Search results for "Glutamic Acid"

Interplay between glutamatergic and GABAergic neurotransmission alterations in cognitive and motor impairment in minimal hepatic encephalopathy.

2015

The cognitive and motor alterations in hepatic encephalopathy (HE) are the final result of altered neurotransmission and communication between neurons in neuronal networks and circuits. Different neurotransmitter systems cooperate to modulate cognitive and motor function, with a main role for glutamatergic and GABAergic neurotransmission in different brain areas and neuronal circuits. There is an interplay between glutamatergic and GABAergic neurotransmission alterations in cognitive and motor impairment in HE. This interplay may occur: (a) in different brain areas involved in specific neuronal circuits; (b) in the same brain area through cross-modulation of glutamatergic and GABAergic neur…

1981

The interaction of poly(L-glutamic acid) with 3,6-dioxaoctamethylenediamine was studied by circular dichroism spectroscopy under different conditions. In aqueous solution at pH 5,6 and in aqueous 1,4-dioxane (30–50 vol.-%) at pH 7,3 the conformation of poly(L-glutamic acid) was completely changed from α-helical to random coil in the presence of an excess of the diamine.

Bone-Targeted Cisplatin-Complexed Poly(γ-benzyl-L-glutamate)-Poly(glutamic acid) Block Polymer Nanoparticles: An Electrochemical Approach

2015

The voltammetric response of different osteotropic multifunctional nanoparticles based on cisplatin-complexed poly(γ-benzyl-L-glutamate)–poly(glutamic acid) block polymer (CDDP-PBLG-b-PGlu) copolymer, with or without poly(γ-benzyl-L-glutamate)–poly(ethylene glycol) block polymer (PBLG-b-PEG), and having bone-targeting properties is studied at biologically relevant pH. Significant differences in the cisplatin-centered voltammetric signals allow monitoring of the association of cisplatin to nanoparticles as well as release kinetics from them, in agreement with atomic absorption spectroscopy data. Electrochemical studies reveal that the cisplatin association is significant only if the proporti…

Comparison of the efficacy of chemomechanical caries removal (Carisolv') with that of conventional excavation in reducing the cariogenic flora

2004

Summary.  Objectives.   The usage of minimally invasive procedures and attention to patient comfort are of great importance, especially for dental treatment in small children. This has led to the development of chemomechanical methods for caries removal. The aim of this study was to compare the efficacy of chemomechanical caries removal with that of conventional excavation in reducing the count of the cariogenic flora. Design and setting.  Subjects for this study were chosen from children admitted to dental clinic for restorative procedures under general anaesthesia. Samples and methods.  Twenty-one children (mean age 43·5 ± 12·0 months) with early childhood caries were included in this stu…

Impaired Transporter Associated with Antigen Processing (TAP) Function Attributable to a Single Amino Acid Alteration in the Peptide TAP Subunit TAP1

2003

Abstract The heterodimeric peptide transporter TAP belongs to the ABC transporter family. Sequence comparisons with the P-glycoprotein and cystic fibrosis transmembrane conductance regulator and the functional properties of selective amino acids in these ABC transporters postulated that the glutamic acid at position 263 and the phenylalanine at position 265 of the TAP1 subunit could affect peptide transporter function. To define the role of both amino acids, TAP1 mutants containing a deletion or a substitution to alanine at position 263 or 265 were generated and stably expressed in murine and human TAP1−/− cells. The different TAP1 mutants were characterized in terms of expression and funct…

Nitric oxide and brain hyperexcitability.

2004

Nitric oxide (NO) is a gaseous messenger involved in atypical forms of intercellular communications, able to exert a strong functional modulation of several neurotransmitter systems. In particular, NO heavily influences the excitatory neurotransmitter glutamate, mainly through NMDA receptors, and the inhibitory neurotransmitter GABA, mainly through GABA A receptors. Due to the involvement of glutamate and GABA in a delicate balance conditioning the functional status of the neural cells, this interaction suggests a role for NO in regulating neuronal excitability and its transition towards hyperexcitability phenomena. This article reviews the main knowledge about the relationships existing be…

Polymer-doxycycline conjugates as fibril disrupters: an approach towards the treatment of a rare amyloidotic disease.

2014

The term amyloidosis describes neurological diseases where an abnormal protein is misfolded and accumulated as deposits in organs and tissues, known as amyloid, disrupting their normal function. In the most common familial amyloid polyneuropathy (FAP), transthyretin (TTR) displays this role primarily affecting the peripheral nervous system (PNS). Advanced stages of this inherited rare amyloidosis, present as fibril deposits that are responsible for disease progression. In order to stop disease progression, herein we designed an efficient family of nanoconjugates as fibril disrupters. These polymer conjugates are based on doxycycline (doxy), already in phase II trials for Alzheimer's disease…

Positron emission tomography in CNS drug discovery and drug monitoring.

2014

Molecular imaging methods such as positron emission tomography (PET) are increasingly involved in the development of new drugs. Using radioactive tracers as imaging probes, PET allows the determination of the pharmacokinetic and pharmacodynamic properties of a drug candidate, via recording target engagement, the pattern of distribution, and metabolism. Because of the noninvasive nature and quantitative end point obtainable by molecular imaging, it seems inherently suited for the examination of a pharmaceutical’s behavior in the brain. Molecular imaging, most especially PET, can therefore be a valuable tool in CNS drug research. In this Perspective, we present the basic principles of PET, th…

Pre- and postsynaptic type-1 cannabinoid receptors control the alterations of glutamate transmission in experimental autoimmune encephalomyelitis

2013

Type-1 cannabinoid receptors (CB1R) are important regulators of the neurodegenerative damage in multiple sclerosis (MS) and in experimental autoimmune encephalomyelitis (EAE). In GABAergic striatal neurons, CB1R stimulation exerts protective effects by limiting inflammation-induced potentiation of glutamate-mediated spontaneous excitatory postsynaptic currents (sEPSCs). Here we show that CB1R located on GABAergic or on glutamatergic neurons are differentially involved in the pre- and postsynaptic alterations of sEPSCs caused by EAE in the striatum. After induction of EAE, mice selectively lacking CB1R on GABAergic neurons (GABA-CB1R-KO) showed exacerbated alterations of sEPSC duration in GA…

Risk Assessment of "Other Substances" – L-Glutamine and L-glutamic Acid

2020

The Norwegian Scientific Committee for Food Safety (Vitenskapskomiteen for mattrygghet, VKM) has, at the request of the Norwegian Food Safety Authority (Mattilsynet; NFSA), assessed the risk of "other substances" in food supplements and energy drinks sold in Norway. VKM has assessed the risk of doses given by the NFSA. These risk assessments will provide the NFSA with the scientific basis for regulating the addition of “other substances” to food supplements and other foods.
 "Other substances" are described in the food supplement directive 2002/46/EC as substances other than vitamins or minerals that have a nutritional or physiological effect. They are added mainly to food supplements,…