Lacticaseibacillus paracasei NK112 mitigates Escherichia coli-induced depression and cognitive impairment in mice by regulating IL-6 expression and gut microbiota.

The gut microbiota communicates with the brain through microbiota-gut-brain (MGB) and hypothalamus-pituitary-adrenal (HPA) axes and other pathways. Excessive expression of interleukin (IL)-6 is closely associated with the occurrence of the psychiatric disorders depression and dementia. Therefore, to understand whether IL-6 expression-suppressing probiotics could alleviate psychiatric disorders, we isolated IL-6 expression-inhibiting Lacticaseibacillus paracasei (formerly Lactobacillus paracasei) NK112 from the human faecal bacteria strain collection (Neurobiota Research Center, Seoul, Korea) and examined its therapeutic effect for the depression and cognitive impairment in mice. C57 BL/6J mice with depression and cognitive impairment were prepared by exposure to Escherichia coli K1. Oral gavage of NK112 significantly alleviated K1-induced anxious, depressive, and memory-impaired behaviours in the elevated plus maze, tail-suspension and Y-maze tasks, IL-1ß, IL-6, and tumour necrosis factor (TNF)-α expression, and nuclear factor kappa beta (NF-κB) activation in the hippocampus, while K1-suppressed brain-derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF) expression increased. Treatment with NK112 also improved K1-induced myeloperoxidase activity, IL-6 and TNF-α expression, and NF-κB activation in the colon and reduced K1-induced Proteobacteria population in the gut microbiota. Heat-killed NK112 and its lysate supernatant, and precipitate fractions also improved anxiety/depression, cognitive impairment, and colitis in mice. In conclusion, NK112, even if heat-killed or lysed, alleviated K1 stress-induced colitis, anxiety/depression, and cognitive impairment by suppressing IL-6, TNF-α, and BDNF expression through the regulation of gut microbiota and NF-κB activation.

Distribution of neuromedin U binding sites in the rat CNS revealed by in vitro receptor autoradiography.

Neuromedin U (NMU), a neuropeptide implicated in feeding, inflammation, pain control and anxiety-related behaviours, is widely distributed in peripheral organs and the CNS. These effects are thought to be mediated by its receptors NMU(1) and NMU(2). Since its precise sites of interaction in the CNS were to date unknown, we studied the distribution of in vitro binding sites for (125)I-NMU-23 in the rat CNS by receptor autoradiography. High-density specific binding was found in discrete areas of the brain and spinal cord, namely in the limbic system (hippocampal formation, septohippocampal nucleus, indusium griseum, hypothalamus, amygdaloid nuclei), superior colliculus, dorsal raphé, and substantia gelatinosa of the spinal cord. Our findings provide further supportive evidence for a multifunctional role for the peptide in the brain and spinal cord.

The fragile X mental retardation protein binds and regulates a novel class of mRNAs containing U rich target sequences.

Fragile X syndrome is a common form of inherited mental retardation caused by the absence of the fragile X mental retardation protein (FMRP). It has been hypothesized that FMRP is involved in the processing and/or translation of mRNAs. Human and mouse target-mRNAs, containing purine quartets, have previously been identified. By using cDNA-SELEX (systematic evolution of ligands by exponential enrichment), we identified another class of human target-mRNAs which contain U rich sequences. This technique, in contrast to oligonucleotide-based SELEX, allows the identification of FMRP targets directly from mRNA pools. Many of the proteins encoded by the identified FMRP targets have been implicated in neuroplasticity. Steady state levels of target-mRNAs were unchanged in the brain of fragile X mice. However, levels of two target-encoded proteins, an L-type calcium channel subunit and MAP1B, were downregulated in specific brain regions suggesting a defect in the expression of target-encoded proteins in fragile X syndrome.

Increase in vulnerability of middle-aged rat brain to lead by cerebral energy depletion.

The neurotoxic effects of low-level lead (Pb) during senescence are increasing interests of importance. We investigated the effects of low-level Pb on the brain in a normal condition and a pathophysiological condition of energy shortage that is commonly found in age-related neurological diseases. Middle-aged rats (15 months old) were exposed to 200 mg/l Pb acetate in drinking water for 2 months and thereafter received bilateral intracerebroventricular injections of streptozotocin (STZ). After 1 month's additional exposure to the same level of Pb solution as before the rats were sacrificed. Blood and brain Pb levels were measured by graphite furnace atomic absorption spectrophotometry. Energy-rich phosphate levels in the brain were determined by high-performance liquid chromatography equipped with a UV detector. Astroglial activation and glucose-regulated protein (GRP)94 expression were examined immunohistochemically. Exposure to Pb increased the blood Pb level to 10.8 microg/dl and the brain Pb level to 0.052 microg/g. But a significant additional increase in the brain Pb level, to 0.101 microg/g, became obvious in rats treated with Pb + STZ. Both Pb and STZ induced perturbation in brain energy metabolism, but no further alteration in energy metabolite levels was found in rats treated with Pb + STZ. Astroglial activation and GRP94-positive astrocytes and neurons were found only in the brains of Pb + STZ-treated rats. These results suggest that exposure to low-level Pb can perturb brain energy metabolism and the brain becomes more vulnerable to Pb when it is under energy stress.

Linear relation between cerebral phosphocreatine concentration and memory capacities during permanent brain vessel occlusions in rats.

The present study investigates the interrelation between cerebral energy state and memory capacities in a rat model of stepwise cerebral vessel occlusions. After acute and subchronic permanent vessel occlusions, cortical energy metabolites (ATP, phosphocreatine, ADP, AMP) were detected by high-pressure liquid chromatography (HPLC) analysis, and the effects on learning, memory, and cognitive behavior were evaluated using a hole-board test. The results of the study demonstrated a drastic decrease in energy-rich phosphates by 33% for phosphocreatine and by 44% for ATP after acute vessel occlusions. In addition, rat working and reference memories were strikingly decreased to about 5% of controls. In contrast, two weeks after four-vessel occlusion, the energy state was almost completely restored to control levels. However, a significant decrease in memory capacities was observed in subchronic state. In summary, this study has demonstrated a close linear relationship (p < 0.001) between an impaired cerebral energy state and brain memory dysfunction after acute and permanent cerebral four-vessel occlusion. Thus, this animal model of stepwise reduction of the cerebral blood supply may reflect some clinically relevant processes occurring during cerebrovascular and neurodegenerative diseases.

Effects of low-level lead on glycolytic enzymes and pyruvate dehydrogenase of rat brain in vitro: relevance to sporadic Alzheimer's disease?

Lead is known to be a potent inhibitor of many enzymes working in the brain, thus possibly inducing functional problems in the brain under pathophysiological conditions. Among such enzymes are those involved in glucose metabolism and energy production. We investigated the inhibitory effects of low-level lead on brain hexokinase (HK), glyceraldehyde-3-phosphate dehydrogenase (GAPDH), pyruvate kinase (PK) and pyruvate dehydrogenase complex (PDHc) with rat brain homogenate. PDHc was distinctively inhibited when low-dose lead acetate was added last of all (IC50 = 5 microM) to the reaction mixture. The other enzymes were completely resistant to 5 microM of lead acetate. When the homogenate was preincubated with lead acetate HK was dramatically inhibited by low-level lead acetate (1-5 microM), in a manner dependent on both preincubation time and lead concentration. However, the inhibitory effect was abolished by coincubation with its substrates, glucose or ATP. The results suggest that exposure to low levels of lead may increase the risk of cerebral hypometabolism caused by direct inhibition of specific glucose-utilizing enzymes. In this context, lead might be regarded as a risk factor in the abnormal glucose metabolism seen in some kinds of neurodegenerative disorders such as sporadic Alzheimer's disease.

Interrelation between cerebral energy metabolism and behaviour in a rat model of permanent brain vessel occlusion.

The present study investigates the interrelation between cerebral energy metabolism and memory capacities after acute and permanent occlusions of carotid and vertebral arteries in adult Wistar rats (n=60). Tissue ATP, phosphocreatine, ADP, AMP and adenosine concentrations were determined in rat brain by high-pressure liquid chromatography (HPLC) analysis. Lactate and pyruvate were measured spectrophotometrically. Rats underwent psychometric testing by means of a holeboard test, closed field activity, and passive avoidance behaviour. Acute cerebral ischaemia was associated with a substantial deficit in energy load (-50%). Cortical adenosine and lactate exhibited a 7- and a 10-fold increase, respectively, in concentration. After 2 weeks of four-vessel occlusion, cortical ATP and phosphocreatine showed a partial enhancement in their concentrations if compared with acute ischaemia. Consequently, energy load (micromol/g) increased from 0.59 to 1.42 in cerebral cortex and from 0.58 to 1.14 in hippocampus under conditions of acute and permanent ischaemia, respectively. While lactate was normalized, adenosine showed a 2-fold increase in its cortical concentration. All animals improved their abilities in learning, memory and cognition after a 7-day training period. Acute vessel occlusion severely decreased working memory (WM), reference memory (RM) and locomotor activity. Simultaneously, the passive avoidance test showed a significant reduction in latency time from 247+/-85 s (sham) to 145+/-132 s. The partial improvement in brain energy state was accompanied by a relative improvement in WM and RM, although both memory capacities remained significantly lower than in controls. The data of the present study demonstrate a linear relationship between cerebral energy metabolism and brain memory capacities after acute and permanent vessel occlusions in rats.

Extensive degeneration of catecholaminergic neurons to scrapie agent 87V in the brains of IM mice.

Scrapie is a degenerative disease of the central nervous system of sheep and goats. The causative agent has been passaged to a number of laboratory species, including mice and hamster. Amyloid plaque formation and vacuolation, the signs of senile dementia, are found in the brains of mice infected with 87V scrapie agent. Dopamine (DA) and norepinephrine (NE) concentrations in the brains of scrapie-infected mice were measured with high-performance liquid chromatography-electrochemical detector (HPLC-ECD). A significant decrease in NE level was exhibited in all regions tested, whereas the level of DA decreased significantly only in cerebral cortex. Immunohistochemistry was used to examine immunoreactive catecholamine neurons in substantia nigra and locus ceruleus using antisera against tyrosine hydroxylase (TH). The population of TH-immunoreactive neurons in the substantia nigra and locus ceruleus were significantly decreased in scrapie-infected mice compared to controls. These data suggest that both the noradrenergic and dopaminergic system are sensitive to the action of scrapie agent 87V and that changes in the catecholamine levels in the brains of scrapie-infected mice may contribute to some of the clinical symptoms of the diseases, such as ataxia and apraxia.

Drug prescribing for patients with changing renal function.

The prevalence and course of renal dysfunction in hospitalized patients and the prescribing of renally eliminated drugs in these patients were studied. All adult inpatients at a large teaching hospital who had a serum creatinine concentration assay performed were screened for renal dysfunction (an estimated creatinine clearance of < 40 mL/min). Renally compromised patients were monitored for changes in renal function. The regimens of selected renally eliminated drugs prescribed for these patients were compared with the manufacturers' recommended dosages for patients with renal compromise. Of the 3800 patients screened, 195 (5%) had renal dysfunction; most of these patients were older than 65 years. Although improvements in renal function were noted in 49 (30%) of the 169 patients with renal dysfunction who were not receiving hemodialysis, elderly patients were less likely to show an improvement in renal function. Of the 60 patients with renal dysfunction for whom a renally eliminated drug was prescribed, 27 (45%) were receiving dosages in excess of the manufacturers' recommendations. Changes in creatinine clearance estimates are common in hospitalized patients with renal impairment. Programs designed to alert physicians to potentially excessive dosages of renally eliminated drugs need to be sensitive to these changes.