Many neurodegenerative diseases, including Huntington's, Alzheimer's and Parkinson's diseases, are characterized by protein misfolding and aggregation. The capability of trehalose to interfere with protein misfolding and aggregation has been recently evaluated by several research groups. In the pres …

The disaccharide trehalose is commonly considered to stimulate autophagy. Cell treatment with trehalose could decrease cytosolic aggregates of potentially pathogenic proteins, including mutant huntingtin, α-synuclein, and phosphorylated tau that are associated with neurodegenerative diseases. Here, …

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(2016). Effects of trehalose supplementation on the growth performance and intestinal innate immunity of juvenile chicks. British Poultry Science: Vol. 57, No. 3, pp. 375-380.

Oxidative stress-related apoptosis and autophagy play crucial roles in the development of osteoarthritis (OA), a progressive cartilage degenerative disease with multifactorial etiologies. Here, we determined autophagic flux changes and apoptosis in human OA and tert-Butyl hydroperoxide (TBHP)-treate …

Peritoneal fibrosis (PF) is a severe complication of peritoneal dialysis, but there are few effective therapies for it. Recent studies have revealed a new biological function of trehalose as an autophagy inducer. Thus far, there are few reports regarding the therapeutic effects of trehalose on fibrotic diseases. Therefore, we examined whether trehalose has anti-fibrotic effects on PF. PF was induced by intraperitoneal injection of chlorhexidine gluconate (CG). CG challenges induced the increase of peritoneal thickness, ColIα1 mRNA expression and hydroxyproline content, all of which were significantly attenuated by trehalose. In addition, CG challenges induced a marked peritoneal accumulation of α-SMA+ myofibroblasts that was reduced by trehalose. The number of Wt1+ α-SMA+ cells in the peritoneum increased following CG challenges, suggesting that a part of α-SMA+ myofibroblasts were derived from peritoneal mesothelial cells (PMCs). The number of Wt1+ α-SMA+ cells was also suppressed by trehalose. Additionally, trehalose attenuated the increase of α-SMA and ColIα1 mRNA expression induced by TGF-β1 through Snail protein degradation, which was dependent on autophagy in PMCs. These results suggest that trehalose might be a novel therapeutic agent for PF through the induction of autophagy and the suppression of mesothelial-to-mesenchymal transition in PMCs.

Dry preservation of biologics in sugar glasses is regarded as a promising alternative to conventional cryopreservation. Evidence from various studies has suggested that there is a critical range of water content beyond which the viability of preserved biologics can be greatly compromised. In this study the viability of T-cells was determined as a function of end water content after microwave-assisted drying in trehalose solutions. Hydrogen-bonding and clustering phenomena in trehalose solutions of the same moisture content were also evaluated using molecular dynamics simulation. Post-rehydration viability decreased dramatically within the range of 0.1–1 gH2O/gdw. Molecular modeling revealed that as the water content approached 0.1 gH2O/gdw the matrix formed a large interconnected trehalose skeleton with a minimal number of bound water molecules scattered in the bulk. The diffusion coefficients of trehalose oxygen atoms most distant from the glycosidic linkage fluctuated around 7.5 × 10−14 m2/s within the range of 0.02–0.1 gH2O/gdw and increased again to ~1.13 × 10−13 m2/s at 0.01 gH2O/gdw and below due to the loss of water in the free volume between trehalose molecules. These insights can guide the optimal selection of final moisture contents to advance dry preservation methods.

Lafora disease (LD) is one of the progressive and fatal forms of a neurodegenerative disorder and is characterized by teenage-onset myoclonic seizures. Neuropathological changes in LD include the formation of abnormal glycogen as Lafora bodies, gliosis, and neuroinflammation. LD is caused by defects in the gene coding for phosphatase (laforin) or ubiquitin ligase (malin). Mouse models of LD, developed by targeted disruption of these two genes, develop most symptoms of LD and show increased susceptibility to induced seizures. Studies on mouse models also suggest that defective autophagy might contribute to LD etiology. In an attempt to understand the specific role of autophagy in LD pathogenesis, in this study, we fed LD animals with trehalose, an inducer of autophagy, for 3 months and looked at its effect on the neuropathology and seizure susceptibility. We demonstrate here that trehalose ameliorates gliosis, neuroinflammation, and endoplasmic reticulum stress and reduces susceptibility to induced seizures in LD animals. However, trehalose did not affect the formation of Lafora bodies, suggesting the epileptic phenotype in LD could be either secondary to or independent of Lafora bodies. Taken together, our results suggest that autophagy inducers can be considered as potential therapeutic molecules for Lafora disease.

Many degenerative disorder such as Parkinsons, Alzheimers, Huntingtons disease, etc are caused due to the deposition of amyloid fibrils, formed due to the ordered aggregation of misfolded/unfolded proteins. Misfolded or unfolded proteins aggregate mostly through hydrophobic interactions which are unexposed in native state, but become exposed upon unfolding. To counteract amyloid related diseases, inhibition of the protein self assembly into fibril is a potential therapeutic strategy. The study aims at investigating the effect of selected compounds, namely trehalose and magnesium chloride hexahydrate towards inhibition and disaggregation of amyloid fibrils using Hen Egg White Lysozyme as a model. We further attempted to understand the mechanism of action with the help of various biophysical, microscopic as well as computational studies. A common mechanism of action was identified where the selected compounds exert their anti-amyloidogenic effects by altering HEWL conformations characterized by reduction in the beta sheet content and decrease in exposed hydrophobic surfaces. The altered conformation seems to have lesser amyloidogenic propensity leading to inhibition as well as disaggregation of amyloids.

In this study, a trehalose lipid was added to a Rhodococcus pyridinivorans-inoculated MFC to improve the power output by enhancing electron transfer. …

Parkinson's disease (PD) is a progressive movement disorder resulting primarily from loss of nigrostriatal dopaminergic neurons. PD is characterized by the accumulation of protein aggregates, and evidence suggests that aberrant protein deposition in dopaminergic neurons could be related to the dysre …

(2017). Trehalose as antifungal target: The picture is still incomplete. Virulence: Vol. 8, New Antifungal Compounds, pp. 237-238.

Epoxy resins are ubiquitous in high-performance composite applications because of their excellent mechanical strength, thermal and chemical resistance, strong adhesion, and low shrinkage after curing. Bio-based epoxy resins derived from natural products such as carbohydrates offer tremendous potential for creating new polymeric materials. Sugars and their derivatives often offer great biodegradability and functionality such as the presence of multiple hydroxyl groups that impart highly cross-linked polymer networks. Moreover, their ring structures can afford polymers with high glass transition temperatures. To develop epoxy resins containing sustainably sourced feedstocks, we designed and synthesized trehalose- and β-cyclodextrin-based carboxylic acid hardeners for epoxy resins and examined the thermal, mechanical, and adhesive properties of the resulting materials. Trehalose and β-cyclodextrin were succinylated with excess succinic anhydride, and the resulting carboxylic acid hardeners formed homogeneous mixtures with trimethylolpropane triglycidyl ether (TTE) in different carboxyl–epoxide ratios. The cured resins were found to be thermally stable (Td5 > 300 °C) and display high Young’s moduli of up to 1.4 and 1.8 GPa with mechanical strengths of 47 and 64 MPa for the trehalose- and β-cyclodextrin-based epoxy resins, respectively. Preliminary adhesion tests showed that the cured resins exhibit excellent lap-shear strengths of 3600 and 2100 psi, respectively. The resins were also degradable into water-soluble components in both aqueous acidic and basic solutions but were relatively stable from hydrolysis in neutral aqueous conditions. These results imply that this novel class of hardeners are promising feedstocks for renewable high performance epoxy resins.

Trehalose, a non-reducing disaccharide, induces autophagy. Trehalose mitigates insulin resistance and adipocyte hypertrophy in obese mice; however, it…

Renal ischemia-reperfusion (IR) injury is one of the most common acute kidney injuries, but there is still a lack of effective treatment in the clinical setting. Trehalose (Tre), a natural disaccha...

PhD Thesis Abstract Background: Cancer continues to represent the main cause of mortality in the world, the second leading cause of death worldwide next to cardiovascular disease. Therefore, it is important to find effective non-toxic, inexpensive, and suitable neoadjuvant therapy with methotrexate (MTX) to decrease its dosage without lowering its chemotherapeutic efficacy. Aim:  This study aimed to investigate the antitumor effect of trehalose (TRE) on mice bearing Ehrlich ascites carcinoma (EAC) and to test whether it can enhance the anticancer potential of MTX. Materials and Methods: In this experiment, mice were assigned into 8 groups were used for assessment of antitumor activity of TRE. The antitumor activity of TRE was assessed by measuring the survival time, counting tumor cells, monitoring autophagic activity at the cellular level by flow cytometry, monitoring autophagic and apoptotic regulated genes (Caspase 3, Bec1, and Bcl2 genes ) by real-time  PCR, as well as the biochemical parameters, oxidative stress markers in liver homogenate, complete blood picture (CBC) and histological studies of all groups. Results: Treatment of EAC mice with TRE or MTX alone or in combination resulted in a significant decrease in total, viable, and non-viable tumor cells count as well as the tumor volume in comparison with EAC mice. Treatment with TRE alone or in combination MTX induced a significant increase in the hepatic antioxidant status, a significant upregulation in the gene expression of caspase 3, with the highest expression in the combined group, as compared to the non-treated EAC group. On the other hand, the same treatments resulted in a significant downregulation of Bcl2 and Bec1 genes, with the lowest expression in the combined group. These results showed a significant decrease in autophagic activities in both TRE- and TRE+MTX -treated groups as compared to the non-treated EAC group. Histopathological examination revealed normal lobular architecture with central vein and radiating hepatic cell cords in normal control mice. Conclusion: TRE is considered as an autophagic inhibitor for cancer cells which could be used as a potential neoadjuvant for the antitumor drug, MTX, and probably other chemotherapeutic compounds. This new role of TRE coupled with its apoptotic induction property on tumor cells and lack of toxicity on normal cells increases the efficacy of an antitumor drug for treating a spectrum of cancers. (This Ph.D. thesis was approved by the Faculty of Science, Tanta University, Egypt by March 31, 2018).

Cornea acts as a structural barrier and protects the eye from environmental stresses. Inflammation in ocular surface causes discomfort and visual dist…

Amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS) is a fatal neurodegenerative disorder for which there is currently no effective treatment. Studies indicate that enhancing autophagy in mouse models of neurodegenerative disease can ameliorate the behavioral symptoms and pathological damage associated with the acc …

Background The trehalose (Tre) pathway has strong effects on growth and development in plants through regulation of carbon metabolism. Altering either Tre or trehalose 6-phosphate (T6P) can improve growth and productivity of plants as observed under different water availability. As yet, there are no reports of the effects of modification of Tre orT6P on plant performance under limiting nutrition. Results Here we report that nitrogen (N) metabolism is positively affected by exogenous application of Tre in nitrogen-deficient growing conditions. Spraying foliage of tobacco (Nicotiana tabacum) with trehalose partially alleviated symptoms of nitrogen deficiency through upregulation of nitrate and ammonia assimilation and increasing activities of nitrate reductase (NR), glycolate oxidase (GO), glutamine synthetase (GS) and glutamine oxoglutarate aminotransferase (GOGAT) with concomitant changes in ammonium (NH4 +) and nitrate (NO3 −) concentrations, glutamine and amino acids. Chlorophyll and total nitrogen content of leaves and rates of photosynthesis were increased compared to nitrogen-deficient plants without applied Tre. Total plant biomass accumulation was also higher in Tre -fed nitrogen-deficient plants, with a smaller proportion of dry weight partitioned to roots, compared to nitrogen-deficient plants without applied Tre. Consistent with higher nitrogen assimilation and growth, Tre application reduced foliar starch. Minimal effects of Tre feeding were observed on nitrogen-sufficient plants. Conclusions The data show, for the first time, significant stimulatory effects of exogenous Tre on nitrogen metabolism and growth in plants growing under deficient nitrogen. Under such adverse conditions metabolism is regulated for survival rather than productivity. Application of Tre can alter this regulation towards maintenance of productive functions under low nitrogen. This has implications for considering approaches to modifying the Tre pathway for to improve crop nitrogen-use efficiency and production.

The T-cell adjuvanticity of mycobacterial cord factor trehalose 6,6'-dimycolate (TDM) is well established. The identification of the C-type lectin Mincle on inn...

A key event in Alzheimer's disease (AD) pathogenesis is the conversion of the peptide beta-amyloid (Abeta) from its soluble monomeric form into various aggregated morphologies in the brain. Preventing aggregation of Abeta is being actively pursued as a primary therapeutic strategy for treating AD. T …

Parkinson's disease is a debilitating neurodegenerative disorder that is pathologically characterized by intracellular inclusions comprised primarily of alpha-synuclein (αSyn) that can also be transmitted from neuron to neuron. Several lines of evidence suggest that these inclusions cause neurodegen …

Zinc (Zn) deficiency is a clinical consequence of brain injury that can result in neuropathological outcomes that are exacerbated with age. Here, we present laser ablation-inductively coupled plasma-mass spectrometry (LA-ICP-MS) imaging data showing modulation of brain Zn levels by the disaccharide trehalose

Objective: To demonstrate the safety and tolerability of repeated high dose IV administration of trehalose (Cabaletta) in OPMD patients, as part of a phase 2 therapy trial. Background: Trehalose is a disaccharide with protein stabilizing and autophagy enhancing properties. It showed efficacy in reducing abnormal protein aggregation in animal models of several human poly A- and poly Q- mediated hereditary neurological disorders (of which OPMD is an example). Design and Methods: Eleven patients with molecularly confirmed OPMD (age: mean 63 years, range 43-78; disease duration: mean 10.6 years, range 1-24) received weekly infusion of 30 gr Cabaletta for 9-16 weeks (at time of abstract submission). Results: No drug-related adverse effects were noted, in particular no cardiovascular changes were observed. A subtle increase (mean= 5 mg[percnt]) in plasma glucose concentrations was observed 1 hour after trehalose administration. No increase in insulin levels was found. Short term glycosuria was recorded, probably due to trehalase activity in the kidney. Levels of plasma trehalose after a single administration in humans reached the expected concentrations determined in the animal studies as necessary for intracellular activity of trehalose (max. levels of 1000-2000 mgr/mL after 1 hour) and were retained up to 5 hours. Conclusions: Based on these preliminary findings, high dose IV trehalose (Cabaletta) is safe in humans. Clinical trials in OPMD and spinocerebellar atrophy type 3 are currently going on. More disorders with similar PolyA/Poly Q genotypic changes may be suitable for such trials. Disclosure: Dr. Argov has received personal compensation for activities with BioBlast Pharma as chief medical officer. Dr. Vornovitsky has nothing to disclose. Dr. Blumen has received personal compensation for activities with Bioblast Pharma as a consultant. Dr. Caraco has received personal compensation for activities with Sanofi, NeuroDerm, and Roche as a consultant. Thursday, April 23 2015, 2:00 pm-6:30 pm

Methotrexate (MTX) is commonly used as a standard chemotherapy for many cancers, however its usage required high doses thereby leading to severe adverse effects. In a trial to find a suitable neoadjuvant therapy to decrease MTX dosage without lowering its chemotherapeutic efficacy, we investigated t …

Trehalose is a non-reducing sugar formed from two glucose units. Trehalose induces abundant autophagy in cultured cells and also reduces the rate of aggregation of the huntingtin protein in the animal model of Huntington disease, a chronic neurological ...

Trehalose solution was an effective and safe eyedrop for the treatment of moderate to severe dry eye syndrome in this group of patients.

Trehalose is a natural disaccharide synthesized in various life forms, but not found in vertebrates. An increasing body of evidence demonstrates exceptional bioprotective characteristics of trehalose. This review discusses the scientific findings on potential ...