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GM1 and GD3 Gangliosides Attenuate NGF-TrkA and BDNF-TrkB Signaling Dysfunction Associated with Acute
Abstract:
The prevalence of neurodegenerative diseases and mental health disorders has been increasing over the past few decades. While genetic and lifestyle factors are important to the etiology of these illnesses, the pathogenic role of environmental factors, especially toxicants such as pesticides encountered over the life span, is receiving increased attention. As an environmental factor, organophosphates pose a constant threat to human health due to their widespread use as pesticides, their deployment by rogue militaries, and their use in terrorist attacks. The standard organophosphate-antidotal regimen provides modest efficacy against lethality, although morbidity remains high, and there is little evidence that it attenuates long-term neurobehavioral sequelae. Here we show that a novel intranasally administered treatment strategy with specific gangliosides can prevent the organophosphate-related alterations in important neurotrophin pathways that are involved in cognition and depression. We found that a single toxic dose of the organophosphate diisopropylfluorophosphate (DFP) in mice leads to persistent decreases in the neurotrophins NGF and BDNF and their receptors, TrkA and TrkB. Moreover, seven days of repeated intranasal administration of gangliosides GM1 or GD3 24 hours after the DFP injection prevented the neurotrophin receptor alterations. As NGF and BDNF signaling are involved in cognitive function and depression symptoms, respectively, intranasal administration of GM1 or GD3 can prevent the organophosphate-related alterations in those brain functions. Our study thus supports the potential of a novel therapeutic strategy for neurological deficits associated with a class of poisons that endangers millions of people worldwide.
Highlights:
A single exposure to DFP, which causes cognitive deficits, dysregulates NGF and BDNF signalingGM1 or GD3 24 hours after DFP injection prevents the alteration of the neurotrophin signalingIntranasal ganglioside treatment provides neuroprotective effects against persistent organophosphate toxicity.
Insights
Novel intranasal ganglioside treatments, GM1 or GD3, can prevent organophosphate-induced neurotoxicity. This approach offers potential protection against cognitive deficits and depression linked to organophosphate exposure.
Area of Science:
- Neuroscience
- Toxicology
- Pharmacology
Background:
- Increasing prevalence of neurodegenerative and mental health disorders.
- Growing evidence implicates environmental toxicants, like organophosphates, in disease etiology.
- Standard organophosphate antidotes show limited efficacy in preventing long-term neurobehavioral damage.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the neuroprotective potential of intranasally administered gangliosides against organophosphate toxicity.
- To determine if gangliosides can prevent organophosphate-induced alterations in neurotrophin pathways crucial for cognition and mood.
Main Methods:
- Mice were administered a single toxic dose of the organophosphate diisopropylfluorophosphate (DFP).
- Neurotrophins (NGF, BDNF) and their receptors (TrkA, TrkB) levels were assessed.
- Mice received repeated intranasal administration of gangliosides (GM1 or GD3) post-DFP exposure.
Main Results:
- DFP exposure caused persistent decreases in NGF, BDNF, and their receptors.
- Intranasal administration of GM1 or GD3 prevented these neurotrophin receptor alterations.
- Ganglioside treatment mitigated organophosphate-induced neurotoxicity.
Conclusions:
- Intranasal gangliosides (GM1, GD3) show promise as a novel therapeutic strategy.
- This treatment can prevent organophosphate-related alterations in neurotrophin signaling pathways.
- Potential for treating neurological deficits caused by widespread organophosphate exposure.
