Cell membrane composition and oxidative stress in the nervous system during aging and neurodegeneration

• Grant number: 21/12620-0
• Support Opportunities: Regular Research Grants
• Start date: October 01, 2022
• End date: September 30, 2024
• Field of knowledge: Biological Sciences - Physiology - Physiology of Organs and Systems
• Principal Investigator: Andréa da Silva Torrão
• Grantee: Andréa da Silva Torrão
• Host Institution: Instituto de Ciências Biomédicas (ICB). Universidade de São Paulo (USP). São Paulo , SP, Brazil

Abstract

Aging and neurodegenerative diseases share some cellular and molecular changes in the nervous system, such as composition of membranes, energy metabolism and mitochondrial dysfunction, increased production and reduced removal of reactive oxygen species, changes in subcellular processing of proteins and neuroinflammation.Alzheimer's disease (AD) is the most common form of dementia and is characterized by neuronal degeneration of regions related to cognitive functions and its etiology is not completely known. Studies suggest that disturbances in glucose metabolism and decreased expression/activity of mitochondrial enzymes, as well as, cerebral insulin signaling, are associated with early stages and progression of AD. Thus, the search for therapeutic strategies that can interfere with mitochondrial function and improve glucose metabolism in the nervous system is extremely important. The aims of this study are to evaluate the effects of changes in membrane composition and fluidity and oxidative stress resulting from aging in rats and induced in neuronal cell lines (neuro 2a) and primary cultures of astrocyte and microglia. Rats will be evaluated for cognitive performance related to memory and brains and cell cultures for biochemical and molecular parameters related to the insulin signaling pathway, apoptotic pathways, oxidative condition and neurodegenerative markers. (AU)