川陈皮素改善衰老认知功能损伤的作用与机制（英文）

随着世界人口的老龄化,与年龄相关认知功能障碍的威胁越来越大.研究年龄相关认知功能损伤的发病机制及寻找有效的防治策略具有重要意义.我们之前的研究表明,衰老小鼠海马中S-亚硝基谷胱甘肽还原酶(S-nitrosoglutathione reductase,GSNOR)显著升高,神经元特异性高表达GSNOR转基因小鼠在行为学检测中表现出认知功能障碍.然而,其分子机制仍不清楚.在本研究中发现,CREB信号通路在GSNOR高表达转基因小鼠及原代培养小鼠海马神经元中均被GSNOR下调.在Y迷宫中检测表明,连续7 d腹腔注射CREB激活剂川陈皮素,能改善GSNOR过表达小鼠的认知损伤.进一步通过恐惧箱实验及Y迷宫测试研究川陈皮素对自然衰老小鼠认知功能的作用,发现川陈皮素能显著提高自然衰老小鼠在Y迷宫测试中的正确选择率以及在恐惧箱中的冻结时间,表明川陈皮素能显著改善衰老相关的认知功能.同样,川陈皮素上调了CREB磷酸化以及PSD95和Glu R1的水平,表明CREB信号上调在改善自然衰老认知功能损伤中发挥了重要作用.本研究为衰老认知功能损伤机制及改善方法提供了新的依据,GSNOR转基因小鼠也可能成为一种新的认知功能损伤模型.     

川陈皮素通过RORα/SOST信号通路改善自然衰老小鼠的骨流失

随着世界人口老龄化的加速,老年性骨质疏松症的发病率呈现出明显的上升趋势。衰老相关的骨质流失的机制研究对寻找有效的治疗骨质疏松药物具有重要意义。天然产物为治疗骨质疏松症药物的发现提供了丰富的来源。川陈皮素是柑橘属植物果实中含量最丰富的黄酮类成分之一,具有多种生物活性。在本研究中我们以20个月自然衰老小鼠为模型,连续15天腹腔注射给予川陈皮素,Micro-CT结果表明川陈皮素可以增加自然衰老小鼠骨体积分数和降低骨小梁分离度,改善自然衰老小鼠的骨微观结构,HE染色结果表明川陈皮素可增加骨小梁表面成骨细胞数量,川陈皮素处理小鼠血清中骨钙蛋白（Osteocalcin）水平显著增加。在细胞水平,川陈皮素处理小鼠前成骨细胞（MC3T3-E1）,Mki67水平显著增加,骨碱性磷酸酶水平和骨钙蛋白水平增加,茜素红染色明显增强,表明川陈皮素能促进MC3T3-E1细胞增殖、分化和矿化。进一步机制研究发现川陈皮素可直接激活视黄酸受体相关孤儿受体α（retinoic acid receptor-related orphan receptors, RORα),并以RORα依赖的方式下调骨硬化蛋白（Sclerostin, SOST）水平、上调骨钙蛋白水平,从而调节成骨细胞功能。本研究揭示了川陈皮素改善自然衰老相关骨流失的新功能和新机制,为川陈皮素这一天然产物在自然衰老骨质疏松方面应用提供了新的依据。     

锁阳乙酸乙酯提取物改善慢性应激小鼠认知功能障碍的神经保护机制

本实验以去卵巢后慢性应激模型,探究锁阳乙酸乙酯提取物(ECS)改善慢性应激小鼠认知功能障碍的神经保护机制。采用Morris水迷宫检测小鼠空间学习记忆能力,Western Blot检测海马组织突触蛋白中突触囊泡蛋白(synaptophysin,Syn)和突触后致密物(Postsynaptic density protein 95,PSD-95)表达量,通过海马组织形态学改变进一步证明ECS的神经保护作用。Morris水迷宫结果显示雌鼠锁阳乙酸乙酯组穿越平台次数增加(P0.01)。Western Blot结果显示,ECS可增加Syn(P0.05)与PSD-95(P0.05)蛋白表达量。HE染色结果显示ECS可减轻海马神经元损伤,改善海马CA1区锥体细胞形态。结果表明ECS能够增加去势后慢性应激小鼠突触蛋白中Syn与PSD-95的表达量,保护海马神经元,改善慢性应激所致学习记忆障碍。     

芍药苷对巨细胞病毒感染小鼠脑组织损伤及海马神经元细胞凋亡的影响

海马组织在学习、记忆中发挥着重要作用,而且海马组织对巨细胞病毒(Cytomegalovirus,CMV)感染非常敏感,会使海马组织中的神经元大量丢失,神经元细胞发生凋亡.芍药苷可以减轻小鼠炎性脑损伤,其可能与提高机体抗氧化能力、清除体内自由基有关,但是芍药苷在CMV感染小鼠中研究甚少.为探讨芍药苷对CMV感染小鼠脑组织损伤及海马神经元细胞凋亡的影响,本研究将新生昆明小鼠随机分为4组:对照组、小鼠巨细胞病毒组(MCMV组)、芍药苷低剂量组(Pae-L组)和芍药苷高剂量组(Pae-H组),后三组通过腹腔注射MCMV病毒悬液建立模型,之后对照组和MCMV组经腹腔注射生理盐水,Pae-L组经腹腔注射10 mg/kg芍药苷,Pae-H组经腹腔注射30 mg/kg芍药苷;荧光定量PCR检测各组小鼠脑组织中MCMV-DNA载量的变化;Morris水迷宫检测各组小鼠学习记忆功能指标的变化;蛋白质免疫印迹(Western Blot)检测各组小鼠脑组织中MMP-9的表达变化;NeuN免疫染色检测各组小鼠海马组织中NeuN阳性细胞的变化;TUNEL染色检测各组小鼠海马组织中神经元细胞凋亡的变化;Western Blot检测各组小鼠海马组织中Bax、Bcl-2蛋白表达的变化.结果显示,与对照组比较,MCMV组小鼠的逃避潜伏期明显增加,穿越平台次数明显减少,脑组织中MMP-9蛋白表达水平显著上调,海马组织中NeuN阳性细胞数目显著减少,海马组织中神经元细胞凋亡指数显著增加,海马组织中Bax蛋白表达水平显著上调,Bcl-2蛋白表达水平显著下调;与MCMV组比较,Pae-L组和Pae-H组小鼠脑组织中MCMV-DNA载量减少,逃避潜伏期减少,穿越平台次数增加,脑组织中MMP-9蛋白表达水平下调,海马组织中NeuN阳性细胞数目增加,海马组织中神经元细胞凋亡指数减少,海马组织中Bax蛋白表达水平下调,Bcl-2蛋白表达水平明显上调.本研究提示,芍药苷能够改善MCMV感染引起的脑损伤,减轻海马组织中神经元细胞的凋亡.     

川续断皂苷Ⅵ对睡眠剥夺小鼠神经发生及认知功能的改善作用研究CSCD

本文旨在探讨川续断皂苷Ⅵ(asperosaponin Ⅵ,ASA Ⅵ)对睡眠剥夺小鼠认知功能的改善作用及相关机制。采用多平台水环境法对C57BL/6J小鼠进行睡眠剥夺,期间腹腔注射ASA Ⅵ进行干预,采用新物体识别实验及Morris水迷宫实验评估小鼠的认知功能,运用q-PCR、免疫组化、Western blotting分别检测小鼠海马区的炎症水平、神经发生及信号通路变化。结果显示:与对照组相比,模型组小鼠海马中的小胶质细胞呈激活状态,炎症因子的表达水平显著提高(P<0.05),新生神经元数量显著减少(P<0.05),并导致认知功能下降。ASA Ⅵ干预显著改善了睡眠剥夺小鼠的认知功能,抑制海马中促炎性细胞因子IL-1β、TNF-α和IL-6的表达(P<0.05),同时显著提高抗炎性细胞因子IL-4、IL-10和神经营养因子BDNF的表达水平(P<0.05)。ASA Ⅵ干预还显著提高了睡眠剥夺小鼠海马中的p-PI3K、PI3K、Akt蛋白表达水平及新生神经元数量(P<0.05)。PI3K/Akt抑制剂LY294002处理显著降低ASA Ⅵ的干预效果。结果表明,ASA Ⅵ可改善睡眠剥夺小鼠学习记忆能力,其机制与PI3K/Akt信号通路激活相关。因此,作为抗炎、神经保护药物,ASA Ⅵ具有潜在的开发前景。     

阿里红多糖组分对APP/PS1双转基因模型小鼠海马区AKT/GSK3β/Tau/P-tau蛋白表达的影响

探究阿里红多糖组分(FOPS-a和FOPS-b)对阿尔茨海默症模型小鼠海马区AKT/GSK3β/Tau/P-tau蛋白表达的影响。实验选用64只3月龄雄性APP/PS1双转基因AD模型小鼠,随机分为模型组、多奈哌齐组(0.65 mg/kg)、阿里红多糖a组分(FOPS-a)与阿里红多糖b组分(FOPS-b)高、中、低(60、30、15 mg/kg),同月龄野生型C57BL/6J小鼠为正常组,每组8只,各组分别给与药物和生理盐水灌胃给药90天。6月龄时通过跳台、旷场实验检测小鼠行为学的变化,采用尼氏染色观察各组小鼠海马区神经元形态变化,应用RT-PCR法检测小鼠海马区AKT、GSK3β、Tau mRNA转录水平,Western-blot法检测AKT、GSK3β、Tau、P-tau蛋白的表达。结果发现阿里红多糖组分(FOPS-a和FOPS-b)均能明显改善小鼠学习与记忆功能并保护海马区神经元的损伤,上调AKT mRNA转录水平和蛋白表达,下调GSK3β、Tau mRNA转录水平和GSK3β、Tau、P-tau蛋白表达。研究表明阿里红多糖组分(FOPS-a和FOPS-b)通过减少海马区神经元纤维缠结从而保护神经元的损伤,发挥拮抗AD的作用。     

间歇性低氧预处理对创伤后应激障碍模型小鼠恐惧和焦虑行为的改善作用

间歇性低氧(intermittent hypoxia, IH)对高血压、心肌梗死、脑缺血以及抑郁症有一定预防和治疗作用,但IH对创伤后应激障碍(post-traumatic stress disorder, PTSD)的作用尚不清楚。本研究采用不可逃避足底电击联合场景再现制备PTSD小鼠模型,通过旷场测试、高架十字迷宫测试及条件性恐惧测试反映其恐惧和焦虑水平;通过Y迷宫测试反映其空间记忆能力;通过免疫组化染色检测海马、杏仁核和内侧前额叶皮层Fos阳性神经元的数量;采用Western blot方法检测海马、杏仁核和内侧前额叶皮层低氧诱导因子1α(hypoxia inducible factor-1α, HIF-1α)、血管内皮生长因子(vascular endothelial growth factor,VEGF)和脑源性神经营养因子(brain derived neurotrophic factor, BDNF)蛋白表达水平。结果显示,IH与模型(电击)对高架十字迷宫测试中进入开放臂次数所占百分比、条件性恐惧测试中僵住时间和排便数量存在交互作用,IH能增加PTSD模型小鼠在高架十字迷宫中开放臂运动次数,减少条件性恐惧测试中僵住时间和排便数量。同时,IH预处理能减少PTSD模型小鼠海马、杏仁核和内侧前额叶皮层Fos阳性神经元的数量,增加这些脑组织中HIF-1α、VEGF和BDNF蛋白的表达水平。以上结果表明,IH预处理对PTSD模型小鼠恐惧和焦虑行为有改善作用,提示IH有可能成为预防PTSD的有效手段。     

慢性睡眠剥夺加重APP/PS1/tau小鼠学习记忆能力和病理损伤

睡眠在认知功能和情绪的调节过程中发挥重要作用。近年研究显示,睡眠障碍是阿尔茨海默病(Alzheimer’s disease,AD)重要的危险因素之一,但慢性睡眠剥夺对于AD模型小鼠认知功能的影响及其机制尚不明确。本研究采用改良多平台法对8月龄雄性APP/PS1/tau三转基因AD模型(3xTg-AD)小鼠和野生型(wild type, WT)小鼠(每组8只)进行连续21天、每天20 h的睡眠剥夺。睡眠剥夺结束后,采用旷场、高架十字迷宫、糖水偏好、物体识别、Y迷宫和条件恐惧记忆实验等多种行为学手段观察慢性睡眠剥夺对3xTg-AD小鼠的焦虑和抑郁样行为以及多种认知功能的影响,并通过免疫组织化学染色观察小鼠海马区β淀粉样蛋白(amyloidβprotein, Aβ)斑块沉积、神经原纤维缠结和小胶质细胞的活化程度。结果显示:(1)慢性睡眠剥夺未影响3xTg-AD小鼠的焦虑(P=0.539)和抑郁样行为(P=0.874);(2)慢性睡眠剥夺加重了3xTg-AD小鼠的识别记忆(P 0.001)、工作记忆(P=0.002)和条件恐惧记忆能力(P=0.039)损伤;(3)慢性睡眠剥夺增加了3xTg-AD小鼠海马区Aβ斑块的沉积(P 0.001)和小胶质细胞的过度活化(P 0.001),但并未导致tau蛋白异常磷酸化和神经原纤维缠结出现。以上结果表明,慢性睡眠剥夺加重了3xTg-AD小鼠的识别记忆、工作记忆和条件恐惧记忆能力损伤,且其损伤作用与3xTg-AD小鼠海马区Aβ斑块沉积增加和小胶质细胞过度活化密切相关。     

青蒿素经PI3K/Akt通路改善突触可塑性减轻糖尿病小鼠认知障碍

目的 本研究旨在阐明青蒿素对II型糖尿病（T2DM）小鼠认知功能障碍的改善作用及其机制。方法 C57BL/6J小鼠单次腹腔注射STZ（100 mg/kg）后联合高脂饲料喂养建立T2DM模型。T2DM小鼠随后腹腔注射青蒿素（40 mg/kg/d）或等体积溶剂。干预4周后，新物体识别、Y迷宫和Morris水迷宫实验检测小鼠的学习和记忆能力。蛋白质印迹法（Western blot）检测海马PI3K、Akt、磷酸化Akt、SYN和PSD-95蛋白的表达。透射电镜观察海马CA1区突触密度和突触超微结构改变。结果 与模型组相比，青蒿素干预组T2DM小鼠的认知功能显著改善，海马中PI3K和磷酸化Akt水平升高，SYN和PSD-95蛋白表达增加，CA1区神经元丢失减少。此外，青蒿素干预组小鼠CA1区的突触密度、PSD-95和突触界面曲率增加，突触间隙宽度减小。结论 青蒿素可能通过激活海马PI3K/Akt途径增强突触可塑性，从而减轻T2DM小鼠认知功能障碍；青蒿素有望成为治疗糖尿病性认知功能障碍的新型药物。     

年轻小鼠咀嚼刺激长期改变对焦虑和认知的影响

建立长期增加或减少年轻小鼠切牙的咀嚼刺激模型.通过形态学的观察,研究小鼠下颌骨和咬肌的变化以及大脑皮层和海马的厚度改变;通过行为学实验(旷场实验、高架十字迷宫、新异物体识别和Morris水迷宫实验)观察小鼠认知能力和焦虑情绪的变化;通过高效液相色谱(HPLC)检测小鼠皮层、海马中4种单胺类神经递质(去甲肾上腺素(NE)、肾上腺素(E)、多巴胺(DA)和5-羟色胺(5-HT))的变化,以探讨小鼠焦虑情绪改变的机理;通过荧光实时定量PCR检测小鼠皮层和海马与认知紧密相关的4种基因(BDNF、Synapsin I、NR2B和CREB)的mRNA表达,以研究小鼠认知能力改变的机理.形态学结果显示:各组小鼠下颌骨和咬肌纤维的形态没有影响,各组小鼠皮层和海马的厚度也没有差异.行为学实验结果显示:咀嚼增加组小鼠焦虑倾向低于对照组和咀嚼减少组,各组小鼠短期记忆能力没有统计学差异,咀嚼增加组小鼠空间认知能力优于咀嚼减少组.高效液相色谱结果显示,咀嚼减少组小鼠与咀嚼增加组和对照组相比,去甲肾上腺素在皮层中明显升高(P<0.05).mRNA检测结果显示,咀嚼减少组小鼠4种与认知相关基因的表达量与咀嚼增加组相比都明显下调(P<0.05).上述结果提示,切牙咀嚼刺激的长期增加可以提高小鼠的自主运动能力,降低焦虑程度,提高空间认知能力,上调海马中认知相关基因的表达.切牙咀嚼刺激的长期减少,会降低小鼠的自主运动能力,下调认知相关的基因表达,增加大脑皮层中去甲肾上腺素的含量.     

突触囊泡蛋白在ALS转基因鼠海马的表达变化

目的为了为揭示肌萎缩脊髓侧索硬化症（amyotrophic lateral sclerosis,ALS）认知功能障碍的机制提供依据,观察不同年龄ALS转基因小鼠海马中突触囊泡蛋白（synaptophysin,Syp）的表达情况。方法取95d、108d和122dALS转基因鼠海马,应用免疫荧光、Westernblot、RT-PCR技术检测Syp在海马中的表达变化。结果与同窝野生型鼠比较,Syp蛋白和mRNA表达水平在95d龄ALS转基因鼠海马中无明显变化,在108d与122d龄ALS转基因鼠海马中明显降低。结论Syp在ALS转基因鼠海马中表达减少表明,突触可塑性降低是ALS学习记忆能力下降的重要病理学基础。     

Cyclic nucleotide signaling changes associated with normal aging and age-related diseases of the brain

Deficits in brain function that are associated with aging and age-related diseases benefit very little from currently available therapies, suggesting a better understanding of the underlying molecular mechanisms is needed to develop improved drugs. Here, we review the literature to test the hypothesis that a break down in cyclic nucleotide signaling at the level of synthesis, execution, and/or degradation may contribute to these deficits. A number of findings have been reported in both the human and animal model literature that point to brain region-specific changes in Galphas (a.k.a. Gαs or Gsα), adenylyl cyclase, 3′,5′-adenosine monophosphate (cAMP) levels, protein kinase A (PKA), cAMP response element binding protein (CREB), exchange protein activated by cAMP (Epac), hyperpolarization-activated cyclic nucleotide-gated ion channels (HCNs), atrial natriuretic peptide (ANP), brain natriuretic peptide (BNP), soluble and particulate guanylyl cyclase, 3′,5′-guanosine monophosphate (cGMP), protein kinase G (PKG) and phosphodiesterases (PDEs). Among the most reproducible findings are 1) elevated circulating ANP and BNP levels being associated with cognitive dysfunction or dementia independent of cardiovascular effects, 2) reduced basal and/or NMDA-stimulated cGMP levels in brain with aging or Alzheimer's disease (AD), 3) reduced adenylyl cyclase activity in hippocampus and specific cortical regions with aging or AD, 4) reduced expression/activity of PKA in temporal cortex and hippocampus with AD, 5) reduced phosphorylation of CREB in hippocampus with aging or AD, 6) reduced expression/activity of the PDE4 family in brain with aging, 7) reduced expression of PDE10A in the striatum with Huntington's disease (HD) or Parkinson's disease, and 8) beneficial effects of select PDE inhibitors, particularly PDE10 inhibitors in HD models and PDE4 and PDE5 inhibitors in aging and AD models. Although these findings generally point to a reduction in cyclic nucleotide signaling being associated with aging and age-related diseases, there are exceptions. In particular, there is evidence for increased cAMP signaling specifically in aged prefrontal cortex, AD cerebral vessels, and PD hippocampus. Thus, if cyclic nucleotide signaling is going to be targeted effectively for therapeutic gain, it will have to be manipulated in a brain region-specific manner.     

ApoB100/LDLR-/- hypercholesterolaemic mice as a model for mild cognitive impairment and neuronal damage

Recent clinical findings support the notion that the progressive deterioration of cholesterol homeostasis is a central player in Alzheimer's disease (AD). Epidemiological studies suggest that high midlife plasma total cholesterol levels are associated with an increased risk of AD. This paper reports the plasma cholesterol concentrations, cognitive performance, locomotor activity and neuropathological signs in a murine model (transgenic mice expressing apoB100 but knockout for the LDL receptor [LDLR]) of human familial hypercholesterolaemia (FH). From birth, these animals have markedly elevated LDL-cholesterol and apolipoprotein B100 (apoB100) levels. These transgenic mice were confirmed to have higher plasma cholesterol concentrations than wild-type mice, an effect potentiated by aging. Further, 3-month-old transgenic mice showed cholesterol (total and fractions) concentrations considerably higher than those of 18-month-old wild-type mice. The hypercholesterolaemia of the transgenic mice was associated with a clear locomotor deficit (as determined by rotarod, grip strength and open field testing) and impairment of the episodic-like memory (determined by the integrated memory test). This decline in locomotor activity and cognitive status was associated with neuritic dystrophy and/or the disorganization of the neuronal microtubule network, plus an increase in astrogliosis and lipid peroxidation in the brain regions associated with AD, such as the motor and lateral entorhinal cortex, the amygdaloid basal nucleus, and the hippocampus. Aortic atherosclerotic lesions were positively correlated with age, although potentiated by the transgenic genotype, while cerebral β-amyloidosis was positively correlated with genetic background rather than with age. These findings confirm hypercholesterolaemia as a key biomarker for monitoring mild cognitive impairment, and shows these transgenic mice can be used as a model for cognitive and psycho-motor decline.     

香水莲花提取物对东莨菪碱诱导记忆障碍小鼠学习记忆能力的影响

探究香水莲花提取物(Nymphaea hybrid extract,NHE)对东莨菪碱诱导记忆障碍小鼠的学习记忆能力的影响。采用腹腔注射东莨菪碱建立记忆障碍模型,Morris水迷宫实验测定小鼠空间学习和记忆能力。水迷宫实验结束后,断头处死小鼠,进行生化指标的测定。结果表明,与模型组小鼠相比,NHE干预后,小鼠的逃避潜伏期明显缩短(P <0. 01),目标象限停留时间百分比和穿越平台次数增加(P <0. 05或P <0. 01),小鼠海马和皮质区的SOD和GSH-PX活力显著升高(P <0. 01或P <0. 05),MDA含量极显著降低(P <0. 01),ACh E活性显著降低(P <0. 01),ACh含量增加(P <0. 01或P <0. 05)。同时,免疫印迹结果表明,NHE能够改善东莨菪碱引起小鼠海马和皮质中ERK、CREB磷酸化水平和BDNF蛋白表达的减少。综上,香水莲花提取物可以提高东莨菪碱诱导的记忆障碍小鼠的学习记忆能力,具体机制涉及缓解大脑的氧化应激损伤,平衡胆碱能系统,激活ERK-CREB-BDNF信号通路。     

N-Acetyl Transferase,Shati/Nat8l,in the Dorsal Hippocampus Suppresses Aging-induced Impairment of Cognitive Function in Mice

As the elderly population rapidly increases worldwide, the onset of cognitive dysfunction is expected to increase. Although neuronal plasticity, neurogenesis, and mitochondrial dysfunction have been reported to be involved in cognitive function, the detailed mechanism of cognitive impairment accompanied by aging is poorly understood as there are many confounding factors associated with aging. Therefore, effective treatments for aging have not yet been developed, and the establishment of therapeutic strategies has not progressed accordingly. We have previously found a decline of cognitive function in the developmental stage in mice who lack the expression of Shati/Nat8l, an N-acetyl transferase However, the contribution of Shati/Nat8l to cognitive impairment in aged mice has not yet been investigated. In this study, we aimed to investigate the role of Shati/Nat8l in cognitive function during aging. We observed a reduction in Shati/Nat8l mRNA expression in the dorsal hippocampus of mice as a result of their aging. Moreover, the cognitive dysfunction observed in aged mice was reversed by Shati/Nat8l overexpression in the dorsal hippocampus. Shati/Nat8l overexpression in the dorsal hippocampus of mice did not alter the expression of neurotrophic factors or mitochondrial function-related genes, including Bdnf or Pgc-1α, which are suggested to be downstream genes of Shati/Nat8l. Decreased N-acetyl aspartate (NAA) in aged mice was upregulated by Shati/Nat8l overexpression, suggesting that the Shati/Nat8l-NAA pathway determines cognitive function with aging. Taken together, Shati/Nat8l and NAA in the dorsal hippocampus may be novel targets for the treatment of cognitive impairment.

     

Ohmefentanyl stereoisomers induce changes of CREB phosphorylation in hippocampus of mice in conditioned place preference paradigm

The present study was designed to determine the changes of phosphorylation of cAMP-response element binding protein(CREB)in hippocampus induced by ohmefentanyl stereoisomers(F9202 and F9204) in conditioned place preference(CPP)paradigm.The results showed that mice receiving F9202 and F9204 displayed obvious CPP.They could all significantly stimulate CREB phosphorylation and maintained for a long time without affecting total CREB protein levels.The effect of F9204 was similar to morphine which effect was more potent and longer than F9202.We also examined the effects of ketamine,a noncompetitive N-mthyl-D-asartate receptor(NR)antagonist,on morphine-,F9202-and F9204-induced CPP and phosphorylation of CREB in hippocampus.Ketamine could suppress not only the place preference but also the phosphorylation of CREB produced by morphine,F9202 and F9204.These findings suggest that alterations in the phosphorylation of CREB be relevant to opiates signaling and the development of opiates dependence.NR antagonists may interfere with opiates dependence and may have potential therapeutic implications.     

Caspase-3-Dependent Proteolytic Cleavage of Tau Causes Neurofibrillary Tangles and Results in Cognitive Impairment During Normal Aging

Mouse models of neurodegenerative diseases such as Alzheimer’s disease (AD) are important for understanding how pathological signaling cascades change neural circuitry and with time interrupt cognitive function. Here, we introduce a non-genetic preclinical model for aging and show that it exhibits cleaved tau protein, active caspases and neurofibrillary tangles, hallmarks of AD, causing behavioral deficits measuring cognitive impairment. To our knowledge this is the first report of a non-transgenic, non-interventional mouse model displaying structural, functional and molecular aging deficits associated with AD and other tauopathies in humans with potentially high impact on both new basic research into pathogenic mechanisms and new translational research efforts. Tau aggregation is a hallmark of tauopathies, including AD. Recent studies have indicated that cleavage of tau plays an important role in both tau aggregation and disease. In this study we use wild type mice as a model for normal aging and resulting age-related cognitive impairment. We provide evidence that aged mice have increased levels of activated caspases, which significantly correlates with increased levels of truncated tau and formation of neurofibrillary tangles. In addition, cognitive decline was significantly correlated with increased levels of caspase activity and tau truncated by caspase-3. Experimentally induced inhibition of caspases prevented this proteolytic cleavage of tau and the associated formation of neurofibrillary tangles. Our study shows the strength of using a non-transgenic model to study structure, function and molecular mechanisms in aging and age related diseases of the brain.     

Loss of smelling is an early marker of aging and is associated with inflammation and DNA damage in C57BL/6J mice

Olfactory dysfunction is a prevalent symptom and an early marker of age-related neurodegenerative diseases in humans, including Alzheimer's and Parkinson's Diseases. However, as olfactory dysfunction is also a common symptom of normal aging, it is important to identify associated behavioral and mechanistic changes that underlie olfactory dysfunction in nonpathological aging. In the present study, we systematically investigated age-related behavioral changes in four specific domains of olfaction and the molecular basis in C57BL/6J mice. Our results showed that selective loss of odor discrimination was the earliest smelling behavioral change with aging, followed by a decline in odor sensitivity and detection while odor habituation remained in old mice. Compared to behavioral changes related with cognitive and motor functions, smelling loss was among the earliest biomarkers of aging. During aging, metabolites related with oxidative stress, osmolytes, and infection became dysregulated in the olfactory bulb, and G protein coupled receptor-related signaling was significantly down regulated in olfactory bulbs of aged mice. Poly ADP-ribosylation levels, protein expression of DNA damage markers, and inflammation increased significantly in the olfactory bulb of older mice. Lower NAD⁺ levels were also detected. Supplementation of NAD⁺ through NR in water improved longevity and partially enhanced olfaction in aged mice. Our studies provide mechanistic and biological insights into the olfaction decline during aging and highlight the role of NAD⁺ for preserving smelling function and general health.     

Age-related toxicity of amyloid-beta associated with increased pERK and pCREB in primary hippocampal neurons: reversal by blueberry extract

Further clarification is needed to address the paradox that memory formation, aging and neurodegeneration all involve calcium influx, oxyradical production (ROS) and activation of certain signaling pathways. In aged rats and in APP/PS-1 mice, cognitive and hippocampal Ca²⁺ dysregulation was reversed by food supplementation with a high antioxidant blueberry extract. Here, we studied whether neurons were an important target of blueberry extract and whether the mechanism involved altered ROS signaling through MAP kinase and cyclic-AMP response element binding protein (CREB), pathways known to be activated in response to amyloid-beta (Aβ). Primary hippocampal neurons were isolated and cultured from embryonic, middle-age or old-age (24 months) rats. Blueberry extract was found to be equally neuroprotective against Aβ neurotoxicity at all ages. Increases in Aβ toxicity with age were associated with age-related increases in immunoreactivity of neurons to pERK and an age-independent increase in pCREB. Treatment with blueberry extract strongly inhibited these increases in parallel with neuroprotection. Simultaneous labeling for ROS and for glutathione with dichlorofluorescein and monochlorobimane showed a mechanism of action of blueberry extract to involve transient ROS generation with an increase in the redox buffer glutathione. We conclude that the increased age-related susceptibility of old-age neurons to Aβ toxicity may be due to higher levels of activation of pERK and pCREB pathways that can be protected by blueberry extract through inhibition of both these pathways through an ROS stress response. These results suggest that the beneficial effects of blueberry extract may involve transient stress signaling and ROS protection that may translate into improved cognition in aging rats and APP/PS1 mice given blueberry extract.     

Protective Effect of Hyperbaric Oxygen on Cognitive Impairment Induced by <Emphasis Type="SmallCaps">d</Emphasis>-Galactose in Mice

Memory decline is characteristic of aging and age-related neurodegenerative disorders. This study was designed to investigate the protective effect of hyperbaric oxygen (HBO) against cognitive impairment induced by d-galactose (d-gal) in mice. d-gal was intraperitoneally injected into mice daily for 8 weeks to establish the aging model. HBO was simultaneously administered once daily. The results indicate that HBO significantly reversed D-gal-induced learning and memory impairments. Studies on the potential mechanisms of this action showed that HBO significantly reduced oxidative stress by increasing superoxide dismutase, glutathione peroxidase, and catalase levels, as well as the total anti-oxidation capability, while decreasing the content of malondialdehyde, nitric oxide, and nitric oxide synthase in the hippocampal CA1 region. HBO also inhibited advanced glycation end-product formation and decreased levels of tumor necrosis factor-α and interleukin-6. Moreover, HBO significantly attenuated d-gal-induced pathological injury in the hippocampus, as well as β-amyloid protein_1?42 expression and retained BDNF expression. Furthermore, HBO decreased p16, p21 and p53 gene and protein expression in the hippocampus of d-gal-treated mice. In conclusion, the protective effect of HBO against d-gal-induced cognitive impairment was mainly due to its ability to reduce oxidative damage, suppress inflammatory responses, and regulate aging-related gene expression.