Inhibitory gamma-aminobutyric acidergic neurons in the anterior cingulate cortex participate in the comorbidity of pain and emotion

Pain is often comorbid with emotional disorders such as anxiety and depression.Hyperexcitability of the anterior cingulate cortex has been implicated in pain and pain-related negative emotions that arise from impairments in inhibitory gamma-aminobutyric acid neurotransmission.This review primarily aims to outline the main circuitry(including the input and output connectivity)of the anterior cingulate cortex and classification and functions of different gamma-aminobutyric acidergic neurons;it also describes the neurotransmitters/neuromodulators affecting these neurons,their intercommunication with other neurons,and their importance in mental comorbidities associated with chronic pain disorders.Improving understanding on their role in pain-related mental comorbidities may facilitate the development of more effective treatments for these conditions.However,the mechanisms that regulate gamma-aminobutyric acidergic systems remain elusive.It is also unclear as to whether the mechanisms are presynaptic or postsynaptic.Further exploration of the complexities of this system may reveal new pathways for research and drug development.

Gamma-aminobutyric acid promotes human hepatocellular carcinoma growth through overexpressed gamma-aminobutyric acid A receptor α3 subunit

AIM:To investigate the expression pattern of gamma-aminobutyric acid A(GABAA) receptors in hepatocellular carcinoma(HCC) and indicate the relationship among gamma-aminobutyric acid(GABA),gamma-aminobutyric acid A receptor α3 subunit(GABRA3) and HCC.METHODS:HCC cell line Chang,HepG2,normal liver cell line L-02 and 8 samples of HCC tissues and paired non-cancerous tissues were analyzed with semiquantitative polymerase chain reaction(PCR) for the expression of GABAA receptors.HepG2 cells were treated with gamma-aminobutyric acid(GABA) at serial concentrations(0,1,10,20,40 and 60 μmol/L),and their proliferating abilities were analyzed with the 3-(4,5-methylthiazol-2-yl)-2,5-diphenyltetrazolium bromide(MTT) assay,cell doubling time test,colon formation assay,cell cycle analysis and tumor planted in nude mice.Small interfering RNA was used for knocking down the endogenous GABRA3 in HepG2.Proliferating abilities of these cells treated with or without GABA were analyzed.RESULTS:We identified the overexpression of GABRA3 in HCC cells.Knockdown of endogenous GABRA3 expression in HepG2 attenuated HCC cell growth,suggesting its role in HCC cell viability.We determined the in vitro and in vivo effect of GABA in the proliferation of GABRA3-positive cell lines,and found that GABA increased HCC growth in a dose-dependent manner.Notably,the addition of GABA into the cell culture medium promoted the proliferation of GABRA3-expressing HepG2 cells,but not GABRA3-knockdown HepG2 cells.This means that GABA stimulates HepG2 cell growth through GABRA3.CONCLUSION:GABA and GABRA3 play important roles in HCC development and progression and can be a promising molecular target for the development of new diagnostic and therapeutic strategies for HCC.

A Two-stage pH and Temperature Control with Substrate Feeding Strategy for Production of Gamma-aminobutyric Acid by Lactobacillus brevis CGMCC 1306

Methods to optimize the production of gamma-aminobutyric acid （GABA） by Lactobacillus brevis CGMCC 1306 were investigated. Results indicated that cell growth was maximal at pH 5.0, while pH 4.5 was pref-erable to GABA formation. The optimal temperature for cell growth （35 °C） was lower than that for GABA forma-tion （40 °C）. In a two-stage pH and temperature control fermentation, cultures were maintained at pH 5.0 and 35 °C for 32 h, then adjusted to pH 4.5 and 40 °C, GABA production increased remarkably and reached 474.79 mmol·L-1 at 72 h, while it was 398.63 mmol·L-1 with one stage pH and temperature control process, in which cultivation con-ditions were constantly controlled at pH 5.0 and 35 °C. In order to avoid the inhibition of cell growth at higher L-monosodium glutamate （L-MSG） concentrations, the two-stage control fermentation with substrate feeding strat-egy was applied to GABA production, with 106.87 mmol （20 g） L-MSG supplemented into the shaking-flask at 32 h and 56 h post-inoculation separately. The GABA concentration reached 526.33 mmol·L-1 at 72 h with the fer-mentation volume increased by 38%. These results will provide primary data to realize large-scale production of GABA by L. brevis CGMCC 1306.

Evolution of neurotransmitter gamma-aminobutyric acid,glutamate and their receptors

Gamma-aminobutyric acid(GABA)and glutamate are two important amino acid neurotransmitters widely present in the nervous systems of mammals,insects,round worm,and platyhelminths,while their receptors are quite diversified across different animal phyla.However,the evolutionary mechanisms between the two conserved neurotransmitters and their diversified receptors remain elusive,and antagonistic interactions between GABA and glutamate signal transduction systems,in particular,have begun to attract significant attention.In this review,we summarize the extant results on the origin and evolution of GABA and glutamate,as well as their receptors,and analyze possible evolutionary processes and phylogenetic relationships of various GABAs and glutamate receptors.We further discuss the evolutionary history of Excitatory/Neutral Amino Acid Transporter(EAAT),a transport protein,which plays an important role in the GABA-glutamate“yin and yang”balanced regulation.Finally,based on current advances,we propose several potential directions of future research.

Gamma-aminobutyric acid A receptors in Alzheimer＇s disease： highly localized remodeling of a complex and diverse signaling pathway

Alzheimer＇s disease （AD）, the predominant form of dementia, is a chronic, incurable neurodegenerative disorder presenting with symptoms includ- ing progressive memory loss and disturbed emotional state. It has been estimated that dementia affects over 47 million people worldwide （Prince et al., 2015）, and with 60-80% of cases attributable to AD.

Hippocampal and cortical expression of gamma-aminobutyric acid transporter 1 and glial fibrillary acidic protein in pentylenetetrazol-induced chronic epileptic rats

BACKGROUND： Gamma-aminobutyric acid transporter plays an important role in gamma-aminobutyric acid metabolism, and is highly associated with epilepsy seizures. Pathologically, astrocytes release active substances that alter neuronal excitability, and it has been demonstrated that astrocytes play a role in epileptic seizures. OBJECTIVE： To observe changes in gamma-aminobutyric acid transporter 1 and glial fibrillary acidic protein expression in the hippocampus and cortex of the temporal lobe in rats with pentylenetetrazol-induced chronic epilepsy. DESIGN, TIME AND SETTING： Randomized, controlled, animal experiment was performed at the Department of Neurobiology, Third Military University of Chinese PLA between January 2006 and December 2007. MATERIALS： Pentylenetetrazol was purchased from Sigma, USA; rabbit anti-rat gammaaminobutyric acid transporter 1 and glial fibrillary acidic protein were from Chemicon, USA. METHODS： A total of 40 Sprague Dawley rats were divided into model and control groups. Rat models of chronic epilepsy were created by pentylenetetrazol kindling, and were subdivided into 3-, 7-, and 14-day kindling subgroups. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES： Gamma-aminobutyric acid transporter 1 and glial fibrillary acidic protein expression, as well as the number of positive cells in the hippocampus and cortex of temporal lobe of rats, were determined by immunohistochemistry and Western blot analyses. RESULTS： Compared with the control group, the number of gamma-aminobutyric acid transporter 1 and glial fibrillary acidic protein -positive cells in the hippocampus and cortex of rats with pentylenetetrazol-induced epilepsy significantly increased, gamma-aminobutyric acid transporter 1 and glial fibrillary acidic protein expression increased after 3 days of kindling, reached a peak on day 7, and remained at elevated levels at day 14 （P〈 0.05）. CONCLUSION： Astrocytic activation and gamma-aminobutyric acid transporter 1 overexpression may contribute to pentylenetetrazol-induced epilepsy.

Effects of Gamma-Aminobutyric Acid on Performance of Lactating Sows during Heat Weather

[ Objective] To study the effects of gamma-aminobutyric acid （GABA） on performance of lactating sows during heat stress. [ Metbod] A total of 14 sows at the same parity and with close expected date of childbirth and similar body we：,ght were randomly divided into control group and experimental group. They were fed a common basal diet and a GABA （300 mg/kg） supplementary diet, respectively. The trial lasted for 21 d. [ Result ] The daily feed intake, lactation yield and average daily gain of piglets in the experimental group were increased by 9.4%, 28.5% and 10.7%, respectively. The backfat of lactating sows was decreased less, and the same with the weaning-oestrus interval. The survival ratio of piglets was increased by 4.5%. Compared with the control group, the content of lactose and fat increased significantly, but other components almost did not change. [Conclusien] Supplementing GABA in diet can improve the performance of lactating sows and promote the growth of piglets effectively.

Gamma-aminobutyric acid A receptor and N-methyl-D-aspartate receptor subunit expression in rat spiral ganglion neurons

BACKGROUND： Gamma-aminobutyric acid A （GABAA） and N-methyl-D-aspartate （NMDA） receptors are significant receptors in the central nervous system. An understanding of GABAA and NMDA receptor expression in spiral ganglion neurons （SGN） provides information for the functional role of these receptors in the auditory system. OBJECTIVE： To investigate mRNA expression of GABAA receptor （GABAAR） and NMDA receptor （NMDAR） subunits in the rat SGN. DESIGN, TIME AND SETTING： This in vitro, molecular biological study was performed at the Laboratory of Otolaryngology-Head and Neck Surgery, Guangxi Medical University, China from July 2007 to May 2008. MATERIALS： Reverse Transcriptase Kit and Taq DNA polymerase were purchased from Fermentas Burlington, ON, Canada; GABAAR and NMDAR primers were purchased from Shanghai Sangon, Shanghai, China. METHODS： SGN from 3-5 day postnatal Wistar rats was collected for primary cultures, mRNA expression of GABAAR and NMDAR subunits in the SGN was determined by reverse transcription polymerase chain reaction. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES： Expression levels of GABAAR and NMDAR subunits were determined by quantitative analysis. RESULTS： GABAAR subunits （αl 6, β1 3, and y1 3） and NMDAR subunits （NR1, NR2A, NR2B, NR2C, NR2D, NR3A, and NR3B） were detected in the SGN. In α subunit genes of GABAAR, α1 and α3 expression was similar （P 〉 0.05） and greater than the other subunits. Of the β subunit genes, β1 subunit mRNA levels were greater than β2 and β3. Of the y subunit genes, y2 subunit mRNA levels were greater than y1 and y3. NR1 mRNA expression was the greatest of NMDAR subunits. CONCLUSION： GABAAR subunits （α1 6, β1-3, and y1-3） and NMDAR subunits （NR1, NR2A, NR2B, NR2C, NR2D, NR3A, and NR3B） were expressed in the rat SGN. Through comparison of GABAAR and NMDAR subunit expression, possible GABAAR combinations, as well as highly expressed subunit combinations, were estimated, which provided information for pharmacological and electrophysiological characteristics of GABAAR in the auditory system.

Verification of Lactobacillus brevis tolerance to simulated gastric juice and the potential effects of postbiotic gamma-aminobutyric acid in streptozotocin-induced diabetic mice

The therapeutic effect of gamma-aminobutyric acid(GABA)on diabetes was spread as one of the alarming epidemics worldwide.The study aims to investigate the function of Lactobacillus brevis KLDS_(1.0727) and KLDS_(1.0373) strains as glutamic acid decarboxylase 65(GAD65)carriers capable of generating GABA by comparing in vitro free and freeze-dried models and GABA intervention in vivo.PCR amplification of gad and in vitro i.e.,(growth rate,viability at different pH,bile tolerance,and survivability in simulated gastric juice)were performed.In vivo experiments were conducted in 7 groups of C57BL/6J mice.Each group was injected with streptozotocin(Cont_(STZ),INSSTZ,LAC1_(STZ),LAC_(1MFDSTZ),LAC_(2STZ),LAC_(2MFDSTZ))daily except for the control(Cont).One group was injected with insulin(INSSTZ).The body weight and hyperglycemia in the blood were assessed weekly,post-euthanasia blood plasma parameters,insulin,and histological examination were evaluated.Results indicated L.brevis strains demonstrated a great tolerance to bile and simulated gastric juice in vitro(P<0.05).Cont_(STZ) had the highest average glucose level(6.84±6.46)mmol/L while INS_(STZ) expressed dramatically decreed in glucose level and displayed a significant decline in the average of weekly blood glucose(−5.74±3.08)mmol/L.The lowest body weight(ContSTZ)was(19.30±0.25)g.Based on the blood plasma analysis,L.brevis strains improved good cholesterol properties,liver and kidney functions,where most of these parameters fall within the average the reference range and prevent the development of symptoms of type 1 diabetes in vivo.As recommended,L.brevis should be commonly distributed as a postbiotic GABA in pharmaceutical and nutritional applications.

Evolution of neurotransmitter gamma-aminobutyric acid, glutamate and their receptors

Gamma-aminobutyric acid （GABA） and glutamate are two important amino acid neurotransmitters widely present in the nervous systems of mammals, insects, round worm, and platyhelminths, while their receptors are quite diversified across different animal phyla. However, the evolutionary mechanisms between the two conserved neurotransmitters and their diversified receptors remain elusive, and antagonistic interactions between GABA and glutamate signal transduction systems, in particular, have began to attract significant attention. In this review, we summarize the extant results on the origin and evolution of GABA and glutamate, as well as their receptors, and analyze possible evolutionary processes and phylogenetic relationships of various GABAs and glutamate receptors. We further discuss the evolutionary history of Excitatory/Neutral Amino Acid Transporter （EAAT）, a transport protein, which plays an important role in the GABA-glutamate ＂yin and yang＂ balanced regulation. Finally, based on current advances, we propose several potential directions of future research.

Kinetic modeling of gamma-aminobutyric acid production by Lactobacillus brevis based on pH-dependent model and rolling correction

Gamma-aminobutyric acid(GABA)is a natural non-protein functio nal amino acid,which has potential for fermentation industrial production by Lactobacillus brevis.This work investigated the batch fermentation process and developed a kinetic model based on substrate restrictive model established by experimental data from L25(5~6)orthogonal experiments.In this study,the OD600 value of fermentation broth was fixed to constant after reaching its maximum because the microorganism death showed no effect on the enzyme activity of glutamate decarboxylase(GAD).As pH is one of the key parameters in fermentation process,a pH-dependent kinetic model based on radial basis function was developed to enhance the practicality of the model.Furthermore,as to decrease the deviations between the simulated curves and the experimental data,the rolling correction strategy with OD600 values that was measured in real-time was introduced into this work to modify the model.Finally,the accu racy of the rolling corrected and pH-dependent model was validated by good fitness between the simulated curves and data of the initial batch fermentation(pH 5.2).As a result,this pH-dependent kinetic model revealed that the optimal pH for biomass growth is 5.6-5.7 and for GABA production is about 5,respectively.Therefore,the developed model is practical and convenient for the instruction of GABA fermentation production,and it has instructive significance for the industrial scale.

Sodium glutamate and gamma-aminobutyric acid affect iron metabolism in the rat caudate putamen

Glutamic acid and gamma-aminobutyric acid （GABA） influence iron content in the substantia nigra and globus pallidus, although the mechanisms of action remain unclear. The present study measured iron content and changes in divalent metal transporter 1 （DMT1） and hephaestin expression in the substantia nigra and caudate putamen, and explored the effects of GABA and glutamic acid on iron metabolism. Results demonstrated that iron content and DMT1 non iron response element [DMT1 （-IRE）] expression were significantly greater but hephaestin expression was significantly lower in the caudate putamen of the monosodium glutamate group compared with the control group. No significant difference in iron content was detected between the GABA and control groups. DMT1 （-IRE） expression was significantly reduced, but hephaestin expressiori was significantly increased in the GABA group compared with the control group. In addition, there was no significant difference in tyrosine hydroxylase expression between monosodium glutamate and GABA groups and the control group. These results suggested that glutamate affected iron metabolism in the caudate putamen by increasing DMTI（-IRE） and decreasing hephaestin expression. In addition, GABA decreased DMT1 （-IRE） expression in the caudate putamen.

Effects of Toll-like receptor 4 antagonist Eritrane on neurogenesis and gamma-aminobutyric acid glutamate balance in prefrontal lobe and hippocampus of depressive rats

Objective:To investigate the effects of Toll-like receptor 4 antagonist Eritrane on neurogenesis and gamma-aminobutyric acid glutamate balance in the prefrontal lobe and hippocampus of depressive rats.Methods:100 healthy SD rats were divided into healthy control group, blank control group and Eritram group (low dose group, medium dose group and high dose group), 20 rats in each group. The depression model of rats in blank control group and Salvia miltiorrhiza group was established. After the completion of the model, rats in the blank control group were injected with normal saline and rats in the Eritrean group were injected with high, medium and low doses of Eritrean injection respectively. After 21 days of continuous administration, the total distance of spontaneous activity, the immobility time of forced swimming, the levels of gamma-aminobutyric glutamate (GABA), glutamate (Glu) and Toll-like receptor 4 (TLR-4) protein in prefrontal lobe and hippocampal neurons were measured and compared. Pearson correlation test was used to analyze the correlation between TLR4 and GABA, Glu levels in depressive rats.Results: Compared with the healthy control group, the total spontaneous activity distance of the blank control group and Eritrean group decreased significantly, and the immobility time of forced swimming increased significantly (P<0.05). There was a significant difference between the blank control group and Eritrean group (P<0.05). The rats in Eritrean group spontaneously survived with the increase of dose. The total distance increased, while the immobility time of forced swimming decreased (P<0.05). Compared with the healthy control group, the levels of GABA in the prefrontal lobe and hippocampus of rats in blank control group and Eritrean group decreased significantly, the levels of Glu and TLR4 increased significantly, and the levels of GABA in Eritrean group were higher than those in blank control group, and the levels of Glu and TLR4 were lower than those in blank control group. TLR4 and TLR4 decreased significantly (P<0.05). Pearson correlation test showed that TLR4 was negatively correlated with GABA and positively correlated with Glu (P<0.05). Conclusion: Eritrean can reduce the effects of depression on the neurogenesis of prefrontal lobe and hippocampal neurons and the balance of gamma-aminobutyric acid and glutamate in rats. The mechanism is that Eritrean can increase the level of GABA and decrease the level of Glu by antagonizing Toll-like receptor 4, thus exerting the neuroprotective effect of prefrontal lobe and hippocampal neurons.

Rosuvastatin attenuates mucus secretion in a murine model of chronic asthma by inhibiting the gamma-aminobutyric acid type A receptor

Background Asthma is a chronic inflammatory disease characterized by reversible bronchial constriction, pulmonary inflammation and airway remodeling. Current standard therapies for asthma provide symptomatic control, but fail to target the underlying disease pathology. Furthermore, no therapeutic agent is effective in preventing airway remodeling. A substantial amount of evidence suggests that statins have anti-inflammatory properties and immunomodulatory activity. In this study, we investigated the effect of rosuvastatin on airway inflammation and its inhibitory mechanism in mucus hypersecretion in a murine model of chronic asthma. Methods BALB/c mice were sensitized and challenged by ovalbumin to induce asthma. The recruitment of inflammatory cells into bronchoalveolar lavage fluid （BALF） and the lung tissues were measured by Diff-Quik staining and hematoxylin and eosin （H＆E） staining. ELISA was used for measuring the levels of IL-4, IL-5, IL-13 and TNF-a in BALE Periodic acid-Schiff （PAS） staining was used for mucus secretion. Gamma-aminobutyric acid type A receptor （GABAAR） β2 expression was measured by means of immunohistochemistry, reverse transcription-polymerase chain reaction （RT-PCR） and Western blotting. Results Rosuvastatin reduced the number of total inflammatory cells, lymphocytes, macrophages, neutrophils, and eosinophils recruited into BALF, the levels of IL-4, IL-5, IL-13 and TNF-a in BALF, along with the histological mucus index （HMI） and GABAAR 132 expression. Changes occurred in a dose-dependent manner. Conclusions Based on its ability to reduce the inflammatory response and mucus hypersecretion by regulating GABAAR activity in a murine model of chronic asthma, rosuvastatin may be a useful therapeutic agent for treatment of asthma.

Role of dietary gamma-aminobutyric acid in broiler chickens raised under high stocking density

The present study was conducted to evaluate the effects of dietary gamma-aminobutyric acid(GABA)in broiler chickens raised in high stocking density(HSD)on performance and physiological responses.A total of 900 male broiler chicks(Ross 308)at 1 d old were assigned in a 2×2 factorial arrangement to 4 treatments(10 replicates per treatment)with stocking density,7.5 birds/m^2(low stocking density;LSD)or 15 birds/m^2(HSD),and dietary GABA,0 or 100 mg/kg.Chickens raised in HSD exhibited a decrease in body weight gain in all phases(P<0.05)and feed intake in starter and whole phases(P<0.01),and an increase in feed conversion ratio in the finisher phase(P<0.01)compared with LSD-raised chickens.However,dietary GABA did not affect growth performance nor interacted with stocking density on production variables.The HSD vs.LSD increased relative liver weight on d 35 whereas dietary GABA increased relative liver weight and decreased relative bursa weight on d 21.Both stocking density and dietary GABA affected yield and quality of breast and leg muscles.Dietary GABA increased(P<0.05)width of tibia on d 35 and interacted(P=0.054)with stocking density on breaking stocking density on d 35.The HSD vs.LSD group lowered(P<0.05)feather coverage scores.Significant interaction between stocking density and GABA on surface temperature of shank on d 21 was noted(P=0.024).Dietary GABA exhibited an opposite effect on the concentrations of cecal short-chain fatty acids depending on stocking density leading to a moderate to significant interaction.Stocking density decreased alpha-1-acid glycoprotein whereas dietary GABA decreased heterophil-to-lymphocyte ratio and corticosterone in blood or serum samples.Serum biochemical parameters were altered by stocking density or dietary GABA.It is concluded that dietary GABA alleviated stress indices including corticosterone and heterophilto-lymphocyte ratio,but failed to reverse stocking density-induced growth depression.

Protective effects of nicotine on gamma-aminobutyricacid neurons and dopaminergic neurons in micewith Parkinson disease

This study aimed to investigate the protective effect of nicotine on dopaminergic neurons and its mechanisms in mice with Parkinson disease(PD)induced by 1-methyl-4-phenyl-1,2,3,6-tetrahydropyridine(MPTP).C57BL/6J mice were injected with MPTP for 8 days to establish a PD model.Nicotine was given for 10 days in the nicotine therapeutic group.Animals were examined behaviorally with the pole test and traction test.Tyrosine hydroxylase(TH)andγ-aminobutyric acid(GABA)were determined by using the immunocytochem-istry(ICC)method.The ultrastructural changes of the caudate nucleus(CN)were observed under electron microscopy.The results showed that pretreatment with nicotine could improve the dyskinesia of PD mice markedly.Simultaneously,TH-positive(P<0.01)neurons and GABA-positive(P<0.05)neurons in the nicotine therapeutic group were significantly more than those in the model group.The ultrastructural injury of the nicotine therapeutic group was also ameliorated.Nicotine has protective effects on theγ-aminobutyric acid neurons and dopaminergic neurons in the MPTP-treated mice.

MicroRNA-502-3p regulates GABAergic synapse function in hippocampal neurons

Gamma-aminobutyric acid(GABA)ergic neurons,the most abundant inhibitory neurons in the human brain,have been found to be reduced in many neurological disorders,including Alzheimer's disease and Alzheimer's disease-related dementia.Our previous study identified the upregulation of microRNA-502-3p(miR-502-3p)and downregulation of GABA type A receptor subunitα-1 in Alzheimer's disease synapses.This study investigated a new molecular relationship between miR-502-3p and GABAergic synapse function.In vitro studies were perfo rmed using the mouse hippocampal neuronal cell line HT22 and miR-502-3p agomiRs and antagomiRs.In silico analysis identified multiple binding sites of miR-502-3p at GABA type A receptor subunitα-1 mRNA.Luciferase assay confirmed that miR-502-3p targets the GABA type A receptor subunitα-1 gene and suppresses the luciferase activity.Furthermore,quantitative reve rse transcription-polymerase chain reaction,miRNA in situ hybridization,immunoblotting,and immunostaining analysis confirmed that overexpression of miR-502-3p reduced the GABA type A receptor subunitα-1 level,while suppression of miR-502-3p increased the level of GABA type A receptor subunitα-1 protein.Notably,as a result of the overexpression of miR-502-3p,cell viability was found to be reduced,and the population of necrotic cells was found to be increased.The whole cell patch-clamp analysis of human-GABA receptor A-α1/β3/γ2L human embryonic kidney(HEK)recombinant cell line also showed that overexpression of miR-502-3p reduced the GABA current and overall GABA function,suggesting a negative correlation between miR-502-3p levels and GABAergic synapse function.Additionally,the levels of proteins associated with Alzheimer s disease were high with miR-502-3p overexpression and reduced with miR-502-3p suppression.The present study provides insight into the molecular mechanism of regulation of GABAergic synapses by miR-502-3p.We propose that micro-RNA,in particular miR-502-3p,could be a potential therapeutic to rget to modulate GABAergic synapse function in neurological disorders,including Alzheimer's disease and Alzheimer's diseaserelated dementia.

Taurine: a promising nutraceutic in the prevention of retinal degeneration

Taurine is considered a non-essential amino acid because it is synthesized by most mammals.However,dietary intake of taurine may be necessary to achieve the physiological levels required for the development,maintenance,and function of certain tissues.Taurine may be especially important for the retina.The concentration of taurine in the retina is higher than that in any other tissue in the body and taurine deficiency causes retinal oxidative stress,apoptosis,and degeneration of photoreceptors and retinal ganglion cells.Low plasma taurine levels may also underlie retinal degeneration in humans and therefore,taurine administration could exert retinal neuroprotective effects.Taurine has antioxidant,anti-apoptotic,immunomodulatory,and calcium homeostasis-regulatory properties.This review summarizes the role of taurine in retinal health and disease,where it appears that taurine may be a promising nutraceutical.

Gut microbiota remodeling drived by dietary millet protein prevents the metabolic syndrome

Metabolic syndrome(Met S)is a chronic disease associated with the disturbance of gut microbiota homeostasis.Metabolites derived from gut microbes play essential roles in Met S prevention and therapy.Here,we focused on the inhibitory effect of the extract of millet bran protein(EMBP)on a high-fat diet(HFD)-induced Met S,aiming to identify gut microbiota and their metabolites that involve in the anti-Met S activity of EMBP.The obesity,chronic inflammation,insulin resistance in Met S mouse models were abolished after EMBP treatment.The protective mechanism of EMBP against HFD-induced Met S may depend on improved gut barrier function.Using microbiome analysis,we found that EMBP supplementation improved gut microbiome dysbiosis in Met S mice,specifically upregulating Bacteroides acidifaciens.The fecal microbiota transplantation(FMT)also demonstrated this phenomenon.In addition,metabolomic analysis showed that EMBP mediates metabolic profiling reprogramming in Met S mice.Notably,a microbiota-derived metabolite,gamma-aminobutyric acid(GABA),is enriched by EMBP.In addition,exogenous GABA treatment produced a similar protective effect to EMBP by improving NRF2-dependent gut barrier function to protect HFDinduced Met S.The results suggest that EMBP suppress host Met S by remodeling of gut microbiota as an effective candidate for next-generation medicine food dual purpose dietary supplement to intervene in MetS.

Cognitive dysfunction in schizophrenia patients caused by downregulation of γ-aminobutyric acid receptor subunits

BACKGROUND The expression pattern of gamma aminobutyric acid(GABA)receptor subunits are commonly altered in patients with schizophrenia,which may lead to nerve excitation/inhibition problems,affecting cognition,emotion,and behavior.AIM To explore GABA receptor expression and its relationship with schizophrenia and to provide insights into more effective treatments.METHODS This case-control study enrolled 126 patients with schizophrenia treated at our hospital and 126 healthy volunteers who underwent physical examinations at our hospital during the same period.The expression levels of the GABA receptor subunits were detected using 1H-magnetic resonance spectroscopy.The recognized cognitive battery tool,the MATRICS Consensus Cognitive Battery,was used to evaluate the scores for various dimensions of cognitive function.The correlation between GABA receptor subunit downregulation and schizophrenia was also analyzed.RESULTS Significant differences in GABA receptor subunit levels were found between the case and control groups(P<0.05).A significant difference was also found between the case and control groups in terms of cognitive function measures,including attention/alertness and learning ability(P<0.05).Specifically,as the expression levels of GABRA1(α1 subunit gene),GABRB2(β2 subunit gene),GABRD(δsubunit),and GABRE(εsubunit)decreased,the severity of the patients’condition increased gradually,indicating a positive correlation between the downregulation of these 4 receptor subunits and schizophrenia(P<0.05).However,the expression levels of GABRA5(α5 subunit gene)and GABRA6(α6 subunit gene)showed no significant correlation with schizophrenia(P>0.05).CONCLUSION Downregulation of the GABA receptor subunits is positively correlated with schizophrenia.In other words,when GABA receptor subunits are downregulated in patients,cognitive impairment becomes more severe.