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Metabolic Brain Disease
Published in: Metabolic Brain Disease 4/2014

01-12-2014 | Research Article

Pannexin1 as a novel cerebral target in pathogenesis of hepatic encephalopathy

Authors: Papia Mondal, Surendra Kumar Trigun

Published in: Metabolic Brain Disease | Issue 4/2014

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Abstract

Hepatic encephalopathy (HE) represents a nervous system disorder caused due to liver dysfunction. HE is broadly classified as acute/overt and moderate-minimal HE. Since HE syndrome severely affects quality of life of the patients and it may be life threatening, it is important to develop effective therapeutic strategy against HE. Mainly ammonia neurotoxicity is considered accountable for HE. Increased level of ammonia in the brain activates glutamate-NMDA (N-methyl-D-aspartate) receptor (NMDAR) pathway leading to Ca2+ influx, energy deficit and oxidative stress in the post synaptic neurons. Moreover, NMDAR blockage has been found to be a poor therapeutic option, as this neurotransmitter receptor plays important role in maintaining normal neurophysiology of the brain. Thus, searching new molecular players in HE pathogenesis is of current concern. There is an evolving concept about roles of the trans-membrane channels in the pathogenesis of a number of neurological complications. Pannexin1 (Panx1) is one of them and has been described to be implicated in stroke, epilepsy and ischemia. Importantly, the pathogenesis of these complications relates to some extent with NMDAR over activation. Thus, it is speculated that HE pathogenesis might also involve Panx1. Indeed, some recent observations in the animal models of HE provide support to this argument. Since opening of Panx1 channel is mostly associated with the neuronal dysfunctions, down regulation of this channel could serve as a relevant therapeutic strategy without producing any serious side effects. In the review article an attempt has been made to summarize the current information on implication of Panx1 in the brain disorders and its prospects for being examined as pharmacological target in HE pathogenesis.
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Metadata
Title
Pannexin1 as a novel cerebral target in pathogenesis of hepatic encephalopathy
Authors
Papia Mondal
Surendra Kumar Trigun
Publication date
01-12-2014
Publisher
Springer US
Published in
Metabolic Brain Disease / Issue 4/2014
Print ISSN: 0885-7490
Electronic ISSN: 1573-7365
DOI
https://doi.org/10.1007/s11011-014-9556-x

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