Gradual loss of cognitive abilities is common during ageing but might also result in mild cognitive impairment and dementia. Research suggests that neurotrophins, such as brain derived neurotrophic fa Show more
Gradual loss of cognitive abilities is common during ageing but might also result in mild cognitive impairment and dementia. Research suggests that neurotrophins, such as brain derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF), and neurosteroids, such as dehydroepiandrosterone (DHEA) and its sulphate (DHEAS), play crucial role in cognitive functions and are often dysregulated in neurocognitive disorders. This study aimed to investigate variations in the genes for BDNF and sulfotransferase 2A1 (SULT2A1), the enzyme converting DHEA into DHEAS, as well as plasma BDNF and DHEAS levels, in individuals with normal cognition, and mild, moderate, and severe cognitive impairment. Cognitive functions of 453 participants were evaluated using Mini-Mental State Examination (MMSE) and Clock Drawing test (CDT). Genotyping of BDNF (rs6265) and SULT2A1 (rs2637125) polymorphisms was conducted, and plasma BDNF and DHEAS concentrations were determined by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assays (ELISA). Obtained results demonstrated that participants with moderate to severe cognitive impairment had significantly lower plasma BDNF and DHEAS levels, compared to individuals with normal cognition. In contrast to DHEAS, BDNF changes were more pronounced in men than in women. However, no significant associations of BDNF rs6265 and SULT2A1 rs2637125 polymorphisms with cognitive decline, or with plasma BDNF and DHEAS levels, respectively, were observed. Compared to CDT, MMSE was superior in distinguishing plasma BDNF and DHEAS variations, especially between individuals with mild and moderate to severe cognitive impairment. Further studies should investigate the potential of BDNF and DHEAS as peripheral biomarkers of cognitive decline and possible benefits of their replacement therapy in neurocognitive disorders. Show less
Bone marrow and teeth contain mesenchymal stem cells (MSCs) that could be used for cell-based regenerative therapies. MSCs from these two tissues represent heterogeneous cell populations with varying Show more
Bone marrow and teeth contain mesenchymal stem cells (MSCs) that could be used for cell-based regenerative therapies. MSCs from these two tissues represent heterogeneous cell populations with varying degrees of lineage commitment. Although human bone marrow stem cells (hBMSCs) and human dental pulp stem cells (hDPSCs) have been extensively studied, it is not yet fully defined if their adipogenic potential differs. Therefore, in this study, we compared the in vitro adipogenic differentiation potential of hDPSCs and hBMSCs. Both cell populations were cultured in adipogenic differentiation media, followed by specific lipid droplet staining to visualise cytodifferentiation. The in vitro differentiation assays were complemented with the expression of specific genes for adipogenesis and osteogenesis-dentinogenesis, as well as for genes involved in the Wnt and Notch signalling pathways. Our findings showed that hBMSCs formed adipocytes containing numerous and large lipid vesicles. In contrast to hBMSCs, hDPSCs did not acquire the typical adipocyte morphology and formed fewer lipid droplets of small size. Regarding the gene expression, cultured hBMSCs upregulated the expression of adipogenic-specific genes (e.g., Show less