PhD Programme in Experimental Medicine and Therapy

Cholesterol and its metabolites in age-related diseases: Alzheimer’s disease and atherosclerosis

Cholesterol and its metabolites in age-related diseases: Alzheimer’s disease and atherosclerosis

Academic year 2020/2021

Sommario del corso

• Course objectives
• Program
• Learning assessment methods
• Suggested readings and bibliography
• Notes
• Teaching tools
• Course card

Course objectives

The aim of these activities is to offer PhD students in Experimental Medicine and Therapy an up-date on current knowledge about cholesterol homeostasis and the involvement of cholesterol oxidation products, known as oxysterols, in the pathogenesis of two major chronic inflammatory human diseases, Alzheimer’s disease and atherosclerosis.

Program

Cholesterol oxidation products, known as oxysterols, are potentially involved in the pathogenesis of major chronic human diseases, including Alzheimer's disease (AD) and atherosclerosis. It is well documented that altered cholesterol metabolism in the brain and hypercholesterolemia, together with oxidative stress and neuroinflammation, significantly contribute to AD pathogenesis. Moreover, oxidative stress and inflammation are associated to hypercholesterolemia and they have been recognized as partners in crime in bringing about atheroma development and destabilization due to atherosclerosis. The involvement of oxysterols in AD pathogenesis and in atherosclerotic plaque instability, and the analysis of such products in the plasma, in the brain and in atheromas may contribute to clarifying the role of cholesterol metabolism in these chronic diseases; ultimately, it may be helpful in developing therapeutic strategies to prevent or slow their development.

The activity will be structured in 3 lectures:

1. Controversial role of oxysterols in Alzheimer’s disease pathogenesis (Dr Paola Gamba/Dr Gabriella Testa, University of Turin) – 2 hours
2. Oxidized lipids in atherosclerotic plaque instability (Dr Paola Gamba/Dr Paola Gamba) – 1 hour
3. Use of antioxidants to counteract the pathological effects of oxysterols (Dr Gabriella Testa, University of Turin) – 1 hours

Learning assessment methods

Final test examination

1. Gamba P, Staurenghi E, Testa G, Giannelli S, Sottero B, Leonarduzzi G. A Crosstalk Between Brain Cholesterol Oxidation and Glucose Metabolism in Alzheimer's Disease. Front Neurosci. 2019, 13:556.
2. Sottero B, Leonarduzzi G, Testa G, Gargiulo S, Poli G, Biasi F. Lipid oxidation derived aldehydes and oxysterols between health and disease. Eur J Lipid Sci Technol. 2018: 1-16.
3. Gargiulo S, Gamba P, Testa G, Leonarduzzi G, Poli G. The role of oxysterols in vascular
   ageing. J Physiol. 2016, 594(8):2095-113.
4. Gamba P, Testa G, Gargiulo S, Staurenghi E, Poli G, Leonarduzzi G. Oxidized cholesterol as
   the driving force behind the development of Alzheimer's disease. Front Aging Neurosci. 2015, 7:119.

Notes

• 29 October 2020
• 05 Novembre 2020

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