Maltol Promotes Mitophagy and Inhibits Oxidative Stress via the Nrf2/PINK1/Parkin Pathway after Spinal Cord Injury

Oxidative Medicine and Cellular Longevity, 2022 · DOI: https://doi.org/10.1155/2022/1337630 · Published: February 1, 2022

Spinal Cord Injury Genetics

Simple Explanation

Spinal cord injury (SCI) is a severe condition with limited neuronal regeneration. Oxidative stress (OS) and cell death worsen SCI progression. This study explores maltol's potential to trigger Nrf2 expression, which can obstruct OS and apoptosis after SCI. The research found that maltol enhances PINK1/Parkin-mediated mitophagy in PC12 cells, improving mitochondrial functions. This suggests maltol could help treat and manage SCI by facilitating the recovery of mitochondrial functions. Maltol is a natural antioxidative agent that can promote mitophagy and suppress the activation of OS and neuronal apoptosis via triggering the Nrf2/PINK1/Parkin signaling pathway after SCI.

Study Duration

2 weeks (in vivo), Not specified (in vitro)

Participants

60 adult female 8-week-old C57BL/6 mice, PC12 cells

Evidence Level

Not specified

Key Findings

1
Maltol administration improves locomotor function after SCI, as indicated by increased BMS scores and footprint analysis.
2
Maltol inhibits oxidative stress and apoptosis induced by SCI by facilitating the expressions of Nrf2 and the downstream antioxidant-related proteins such as HO-1 and SOD2
3
Maltol attenuates H2O2-induced oxidative stress and apoptosis in PC12 cells, suggesting its potential as a neuroprotective agent in SCI.

Research Summary

This study investigates the therapeutic effects of maltol on spinal cord injury (SCI), focusing on its antioxidative and antiapoptotic properties. The research demonstrates that maltol promotes mitophagy and inhibits oxidative stress through the Nrf2/PINK1/Parkin pathway in both in vivo and in vitro models of SCI. The findings suggest that maltol could be a promising therapeutic candidate for the treatment and management of SCI, warranting further investigation into its long-term pharmacological effects.

Practical Implications

Therapeutic Potential

Maltol shows promise as a therapeutic agent for SCI treatment due to its ability to reduce oxidative stress, promote mitophagy, and improve locomotor function.

Pathway Targeting

The study highlights the Nrf2/PINK1/Parkin pathway as a key target for therapeutic interventions aimed at mitigating the effects of SCI.

Drug Development

These findings may inform the development of new drugs or therapies that leverage the antioxidative and neuroprotective properties of maltol or similar compounds.

Study Limitations

1
Other aspects of mitochondrial functions, including mitochondrial membrane potential and mitochondrial biogenesis, have not been further investigated.
2
More animal experiments might be needed to further prove the results of our cell experiments.
3
The evaluation of the long-term effects of maltol intervention on SCI is also unknown in our current investigation.

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