Yingxu Ma

Astaxanthin alleviates ganglioside metabolism disorder in the cortex of Alzheimer's disease mice† The present study analyzed the amelioration effect and mechanism of two kinds of astaxanthin (AST), including free-AST (F-AST) and docosahexaenoic acid-acylated AST monoester (AST–DHA), on ganglioside (GLS) metabolism in the cortex of APP/PS1 mice using the LC-MS strategy in combination with molecular biology.

Highlights Non-neuronal cholinergic signaling via the choline acetyltransferase (ChAT)– cholinergic receptor nicotinic α2 subunit (CHRNA2) axis is present in subcutaneous fat and mediates beige fat function, glucose homeostasis, systemic energy metabolism, and whole-body health. Functional CHRNA2 signaling in adipose tissue is a unique feature of beige adipocytes in both mice and humans. CHRNA2 signaling regulates both canonical and glycolytic beige fat function.

Highlights • CHRNA2 signaling in adipocytes mediates systemic energy homeostasis in vivo • Acute high fat diet feeding activates CHRNA2 signaling in beige adipocytes • CHRNA2 signaling regulates both UCP1- and creatine-mediated pathways • CHRNA2 signaling regulates the activation of glycolytic beige adipocytes Summary Maintaining energy homeostasis upon environmental challenges, such as cold or excess calorie intake, is essential to the fitness and survival of mammals.