Metadichol® Induced the Expression of Neuronal Transcription Factors in Human Fibroblast Dermal Cells.

Author(s): Palayakotai Raghavan R.

Background: Producing neurons from fibroblast cells has the potential to treat neurodegenerative diseases, characterized by neuron loss. Neurodegenerative diseases are a growing problem in the current aging and developed world populations. Metadichol® is a nontoxic nanoemulsion of long-chain lipid alcohols currently available as an oral supplement.

Methods and Findings: In this study, Metadichol® was used to treat human fibroblasts in vitro; we subsequently evaluated changes in the expression of neuronal transcription factors by qRT-PCR and immunoblotting. We observed increased expression of critical transcription factors for neuronal development, such as ASCL1 and NGN2. ND2, NR4A2, LMX1A, LHX3. ISL1, and FOXA2.

Conclusions: These data suggest that Metadichol® is a promising putative neuronal remodeling agent. Its current availability and safety profile suggest that it could be rapidly available for in vivo testing, which has been impossible thus far.