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Plasmalogens Eliminate Aging-Associated Synaptic Defects and Microglia-Mediated Neuroinflammation in Mice
Jinxin Gu1, Lixue Chen1, Ran Sun1
1School of Pharmacy, Shanghai Jiao Tong University, Shanghai, China.
Frontiers in Molecular Biosciences
|March 14, 2022
Summary
Plasmalogen (Pls) supplementation improved cognitive function and brain health in aged mice. This study suggests Pls may be a potential intervention for neurodegeneration and promoting neuroregeneration.
Area of Science:
- Neuroscience
- Lipid Biochemistry
- Aging Research
Background:
- Neurodegeneration involves progressive loss of neural structure and function.
- Reduced plasmalogens (Pls), key brain lipids, are linked to neurodegenerative diseases like Alzheimer's.
- Plasmalogens are abundant ether-phospholipids enriched in brain, heart, and immune cells.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the effects of plasmalogen (Pls) administration on neurodegeneration and neurogenesis in aged mice.
- To explore Pls as a potential therapeutic strategy for age-related cognitive decline and brain aging.
Main Methods:
- Aged female C57BL/6J mice (16 months old) received intragastric plasmalogen (Pls) administration for 2 months.
- Cognitive performance was assessed, and brain tissues were analyzed using transmission electron microscopy (TEM).
- RNA-sequencing, immunoblotting, and immunofluorescence were employed to confirm molecular changes.
Main Results:
- Pls-fed mice showed improved cognitive performance and physical appearance (thicker hair).
- TEM revealed alleviation of age-associated hippocampal synaptic loss and promotion of synaptogenesis and synaptic vesicle formation.
- Molecular analyses confirmed enhanced synaptic plasticity and neurogenesis, inhibited microglia activation, and attenuated neuroinflammation.
Conclusions:
- Plasmalogen (Pls) administration may counteract age-associated synaptic loss and promote neurogenesis in the hippocampus.
- Pls treatment demonstrated potential in reducing neuroinflammation and microglia activation in aged murine brains.
- These findings highlight plasmalogens as a promising intervention for halting neurodegeneration and fostering neuroregeneration.
