• 한국발생생물학회지:발생과생식
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• 제13권2호
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• pp.63-77
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• 2009

신경리포푸신증(NCLs)은 신경퇴행 축적 질환으로 뇌에 자기형광물질을 포함한 다양한 물질의 축적이 야기되어 발생하며, 노던에필렙시를 제외한 모든 신경포푸신증은 리소즘 축적 질환으로 분류된다. 이러한 신경리포푸신증은 전세계적으로 12,500명 중 1명에게 발생되는 높은 발병 빈도를 나타내며, 그 발병 시기에 따라 영아형, 영유아형, 유년형, 그리고 성인형과 같이 분류된다. 신경리포푸신증이 유발하는 의학적 증상로는 시각 손실, 발작, 간질, 진행성 정신지체등을 야기하여 소아성 치매라는 이야기를 들으며, 증상이 심할 경우 환자가 사망에 이르게 된다. 신경퇴행성 리포푸신증의 원인은 유전자의 돌연변이 때문이라고 알려져 있으며, 일부의 연구를 통해 태아의 발생과정 상 문제를 통해 질병이 야기되는 경우도 관찰이 되고 있으나, 아직 그 분자 발생학적 기전이 명확하게 규명되어 있지 않은 현실이다. 현재 전 세계적으로 많은 연구가 수행되고 있어 그 결과가 주목되는 바이다.

• Toxicological Research
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• 제34권3호
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• pp.267-279
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• 2018

Neurolathyrism is a neurodegenerative disorder characterized by spastic paraplegia resulting from the excessive consumption of Lathyrus sativus (Grass pea). ${\beta}$-N-Oxalyl-L-${\alpha},{\beta}$-diaminopropionic acid (L-ODAP) is the primary neurotoxic component in this pea. The present study attempted to evaluate the proteome-wide alterations in chick brain 2 hr and 4 hr post L-ODAP treatment. Proteomic analysis of chick brain homogenates revealed several proteins involved in cytoskeletal structure, signaling, cellular metabolism, free radical scavenging, oxidative stress and neurodegenerative disorders were initially up-regulated at 2 hr and later recovered to normal levels by 4 hr. Since L-ODAP mediated neurotoxicity is mainly by excitotoxicity and oxidative stress related dysfunctions, this study further evaluated the role of L-ODAP in apoptosis in vitro using human neuroblastoma cell line, IMR-32. The in vitro studies carried out at $200{\mu}M$ L-ODAP for 4 hr indicate minimal intracellular ROS generation and alteration of mitochondrial membrane potential though not leading to apoptotic cell death. L-ODAP at low concentrations can be explored as a stimulator of various reactive oxygen species (ROS) mediated cell signaling pathways not detrimental to cells. Insights from our study may provide a platform to explore the beneficial side of L-ODAP at lower concentrations. This study is of significance especially in view of the Government of India lifting the ban on cultivation of low toxin Lathyrus varieties and consumption of this lentil.

• Annals of Clinical Neurophysiology
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• 제7권2호
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• pp.101-106
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• 2005

Background: There is no currently effective treatment for amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS), although this disorder is a progressive neurodegenerative disease resulting in death within several years. Because recent evidence suggests that homocysteine (HC) is highly related to neurodegenerative disorders with aging, we tried to elucidate the effects of multi-vitamin therapy on G93A SOD1 transgenic mice. Methods: We treated this murine model of ALS with multi-vitamin (folic acid 1.97 mg/day, pyridoxine 0.98 mg/day, cyanocobalamin 0.1 mg/day) from 45 days of age, per oral. We performed the rotarod test from postnatal $10^{th}$ week, weekly. Results: We found that multi-vitamin reinforcement significantly prolonged average lifespan and delayed disease onset with improvement of motor performance. However, it did not significantly slow disease progression and statistical differences of weight loss were not observed between in transgenic mice and controls. Conclusions: These results suggest that multi-vitamin can be a potent therapeutic strategy for familial forms of ALS.

• Nutrition Research and Practice
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• 제15권2호
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• pp.137-159
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• 2021

Long-chain (LC) n-3 polyunsaturated fatty acids (n-3 PUFAs), in particular docosahexaenoic acid (DHA) and eicosapentaenoic acid (EPA), are nutrients involved in many metabolic and physiological processes, and are referred to as n-3 LCPUFA. They have been extensively studied for their effects in human nutrition and health. This paper provides an overview on metabolism, sources, dietary intake, and status of n-3 LCPUFA. A summary of the dietary recommendations for n-3 LCPUFAs for different age groups as well as specific physiological conditions is provided. Evidence for n-3 LCPUFA in cardiovascular diseases, including new studies, is reviewed. Expert recommendations generally support a beneficial effect of n-3 LCPUFA on cardiovascular health and recommend a daily intake of 500 mg as DHA and EPA, or 1-2 servings of fish per week. The role of n-3 LCPUFA on brain health, in particular neurodegenerative disorders and depression, is reviewed. The evidence for beneficial effects of n-3 LCPUFA on neurodegenerative disorders is non-conclusive despite mechanistic support and observational data. Hence, no definite n-3 LCPUFA expert recommendations are made. Data for the beneficial effect of n-3 LCPUFA on depression are generally compelling. Expert recommendations have been established: 200-300 mg/day for depression; up to 1-2 g/day for major depressive disorder. Recent studies support a beneficial role of n-3 LCPUFAs in reducing the risk for premature birth, with a daily intake of 600-800 mg of DHA during pregnancy. Finally, international experts recently reviewed the scientific evidence on DHA and arachidonic acid (ARA) in infant nutrition and concluded that the totality of data support that infant and follow-on formulas should provide both DHA and ARA at levels similar to those in breast milk. In conclusion, the available scientific data support that dietary recommendations for n-3 LCPUFA should be established for the general population and for subjects with specific physiological conditions.

• Biomolecules & Therapeutics
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• 제31권3호
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• pp.264-275
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• 2023

Parkinson's disease (PD) is a common neurodegenerative disorder characterized by tremors, bradykinesia, and rigidity. PD is caused by loss of dopaminergic (DA) neurons in the midbrain substantia nigra (SN) and therefore, replenishment of DA neurons via stem cell-based therapy is a potential treatment option. Astrocytes are the most abundant non-neuronal cells in the central nervous system and are promising candidates for reprogramming into neuronal cells because they share a common origin with neurons. The ability of neural progenitor cells (NPCs) to proliferate and differentiate may overcome the limitations of the reduced viability and function of transplanted cells after cell replacement therapy. Achaete-scute complex homolog-like 1 (Ascl1) is a well-known neuronal-specific factor that induces various cell types such as human and mouse astrocytes and fibroblasts to differentiate into neurons. Nurr1 is involved in the differentiation and maintenance of DA neurons, and decreased Nurr1 expression is known to be a major risk factor for PD. Previous studies have shown that direct conversion of astrocytes into DA neurons and NPCs can be induced by overexpression of Ascl1 and Nurr1 and additional transcription factors genes such as superoxide dismutase 1 and SRY-box 2. Here, we demonstrate that astrocytes isolated from the ventral midbrain, the origin of SN DA neurons, can be effectively converted into DA neurons and NPCs with enhanced viability. In addition, when these NPCs are inducted to differentiate, they exhibit key characteristics of DA neurons. Thus, direct conversion of midbrain astrocytes is a possible cell therapy strategy to treat neurodegenerative diseases.

• Journal of Genetic Medicine
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• 제4권1호
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• pp.22-37
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• 2007

The autosomal dominant spinocerebellar ataxias (SCAs) are a group of neurodegenerative diseases, clinically and genetically heterogeneous, characterized by degeneration of spinocerebellar pathways with variable involvement of other neural systems. At present, 27 distinct genetic forms of SCAs are known: SCA1-8, SCA10-21, SCA23, SCA25-28, DRPLA (dentatorubral-pallidoluysian atrophy), and 16q-liked ADCA (autosomal dominant cerebellar ataxia). Epidemiological data about the prevalence of SCAs are restricted to a few studies of isolated geographical regions, and most do not reflect the real occurrence of the disease. In general a prevalence of about 0.3-2 cases per 100,000 people is assumed. As SCA are highly heterogeneous, the prevalence of specific subtypes varies between different ethnic and continental populations. Most recent data suggest that SCA3 is the commonest subtype worldwide; SCA1, SCA2, SCA6, SCA7, and SCA8 have a prevalence of over 2%, and the remaining SCAs are thought to be rare (prevalence <1%). In this review, we highlight and discuss the SCA7. The hallmark of SCA7 is the association of hereditary ataxia and visual loss caused by pigmentary macular degeneration. Visual failure is progressive, bilateral and symmetrical, and leads irreversibly to blindness. This association represents a distinct disease entity classified as autosomal dominant cerebellar ataxia (ADCA) type II by Harding. The disease affectsprimarily the cerebellum and the retina by the moderate to severe neuronal loss and gliosis, but also many other central nervous system structures as the disease progresses. SCA7 is caused by expansion of an unstable trinucleotide CAG repeat in the ATXN7 gene encoding a polyglutamine (polyQ) tract in the corresponding protein, ataxin-7. Normal ATXN7 alleles contain 4-35 CAG repeats, whereas pathological alleles contain from 36->450 CAG repeats. Immunoblott analysis demonstrated that ataxin-7 is widely expressed but that expression levels vary among tissues. Instability of expanded repeats is more pronounced in SCA7 than in other SCA subtypes and can cause substantial lowering of age at onset in successive generations termed ‘anticipation’ so that children may become diseased even before their parents develop symptoms. The strong anticipation in SCA7 and the rarity of contractions should have led to its extinction within a few generations. There is no specific drug therapy for this neurodegenerative disorder. Currently, therapy remains purely symptomatic. Cellular models and SCA7 transgenic mice have been generated which constitute valuable resources for studying the disease mechanism. Understanding the pathogenetic mechanisms of neurodegeneration in SCAs should lead to the identification of potential therapeutic targets and ultimately facilitate drug discovery. Here we summarize the clinical, pathological, and genetic aspects of SCA7, and review the current understanding of the pathogenesis of this disorder. Further, we also review the potential therapeutic strategies that are currently being explored in polyglutamine diseases.

• 한국응용과학기술학회지
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• 제35권1호
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• pp.194-204
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• 2018

본 연구는 신경퇴행성질환과 밀접한 관련이 있는 neurofilament-L(NF-L)의 산화적 손상에 엄나무 발효물이 미치는 영향을 알아보고자 하였다. 용액 상에서 peroxyl radical을 생성하는 AAPH를 처리하여 NFL의 산화적 변형을 유도하고 엄나무 추출물(KP), 노루궁뎅이버섯 균사체 추출물(HE), 엄나무 발효물(KP-HE)을 각각 처리하여 어떤 영향을 미치는 지를 알아보고자 하였다. KP와 HE는 peroxyl radical에 의한 NF-L의 산화적 손상을 막지 못했으나 KP-HE는 NF-L의 변형을 효과적으로 억제하였다. KP-HE는 peroxyl radical에 의한 NF-L 변형에서 나타나는 dityrosine 형성을 효과적으로 억제하였고 peroxyl radical 소거활성도 증가시켰다. 파킨슨병 환자에서 발견되는 신경독성물질인 tetrahydropapaveroline(THP)에 의한 NFL의 변형에 KP, HE, KP-HE가 미치는 영향을 관찰하였다. 그 결과 KP-HE는 KP와 HE에 비해서 THP에 의한 NF-L의 변형을 효과적으로 억제하는 것으로 관찰되었다. 또한 KP-HE는 THP에 의한 NF-L 변형에서 나타나는 dityrosine 형성도 효과적으로 억제하였고 THP에 의해 유도되는 활성산소 생성도 현저히 감소시켰다. 이와 같은 결과들은 KP-HE가 활성산소와 신경독성물질에 의한 산화적 스트레스로부터 세포를 보호해 줄 수 있을 것으로 사료되었다. 그러므로 엄나무 발효물은 신경퇴행성질환을 예방할 수 있는 식품소재로 이용될 수 있을 것으로 사료된다.

• Biomolecules & Therapeutics
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• 제28권1호
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• pp.74-82
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• 2020

Alzheimer's disease (AD) is a progressive and most frequently diagnosed neurodegenerative disorder. However, there is still no drug preventing the progress of this disorder. β-Amyrin, an ingredient of the surface wax of tomato fruit and dandelion coffee, is previously reported to ameliorate memory impairment induced by cholinergic dysfunction. Therefore, we tested whether β-amyrin can prevent AD-like pathology. β-Amyrin blocked amyloid β (Aβ)-induced long-term potentiation (LTP) impairment in the hippocampal slices. Moreover, β-amyrin improved Aβ-induced suppression of phosphatidylinositol-3-kinase (PI3K)/Akt signaling. LY294002, a PI3K inhibitor, blocked the effect of β-amyrin on Aβ-induced LTP impairment. In in vivo experiments, we observed that β-amyrin ameliorated object recognition memory deficit in Aβ-injected AD mice model. Moreover, neurogenesis impairments induced by Aβ was improved by β-amyrin treatment. Taken together, β-amyrin might be a good candidate of treatment or supplement for AD patients.

• Food Science and Biotechnology
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• 제17권2호
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• pp.384-388
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• 2008

Alzheimer's disease (AD) is the most common neurodegenerative disorder and is responsible for more than 50% of all dementia cases. There is significant interest in finding new sources of compounds that inhibit acetylcholinesterase (AChE) to be used in the treatment of AD, since only a few AChE inhibitors, such as galanthamine, physostigmine, and tacrine, are available for clinical use. In the present study, ICR mice were treated with a 1 mg/kg scopolamine, which caused impaired cognitive ability. The steady consumption of a water extract of Chrysanthemum indicum Linne flowers for 3 months significantly prevented the scopolamine induced deficit of the spatial cognitive capability of mice. It also improved long-term memory in mice with amnesia induced by scopolamine, as assessed by the Morris water maze and passive avoidance tests. In addition, water extract consumption significantly decreased AChE activity in mouse brain, leading to inhibition of acetylcholine hydrolysis.

• 생물정신의학
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• 제23권2호
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• pp.48-56
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• 2016

Alzheimer's disease (AD) is a neurodegenerative disorder in which neuronal loss causes cognitive decline and other neuropsychiatric problems. It can be diagnosed based on history, examination, and appropriate objective assessments, using standard criteria such as the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders or the National Institute of Neurological and Communicative Disorders and Stroke and the Alzheimer's Disease and Related Disorders Association (NINCDS-ADRDA). Brain imaging and biomarkers are making progress in the differential diagnoses among the different disorders. The cholinesterase inhibitors, donepezil, rivastigmine and galantamine and N-methyl-D-aspartate receptors antagonist memantine are approved by the US Food and Drug Administration for AD. Recently some acetylcholinesterase inhibitors gained approval for the treatment of severe AD and became available in a higher dose formulation or a patch formulation. Optimal care in AD is multifactorial and it should include early diagnosis and multidisciplinary care with pharmacological and nonpharmacological interventions including exercise interventions, cognitive interventions and maintenance of social networks.