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Verma K, Amitabh, Prasad DN, Reddy MPK, Kohli E. Kynurenines Dynamics in the Periphery and Central Nervous System Steers Behavioral Deficits in Rats under Hypobaric Hypoxia. ACS Chem Neurosci 2024; 15:1084-1095. [PMID: 38462729 DOI: 10.1021/acschemneuro.3c00632] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 03/12/2024] Open
Abstract
People travel to high-altitude regions as tourists, workers, and military personnel on duty. Despite the consistent 21% oxygen content in the atmosphere, ascending to higher altitudes results in a decrease in the partial pressure of oxygen, inducing a state known as hypobaric hypoxia (HH). HH is an environmental stress that is responsible for neuroinflammation and behavioral deficits (anxiety, depression, mood disturbance, etc.), but little is known about its metabolic pathways. The kynurenine pathway (KP) is a promising candidate to uncover the mysteries of HH stress, as it is an important regulator of the immune system and is associated with behavioral deficits. To investigate the role of KP under HH, the levels of KP metabolites in the serum, cerebrospinal fluid (CSF), and brain tissue (prefrontal cortex-PFC, neocortex, and hippocampus) of male Sprague-Dawley rats exposed to HH at 7620 m for 1, 3, and 7 days were estimated utilizing high-performance liquid chromatography (HPLC). The behavioral analogs for anxiety-like and depression-like behavior were assessed using the open field test and forced swim test, respectively. Upon HH exposure, crosstalk between the periphery and central nervous system and KP metabolite region-dependent differential expression in the brain were observed. KP metabolites showed a positive correlation with behavioral parameters. The results of our study are indicative that KP can be proposed as the etiology of behavioral deficits, and KP metabolite levels in serum or CSF can be used as plausible markers for anxiety-like and depression-like behaviors under HH stress with a scope of targeted therapeutic interventions.
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Affiliation(s)
- Kalyani Verma
- Department of Neurobiology, Defence Institute of Physiology and Allied Sciences, DRDO, Timarpur,Delhi 110054, India
| | - Amitabh
- Department of Neurobiology, Defence Institute of Physiology and Allied Sciences, DRDO, Timarpur,Delhi 110054, India
| | - Dipti N Prasad
- Department of Neurobiology, Defence Institute of Physiology and Allied Sciences, DRDO, Timarpur,Delhi 110054, India
| | - M Prasanna Kumar Reddy
- Department of Applied Physiology, Defence Institute of Physiology and Allied Sciences, DRDO, Timarpur, Delhi 110054, India
| | - Ekta Kohli
- Department of Neurobiology, Defence Institute of Physiology and Allied Sciences, DRDO, Timarpur,Delhi 110054, India
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Abstract
Tryptophan (TRP), an essential amino acid in mammals, is involved in several physiological processes including neuronal function, immunity, and gut homeostasis. In humans, TRP is metabolized via the kynurenine and serotonin pathways, leading to the generation of biologically active compounds, such as serotonin, melatonin and niacin. In addition to endogenous TRP metabolism, resident gut microbiota also contributes to the production of specific TRP metabolites and indirectly influences host physiology. The variety of physiologic functions regulated by TRP reflects the complex pattern of diseases associated with altered homeostasis. Indeed, an imbalance in the synthesis of TRP metabolites has been associated with pathophysiologic mechanisms occurring in neurologic and psychiatric disorders, in chronic immune activation and in the immune escape of cancer. In this chapter, the role of TRP metabolism in health and disease is presented. Disorders involving the central nervous system, malignancy, inflammatory bowel and cardiovascular disease are discussed.
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Affiliation(s)
- Stefano Comai
- Division of Neuroscience, San Raffaele Scientific Institute and Vita-Salute University, Milan, Italy; Department of Psychiatry, McGill University, Montreal, QC, Canada
| | - Antonella Bertazzo
- Department of Pharmaceutical and Pharmacological Sciences, University of Padua, Padua, Italy
| | - Martina Brughera
- Division of Neuroscience, San Raffaele Scientific Institute and Vita-Salute University, Milan, Italy
| | - Sara Crotti
- Institute of Paediatric Research-Città della Speranza, Padua, Italy.
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Manchia M, Comai S, Pinna M, Pinna F, Fanos V, Denovan-Wright E, Carpiniello B. Biomarkers in aggression. Adv Clin Chem 2019; 93:169-237. [PMID: 31655730 DOI: 10.1016/bs.acc.2019.07.004] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/12/2022]
Abstract
Aggressive behavior exerts an enormous impact on society remaining among the main causes of worldwide premature death. Effective primary interventions, relying on predictive models of aggression that show adequate sensitivity and specificity are currently lacking. One strategy to increase the accuracy and precision of prediction would be to include biological data in the predictive models. Clearly, to be included in such models, biological markers should be reliably associated with the specific trait under study (i.e., diagnostic biomarkers). Aggression, however, is phenotypically highly heterogeneous, an element that has hindered the identification of reliable biomarkers. However, current research is trying to overcome these challenges by focusing on more homogenous aggression subtypes and/or by studying large sample size of aggressive individuals. Further advance is coming by bioinformatics approaches that are allowing the integration of inter-species biological data as well as the development of predictive algorithms able to discriminate subjects on the basis of the propensity toward aggressive behavior. In this review we first present a brief summary of the available evidence on neuroimaging of aggression. We will then treat extensively the data on genetic determinants, including those from hypothesis-free genome-wide association studies (GWAS) and candidate gene studies. Transcriptomic and neurochemical biomarkers will then be reviewed, and we will dedicate a section on the role of metabolomics in aggression. Finally, we will discuss how biomarkers can inform the development of new pharmacological tools as well as increase the efficacy of preventive strategies.
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Affiliation(s)
- Mirko Manchia
- Section of Psychiatry, Department of Medical Sciences and Public Health, University of Cagliari, Cagliari, Italy; Department of Pharmacology, Dalhousie University, Halifax, NS, Canada.
| | - Stefano Comai
- San Raffaele Scientific Institute and Vita Salute University, Milano, Italy; Department of Psychiatry, McGill University, Montreal, QC, Canada.
| | - Martina Pinna
- Forensic Psychiatry Unit, Sardinia Health Agency, Cagliari, Italy
| | - Federica Pinna
- Section of Psychiatry, Department of Medical Sciences and Public Health, University of Cagliari, Cagliari, Italy
| | - Vassilios Fanos
- Department of Surgical Sciences, University of Cagliari, Cagliari, Italy; Puericulture Institute and Neonatal Section, University Hospital Agency of Cagliari, Cagliari, Italy
| | | | - Bernardo Carpiniello
- Section of Psychiatry, Department of Medical Sciences and Public Health, University of Cagliari, Cagliari, Italy
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Manchia M, Carpiniello B, Valtorta F, Comai S. Serotonin Dysfunction, Aggressive Behavior, and Mental Illness: Exploring the Link Using a Dimensional Approach. ACS Chem Neurosci 2017; 8:961-972. [PMID: 28378993 DOI: 10.1021/acschemneuro.6b00427] [Citation(s) in RCA: 47] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/28/2022] Open
Abstract
Aggressive individuals have higher rates of mental illness compared to non-aggressive individuals. Multiple factors, including psychosocial, genetic, and neurobiological determinants modulate the liability to both aggressive behavior and mental illness. Concerning the latter factors, multiple lines of evidence have shown a dysfunction in the serotonin (5-HT) system occurring in aggressive and in mentally ill individuals. In particular, reduced 5-HT activity has been associated with depression as well as with aggressive behavior, especially with impulsive aggression. Consistently, psychopharmacological interventions aimed at boosting the 5-HT system (e.g., with selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors) have demonstrated therapeutic efficacy in a high percentage of patients with either or both pathological conditions. Current knowledge does not yet allow to clearly disentangle whether 5-HT dysfunction, most often a 5-HT deficiency, is the cause or the consequence of the aggressive/violent behavior, of the underlying mental disease/s, or the expression of the comorbidity. Future studies are thus needed to clarify the association between changes in 5-HT levels, altered activity of 5-HT receptors and their intracellular signaling cascades, and modifications of 5-HT genes, and in particular the neurobiological link between the altered 5-HT machinery and aggressive behavior in the context or in the absence of mental illness. In this Review, we employ a dimensional approach to discuss the trivariate relationship among the 5-HT system, aggressive behavior, and mental illness, focusing our attention on 5-HT levels, 5-HT receptors, metabolic enzymes, and their genes. Emphasis is given to controversial findings, still unanswered questions, and future perspectives.
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Affiliation(s)
- Mirko Manchia
- Section of Psychiatry,
Department of Medical Sciences and Public Health, University of Cagliari, 09121 Cagliari, Italy
- Department of Pharmacology, Dalhousie University, Halifax, Nova Scotia B3H 4R2, Canada
| | - Bernardo Carpiniello
- Section of Psychiatry,
Department of Medical Sciences and Public Health, University of Cagliari, 09121 Cagliari, Italy
| | - Flavia Valtorta
- San Raffaele Scientific Institute and Vita Salute University, Via Olgettina 58, 20132 Milano, Italy
| | - Stefano Comai
- San Raffaele Scientific Institute and Vita Salute University, Via Olgettina 58, 20132 Milano, Italy
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Comai S, Bertazzo A, Carretti N, Podfigurna-Stopa A, Luisi S, Costa CVL. Serum levels of tryptophan, 5-hydroxytryptophan and serotonin in patients affected with different forms of amenorrhea. Int J Tryptophan Res 2010; 3:69-75. [PMID: 22084589 PMCID: PMC3195241 DOI: 10.4137/ijtr.s3804] [Citation(s) in RCA: 34] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/31/2023] Open
Abstract
Tryptophan (Trp) is present in the serum, partly bound to albumine and in the free form. The unbound portion of circulating tryptophan has the property of crossing the hematoencephalic barrier and being converted within the brain into serotonin (5-HT) through the enzymatic processes of hydroxylation and decarboxylation. The serotoninergic system plays an important role in neuroendocrine control of reproductive hormone secretion, and in particular, it may influence GnRH pulsatility, a function essential for reproductive processes. In this study, we analysed serum levels of tryptophan, serotonin and 5-hydroxytryptophan (5-HTP) in women with three different forms of amenorrhea: 16 patients were diagnosed with anorexia nervosa, 60 patients with functional hypothalamic amenorrhea, and 14 patients with hyperprolactinemia. Data were compared with those of a group of 25 healthy women. Serum Trp levels were significantly (P ≤ 0.05) lower in the anorexic (11.64 ± 0.53 μg/ml, mean ± S.E.) than in the control (12.98 ± 0.37 μg/ml) groups. In addition, in the anorexic group a statistical dispersion of Trp values was shown indicating a bimodal data distribution suggesting the existence of two different subgroups of patients. Regarding 5-HTP, an increase of its serum level was observed in all the groups with amenorrhea with the highest value in hyperprolactinemic patients. On the contrary, no statistical differences in serum 5-HT levels among the four analyzed groups were observed. This study shows that women affected by various forms of amenorrhea present an altered metabolism of tryptophan via serotonin and, in particular, markedly high differences are observed between the two subgroups of anorexic patients.
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Affiliation(s)
- S Comai
- Department of Pharmaceutical Sciences, University of Padova, via Marzolo 5, I-35131 Padova, Italy
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Fontenot MB, Musso MW, Watson SL, Anderson GM. Characterization of cerebrospinal fluid monoamine metabolites in peripubertal chimpanzees (Pan troglodytes). J Med Primatol 2009; 39:24-31. [PMID: 19843204 DOI: 10.1111/j.1600-0684.2009.00391.x] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/28/2022]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Assessment of cerebrospinal (CSF) monoamine metabolites 5-hydroxyindoeacetic acid (5-HIAA) and homovanillic acid (HVA), and the serotonin precursor tryptophan (TRP), in chimpanzees may help in understanding the neurobiology underlying aggressive, impulsive behavior in humans and non-human primates. METHODS Two CSF samples were obtained from 11 peripubertal chimpanzees 8 months apart and were assayed for monoamine metabolite and TRP concentrations. RESULTS Substantial inter-individual stability was observed for 5-HIAA (n = 11; r = 0.83, P < 0.001) and HVA (r = 0.91, P < 0.001). Females had significantly higher concentrations of 5-HIAA compared to males (F(1,8) = 7.31; P < 0.05). Levels of 5-HIAA (r = -0.62, P < 0.05), HVA (r = -0.86, P < 0.001) and TRP levels (r = -0.67; P < 0.05) decreased with age. CONCLUSION Close parallels were observed between chimpanzees and humans with respect to absolute levels, sex effects, ontogeny, and 5-HIAA-HVA correlations, supporting the potential utility of the measures in understanding relationships between monoamine functioning and behavior in chimpanzees and humans.
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Affiliation(s)
- M B Fontenot
- Division of Behavioral Sciences, University of Louisiana at Lafayette-New Iberia Research Center, New Iberia, LA 70562-3610, USA.
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Mamunooru M, Jenkins RJ, Davis NI, Shackman JG. Gradient elution isotachophoresis with direct ultraviolet absorption detection for sensitive amino acid analysis. J Chromatogr A 2008; 1202:203-11. [DOI: 10.1016/j.chroma.2008.07.005] [Citation(s) in RCA: 11] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/04/2008] [Revised: 06/09/2008] [Accepted: 07/02/2008] [Indexed: 11/27/2022]
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