Herrero Ezquerro, María Trinidad

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Herrero Ezquerro, María Trinidad

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Herrero Ezquerro, María Trinidad

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Universidad de Murcia. Departamento de Anatomía Humana y Psicobiología

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Open Access
Could small heat shock protein (HSP27) be a first line approach for preventing protein aggregation in Parkinson’s disease?
(2021-03-16) Navarro Zaragoza, Javier; Cuenca Bermejo, Lorena; Almela Rojo, Pilar; Laorden Carrasco, María Luisa; Herrero Ezquerro, María Trinidad; Farmacología
Small heat shock proteins (HSPs), such as HSP27, are ubiquitously expressed molecular chaperones and are essential for cellular homeostasis. The major functions of HSP27 include chaperoning misfolded or unfolded polypeptides and protecting cells from toxic stress. Dysregulation of stress proteins is associated with many human diseases including neurodegenerative diseases, such as Parkinson’s disease (PD). PD is characterized by the presence of aggregates of alpha-synuclein in the central and peripheral nervous system, which induces the degeneration of dopaminergic neurons in the substantia nigra pars compacta (SNpc) and in the autonomic nervous system. Autonomic dysfunction is an important non-motor phenotype of PD, which includes cardiovascular dysregulation, among others. Nowadays, the therapies for PD focus on dopamine (DA) replacement. However, certain non-motor symptoms with a great impact on quality of life do not respond to dopaminergic drugs; therefore, the development and testing of new treatments for non-motor symptoms of PD remain a priority. Since small HSP27 was shown to prevent -synuclein aggregation and cytotoxicity, this protein might constitute a suitable target to prevent or delay the motor and non-motor symptoms of PD. In the first part of our review, we focus on the cardiovascular dysregulation observed in PD patients. In the second part, we present data on the possible role of HSP27 in preventing the accumulation of amyloid fibrils and aggregated forms of alpha-synuclein. We also include our own studies, highlighting the possible protective cardiac effects induced by L-DOPA treatment through the enhancement of HSP27 levels and activity.
Open Access
A New Tool to Study Parkinsonism in the Context of Aging: MPTP Intoxication in a Natural Model of Multimorbidity
(MDPI, ) Cuenca, Lorena; Pizzichini, Elisa; Gonçalves, Valeria C.; Guillén Díaz, María; Aguilar Moñino, Elena; Sánchez Rodrigo, Consuelo; González Cuello, Ana María; Fernández Villalba, Emiliano; Herrero Ezquerro, María Trinidad; Enfermería
The diurnal rodent Octodon degus (O. degus) is considered an attractive natural model for Alzheimer’s disease and other human age-related features. However, it has not been explored so far if the O. degus could be used as a model to study Parkinson’s disease. To test this idea, 10 adult male O. degus were divided into control group and MPTP-intoxicated animals. Motor condition and cognition were examined. Dopaminergic degeneration was studied in the ventral mesencephalon and in the striatum. Neuroinflammation was also evaluated in the ventral mesencephalon, in the striatum and in the dorsal hippocampus. MPTP animals showed significant alterations in motor activity and in visuospatial memory. Postmortem analysis revealed a significant decrease in the number of dopaminergic neurons in the ventral mesencephalon of MPTP animals, although no differences were found in their striatal terminals. We observed a significant increase in neuroinflammatory responses in the mesencephalon, in the striatum and in the hippocampus of MPTP-intoxicated animals. Additionally, changes in the subcellular expression of the calcium-binding protein S100 were found in the astrocytes in the nigrostriatal pathway. These findings prove for the first time that O. degus are sensitive to MPTP intoxication and, therefore, is a suitable model for experimental Parkinsonism in the context of aging.
Open Access
Heart matters: cardiac dysfunction and other autonomic changes in Parkinson’s disease
(SAGE Publications, 2021-02-15) Gonçalves, Valeria C. ; Cuenca Bermejo, Lorena; Fernández Villalba, Emiliano; Martin Balbuena, Sebastian; Fernandes, Maria Jose da Silva; Scorza, Carla A.; Herrero Ezquerro, María Trinidad; Medicina; Facultades de la UMU
It has been more than 200 years since James Parkinson made the first descriptions of the disease that bears his name. Since then, knowledge about Parkinson’s disease has been improved, and its pathophysiology, diagnosis, and treatments are well described in the scientific and medical literature. However, there is no way to prevent the disease from its progressive nature yet and only its symptoms can be minimized. It is known that the process of neurodegeneration begins before the onset of motor signs and symptoms of the disease, when diagnosis is usually made. Therefore, recognizing manifested non-motor symptoms can make an early diagnosis possible and lead to a better understanding of the disease. Autonomic dysfunctions are important non-motor manifestations of Parkinson’s disease and affect the majority of patients. Importantly, heart failure is the third leading cause of death in people suffering from Parkinson’s disease. Several evidences have shown the correlation between Parkinson’s disease and the preexistence of cardiovascular diseases. Therefore, cardiovascular monitoring and identification of its dysfunctions can have a prodromal role for Parkinson’s disease. This review presents studies of the literature that can lead to a better understanding of Parkinson’s disease with special attention to its relation to heart and cardiovascular parameters.
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Changes in the neuronal activity in the pedunculopontine nucleus in chronic MPTP-treated primates: an in situ hybridization study of cytochrome oxidase subunit I, choline acetyl transferase and substance P mRNA expression
(Springer, 2007-03) Fernández Villalba, Emiliano; Fernández Barreiro, Andrés; Herrero Ezquerro, María Trinidad; Gómez Gallego, María; Atención Sociosanitaria
Summary. The pedunculopontine nucleus is a mesencephalic nucleus that has widespread and reciprocal connections with the basal ganglia. It has been implicated in the physiopathology of akinesia, rigidity, gait failure and sleep disorders associated with Parkinson’s disease. In this study, in situ hybridization was used to examine the changes in neuronal metabolic activity (measuring cytochrome oxidase subunit I) and in the level of acetylcholine and Substance P synthesis in the pedunculopontine nucleus of monkeys chronically treated with MPTP. Significant reductions were observed in cytochrome oxidase subunit I (p = 0.001), choline acetyl transferase (p = 0.003) and substance P (p = 0.006) mRNA expression in parkinsonian animals compared with controls, indicating that pedunculopontine cholinergic neurons activity decreases with parkinsonism.
Open Access
Methods for prospectively incorporating gender into health sciences research
(Elsevier, 2020-09-24) Tadiri, Christina P.; Raparelli, Valeria; Abrahamowicz, Michal; Kautzky-Willer, Alexandra; Kublickiene, Karolina; Norris, Colleen M.; Pilote, Louise; Herrero Ezquerro, María Trinidad; Anatomía Humana y Psicobiología
Numerous studies have demonstrated that sex (a biological variable) and gender (a psychosocial construct) impact health and have dis-cussed the mechanisms that may explain these relationships. Funding agencies have called for all health researchers to incorporate sex andgender into their studies; however, the way forward has been unclear to many, particularly due to the varied definition of gender. We arguethat just as there is no standardized definition of gender, there can be no standardized measurement thereof. However, numerous measurablegender-related variables may influence individual or population-level health through various pathways. The initial question should guide theselection of specific gender-related variables based on their relevance to the study, to prospectively incorporate gender into research. Weoutline various methods to provide clarification on how to incorporate gender into the design of prospective clinical and epidemiologicalstudies as well as methods for statistical analysis
Open Access
Magnesium in Kidney Function and Disease—Implications for Aging and Sex—A Narrative Review
(2023-03) Macías Ruiz, María del Carmen; Cuenca, Lorena; Veronese, Nicola; Fernández Villalba, Emiliano; Kublickiene, Karolina; Raparelli, Valeria; Norris, Colleen M.; Kautzky-Willer, Alexandra; Pilote, Louise; Barbagallo, Mario; Dominguez, Ligia; González Cuello, Ana María; Herrero Ezquerro, María Trinidad; Enfermería
Magnesium (Mg) has a vital role in the human body, and the kidney is a key organ in the metabolism and excretion of this cation. The objective of this work is to compile the available evidence regarding the role that Mg plays in health and disease, with a special focus on the elderly population with chronic kidney disease (CKD) and the eventual sex differences. A narrative review was carried out by executing an exhaustive search in the PubMed, Scopus, and Cochrane databases. Ten studies were found in which the role of Mg and sex was evaluated in elderly patients with CKD in the last 10 years (2012–2022). The progression of CKD leads to alterations in mineral metabolism, which worsen as the disease progresses. Mg can be used as a coadjuvant in the treatment of CKD patients to improve glomerular filtration, but its use in clinical applications needs to be further characterized. In conclusion, there’s a need for well-designed prospective clinical trials to advise and standardize Mg supplementation in daily clinical practice, taking age and sex into consideration.
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Modulatory role of NK1 receptors in the basal ganglia. Studies in NK1-/-mice
(Springer, 2005) Turpín, Laura; Boronat, Jorge; Barcia, Carlos; Ros, Francisco; García, Virginia; Hunt, Stephen P.; Felipe, Carmen de; Herrero Ezquerro, María Trinidad; Gómez Gallego, María; Atención Sociosanitaria
Open Access
Comunicaciones Orales.-Lesión de la mucosa gastrointestinal exacerba la inflamación en ratones parkinsonianos
(2020-05-26) Cano, J. A.; Valiente, M.; Estrada, C.; González-Cuello, A.; Fernández, E.; Fernández-Gómez, F.; Herrero Ezquerro, María Trinidad; Gil Martínez, Ana Luisa; Facultades, Departamentos, Servicios y Escuelas::Facultades de la UMU::Facultad de Medicina
Open Access
Sex, rurality and socioeconomical status in Spanish centennial population (2017)
(2021-09) Fuentes, Pedro; Amador, Sandra; Lucas Ochoa, Ana Maria; Cuenca Bermejo, Lorena; Fernández Villalba, Emiliano; Raparelli, Valeria; Norris, Colleen; Kautzky Willer, Alexandra; Kublickiene, Karolina; Pilote, Louise; Herrero Ezquerro, María Trinidad; Anatomía Humana y Psicobiología
World's population is exponentially aging as people reaching 100 years old has increased. The number of areas with the highest centennial population rates (Blue Zones), are significantly higher. Are there any determinant factors that favor this situation in Spain? The goal of this study was to determine the possible influence of sex, rurality and socioeconomic factors (Gross Domestic Product (GDP)) on the prevalence of the centennial population of the Spanish society. The Spanish register of inhabitants was published in 2017 by the National Statistics Institute. The analysis was carried out both by Autonomous Communities and by provinces in phases: a first descriptive analysis, followed by an inferential analysis, based on statistical tests (independent T- Student test, Pearson correlation and ANOVA). There were significant interactions between: i) sex and longevity (in favor of the female population); ii) female and rural housing and iii) female, GDP and urban areas. Feminization was proven in the longevity revolution, but, in general, GDP per Capita was not a significant survival factor on its own. This study was the first step of further analysis related to extreme longevity in Spain, which will include other dependent variables such as state of health and well-being as well as social factors
Open Access
Identification of differentially expressed genes profiles in a combined mouse model of Parkinsonism and colitis
(Nature research, ) Cuenca, L.; González Cuello, A.; Sánchez Rodrigo, C.; Parrado, A.; Vyas, S.; Herrero Ezquerro, María Trinidad; Gil Martínez, Ana Luisa; Fernández Villalba, Emiliano; Enfermería