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Nimodipine fosters remyelination in a mouse model of multiple sclerosis and induces microglia...

Kati

Patient in training
Messages
5,497
Nimodipine fosters remyelination in a mouse model of multiple sclerosis and induces microglia-specific apoptosis

  1. Andrea Schampela,
  2. Oleg Volovitchb,
  3. Tobias Koenigera,
  4. Claus-Jürgen Scholzc,d,
  5. Stefanie Jörge,
  6. Ralf A. Linkere,
  7. Erhard Wischmeyerf,
  8. Marie Wunscha,
  9. Johannes W. Hellg,
  10. Süleyman Ergüna, and
  11. Stefanie Kuerrtena,1
Author Affiliations

  1. aDepartment of Anatomy and Cell Biology, University of Würzburg, 97070 Wuerzburg, Germany;
  2. bDepartment of Anatomy and Cell Biology, University of Cologne, 50931 Cologne, Germany;
  3. cCore Unit Systems Medicine, University Hospital of Würzburg, 97080 Wuerzburg, Germany;
  4. dThe Life & Medical Sciences Institute, University of Bonn, 53113 Bonn, Germany;
  5. eDepartment of Neurology, Friedrich-Alexander University Erlangen-Nuremberg, 91054 Erlangen, Germany;
  6. fInstitute of Physiology, Molecular Electrophysiology, University of Würzburg, 97070 Wuerzburg, Germany;
  7. gDepartment of Pharmacology, University of California, Davis, CA 95616
  1. Edited by Lawrence Steinman, Stanford University School of Medicine, Stanford, CA, and approved March 14, 2017 (received for review December 6, 2016)

Significance
Multiple sclerosis (MS) is the most frequent neurological disease that leads to premature retirement in young adults.

Progressive MS currently is not only incurable, but also untreatable. Here we show that the calcium channel antagonist nimodipine significantly attenuated clinical disease and central nervous system degeneration and also fostered remyelination in a mouse model of MS.

The effect of nimodipine was microglia specific, inducing apoptosis and decreasing the production of neurotoxic molecules such as nitric oxide and reactive oxygen species both in vitro and in vivo.

These results introduce a treatment option for MS and also may have broad therapeutic implications for chronic neuroinflammatory diseases in general.

Abstract
Despite continuous interest in multiple sclerosis (MS) research, there is still a lack of neuroprotective strategies, because the main focus has remained on modulating the immune response.

Here we performed in-depth analysis of neurodegeneration in experimental autoimmune encephalomyelitis (EAE) and in in vitro studies regarding the effect of the well-established L-type calcium channel antagonist nimodipine.

Nimodipine treatment attenuated clinical EAE and spinal cord degeneration and promoted remyelination. Surprisingly, we observed calcium channel-independent effects on microglia, resulting in apoptosis.

These effects were cell-type specific and irrespective of microglia polarization. Apoptosis was accompanied by decreased levels of nitric oxide (NO) and inducible NO synthase (iNOS) in cell culture as well as decreased iNOS and reactive oxygen species levels in EAE.

In addition, increased numbers of Olig2+APC+ oligodendrocytes were detected.

Overall, nimodipine application seems to generate a favorable environment for regenerative processes and therefore could be a treatment option for MS, because it combines features of immunomodulation with beneficial effects on neuroregeneration.
 
Last edited:

Ema

Senior Member
Messages
4,729
Location
Midwest USA
Wonder if killing the microglial cells entirely is as good as calming them?

Using this mouse model, they found that treatment with nimodipine had multiple benefits: It decreased the rate of demyelination, increased oligodendrocyte survival, and, as a result, also fostered remyelination of the nerve cells.

Researchers attributed these results to a combination of factors. It is believed that some of the beneficial effects of nimodipine were due to the decreased amount of calcium coming into the cells that can cause damage to the cellular structures and the surrounding cell environment.

In addition, it was found that treatment with nimodipine caused microglia cell death. Microglia are cells in the brain that are involved in the body’s immune response. These cells release molecules such as nitric oxide and reactive oxygen species, which are toxic to oligodendrocytes. Thus, their death is thought to have further improved the cell environment to enable the oligodendrocytes to survive and continue producing myelin. This result was neither expected nor found to be mediated via mechanisms linked to the blockade of calcium.

Full text here: https://www.medicalnewsbulletin.com/potential-new-treatment-ms-fostering-remyelination-nimodipine/
 

pattismith

Senior Member
Messages
3,931
Started Nimodipine a few days days ago, 15 mg x 3 times a day.

No low blood pressure at this dosage, no bad effect, no sleepiness. Improved energy and less widespread pain to date!
A quick good effect is likely to be the result of the calcium blockade and vasodilatation, let's see what it does on the long run...

Nimodipine is worth a try, especially when you notice caffeine is no longer giving to you any benefit (a vasoconstrictor).


Wonder if killing the microglial cells entirely is as good as calming them?



Full text here: https://www.medicalnewsbulletin.com/potential-new-treatment-ms-fostering-remyelination-nimodipine/
The paper is in fact a doctorat thesis.

Here the intro:

"To our surprise , we detected calcium channel - independent effects on microglia, resulting in apoptosis. These effec ts were cell type - specific and independent of microglia polarization. Apoptosis was accompanied by decreased levels of ni tric oxide (NO) and inducible NO synthase (iNOS) in cell culture as well as decreased iNOS expression and reactive oxygen species (ROS) activity in EAE. Overall , application of nimodipine seems to generate a favorable environment for regenerative processes and could therefore be a novel treatment option for MS , combin ing immunomodulat ory effects while promoting neuro regeneration."