D-Ribose-LCysteine attenuates manganese-induced cognitive and motor deficit, oxidative damage, and reactive microglia

Grace T Akingbade1, Omamuyovwi M Ijomone2, Aminu Imam3

  • 1Department of Anatomy, Faculty of Basic Medical Sciences, University of Ilorin, Nigeria; The Neuro- Lab, Department of Human Anatomy, School of Basic Medical Sciences, Federal University of Technology Akure, Nigeria; Department of Molecular Pharmacology, Albert Einstein College of Medicine, NY, USA.

Insights

Manganese (Mn) brain exposure causes neurotoxicity. D-Ribose-L-Cysteine (RibCys) effectively reversed Mn-induced damage, protecting cognitive and motor functions by reducing oxidative stress.

Area of Science:

  • Neuroscience
  • Toxicology
  • Biochemistry

Background:

  • Manganese (Mn) overexposure leads to brain accumulation, inhibiting glutathione synthesis.
  • This results in increased reactive oxygen species (ROS) and oxidative stress, causing neurotoxicity.
  • D-Ribose-L-Cysteine (RibCys) supports glutathione synthesis and scavenges ROS.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To investigate the neuroprotective effects of RibCys against manganese-induced toxicity.
  • To assess RibCys's impact on weight, cognitive and motor functions, oxidative stress, and brain histology.

Main Methods:

  • Rats were exposed to saline, Mn, or Mn plus RibCys (pre-, co-, or post-treatment) for two weeks.
  • Evaluated weight changes, cognitive and motor activities, oxidative stress markers (lactate dehydrogenase), and microglia activation (IBA1).
  • Histological analysis of striatal and cortical tissues was performed.

Main Results:

  • Mn exposure significantly decreased weight, memory, and motor activities.
  • Mn increased lactate dehydrogenase levels and IBA1 expression, indicating oxidative stress and microglia activation.
  • Mn exposure distorted striatal and cortical neuronal cytoarchitecture.
  • RibCys interventions mitigated Mn-induced neurotoxic effects across all treatment timings.

Conclusions:

  • RibCys effectively ameliorates neurotoxicity caused by manganese overexposure.
  • RibCys demonstrates potential as a therapeutic strategy for neurological damage from manganese.
  • This study highlights RibCys's role in mitigating oxidative stress and neuroinflammation.