Ambrogini Patrizia, Betti Michele, Galati Claudia, Di Palma Michael, Lattanzi Davide, Savelli David, Galli Francesco, Cuppini Riccardo, Minelli Andrea
Department of Biomolecular Sciences, University of Urbino, 61029 Urbino, Italy.
Department of Pharmaceutical Sciences, University of Perugia, 06123 Perugia, Italy.
Int J Mol Sci. 2016 Dec 15;17(12):2107. doi: 10.3390/ijms17122107.
Neuroplasticity is an "umbrella term" referring to the complex, multifaceted physiological processes that mediate the ongoing structural and functional modifications occurring, at various time- and size-scales, in the ever-changing immature and adult brain, and that represent the basis for fundamental neurocognitive behavioral functions; in addition, maladaptive neuroplasticity plays a role in the pathophysiology of neuropsychiatric dysfunctions. Experiential cues and several endogenous and exogenous factors can regulate neuroplasticity; among these, vitamin E, and in particular α-tocopherol (α-T), the isoform with highest bioactivity, exerts potent effects on many plasticity-related events in both the physiological and pathological brain. In this review, the role of vitamin E/α-T in regulating diverse aspects of neuroplasticity is analyzed and discussed, focusing on the hippocampus, a brain structure that remains highly plastic throughout the lifespan and is involved in cognitive functions. Vitamin E-mediated influences on hippocampal synaptic plasticity and related cognitive behavior, on post-natal development and adult hippocampal neurogenesis, as well as on cellular and molecular disruptions in kainate-induced temporal seizures are described. Besides underscoring the relevance of its antioxidant properties, non-antioxidant functions of vitamin E/α-T, mainly involving regulation of cell signaling molecules and their target proteins, have been highlighted to help interpret the possible mechanisms underlying the effects on neuroplasticity.
神经可塑性是一个“总括性术语”，指的是复杂、多方面的生理过程，这些过程介导了在不断变化的未成熟和成年大脑中，于各种时间和大小尺度上发生的持续结构和功能改变，并且是基本神经认知行为功能的基础；此外，适应不良的神经可塑性在神经精神功能障碍的病理生理学中起作用。经验线索以及多种内源性和外源性因素可以调节神经可塑性；其中，维生素E，尤其是生物活性最高的异构体α-生育酚（α-T），对生理和病理大脑中许多与可塑性相关的事件都有显著影响。在这篇综述中，分析和讨论了维生素E/α-T在调节神经可塑性各个方面的作用，重点是海马体，这是一个在整个生命周期中都保持高度可塑性且参与认知功能的脑结构。描述了维生素E对海马体突触可塑性和相关认知行为、对出生后发育和成年海马体神经发生，以及对海藻酸诱导的颞叶癫痫中的细胞和分子破坏的影响。除了强调其抗氧化特性的相关性外，还突出了维生素E/α-T的非抗氧化功能，主要涉及细胞信号分子及其靶蛋白的调节，以帮助解释对神经可塑性影响的潜在机制。
