Reduction of Deuterium Level Supports Resistance of Neurons to Glucose Deprivation and Hypoxia: Study in Cultures of Neurons and on Animals

Abstract

The effect of a reduced deuterium (D) content in the incubation medium on the survival of cultured neurons in vitro and under glucose deprivation was studied. In addition, we studied the effect of a decrease in the deuterium content in the rat brain on oxidative processes in the nervous tissue, its antioxidant protection, and training of rats in the T-shaped maze test under hypoxic conditions. For experiments with cultures of neurons, 7–8-day cultures of cerebellar neurons were used. Determination of the rate of neuronal death in cultures was carried out using propidium iodide. Acute hypoxia with hypercapnia was simulated in rats by placing them in sealed vessels with a capacity of 1 L. The effect on oxidative processes in brain tissues was assessed by changes in the level of free radical oxidation and malondialdehyde. The effect on the antioxidant system of the brain was assessed by the activity of catalase. The study in the T-maze was carried out in accordance with the generally accepted methodology, the skill of alternating right-sided and left-sided loops on positive reinforcement was developed. This work has shown that a decrease in the deuterium content in the incubation medium to a level of −357‰ has a neuroprotective effect, increasing the survival rate of cultured neurons under glucose deprivation. When exposed to hypoxia, a preliminary decrease in the deuterium content in the rat brain to −261‰ prevents the development of oxidative stress in their nervous tissue and preserves the learning ability of animals in the T-shaped maze test at the level of the control group. A similar protective effect during the modification of the 2H/1H internal environment of the body by the consumption of DDW can potentially be used for the prevention of pathological conditions associated with the development of oxidative stress with damage to the central nervous system.

Emerging Role of Deuterium/Protium Disbalance in Cell Cycle and Apoptosis

“…Its concentration in blood plasma is four times more than potassium, six times more than calcium, ten times more than magnesium, and much more than the content of essential macro- and microelements, such as fluorine, iron, iodine, copper, manganese, and cobalt. It is important to note that the deuterium content in the blood plasma of healthy animals is 3–6 ppm higher than the level of deuterium in drinking water [ 3 , 4 , 5 ]. Although the concentration of deuterium in an organism is much lower than that of protium and reflects the D/H ratio in natural nonorganic and organic compounds, a wide variety of morphological and physiological changes have been shown in cells enriched with deuterium, including changes in fundamental processes such as cell division or energy metabolism [ 6 , 7 ].…”

Bilateral Shifts in Deuterium Supply Similarly Change Physiology of the Pituitary–Thyroid Axis, but Differentially Influence Na+/I− Symporter Production

“…However, the role of deuterium in metabolism is not fully understood and requires extensive research. It has been shown that shifts in the deuterium/protium balance provoke metabolic changes and affect cell proliferation and apoptosis [ 4 , 5 , 6 , 7 , 8 ]. These facts attracted a great interest from researchers and physicians, since they provide an opportunity to use the deuterium body content as an instrument in anticancer therapy.…”

“…The administration of deuterium-depleted water has been shown to improve the results of antitumor treatment and has been recommended as a supplemental treatment for chemotherapy [ 3 , 10 ]. As the beneficial effects of deuterium-depleted water resulted from the better function of mitochondrial oxidation, deuterium reduction has potentially become a promising tool in the treatment of metabolic disorders [ 4 , 7 ].…”

Influence of Single Deuterium Replacement on Frequency of Hydrogen Bond Dissociation in IFNA17 under the Highest Critical Energy Range

“…The participation of deuterium atoms in the formation of hydrogen bonds in the DNA molecule can cause a change in the time of transmission of genetic information, thus, even a slight change in the isotopic state of the medium can affect changes in metabolic processes in living systems [ 15 , 16 , 17 ]. It is known that non-radioactive isotopes of biogenic elements ( 2 H/ 1 H, 13 C/ 12 C, 15 N/ 14 N, 18 O/ 17 O/ 16 O) have a significant effect on the rate of biochemical reactions, physiological processes, growth, and development of unicellular and multicellular living organisms with different levels of organization of energy metabolism and metabolic rate [ 18 , 19 , 20 , 21 , 22 , 23 , 24 , 25 ].…”