Abstract
Background
Alzheimer’s disease is a neurological disease characterized by the build-up of amyloid beta peptide (Aβ) and lipopolysaccharide (LPS), which causes synapse dysfunction, cell death, and neuro-inflammation. A maladaptive unfolded protein response (UPR), excessive autophagy, and pyroptosis aggravate the disease. Melatonin (MEL) and hydroxybutyrate (BHB) have both shown promise in terms of decreasing Aβ pathology. The goal of this study was to see how BHB and MEL affected the UPR, autophagy, and pyroptosis pathways in Aβ1–42 and LPS-induced SH-SY5Y cells.
Materials and methods
Human neuroblastoma SH-SY5Y cells were treated with BHB, MEL, or a combination of the two after being exposed to A β1–42 and LPS. Cell viability was determined using the MTT test, and gene expression levels of UPR (ATF6, PERK, and CHOP), autophagy (Beclin-1, LC3II, P62, and Atg5), and pyroptosis-related markers (NLRP3, TXNIP, IL-1β, and NFκB1) were determined using quantitative Real-Time PCR (qRT-PCR). For statistical analysis, one-way ANOVA was employed, followed by Tukey’s post hoc test.
Results
BHB and MEL significantly increased SH-SY5Y cell viability in the presence of A β1–42 and LPS. Both compounds inhibited the expression of maladaptive UPR and autophagy-related genes, as well as inflammatory and pyroptotic markers caused by Aβ1–42 and LPS-induced SH-SY5Y cells.
Conclusion
BHB and MEL rescue neurons in A β1–42 and LPS-induced SH-SY5Y cells by reducing maladaptive UPR, excessive autophagy, and pyroptosis. More research is needed to fully comprehend the processes behind their beneficial effects and to discover their practical applications in the treatment of neurodegenerative disorders.