Progesterone for Neuroprotection in Pediatric Traumatic Brain Injury

Total Page:16

File Type:pdf, Size:1020Kb

Progesterone for Neuroprotection in Pediatric Traumatic Brain Injury Neurocritical Care Progesterone for Neuroprotection in Pediatric Traumatic Brain Injury Courtney L. Robertson, MD, FCCM1,2; Emin Fidan, MD3; Rachel M. Stanley, MD, MHSA4; Corina Noje, MD1,2; Hülya Bayir, MD3,5 Objective: To provide an overview of the preclinical literature on neuroinflammation, oxidative stress, and excitotoxicity. More than progesterone for neuroprotection after traumatic brain injury and 40 studies have used progesterone for treatment after traumatic to describe unique features of developmental brain injury that brain injury in adult animal models, with results summarized in should be considered when evaluating the therapeutic potential tabular form. However, very few studies have evaluated proges- for progesterone treatment after pediatric traumatic brain injury. terone in pediatric animal models of brain injury. To date, two Data Sources: National Library of Medicine PubMed literature human phase II trials of progesterone for adult traumatic brain review. injury have been published, and two multicenter phase III trials Study Selection: The mechanisms of neuroprotection by proges- are underway. terone are reviewed, and the preclinical literature using proges- Conclusions: The unique features of the developing brain from that terone treatment in adult animal models of traumatic brain injury of a mature adult brain make it necessary to independently study is summarized. Unique features of the developing brain that progesterone in clinically relevant, immature animal models of trau- could either enhance or limit the efficacy of neuroprotection by matic brain injury. Additional preclinical studies could lead to the progesterone are discussed, and the limited preclinical literature development of a novel neuroprotective therapy that could reduce using progesterone after acute injury to the developing brain is the long-term disability in head-injured children and could poten- described. Finally, the current status of clinical trials of progester- tially provide benefit in other forms of pediatric brain injury (global one for adult traumatic brain injury is reviewed. ischemia, stroke, and statue epilepticus). (Pediatr Crit Care Med Data Extraction and Data Synthesis: Progesterone is a pleiotro- 2015; 16:236–244) pic agent with beneficial effects on secondary injury cascades Key Words: children; developmental brain injury; infant; that occur after traumatic brain injury, including cerebral edema, neurosteroid; trauma 1Department of Anesthesiology and Critical Care Medicine, Johns Hop- kins University School of Medicine, Baltimore, MD. 2Department of Pediatrics, Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, very year in the United States alone, nearly a half million Baltimore, MD. children sustain traumatic brain injury (TBI), and ~3,000 3 Department of Critical Care Medicine, Safar Center for Resuscitation children per year die of these injuries (Centers for Disease Research, University of Pittsburgh, Pittsburgh, PA. E 4Departments of Emergency Medicine and Pediatrics, University of Michi- Control and Prevention). Despite recent advances in neuroin- gan, Ann Arbor, MI. tensive care and reduction in the overall mortality rate (1), the 5Department of Environmental and Occupational Health, Center for Free long-term morbidity of severe TBI in childhood remains high. Radical and Antioxidant Health, University of Pittsburgh, Pittsburgh, PA. Survivors of pediatric TBI suffer from many long-term physical, Supplemental digital content is available for this article. Direct URL citations cognitive, psychological, and emotional impairments (2, 3). After appear in the printed text and are provided in the HTML and PDF versions of this article on the journal’s website (http://journals.lww.com/pccmjournal). TBI, a cascade of secondary insults leads to cell death. The devel- Dr. Stanley received support from the Health Resources and Services Admin- oping brain may be uniquely vulnerable to some of these second- istration (1H34MC193530100). Her institution received grant support from ary insults, due to maturational features. The steroid hormone the Health Resources and Services Administration (planning grant to plan a progesterone has been studied extensively in preclinical models of trial of progesterone for pediatric traumatic brain injury). Dr. Noje is employed by Johns Hopkins School of Medicine. Dr. Bayir received support for article adult TBI. It provides multiple mechanisms of neuroprotection research from the National Institutes of Health (NS061817 and NS076511). that could be very important after pediatric TBI, such as reducing Her institution received grant support from NINDS. The remaining authors cerebral edema, as well as anti-inflammatory, antioxidant, anti- have disclosed that they do not have any potential conflicts of interest. apoptotic, and antiexcitatory properties. This review will high- For information regarding this article, E-mail: [email protected]; bayihx@ upmc.edu light progress to date in using progesterone for neuroprotection Copyright © 2015 by the Society of Critical Care Medicine and the World after TBI and will discuss unique features of developmental brain Federation of Pediatric Intensive and Critical Care Societies injury that should be considered when evaluating the therapeutic DOI: 10.1097/PCC.0000000000000323 potential for progesterone treatment after pediatric TBI. 236 www.pccmjournal.org March 2015 • Volume 16 • Number 3 Neurocritical Care PROGESTERONE IN PRECLINICAL STUDIES OF ADULT TBI Over the last 25 years, many preclinical studies have demon- strated neuroprotection by progesterone after TBI in adult ani- mal models (4–13). Stein (14) began investigating progesterone after observing that female rats recovered better than male rats after TBI. In initial studies, they compared three groups of adult rats (normal male rats, normally cycling female rats in proes- trus, and pseudopregnant female rats with high circulating pro- gesterone) (15). They found that normal female rats had less brain edema at 24 hours after TBI compared with male rats and that the pseudopregnant females had remarkably little brain edema compared with the other two groups. Follow-up studies showed that exogenous treatment of male rats with progester- Figure 1. The putative neuroprotective mechanisms of the pleiotropic agent progesterone are detailed in the figure. These mechanisms all play one reduced cerebral edema, lesion volume, and neuronal loss a role in secondary injury following traumatic brain injury. BBB = blood- after TBI (15). Similarly, Bramlett and Dietrich (16) compared brain barrier, GABA = γ-aminobutyric acid. male rats, normal female rats, and ovariectomized female rats showing the smallest lesion volumes in normal females com- accompanied by increased expression of AQP4 in the peri- pared with the other two groups. Stein’s group (17) also showed contusional area and lateral ventricles. In contrast, there was that the therapeutic window for progesterone could be up to 24 a significant decrease in AQP4 expression in the tissue sur- hours after TBI, when targeting cerebral edema, and that there rounding the third ventricle. Progesterone treatment decreased is a u-shaped dose-response curve for improving cognitive brain water content and AQP4 expression in the pericontu- outcomes, including memory acquisition in the Morris water sional areas and in the tissue surrounding the lateral ventricles, maze (18). In addition, they described potentially detrimental while increasing AQP4 expression in the tissue adjacent to symptoms of abrupt progesterone withdrawal that may war- the third ventricle. The authors speculated that by increasing rant tapering (19). Other investigators have confirmed the neu- AQP4 expression in the osmosensory areas in the hypothala- roprotective properties of progesterone using a variety of TBI mus surrounding the third ventricle, progesterone might have models in adult animals. We performed a PubMed search of all contributed to enhanced water drainage leading to preserva- original preclinical research studies of progesterone use in adult tion of osmotic equilibrium in the brain. Corroborating the TBI published between 1992 and 2013. The 46 identified stud- importance of AQP4 as a therapeutic target for pediatric TBI, ies (96–125) are summarized in Supplemental Table 1 (Supple- a recent study showed decreased edema formation, decreased mental Digital Content 1, http://links.lww.com/PCC/A129). In BBB disruption, and improved motor and long-term cognitive addition, a recent preclinical systematic review summarized the function with inhibition of AQP4 expression by injection of key aspects of progesterone treatment for neuroprotection after small-interfering RNA targeting AQP4 after controlled cortical TBI and cerebral ischemia in adult animals, looking at effects impact injury in the developing brain (28). on lesion volume (20). The main finding was that progester- Progesterone has been shown to have anti-inflammatory one was neuroprotective, but limitations in the literature were effects by suppressing generation of proinflammatory cyto- identified, including insufficient examination of dose-response kines and reducing microglial activation (4, 23, 24, 29, 30). relationships, therapeutic windows, and evaluation in female or These anti-inflammatory effects could be especially important aged adult animals. after TBI, where marked neuroinflammation contributes to many aspects of secondary brain injury, such as vascular endo- MECHANISM OF NEUROPROTECTION BY thelial injury and disruption
Recommended publications
  • Neuroprotection by Glial Metabotropic Glutamate Receptors Is Mediated by Transforming Growth Factor-␤
    The Journal of Neuroscience, December 1, 1998, 18(23):9594–9600 Neuroprotection by Glial Metabotropic Glutamate Receptors Is Mediated by Transforming Growth Factor-b V. Bruno,1 G. Battaglia,1 G. Casabona,1 A. Copani,2 F. Caciagli,3 and F. Nicoletti1,2 1Istituto Neurologico Mediterraneo Neuromed, 86077 Pozzilli, Italy, 2Institute of Pharmacology, School of Pharmacy, University of Catania, 95125 Catania, Italy, and 3Department of Pharmacological Sciences, University of Chieti, 66013 Chieti, Italy The medium collected from cultured astrocytes transiently ex- protective activity of DCG-IV or 4C3HPG, as well as the activity posed to the group-II metabotropic glutamate (mGlu) receptor of GM/DCG-IV or GM/4C3HPG; and (3) a transient exposure of 9 9 9 agonists (2S ,1 R ,2 R ,3 R )-2-(2,3-dicarboxycyclopropyl)glycine cultured astrocytes to either DCG-IV or 4C3HPG led to a de- (DCG-IV) or (S)-4-carboxy-3-hydroxyphenylglycine (4C3HPG) layed increase in both intracellular and extracellular levels of is neuroprotective when transferred to mixed cortical cultures TGFb. We therefore conclude that a transient activation of challenged with NMDA (Bruno et al., 1997). The following data group-II mGlu receptors (presumably mGlu3 receptors) in as- indicate that this particular form of neuroprotection is mediated trocytes leads to an increased formation and release of TGFb, by transforming growth factor-b (TGFb). (1) TGFb1 and -b2 which in turn protects neighbor neurons against excitotoxic were highly neuroprotective against NMDA toxicity, and their death. These results offer a new strategy for increasing the local action was less than additive with that produced by the medium production of neuroprotective factors in the CNS.
    [Show full text]
  • Cannabis, the Endocannabinoid System and Immunity—The Journey from the Bedside to the Bench and Back
    International Journal of Molecular Sciences Review Cannabis, the Endocannabinoid System and Immunity—The Journey from the Bedside to the Bench and Back Osnat Almogi-Hazan * and Reuven Or Laboratory of Immunotherapy and Bone Marrow Transplantation, Hadassah Medical Center, The Faculty of Medicine, Hebrew University of Jerusalem, Jerusalem 91120, Israel; [email protected] * Correspondence: [email protected] Received: 21 May 2020; Accepted: 19 June 2020; Published: 23 June 2020 Abstract: The Cannabis plant contains numerous components, including cannabinoids and other active molecules. The phyto-cannabinoid activity is mediated by the endocannabinoid system. Cannabinoids affect the nervous system and play significant roles in the regulation of the immune system. While Cannabis is not yet registered as a drug, the potential of cannabinoid-based medicines for the treatment of various conditions has led many countries to authorize their clinical use. However, the data from basic and medical research dedicated to medical Cannabis is currently limited. A variety of pathological conditions involve dysregulation of the immune system. For example, in cancer, immune surveillance and cancer immuno-editing result in immune tolerance. On the other hand, in autoimmune diseases increased immune activity causes tissue damage. Immuno-modulating therapies can regulate the immune system and therefore the immune-regulatory properties of cannabinoids, suggest their use in the therapy of immune related disorders. In this contemporary review, we discuss the roles of the endocannabinoid system in immunity and explore the emerging data about the effects of cannabinoids on the immune response in different pathologies. In addition, we discuss the complexities of using cannabinoid-based treatments in each of these conditions.
    [Show full text]
  • Maresin 1 Promotes Inflammatory Resolution, Neuroprotection, and Functional Neurological Recovery After Spinal Cord Injury
    The Journal of Neuroscience, November 29, 2017 • 37(48):11731–11743 • 11731 Development/Plasticity/Repair Maresin 1 Promotes Inflammatory Resolution, Neuroprotection, and Functional Neurological Recovery After Spinal Cord Injury Isaac Francos-Quijorna,1 XEva Santos-Nogueira,1 Karsten Gronert,2 Aaron B. Sullivan,2 XMarcel A. Kopp,3 X Benedikt Brommer,3,4 Samuel David,5 XJan M. Schwab,3,6,7 and XRuben Lo´pez-Vales1 1Departament de Biologia Cel⅐lular, Fisiologia i Immunologia, Institut de Neurociencies, Centro de Investigacio’n Biome’dica en Red sobre Enfermedades Neurodegenerativas (CIBERNED), Universitat Autonoma de Barcelona, 08193 Bellaterra, Catalonia, Spain, 2Vision Science Program, School of Optometry, University of California Berkeley, Berkeley, California 94598, 3Spinal Cord Alliance Berlin (SCAB) and Department of Neurology and Experimental Neurology, Charite´ Campus Mitte, Clinical and Experimental Spinal Cord Injury Research Laboratory (Neuroparaplegiology), Charite´-Universita¨tsmedizin Berlin, 10117 Berlin, Germany, 4F.M. Kirby Neurobiology Center, Boston Children’s Hospital, and Department of Neurology, Harvard Medical School, Boston, Massachusetts 02115, 5Centre for Research in Neuroscience, The Research Institute of the McGill University Health Centre, H3G1A4 Montreal, Canada, and 6Department of Neurology, Spinal Cord Injury Division, and 7Department of Neuroscience and Center for Brain and Spinal Cord Repair, Department of Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation, The Neurological Institute, The Ohio State University, Wexner Medical Centre, Columbus, Ohio 43210 Resolution of inflammation is defective after spinal cord injury (SCI), which impairs tissue integrity and remodeling and leads to functional deficits. Effective pharmacological treatments for SCI are not currently available. Maresin 1 (MaR1) is a highly conserved specialized proresolving mediator (SPM) hosting potent anti-inflammatory and proresolving properties with potent tissue regenerative actions.
    [Show full text]
  • Caffeine Induces Neurobehavioral Effects Through Modulating Neurotransmitters
    Saudi Pharmaceutical Journal 28 (2020) 445–451 Contents lists available at ScienceDirect Saudi Pharmaceutical Journal journal homepage: www.sciencedirect.com Review Caffeine induces neurobehavioral effects through modulating neurotransmitters Fawaz Alasmari Department of Pharmacology and Toxicology, College of Pharmacy, King Saud University, Riyadh 11451, Saudi Arabia article info abstract Article history: Evidence demonstrates that chronic caffeine exposure, primarily through consumption of coffee or tea, Received 19 November 2019 leads to increased alertness and anxiety. Preclinical and clinical studies showed that caffeine induced Accepted 12 February 2020 beneficial effects on mood and cognition. Other studies using molecular techniques have reported that Available online 17 February 2020 caffeine exhibited neuroprotective effects in animal models by protecting dopaminergic neurons. Moreover, caffeine interacts with dopaminergic system, which leads to improvements in neurobehavioral Keywords: measures in animal models of depression or attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD). Caffeine Glutamatergic receptors have been found to be involved on the neurobiological effects of caffeine. Neurobehavioral effects Additionally, caffeine has been found to suppress the inhibitory (GABAergic) activity and modulate Neurotransmitters Dopamine GABA receptors. Studies have also found that modulating these neurotransmitters leads to neurobehav- Glutamate ioral effects. The linkage between the modulatory role of caffeine on neurotransmitters and neurobehav- GABA ioral effects has not been fully discussed. The purpose of this review is to discuss in detail the role of neurotransmitters in the effects of caffeine on neurobehavioral disorders. Ó 2020 The Author. Published by Elsevier B.V. on behalf of King Saud University. This is an open access article under the CC BY-NC-ND license (http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-nc-nd/4.0/).
    [Show full text]
  • Lipid Mediators Put an End to Inflammation
    Biochemistry Lipid mediators put an end to inflammation is the Director of the Center for than merely antagonising inflammatory Professor Charles N Serhan mechanisms. Experimental Therapeutics and Reperfusion Injury (CETRI) in the Department of Anesthesiology, Perioperative and Pain Medicine at BWH ACTIVE RESOLUTION MEDIATORS and Harvard Medical School, Boston. In his current research he leads a Prof Serhan’s research has discovered multidisciplinary team of experts whose goal is to reveal the mechanisms potent anti-inflammatory and pro-resolving of resolution of acute inflammation and tissue injury in the body. compounds made by the body that he calls specialised pro-resolving mediators (SPM). One group of SPM comes from the lipids that that we eat – namely from essential omega-3 fatty acids. Within this group, we nflammation is an essential part of our effective treatments for diseases with can distinguish between resolvins, protectins defence against infections, cancer and aberrant on-going inflammation such as and maresins. SPMs have been measured other attacks to our body’s normal Alzheimer's disease, cardiovascular disease at bioactive levels in body fluids like human function. Ideally, any inflammatory or arthritis. tears and blood, as well as tissues like the process should be self-limiting so that brain, lymph nodes, spleen and fat. the body returns to its previous healthy For a long time, there was only a vague idea Istate. But how does this happen? Prof about the passive mechanisms that stop the Interestingly, aspirin can enhance the Serhan's research aims to elucidate the inflammatory response. This has changed in formation of specific SPM: aspirin-triggered mechanisms underlying the resolution recent years thanks to researchers like Prof resolvins and protectins have been described.
    [Show full text]
  • A Selective Trkb Agonist with Potent Neurotrophic Activities by 7,8-Dihydroxyflavone
    A selective TrkB agonist with potent neurotrophic activities by 7,8-dihydroxyflavone Sung-Wuk Janga, Xia Liua, Manuel Yepesb, Kennie R. Shepherdc, Gary W. Millerc, Yang Liud, W. David Wilsond, Ge Xiaoe, Bruno Blanchif, Yi E. Sunf, and Keqiang Yea,1 aDepartment of Pathology and Laboratory Medicine and bDepartment of Neurology, Emory University School of Medicine, Atlanta, GA 30322; cDepartment of Environmental and Occupational Health, Rollins Public School of Health, Emory University, Atlanta, GA 30322; dDepartment of Chemistry, Georgia State University, Atlanta, GA 30302; eCenters for Disease Control and Prevention, Atlanta, GA 30322; and fNeuropsychiatric Institute, Medical Retardation Research Center, University of California, Los Angeles, Los Angeles, CA 90095 Edited* by Solomon Snyder, Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, Baltimore, MD, and approved December 30, 2009 (received for review November 25, 2009) Brain-derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF), a cognate ligand for the Y490 phosphorylation and Akt activation in both T48 and T62 tyrosine kinase receptor B (TrkB) receptor, mediates neuronal sur- cell lines, whereas only faint Trk activation and no Akt phos- vival, differentiation, synaptic plasticity, and neurogenesis. However, phorylation were demonstrated in T17 clones that stably express BDNF has a poor pharmacokinetic profile that limits its therapeutic TrkA. As expected, BDNF substantially decreased apoptosis in potential. Here we report the identification of 7,8-dihydroxyflavone T48 cells compared with the parental SN56 cells. Even in the as a bioactive high-affinity TrkB agonist that provokes receptor absence of BDNF, T48 cells were slightly resistant to apoptosis, dimerization and autophosphorylation and activation of down- indicating that overexpression of TrkB weakly suppresses cas- stream signaling.
    [Show full text]
  • Mglur5, CB1 and Neuroprotection
    www.impactjournals.com/oncotarget/ Oncotarget, 2017, Vol. 8, (No. 3), pp: 3768-3769 Editorial: Neuroscience mGluR5, CB1 and neuroprotection Toniana G. Carvalho, Juliana G. Doria and Fabiola M. Ribeiro The metabotropic glutamate receptor 5 (mGluR5) is either mGluR5-/- or CB1 knockdown neurons. In addition, a Gαq/11-coupled receptor, mainly found at the postsynaptic neuroprotection by CDPPB, URB597 and JZL184 was site. mGluR5 stimulation leads to the activation of dependent on the activation of pathways that lead to the phospholipase Cβ1 (PLCβ), promoting diacylglicerol stimulation of AKT and ERK1/2, but was independent of 2+ (DAG) and inositol 1,4,5-trisphosphate (IP3) formation, alterations in intracellular Ca concentration or glutamate which leads to the release of Ca2+ from the intracellular release. stores and the activation of protein kinases, including In several neurodegenerative diseases, neuronal protein kinase C. Additionally, stimulation of mGluR5 also cell death is preceded by synaptic loss, which is usually triggers the activation of other cell signaling pathways that responsible for the early cognitive deficits. The study by are important for cell proliferation and survival, such as Batista et al, 2016 [6], showed that CDPPB protected the the activation of the extracellular signal regulated protein postsynaptic site and that this protection was blocked kinase (ERK) and AKT. Recently, we have demonstrated by MPEP and AM251. In addition, JZL184 protected that the mGluR5 positive allosteric modulator (PAM), the presynaptic terminals and, to a lesser extent, the CDPPB, activates AKT without increasing intracellular postsynaptic site. Curiously, AM251 reversed JZL- Ca2+ and protects neurons from glutamate-induced mediated protection of both the pre and postsynapse, while neuronal cell death [1].
    [Show full text]
  • Neuroprotection by Caffeine and A2A Adenosine Receptor Inactivation in a Model of Parkinson’S Disease
    The Journal of Neuroscience, 2001, Vol. 21 RC143 1of6 Neuroprotection by Caffeine and A2A Adenosine Receptor Inactivation in a Model of Parkinson’s Disease Jiang-Fan Chen,1 Kui Xu,1 Jacobus P. Petzer,2 Roland Staal,3 Yue-Hang Xu,1 Mark Beilstein,1 Patricia K. Sonsalla,3 Kay Castagnoli,2 Neal Castagnoli Jr,2 and Michael A. Schwarzschild1 1Molecular Neurobiology Laboratory, Department of Neurology, Massachusetts General Hospital, Charlestown, Massachusetts 02129, 2Harvey W. Peters Center, Department of Chemistry, Virginia Tech, Blacksburg, Virginia 24061-0212, and 3Department of Neurology, University of Medicine and Dentistry of New Jersey, Piscataway, New Jersey 08854-5635 Recent epidemiological studies have established an associa- 58261), 3,7-dimethyl-1-propargylxanthine, and (E)-1,3-diethyl-8 tion between the common consumption of coffee or other (KW-6002)-(3,4-dimethoxystyryl)-7-methyl-3,7-dihydro-1H- caffeinated beverages and a reduced risk of developing Parkin- purine-2,6-dione) (KW-6002) and by genetic inactivation of the A2A son’s disease (PD). To explore the possibility that caffeine helps receptor, but not by A1 receptor blockade with 8-cyclopentyl-1,3- prevent the dopaminergic deficits characteristic of PD, we in- dipropylxanthine, suggesting that caffeine attenuates MPTP tox- vestigated the effects of caffeine and the adenosine receptor icity by A2A receptor blockade. These data establish a potential subtypes through which it may act in the 1-methyl-4-phenyl- neural basis for the inverse association of caffeine with the devel- 1,2,3,6-tetrahydropyridine (MPTP) neurotoxin model of PD. opment of PD, and they enhance the potential of A2A antagonists Caffeine, at doses comparable to those of typical human ex- as a novel treatment for this neurodegenerative disease.
    [Show full text]
  • Therapeutic Effects of Specialized Pro-Resolving Lipids Mediators On
    antioxidants Review Therapeutic Effects of Specialized Pro-Resolving Lipids Mediators on Cardiac Fibrosis via NRF2 Activation 1, 1,2, 2, Gyeoung Jin Kang y, Eun Ji Kim y and Chang Hoon Lee * 1 Lillehei Heart Institute, University of Minnesota, Minneapolis, MN 55455, USA; [email protected] (G.J.K.); [email protected] (E.J.K.) 2 College of Pharmacy, Dongguk University, Seoul 04620, Korea * Correspondence: [email protected]; Tel.: +82-31-961-5213 Equally contributed. y Received: 11 November 2020; Accepted: 9 December 2020; Published: 10 December 2020 Abstract: Heart disease is the number one mortality disease in the world. In particular, cardiac fibrosis is considered as a major factor causing myocardial infarction and heart failure. In particular, oxidative stress is a major cause of heart fibrosis. In order to control such oxidative stress, the importance of nuclear factor erythropoietin 2 related factor 2 (NRF2) has recently been highlighted. In this review, we will discuss the activation of NRF2 by docosahexanoic acid (DHA), eicosapentaenoic acid (EPA), and the specialized pro-resolving lipid mediators (SPMs) derived from polyunsaturated lipids, including DHA and EPA. Additionally, we will discuss their effects on cardiac fibrosis via NRF2 activation. Keywords: cardiac fibrosis; NRF2; lipoxins; resolvins; maresins; neuroprotectins 1. Introduction Cardiovascular disease is the leading cause of death worldwide [1]. Cardiac fibrosis is a major factor leading to the progression of myocardial infarction and heart failure [2]. Cardiac fibrosis is characterized by the net accumulation of extracellular matrix proteins in the cardiac stroma and ultimately impairs cardiac function [3]. Therefore, interest in substances with cardioprotective activity continues.
    [Show full text]
  • Neuroprotection by Δ9-Tetrahydrocannabinol, the Main Active Compound in Marijuana, Against Ouabain-Induced in Vivo Excitotoxici
    The Journal of Neuroscience, September 1, 2001, 21(17):6475–6479 Neuroprotection by ⌬9-Tetrahydrocannabinol, the Main Active Compound in Marijuana, against Ouabain-Induced In Vivo Excitotoxicity M. van der Stelt,1 W. B. Veldhuis,2,3 P. R. Ba¨r,3 G. A. Veldink,1 J. F. G. Vliegenthart,1 and K. Nicolay2 1Department of Bio-Organic Chemistry, Bijvoet Center for Biomolecular Research, 3584 CH, Utrecht University, Utrecht, The Netherlands, 2Department of Experimental In Vivo NMR, Image Sciences Institute, 3584 CJ, Utrecht, University Medical Center Utrecht, The Netherlands, and 3Department of Experimental Neurology, University Medical Center Utrecht, 3584 CX, Utrecht, The Netherlands Excitotoxicity is a paradigm used to explain the biochemical SR141716 prevented the neuroprotective actions of ⌬9-THC, events in both acute neuronal damage and in slowly progres- indicating that ⌬9-THC afforded protection to neurons via the ⌬9 sive, neurodegenerative diseases. Here, we show in a longitu- CB1 receptor. In -THC-treated rats the volume of astrogliotic ⌬9 dinal magnetic resonance imaging study that -tetrahydro- tissue was 36% smaller. The CB1 receptor antagonist did not cannabinol (⌬9-THC), the main active compound in marijuana, block this effect. These results provide evidence that the can- reduces neuronal injury in neonatal rats injected intracerebrally nabinoid system can serve to protect the brain against with the Na ϩ/K ϩ-ATPase inhibitor ouabain to elicit excitotox- neurodegeneration. icity. In the acute phase ⌬9-THC reduced the volume of cyto- toxic edema by 22%. After 7 d, 36% less neuronal damage was Key words: anandamide; astrogliosis; cannabinoid; excitotox- observed in treated rats compared with control animals.
    [Show full text]
  • Resolvins in Inflammation: Emergence of the Pro-Resolving Superfamily of Mediators
    Resolvins in inflammation: emergence of the pro-resolving superfamily of mediators Charles N. Serhan, Bruce D. Levy J Clin Invest. 2018;128(7):2657-2669. https://doi.org/10.1172/JCI97943. Review Series Countless times each day, the acute inflammatory response protects us from invading microbes, injuries, and insults from within, as in surgery-induced tissue injury. These challenges go unnoticed because they are self-limited and naturally resolve without progressing to chronic inflammation. Peripheral blood markers of inflammation are present in many common diseases, including inflammatory bowel disease, cardiovascular disease, neurodegenerative disease, and cancer. While acute inflammation is protective, excessive swarming of neutrophils amplifies collateral tissue damage and inflammation. Hence, understanding the mechanisms that control the resolution of acute inflammation provides insight into preventing and treating inflammatory diseases in multiple organs. This Review focuses on the resolution phase of inflammation with identification of specialized pro-resolving mediators (SPMs) that involve three separate biosynthetic and potent mediator families, which are defined using the first quantitative resolution indices to score this vital process. These are the resolvins, protectins, and maresins: bioactive metabolomes that each stimulate self-limited innate responses, enhance innate microbial killing and clearance, and are organ-protective. We briefly address biosynthesis of SPMs and their activation of endogenous resolution programs as terrain for new therapeutic approaches that are not, by definition, immunosuppressive, but rather new immunoresolvent therapies. Find the latest version: https://jci.me/97943/pdf The Journal of Clinical Investigation REVIEW SERIES: LIPID MEDIATORS OF DISEASE Series Editor: Charles N. Serhan Resolvins in inflammation: emergence of the pro-resolving superfamily of mediators Charles N.
    [Show full text]
  • Cannabidiol and ( ) 9-Tetrahydrocannabinol Are Neuroprotective Antioxidants
    Proc. Natl. Acad. Sci. USA Vol. 95, pp. 8268–8273, July 1998 Medical Sciences Cannabidiol and (2)D9-tetrahydrocannabinol are neuroprotective antioxidants A. J. HAMPSON*†,M.GRIMALDI‡,J.AXELROD*, AND D. WINK§ *Laboratory of Cellular and Molecular Regulation, National Institutes of Mental Health, Bethesda, MD 20892; ‡Laboratory of Adaptive Systems, National Institute of Neurological Disorders and Stroke, Bethesda, MD 20892; and §Radiology and Biology Branch, National Cancer Institute, Bethesda, MD 20892 Contributed by Julius Axelrod, April 27, 1998 ABSTRACT The neuroprotective actions of cannabidiol reduce the toxic reactive oxygen species (ROS) formed during and other cannabinoids were examined in rat cortical neuron ischemic metabolism. Cannabinoids like (2)D9-tetrahydrocan- cultures exposed to toxic levels of the excitatory neurotrans- nabinol (THC) and its psychoactive analogues also have been mitter glutamate. Glutamate toxicity was reduced by both reported to be neuroprotective against glutamate toxicity in cannabidiol, a nonpsychoactive constituent of marijuana, and vitro (7). Cannabinoids have been suggested to prevent gluta- the psychotropic cannabinoid (2)D9-tetrahydrocannabinol mate neurotoxicity by activating cannabinoid receptors (7, 8), (THC). Cannabinoids protected equally well against neuro- which can reduce calcium influx through voltage sensitive toxicity mediated by N-methyl-D-aspartate receptors, 2-ami- calcium channels (8, 9). A synthetic cannabinoid (HU-211) no-3-(4-butyl-3-hydroxyisoxazol-5-yl)propionic acid recep- also has been demonstrated to be neuroprotective even though tors, or kainate receptors. N-methyl-D-aspartate receptor- it does not activate cannabinoid receptors. This compound is induced toxicity has been shown to be calcium dependent; this an atypical cannabinoid, however, in that it, unlike other study demonstrates that 2-amino-3-(4-butyl-3-hydroxyisox- cannabinoids, directly antagonizes NMDAr (10) and possesses azol-5-yl)propionic acidykainate receptor-type neurotoxicity some antioxidant properties (11).
    [Show full text]