Thioctic acid plays a crucial role as antioxidant and metabolic component of enzymes involved in glucose metabolism of different cell types. alpha-Glyceryl phosphoryl-choline (alpha-GPC) is a semi-synthetic derivative of phosphatidylcholines representing, among acetilcholine precursors, a relatively new cholinergic drug. In the present study, we evaluated the expression of some proliferation and differentiation markers in 21 DIV astrocyte cultures treated for 24h with 50 microM (+)thioctic acid or (+/-)thioctic acid and/or alpha-GPC (10microM). Immunocytochemical analysis showed that astroglial cells cultures treated with (+)thioctic acid or (+/-) thioctic acid and/or alpha-GPC were GFAP positive. Western blotting analysis showed that GFAP and vimentin expression increased after treatment with (+)thioctic acid compared to control ones; nevertheless, not significant modification of GFAP and vimentin expression was observed in alpha-GPC-treated astrocyte cultures. In addition, the treatment with (+)thioctic acid and alpha-GPC both together induced an enhancement of vimentin expression compared to control ones, but not significant modification of GFAP expression in (+)thioctic acid plus alpha-GPC treated cultures compared to control ones was found. Furthermore, by performing either the treatment with (+)thioctic acid alone or in combination with alpha-GPC, we observed an highly significant enhancement in the expression of cyclin D1, respect to control astrocyte coltures. On the contrary, not significant modification of cyclin D1 expression in alpha-GPC-treated astrocyte cultures was observed. The analysis of DNA status by Alkaline Comet assay showed any significant modifications to be induced by the two treatments, (+)thioctic acid or (+/-) thioctic acid resembling rather a possible genoprotective effect. Finally, these findings may suggest an eventual neuroprotective effect evoked by both thioctic acid and alpha-GPC treatment during glia-neuron interactions, particularly active in neurodegenerative diseases.
Thioctic acid and alpha-glyceryl phosphoryl-choline up and down modulate GFAP, vimentin and cyclin D1 expression of astroglial cells in primary culture
MALFA, GIUSEPPE;TOMASELLO, BARBARA;RENIS, Marcella;AVOLA, Roberto
2011-01-01
Abstract
Thioctic acid plays a crucial role as antioxidant and metabolic component of enzymes involved in glucose metabolism of different cell types. alpha-Glyceryl phosphoryl-choline (alpha-GPC) is a semi-synthetic derivative of phosphatidylcholines representing, among acetilcholine precursors, a relatively new cholinergic drug. In the present study, we evaluated the expression of some proliferation and differentiation markers in 21 DIV astrocyte cultures treated for 24h with 50 microM (+)thioctic acid or (+/-)thioctic acid and/or alpha-GPC (10microM). Immunocytochemical analysis showed that astroglial cells cultures treated with (+)thioctic acid or (+/-) thioctic acid and/or alpha-GPC were GFAP positive. Western blotting analysis showed that GFAP and vimentin expression increased after treatment with (+)thioctic acid compared to control ones; nevertheless, not significant modification of GFAP and vimentin expression was observed in alpha-GPC-treated astrocyte cultures. In addition, the treatment with (+)thioctic acid and alpha-GPC both together induced an enhancement of vimentin expression compared to control ones, but not significant modification of GFAP expression in (+)thioctic acid plus alpha-GPC treated cultures compared to control ones was found. Furthermore, by performing either the treatment with (+)thioctic acid alone or in combination with alpha-GPC, we observed an highly significant enhancement in the expression of cyclin D1, respect to control astrocyte coltures. On the contrary, not significant modification of cyclin D1 expression in alpha-GPC-treated astrocyte cultures was observed. The analysis of DNA status by Alkaline Comet assay showed any significant modifications to be induced by the two treatments, (+)thioctic acid or (+/-) thioctic acid resembling rather a possible genoprotective effect. Finally, these findings may suggest an eventual neuroprotective effect evoked by both thioctic acid and alpha-GPC treatment during glia-neuron interactions, particularly active in neurodegenerative diseases.I documenti in IRIS sono protetti da copyright e tutti i diritti sono riservati, salvo diversa indicazione.
