Neurodegenerative diseases pathogenesis

Lipid peroxidation is one of the major sources of free-radical mediated injury that directly damages membranes and generates a number of secondary products. In particular, markers of lipid peroxidation have been found to be elevated in brain tissues and body fluids in several neurodegenerative diseases, and the role of lipid peroxidation has been extensively discussed in the context of their pathogenesis. Peroxidation of membrane lipids can have numerous effects, including increased membrane rigidity, decreased activity of membrane-bound enzymes (e.g., sodium pumps), altered activity of membrane receptors, and altered permeability [Anzai et al., 1999 Yehuda et al., 2002], In addition to effects on phospholipids, lipid-initiated radicals can also directly attack membrane proteins and induce lipid-lipid, lipid-protein, and protein-protein cross-linking, all of which obviously have effects on membrane function. 

Greco A, Minghetti L, Levi G. 2000. Isoprostanes, novel markers of oxidative injury, help understanding the pathogenesis of neurodegenerative diseases. Neurochem Res 25 1357-1364. 

The decreased consumption of DHA-enriched foods and increased consumption of n-6 enriched vegetable oils is responsible for the 15 1 n-6 n-3 ratio (Wey-landt and Kang, 2005 Simopoulos, 2006). The present western diet promotes the pathogenesis of many chronic diseases such as cardiovascular disease, inflammatory and autoimmune diseases, and neurodegenerative diseases, whereas a diet enriched... 

Ross CA (2002) Polyglutamine pathogenesis emergence of unifying mechanisms for Huntington s disease and related disorders. Neuron 35 819-822 Ross CA, Poirier MA (2004) Protein aggregation and neurodegenerative disease. Nat Med 10 S10-S17... 

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