Hydrocortisone Mitigates Alzheimer’s-Related Cognitive Decline through Modulating Oxidative Stress and Neuroinflammation

Li, Jinran; Chen, Long; Liu, Sai; Sun, Yuan; Zhen, Le; Zhu, Zheying; Wang, Guangji; Li, Xinuo

Abstract

Alzheimer’s disease (AD), an age-related degenerative disorder, is characterized by β-amyloid deposition, abnormal phosphorylation of tau proteins, synaptic dysfunction, neuroinflammation, and oxidative stress. Despite extensive research, there are no medications or therapeutic interventions to completely treat and reverse AD. Herein, we explore the potential of hydrocortisone (HC), a natural and endogenous glucocorticoid known to have potent anti-inflammatory properties, in an Aβ1–42-induced AD mouse model. Our investigation highlights the beneficial effects of HC administration on cognitive impairment, synaptic function enhancement, and neuronal protection in Aβ1–42-induced AD mice. Notably, HC treatment effectively suppresses the hyperactivation of microglia and astrocytes, leading to a reduction in proinflammatory factors and alleviation of neuroinflammation. Furthermore, HC intervention demonstrates the capacity to mitigate the generation of ROS and oxidative stress. These compelling findings underscore the potential therapeutic application of HC in AD and present promising opportunities for its utilization in AD prevention and treatment. The implications drawn from our findings indicate that hydrocortisone holds promise as a viable candidate for adjunctive use with other anti-AD drugs for the clinical management of patients presenting with moderate to severe AD.

Citation

Li, J., Chen, L., Liu, S., Sun, Y., Zhen, L., Zhu, Z., Wang, G., & Li, X. (2023). Hydrocortisone Mitigates Alzheimer’s-Related Cognitive Decline through Modulating Oxidative Stress and Neuroinflammation. Cells, 12(19), Article 2348. https://doi.org/10.3390/cells12192348

• Journal Article Type: Article
• Acceptance Date: Sep 23, 2023
• Online Publication Date: Sep 25, 2023
• Publication Date: Oct 1, 2023
• Deposit Date: Sep 27, 2023
• Publicly Available Date: Sep 28, 2023
• Journal: Cells
• Electronic ISSN: 2073-4409
• Publisher: MDPI
• Peer Reviewed: Peer Reviewed
• Volume: 12
• Issue: 19
• Article Number: 2348
• DOI: https://doi.org/10.3390/cells12192348
• Keywords: neuroinflammation, Alzheimer’s disease, oxidative stress, glial activation, hydrocortisone
• Public URL: https://nottingham-repository.worktribe.com/output/25378887
• Publisher URL: https://www.mdpi.com/2073-4409/12/19/2348