In astrocytic neoplasms, the number of cells expressing glial fibrillary acidic protein (GFAP) is inversely proportional to the extent of anaplasia. The loss of GFAP expression, the principal marker of astroglial cells, in these tumors has been proposed to constitute a step in their development and progression. To test this hypothesis, we crossed p53-negative (p53(-/-)) mice, which frequently develop astrocytomas after intrauterine exposure to ethylnitrosourea, with GFAP-negative (GFAP(-/-)) mice or GFAP(+/+) controls. Brain tumors of glial origin were found in 12 of 35 GFAP(+/+) p53(-/-) mice (34%) and in 11 of 27 GFAP(-/-) p53(-/-) mice (41%). The two groups did not differ in the age at which tumors were detected or in tumor histology or progression. Thus, the loss of GFAP expression frequently seen in high-grade astrocytomas does not constitute a step in tumor development. Rather, it may represent the undifferentiated state of these cells.
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http://dx.doi.org/10.1038/sj.onc.1206372 | DOI Listing |
Mol Cell Neurosci
January 2025
Department of Biochemistry, Institute for Basic Health Sciences, Universidade Federal do Rio Grande do Sul, Porto Alegre, RS, Brazil.
Cerebral Global Ischemia (CGI) is a devastating neurological condition affecting millions globally each year, leading to significant inflammatory responses and long-term consequences, including delayed neuronal death and neurocognitive impairment. Following brain injury, resident microglial cells are activated, triggering pro-inflammatory cytokine expression and altering neuroimmune processes in a sex-dependent manner, particularly within the hippocampus. Coumestrol, a plant estrogen, is promoted as an alternative to post-menopausal hormone therapy due to its various mechanisms that enhance brain health, including its anti-inflammatory effects.
View Article and Find Full Text PDFPsychopharmacology (Berl)
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Department of Pharmacology and Toxicology, Faculty of Pharmacy, Ain Shams University, Cairo, Egypt.
Rationale: One of the most debilitating drawbacks of cisplatin chemotherapy is neurotoxicity which elicits memory impairment and cognitive dysfunction (chemobrain). This is primarily triggered by oxidative stress and inflammation. Captopril, an angiotensin-converting enzyme inhibitor, has been reported as a neuroprotective agent owing to its antioxidant and anti-inflammatory effects.
View Article and Find Full Text PDFAlzheimers Res Ther
January 2025
Radiology Department, Second Affiliated Hospital of Shantou University Medical College, Shantou, Guangdong, China.
Background: The imbalance of glutamate (Glu) and gamma-aminobutyric acid (GABA) neurotransmitter system plays a crucial role in the pathogenesis of Alzheimer's disease (AD). Riluzole is a Glu modulator originally approved for amyotrophic lateral sclerosis that has shown potential neuroprotective effects in various neurodegenerative disorders. However, whether riluzole can improve Glu and GABA homeostasis in AD brain and its related mechanism of action remain unknown.
View Article and Find Full Text PDFJ Ayurveda Integr Med
January 2025
Centre for Ayurvedic Biology, Department of Ageing Research, Manipal School of Life Sciences, Manipal Academy of Higher Education, Manipal, 576104, Karnataka, India. Electronic address:
Background: Brain ageing is accompanied by the diminution of neuronal plasticity, which is correlated with the inability to respond to loss of memory, various stress-induced stimuli, and increased risk of neurodegenerative disorders. In the recent past, plant based herbal medicines are of interest over synthetic drugs for therapeutic purposes due to lower side effects. The Indian traditional medicine Ayurveda describes several herbal remedies, such as rasayana (elixirs for rejuvenation), to treat many age-related diseases.
View Article and Find Full Text PDFInt J Mol Sci
January 2025
Department of Biosciences, Biotechnologies and Environment, University of Bari, 70125 Bari, Italy.
Neurodegenerative diseases are characterized by progressive loss of neurons and persistent inflammation. Neurons are terminally differentiated cells, and lost neurons cannot be replaced since neurogenesis is restricted to only two neurogenic niches in the adult brain, whose neurogenic potential decreases with age. In this regard, the astrocytes reprogramming into neurons may represent a promising strategy for restoring the lost neurons and rebuilding neural circuits.
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