Effect of lipoic acid and α‐glyceryl‐phosphoryl‐choline on astroglial cell proliferation and differentiation in primary culture

Abstract

Lipoic acid plays a crucial role as antioxidant and metabolic component of enzymes involved in glucose metabolism of different cell types. Choline alphoscerate (α-glyceryl-phosphoryl-choline [αGPC]) is a semisynthetic derivative of phosphatidylcholines representing, among acetilcholine precursors, a cholinergic drug. In the present study, we evaluated the expression of some proliferation and differentiation markers in 15 or 21 DIV astrocyte cultures treated with 50 μM (+)lipoic acid or (+/-)lipoic acid and/or 10 mM αGPC for 24 hr. In addition, we evaluated the possible genoprotective effect by analysis of DNA status detected by alkaline comet assay. The addition of single drugs [(+)lipoic acid, (+/-)lipoic acid, or αGPC] induced an "upward modulation" of the expression of biomarkers used in our study. On the contrary, the cotreatment with either (+)lipoic acid + αGPC or (+/-)lipoic + αGPC surprisingly showed no significant modification or even a downregulation of the above-mentioned biomarkers. This latter finding demonstrated no additional effect after the cotreatment with both drugs with respect to the single treatments alone. Further studies are necessary to clarify the specific mechanism evoked by the processing of these neuroprotective agents in our in vitro models. Finally, these preliminary findings may represent a good tool with which to clarify the antioxidant and metabolic roles played by lipoic acid in proliferating and differentiating astroglial cell cultures, during an interactive cross-talk between glial and neuronal cells, after brain lesions or damage correlated with oxidative stress that may occur in some degenerative diseases.

Alpha-lipoic acid affects the oxidative stress in various brain structures in mice with methionine and choline deficiency

“…However, it remains unknown whether neuroprotective effects of LA may occur through other mechanisms, such as induction of endogenous antioxidants and phase 2 enzymes in neuronal cells. 27 Various studies suggest that separately methionine or choline deficiency can induce lipid peroxidation in various organs. [28][29][30] It also has been shown that after i.p.…”

Carbon Tetrachloride Increases the Pro-inflammatory Cytokines Levels in Different Brain Areas of Wistar Rats: The Protective Effect of Acai Frozen Pulp

“…), which is native to South America, has become popular as a functional food due to its antioxidant properties [20]. Furthermore, several studies suggest an antioxidant role and their protective properties on the organism of some molecules, such as lipoic acid, antocyanins, catechins and other polyphenols [21][22][23][24][25]. Therefore, acai is considered a nutraceutical food, rich in carotenoids, ascorbic acid and phenolic compounds, which are responsible for its important antioxidant activity [26][27][28].…”

Monocarboxylate transporter-dependent mechanism confers resistance to oxygen- and glucose-deprivation injury in astrocyte-neuron co-cultures

“…They are the most abundant glial cells in the brain that are closely associated with neuronal synapses [1]. Glial cells are also involved in providing neurotrophic signals to neurons required for their survival, proliferation, and differentiation [2].…”