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The Biochemical and Cellular Basis for Nutraceutical Strategies to Attenuate Neurodegeneration in Parkinson’s Disease

Future therapeutic intervention that could effectively decelerate the rate of degeneration within the substantia nigra pars compacta (SNc) could add years of mobility and reduce morbidity associated with Parkinson’s disease (PD). Neurodegenerative decline associated with PD is distinguished by extensive damage to SNc dopaminergic (DAergic) neurons and decay of the striatal tract. While genetic mutations or environmental toxins can precipitate pathology, progressive degenerative succession involves a gradual decline in DA neurotransmission/synaptic uptake, impaired oxidative glucose consumption, a rise in striatal lactate and chronic inflammation. Nutraceuticals play a fundamental role in energy metabolism and signaling transduction pathways that control neurotransmission and inflammation. However, the use of nutritional supplements to slow the progression of PD has met with considerable challenge and has thus far proven unsuccessful. This review re-examines precipitating factors and insults involved in PD and how nutraceuticals can affect each of these biological targets. Discussed are disease dynamics (Sections 1 and 2) and natural substances, vitamins and minerals that could impact disease processes (Section 3). Topics include nutritional influences on α-synuclein aggregation, ubiquitin proteasome function, mTOR signaling/lysosomal-autophagy, energy failure, faulty catecholamine trafficking, DA oxidation, synthesis of toxic DA-quinones, o-semiquinones, benzothiazolines, hyperhomocyseinemia, methylation, inflammation and irreversible oxidation of neuromelanin. In summary, it is clear that future research will be required to consider the multi-faceted nature of this disease and re-examine how and why the use of nutritional multi-vitamin-mineral and plant-based combinations could be used to slow the progression of PD, if possible.

Vaginal Douching Among University Women in the Southeastern United States

Objective: The authors assessed the knowledge, beliefs about, and practices of vaginal douching among women attending 2 universities in the southeastern United States. Participants: There were 416 participants in this study; 46.9% were black and 44.5% were white. Methods: The authors administered a 30-item questionnaire to women enrolled in health-related and social science courses at 2 southeastern universities. Results: Approximately 38% of participants reported vaginal douching, mostly for hygienic reasons (70.7%). Most women first learned about douching from their mother. Douching was more common and more frequent among black women (48%) than among white women (27%). Age of first douche correlated positively with age of first sexual intercourse and age of first period. Conclusion: Women who had been informed not to douche by a healthcare professional were less likely to have douched within the past 6 months than were women who were not given this information. Misconceptions about douching are common and should be addressed by healthcare professionals.

Effects of Ovarian Steroid Hormones on Dopamine-Controlled Prolactin Secretory Responses in vitro

Dopamine (DA), a well-established inhibitor of prolactin (PRL) secretion, has also been shown to stimulate PRL secretion from the anterior lobe of the pituitary gland of the rat. It has been reported that low doses of DA stimulate PRL whereas high doses inhibit PRL secretion. Our laboratory has previously reported that these PRL secretory responses are dependent upon the stages of the estrous cycle of the rat. The objective of the present study was to determine the steroid requirements for the differing PRL secretory responses to low and high doses of DA in perifusion. Animals were ovariectomized (OVX) and immediately given Silastic implants containing estradiol (E2) which has previously been shown in our laboratory to produce blood levels of 70-100 pg/ml, progesterone which has previously been shown in our laboratory to produce blood levels of 30-40 ng/ml, or the combination. OVX rats served as controls. Ten days later, the anterior lobes of the pituitary glands were harvested and enzymatically dissociated. Cells were mixed with Sephadex G-10 and placed in six 0.5-ml perifusion chambers (1 x 10(6) cells/chamber). Cells were perifused for 24 h with Dulbeccos modified Eagles medium containing 0.2% bovine serum albumin and 0.1 mM ascorbic acid. The PRL secretory pattern was characterized in response to the following treatment sequence: (1) 30 min media alone (maximally uninhibited); (2) 24 min 100 pM DA; (3) 30 min media alone (DA withdrawal); (4) 24 min 1 microM DA, and (5) 30 min media alone (DA withdrawal). PRL secretion in the presence of 100 pM DA was unchanged in cells obtained from OVX animals, but exposure to 1 microM DA inhibited PRL release in these cells. Subsequent withdrawal stimulated PRL secretion relative to that of the initial exposure to media alone. The responses of cells from OVX rats implanted with progesterone alone was indistinguishable from those of the OVX controls. In cells obtained from animals implanted with E2 alone, 100 pM DA and its subsequent withdrawal neither stimulated nor inhibited PRL secretion. In contrast, 1 microM DA exposure initially stimulated and then inhibited PRL secretion in cells from E2-treated animals. Here, subsequent withdrawal of DA enhanced PRL secretion. In cells obtained from E2+progesterone-treated animals, 100 pM DA exposure robustly enhanced PRL secretory responses. Withdrawal of this dose of DA had no further effect on PRL secretion. However, exposure of E2+progesterone-treated cells to 1 microM DA robustly stimulated and subsequently only slightly inhibited PRL secretion. The results of these studies suggest that inhibition of PRL secretion by DA is independent of ovarian steroids while E2 and progesterone in combination favors stimulation of PRL secretion in response to DA. Taken together, these data suggest that PRL secretory responses in this system are determined by the ovarian steroid milieu.

Blueprint for Communicating Risk and Preventing Environmental Injustice

Toxic environmental emissions have the potential to harm already susceptible populations living in close proximity to industries with pollutant emissions such as coal-fired electrical power plants. The organized dissemination of information in communities that find themselves susceptible to occupation by industries with pollutant emissions is a crucial step in the long and arduous process of preventing such harm. Here, we present a blueprint that can be used by community organizations to prevent industries that pollute the environment from locating in communities that are already disproportionately exposed to pollution (referred to here as environmental justice communities). We base this blueprint on a specific case in Taylor County, Florida, where the steps outlined successfully prevented the Taylor Energy Center (TEC) consortium from obtaining the necessary permits for the operation of a proposed coal-fired electrical power plant, thereby minimizing the risks of additional toxicant exposure to the affected community.

Community perceptions of black infant mortality: a qualitative inquiry.

Infant mortality is a key public health concern in the United States. Although infant mortality rates (IMRs) have declined, the rates among Blacks are more than twice those of other racial/ethnic groups. Some Florida counties have Black IMR more than four times the White IMR. The purpose of this study was to explore community awareness and perceptions of the rising Black IMR in Gadsden County, Florida. Sixty-four Black men and women participated in eight focus groups. Data were transcribed then analyzed using NVivo 8™. Many of the respondents discussed issues dealing with access to health care services, trust in providers, and perceived differential treatment. Inequities in health care may contribute to a culture in which Blacks are resistant to seek care thus resulting in poorer outcomes. Overall, participants identified awareness and education as the most effective ways to address the higher rates of infant mortality among Blacks.

Community-Based Internships to Address Environmental Issues: A Model for Effective Partnerships

Background: Previous studies have shown that environmental burdens tend to be inequitably borne by poor and minority populations. Statistics indicate that these populations suffer disproportionately from adverse health effects associated with polluting facilities in their community. To address these problems, public health officials and researchers should pay close attention to the experiences of individuals in local communities.Methods: The aims of the Community-Based Internship Program were to (1) provide a graduate internship that gives students the opportunity to utilize their didactic skills in a community-based setting on important environmental issues and (2) educate and empower the community with the tools needed to address their environmental concerns and protect their health. Graduate students from various disciplines participated in a 12-week internship program that involved community-based organizations (CBOs) working on environmental health and justice issues.Results: A total of 22 graduate interns were given projects that assisted the CBOs in creating environmental health awareness and educating communities about environmental issues. Each internship represented a unique partnership between a university, an environmental law firm, and CBOs. This equitable partnership fostered co-learning and capacity building among all partners.Conclusion: The opportunity to collaborate as partners on a community-based initiative resulted in benefits for all partners. The graduate internship program was implemented effectively because of each partners contribution and dedication to the success of the program. It is hoped that the lessons learned from this program can assist others with the development of similar partnerships that benefit underserved communities.