The Novel cPLA2 Inhibitor AK106-001616 Has a Protective Effect on SOD1G93A-Induced Cell Death in NSC34 Murine Motor Neuron-Like Cell

The expression of cytosolic phospholipase A2 (cPLA2) expression is up-regulated in animal model of ALS and in patients with familial amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (fALS). Inhibition of cyclooxygenase 2 (COX2), which is a downstream enzyme of cPLA2, ameliorates the impairment of motor function in the ALS model mice. Therefore, the arachidonic acid cascade, including the cPLA2-COX2 pathway, is an important therapeutic target of ALS. The current study was designed to investigate the potential of AK106-001616, an inhibitor of cPLA2, in protection of motor neuron cell death induced by mutant superoxide dismutase (SOD1G93A). AK106-001616 (1 - 10 μM) protected NSC34 cells (mouse motor neuron like cells) against SOD1G93A-induced motor neuron cell death. Furthermore, aspirin, an inhibitor of COX1/2, reduced the SOD1G93A-induced motor neuron cell death at a concentration that inhibited COX2. Celecoxib, a selective COX2 inhibitor, also reduced the SOD1G93A-induced motor neuron cell death. These results suggest that the arachidonic acid cascade is important for SOD1G93A-induced motor neuron cell death and AK106-001616 has a potent neuroprotective effect against it. AK106-001616 may be a useful therapeutic agent against SOD1G93A-induced ALS.

Crocetin Prevents Amyloid <i>β</i>_1-42-Induced Cell Death in Murine Hippocampal Cells

Crocetin is an aglycon of carotenoid extracted by saffron stigmas (Crocus sativus L.) and known to have a potent anti-oxidative effect. Amyliod β (Aβ), hallmark of Alzheimer’s disease, is reported to have neurotoxicity partly via oxidative stress. In this study, we investigated the effect of crocetin on hippocampal HT22 cell death induced by Aβ1-42. Furthermore, to clarify the mechanism underlying the protective effects of crocetin against Aβ1-42- induced cell death, we measured reactive oxygen species (ROS) production by CM-H2DCFDA kit assay. Crocetin at 1 -10 μM protected HT22 cells against Aβ1-42-induced neuronal cell death and decreased ROS production increased by Aβ1-42. These results that crocetin has the potent neuroprotective effect against Aβ1-42-induced cytotoxicity in hippocampal cells by attenuating oxidative stress, suggest that crocetin may provide a useful therapeutic strategy against Aβ-related disorders.

Increased Seizure Susceptibility in a Mouse with Diacylglycerol Kinase <i>β</i>Deficiency

Diacylglycerol kinase (DGK) is an enzyme that converts diacylglycerol to phosphatidic acid. Several DGK isoforms have been implicated in the pathogenesis of seizure, but the role of DGKβ in seizure is unknown. In the present study, we investigated the involvement of DGKβ in seizure using DGKβ knockout (KO) mice. Seizures were more severe in DGKβ KO mice than in wild-type (WT) mice after pentylenetetrazol (PTZ) treatment and after kainic acid treatment, but there were no differences in latency to seizure. The expression levels of DGKβ in the hippocampal CA1, CA3, or DG areas did not differ between PTZ (60 mg/kg) treatment and saline treatment. There were fewer parvalbumin-positive interneurons in the hippocampal CA3 area in DGKβ KO mice than in control WT mice, which might partly account for the increased seizure susceptibility displayed by DGKβ KO mice. These results suggest that DGKβ may play a pivotal role in the development of the relevant interneurons, and that on inherent deficiency of DGKβ increases the animal’s sensitivity to seizure-inducing stimuli.

Restraint-Induced Expression of Endoplasmic Reticulum Stress-Related Genes in the Mouse Brain

Depression is a significant public health concern but its pathology remains unclear. Previously, increases in an endoplasmic reticulum (ER) stress-related protein were reported in the temporal cortex of subjects with major depressive disorder who had died by suicide. This finding suggests an association between depression and ER stress. The present study was designed to investigate whether acute stress could affect the ER stress response. Mice were immobilized for a period of 6 hr and then expression of ER stress response-related genes was measured by real-time PCR. We also used enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay for concomitant measurement of the plasma corticosterone levels in the mice. The effect of corticosterone on ER stress proteins was further investigated by treating mice with corticosterone for 2 weeks and then measuring ER protein expression by Western blotting. After a 6 hr restraint stress, mRNA levels of ER stress-related genes, such as the 78-kilodalton glucose regulated protein (GRP78), the 94-kilodalton glucose regulated protein (GRP94), and calreticulin, were increased in the cortex, hippocampus, and striatum of mouse brain. Blood plasma corticosterone level was also increased. In the corticosterone-treated mouse model, the expression of GRP78 and GRP94 was significantly increased in the hippocampus. These results suggest that acute stress may affect ER function and that ER stress may be involved in the pathogenesis of restraint stress, including the development of depression.

Comparison of Efficacy and Safety Evaluation of Latanoprost Formulations with and without Benzalkonium Chloride

Background: This study investigated the safety (cytotoxicity in vitro) and pharmacological effects (ocular hypotensive effects and aqueous humor concentrations in normotensive monkeys in vivo) of latanoprost formulations with benzalkonium chloride (latanoprost with BAK) and without BAK (NP). Methods: A bioequivalence study of latanoprost with BAK and NP was also conducted on human healthy volunteers. Cytotoxicity and the protective effect against H2O2 stress in vitro were evaluated using human corneal epithelial cells. The ocular hypotensive effects in normotensive monkeys were measured by pneumatonometer and the aqueous humor concentrations of latanoprost free acid were determined by liquid chromatography/mass spectrum (LC/MS) methods. The bioequivalence study of latanoprost with BAK and NP was carried out as a single eye drop, two-sequence, crossover randomized study. Results: Cytotoxicity tests in vitro revealed that NP was less toxic than latanoprost with BAK and significantly inhibited H2O2 induced cell damage while latanoprost with BAK did not. The hypotensive efficacy and the latanoprost free acid concentrations in aqueous humor of each formulation were not significantly different in monkeys. In the bioequivalence study, NP was bioequivalent to latanoprost with BAK. NP was safer than latanoprost with BAK with respect the results obtained in the in vitro cytotoxicity test. There was no difference observed between latanoprost with BAK and NP in the IOP lowering effect in monkeys and healthy volunteers. Conclusion: Taken together, these results indicate that NP is as effective as latanoprost with BAK, and is more likely to maintain ocular surface health than latanoprost with BAK.