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Advances in Impinging Stream Processing of Agricultural and Biological Products
Published in Arun S. Mujumdar, Hong-Wei Xiao, Advanced Drying Technologies for Foods, 2019
Somkiat Prachayawarakorn, Sakamon Devahastin, Somchart Soponronnarit
GABA is a nonprotein amino acid that is primarily synthesized through the decarboxylation of L-glutamic acid, with glutamate decarboxylase (GAD, EC 4.1.1.15) enzyme as the catalyst. It is an inhibitory neurotransmitter in the brain and spinal cord of mammals. It also exhibits other important physiological functions such as reduction of blood pressure, prevention of chronic alcohol-related diseases, inhibition of cancer cell proliferation, and prevention of Alzheimer’s disease. GABA can be produced and accumulated during germination of various kinds of cereal grains. Physiological stresses such as heat shock and hypoxia have been used to stimulate plant stress defense mechanisms and hence the enhanced production of plant secondary metabolites, including GABA. Such mechanisms involve an increase in cytosolic calcium ion (Ca2+) concentration, which in turn forms complexes with calmodulin (CaM) (Sanders et al., 1999). Ca2+/CaM leads to reduced cytosolic pH and consequently activates GAD (Kinnersley and Turano, 2000).
The stress-response
Published in Herman Staudenmayer, Environmental Illness, 2018
Gamma-amino-butyric-acid is a major central inhibitory neurotransmitter which is pervasive throughout the CNS and has been estimated to reside in about one third of all neural synapses (Enna and Gallagher, 1983). It appears that the effectiveness of benzodiazepine medications (e.g., Valium, Xanax) in mitigating symptoms of anxiety works through activating the inhibitory effects of GABA (File et al., 1979; Insel et al., 1984; Mason and Fibiger, 1979). The stress activation of DA neurotransmission is inhibited by stimulation of GABA and benzodiazepine receptors (Costa, 1985). One implication of this regulatory effect is that DA is also affected if there is a dysregulation of the GABA system. For example, decreased functioning of the GABA system and associated loss of the inhibiting effect over the benzodiazepine system will result in increased symptoms of anxiety.
Homo Sapiens (“Us”): Strengths and Weaknesses
Published in Michael Hehenberger, Zhi Xia, Huanming Yang, Our Animal Connection, 2020
Michael Hehenberger, Zhi Xia, Huanming Yang
Neurotransmitters are chemical messengers that transmit signals across a synapse, such as a neuromuscular junction, from one neuron to another “target” neuron, muscle cell, or gland cell of the endocrine system. Examples of neurotransmitters are listed below: Glutamate is used at the great majority of fast synapses in the brain and spinal cord. Excessive glutamate release can overstimulate the brain and lead to excitotoxicity causing cell death resulting in seizures or strokes. Excitotoxicity has been implicated in certain chronic diseases, including ischemic stroke, epilepsy, amyotrophic lateral sclerosis, Alzheimer’s disease, Huntington disease, and Parkinson’s disease.46GABA (γ-aminobutyric acid) is used at the great majority of fast inhibitory synapses in virtually every part of the brain. Many sedative/tranquilizing drugs act by enhancing the effects of GABA.Acetylcholine was the first neurotransmitter discovered in the peripheral and central nervous systems. It is distinguished as the transmitter at the neuromuscular junction connecting motor nerves to muscles.Dopamine is playing a number of important functions in the brain. Dopamine regulates motor behavior and is related to pleasure as well as motivation. It plays a critical role in the reward system.Serotonin is a monoamine neurotransmitter. It is an interesting fact that 90% of serotonin is produced by, and found in the intestine. Serotonin also plays important roles in central nervous system neurons, regulating appetite, sleep, memory and learning, temperature, mood, behavior, muscle contraction, and function of the cardiovascular system and endocrine system. It may also play a role in depression.Norepinephrine is synthesized (from tyrosine) in the central nervous system and modulates the responses of the autonomic nervous system, the sleep patterns, focus and alertness.Epinephrine is also synthesized from tyrosine and released in the adrenal glands and the brainstem. It plays a role in sleep, influences the ability to be and stay alert, and the “fight-or-flight” response.Histamine works with the central nervous system (CNS), specifically the hypothalamus and CNS mast cells. Mast cells are a type of white blood cell, best known for their role in allergy and in important protective roles such as wound healing, angiogenesis (formation of new blood vessels), immune tolerance, and defense against pathogens.
Oleanolic acid suppresses pentylenetetrazole-induced seizure in vivo
Published in International Journal of Environmental Health Research, 2023
Canan Akünal Türel, Oruç Yunusoğlu
GABA is an amino acid that functions as the main inhibitory neurotransmitter for the brain (Ergul et al. 2022; Sarlo et al. 2021; Yunusoğlu et al. 2022). It functions to decrease neuronal excitability by inhibiting nerve transmission (Sarlo et al. 2021). Pre-clinical and clinical study evidence suggests that GABA has a critical role in the mechanism and treatment of epilepsy. Benzodiazepines (diazepam, lorazepam, clonazepam, and clobazam) are examples of drugs that act by activating the GABAergic system (Sarlo et al. 2021). However, their use for long-term treatment is limited because of the development of tolerance (Sarlo et al. 2021). PTZ causes a decrease in GABAergic functions in acute and repeated dose administration (Ergul et al. 2022; Ilhan and Gurel et al. 2005; Samokhina et al. 2018; Yuskaitis et al. 2021). In previous studies, oleanolic acid has been shown to have a positive effect on the GABAergic system (Ha, Lee, et al. 2002; Ibarra et al. 2010; Khan et al. 2016). This mechanism may have contributed to the anti-seizure effect of oleanolic acid.
Bidirectional fermentation of Monascus and Mulberry leaves enhances GABA and pigment contents: establishment of strategy, studies of bioactivity and mechanistic
Published in Preparative Biochemistry & Biotechnology, 2023
Biao Wang, Qihang Wang, Yi Yang, Xiaowei Zhang, Jun Wang, Junqiang Jia, Qiongying Wu
Mulberry leaves (MLs) contain a variety of active ingredients, such as flavonoids, amino acids, alkaloids, and steroids, and thus display various therapeutic effects, such as lowering blood pressure, decreasing blood lipids, and anti-inflammatory and anti-aging properties.[8] It has been demonstrated that the amino acids and GABA content in MLs is significantly higher than those in other plants.[9] GABA is a functional non-protein amino acid generated by decarboxylating glutamate with the enzyme decarboxylase.[10] It is an important neurotransmitter that can induce neural inhibition by binding to ionotropic and metabotropic receptors, regulating neuronal excitability, and playing an important physiological role in the nervous system. GABA has physiological functions such as hypotension, sedation, and diuresis, which can delay brain decay, produce anti-anxiety activity, and treat neurological diseases.[11] GABA as a drug is generally considered relatively safe and does not exhibit significant cytotoxicity. However, at extremely high doses or with long-term use, GABA may lead to some adverse reactions and side effects, such as dizziness, drowsiness, insomnia, among others.[11] GABA can be synthesized by chemical synthesis, plant enrichment method, and microbial fermentation method. In comparison, microbial synthesis is safe, reliable, and low-cost. Therefore, the production of GABA by safe and reliable microbial fermentation is receiving more and more attention.
Sub-chronic toxicity of broflanilide on the nervous system of zebrafish (Danio rerio)
Published in Chemistry and Ecology, 2023
Kai Wang, Zhiqiu Qi, Manman Duan, Ru Zhang, Lu He
SOD, GPx, CAT, and ROS are closely related to nerve injuries in the brain, and brain injury can affect the release of neurotransmitters [45]. Less AChE, GABA, DA, and 5-HT were released, the expressions of related genes were down regulated, and the behaviour showed abnormality after 21 days of exposure at 36.3 μg/L. Among these neurotransmitters, GABA is an inhibitory neurotransmitter, which influences sedation, anti-anxiety, and anti-convulsion in the central nervous system [63]. Low GABA levels have been shown to potentially cause seizures in zebrafish [65]. The decrease of GABA release and the differential expression of the GABA receptor synthesis genes gabra, gabrb, and gababr2 indicated that broflanilide exposure affects the balance of inhibitory and excitatory neurons, resulting in abnormal behaviour of zebrafish [66–68].