nutrients Review Methylxanthines and Neurodegenerative Diseases: An Update Daniel Janitschke 1,† , Anna A. Lauer 1,†, Cornel M. Bachmann 1, Heike S. Grimm 1, Tobias Hartmann 1,2 and Marcus O. W. Grimm 1,2,* 1 Experimental Neurology, Saarland University, 66421 Homburg/Saar, Germany;
[email protected] (D.J.);
[email protected] (A.A.L.);
[email protected] (C.M.B.);
[email protected] (H.S.G.);
[email protected] (T.H.) 2 Deutsches Institut für DemenzPrävention (DIDP), Saarland University, 66421 Homburg/Saar, Germany * Correspondence:
[email protected] † These authors contributed equally to this work. Abstract: Methylxanthines (MTX) are purine derived xanthine derivatives. Whereas naturally occurring methylxanthines like caffeine, theophylline or theobromine are widely consumed in food, several synthetic but also non-synthetic methylxanthines are used as pharmaceuticals, in particular in treating airway constrictions. Besides the well-established bronchoprotective effects, methylxanthines are also known to have anti-inflammatory and anti-oxidative properties, mediate changes in lipid homeostasis and have neuroprotective effects. Known molecular mechanisms include adenosine receptor antagonism, phosphodiesterase inhibition, effects on the cholinergic system, wnt signaling, histone deacetylase activation and gene regulation. By affecting several pathways associated with neurodegenerative diseases via different pleiotropic mechanisms and due to its moderate side effects, intake of methylxanthines have been suggested to be an interesting approach in dealing with neurodegeneration. Especially in the past years, the impact of methylxanthines in neurodegenerative diseases has been extensively studied and several new aspects have been elucidated. In this review Citation: Janitschke, D.; Lauer, A.A.; Bachmann, C.M.; Grimm, H.S.; we summarize the findings of methylxanthines linked to Alzheimer´s disease, Parkinson’s disease Hartmann, T.; Grimm, M.O.W.