Hypoxia-mediated alteration in cholesterol oxidation and raft dynamics regulates BDNF signalling and neurodegeneration in hippocampus.

Brain-derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF) which is primarily associated with neuronal survivability, differentiation and synaptic plasticity has been reported to mediate neurodegeneration in hypoxia through its p75 Neurotrophin receptors (p75NTR). The molecular events promoting BDNF-mediated pro-death signalling in hypoxia, however, still remain an enigma. This study attempts towards deciphering the signalling cascades involved in alteration of BDNF isoforms and its cognate receptor subtypes leading to neurodegeneration in hypoxia. Adult Sprague-Dawley rats were exposed to global hypobaric hypoxia simulating an altitude of 7620 m at standard temperature and humidity. Chronic hypoxic exposure for 7 days resulted in higher expression of pro-BDNF and alteration in N-linked glycosylation in hippocampus along with increased expression of endoplasmic reticulum stress markers viz., glucose-regulated protein (Grp78), calnexin and changes in the endoplasmic reticulum morphology. Our findings reveal enriched expression of p75NTR in lipid rafts and higher expression of tyrosine receptor kinase ß (Trkß) in non-raft regions following hypoxic exposure. Further investigations on membrane properties revealed decline in membrane fluidity along with increased cholesterol oxidation resulting in reduced translocation of Trkß from non-raft to raft regions. Supplementation of vitamin E during hypoxic exposure on the other hand reduced cholesterol oxidation and increased translocation of Trkß from non-raft to raft regions and promoted neuronal survival. Hence, our findings suggest a novel mechanism of cholesterol oxidation-induced alteration in raft dynamics which is promotes p75 receptor-mediated death signalling in hippocampal neurons during chronic hypoxia.

Estrogen Receptor ß Mediated Neuroprotective Efficacy of Cicer microphyllum Seed Extract in Global Hypoxia.

Hypoxia induced oxidative stress and neurodegeneration in the hippocampus has been implicated for memory impairment in conditions like stroke, ischemia and hypobaric hypoxia. The present study, aimed at investigating the potential of ethanolic extract of Cicer microphyllum seeds (CSE) for amelioration of global hypoxia induced neurodegeneration in CA1 region of hippocampus. CSE supplementation considerably reduced neurodegeneration and dendritic atrophy in CA1 neurons along with improvement of memory in hypoxic rats. This effect of CSE was partly attributed to its antioxidant activity resulting in reduction of lipid peroxidation, protein oxidation and DNA damage during exposure to chronic hypoxia. CSE also promoted dendritic arborization through activation of estrogen receptor beta (ERß) and phosphorylation of extracellular signal regulated kinase (ERK1/2) which was independent of brain derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF) mediated signalling mechanisms. Extra nuclear activation of ERK1/2 by ERß resulted in phosphorylation of cyclic AMP response element binding protein (CREB) leading to increased expression of PSD-95.These molecular alterations translated to behavioural changes in CSE administered hypoxic animals that performed better in Morris Water Maze Task as compared to vehicle treated hypoxic animals. Toxicological studies show NOEAL > 2000 mg/kg b.w. for oral administration of CSE indicating its safety for consumption. Our findings not only suggest the neuroprotective potential of CSE in hypoxia but also provide evidence for involvement of estrogen receptor and pCREB mediated nootropic effect of the extract.