Ursodeoxycholic Acid Improves Mitochondrial Function and Alzheimer's Disease

(Complete study on link)
Ursodeoxycholic Acid Improves Mitochondrial Function and Redistributes Drp1 in Fibroblasts from Patients with either Sporadic or Familial Alzheimer's Disease

https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S0022283618309872?via=ihub

Highlights

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Sporadic and PSEN1 fibroblasts share a changed mitochondrial phenotype.
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This phenotype consists of reduced membrane potential and altered morphology.
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Ursodeoxycholic acid corrects mitochondrial morphology and membrane potential.
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Ursodeoxycholic acid effects act via action on Drp1 quantity and localization.
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This paper highlights the potential use of UDCA to treat Alzheimer's disease.

Abstract

Alzheimer's disease (AD) is the leading cause of dementia worldwide. Mitochondrial abnormalities have been identified in many cell types in AD, with deficits preceding the development of the classical pathological aggregations. Ursodeoxycholic acid (UDCA), a treatment for primary biliary cirrhosis, improves mitochondrial function in fibroblasts derived from Parkinson's disease (PD) patients as well as several animal models of AD and PD. In this paper, we investigated both mitochondrial function and morphology in fibroblasts from patients with both sporadic and familial AD. We show that both sporadic AD (sAD) and PSEN1 fibroblasts share the same impairment of mitochondrial membrane potential and alterations in mitochondrial morphology. Mitochondrial respiration, however, was decreased in sAD fibroblasts and increased in PSEN1 fibroblasts. Morphological changes seen in AD fibroblasts include reduced mitochondrial number and increased mitochondrial clustering around the cell nucleus as well as an increased number of long mitochondria. We show here for the first time in AD patient tissue that treatment with UDCA increases mitochondrial membrane potential and respiration as well as reducing the amount of long mitochondria in AD fibroblasts. In addition we show reductions in Dynamin-related protein 1 (Drp1) level; particularly the amount localised to mitochondria in both sporadic AD and familial patient fibroblasts. Drp1 protein amount and localization were increased after UDCA treatment. The restorative effects of UDCA are abolished when Drp1 is knocked down. This paper highlights the potential use of UDCA as a treatment for neurodegenerative disease.

Thanks for this Yoly.

I went across and saw the full paper.
I'm no scientist but it would seem that for patients with Alzheimer’ s disease or Parkinson's may benefit?

All the best Jan

Is a drug to treat gallstones mainly, but appear to help mitochondria in the brain and treat alzhaimer's. The study of mitochondria in alzhaimer's in a new avenue hope it can pan out.

"The study of mitochondria in alzhaimer's in a new avenue hope it can pan out. "

I hope so too, Alzheimer's is such a cruel disease.
We shall have to see how research pans out.

All the best Jan

The more is known about mitochondria the more they appear to be central in all kinds of disease.

TUDCA is sold as a supplement in the USA but it is not cheap. It appear to have some similar properties.

Tauroursodeoxycholic acid (TUDCA) is an ambiphilic bile acid. It is the taurine conjugate form of ursodeoxycholic acid (UDCA). Humans are found to have trace amounts of TUDCA. However, bears contain large amounts of TUDCA in their bile; UDCA and conjugates comprise about 47% of the bile in American black bears and up to 76% in Asiatic bears.[1] TUDCA has been used in ancient Asian pharmacopoeias for its supposed beneficial effects. UDCA is produced in several countries for the treatment of gallstones and liver cirrhosis. It is not approved by the Food and Drug Administration, in the U.S. while UDCA is approved in the United States for the treatment of primary biliary cirrhosis[2][3] Ongoing research is finding TUDCA has diminishing apoptotic effects, helping with cardiac function, Huntington's disease, Parkinson's disease, and stroke.[4] Recently, TUDCA has been found to have protective effects in the eye, especially concerning retinal degenerative disorders.

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Tauroursodeoxycholic_acid

I saw the word taurine, (in Yoly's post above) and thought of this article ...

"What Is Taurine? Benefits, Side Effects and More

Taurine is a type of amino acid.
It is found in many foods and often added to energy drinks.
Many people take taurine as a supplement, and some researchers refer to it as a "wonder molecule".
Taurine has been shown to have several health benefits, such as a lower risk of disease and improved sports performance.
It is also very safe and has no known side effects when taken in reasonable doses.

What Is Taurine?
Taurine is a type of amino acid found throughout the body. It is particularly concentrated in the brain, eyes, heart and muscles.
Unlike most other amino acids, it is not used to build proteins in the body. It is classified as a "conditionally essential" amino acid.
Your body can produce some amount of taurine, and it is also found in some foods. However, certain individuals may benefit from taking a supplement.
Those with specific illnesses or diseases, such as heart issues or diabetes, may also benefit from additional taurine intake.
Despite common belief, this amino acid is not extracted from bull urine or bull semen. The name is derived from the Latin word taurus, which means ox or bull, so that may be the source of the confusion.
Bottom Line:
Taurine is classified as a "conditionally essential" amino acid. It serves various important functions in the body."

more to read, with relevant research links, here
https://www.healthline.com/nutrition/what-is-taurine#section1

All the best Jan