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Fucoxanthin ameliorates inflammation and oxidative reponses in microglia
Ratih Pangestuti1, Thanh-Sang Vo, Dai-Hung Ngo
1Marine Bioprocess Research Center and ‡Marine Biochemistry Laboratory, Department of Chemistry, Pukyong National University , Busan 608-737, Republic of Korea.
Abstract:
Alzheimer's disease (AD) is an irreversible, progressive neurodegenerative disease that slowly destroys memory and thinking skills. In the brains of AD patients, signs of neuronal degeneration are accompanied by markers of microglial activation and inflammation as well as oxidant damage. This study tested the hypothesis that fucoxanthin, which is known to exert a variety of pharmacological properties, would ameliorate oxidative stress and inflammation in amyloid-β42 (Aβ42)-induced BV2 microglia cells. It was found that fucoxanthin treatment attenuated pro-inflammatory secretion in BV2 cells as determined by ELISA analysis. Suppressive effects of fucoxanthin on the phosphorylation mitogen-activated protein kinase (MAPK) pathway were confirmed. Moreover, fucoxanthin was able to inhibit free radical-induced DNA oxidation in BV2 cells. This effect was associated with a significant reduction of intracellular reactive oxygen species (ROS) formation and recovery of antioxidative enzymes. The findings in this study suggest that fucoxanthin may serve as a negative feedback regulator of inflammation and oxidative stress in BV2 cells and thereby may protect neuronal cells from neurotoxic mediators released by microglia.
Insights
Fucoxanthin, a compound found in seaweed, reduces inflammation and oxidative stress in brain cells. This suggests potential neuroprotective effects against Alzheimer's disease (AD) by calming activated microglia.
Area of Science:
- Neuroscience
- Pharmacology
- Cell Biology
Background:
- Alzheimer's disease (AD) is a progressive neurodegenerative disorder characterized by memory loss and cognitive decline.
- AD brains exhibit neuronal damage, microglial activation, inflammation, and oxidative stress.
- Microglia play a crucial role in AD pathogenesis through inflammatory and oxidative responses.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the potential of fucoxanthin to mitigate oxidative stress and inflammation in a cellular model of Alzheimer's disease.
- To determine if fucoxanthin affects inflammatory signaling pathways and antioxidant defenses in microglia.
Main Methods:
- Utilized BV2 microglia cells stimulated with amyloid-beta 42 (Aβ42) to mimic AD conditions.
- Assessed pro-inflammatory cytokine secretion using ELISA.
- Analyzed the mitogen-activated protein kinase (MAPK) pathway phosphorylation.
- Measured DNA oxidation, intracellular reactive oxygen species (ROS) levels, and antioxidant enzyme activity.
Main Results:
- Fucoxanthin treatment significantly reduced the secretion of pro-inflammatory mediators from BV2 cells.
- Fucoxanthin suppressed the phosphorylation of the MAPK signaling pathway.
- Fucoxanthin inhibited free radical-induced DNA oxidation and decreased intracellular ROS formation.
- Fucoxanthin treatment led to the recovery of antioxidant enzyme activity.
Conclusions:
- Fucoxanthin demonstrates anti-inflammatory and antioxidant properties in microglia stimulated with Aβ42.
- Fucoxanthin may act as a negative feedback regulator, reducing microglial-induced inflammation and oxidative stress.
- These findings suggest fucoxanthin holds potential for protecting neuronal cells from neurotoxic mediators in AD.
