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Hydrogen sulfide (H 2 S) is endogenously produced from sulfur containing amino acids, including homocysteine and exerts neuroprotective effects. An increase of homocysteine during pregnancy impairs fetal growth and development of the offspring due to severe oxidative stress. We analyzed the effects of the H 2 S donor-sodium hydrosulfide (NaHS) administered to female rats with hyperhomocysteinemia (hHcy) on behavioral impairments and levels of oxidative stress of their offspring. Rats born from females fed with control or high methionine diet, with or without H 2 S donor injections were investigated. Rats with maternal hHcy exhibit increased levels of total locomotor activity and anxiety, decreased muscle endurance and motor coordination, abnormalities of fine motor control, as well as reduced spatial memory and learning. Oxidative stress in brain tissues measured by activity of glutathione peroxidases and the level of malondialdehyde was higher in rats with maternal hHcy. Concentrations of H 2 S and the activity and expression of the H 2 S generating enzyme-cystathionine-beta synthase-were lower compared to the control group. Administration of the H 2 S donor to females with hHcy during pregnancy prevented behavioral alterations and oxidative stress of their offspring. The acquisition of behavioral together with biochemical studies will add to our knowledge about homocysteine neurotoxicity and proposes H 2 S as a potential agent for therapy of hHcy associated disorders.

Enhanced levels of homocysteine during pregnancy induce oxidative stress and contribute to many age-related diseases. In this study, we analyzed age-dependent synaptic modifications in developing neuromuscular synapses of rats with prenatal hyperhomocysteinemia (hHCY). One of the main findings indicate that the intensity and the timing of transmitter release in synapses of neonatal (P6 and P10) hHCY rats acquired features of matured synaptic transmission of adult rats. The amplitude and frequency of miniature end-plate currents (MEPCs) and evoked transmitter release were higher in neonatal hHCY animals compared to the control group. Analysis of the kinetics of neurotransmitter release demonstrated more synchronized release in neonatal rats with hHCY. At the same time lower release probability was observed in adults with hHCY. Spontaneous transmitter release in neonates with hHCY was inhibited by hydrogen peroxide (H 2 O 2 ) whereas in controls this oxidant was effective only in adult animals indicating a higher susceptibility of motor nerve terminals to oxidative stress. The morphology and the intensity of endocytosis of synaptic vesicles in motor nerve endings was assessed using the fluorescence dye FM 1-43. Adult-like synapses were found in neonates with hHCY which were characterized by a larger area of presynaptic terminals compared to controls. No difference in the intensity of FM 1-43 fluorescence was observed between two groups of animals. Prenatal hHCY resulted in reduced muscle strength assessed by the Paw Grip Endurance test. Using biochemical assays we found an increased level of H 2 O 2 and lipid peroxidation products in the diaphragm muscles of hHCY rats. This was associated with a lowered activity of superoxide dismutase and glutathione peroxidase. Our data indicate that prenatal hHCY induces oxidative stress and apparent faster functional and morphological "maturation" of motor synapses. Our results uncover synaptic mechanisms of disrupted muscle function observed in hHCY conditions which may contribute to the pathogenesis of motor neuronal diseases associated with enhanced level of homocysteine., (Copyright © 2019 ISDN. Published by Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.)

All cells contain ion channels in their outer (plasma) and inner (organelle) membranes. Ion channels, similar to other proteins, are targets of oxidative impact, which modulates ion fluxes across membranes. Subsequently, these ion currents affect electrical excitability, such as action potential discharge (in neurons, muscle, and receptor cells), alteration of the membrane resting potential, synaptic transmission, hormone secretion, muscle contraction or coordination of the cell cycle. In this chapter we summarize effects of oxidative stress and redox mechanisms on some ion channels, in particular on maxi calcium-activated potassium (BK) channels which play an outstanding role in a plethora of physiological and pathophysiological functions in almost all cells and tissues. We first elaborate on some general features of ion channel structure and function and then summarize effects of oxidative alterations of ion channels and their functional consequences.

In this study, we investigated the effects of L-homocysteine (Hcy) on maxi calcium-activated potassium ( BK) channels and on exocytosis of secretory granules in GH3 rat pituitary-derived cells. A major finding of our study indicates that short-term application of Hcy increased the open probability of oxidized BK channels in inside-out recordings. Whole-cell recordings show that extracellular Hcy also augmented BK currents during long-term application. Furthermore, Hcy decreased the exocytosis of secretory granules. This decrease was partially prevented by the BK channel inhibitor paxilline and fully prevented by N-acetylcysteine, a reactive oxygen species scavenger. Taken together, our data show that elevation of cellular Hcy level induces oxidative stress, increases BK channel activity, and decreases exocytosis of secretory granules. These findings may provide insight into some of the developmental impairments and neurotoxicity associated with Hyperhomocysteinemia ( HHcy), a disease arising due to abnormally elevated levels of Hcy in the plasma. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Homocysteine (HCY) is a pro-inflammatory sulphur-containing redox active endogenous amino acid, which concentration increases in neurodegenerative disorders including amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS). A widely held view suggests that HCY could contribute to neurodegeneration via promotion of oxidative stress. However, the action of HCY on motor nerve terminals has not been investigated so far. We previously reported that oxidative stress inhibited synaptic transmission at the neuromuscular junction, targeting primarily the motor nerve terminals. In the current study, we investigated the effect of HCY on oxidative stress-induced impairment of transmitter release at the mouse diaphragm muscle. The mild oxidant H2O2 decreased the intensity of spontaneous quantum release from nerve terminals (measured as the frequency of miniature endplate potentials, MEPPs) without changes in the amplitude of MEPPs, indicating a presynaptic effect. Pre-treatment with HCY for 2 h only slightly affected both amplitude and frequency of MEPPs but increased the inhibitory potency of H2O2 almost two fold. As HCY can activate certain subtypes of glutamate N-methyl Daspartate (NMDA) receptors we tested the role of NMDA receptors in the sensitizing action of HCY. Remarkably, the selective blocker of NMDA receptors, AP-5 completely removed the sensitizing effect of HCY on the H2O2-induced presynaptic depressant effect. Thus, at the mammalian neuromuscular junction HCY largely increases the inhibitory effect of oxidative stress on transmitter release, via NMDA receptors activation. This combined effect of HCY and local oxidative stress can specifically contribute to the damage of presynaptic terminals in neurodegenerative motoneuron diseases, including ALS. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Accumulating clinical and preclinical data indicate a prominent role of gut microbiota in regulation of physiological functions. The gut-brain axis imbalance due to gut dysbiosis is associated with a range of neurodegenerative diseases. Probiotics were suggested not only to restore intestinal dysbiosis but also modulate stress response and improve mood and anxiety symptoms. In this study, we assessed the effects of probiotic lactobacilli on behavioral reactions, the level of oxidative stress and microbiota content in mice administered to broad-spectrum antibiotics. Our study demonstrates that antibiotic treatment of adolescent mice for two weeks resulted in higher mortality and lower weight gain and induced significant changes in behavior including lower locomotor and exploratory activity, reduced muscle strength, visceral hypersensitivity, higher level of anxiety and impaired cognitive functions compared to the control group. These changes were accompanied by decreased diversity and total amount of bacteria, abundance of Proteobacteria and Verrucomicrobia phyla, and reduced Firmicutes/Bacteroides ratio in the gut microbiota. Moreover, a higher level of oxidative stress was found in brain and skeletal muscle tissues of mice treated with antibiotics. Oral administration of two Lactobacillus strains prevented the observed changes and improved not only microbiota content but also the behavioral alterations, suggesting a neuroprotective and antioxidant role of probiotics. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]