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An In Vivo Estrogen Deficiency Mouse Model for Screening Exogenous Estrogen Treatments of Cardiovascular Dysfunction After Menopause
Published on: August 13, 2019
Mitochondrial mechanisms of estrogen neuroprotection
James W Simpkins1, Kun Don Yi, Shao-Hua Yang
1Department of Pharmacology & Neuroscience, Institute for Aging and Alzheimer's Disease Research, University of North Texas Health Science Center, Fort Worth, TX, USA. jsimpkin@hsc.unt.edu
Abstract:
Mitochondria have become a primary focus in our search not only for the mechanism(s) of neuronal death but also for neuroprotective drugs and therapies that can delay or prevent Alzheimer's disease and other chronic neurodegenerative conditions. This is because mitochrondria play a central role in regulating viability and death of neurons, and mitochondrial dysfunction has been shown to contribute to neuronal death seen in neurodegenerative diseases. In this article, we review the evidence for the role of mitochondria in cell death and neurodegeneration and provide evidence that estrogens have multiple effects on mitochondria that enhance or preserve mitochondrial function during pathologic circumstances such as excitotoxicity, oxidative stress, and others. As such, estrogens and novel non-hormonal analogs have come to figure prominently in our efforts to protect neurons against both acute brain injury and chronic neurodegeneration.
Insights
Mitochondria are key in neurodegenerative diseases like Alzheimer's. Estrogens protect neurons by enhancing mitochondrial function against damage, offering potential therapies for brain injury and neurodegeneration.
Area of Science:
- Neuroscience
- Mitochondrial Biology
- Pharmacology
Background:
- Mitochondria are critical in neuronal viability and death.
- Mitochondrial dysfunction contributes to neurodegeneration.
- Alzheimer's disease and other neurodegenerative conditions involve neuronal death pathways.
Purpose of the Study:
- Review evidence on mitochondria's role in cell death and neurodegeneration.
- Examine the neuroprotective effects of estrogens on mitochondria.
- Explore potential therapeutic applications of estrogens and analogs for neuroprotection.
Main Methods:
- Literature review of studies on mitochondria, neurodegeneration, and estrogens.
- Analysis of experimental evidence demonstrating estrogen effects on mitochondrial function.
- Synthesis of findings related to excitotoxicity, oxidative stress, and neuronal survival.
Main Results:
- Mitochondria play a central role in regulating neuronal survival and death.
- Estrogens exhibit multiple effects that enhance or preserve mitochondrial function.
- Estrogen's protective mechanisms are relevant under pathological conditions like excitotoxicity and oxidative stress.
Conclusions:
- Mitochondrial dysfunction is implicated in neurodegenerative diseases.
- Estrogens offer neuroprotection by positively impacting mitochondrial function.
- Estrogens and their analogs are promising candidates for treating acute brain injury and chronic neurodegeneration.
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