Glial cell nutrient sensing: mechanisms of nutrients regulating Alzheimer’s pathogenesis and precision intervention
Qing Yan, Qihan Qin, Shu Zhang, Fuhao Chen, Yingjun Ru, Yi Zhong, Guoqing Wu
Abstract
Modern nutrition is a core element of clinical treatment. Although some literature addresses neuro-nutrition's effects on Alzheimer's disease (AD), a systematic discussion of how the body's six essential nutrients impact AD is lacking. Moreover, neural glial cells directly participate in the pathological regulation of AD. A novel conceptual framework linking "essential nutrients - glial cells - AD" needs to be summarized. Therefore, this review examines the regulatory roles of glial cells (astrocytes, microglia, and their networks) in AD and explores how essential nutrients impact AD via glial cells. Specifically, vitamins (NR, NMN, etc.), minerals (copper, iron, selenium, etc.), proteins and amino acids (arginine, citrulline, methionine, etc.), lipids (fatty acids, phosphatidylinositol, etc.), and carbohydrates (trehalose, oligosaccharides, plant polysaccharides, etc.) can influence important functions such as brain energy metabolism remodeling, inflammatory factor secretion, and phagocytic clearance by regulating microglia and astrocytes. Moreover, a significant strength of this review is its clear exposition of nutrient alterations observed in AD patients, coupled with detailed recommendations for nutritional interventions targeting AD prevention and management. Furthermore, it also investigated beneficial dietary patterns for improving AD. In conclusion, this review explores the "essential nutrients -glial cell" molecular interactions, laying the foundation for precision nutrition-based AD strategies.