Search results for "Protective Agent"
showing 10 items of 226 documents
Neuronal injury in chronic CNS inflammation.
2010
Introduction Multiple sclerosis (MS) is the most common chronic inflammatory disease of the central nervous system which is characterized by inflammatory demyelination and neurodegeneration. Neurological symptoms include sensory disturbances, optic neuritis, limb weakness, ataxia, bladder dysfunction, cognitive deficits and fatigue. Pathophysiology The inflammation process with MS is promoted by several inflammatory cytokines produced by the immune cells themselves and local resident cells like activated microglia. Consecutive damaging pathways involve the transmigration of activated B lymphocytes and plasma cells, which synthesize antibodies against the myelin sheath, boost the immune atta…
Neurodegeneration in multiple sclerosis: novel treatment strategies.
2012
In recent years it has become clear that the neuronal compartment already plays an important role early in the pathology of multiple sclerosis (MS). Neuronal injury in the course of chronic neuroinflammation is a key factor in determining long-term disability in patients. Viewing MS as both inflammatory and neurodegenerative has major implications for therapy, with CNS protection and repair needed in addition to controlling inflammation. Here, the authors' review recently elucidated molecular insights into inflammatory neuronal/axonal pathology in MS and discuss the resulting options regarding neuroprotective and regenerative treatment strategies.
Beta-amyloid monomers are neuroprotective
2009
The 42-aa-long β-amyloid protein—Aβ1-42—is thought to play a central role in the pathogenesis of Alzheimer's disease (AD) (Walsh and Selkoe, 2007). Data from AD brain (Shankar et al., 2008), transgenic APP (amyloid precursor protein)-overexpressing mice (Lesné et al., 2006), and neuronal cultures treated with synthetic Aβ peptides (Lambert et al., 1998) indicate that self-association of Aβ1-42monomers into soluble oligomers is required for neurotoxicity. The function of monomeric Aβ1-42is unknown. The evidence that Aβ1-42is present in the brain and CSF of normal individuals suggests that the peptide is physiologically active (Shoji, 2002). Here we show that synthetic Aβ1-42monomers support …
The Role of Erythropoietin in Neuroprotection: Therapeutic Perspectives
2007
Nervous system diseases are very complex conditions comprising a large variety of local and systemic responses. Several therapeutic agents interfering with all or in part the biochemical steps that ultimately cause neuronal death have been demonstrated to be neuroprotective in preclinical models. However, all the agents so far investigated have inexorably failed in the phase III trials carried out. A large body of evidence suggests that the hormone erythropoietin (EPO), besides its well-known hematopoietic action, exerts beneficial effects in the central nervous system. EPO's effect has been assessed in several experimental models of brain and spinal cord injury thus becoming a serious cand…
Mildronate and its neuroregulatory mechanisms: targeting the mitochondria, neuroinflammation, and protein expression.
2013
This review for the first time summarizes the data obtained in the neuropharmacological studies of mildronate, a drug previously known as a cardioprotective agent. In different animal models of neurotoxicity and neurodegenerative diseases, we demonstrated its neuroprotecting activity. By the use of immunohistochemical methods and Western blot analysis, as well as some selected behavioral tests, the new mechanisms of mildronate have been demonstrated: a regulatory effect on mitochondrial processes and on the expression of nerve cell proteins, which are involved in cell survival, functioning, and inflammation processes. Particular attention is paid to the capability of mildronate to stimulate…
Preservation of neuronal function as measured by clinical and MRI endpoints in relapsing-remitting multiple sclerosis: how effective are current trea…
2018
Approved medications for relapsing-remitting multiple sclerosis have shown to be effective in terms of their anti-inflammatory potential. However, it is also crucial to evaluate what long-term effects a patient can expect from current MS drugs in terms of preventing neurodegeneration. Here we aim to provide an overview of the current treatment strategies in MS with a specific focus on potential neuroprotective effects. Areas covered: Randomized, double-blind and placebo or referral-drug controlled phase 2a/b and phase 3 trials were examined; non-blinded phase 4 studies (extension studies) were included to provide long-term data, if not otherwise available. Endpoints considered were expanded…
PPAR-γ Agonist GW1929 But Not Antagonist GW9662 Reduces TBBPA-Induced Neurotoxicity in Primary Neocortical Cells
2013
Tetrabromobisphenol A (2,2-bis(4-hydroxy-3,5-dibromophenyl)propane; TBBPA) is a widely used brominated flame retardant. TBBPA induces neuronal damage, but the mechanism by which this occurs is largely unknown. We studied the possible involvement of peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor gamma (PPAR-γ) in TBBPA-induced apoptosis and toxicity in mouse primary neuronal cell cultures. TBBPA enhanced both, caspase-3 activity and lactate dehydrogenase (LDH) release in neocortical cells after 6 and 24 h of exposition. These data were supported at the cellular level with Hoechst 33342 staining. Immunoblot analyses showed that, compared with control cells, 10 μM TBBPA decreased the expression of…
Neuroprotection in Parkinson's Disease: a Realistic Goal?
2010
The current issue of CNS Neuroscience & Therapeutics contains an interesting review by Kinecses and Vecsei [1] on the progress in our knowledge related to the pathophysiological mechanisms of Parkinson's disease (PD) and on the development of putative neuroprotective molecules. Since the seminal discovery by Oleh Hornykiewicz that degeneration of DA neurons within the substantia nigra pars compacta (SNc) and the consequential dopamine depletion in the striatum was the cause of neurological symptoms in PD [2], thousands of reviews have been written on the subject, some of them possibly superfluous. Nevertheless, we found this last work enjoyable in terms of readability and in the way the aut…
Hypothesis: can N-acetylcysteine be beneficial in Parkinson's disease?
1999
Based on the finding of decreased mitochondrial complex I activity in the substantia nigra of patients with Parkinson's disease, we propose that the consequent reduction of ATP synthesis and increased generation of reactive oxygen species may be a possible cause of nigrostriatal cell death. Since sulfhydryl groups are essential in oxidative phosphorylation, thiolic antioxidants may contribute to the preservation of these proteins against oxidative damage. In the present paper, we hypothesize that treatment with a sulfur-containing antioxidant such as N-acetylcysteine may provide a new neuroprotective therapeutic strategy for Parkinson's disease.
Non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs in Parkinson’s disease
2007
Parkinson's disease (PD) is known to be a chronic and progressive neurodegenerative disease caused by a selective degeneration of dopaminergic (DAergic) neurons in the substantia nigra pars compacta (SNc). A large body of experimental evidence indicates that the factors involved in the pathogenesis of this disease are several, occurring inside and outside the DAergic neuron. Recently, the role of the neuron–glia interaction and the inflammatory process, in particular, has been the object of intense study by the research community. It seems to represent a new therapeutic approach opportunity for this neurological disorder. Indeed, it has been demonstrated that the cyclooxygenase type 2 (COX-…