Neuroprotective effects of puerarin on 1-methyl-4-phenyl-1,2,3,6-tetrahydropyridine induced Parkinson's disease model in mice.

Puerarin, an active component of Pueraria montana var. lobata (Willd.) Sanjappa & Pradeep is well-known for its anti-oxidative and neuroprotective activities.

Calpain-2-mediated PTEN degradation contributes to BDNF-induced stimulation of dendritic protein synthesis.

Memory consolidation has been suggested to be protein synthesis dependent. Previous data indicate that BDNF-induced dendritic protein synthesis is a key event in memory formation through activation of the mammalian target of rapamycin (mTOR) pathway. BDNF also activates calpain, a calcium-dependent cysteine protease, which has been shown to play a critical role in learning and memory.

Formulation of lipid bearing pellets as a delivery system for poorly soluble drugs.

The aim of this study was to develop and characterize phospholipid bearing pellets for a poorly water-soluble drug, nisoldipine. Pellets were prepared using extrusion-spheronization technique containing microcrystalline cellulose, soy phosphatidylcholine (SPC), granulating fluid and lactose. Operational parameters such as extrusion speed, spheronization speed and residence time were evaluated.

Glutathione supplementation improves macrophage functions in HIV.

In this study, we determined the effects of glutathione (GSH)-enhancing agents in restoring the levels of GSH in isolated macrophages from individuals with HIV infection thereby resulting in improved control of Mycobacterium tuberculosis. Our results indicate that treatment with N-acetyl cysteine or a liposomal formulation of glutathione (lGSH) resulted in replenishment of reduced also known as free GSH (rGSH), and correlated with a decrease in the intracellular growth of M. tuberculosis.

Amyloid-β increases capillary bed density in the adult zebrafish retina.

Purpose: Amyloid-beta (Aβ) is an endogenous peptide that becomes dysregulated in AMD and Alzheimer disease. Both of these disorders are marked by extracellular deposits that contain Aβ, highly branched capillary networks, and neurodegeneration. Although Aβ has been implicated in AMD and Alzheimer pathology for decades, its nonpathological function has remained unclear.

Targeting calpain in synaptic plasticity.

Introduction: Calpains represent a family of neutral, calcium-dependent proteases, which modify the function of their target proteins by partial truncation. These proteases have been implicated in numerous cell functions, including cell division, proliferation, migration, and death. In the CNS, where µ-calpain and m-calpain are the main calpain isoforms, their activation has been linked to synaptic plasticity as well as to neurodegeneration.

Trafficking of the NMDAR2B receptor subunit distal cytoplasmic tail from endoplasmic reticulum to the synapse.

NMDA receptor NR2A/B subunits have PDZ-binding domains on their extreme C-termini that are known to interact with the PSD-95 family and other PDZ proteins. We explore the interactions between PSD-95 family proteins and the NR2A/B cytoplasmic tails, and the consequences of these interactions, from the endoplasmic reticulum (ER) through delivery to the synapse in primary rat hippocampal and cortical cultured neurons. We find that the NR2A/B cytoplasmic tails cluster very early in the secretory pathway and interact serially with SAP102 beginning at the intermediate compartment, and then PSD-95.

Unveiling the mechanisms for decreased glutathione in individuals with HIV infection.

We examined the causes for decreased glutathione (GSH) in individuals with HIV infection. We observed lower levels of intracellular GSH in macrophages from individuals with HIV compared to healthy subjects. Further, the GSH composition found in macrophages from HIV(+) subjects heavily favors oxidized glutathione (GSSG) which lacks antioxidant activity, over free GSH which is responsible for GSH's antioxidant activity.