g) (p < 0.001) levels decreased in the dexpanthenol group, while HVA (ng/mg) levels increased (p < 0.01). This study suggests that dexpanthenol may have a neuroprotective effect by reducing neuronal loss, oxidative damage, and neuroinflammation in the striatum in rats.

Antioxidants Prevent Iron Accumulation and Lipid Peroxidation, but Do Not Correct Autophagy Dysfunction or Mitochondrial Bioenergetics in Cellular Models of BPAN

Neurodegeneration with brain iron accumulation (NBIA) is a group of rare neurogenetic disorders frequently associated with iron accumulation in the basal nuclei of the brain. Among NBIA subtypes, β-propeller protein-associated neurodegeneration (BPAN) is associated with mutations in the autophagy gene WDR45. The aim of this study was to demonstrate the autophagic defects and secondary pathological consequences in cellular models derived from two patients harboring WDR45 mutations. Both protein and mRNA expression levels of WDR45 were decreased in patient-derived fibroblasts. In addition, the increase of LC3B upon treatments with autophagy inducers or inhibitors was lower in mutant cells compared to control cells, suggesting decreased autophagosome formation and impaired autophagic flux. A transmission electron microscopy (TEM) analysis showed mitochondrial vacuolization associated with the accumulation of lipofuscin-like aggregates containing undegraded material. Autophagy dysregulation was also associated with iron accumulation and lipid peroxidation. In addition, mutant fibroblasts showed altered mitochondrial bioenergetics. Antioxidants such as pantothenate, vitamin E and α-lipoic prevented lipid peroxidation and iron accumulation. However, antioxidants were not able to correct the expression levels of WDR45, neither the autophagy defect nor cell bioenergetics. Our study demonstrated that WDR45 mutations in BPAN cellular models impaired autophagy, iron metabolism and cell bioenergetics. Antioxidants partially improved cell physiopathology; however, autophagy and cell bioenergetics remained affected.

Mix of almond baru (Dipteryx alata Vog.) and goat whey modulated intestinal microbiota, improved memory and induced anxiolytic like behavior in aged rats

The objective was to evaluate the effects of the consumption of a mix of baru almond and goat whey on memory performance and anxiety parameters related to the intestinal health of rats treated during aging. The animals were divided into three groups and treated by gavage for 10 weeks (n = 10/each group): Control (CT) - distilled water; Baru almond (BA) - 2000 mg of baru/kg of body weight; and Baru + Whey (BW) - 2000 mg of baru + 2000 mg of goat milk whey/kg of body weight. Anxiety behavior, memory, brain fatty acid profile and fecal microbiota were measured. BA and BW realized less grooming, spent more time in the central area of the open field and the open arms, and realized more head dipping in the elevated plus maze. A higher rate of exploration of the new object in the short and long-term memory was observed in BA and BW. There was an increase in the deposition of MUFAs and PUFAs and oleic acid in the brain of BA and BW. Regarding spatial memory, BA and BW performed better, with an emphasis on BW. There was a beneficial modulation of the fecal microbiota with a reduction of the pathogenic genus Clostridia_UFC-014 in BA and BW and an increase in the abundance of metabolic pathways of interest in the brain-gut axis. Thus, consumption of the mix is efficient in beneficially altering the intestinal microbiota, improving memory and anxiolytic-like behavior in rats during aging.

Metabolic Engineering of Saccharomyces cerevisiae for Vitamin B5 Production

Vitamin B5, also called d-pantothenic acid, is an essential vitamin in the human body and is widely used in pharmaceuticals, nutritional supplements, food, and cosmetics. However, few studies have investigated the microbial production of d-pantothenic acid, especially in Saccharomyces cerevisiae. By employing a systematic optimization strategy, we screened seven key genes in d-pantothenic acid biosynthesis from diverse species, including bacteria, yeast, fungi, algae, plants, animals, etc., and constructed an efficient heterologous d-pantothenic acid pathway in S. cerevisiae. By adjusting the copy number of the pathway modules, knocking out the endogenous bypass gene, balancing NADPH utilization, and regulating the GAL inducible system, a high-yield d-pantothenic acid-producing strain, DPA171, which can regulate gene expression using glucose, was constructed. By optimizing fed-batch fermentation, DPA171 produced 4.1 g/L d-pantothenic acid, which is the highest titer in S. cerevisiae to date. This study provides guidance for the development of vitamin B5 microbial cell factories.

Multi-regional alterations in glucose and purine metabolic pathways in the Parkinson's disease dementia brain

Parkinson's disease (PD) is one of the most common neurodegenerative diseases, most commonly characterised by motor dysfunction, but also with a high prevalence of cognitive decline in the decades following diagnosis-a condition known as Parkinson's disease dementia (PDD). Although several metabolic disruptions have been identified in PD, there has yet to be a multi-regional analysis of multiple metabolites conducted in PDD brains. This discovery study attempts to address this gap in knowledge. A semi-targeted liquid chromatography-mass spectrometry analysis of nine neuropathologically-confirmed PDD cases vs nine controls was performed, looking at nine different brain regions, including the cingulate gyrus, cerebellum, hippocampus, motor cortex, medulla, middle temporal gyrus, pons, substantia nigra and primary visual cortex. Case-control differences were determined by multiple t-tests followed by 10% FDR correction. Of 64 identified analytes, 49 were found to be altered in at least one region of the PDD brain. These included metabolites from several pathways, including glucose and purine metabolism and the TCA cycle, with widespread increases in fructose, inosine and ribose-5-phosphate, as well as decreases in proline, serine and deoxyguanosine. Higher numbers of alterations were observed in PDD brain regions that are affected during earlier α-synuclein Braak stages-with the exception of the cerebellum, which showed an unexpectedly high number of metabolic changes. PDD brains show multi-regional alterations in glucose and purine metabolic pathways that reflect the progression of α-synuclein Braak staging. Unexpectedly, the cerebellum also shows a high number of metabolic changes.

Brain CoA and Acetyl CoA Metabolism in Mechanisms of Neurodegeneration

The processes of biotransformation of pantothenic acid (Pan) in the biosynthesis and hydrolysis of CoA, key role of pantothenate kinase (PANK) and CoA synthetase (CoASY) in the formation of the priority mitochondrial pool of CoA, with a high metabolic turnover of the coenzyme and limited transport of Pan across the blood-brain barrier are considered. The system of acetyl-CoA, a secondary messenger, which is the main substrate of acetylation processes including formation of N-acetyl aspartate and acetylcholine, post-translational modification of histones, predetermines protection of the neurons against degenerative signals and cholinergic neurotransmission. Biochemical mechanisms of neurodegenerative syndromes in the cases of PANK and CoASY defects, and the possibility of correcting of CoA biosynthesis in the models with knockouts of these enzymes have been described. The data of a post-mortem study of the brains from the patients with Huntington's and Alzheimer's diseases are presented, proving Pan deficiency in the CNS, which is especially pronounced in the pathognomonic neurostructures. In the frontal cortex of the patients with Parkinson's disease, combined immunofluorescence of anti-CoA- and anti-tau protein was detected, reflecting CoAlation during dimerization of the tau protein and its redox sensitivity. Redox activity and antioxidant properties of the precursors of CoA biosynthesis were confirmed in vitro with synaptosomal membranes and mitochondria during modeling of aluminum neurotoxicity accompanied by the decrease in the level of CoA in CNS. The ability of CoA biosynthesis precursors to stabilize glutathione pool in neurostructures, in particular, in the hippocampus, is considered as a pathogenetic protection mechanism during exposure to neurotoxins, development of neuroinflammation and neurodegeneration, and justifies the combined use of Pan derivatives (for example, D-panthenol) and glutathione precursors (N-acetylcysteine). Taking into account the discovery of new functions of CoA (redox-dependent processes of CoAlation of proteins, possible association of oxidative stress and deficiency of Pan (CoA) in neurodegenerative pathology), it seems promising to study bioavailability and biotransformation of Pan derivatives, in particular of D-panthenol, 4'-phospho-pantetheine, its acylated derivatives, and compositions with redox pharmacological compounds, are promising for their potential use as etiopathogenetic agents.

RIPK1 blocks T cell senescence mediated by RIPK3 and caspase-8

Receptor-interacting protein kinase 1 (RIPK1) regulates cell death and inflammation. Here, we show that T cell-specific RIPK1 deficiency in mice leads to the premature senescence of T cells and induces various age-related diseases, resulting in premature death. RIPK1 deficiency causes higher basal activation of mTORC1 (mechanistic target of rapamycin complex 1) that drives enhanced cytokine production, induction of senescence-related genes, and increased activation of caspase-3/7, which are restored by inhibition of mTORC1. Critically, normal aged T cells exhibit similar phenotypes and responses. Mechanistically, a combined deficiency of RIPK3 and caspase-8 inhibition restores the impaired proliferative responses; the elevated activation of Akt, mTORC1, extracellular signal-regulated kinase, and caspase-3/7; and the increased expression of senescence-related genes in RIPK1-deficient CD4 T cells. Last, we revealed that the senescent phenotype of RIPK1-deficient and aged CD4 T cells is restored in the normal tissue environment. Thus, we have clarified the function of RIPK3 and caspase-8 in inducing CD4 T cell senescence, which is modulated by environmental signals.

Unveiling of dietary and gut-microbiota derived B vitamins: Metabolism patterns and their synergistic functions in gut-brain homeostasis

Nutrition-gut cross-talk holds a vital position in sustaining intestinal function, and micronutrient metabolism has emerged as the foremost metabolic pathway to preserve gut homeostasis. Among micronutrients, B vitamins have evolved prior to DNA/RNA and are known for their vital roles for major evolutionary transitions in extant organisms. Despite their universal requirement and critical role, not all the three domains of life are endowed with a natural ability for de novo B vitamins synthesis. The human gut microbiome constitutes prototrophs and auxotroph which are entirely dependent on dietary intake and gut microbial production of B vitamins. The syntrophic metabolism involving cross-feeding of B vitamins and community-wide exchange between commensal bacteria elicit important changes in the diversity and composition of the human gut microbiome. Hereto, we discuss the B-vitamins sharing among prototrophic and auxotrophic gut bacteria, their absorption in small intestine and transport in distal gut, functional role in relation to the gut homeostasis and symptoms linked to their deficiency. We also briefly explore their potential involvement as psychobiotics in brain energetic metabolism (kynurenines/tryptophan pathway) for neurological functions and highlight their deficiency related malfunctioning.

Module engineering coupled with omics strategies for enhancing D-pantothenate production in Escherichia coli

Biosynthesis of D-pantothenate has been widely studied as D-pantothenate is one kind of important vitamins used in food and pharmaceuticals. However, the engineered strain for D-pantothenate production was focused solely on the main biosynthetic pathway, while other important factors such as one carbon unit were ignored. Here the systematic modular engineering on different factors coupled with omics analysis were studied in Escherichia coli for efficient D-pantothenate production. Through reinforcing the precursor pool, refactoring the one carbon unit generation pathway, optimization of reducing power and energy supply, the D-pantothenate titer reached 34.12 g/L with the yield at 0.28 g/g glucose under fed-batch fermentation in 5-L bioreactor. With a further comparative transcriptome and metabolomics studies, the addition of citrate was implemented and 45.35 g/L D-pantothenate was accumulated with a yield of 0.31 g/g glucose. The systematic modular engineering coupled with omics studies provide useful strategies for the industrial production of D-pantothenate.

Mapping the Influence of the Gut Microbiota on Small Molecules across the Microbiome Gut Brain Axis

Microbes exert influence across the microbiome-gut-brain axis through neurotransmitter production, induction of host immunomodulators, or the release or induction of other microbial or host molecules. Here, we used mass spectrometry imaging (MSI), a label-free imaging tool, to map molecular changes in the gut and brain in germ-free, antibiotic-treated and control mice. We determined spatial distribution and relative quantification of neurotransmitters and their precursors in response to the microbiome. Using untargeted MSI, we detected a significant change in the levels of four identified small molecules in the brains of germ-free animals compared to controls. However, antibiotic treatment induced no significant changes in these same metabolites in the brain after 1 week of treatment. This work exemplifies the utility of MSI as a tool for the study of known and discovery of novel, mediators of microbiome-gut-brain axis communication.

Contrasting Sodium and Potassium Perturbations in the Hippocampus Indicate Potential Na+/K+-ATPase Dysfunction in Vascular Dementia

Vascular dementia (VaD) is thought to be the second most common cause of age-related dementia amongst the elderly. However, at present, there are no available disease-modifying therapies for VaD, probably due to insufficient understanding about the molecular basis of the disease. While the notion of metal dyshomeostasis in various age-related dementias has gained considerable attention in recent years, there remains little comparable investigation in VaD. To address this evident gap, we employed inductively coupled-plasma mass spectrometry to measure the concentrations of nine essential metals in both dry- and wet-weight hippocampal post-mortem tissue from cases with VaD (n = 10) and age-/sex-matched controls (n = 10). We also applied principal component analysis to compare the metallomic pattern of VaD in the hippocampus with our previous hippocampal metal datasets for Alzheimer’s disease, Huntington’s disease, Parkinson’s disease, and type-2 diabetes, which had been measured using the same methodology. We found substantive novel evidence for elevated hippocampal Na levels and Na/K ratios in both wet- and dry-weight analyses, whereas decreased K levels were present only in wet tissue. Multivariate analysis revealed no distinguishable hippocampal differences in metal-evoked patterns between these dementia-causing diseases in this study. Contrasting levels of Na and K in hippocampal VaD tissue may suggest dysfunction of the Na⁺/K⁺-exchanging ATPase (EC 7.2.2.13), possibly stemming from deficient metabolic energy (ATP) generation. These findings therefore highlight the potential diagnostic importance of cerebral sodium measurement in VaD patients.

Exploring Structural Mechanism of COVID-19 Treatment with Glutathione as a Potential Peptide Inhibitor to the Main Protease: Molecular Dynamics Simulation and MM/PBSA Free Energy Calculations Study

The 2019-novel coronavirus has unfolded everywhere in the world and obliged a billion human beings in open confinement, whereas many treatments, and vaccines have been proposed towards this pandemic. The main protease (M^pro) is an attractive drug target due to the fact that it is the essential protein for virus invasion. This research tests in silico the effect of five vitamins towards M^pro, by employing molecular docking (MD), molecular dynamics simulation (MDS) with molecular mechanics–Poisson–Boltzmann surface area (MM–PBSA) studies. To achieve this work, we have applied some software’s as Autodock Vina, Discovery Studio Visualizer, APBS, and GROMACS. The inhibitors used were decided entirely on the basis of their importance in the production of red blood cells that prevent anemia, in lymphocyte immune system responses, in the regulation of reactive oxygen species production, such as tocopherol (vitamin E), thiamine (vitamin B1), pantothenic acid (vitamin B5), pyridoxine (vitamin B6), biotin (vitamin B7), and glutathione (GSH). The best inhibitor pose established at the highest repetition ratio (RR) and the minimal affinity energy value (MEV), then the best selected inhibitor was considered to MDS. The results indicate that GSH is the leading inhibitor model among the other tested vitamins in the active site of M^pro with a RR value of 94% and MEV of − 5.5 kcal/mol, its RMSD, RMSF, Rg, and hydrogen bonds show stability with M^pro. Furthermore, thiamine, biotin, and tocopherol are viewed as satisfying inhibitors to M^pro, but pyridoxine was observed as the weakest inhibitor. Based on our result, we could recommend the usage of glutathione and vitamin B family as a supportive strategy for feasible remedy of COVID-19 virus.

Coenzyme A-Dependent Tricarboxylic Acid Cycle Enzymes Are Decreased in Alzheimer's Disease Consistent With Cerebral Pantothenate Deficiency

Sporadic Alzheimer's disease (sAD) is the commonest cause of age-related neurodegeneration and dementia globally, and a leading cause of premature disability and death. To date, the quest for a disease-modifying therapy for sAD has failed, probably reflecting our incomplete understanding of aetiology and pathogenesis. Drugs that target aggregated Aβ/tau are ineffective, and metabolic defects are now considered to play substantive roles in sAD pathobiology. We tested the hypothesis that the recently identified, pervasive cerebral deficiency of pantothenate (vitamin B5) in sAD, might undermine brain energy metabolism by impairing levels of tricarboxylic acid (TCA)-cycle enzymes and enzyme complexes, some of which require the pantothenate-derived cofactor, coenzyme A (CoA) for their normal functioning. We applied proteomics to measure levels of the multi-subunit TCA-cycle enzymes and their cytoplasmic homologues. We analysed six functionally distinct brain regions from nine sAD cases and nine controls, measuring 33 cerebral proteins that comprise the nine enzymes of the mitochondrial-TCA cycle. Remarkably, we found widespread perturbations affecting only two multi-subunit enzymes and two enzyme complexes, whose function is modulated, directly or indirectly by CoA: pyruvate dehydrogenase complex, isocitrate dehydrogenase, 2-oxoglutarate dehydrogenase complex, and succinyl-CoA synthetase. The sAD cases we studied here displayed widespread deficiency of pantothenate, the obligatory precursor of CoA. Therefore, deficient cerebral pantothenate can damage brain-energy metabolism in sAD, at least in part through impairing levels of these four mitochondrial-TCA-cycle enzymes.

The Use of 'Omics for Diagnosing and Predicting Progression of Chronic Kidney Disease: A Scoping Review

Globally, chronic kidney disease (CKD) contributes substantial morbidity and mortality. Recently, various ‘omics platforms have provided insight into the molecular basis of kidney dysfunction. This scoping review is a synthesis of the current literature on the use of different ‘omics platforms to identify biomarkers that could be used to detect early-stage CKD, predict disease progression, and identify pathways leading to CKD. This review includes 123 articles published from January 2007 to May 2021, following a structured selection process. The most common type of ‘omic platform was proteomics, appearing in 55 of the studies and two of these included a metabolomics component. Most studies (n = 91) reported on CKD associated with diabetes mellitus. Thirteen studies that provided information on the biomarkers associated with CKD and explored potential pathways involved in CKD are discussed. The biomarkers that are associated with risk or early detection of CKD are SNPs in the MYH9/APOL1 and UMOD genes, the proteomic CKD273 biomarker panel and metabolite pantothenic acid. Pantothenic acid and the CKD273 biomarker panel were also involved in predicting CKD progression. Retinoic acid pathway genes, UMOD, and pantothenic acid provided insight into potential pathways leading to CKD. The biomarkers were mainly used to detect CKD and predict progression in high-income, European ancestry populations, highlighting the need for representative ‘omics research in other populations with disparate socio-economic strata, including Africans, since disease etiologies may differ across ethnic groups. To assess the transferability of findings, it is essential to do research in diverse populations.

Role of Vitamins in Neurodegenerative Diseases: A Review

BACKGROUND

Vitamins are the micronutrients required for boosting the immune system and managing any future infection. Vitamins are involved in neurogenesis, a defense mechanism working in neurons, metabolic reactions, neuronal survival, and neuronal transmission. Their deficiency leads to abnormal functions in the brain like oxidative stress, mitochondrial dysfunction, accumulation of proteins (synuclein, Aβ plaques), neurodegeneration, and excitotoxicity.

METHODS

In this review, we have compiled various reports collected from PubMed, Scholar Google, Research gate, and Science direct. The findings were evaluated, compiled, and represented in this manuscript.

CONCLUSION

The deficiency of vitamins in the body causes various neurological disorders like Alzheimer's disease, Parkinson's disease, Huntington's disease, and depression. We have discussed the role of vitamins in neurological disorders and the normal human body. Depression is linked to a deficiency of vitamin-C and vitamin B. In the case of Alzheimer's disease, there is a lack of vitamin-B1, B12, and vitamin-A, which results in Aβ-plaques. Similarly, in Parkinson's disease, vitamin-D deficiency leads to a decrease in the level of dopamine, and imbalance in vitamin D leads to accumulation of synuclein. In MS, Vitamin-C and Vitamin-D deficiency causes demyelination of neurons. In Huntington's disease, vitamin- C deficiency decreases the antioxidant level, enhances oxidative stress, and disrupts the glucose cycle. Vitamin B5 deficiency in Huntington's disease disrupts the synthesis of acetylcholine and hormones in the brain.

Crystallographic and biophysical analyses of Pseudomonas aeruginosa ketopantoate reductase: Implications of ligand induced conformational changes in cofactor recognition

Ketopantoate reductases (KPRs) catalyse NADPH-dependent reduction of ketopantoate to pantoate, the rate-limiting step of pantothenate biosynthetic pathway. In our recent study, we showed KPRs are under dynamic evolutionary selection and highlighted the possible role of ordered substrate binding kinetics for cofactor selection. To further delineate this at molecular level, here, we perform X-ray crystallographic and biophysical analyses of KPR in presence of non-canonical cofactor NAD⁺. In our structure, NAD⁺ was found to be highly dynamic in catalytic pocket of KPR, which could attain stable conformation only in presence of ketopantoate. Further, isothermal calorimetric (ITC) titrations showed that affinity of KPR for ketopantoate is higher in presence of NADP⁺ than in presence of NAD⁺ and lowest in absence of redox cofactors. In sum, our results clearly depict two modes of redox cofactor selections in KPRs, firstly by specific salt bridge interactions with unique phosphate moiety of NADP⁺ and secondly via ordered sequential heterotrophic cooperative binding of substrate ketopantoate.

Gut microbiome in people living with HIV is associated with impaired thiamine and folate syntheses

People living with HIV have a high incidence of cardiovascular and neurological diseases as comorbid disorders that are commonly linked to inflammation. While microbial translocation can augment inflammation during HIV infection, functional microbiome shifts that may increase pro-inflammatory responses have not been fully characterized. In addition, defining HIV-induced microbiome changes has been complicated by high variability among individuals. Here we conducted functional annotation of previously-published 16S ribosomal RNA gene sequences of 305 HIV positive and 249 negative individuals, with adjustment for geographic region, sex, sexual behavior, and age. Metagenome profiles were inferred from these individuals' 16S data. HIV infection was associated with impaired microbial vitamin B synthesis; around half of the gene families in thiamine and folate biosynthesis pathways were significantly less abundant in the HIV positive group than the negative control. These results are consistent with the high prevalence of thiamine and folate deficiencies in HIV infections. These HIV-induced microbiota shifts have the potential to influence cardiovascular and neurocognitive diseases, given the documented associations between B-vitamin deficiencies, inflammation, and these diseases. We also observed that most essential amino acid biosynthesis pathways were downregulated in the microbiome of HIV-infected individuals. Microbial vitamin B and amino acid synthesis pathways were not significantly recovered by antiretroviral treatment when we compared 262 ART positive and 184 ART negative individuals. Our meta-analysis provides a new outlook for understanding vitamin B and amino acid deficiencies in HIV patients, suggesting that interventions for reversing HIV-induced microbiome shifts may aid in lessening the burdens of HIV comorbidities.

The Role of Vitamins in Neurodegenerative Disease: An Update

Acquiring the recommended daily allowance of vitamins is crucial for maintaining homeostatic balance in humans and other animals. A deficiency in or dysregulation of vitamins adversely affects the neuronal metabolism, which may lead to neurodegenerative diseases. In this article, we discuss how novel vitamin-based approaches aid in attenuating abnormal neuronal functioning in neurodegeneration-based brain diseases such as Alzheimer's disease, Parkinson's disease, Huntington's disease, Amyotrophic lateral sclerosis, and Prion disease. Vitamins show their therapeutic activity in Parkinson's disease by antioxidative and anti-inflammatory activity. In addition, different water- and lipid-soluble vitamins have also prevented amyloid beta and tau pathology. On the other hand, some results also show no correlation between vitamin action and the prevention of neurodegenerative diseases. Some vitamins also exhibit toxic activity too. This review discusses both the beneficial and null effects of vitamin supplementation for neurological disorders. The detailed mechanism of action of both water- and lipid-soluble vitamins is addressed in the manuscript. Hormesis is also an essential factor that is very helpful to determine the effective dose of vitamins. PubMed, Google Scholar, Web of Science, and Scopus were employed to conduct the literature search of original articles, review articles, and meta-analyses.

The neuromicrobiology of Parkinson's disease: A unifying theory

Recent evidence confirms that PD is indeed a multifactorial disease with different aetiologies and prodromal symptomatology that likely depend on the initial trigger. New players with important roles as triggers, facilitators and aggravators of the PD neurodegenerative process have re-emerged in the last few years, the microbes. Having evolved in association with humans for ages, microbes and their products are now seen as fundamental regulators of human physiology with disturbances in their balance being increasingly accepted to have a relevant impact on the progression of disease in general and on PD in particular. In this review, we comprehensively address early studies that have directly or indirectly linked bacteria or other infectious agents to the onset and progression of PD, from the earliest suspects to the most recent culprits, the gut microbiota. The quest for effective treatments to arrest PD progression must inevitably address the different interactions between microbiota and human cells, and naturally consider the gut-brain axis. The comprehensive characterization of such mechanisms will help design innovative bacteriotherapeutic approaches to selectively shape the gut microbiota profile ultimately to halt PD progression. The present review describes our current understanding of the role of microorganisms and their endosymbiotic relatives, the mitochondria, in inducing, facilitating, or aggravating PD pathogenesis.

Substantively Lowered Levels of Pantothenic Acid (Vitamin B5) in Several Regions of the Human Brain in Parkinson's Disease Dementia

Pantothenic acid (vitamin B5) is an essential trace nutrient required for the synthesis of coenzyme A (CoA). It has previously been shown that pantothenic acid is significantly decreased in multiple brain regions in both Alzheimer's disease (ADD) and Huntington's disease (HD). The current investigation aimed to determine whether similar changes are also present in cases of Parkinson's disease dementia (PDD), another age-related neurodegenerative condition, and whether such perturbations might occur in similar regions in these apparently different diseases. Brain tissue was obtained from nine confirmed cases of PDD and nine controls with a post-mortem delay of 26 h or less. Tissues were acquired from nine regions that show high, moderate, or low levels of neurodegeneration in PDD: the cerebellum, motor cortex, primary visual cortex, hippocampus, substantia nigra, middle temporal gyrus, medulla oblongata, cingulate gyrus, and pons. A targeted ultra-high performance liquid chromatography-tandem mass spectrometry (UHPLC-MS/MS) approach was used to quantify pantothenic acid in these tissues. Pantothenic acid was significantly decreased in the cerebellum (p = 0.008), substantia nigra (p = 0.02), and medulla (p = 0.008) of PDD cases. These findings mirror the significant decreases in the cerebellum of both ADD and HD cases, as well as the substantia nigra, putamen, middle frontal gyrus, and entorhinal cortex of HD cases, and motor cortex, primary visual cortex, hippocampus, middle temporal gyrus, cingulate gyrus, and entorhinal cortex of ADD cases. Taken together, these observations indicate a common but regionally selective disruption of pantothenic acid levels across PDD, ADD, and HD.

Improved production of D-pantothenic acid in Escherichia coli by integrated strain engineering and fermentation strategies

D-pantothenic acid (D-PA) is an essential vitamin that has been widely used in medicine, food, and animal feed. Microbial production of D-PA from natural renewable resources is attractive and challenging. In this study, both strain improvements and fermentation process strategies were applied to achieve high-level D-PA production in Escherichia coli. First, a D-PA-producing strain was developed through deletion of the aceF and mdh genes combined with the overexpression of the gene ppnk. The obtained engineered E. coli DPA02/pT-ppnk accumulated 6.89 ± 0.11 g/L of D-PA in shake flask fermentation, which was 79.9 % higher than the control strain. Moreover, the cultivation process contributed greatly to D-PA production with respect to titer and productivity by betaine supplementation and dissolved oxygen (DO)-feedback feeding framework. Under optimal conditions, 68.3 g/L of D-PA, the specific productivity of 0.794 g/L h and the yield of 0.36 g/g glucose in 5 L fermenter were achieved. Overall, this research successfully exploited advanced strategies to lay the foundation for bio-based D-PA production in industrial applications.

Neuroprotective effects of dexpanthenol on streptozotocin-induced neuronal damage in rats

AIM

Although the most common age-related neurodegenerative disease defined by memory loss is Alzheimer's disease (AD), only symptomatic therapies are present. A complex pathway for the AD pathogenesis that includes an increase in inflammation has recently been suggested. Since in previous animal experiments dexpanthenol has anti-inflammatory and neuroprotective activities, effects and role of dexpanthenol in an intracerebroventricular (ICV)-streptozotocin (STZ) induced sporadic-AD(memory impairment) animal model have been examined.

DESIGN AND METHODS

In total, 18 adult sprague-dawley rats were classified into 3 groups; control (n = 6), STZ + Saline (n = 6) and STZ + Dexpanthenol (n = 6). Twelve AD-induced rats through STZ-injection (3 mg/kg) into both lateral ventricles via stereotaxy were separated into two groups five days after STZ administration: one of these groups was treated with dexpanthenol (1000 mg/kg/day, i.p.) for 3 weeks and the other with saline. A passive avoidance learning (PAL) test was used after treatment, followed by brain tissue extraction in all subjects. Brain levels of tumor necrosis factor-alpha (TNF-α) and choline acetyl transferase (ChAT) were measured and Cresyl violet staining was used to count neurons in cornu ammonis-1 (CA1) and cornu ammonis-3 (CA3).

RESULTS

It was observed that ICV-STZ significantly shortened PAL latency, increased levels of TNF-α in brain, decreased activity of ChAT in brain, and number of hippocampal neurons. However, dexpanthenol significantly reduced all of those STZ-induced harmful effects.

CONCLUSION

Dexpanthenol significantly prevented the memory deficit induced by ICV-STZ through mitigating neuronal loss in hippocampus, cholinergic deficiency and neuroinflammation in rats. These findings suggest that dexpanthenol may be beneficial for treating memory impairment.

Metabolomics: small molecules that matter more

Metabolomics, an analytical study with high-throughput profiling, helps to understand interactions within a biological system. Small molecules, called metabolites or metabolomes with the size of <1500 Da, depict the status of a biological system in a different manner. Currently, we are in need to globally analyze the metabolome and the pathways involved in healthy, as well as diseased conditions, for possible therapeutic applications. Metabolome analysis has revealed high-abundance molecules during different conditions such as diet, environmental stress, microbiota, and disease and treatment states. As a result, it is hard to understand the complete and stable network of metabolites of a biological system. This review helps readers know the available techniques to study metabolomics in addition to other major omics such as genomics, transcriptomics, and proteomics. This review also discusses the metabolomics in various pathological conditions and the importance of metabolomics in therapeutic applications.

Immunoassays for the rapid detection of pantothenic acid in pharmaceutical and food products

Pharmaceutical and food products are fortified with pantothenic acid (PA) to address potential deficiency. Therefore, its fast, reliable, and accurate detection is of great importance to the quality control. Here, an indirect competitive enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ic-ELISA) and a gold nanoparticle-based lateral flow immunoassay (LFIA) were established for the determination of PA based on an anti-PA monoclonal antibody (mAb). The ic-ELISA displayed a limit of detection (LOD) of 32.22 ng/mL, and the linear range was 64.44-628.84 ng/mL. Average recoveries of PA in fortified samples were 88.60-110.11% when using the ic-ELISA and a good correlation between the ic-ELISA and LC-MS/MS was obtained when analyzing samples. Furthermore, the developed LFIA strip showed a calculated LOD of 71.99, 115.80, and 240.12 ng/mL in B-complex Vitamin tablets, energy drink and infant milk powder samples, respectively. All the results demonstrated that both of these immunoassays are suitable for determining PA in pharmaceutical and food products.

Distinct gut microbiota and metabolite profiles induced by delivery mode in healthy Chinese infants

Delivery mode is recognized as an important determinant of gut microbiota composition. Vaginally delivered infants were colonized by maternal vaginal and fecal microbiota, while those delivered by cesarean section were colonized by environmental microorganisms. To reveal differences induced by delivery mode, we determined fecal microbiota and fecal metabolome from 60 infants in Northeast China region. Bacterial gene sequence analysis showed that the feces of vaginally delivered infants had the highest abundance of Bifidobacterium, Lactobacillus, Bacteroides and Parabacteroides, while the feces of cesarean section delivered infants were more enriched in Klebsiella. LC-MS-based metabolomics data demonstrated that the feces of vaginally delivered infants were associated with high abundance of DL-norvaline and DL-citrulline, while the feces of cesarean section delivered infants were abundant in trans-vaccenic acid and cis-aconitic acid. Moreover, the feces of vaginally delivered infants was significantly in positive correlation with tryptophan metabolism and pyruvate metabolism, however, the feces of cesarean section delivered infants was positively correlated with ABC transporters. Collectively, our study demonstrated that gut microbiota and metabolite profiles were significantly different between vaginally delivered and cesarean section delivered infants, and provided the theoretical basis for restoring the intestinal environment of cesarean section infants birthed in the study region. SIGNIFICANCE: The intestinal microbiota and metabolites play important roles in infant development. To validate whether delivery modes influence the gut environment, we performed a detailed analysis of the earliest microbial colonization of the infant gut using a combination of 16S rRNA gene amplicon sequencing and LC-MS-based metabolomics. We found that the gut microbiota and metabolite composition were significantly different between vaginally delivered infants and cesarean section delivered infants. Our findings establish a vital baseline for studies tracking the infant gut microbiota and metabolite development following different delivery modes, and their associated effects on infant health. This study provides preliminary evidence that the observed differences due to delivery modes highlight their importance in shaping the early intestinal microbiota and metabolites.

The Pathophysiological Role of CoA

The importance of coenzyme A (CoA) as a carrier of acyl residues in cell metabolism is well understood. Coenzyme A participates in more than 100 different catabolic and anabolic reactions, including those involved in the metabolism of lipids, carbohydrates, proteins, ethanol, bile acids, and xenobiotics. However, much less is known about the importance of the concentration of this cofactor in various cell compartments and the role of altered CoA concentration in various pathologies. Despite continuous research on these issues, the molecular mechanisms in the regulation of the intracellular level of CoA under pathological conditions are still not well understood. This review summarizes the current knowledge of (a) CoA subcellular concentrations; (b) the roles of CoA synthesis and degradation processes; and (c) protein modification by reversible CoA binding to proteins (CoAlation). Particular attention is paid to (a) the roles of changes in the level of CoA under pathological conditions, such as in neurodegenerative diseases, cancer, myopathies, and infectious diseases; and (b) the beneficial effect of CoA and pantethine (which like CoA is finally converted to Pan and cysteamine), used at pharmacological doses for the treatment of hyperlipidemia.

Gut Microbiota and Metabolome Alterations Associated with Parkinson's Disease

To our knowledge, this is one of the few studies thus far that correlates the composition of the gut microbiota with the direct analysis of fecal metabolites in patients with Parkinson’s disease. Overall, our data highlight microbiota modifications correlated with numerous fecal metabolites. This suggests that Parkinson’s disease is associated with gut dysregulation that involves a synergistic relationship between gut microbes and several bacterial metabolites favoring altered homeostasis. Interestingly, a reduction of short-chain fatty acid (SCFA)-producing bacteria influenced the shape of the metabolomics profile, affecting several metabolites with potential protective effects in the Parkinson group. On the other hand, the extensive impact that intestinal dysbiosis has at the level of numerous metabolic pathways could encourage the identification of specific biomarkers for the diagnosis and treatment of Parkinson’s disease, also in light of the effect that specific drugs have on the composition of the intestinal microbiota.

Parkinson’s disease is a neurodegenerative disorder characterized by the accumulation of intracellular aggregates of misfolded alpha-synuclein along the cerebral axis. Several studies report the association between intestinal dysbiosis and Parkinson’s disease, although a cause-effect relationship remains to be established. Herein, the gut microbiota composition of 64 Italian patients with Parkinson’s disease and 51 controls was determined using a next-generation sequencing approach. A real metagenomics shape based on gas chromatography-mass spectrometry was also investigated. The most significant changes within the Parkinson’s disease group highlighted a reduction in bacterial taxa, which are linked to anti-inflammatory/neuroprotective effects, particularly in the Lachnospiraceae family and key members, such as Butyrivibrio, Pseudobutyrivibrio, Coprococcus, and Blautia. The direct evaluation of fecal metabolites revealed changes in several classes of metabolites. Changes were seen in lipids (linoleic acid, oleic acid, succinic acid, and sebacic acid), vitamins (pantothenic acid and nicotinic acid), amino acids (isoleucine, leucine, phenylalanine, glutamic acid, and pyroglutamic acid) and other organic compounds (cadaverine, ethanolamine, and hydroxy propionic acid). Most modified metabolites strongly correlated with the abundance of members belonging to the Lachnospiraceae family, suggesting that these gut bacteria correlate with altered metabolism rates in Parkinson’s disease.

IMPORTANCE To our knowledge, this is one of the few studies thus far that correlates the composition of the gut microbiota with the direct analysis of fecal metabolites in patients with Parkinson’s disease. Overall, our data highlight microbiota modifications correlated with numerous fecal metabolites. This suggests that Parkinson’s disease is associated with gut dysregulation that involves a synergistic relationship between gut microbes and several bacterial metabolites favoring altered homeostasis. Interestingly, a reduction of short-chain fatty acid (SCFA)-producing bacteria influenced the shape of the metabolomics profile, affecting several metabolites with potential protective effects in the Parkinson group. On the other hand, the extensive impact that intestinal dysbiosis has at the level of numerous metabolic pathways could encourage the identification of specific biomarkers for the diagnosis and treatment of Parkinson’s disease, also in light of the effect that specific drugs have on the composition of the intestinal microbiota.

Dual-specificity phosphatases in mental and neurological disorders

The dual-specificity phosphatase (DUSP) family includes a heterogeneous group of protein phosphatases that dephosphorylate both phospho-tyrosine and phospho-serine/phospho-threonine residues within a single substrate. These protein phosphatases have many substrates and modulate diverse neural functions, such as neurogenesis, differentiation, and apoptosis. DUSP genes have furthermore been associated with mental disorders such as depression and neurological disorders such as Alzheimer's disease. Herein, we review the current literature on the DUSP family of genes concerning mental and neurological disorders. This review i) outlines the structure and general functions of DUSP genes, and ii) overviews the literature on DUSP genes concerning mental and neurological disorders, including model systems, while furthermore providing perspectives for future research.

Cerebral deficiency of vitamin B5 (d-pantothenic acid; pantothenate) as a potentially-reversible cause of neurodegeneration and dementia in sporadic Alzheimer's disease

Alzheimer's disease (AD) is the most common cause of age-related neurodegeneration and dementia, and there are no available treatments with proven disease-modifying actions. It is therefore appropriate to study hitherto-unknown aspects of brain structure/function in AD to seek alternative disease-related mechanisms that might be targeted by new therapeutic interventions with disease-modifying actions. During hypothesis-generating metabolomic studies of brain, we identified apparent differences in levels of vitamin B5 between AD cases and controls. We therefore developed a method based on gas chromatography-mass spectrometry by which we quantitated vitamin B5 concentrations in seven brain regions from nine AD cases and nine controls. We found that widespread, severe cerebral deficiency of vitamin B5 occurs in AD. This deficiency was worse in those regions known to undergo severe damage, including the hippocampus, entorhinal cortex, and middle temporal gyrus. Vitamin B5 is the obligate precursor of CoA/acetyl-CoA (acetyl-coenzyme A), which plays myriad key roles in the metabolism of all organs, including the brain. In brain, acetyl-CoA is the obligate precursor of the neurotransmitter acetylcholine, and the complex fatty-acyl groups that mediate the essential insulator role of myelin, both processes being defective in AD; moreover, the large cerebral vitamin B5 concentrations co-localize almost entirely to white matter. Vitamin B5 is well tolerated when administered orally to humans and other mammals. We conclude that cerebral vitamin B5 deficiency may well cause neurodegeneration and dementia in AD, which might be preventable or even reversible in its early stages, by treatment with suitable oral doses of vitamin B5.

Vitamin B5 (d-pantothenic acid) localizes in myelinated structures of the rat brain: Potential role for cerebral vitamin B5 stores in local myelin homeostasis

Vitamin B5 (d-pantothenic acid; pantothenate) is an essential trace nutrient that functions as the obligate precursor of coenzyme A (CoA), through which it plays key roles in myriad biological processes, including many that regulate carbohydrate, lipid, protein, and nucleic acid metabolism. In the brain, acetyl-CoA is necessary for synthesis of the complex fatty-acyl chains of myelin, and of the neurotransmitter acetylcholine. We recently found that cerebral pantothenate is markedly lowered, averaging ∼55% of control values in cases of Huntington's disease (HD) including those who are pre-symptomatic, and that regions where pantothenate is lowered correspond to those which are more severely damaged. Here we sought to determine the previously unknown distribution of pantothenate in the normal-rat brain, and whether the diabetic rat might be useful as a model for altered cerebral pantothenate metabolism. We employed histological staining (Nissl) to identify brain structures; immunohistochemistry with anti-pantothenate antibodies to determine the distribution of pantothenate in caudate putamen and cerebellum; and gas-chromatography/mass-spectrometry to quantitate levels of pantothenate and other metabolites in normal- and diabetic-rat brain. Remarkably, cerebral pantothenate was almost entirely localized to myelin-containing structures in both experimental groups. Diabetes did not modify levels or disposition of cerebral pantothenate. These findings are consistent with physiological localization of pantothenate in myelinated white-matter structures, where it could serve to support myelin synthesis. Further investigation of cerebral pantothenate is warranted in neurodegenerative diseases such as HD and Alzheimer's disease, where myelin loss is a known characteristic of pathogenesis.

B Vitamins and Fatty Acids: What Do They Share with Small Vessel Disease-Related Dementia?

Many studies have been written on vitamin supplementation, fatty acid, and dementia, but results are still under debate, and no definite conclusion has yet been drawn. Nevertheless, a significant amount of lab evidence confirms that vitamins of the B group are tightly related to gene control for endothelium protection, act as antioxidants, play a co-enzymatic role in the most critical biochemical reactions inside the brain, and cooperate with many other elements, such as choline, for the synthesis of polyunsaturated phosphatidylcholine, through S-adenosyl-methionine (SAM) methyl donation. B-vitamins have anti-inflammatory properties and act in protective roles against neurodegenerative mechanisms, for example, through modulation of the glutamate currents and a reduction of the calcium currents. In addition, they also have extraordinary antioxidant properties. However, laboratory data are far from clinical practice. Many studies have tried to apply these results in everyday clinical activity, but results have been discouraging and far from a possible resolution of the associated mysteries, like those represented by Alzheimer's disease (AD) or small vessel disease dementia. Above all, two significant problems emerge from the research: No consensus exists on general diagnostic criteria-MCI or AD? Which diagnostic criteria should be applied for small vessel disease-related dementia? In addition, no general schema exists for determining a possible correct time of implementation to have effective results. Here we present an up-to-date review of the literature on such topics, shedding some light on the possible interaction of vitamins and phosphatidylcholine, and their role in brain metabolism and catabolism. Further studies should take into account all of these questions, with well-designed and world-homogeneous trials.