title: Guanosine and its role in neuropathologies.
abstract: Guanosine is a purine nucleoside thought to have neuroprotective properties. It is released in the brain under physiological conditions and even more during pathological events, reducing neuroinflammation, oxidative stress, and excitotoxicity, as well as exerting trophic effects in neuronal and glial cells. In agreement, guanosine was shown to be protective in several in vitro and/or in vivo experimental models of central nervous system (CNS) diseases including ischemic stroke, Alzheimer's disease, Parkinson's disease, spinal cord injury, nociception, and depression. The mechanisms underlying the neurobiological properties of guanosine seem to involve the activation of several intracellular signaling pathways and a close interaction with the adenosinergic system, with a consequent stimulation of neuroprotective and regenerative processes in the CNS. Within this context, the present review will provide an overview of the current literature on the effects of guanosine in the CNS. The elucidation of the complex signaling events underlying the biochemical and cellular effects of this nucleoside may further establish guanosine as a potential therapeutic target for the treatment of several neuropathologies.
authors.affiliation: Department of Biochemistry, Center of Biological Sciences, Federal University of Santa Catarina, 88040-900, Florianópolis, SC, Brazil.|Division of Medical Sciences and UBC Island Medical Program, University of Victoria, Victoria, BC, V8W 2Y2, Canada.
authors.forename: Luis E B
authors.initials: LE
authors.lastname: Bettio
authors.affiliation: Division of Medical Sciences and UBC Island Medical Program, University of Victoria, Victoria, BC, V8W 2Y2, Canada.
authors.forename: Joana
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Gil-Mohapel
authors.affiliation: Department of Biochemistry, Center of Biological Sciences, Federal University of Santa Catarina, 88040-900, Florianópolis, SC, Brazil. alsrodri@gmail.com.
authors.forename: Ana Lúcia S
authors.initials: AL
authors.lastname: Rodrigues
mesh_terms: D000818:Animals; D002490:Central Nervous System / Q000378:metabolism*; D002493:Central Nervous System Diseases / Q000378:metabolism*; D006151:Guanosine / Q000378:metabolism*; D006801:Humans
chemical_list: D006151:Guanosine
keywords: Guanine-based purines; Guanosine; Neuroprotection; Neurotrophic; Purinergic system