Kumar Mohit, Modi Manish, Sandhir Rajat
Department of Biochemistry, Panjab University, Chandigarh, 160014, India.
Department of Neurology, Postgraduate Institute of Medical Education and Research, Chandigarh, 160012, India.
Biofactors. 2017 May 6;43(3):434-450. doi: 10.1002/biof.1354. Epub 2017 Apr 10.
Hyperomocysteinemia (HHcy) has been associated with mild cognitive impairment and dementia. Hydrogen sulfide (H S) has been suggested to be an endogenous modulator of neuronal functions. However, the effect and mechanisms involved in beneficial effect of H S has not been investigated in homocysteine (Hcy)-induced cognitive deficits. This study has been designed to evaluate the effect of exogenous H S on behavioral deficits and neurochemical alterations in HHcy animals. Hcy levels were significantly elevated in plasma, cortex, and hippocampus of Hcy administered animals. A progressive decline in memory functions and increased anxiolytic behavior was observed in HHcy animals. This was accompanied by decrease in endogenous H S levels along with decreased activity of cystathionase (CSE) and cystathionine β-synthase (CBS). However, a significant increase in CSE and CBS mRNAs was observed. In addition, the catecholamine and serotonin levels were reduced and the activity of monoamine oxidase A and B were increased in brain regions of HHcy animals. Haematoxylin and eosin staining revealed higher number of pyknotic cells in brain regions of HHcy animals. H S administration was found to lower elevated plasma and brain Hcy levels. The activities of CBS, CSE, and levels of H S were restored in HHcy animals administered H S. Exogenous H S also ameliorated behavioral deficits accompanied by significant increase in catecholamines. Histological analysis revealed normal cell morphology in Hcy-treated animals supplemented with H S. These results clearly demonstrate that the protective effect of H S on Hcy-induced cognitive deficits is mediated through increased catecholamine and H S levels thereby suggesting its beneficial role in preventing HHcy-induced neurodegeneration. © 2016 BioFactors, 43(3):434-450, 2017.
高同型半胱氨酸血症(HHcy)与轻度认知障碍和痴呆症有关。硫化氢(H₂S)被认为是神经元功能的内源性调节剂。然而,H₂S在同型半胱氨酸(Hcy)诱导的认知缺陷中的作用及相关机制尚未得到研究。本研究旨在评估外源性H₂S对HHcy动物行为缺陷和神经化学改变的影响。给予Hcy的动物血浆、皮质和海马中的Hcy水平显著升高。在HHcy动物中观察到记忆功能逐渐下降和抗焦虑行为增加。这伴随着内源性H₂S水平的降低以及胱硫醚酶(CSE)和胱硫醚β-合酶(CBS)活性的降低。然而,观察到CSE和CBS的mRNA显著增加。此外,HHcy动物脑区的儿茶酚胺和5-羟色胺水平降低,单胺氧化酶A和B的活性增加。苏木精和伊红染色显示HHcy动物脑区固缩细胞核的数量较多。发现给予H₂S可降低升高的血浆和脑Hcy水平。给予H₂S的HHcy动物中CBS、CSE的活性以及H₂S水平得以恢复。外源性H₂S还改善了行为缺陷,同时儿茶酚胺显著增加。组织学分析显示,补充H₂S的Hcy处理动物的细胞形态正常。这些结果清楚地表明,H₂S对Hcy诱导的认知缺陷的保护作用是通过增加儿茶酚胺和H₂S水平介导的,从而表明其在预防HHcy诱导的神经退行性变中的有益作用。©2016生物因子,43(3):434 - 450,2017。