Palmitoylethanolamide exerts neuroprotective effects in mixed neuroglial cultures and organotypic hippocampal slices via peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor-α

<p>Abstract</p> <p>Background</p> <p>In addition to cytotoxic mechanisms directly impacting neurons, β-amyloid (Aβ)-induced glial activation also promotes release of proinflammatory molecules that may self-perpetuate reactive gliosis and damage neighbouring neurons, thu...

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Main Authors: Scuderi Caterina, Valenza Marta, Stecca Claudia, Esposito Giuseppe, Carratù Maria, Steardo Luca
Format: Article
Language:English
Published: BMC 2012-03-01
Series:Journal of Neuroinflammation
Subjects:
Online Access:http://www.jneuroinflammation.com/content/9/1/49
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author Scuderi Caterina
Valenza Marta
Stecca Claudia
Esposito Giuseppe
Carratù Maria
Steardo Luca
author_facet Scuderi Caterina
Valenza Marta
Stecca Claudia
Esposito Giuseppe
Carratù Maria
Steardo Luca
author_sort Scuderi Caterina
collection DOAJ
description <p>Abstract</p> <p>Background</p> <p>In addition to cytotoxic mechanisms directly impacting neurons, β-amyloid (Aβ)-induced glial activation also promotes release of proinflammatory molecules that may self-perpetuate reactive gliosis and damage neighbouring neurons, thus amplifying neuropathological lesions occurring in Alzheimer's disease (AD). Palmitoylethanolamide (PEA) has been studied extensively for its anti-inflammatory, analgesic, antiepileptic and neuroprotective effects. PEA is a lipid messenger isolated from mammalian and vegetable tissues that mimics several endocannabinoid-driven actions, even though it does not bind to cannabinoid receptors. Some of its pharmacological properties are considered to be dependent on the expression of peroxisome proliferator-activated receptors-α (PPARα).</p> <p>Findings</p> <p>In the present study, we evaluated the effect of PEA on astrocyte activation and neuronal loss in models of Aβ neurotoxicity. To this purpose, primary rat mixed neuroglial co-cultures and organotypic hippocampal slices were challenged with Aβ<sub>1-42 </sub>and treated with PEA in the presence or absence of MK886 or GW9662, which are selective PPARα and PPARγ antagonists, respectively. The results indicate that PEA is able to blunt Aβ-induced astrocyte activation and, subsequently, to improve neuronal survival through selective PPARα activation. The data from organotypic cultures confirm that PEA anti-inflammatory properties implicate PPARα mediation and reveal that the reduction of reactive gliosis subsequently induces a marked rebound neuroprotective effect on neurons.</p> <p>Conclusions</p> <p>In line with our previous observations, the results of this study show that PEA treatment results in decreased numbers of infiltrating astrocytes during Aβ challenge, resulting in significant neuroprotection. PEA could thus represent a promising pharmacological tool because it is able to reduce Aβ-evoked neuroinflammation and attenuate its neurodegenerative consequences.</p>
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spelling doaj.art-4c020d3755dc4c5baa5989fa69d966782022-12-22T01:11:24ZengBMCJournal of Neuroinflammation1742-20942012-03-01914910.1186/1742-2094-9-49Palmitoylethanolamide exerts neuroprotective effects in mixed neuroglial cultures and organotypic hippocampal slices via peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor-αScuderi CaterinaValenza MartaStecca ClaudiaEsposito GiuseppeCarratù MariaSteardo Luca<p>Abstract</p> <p>Background</p> <p>In addition to cytotoxic mechanisms directly impacting neurons, β-amyloid (Aβ)-induced glial activation also promotes release of proinflammatory molecules that may self-perpetuate reactive gliosis and damage neighbouring neurons, thus amplifying neuropathological lesions occurring in Alzheimer's disease (AD). Palmitoylethanolamide (PEA) has been studied extensively for its anti-inflammatory, analgesic, antiepileptic and neuroprotective effects. PEA is a lipid messenger isolated from mammalian and vegetable tissues that mimics several endocannabinoid-driven actions, even though it does not bind to cannabinoid receptors. Some of its pharmacological properties are considered to be dependent on the expression of peroxisome proliferator-activated receptors-α (PPARα).</p> <p>Findings</p> <p>In the present study, we evaluated the effect of PEA on astrocyte activation and neuronal loss in models of Aβ neurotoxicity. To this purpose, primary rat mixed neuroglial co-cultures and organotypic hippocampal slices were challenged with Aβ<sub>1-42 </sub>and treated with PEA in the presence or absence of MK886 or GW9662, which are selective PPARα and PPARγ antagonists, respectively. The results indicate that PEA is able to blunt Aβ-induced astrocyte activation and, subsequently, to improve neuronal survival through selective PPARα activation. The data from organotypic cultures confirm that PEA anti-inflammatory properties implicate PPARα mediation and reveal that the reduction of reactive gliosis subsequently induces a marked rebound neuroprotective effect on neurons.</p> <p>Conclusions</p> <p>In line with our previous observations, the results of this study show that PEA treatment results in decreased numbers of infiltrating astrocytes during Aβ challenge, resulting in significant neuroprotection. PEA could thus represent a promising pharmacological tool because it is able to reduce Aβ-evoked neuroinflammation and attenuate its neurodegenerative consequences.</p>http://www.jneuroinflammation.com/content/9/1/49PalmitoylethanolamidePPARαβ-amyloidHippocampal organotypic cultureNeuroprotection
spellingShingle Scuderi Caterina
Valenza Marta
Stecca Claudia
Esposito Giuseppe
Carratù Maria
Steardo Luca
Palmitoylethanolamide exerts neuroprotective effects in mixed neuroglial cultures and organotypic hippocampal slices via peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor-α
Journal of Neuroinflammation
Palmitoylethanolamide
PPARα
β-amyloid
Hippocampal organotypic culture
Neuroprotection
title Palmitoylethanolamide exerts neuroprotective effects in mixed neuroglial cultures and organotypic hippocampal slices via peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor-α
title_full Palmitoylethanolamide exerts neuroprotective effects in mixed neuroglial cultures and organotypic hippocampal slices via peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor-α
title_fullStr Palmitoylethanolamide exerts neuroprotective effects in mixed neuroglial cultures and organotypic hippocampal slices via peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor-α
title_full_unstemmed Palmitoylethanolamide exerts neuroprotective effects in mixed neuroglial cultures and organotypic hippocampal slices via peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor-α
title_short Palmitoylethanolamide exerts neuroprotective effects in mixed neuroglial cultures and organotypic hippocampal slices via peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor-α
title_sort palmitoylethanolamide exerts neuroprotective effects in mixed neuroglial cultures and organotypic hippocampal slices via peroxisome proliferator activated receptor α
topic Palmitoylethanolamide
PPARα
β-amyloid
Hippocampal organotypic culture
Neuroprotection
url http://www.jneuroinflammation.com/content/9/1/49
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