Inhibition of phosphodiesterase IV enzyme improves locomotor and sensory complications of spinal cord injury via altering microglial activity: Introduction of Roflumilast as an alternative therapy.

Despite the great search for an effective approach to minimize secondary injury in spinal cord injury (SCI) setting, there have been limited advances. Roflumilast is a selective inhibitor of phosphodiesterase 4 with potent anti-inflammatory properties. Here, we sought to explore Roflumilast efficacy in the improvement of locomotor and sensory deficits of SCI. In an animal setting, 50 male rats were randomly assigned to five groups: an SCI group receiving Placebo, three SCI groups receiving Roflumilast at the doses of 0.25, 0.5, and 1 mg/kg prior to T9 vertebra laminectomy, and a sham-operated group. Locomotor, mechanical, and thermal activities were evaluated for 28 days. At the end of the study, spinal cord samples were taken to assess the relative ratio of microglial subtypes, including M1 and M2, histopathological changes, levels of pro-inflammatory (TNF-α and IL-1ß) and anti-inflammatory (IL-10) biomarkers, and cAMP level. Repeated measure analysis revealed significant effect for time-treatment interaction on locomotion [F (24, 270) = 280.7, p < 0.001], thermal sensitivity [F (16, 180) = 4.35, p < 0.001], and mechanical sensitivity [F (16, 180) = 7.96, p < 0.001]. As expected, Roflumilast significantly increased the expression of spinal cAMP. H&E staining exhibited lesser histopathological disruptions in Roflumilast-treated rodents. We also observed a significant reduction in the M1/M2 ratio (p values < 0.001) as well as in pro-inflammatory biomarkers following the administration of Roflumilast to the injured rats. Furthermore, IL-10 level was increased in rodents receiving 1 mg/kg of the reagent. In conclusion, the increased spinal cAMP following Roflumilast therapy might attenuate neuroinflammation via altering microglial activity; therefore, it could be considered as an alternative therapeutic agent for SCI complications.

Diphenyl Diselenide Protects Against Mortality, Locomotor Deficits and Oxidative Stress in Drosophila melanogaster Model of Manganese-Induced Neurotoxicity.

Several experimental and epidemiological reports have associated manganese exposure with induction of oxidative stress and locomotor dysfunctions. Diphenyl diselenide (DPDS) is widely reported to exhibit antioxidant, anti-inflammatory and neuroprotective effects in in vitro and in vivo studies via multiple biochemical mechanisms. The present study investigated the protective effect of DPDS on manganese-induced toxicity in Drosophila melanogaster. The flies were exposed, in a dietary regimen, to manganese alone (30 mmol per kg) or in combination with DPDS (10 and 20 µmol per kg) for 7 consecutive days. Exposure to manganese significantly (p < 0.05) increased flies mortality, whereas the survivors exhibited significant locomotor deficits with increased acetylcholinesterase (AChE) activity. However, dietary supplementation with DPDS caused a significant decrease in mortality, improvement in locomotor activity and restoration of AChE activity in manganese-exposed flies. Additionally, the significant decreases in the total thiol level, activities of catalase and glutathione-S-transferase were accompanied with significant increases in the generation of reactive oxygen and nitrogen species and thiobarbituric acid reactive substances in flies exposed to manganese alone. Dietary supplementation with DPDS significantly augmented the antioxidant status and prevented manganese-induced oxidative stress in the treated flies. Collectively, the present data highlight that DPDS may be a promising chemopreventive drug candidate against neurotoxicity resulting from acute manganese exposure.