A naturally occurring compound, kaempferol, found in fruits and vegetables such as kale, berries, and endives, is under investigation for its potential neuroprotective effects. Research conducted at the University of Missouri suggests that kaempferol may support nerve cell health, offering a possible treatment avenue for ALS and dementia.
Smita Saxena, a professor at the School of Medicine, stated, "It's exciting to discover a naturally occurring compound that may help people suffering from ALS or dementia." The study highlighted kaempferol's impact on maintaining motor and muscle function while reducing muscle atrophy.
In laboratory settings, kaempferol demonstrated its ability to enhance energy production and alleviate stress in the endoplasmic reticulum of nerve cells derived from ALS patients. The compound showed promise in improving cell function and decelerating nerve cell damage by targeting pathways involved in energy production and protein management, both of which are disrupted in ALS.
Saxena noted, "I believe this is one of the first compounds capable of targeting both the endoplasmic reticulum and mitochondria simultaneously." However, challenges remain due to the body's limited absorption of kaempferol, requiring substantial consumption of vegetables to achieve therapeutic levels.
Addressing these challenges, Saxena commented, "Our bodies don't absorb kaempferol very well from the vegetables we eat." Enhancing absorption or modifying the compound for better bioavailability is necessary. Another obstacle is the blood-brain barrier, which restricts larger molecules like kaempferol from entering the brain.
Despite these hurdles, kaempferol continues to be a promising candidate for ALS treatment and shows potential for other neurodegenerative diseases. The research team at the Roy Blunt NextGen Precision Health building is exploring lipid-based nanoparticles to improve kaempferol's uptake by neurons. Saxena explained, "The idea is to encapsulate kaempferol within lipid-based nanoparticles that are easily absorbed by the neurons." The team aims to test these nanoparticles by the end of the year.
The study, "Kaempferol enhances ER-mitochondria coupling and protects motor neurons from mitochondrial dysfunction and ER stress in C9ORF72-ALS," was published in Acta Neuropathologica Communications. Additional contributors include Paulien Hermine Smeele and Julieth Andrea Sierra-Delgado from the Department of Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation.
Source: Show Me Mizzou