Oxidative Stress and the Central Nervous System

A special issue of Antioxidants (ISSN 2076-3921). This special issue belongs to the section "Health Outcomes of Antioxidants and Oxidative Stress".

Deadline for manuscript submissions: 20 September 2024 | Viewed by 3217

Special Issue Editors


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Guest Editor
Istituto di Analisi dei Sistemi ed Informatica, National Research Council (CNR), Rome, Italy
Interests: Alzheimer’s disease; neurogenesis; epigenetics; HDACs; synaptic plasticity

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Guest Editor
Fondazione Policlinico Universitario Agostino Gemelli IRCCS, Rome, Italy
Interests: brain plasticity; neuronal excitability; neuropsychiatric diseases; neurodegenerative diseases; neurophysiological

Special Issue Information

Dear Colleagues,

It is now recognized that changes in the redox balance and an increase in oxidative stress occur during aging and in neurodegenerative illnesses, and that these are common traits that lead to central nervous system cell failure. Reactive oxygen and nitrosative species affect the function of several macromolecules including DNA, lipids and proteins. Specifically, protein post-translational modifications induced either directly by nitroxidative species (e.g., nitration, nitrosylation) or activated by secondary pathways (e.g., ubiquitination, phosphorylation, SUMOylation) have an enormous impact on proteostasis and the proteasome function, leading to protein aggregation, misfolding and inactivation. All of these alterations result in cellular dysfunction, synaptic connection loss and brain injury.

In this Special Issue, we will pay special attention to the impact of oxidative-stress-dependent protein post-translational modifications on protein stability and function and the implications for central nervous system components (neurons, astrocytes, glial cells, stem cells) in aging and neurodegeneration. Both original articles and reviews are welcomed based on in vitro and in vivo studies, focusing on understanding how oxidative stress, through protein alteration (misfolding, aggregation, post-translational modifications, inflammation), impacts the viability and function of the cells of the CNS.

Dr. Claudia Colussi
Dr. Marcello D’Ascenzo
Guest Editors

Manuscript Submission Information

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Keywords

  • neurodegeneration
  • aging
  • proteostasis
  • post-translational modifications
  • oxidative stress
  • proteasome

Published Papers (3 papers)

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21 pages, 635 KiB  
Review
Impact of Maternal Environment and Inflammation on Fetal Neurodevelopment
by Chiara Lubrano, Francesca Parisi and Irene Cetin
Antioxidants 2024, 13(4), 453; https://doi.org/10.3390/antiox13040453 - 11 Apr 2024
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Abstract
During intrauterine life, external stimuli including maternal nutrition, lifestyle, socioeconomic conditions, anxiety, stress, and air pollution can significantly impact fetal development. The human brain structures begin to form in the early weeks of gestation and continue to grow and mature throughout pregnancy. This [...] Read more.
During intrauterine life, external stimuli including maternal nutrition, lifestyle, socioeconomic conditions, anxiety, stress, and air pollution can significantly impact fetal development. The human brain structures begin to form in the early weeks of gestation and continue to grow and mature throughout pregnancy. This review aims to assess, based on the latest research, the impact of environmental factors on fetal and neonatal brain development, showing that oxidative stress and inflammation are implied as a common factor for most of the stressors. Environmental insults can induce a maternal inflammatory state and modify nutrient supply to the fetus, possibly through epigenetic mechanisms, leading to significant consequences for brain morphogenesis and neurological outcomes. These risk factors are often synergic and mutually reinforcing. Fetal growth restriction and preterm birth represent paradigms of intrauterine reduced nutrient supply and inflammation, respectively. These mechanisms can lead to an increase in free radicals and, consequently, oxidative stress, with well-known adverse effects on the offspring’s neurodevelopment. Therefore, a healthy intrauterine environment is a critical factor in supporting normal fetal brain development. Hence, healthcare professionals and clinicians should implement effective interventions to prevent and reduce modifiable risk factors associated with an increased inflammatory state and decreased nutrient supply during pregnancy. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Oxidative Stress and the Central Nervous System)
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29 pages, 2729 KiB  
Review
Potential of Natural Phenolic Compounds against Doxorubicin-Induced Chemobrain: Biological and Molecular Mechanisms Involved
by Simona Serini and Gabriella Calviello
Antioxidants 2024, 13(4), 486; https://doi.org/10.3390/antiox13040486 - 18 Apr 2024
Viewed by 434
Abstract
Chemotherapy-induced cognitive impairment or “chemobrain” is a prevalent long-term complication of chemotherapy and one of the more devastating. Most of the studies performed so far to identify the cognitive dysfunctions induced by antineoplastic chemotherapies have been focused on treatment with anthracyclines, frequently administered [...] Read more.
Chemotherapy-induced cognitive impairment or “chemobrain” is a prevalent long-term complication of chemotherapy and one of the more devastating. Most of the studies performed so far to identify the cognitive dysfunctions induced by antineoplastic chemotherapies have been focused on treatment with anthracyclines, frequently administered to breast cancer patients, a population that, after treatment, shows a high possibility of long survival and, consequently, of chemobrain development. In the last few years, different possible strategies have been explored to prevent or reduce chemobrain induced by the anthracycline doxorubicin (DOX), known to promote oxidative stress and inflammation, which have been strongly implicated in the development of this brain dysfunction. Here, we have critically analyzed the results of the preclinical studies from the last few years that have evaluated the potential of phenolic compounds (PheCs), a large class of natural products able to exert powerful antioxidant and anti-inflammatory activities, in inhibiting DOX-induced chemobrain. Several PheCs belonging to different classes have been shown to be able to revert DOX-induced brain morphological damages and deficits associated with learning, memory, and exploratory behavior. We have analyzed the biological and molecular mechanisms implicated and suggested possible future perspectives in this research area. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Oxidative Stress and the Central Nervous System)
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21 pages, 4911 KiB  
Article
Evaluating the Neuroprotective Potential of Caffeinated Coffee in the Context of Aluminum-Induced Neurotoxicity: Insights from a PC12 Cell Culture Model
by Kamil Rodak, Dorota Bęben, Monika Birska, Oliwia Siwiela, Izabela Kokot, Helena Moreira, Anna Radajewska, Anna Szyjka and Ewa Maria Kratz
Antioxidants 2024, 13(3), 342; https://doi.org/10.3390/antiox13030342 - 13 Mar 2024
Viewed by 1516
Abstract
Exposure to aluminum (Al) and its compounds is an environmental factor that induces neurotoxicity, partially through oxidative stress, potentially leading to the development of neurodegenerative diseases. Components of the diet, such as caffeinated coffee, may play a significant role in preventing these diseases. [...] Read more.
Exposure to aluminum (Al) and its compounds is an environmental factor that induces neurotoxicity, partially through oxidative stress, potentially leading to the development of neurodegenerative diseases. Components of the diet, such as caffeinated coffee, may play a significant role in preventing these diseases. In the present study, an experimental model of PC12 cells (rat pheochromocytoma tumor cells) was developed to investigate the influence of caffeine and caffeinated coffee on neurotoxicity induced by Al compounds and/or oxidative stress. For the induction of neurotoxicity, aluminum maltolate (Almal) and H2O2 were used. The present study demonstrates that 100 μM Almal reduced cell survival, while caffeinated coffee with caffeine concentrations of 5 μg/mL and 80 μg/mL reversed this effect, resulting in a higher than fivefold increase in PC12 cell survival. However, despite the observed antioxidant properties typical for caffeine and caffeinated coffee, it is unlikely that they are the key factors contributing to cell protection against neurotoxicity induced by both oxidative stress and Al exposure. Moreover, the present study reveals that for coffee to exert its effects, it is possible that Al must first activate certain mechanisms within the cell. Therefore, various signaling pathways are discussed, and modifications of these pathways might significantly decrease the risk of Al-induced neurotoxicity. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Oxidative Stress and the Central Nervous System)
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