Neuroprotective action of α-Klotho against LPS-activated glia conditioned medium in primary neuronal culture.

The α-Klotho is an anti-aging protein that, when overexpressed, extends the life span in humans and mice. It has an anti-inflammatory and protective action on renal cells by inhibiting NF-κB activation and production of inflammatory cytokines in response to TNF-α. Furthermore, studies have shown the neuroprotective effect of α-Klotho against neuroinflammation on different conditions, such as aging, animal models of neurodegenerative diseases, and ischemic brain injury.

The Janus face of ouabain in Na /K -ATPase and calcium signalling in neurons.

Na /K -ATPase, a transmembrane protein essential for maintaining the electrochemical gradient across the plasma membrane, acts as a receptor for cardiotonic steroids such as ouabain. Cardiotonic steroids binding to Na /K -ATPase triggers signalling pathways or inhibits Na /K -ATPas activity in a concentration-dependent manner, resulting in a modulation of Ca levels, which are essential for homeostasis in neurons. However, most of the pharmacological strategies for avoiding neuronal death do not target Na /K -ATPase activity due to its complexity and the poor understanding of the mechanisms involved in Na /K -ATPase modulation.