Effects of estrogen receptor modulators on cytoskeletal proteins in the central nervous system

Estrogen receptor modulators are compounds of interest because of their estrogenic agonistic/antagonistic effects and tissue specificity. These compounds have many clinical applications, particularly for breast cancer treatment and osteoporosis in postmenopausal women, as well as for the treatment of climacteric symptoms. Similar to estrogens, neuroprotective effects of estrogen receptor modulators have been described in different models. However, the mechanisms of action of these compounds in the central nervous system have not been fully described. We conducted a systematic search to investigate the effects of estrogen receptor modulators in the central nervous system, focusing on the modulation of cytoskeletal proteins. We found that raloxifene, tamoxifen, and tibolone modulate some cytoskeletal proteins such as tau, microtuble-associated protein 1（MAP1）, MAP2, neurofilament 38（NF38） by different mechanisms of action and at different levels： neuronal microfilaments, intermediate filaments, and microtubule-associated proteins. Finally, we emphasize the importance of the study of these compounds in the treatment of neurodegenerative diseases since they present the benefits of estrogens without their side effects.

Polyphenols as potential enhancers of stem cell therapy against neurodegeneration

The potential of polyphenols for treating chronic-degenerative diseases(particularly neurodegenerative diseases)is attractive.However,the selection of the best polyphenol for each treatment,the mechanisms by which they act,and their efficacy are frequently discussed.In this review,the basics and the advances in the field,as well as suggestions for using natural and synthetic polyphenols alone or in a combinatorial strategy with stem cell assays,are compiled and discussed.Thus,stem cells exhibit several responses when polyphenols are added to their environment,which could provide us with knowledge for advancing the elucidation of the origin of neurodegeneration.But also,polyphenols are being included in the innovative strategies of novel therapies for treating neurodegenerative diseases as well as metabolic diseases related to neurodegeneration.In this regard,flavonoid compounds are suggested as the best natural polyphenols due to their several mechanisms for acting in ameliorative effects;but increasing reports are involving other polyphenols.Even if some facts limiting bioactivity prevent them from conventional use,some natural polyphenols and derivatives hold the promise for being improved compounds,judged by their induced effects.The current results suggest polyphenols as enhancers of stem cell therapy against the targeted diseases.

Effect of tibolone pretreatment on kinases and phosphatases that regulate the expression and phosphorylation of Tau in the hippocampus of rats exposed to ozone

Oxidative stress （OS） is a key process in the development of many neurodegenerative diseases, memory disorders, and other pathological processes related to aging. Tibolone （TIB）, a synthetic hormone used as a treatment for menopausal ymptoms, decreases lipoperoxidation levels, prevents memory impairment and learning disability caused by ozone （O3） exposure. However, it is not clear if TIB could prevent the increase in phosphorylation induced by oxidative stress of the microtubule-associated protein Tau. In this study, the effects of TIB at different times of administration on the phosphorylation of Tau, the activation of glycogen synthase kinase-3β （GSK3β）, and the inactivation of Akt and phosphatases PP2A and PTEN induced by O3 exposure were assessed in adult male Wistar rats. Rats were divided into 10 groups： control group （ozone-free air plus vehicle [C]）, control ＋ TIB group （ozone-free air plus TIB 1 mg/kg [C ＋ TIB]）; 7,15, 30, and 60 days of ozone exposure groups [O3] and 7, 15, 30, and 60 days of TIB 1 mg/kg before ozone exposure groups [O3 ＋ TIB]. The effects of O3 exposure and TIB administration were assessed by western blot analysis of total and phosphorylated Tau, GSK3β, Akt, PP2A, and PTEN proteins and oxidative stress marker nitrotyrosine, and superoxide dismutase activity and lipid peroxidation of malondialdehyde by two different spectrophotometric methods （Marklund and TBARS, respectively）. We observed that O3 exposure increases Tau phosphorylation, which is correlated with decreased PP2A and PTEN protein levels, diminished Akt protein levels, and increased GSK3β protein levels in the hippocampus of adult male rats. The effects of O3 exposure were prevented by the long-term treatment （over 15 days） with TIB. Malondialdehyde and nitrotyrosine levels increased from 15 to 60 days of exposure to O3 in comparison to C group, and superoxide dismutase activity decreased. Furthermore, TIB administration limited the changes induced by O3 exposure. Our results suggest a beneficial use of hormone replacement therapy with TIB to prevent neurodegeneration caused by O3 exposure in rats.