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Zhuo C, Tian H, Chen G, Ping J, Yang L, Li C, Zhang Q, Wang L, Mac X, Li R, Sun Y, Song X, Chen L. Low-dose lithium mono- and adjunctive therapies improve MK-801-induced cognitive impairment and schizophrenia-like behavior in mice - Evidence from altered prefrontal lobe Ca 2+ activity. J Affect Disord 2023:S0165-0327(23)00709-7. [PMID: 37244539 DOI: 10.1016/j.jad.2023.05.069] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/24/2023] [Revised: 05/05/2023] [Accepted: 05/19/2023] [Indexed: 05/29/2023]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Few studies have evaluated lithium either as monotherapy or in combination with anti-psychotic agents to improve cognition in murine models of schizophrenia. METHODS Visualization of Ca2+ activity in the prefrontal cortex was used to characterize brain neural activity. Novel object recognition (NOR), Morris water maze (MWM), and fear conditioning (FCT) tests were used to characterize cognitive performance; while pre-pulse inhibition (PPI), elevated plus maze (EPM) and the open field test (OFT) were used to characterize schizophrenia-like behavior. RESULTS A 28-day course of low-dose lithium (human equivalent dose of 250 mg/day) combined with moderate-dose quetiapine (human equivalent dose of 600 mg/day) improved Ca2+ ratio by 70.10 %, PPI by 69.28 %, NOR by 70.09 %, MWM by 71.28 %, FCT by 68.56 %, EPM by 70.95 % and OFT by 75.23 % compared to the results of positive controls. Unexpectedly, moderate-dose lithium (human equivalent dose of 500 mg/day) used either as monotherapy or as an adjunct with quetiapine worsened Ca2+ activity, PPI, MWM, FCT, EPM, and OPT. LIMITATIONS Our study cannot explain the contrasting positive and negative effects of low-dose and moderate-dose lithium, respectively, when used either as monotherapies or as adjuncts. Further studies, especially Western blotting, may reveal molecular mechanisms of action. CONCLUSIONS Low-dose lithium (human equivalent dose of 250 mg/day) combined with moderate-dose quetiapine (human equivalent dose of 600 mg/day) provided the best improvements. Furthermore, benefits persisted for 14 days post-treatment. Our data provide directions for further research of therapeutic alternatives to mitigate schizophrenia-related cognopathy.
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Affiliation(s)
- Chuanjun Zhuo
- Animal Micro-imaging Center (AMC) of TJ4CH-WZ7PH Joint Mental Health Institute, Wenzhou Seventh Peoples Hospital, Wenzhou 325000, China; Key Laboratory of Sensory Information Processing Abnormalities in Schizophrenia (SIPAS-Lab), Tianjin Fourth Center Hospital, Nankai University Affiliated Tianjin Fourth Center Hospital, Tianjin Medical University Affiliated Tianjin Fourth Center Hospital, Tianjin 300140, China; Laboratory of Psychiatric-Neuroimaging-Genetic and Co-morbidity (PNGC-Lab), Tianjin Mental Health Center of Tianjin Medical University, Tianjin Anding Hospital, Tianjin 300222, China; Department of Psychiatry, the First Affiliated Hospital of Zhengzhou University, Zhengzhou, China; Henan International Joint Laboratory of Biological Psychiatry, Zhengzhou, China; Henan Psychiatric Transformation Research Key Laboratory, Zhengzhou University, Zhengzhou 450000, China.
| | - Hongjun Tian
- Key Laboratory of Sensory Information Processing Abnormalities in Schizophrenia (SIPAS-Lab), Tianjin Fourth Center Hospital, Nankai University Affiliated Tianjin Fourth Center Hospital, Tianjin Medical University Affiliated Tianjin Fourth Center Hospital, Tianjin 300140, China
| | - Guangdong Chen
- Animal Micro-imaging Center (AMC) of TJ4CH-WZ7PH Joint Mental Health Institute, Wenzhou Seventh Peoples Hospital, Wenzhou 325000, China
| | - Jing Ping
- Animal Micro-imaging Center (AMC) of TJ4CH-WZ7PH Joint Mental Health Institute, Wenzhou Seventh Peoples Hospital, Wenzhou 325000, China
| | - Lei Yang
- Key Laboratory of Sensory Information Processing Abnormalities in Schizophrenia (SIPAS-Lab), Tianjin Fourth Center Hospital, Nankai University Affiliated Tianjin Fourth Center Hospital, Tianjin Medical University Affiliated Tianjin Fourth Center Hospital, Tianjin 300140, China
| | - Chao Li
- Key Laboratory of Sensory Information Processing Abnormalities in Schizophrenia (SIPAS-Lab), Tianjin Fourth Center Hospital, Nankai University Affiliated Tianjin Fourth Center Hospital, Tianjin Medical University Affiliated Tianjin Fourth Center Hospital, Tianjin 300140, China
| | - Qiuyu Zhang
- Key Laboratory of Sensory Information Processing Abnormalities in Schizophrenia (SIPAS-Lab), Tianjin Fourth Center Hospital, Nankai University Affiliated Tianjin Fourth Center Hospital, Tianjin Medical University Affiliated Tianjin Fourth Center Hospital, Tianjin 300140, China
| | - Lina Wang
- Laboratory of Psychiatric-Neuroimaging-Genetic and Co-morbidity (PNGC-Lab), Tianjin Mental Health Center of Tianjin Medical University, Tianjin Anding Hospital, Tianjin 300222, China
| | - Xiaoyan Mac
- Laboratory of Psychiatric-Neuroimaging-Genetic and Co-morbidity (PNGC-Lab), Tianjin Mental Health Center of Tianjin Medical University, Tianjin Anding Hospital, Tianjin 300222, China
| | - Ranli Li
- Laboratory of Psychiatric-Neuroimaging-Genetic and Co-morbidity (PNGC-Lab), Tianjin Mental Health Center of Tianjin Medical University, Tianjin Anding Hospital, Tianjin 300222, China
| | - Yun Sun
- Laboratory of Psychiatric-Neuroimaging-Genetic and Co-morbidity (PNGC-Lab), Tianjin Mental Health Center of Tianjin Medical University, Tianjin Anding Hospital, Tianjin 300222, China
| | - Xueqin Song
- Department of Psychiatry, the First Affiliated Hospital of Zhengzhou University, Zhengzhou, China; Henan International Joint Laboratory of Biological Psychiatry, Zhengzhou, China; Henan Psychiatric Transformation Research Key Laboratory, Zhengzhou University, Zhengzhou 450000, China
| | - Langlang Chen
- Animal Micro-imaging Center (AMC) of TJ4CH-WZ7PH Joint Mental Health Institute, Wenzhou Seventh Peoples Hospital, Wenzhou 325000, China
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Harry GJ, McBride S, Witchey SK, Mhaouty-Kodja S, Trembleau A, Bridge M, Bencsik A. Roadbumps at the Crossroads of Integrating Behavioral and In Vitro Approaches for Neurotoxicity Assessment. FRONTIERS IN TOXICOLOGY 2022; 4:812863. [PMID: 35295216 PMCID: PMC8915899 DOI: 10.3389/ftox.2022.812863] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/10/2021] [Accepted: 01/25/2022] [Indexed: 12/15/2022] Open
Abstract
With the appreciation that behavior represents the integration and complexity of the nervous system, neurobehavioral phenotyping and assessment has seen a renaissance over the last couple of decades, resulting in a robust database on rodent performance within various testing paradigms, possible associations with human disorders, and therapeutic interventions. The interchange of data across behavior and other test modalities and multiple model systems has advanced our understanding of fundamental biology and mechanisms associated with normal functions and alterations in the nervous system. While there is a demonstrated value and power of neurobehavioral assessments for examining alterations due to genetic manipulations, maternal factors, early development environment, the applied use of behavior to assess environmental neurotoxicity continues to come under question as to whether behavior represents a sensitive endpoint for assessment. Why is rodent behavior a sensitive tool to the neuroscientist and yet, not when used in pre-clinical or chemical neurotoxicity studies? Applying new paradigms and evidence on the biological basis of behavior to neurobehavioral testing requires expertise and refinement of how such experiments are conducted to minimize variability and maximize information. This review presents relevant issues of methods used to conduct such test, sources of variability, experimental design, data analysis, interpretation, and reporting. It presents beneficial and critical limitations as they translate to the in vivo environment and considers the need to integrate across disciplines for the best value. It proposes that a refinement of behavioral assessments and understanding of subtle pronounced differences will facilitate the integration of data obtained across multiple approaches and to address issues of translation.
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Affiliation(s)
- G. Jean Harry
- Neurotoxicology Group, Molecular Toxicology Branch, Division National Toxicology Program, National Institute of Environmental Health Sciences, Durham, NC, United States
- *Correspondence: G. Jean Harry,
| | - Sandra McBride
- Social & Scientific Systems, Inc., a DLH Holdings Company, Durham, NC, United States
| | - Shannah K. Witchey
- Division National Toxicology Program, National Institute of Environmental Health Sciences, Durham, NC, United States
| | - Sakina Mhaouty-Kodja
- Sorbonne Université, CNRS, INSERM, Neuroscience Paris Seine – Institut de Biologie Paris Seine, Paris, France
| | - Alain Trembleau
- Sorbonne Université, CNRS UMR8246, Inserm U1130, Institut de Biologie Paris Seine (IBPS), Neuroscience Paris Seine (NPS), Paris, France
| | - Matthew Bridge
- Social & Scientific Systems, Inc., a DLH Holdings Company, Durham, NC, United States
| | - Anna Bencsik
- Anses Laboratoire de Lyon, French Agency for Food, Environmental and Occupational Health & Safety (ANSES), Université de Lyon 1, Lyon, France
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Morgese MG, Bove M, Di Cesare Mannelli L, Schiavone S, Colia AL, Dimonte S, Mhillaj E, Sikora V, Tucci P, Ghelardini C, Trabace L. Precision Medicine in Alzheimer's Disease: Investigating Comorbid Common Biological Substrates in the Rat Model of Amyloid Beta-Induced Toxicity. Front Pharmacol 2022; 12:799561. [PMID: 35046821 PMCID: PMC8763383 DOI: 10.3389/fphar.2021.799561] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/21/2021] [Accepted: 12/01/2021] [Indexed: 12/30/2022] Open
Abstract
Alzheimer's disease (AD), one of the most widespread neurodegenerative disorder, is a fatal global burden for the elder population. Although many efforts have been made, the search of a curative therapy is still ongoing. Individuating phenotypic traits that might help in investigating treatment response is of growing interest in AD research. AD is a complex pathology characterized by many comorbidities, such as depression and increased susceptibility to pain perception, leading to postulate that these conditions may rely on common biological substrates yet to be determined. In order to investigate those biological determinants to be associable with phenotypic traits, we used the rat model of amyloid beta-induced toxicity. This established model of early phase of AD is obtained by the intracerebroventricular injection of soluble amyloid beta1-42 (Aβ) peptide 7 days before performing experiments. In this model, we have previously reported increased immobility in the forced swimming test, reduced cortical serotonin levels and subtle alterations in the cognitive domain a depressive-like phenotype associated with subtle alteration in memory processes. In light of evaluating pain perception in this animal model, we performed two different behavioral tests commonly used, such as the paw pressure test and the cold plate test, to analyze mechanical hyperalgesia and thermal allodynia, respectively. Behavioural outcomes confirmed the memory impairment in the social recognition test and, compared to sham, Aβ-injected rats showed an increased selective susceptibility to mechanical but not to thermal stimulus. Behavioural data were then corroborated by neurochemical and biochemical biomarker analyses either at central or peripheral level. Data showed that the peptide injection evoked a significant increase in hypothalamic glutamate, kynurenine and dopamine content, while serotonin levels were reduced. Plasma Cystatin-C, a cysteine protease, was increased while serotonin and melatonin levels were decreased in Aβ-injected rats. Urinary levels paralleled plasma quantifications, indicating that Aβ-induced deficits in pain perception, mood and cognitive domain may also depend on these biomarkers. In conclusion, in the present study, we demonstrated that this animal model can mimic several comorbid conditions typical of the early phase of AD. Therefore, in the perspective of generating novel therapeutic strategies relevant to precision medicine in AD, this animal model and the biomarkers evaluated herein may represent an advantageous approach.
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Affiliation(s)
- Maria Grazia Morgese
- Department of Clinical and Experimental Medicine, University of Foggia, Foggia, Italy
| | - Maria Bove
- Department of Clinical and Experimental Medicine, University of Foggia, Foggia, Italy
| | - Lorenzo Di Cesare Mannelli
- Pharmacology and Toxicology Section, Department of Neuroscience, Psychology, Drug Research and Child Health (NEUROFARBA), University of Firenze, Firenze, Italy
| | - Stefania Schiavone
- Department of Clinical and Experimental Medicine, University of Foggia, Foggia, Italy
| | - Anna Laura Colia
- Department of Clinical and Experimental Medicine, University of Foggia, Foggia, Italy
| | - Stefania Dimonte
- Department of Clinical and Experimental Medicine, University of Foggia, Foggia, Italy
| | - Emanuela Mhillaj
- Department of Clinical and Experimental Medicine, University of Foggia, Foggia, Italy
| | - Vladyslav Sikora
- Department of Clinical and Experimental Medicine, University of Foggia, Foggia, Italy
- Department of Pathology, Sumy State University, Sumy, Ukraine
| | - Paolo Tucci
- Department of Clinical and Experimental Medicine, University of Foggia, Foggia, Italy
| | - Carla Ghelardini
- Pharmacology and Toxicology Section, Department of Neuroscience, Psychology, Drug Research and Child Health (NEUROFARBA), University of Firenze, Firenze, Italy
| | - Luigia Trabace
- Department of Clinical and Experimental Medicine, University of Foggia, Foggia, Italy
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Neonatal phencyclidine and social isolation in the rat: effects of clozapine on locomotor activity, social recognition, prepulse inhibition, and executive functions deficits. Psychopharmacology (Berl) 2021; 238:517-528. [PMID: 33169202 DOI: 10.1007/s00213-020-05700-y] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/27/2020] [Accepted: 10/30/2020] [Indexed: 12/26/2022]
Abstract
RATIONALE There is a need to develop animal models of schizophrenia-like behaviors that have both construct and predictive validity. Recently, a neonatal phencyclidine (PCP) and post-weaning social isolation dual-hit model was developed; however, its face and predictive validities need to be further investigated. OBJECTIVE The aims of this study were to extend the characterization of the behavioral changes occurring in the neonatal PCP and post-weaning social isolation dual-hit rat model and to evaluate the effects of chronic treatment with clozapine on signs related to schizophrenia. METHODS Male Wistar rat pups were treated with PCP (10 mg/kg s.c.) on postnatal days (PND) 7, 9, and 11. Starting from weaning, neonatal PCP-treated rat pups were socially isolated, while control saline-treated rats were group housed. At adulthood, rats were assessed using behavioral tasks evaluating locomotor activity, social recognition, prepulse inhibition, and reversal learning. Clozapine (3 mg/kg i.p.) was administered daily starting from a week before behavioral tests and until the end of the study. RESULTS Neonatal PCP-treated and post-weaning social isolated (PCP-SI) rats displayed persistent and robust locomotor hyperactivity as well as social recognition impairment. The latter could not be explained by variations in the motivation to interact with a juvenile rat. Weak-to-moderate deficits in prepulse inhibition and reversal learning were also observed. Chronic treatment with clozapine attenuated the observed locomotor hyperactivity and social recognition deficits. CONCLUSION The PCP-SI model presents enduring and robust deficits (hyperactivity and social recognition impairment) associated with positive symptoms and cognitive/social deficits of schizophrenia, respectively. These deficits are normalized by chronic treatment with clozapine, thereby confirming the predictive validity of this animal model.
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Agee LA, Jones CE, Monfils MH. Differing effects of familiarity/kinship in the social transmission of fear associations and food preferences in rats. Anim Cogn 2019; 22:1013-1026. [DOI: 10.1007/s10071-019-01292-z] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/25/2019] [Revised: 06/25/2019] [Accepted: 07/09/2019] [Indexed: 11/30/2022]
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Epobis is a Nonerythropoietic and Neuroprotective Agonist of the Erythropoietin Receptor with Anti-Inflammatory and Memory Enhancing Effects. Mediators Inflamm 2016; 2016:1346390. [PMID: 27990061 PMCID: PMC5136666 DOI: 10.1155/2016/1346390] [Citation(s) in RCA: 13] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/02/2016] [Revised: 08/26/2016] [Accepted: 09/15/2016] [Indexed: 12/12/2022] Open
Abstract
The cytokine erythropoietin (EPO) stimulates proliferation and differentiation of erythroid progenitor cells. Moreover, EPO has neuroprotective, anti-inflammatory, and antioxidative effects, but the use of EPO as a neuroprotective agent is hampered by its erythropoietic activity. We have recently designed the synthetic, dendrimeric peptide, Epobis, derived from the sequence of human EPO. This peptide binds the EPO receptor and promotes neuritogenesis and neuronal cell survival. Here we demonstrate that Epobis in vitro promotes neuritogenesis in primary motoneurons and has anti-inflammatory effects as demonstrated by its ability to decrease TNF release from activated AMJ2-C8 macrophages and rat primary microglia. When administered systemically Epobis is detectable in both plasma and cerebrospinal fluid, demonstrating that the peptide crosses the blood-brain barrier. Importantly, Epobis is not erythropoietic, but systemic administration of Epobis in rats delays the clinical signs of experimental autoimmune encephalomyelitis, an animal model of multiple sclerosis, and the peptide has long-term, but not short-term, effects on working memory, detected as an improved social memory 3 days after administration. These data reveal Epobis to be a nonerythropoietic and neuroprotective EPO receptor agonist with anti-inflammatory and memory enhancing properties.
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