Publications by authors named "S Al Sweidi"

Gastrointestinal disorders in Parkinson's disease (PD) have been associated with neuronal alteration in the plexus of the gut. We previously demonstrated the immunomodulatory effect of female hormones to treat enteric neurodegeneration in the 1-methyl-4-phenyl-1,2,3,6-tetrahydropyridine (MPTP) mouse model of PD. This study made the hypothesis of obtaining similar neuroprotection as with hormone treatments by affecting steroidogenesis with two 5α-reductase inhibitors, finasteride and dutasteride.

View Article and Find Full Text PDF
Article Synopsis
  • * There's evidence that PD patients have lower levels of a lipid called ethanolamine plasmalogens (PlsEtn), which are important for neurotransmission and have protective properties due to their anti-oxidant content, including docosahexaenoic acid (DHA).
  • * A study found that a DHA precursor, PPI-1011, provided neuroprotection and reduced inflammation in the intestines of mice with PD-like symptoms, suggesting it could be a promising treatment option for different stages of the disease.
View Article and Find Full Text PDF
Article Synopsis
  • Ethanolamine plasmalogens (PlsEtn) are important lipids linked to brain health, with low levels associated with Parkinson's disease (PD) and previous studies showing protective effects of plasmalogen precursors against neurotoxicity.
  • This study examines the effects of a new plasmalogen precursor, PPI-1025, derived from oleic acid, on dopamine levels and related transporters in a mouse model of PD.
  • Results showed that PPI-1025 not only preserved dopamine and serotonin levels after neurotoxic exposure but also indicated that both oleic acid and DHA-containing plasmalogen precursors could provide neuroprotection, with an optimal dose-response observed.
View Article and Find Full Text PDF

Plasmalogens are a class of glycerophospholipids shown to play critical roles in membrane structure and function. Decreased plasmalogens are reported in the brain and blood of Parkinson's disease (PD) patients. The present study investigated the hypothesis that augmenting plasmalogens could protect striatal dopamine neurons that degenerate in response to 1-methyl-4-phenyl-1,2,3,6-tetrahydropyridine (MPTP) treatment in mice, a PD model.

View Article and Find Full Text PDF

Glutamate is the most important brain excitatory neurotransmitter and glutamate overactivity is well documented in Parkinson's disease (PD). Metabotropic glutamate (mGlu) receptors are reported to interact with membrane estrogen receptors (ERs) and more specifically the mGlu5 receptor subtype. 17β-estradiol and mGlu5 antagonists have neuroprotective effects in the 1-methyl-4-phenyl-1,2,3,6-tetrahydropyridine (MPTP) mouse model of PD.

View Article and Find Full Text PDF