title: Celastrol blocks neuronal cell death and extends life in transgenic mouse model of amyotrophic lateral sclerosis.
abstract: There is substantial evidence that both inflammation and oxidative damage contribute to the pathogenesis of motor neuron degeneration in the G93A SOD1 transgenic mouse model of amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS). Celastrol is a natural product from Southern China, which exerts potent anti-inflammatory and antioxidative effects. It also acts potently to increase expression of heat shock proteins including HSP70. We administered it in the diet to G93A SOD1 mice starting at 30 days of age. Celastrol treatment significantly improved weight loss, motor performance and delayed the onset of ALS. Survival of celastrol-treated G93A mice increased by 9.4% and 13% for 2 mg/kg/day and 8 mg/kg/day doses, respectively. Cell counts of lumbar spinal cord neurons confirmed a protective effect, i.e. 30% increase in neuronal number in the lumbar spinal cords of celastrol-treated animals. Celastrol treatment reduced TNF-alpha, iNOS, CD40, and GFAP immunoreactivity in the lumbar spinal cord sections of celastrol-treated G93A mice compared to untreated G93A mice. TNF-alpha immunoreactivity co-localized with SMI-32 (neuronal marker) and GFAP (astrocyte marker). HSP70 immunoreactivity was increased in lumbar spinal cord neurons of celastrol-treated G93A mice. Celastrol has been widely used in treating inflammatory diseases in man, and is well tolerated; therefore, it may be a promising therapeutic candidate for the treatment of human ALS.
authors.affiliation: Department of Neurology and Neuroscience, Weill Medical College of Cornell University, New York-Presbyterian Hospital, New York, NY 10021, USA. mak2026@med.cornell.edu
authors.forename: Mahmoud
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Kiaei
authors.forename: Khatuna
authors.initials: K
authors.lastname: Kipiani
authors.forename: Susanne
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Petri
authors.forename: Junyu
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Chen
authors.forename: Noel Y
authors.initials: NY
authors.lastname: Calingasan
authors.forename: M Flint
authors.initials: MF
authors.lastname: Beal
mesh_terms: D000690:Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis / Q000188:drug therapy / Q000235:genetics / Q000473:pathology*; D000818:Animals; D001253:Astrocytes / Q000187:drug effects / Q000378:metabolism; D019013:CD40 Antigens / Q000378:metabolism; D002452:Cell Count; D016923:Cell Death / Q000187:drug effects; D005260:Female; D019084:Fluorescent Antibody Technique, Indirect; D005904:Glial Fibrillary Acidic Protein / Q000378:metabolism; D018840:HSP70 Heat-Shock Proteins / Q000378:metabolism; D008136:Longevity; D051379:Mice; D008822:Mice, Transgenic; D009046:Motor Neurons / Q000187:drug effects / Q000378:metabolism; D009457:Neuroglia / Q000187:drug effects; D009474:Neurons / Q000187:drug effects* / Q000378:metabolism; D018696:Neuroprotective Agents / Q000494:pharmacology* / Q000627:therapeutic use; D053978:Pentacyclic Triterpenes; D004856:Postural Balance / Q000187:drug effects; D011597:Psychomotor Performance; D013482:Superoxide Dismutase / Q000235:genetics; D000072105:Superoxide Dismutase-1; D016019:Survival Analysis; D014315:Triterpenes / Q000494:pharmacology* / Q000627:therapeutic use; D014409:Tumor Necrosis Factor-alpha / Q000378:metabolism; D015854:Up-Regulation
chemical_list: D019013:CD40 Antigens; D005904:Glial Fibrillary Acidic Protein; D018840:HSP70 Heat-Shock Proteins; D018696:Neuroprotective Agents; D053978:Pentacyclic Triterpenes; C000606290:SOD1 protein, human; D014315:Triterpenes; D014409:Tumor Necrosis Factor-alpha; C000606291:Sod1 protein, mouse; D013482:Superoxide Dismutase; D000072105:Superoxide Dismutase-1; C050414:celastrol