Mini-Reviews in Medicinal Chemistry, 2007, 7, 171-180 Prevention and Treatment of Alzheimer Disease and Aging: Antioxidants
Quan Liu1,3,*, Fang Xie2, Raj Rolston1, Paula I. Moreira1,4, Akihiko Nunomura5, Xiongwei Zhu1,Mark A. Smith1 and George Perry1,6,*
1Departments of Pathology and 2Pharmacology, Case Western Reserve University, Cleveland Ohio 44106 USA; 3Department of Ophthalmology, University of California, San Diego, San Diego, California 92093 USA; 4Center for Neuroscience and Cell Biology of Coimbra, University of Coimbra, 3004-517 Coimbra, Portugal; 5Department of Psy-chiatry and Neurology, Asahikawa Medical College, Asahikawa 078-8510, Japan; 6College of Sciences, University of Texas at San Antonio, San Antonio, Texas 78249 USAAbstract: There is considerable evidence showing that oxidative damage is one of the earliest neuronal and pathological changes of Alzheimer disease and many, if not all, of the etiological and pathological causes of the disease are related, di- rectly or indirectly, to free radical production and oxidative damage. Here we summarize the current body of knowledge suggestive that oxidative damage is, if not the key factor, certainly a major factor in Alzheimer disease. As such, therapeu- tic modalities encompassing antioxidants may be an effective approach to the treatment of neurodegenerative diseases and delay the aging process. Key Words: Antioxidant, calorie restriction, estrogen, free radical, glutathione, oxidation, oxidative stress, sirtuin, therapy, vitamin C, vitamin E. GENERAL INFORMATION ABOUT ALZHEIMER
exponentially with age, such that up to 47% of individuals
over age of 80 develop AD [15]. On average, AD patients
Alzheimer disease (AD) was first reported by Dr. Alois
live about 8 years after initial diagnosis, although the disease
Alzheimer, a German doctor, in 1907 at a neurology confer-
can last for as long as 20 years. The areas of the brain that
ence, where he described a 51-year-old woman with rapid
control memory and thinking skills are affected first but, as
memory degeneration who died with severe dementia several
the disease progresses, neurons in other regions of the brain
years later [1,2]. Although the disease was once considered
are also affected. Eventually, the patient with AD will need
rare, it is now established as the leading cause of dementia.
complete care. The physical and emotional burden of the
According to the American Health Assistance Foundation
disease is borne by the patient and family members until the
and the Alzheimer’s Association, there are an estimated 4
million diseased individuals in the United States and 18 mil-
PATHOLOGY OF ALZHEIMER DISEASE
lion worldwide, with as many as 350,000 individuals being diagnosed with the disease each year. In the US alone, an-
Two distinctive hallmark lesions found in the brains of
nual expenses exceed US $70-$100 billion [3]. The disease
patients with AD are senile plaques and neurofibrillary tan-
is still not curable, with current clinical therapy of cholin-
gles (NFTs) (reviewed in [2]) which were identified by the
esterase inhibitors/NMDA receptor antagonists such as
use of silver-staining techniques [16]. In addition, other neu-
Reminyl (galantamine), Aricept (donepezil hydrochloride),
ropathological changes associated with the disease include
Exelon (rivastigmine) and Namenda (memantine), which
neuronal and dendritic loss, neuropil threads, dystrophic neu-
offer little more than short-term palliative effects.
rites, granulovacuolar degeneration, Hirano bodies, cere-brovascular amyloid, and atrophy of the brain [2].
AD involves the parts of the brain that control thought,
memory, and language. After two decades of intensive study,
Senile plaques are spherical extracellular lesions, 10-200
during which much more information has been obtained, the
Lm in diameter, with a central core made of bundles of 6-10
cause of AD is still a mystery. Currently, there are several
nm A [2]. In the peripheral region of the senile plaques, A
major theories of AD, such as amyloid- (A) toxicity [4],
and amyloid- protein precursor (APP), tau, and neurofila-
tauopathy [5], inflammation [6,7], oxidative stress [8-13], all
of which have been vigorously argued in the literature.
NFTs, the major intracellular protein aggregation found
CLINICAL FACTS OF ALZHEIMER DISEASE
in AD brains, are located primarily in the cerebral cortex,
The risk of AD varies from 12% to 19% for women over
especially in the large pyramidal neurons in the hippocampal
the age of 65 years and 6% to 10% for men [14] and rises
and frontotemporal regions [18]. NFTs are composed of bundles of paired helical filaments (PHF), the major compo-nent of which is the microtubule-associated protein tau [19,
*Address correspondence to these authors at the Department of Ophthal-mology, University of California, San Diego, 9500 Gilman Drive # 0946, La
20]. Moreover, neurofilament proteins are also reported in
Jolla, California 92093-0946 USA; Tel: 858-534-8824; Fax: 858-534-1625;
NFTs [17,21]. In PHF, tau is abnormally hyperphosphory-
lated [5,22,23], ubiquitinated [24-26], oxidized [8,27-29],
College of Sciences, University of Texas at San Antonio, 6900 North Loop
truncated [30] and aggregated into filaments [5,31,32]. The
1604 West, San Antonio, Texas 78249 USA; Tel: 210-458-4450; Fax: 210-
hyperphosphorylation of tau is thought to render it unable to
1389-5575/07 $50.00+.00 2007 Bentham Science Publishers Ltd. Mini-Reviews in Medicinal Chemistry, 2007, Vol. 7, No. 2 Liu et al.
bind to microtubules and therefore unable to promote or
for a small percentage (~5%) of total AD cases, many have
maintain microtubule assembly [33], although in vivo, while
argued that mutations in APP and presenilin 1 and 2 are
microtubules are disrupted, this has no relation to NFT [34].
critical genetic factors in the AD pathogenesis and in A
The resistance to proteolytic degredation of hyperphosphory-
lated tau may play a key role in neurofibrillary degeneration
Apolipoprotein E Gene Polymorphism: Polymorphisms
of the ApoE gene are found to correlate with onset and risk
While the pathological hallmarks are the basis for current
of developing AD. ApoE is an abundant 34-kDa glycoprotein
diagnostic standards, whether they represent the initial causes
that is synthesized and secreted mainly by astrocytes and
or the consequences of disease is hotly contested [37-39].
microglia in the central nervous system (CNS). It is well
ETIOLOGY OF ALZHEIMER DISEASE
established that ApoE, and especially the E4 allele of ApoE,is a major genetic risk factor for the more common, late-
Only about 5% of all AD cases have an early onset and
onset form of AD [48,49]. The influence of ApoE genotype
are related to genetic mutations of presenilin 1, presenilin 2
on AD seems to operate via multiple mechanisms. For ex-
or the APP genes [40]. Indeed, the majority, approximately
ample, polymorphisms are a determinant of brain A burden
95%, of all AD patients are sporadic, late-onset cases where
in individuals affected with AD [50,51]. Additionally, apol-
the major risk factors are aging and apolipoprotein E4
ipoproteins have been suggested to act as antioxidants, with
(ApoE4) polymorphisms [41,42]. In both familial and spo-
the ApoE4 allele being less effective in this role [52] so that
radic cases of disease, there is accumulating evidence indi-
increased oxidative damage is found in specific brain regions
cating a major role for free radicals and oxidative stress in
of AD patients with the ApoE E4 genotype [53].
disease pathogenesis and pathophysiology [11,12].
Amyloid- Protein Precursor
A protein is the major component of senile plaque cores
Age is the single greatest risk factor for AD and the dis-
and is derived from the precursor protein, APP. APP is
ease rarely occurs in people under 60 years. Thereafter, AD
encoded on chromosome 21 (21q11-22) [54,55]. The normal
affects 10-15% of individuals over 65 years old and up to
function of APP is unknown, but it is involved in several
47% of individuals over the age of 80 [15]. This predomi-
broad physiological functions in neurons. Mutations in APP
nance of age as a major cause in AD etiology indicates that
appear to change APP processing and while initially this
age-related events are closely involved in the development of
was thought to lead to increases in A, thus increasing the
the disease. While the processes of aging that are involved in
extracellular protein aggregation [56,57], more recent reports
AD pathogenesis are not fully understood, two likely candi-
actually show decreases in A [58]. Transgenic mice that
dates are altered cholinergic function and oxidative stress.
overexpress mutant APP show overproduction of A pro-
The former, decreases of cholinergic neurons with age and
tein, senile plaque formation and synaptic deficits without
disease [43] is the basis for therapy with three currently used
NFTs pathology, indicating a key pathological role for mu-
drugs that stabilize acetylcholine levels in neurons. The lat-
tant APP protein [59,60]. The current data finds that APP
ter, oxidative stress is discussed in detail below.
mutation only accounts for a very small percentage of AD cases, 0.1-0.15% of total AD cases.
Oxidative Stress Presenilins 1 and 2
As one of the leading proposed causes of aging [44], free
radical damage and oxidative stress are also thought to play a
The majority (~70%) of early-onset familial AD cases are
major role in the pathogenesis of AD. Oxidative stress is a
associated with mutations in two genes, presenilin 1 and pre-
potential source of damage to DNA, lipids, sugars and pro-
senilin 2, located on chromosomes 14 and 1, respectively
teins within cells. Any imbalance between the intracellular
[61]. Over 50 different pathogenic mutations in presenilin 1
production of free radicals/reactive oxygen species (ROS)
gene and 3 mutations in presenilin 2 gene have been de-
and antioxidant defense mechanisms results in oxidative
scribed [62]. There is considerable homology between the
stress [8,11,12]. Since neurons have an age-related decrease
gene products of presenilin 1 and presenilin 2, which are
in the capacity to compensate for redox imbalance, even mi-
transmembrane proteins of 463 and 448 amino acids respec-
nor cellular stresses have the ability to lead to irreversible
tively, with six and nine hydrophobic membrane-spanning
injury and, as such, contribute to the pathogenesis of neu-
domains [61]. The physiological functions of these two pro-
rodegenerative diseases. ROS, including free radicals, are the
teins are unknown but may be involved in the Notch receptor
primary mediators of oxidative injury and cause damage to
pathway [63]. Other possible roles include ion channel, pro-
lipids, sugars, DNA/RNA and amino acid side-chains [13,
tein processing, or cellular trafficking functions [64]. In AD,
45]. Markers for oxidative damage (carbonyls, HNE, MDA
it is thought mutations in these proteins are associated with
and more) may increase in neurodegenerative diseases and
AD by affecting the processing of APP [65].
aging, but whether they can be used as quantifiable markers
Tauopathy
Hyperphosphorylation of tau makes it more resistant to
Genetics
proteolytic degradation, which may play a key role in neu-
The greatest correlated genetic factor for the develop-
rofibrillary degeneration in AD patients [35,36]. Tau aggre-
ment of AD are polymorphisms of the ApoE gene, such that
gation was, until quite recently, viewed as being deleterious.
50% of patients with AD patients have at least one ApoE4
However, more recent evidence indicates it is a consequence
allele [41,42]. Further, although familial AD only accounts
of neurodegeneration. In fact, tau aggregation may be an
Prevention and Treatment of Alzheimer Disease and Aging: Antioxidants Mini-Reviews in Medicinal Chemistry, 2007, Vol. 7, No. 2 173
adaptive change for the neurons to absorb oxidative stress
1) Oxidative damage is an earlier change compared to other
[29,38,66,67]. Consistent with this notion, tau phosphoryla-
pathological manifestations of the disease [94,95].
tion and aggregation and NFT epitopes have been shown
2) Increased levels of oxidative damage are found in post-
experimentally to be both consequences of oxidative stress
mortem tissue of AD, including oxidative modifications
and post-translational oxidation of tau [29,31,68-71].
of lipid, protein, DNA and sugar [27,96-99].
Other Factors
3) Increased response to oxidative stress or compensatory
factors: Hyperlipidemia, hypertension,
defense exaggeration can be seen in the affected brain
diabetes, and related factors of heart disease or stroke have
been identified as putative antecedents to AD [72].
4) High amounts of metal ions can be seen in AD brain
Down Syndrome
Adults with Down syndrome develop the neuropa-
5) Altered mitochondria functions are commonly observed
thological changes of AD by age 40, but not all patients be-
come demented. The risk of AD in families with a history of
6) Formation of a specific age-associated oxidative
Alcohol Free Radical Theory of Aging and Free Radical Produc-
Individuals who drink red wine in moderate amounts
daily are less likely to develop AD than either heavier drink-
Aging is the inevitable decline in physiologic functions
ers or abstainers [73]. The risk reduction associated with
that occurs over time and, for all living organisms, ends in
alcohol is possibly related to its anti-inflammatory and anti-
death. At least four major theories of aging have been pro-
oxidant properties or its effects on lipid metabolism by com-
posed to explain most or all of the physiological and patho-
Education and Early Life Experience
Several studies show that the risk of AD among poorly
educated individuals or individuals in poor living condition is significantly higher than that among well-educated per-
Smoking
Professor Denham Harman, the founder of the free radi-
Smokers have a 2-4 fold increase in risk of AD, particu-
cal theory of aging, has defined aging as the increased prob-
larly those individuals without an ApoE4 allele [77,78].
ability of death as the age of an organism increases, and di-verse adverse physiologic changes accumulate [44]. Free
Head Injury
radicals, the highly reactive small oxygen-containing mole-
There is an increase of the risk of AD related with trau-
cules, undeniably play major roles in not only the free radi-
cal theory of aging but also in the mitochondrial theory, membrane theory and cross-link theory as well or is a com-
Anti-Inflammatory Drugs
AD was found to be less frequent among individuals who
A molecule carrying an unpaired electron, which makes
it extremely reactive and ready to acquire an electron in any way possible, is termed a free radical. In the process of ac-
Hormone Replacement
quiring an electron, the free radical will attach itself to an-
The use of estrogen by postmenopausal women has been
other molecule, thereby modifying it biochemically [109].
associated with a decreased risk of AD [81,82]. Women us-
However, as free radicals acquire an electron from the other
ing hormone replacement had about a 50% reduction in dis-
molecules, they either convert these molecules into other free
ease risk with benefit only to those taking estrogen in the
radicals, or break down or alter their chemical structure.
peri-menopausal period. While the exact mechanism for this
Thus, free radicals are capable of damaging virtually any
is unclear, recent evidence points to the feedback effect of
biomolecule, including proteins, sugars, fatty acids and nu-
estrogen on luteinizing hormone [83-92].
cleic acids [110]. Free radical damage to long-lived bio-molecules such as collagen, elastin, DNA, polysaccharides,
OXIDATIVE STRESS IS THE KEY FACTOR IN
lipids that make up the membranes of cells and organelles,
ALZHEIMER DISEASE
blood vessel walls and lipofuscins is thought of as a major contributor to cell death [111].
Evidence Supporting Oxidative Damage in Alzheimer Disease
The most common free radicals include superoxide, hy-
droxyl, hydroperoxyl, alkoxyl, peroxyl and nitric oxide radi-
The histopathological and the experimental evidence,
cal. Other non-free radical molecules, such as singlet oxy-
which support the impact of oxidative damage in the patho-
genesis of AD, are outlined below [8,10,12,93].
Mini-Reviews in Medicinal Chemistry, 2007, Vol. 7, No. 2 Liu et al.
(HOCl), are similar but not real free radicals. Together, the
Many cellular molecules are active antioxidants in the
free radicals and free radical mimics are called ROS.
body. For example, GSH, ascorbate (vitamin C), -tocopherol (vitamin E), -carotene, NADPH, uric acid, bilirubin, sele-
Free radicals have extremely short half-lives ranging
nium, mannitol, benzoate, the iron-binding protein transfer-
from nanosecond to seconds. The shortest is only one nano-
rin, dihydrolipoic acid, melatonin, plasma protein thiol, and
second (10-9 sec) for hydroxyl radical and the longest half-
reduced CoQ10 are all involved in protecting the body from
life is 1-10 seconds for nitric oxide radical [112]. The half-
ROS and their byproducts produced during normal cellular
life dictates the intrinsic properties of the damaging effects
metabolism. Of these, GSH is the most significant compo-
of the free radicals, whether they can travel far enough to
nent that directly quenches ROS such as lipid peroxides (like
reach other cellular compartments or just attack the most
hydroxynonenal) and plays major role in xenobiotic metabo-
nearby molecules. The further they can travel, the broader
lism. Exposure to high levels of xenobiotics causes GSH to
the range of molecules and organelles they can damage.
be exhausted in the process of xenobiotic neutralization and
A wide range of major diseases closely related to free
it is therefore less available to serve as an antioxidant. GSH
radical damage, such as cancer, heart/artery disease, essential
is also important in maintaining ascorbate (vitamin C) and -
hypertension, AD, cataracts, diabetes, Parkinson’s disease,
tocopherol (vitamin E) in their reduced form so they may
arthritis and inflammatory disease, as well as aging itself, are
function as antioxidants to quench free radicals [120-122].
now believed to be caused in part or entirely by free radical
Exogenous Antioxidants from the Diet
The most widely studied dietary antioxidants are vitamin
Sources of Free Radicals
C, vitamin E, and -carotene. Vitamin C is considered the
There are more than six primary sources of free radicals
most important water-soluble antioxidant in extracellular
formed endogenously within living organisms.
fluids, as it is capable of neutralizing ROS in the aqueous phase before lipid peroxidation is initiated. Vitamin E is a
The major source of free radicals and oxidants is through
major lipid-soluble antioxidant, and is the most effective
the respiratory generation of ATP using oxygen. [113-115];
chain-breaking antioxidant within the cell membrane, where
the second source of free radical production is the peroxiso-
it protects membrane fatty acids from lipid peroxidation. -
mal oxidation of fatty acids, which generates H2O2 as a by-
carotene and other carotenoids also provide antioxidant pro-
product [114,115]; the third source is cytochrome P450 en-
tection to lipid rich tissues. Fruits and vegetables are major
zymes [115]; the fourth, and preventable, source of free radi-
sources of vitamin C and carotenoids. Whole grains, cereals,
cal production is from chronic inflammatory cells which use
and high quality vegetable oils, are major sources of vitamin
a mixture of oxidants to overcome infection by phagocytosis
[110,114,115]; the fifth source is from other enzymes capa-ble of generating oxidants under normal or pathological con-
The Vulnerability of The Nervous System
ditions [116]; the sixth source is various biomolecules in-
The nervous system – including the brain, spinal cord,
cluding thiols, hydroquinones, flavins, catecholamines, pter-
and peripheral nerves – is rich in both unsaturated fatty acids
ins and hemoglobin, may spontaneously auto-oxidize and
and iron. The double bonds in unsaturated fatty acids make
produce superoxide radicals [110]. Recent research indicates
them a vulnerable target for free radicals, and this, coupled
that A could induce peptide fragmentation and free radical
with the high aerobic metabolic activity in neurons, makes
the nervous system particularly susceptible to oxidative damage. The high level of iron, while it may be essential,
Many exogenous sources, such as environmental radia-
particularly during brain development, facilitates oxidative
tion (sunlight), polluted urban air, cigarette smoke, iron and
stress via iron-catalyzed formation of ROS [126,127]. In
copper salts, some phenolic compounds found in many plant
addition, those brain regions that are rich in the catechola-
foods, and various drugs [110,114] could contribute to free
mines, adrenaline, noradrenaline and dopamine, are excep-
tionally vulnerable to free radical generation. Catechola-
Antioxidant Systems
mines can induce free radicals through either spontaneous breakdown (auto-oxidization) or by being metabolized by
Endogenous Antioxidants
endogenous enzymes such as monoamine oxidase. One such
To protect against free radical-induced cellular damage,
region of the brain is the substantia nigra, where a connec-
cells have endogenous defense mechanisms to quench free
tion has been established between antioxidant depletion (in-
radicals that include enzymatic antioxidant systems and cel-
cluding GSH) and tissue degeneration [11].
There is an increase in markers of oxidative stress in ma-
SOD, catalase, and glutathione peroxidase are three pri-
jor neurodegenerative diseases [8,27,28,96-98,101,128,129]
mary enzymes involved in direct elimination of active oxy-
and substantial evidence that oxidative stress is a cause, or at
least the initial change, in the pathogenesis of AD [94].
tathione reductase, glucose-6-phosphate dehydrogenase, and
ANTIOXIDANT CLINICAL TRIALS AND STUDIES
cytosolic GST are secondary enzymes. The latter function to
FOR THE TREATMENT OF ALZHEIMER DISEASE
decrease peroxide levels or to maintain a steady supply of
Current Clinical Drugs in Use
metabolic intermediates like glutathione (GSH) and NADPH for optimum functioning of primary antioxidant enzymes
Therapy with acetylcholinesterase inhibitors, including
drugs such as Reminyl, Aricept and Exelon, which aim to
Prevention and Treatment of Alzheimer Disease and Aging: Antioxidants Mini-Reviews in Medicinal Chemistry, 2007, Vol. 7, No. 2 175
stabilize acetylcholine levels in the synaptic cleft to maintain
model systems [136] and prolong lifespan in C. elegans
neurotransmission, is based on the hypothesis that choliner-
[137]. It is reported that SOD, peroxidase and catalase activ-
gic dysfunction in the process of aging contributes to the
ity is reduced with age and in some pathological conditions
development of AD. The newly-developed drug, Memantine,
[138]. Therapy aimed at compensating for loss of activity of
an NMDA receptor antagonist, blocks glutamate-mediated
these enzymes is a promising approach to AD therapy.
excitotoxicity. All drugs currently in clinical usage are re-
Iron Chelators
APP transgenic mice treated with a Cu/Zn chelator
Antioxidant Therapy Development
showed improvement in general health parameters and a
The stages of free radical production may be arbitrarily
reduction of brain A deposition [139]. Because copper and
divided into 1) conditions prior to their formation, 2) free
zinc play a major role in A toxicity and nerve cell death via
radical formation and 3) adduction. The different types of
ROS generation, chelator therapy is, in effect, antioxidant
antioxidant therapy are based on their intervention at differ-
[140-142]. In one study, 48 presumed AD patients treated
ent points in the stages of free radical formation. Summa-
with desferrioxamine, a transition metal chelator, (250 mg
rized below are current strategies for developing antioxidant
per day), showed this class of compounds to be effective in
preventing AD progression [143]. Recently, desferrioxamine and others, as FDA-preapproved drugs, were shown to limit
Compounds or Methods That Prevent/Reduce Formation
A protein secretion in cell culture [144]. More iron chela-
of Free Radicals
tors are under investigation and show beneficial effect in AD
Modulation of SOD, Peroxidase and Catalase or Using Their Mimics Caloric Restriction
Overexpression of human Cu-Zn SOD in transgenic mice
Studies of caloric restriction in rodents show an attenua-
showed reduced oxidative damage in brain [133] and im-
tion of age-related deficits in learning and memory [146] and
proved cognitive functions in aged rodents [134]. Overex-
dramatically extends the life-span and reduces the incidence
pression of glutathione peroxidase in transgenic mice also
of age-related disease in rodents and monkeys [147,148].
showed antioxidative function and rescued homocysteine-
The mechanism of the beneficial effect of caloric restriction
induced endothelial dysfunction [135]. Moreover, the mim-
is not clearly understood but is most likely via overall reduc-
ics of SOD and catalase have cytoprotective effects in AD
Classification of Antioxidant Therapy to Different Stages of Free Radical Production Classifications Importance References
Compounds or Methods That Prevent/Reduce Formation of Free Radicals
Modulation of SOD, peroxidase and catalase or using their mimics
Compounds That Directly Scavenge Free Radicals
Tocopherols (vitamin E), ascorbate (vitamin C)
Serotonin (5-hydroxytryptamine), quercetin, idebenone
Carotene, flavonoids and other polyphenols, retinol and other polyenes
Compounds That Can Limit the Extent of Damage to Detoxify or Prevent the Formation of ROS Adducts
Reparative enzymes (methione sulfoxide reductase)
* - frequency or relative numbers of studies.
Mini-Reviews in Medicinal Chemistry, 2007, Vol. 7, No. 2 Liu et al.
tion in levels of oxidative stress, including in the brain [149].
Estrogen
In humans, a low daily calorie intake is associated with a
The general neuroprotective effects of estrogen (17 -
reduced risk for AD [150]. In addition, the incidence of AD
estradiol) have been the subject of much research. Generally,
is lower in countries with low per capita food consumption
estrogen through interaction with its receptors ER and ER,
compared to countries with high per capita food consump-
acts as a trophic factor in the nervous system by altering
tion [151,152]. Reducing caloric intake as a preventive
gene transcription [165]. At the same time, in a manner more
measure in populations at high risk for AD could be com-
closely related to direct antioxidants, estrogen can have anti-
bined with other AD treatment. The development of chemi-
oxidant activity independent of estrogen receptors. The
cal mimics for caloric restriction, such as resveratrol and
structure of estrogen is much like -tocopherol in that both
sirtuins [153,154], may make caloric restriction for normal
molecules contain a phenolic radical scavenging moiety and
people more easily attainable in the future.
a lipophilic carbohydrate moiety. In general, phenolic A ring
Compounds That Directly Scavenge Free Radicals
estrogens have been shown to be powerful inhibitors of lipid
Various compounds have the ability to quench free radi-
peroxidation in various cell-free test-tube experiments [166-
cals by reacting with them directly. These compounds in-
168]. By changing the phenolic character of estrogen 17 -
clude tocopherols (vitamin E) and other monophenols, ascor-
estradiol, its antioxidant activities are lost, supporting the
bate (vitamin C), carotene, flavonoids and other polyphenols,
theory that estrogens are direct antioxidants because of their
GSH ratio (GSH/GSSH), retinol and other polyenes, ary-
phenolic ring structure [169,170]. Furthermore, this antioxi-
lamines and indoles, ebselen and other selenium-containing
dant activity of estrogens and other phenols is strictly related
compounds, mimics of catalase/SOD, etc. The major anti-
to the structural prerequisites and not dependent on the inter-
oxidants in the group of direct antioxidants are the chain-
action of these compounds with cellular estrogen receptors
breaking antioxidants, such as phenols and carotenes.
[167]. Meanwhile it has been shown that estrogens are strong antioxidants in different oxidative stress-induced cell degen-
Vitamin E and Vitamin C
Vitamin E has been found in rats, to prevent neuronal cell
One thing to be considered is the optimum concentration
death induced by hypoxia followed by oxygen reperfusion
of estrogen needed to achieve the antioxidant effect. Nor-
and to prevent neuronal damage from reactive nitrogen spe-
mally, estrogen is present in nanomolar concentrations in
cies [155]. Both vitamin E and -carotene, by reducing oxi-
vivo and, in most in vitro studies, estrogen’s antioxidant ef-
dative stress, protect rat neurons from exposure to ethanol
fect is achieved at a significantly higher concentration range
[156]. In an experimental model of diabetes-caused neuro-
of 1-10 Bmoles. Therefore, it remains to be determined how
vascular dysfunction -carotene, followed by vitamins E and
the antioxidant effect of estrogen can be achieved therapeuti-
C, was found to protect cells effectively [157]. Vitamin E
can rescue the neuronal cytotoxicity induced by aluminum in APP transgenic mice and reduce A deposition in the brain
It was recently shown that HRT, in the form of estrogen
plus progestin, administered as a therapeutic agent in a WHI clinical trial was shown to increase the risk for probable de-
A significant amount of research with dietary vitamins E
mentia in postmenopausal women aged 65 years or older
and C has been done in humans. In a multicenter, double
[173]. The investigators responsible for this study hypothe-
blind, placebo-controlled study on 341 patients with moder-
size that the negative effect of estrogen and progestin may be
ately severe AD, a daily dose of approximately 1350 mg
linked to the increased risk of stroke that was also reported
(2000 IU) vitamin E led to a slight delay of AD progression,
in the estrogen/progestin treatment group, as the relationship
providing the first evidence for vitamin E as prophylaxis and
between microinfarcts in the brain and susceptibility to AD
treatment for AD [158]. In keeping with these results, other
is likely related, yet currently not well characterized. While
studies with vitamins C and E in AD patients have shown
this may indeed partially explain the results of the WHI
that antioxidants might have a protective effect against AD
clinical trial, it is only when the role of the other hormones
of the hypothalamic-pituitary-gonadal axis during the cli-
In one later study, 815 non-demented individuals were
macteric years and beyond is taken into account that the re-
evaluated based on their intake of the antioxidants vitamins
sults of the WHI clinical trial can be fully and accurately
C and E and -carotene. Results showed that there is a sig-
explained. For instance, it is crucial when interpreting the
nificant difference in the incidence of AD between those
results of this study to recognize that the hormones of the
taking vitamin E and those who are not [161]. In another
hypothalamic-pituitary-gonadal axis have been in disequilib-
large-scale study involving 5396 non-demented individuals,
rium for decades in all of the women who participated in the
it was reported that a high intake of vitamins C and E sig-
WHI clinical trial, so if a lack of estrogen does indeed play a
nificantly reduces the risk of AD [162]. Similarly, in a 5-year
role in AD pathogenesis, these women have been exposed to
follow-up with 1367 non-demented individuals over 65 years
this disease-promoting hormonal environment for years if
of age in France, Commenges and colleagues [163] found
not decades by the time the estrogen/progestin treatment was
that an intake of flavonoids significantly reduced the risk of
administered. This is evidenced by the fact that reports of
probable dementia appeared within the first year of the study in both the treatment and placebo groups. Therefore, it is
While promising, many studies have also reported nega-
likely predictable that the administration of estrogen/progestin
tive results to disagree with the effectiveness of vitamin E
in these aged women was not only unable to restore the
and vitamin C intake as detailed in other reviews [164].
proper functioning of the hypothalamic-pituitary-gonadal
Prevention and Treatment of Alzheimer Disease and Aging: Antioxidants Mini-Reviews in Medicinal Chemistry, 2007, Vol. 7, No. 2 177
axis, but that the influx of exogenous hormones actually
half-maximal effective concentrations ranging from 20-75
served to exacerbate the disease process.
nM, these compounds were experimentally proven to be more effective than common standard phenolic antioxidants.
Glutathione
These results provide a structural basis and rationale for the
GSH, the most abundant intracellular non-protein thiol, is
development of new antioxidant drugs [189,190].
the main factor which directly quenches free radicals in vivo. Compounds That Can Limit the Extent of Damage to,
It has been shown that the level of GSH is decreased in cor-
Detoxify or Prevent the Formation of ROS Adducts
tical areas and in the hippocampus of patients with AD as compared with controls [174-176]. The level of GSH in red
There are yet another group of compounds that can de-
blood cells decreases with aging and in patients with AD
toxify the formed ROS adducts and repair the damage they
[177]. In the healthy cell, oxidized glutathione (GSSG)
produce. These include NAC, GSH, 2-oxo-thiazolidine-4-
rarely exceeds 10% of total cellular GSH. Therefore, the
carboxylate, carnitine, creatine, lipoic acid (thioctic acid),
ratio of GSH/GSSG can be used as a useful indicator for
oxidative status in vivo [178]. GSH depletion may be the
The compound tenilsetam, a cognition-enhancing drug, is
ultimate factor determining vulnerability to oxidant attack.
sometimes used to treat AD patients. Its mechanism of action
N-acetyl-cysteine (NAC), a precursor of GSH which has
is unclear but, based on in vitro and in vivo evidence, it is
already been approved by the U.S. Food and Drug Admini-
believed to inhibit protein glycation [191,192]. Since genera-
stration for treatment of acetaminophen toxicity, may be an
tion of advanced glycation endproducts is a major manifesta-
effective strategy to increase GSH and spare brain degenera-
tion of oxidative stress in AD [8,98,129] glycation inhibition
tion in AD patients, although this remains to be tested.
Other Direct Antioxidants
Many amino acid residues of proteins are susceptible to
Compounds such as serotonin (5-hydroxytryptamine),
oxidation by various forms of ROS. Oxidatively-modified
flavanoids, quercetin, and simple alkylphenols have been
proteins accumulate during aging and in a number of age-
shown to prevent membrane lipid peroxidation and protect
related diseases. There is an increase in oxidation of the S-
neuronal cells against oxidative cell death in vitro [179,180].
containing amino acids methionine and cysteine in AD pa-tients [193]. However, unlike oxidation of other amino acid
2,4,6-trimethylphenol (TMP) is also a potent antioxidant
residues, the oxidation of these two amino acids can be re-
[167]. Additionally, being a small compound, TMP would
paired by corresponding enzymes, methionine sulfoxide re-
readily cross the blood-brain barrier, thus meeting the most
ductases (MSR), thioredoxin reductase (TrxR), thioredoxin
critical requirement for drugs used in the treatment of neu-
(Trx), and NADPH. The level of MSR is decreased with
rodegenerative diseases. The protective potential of this
aging and in AD and other neurodegenerative diseases [193].
compound is currently being tested experimentally in various
Also, mutation in the MSR gene in yeast, bacteria, and mice
animal models of acute neurodegeneration.
as well as its overexpression in yeast, neuronal PC-12 cells,
In two large clinical studies, administration of idebenone,
human T cells and Drosophila has been correlated with in-
a compound structurally similar to ubiquinone, has been re-
creased antioxidant capacity and the prolonged life span of
ported to significantly reduce disease progression in a dose-
dependent fashion [181,182]. Some in vivo studies in ani-
CONCLUSIONS AND FUTURE PERSPECTIVES
mals as well as in vitro studies have demonstrated a protec-tive effect of idebenone in neuronal death [183]. More recent
It has been well established that oxidative damage of
studies argued the effectiveness of idebenone in AD treat-
cellular molecules plays an important role in neurodegenera-
ment [184,185], but another study showed that idebenone is
tive disorders. Furthermore, it is clear that oxidative damage
better than tacrine in benefit-risk ratio in AD treatment
is not simply a byproduct or end product of neuronal degen-
[186]. Whether idebenone acts by modulating mitochondrial
erative processes but, more likely, the direct initiation factor
metabolic function or directly as a radical scavenger is still
Currently, even with the huge amount of data produced
Uric acid, an endogenous antioxidant, was also found to
and increase in knowledge, there is much skepticism regard-
prevent ischemia-induced oxidative neuronal damage in rats
ing the likelihood of success with antioxidant therapy in AD.
[155]. In addition, cannabidiol is more effective than either
The only promising results so far are from the trial of vita-
vitamin C or E in protecting against glutamate neurotoxicity
min E therapy in moderately severe AD [158,199]. It would
[187]. It has been demonstrated that the antioxidant activity
be difficult for most of the presently known compounds with
of cannabinoid compounds is, similar to estrogens, exclu-
antioxidant activity to pass through the blood brain barrier.
sively dependent on the presence of a phenolic group and is
There is much scope for research to identify smaller antioxi-
independent of the cannabinoid receptor [188].
dant molecules that would more readily pass through the blood brain barrier and/or non-toxic or inert compounds that
Different aromatic amino and imino compounds (e.g.,
would carry antioxidant drugs from the bloodstream into the
phenothiazine, phenoxazine, iminostilbene) are another group
brain. Additionally, it is imperative that future trials use
of direct antioxidants. Aromatic amines and imines are effec-
combinations, rather than single antioxidants to facilitate
tive against oxidative glutamate toxicity, GSH depletion, and
redox cycling as well as maximize bioavailability to different
H2O2 toxicity in different cell culture systems [189]. With
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pBR322 Vector : pBR322 is a plasmid and was the first widely-used E. coli cloning vectors. Created in 1977 in the laboratory of Herbert Boyer at the University of California San Francisco, it was named after the Mexican postdoctoral researchers who constructed it. The p stands for "plasmid," and BR for "Bolivar" and "Rodriguez." pBR322 is 4361 base pairs in length and cont
Data Structures, Algorithms, & Applications in C++ CHAPTER 53 _________ RECURRENCE EQUATIONS This material is essentially Chapter 7 of the book Concepts in Discrete Mathematics by Sartaj Sahni, Camelot Publishing , 1985. It is reproduced here with permission of the publisher. INTRODUCTION The computing time of an algorithm (particularly a recursive algorithm) is ofteneasi