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Perez-Caballero L, Guillot de Suduiraut I, Romero LR, Grosse J, Sandi C, Andero R. Corticosterone administration immediately after peripuberty stress exposure does not prevent protracted stress-induced behavioral alterations. Psychoneuroendocrinology 2024; 170:107164. [PMID: 39146600 DOI: 10.1016/j.psyneuen.2024.107164] [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: 02/27/2024] [Revised: 07/11/2024] [Accepted: 08/04/2024] [Indexed: 08/17/2024]
Abstract
Stress-related disorders are commonly associated with abnormalities in hypothalamic-pituitary-adrenal (HPA) axis activity. Preliminary studies with cortisol administration in the aftermath of trauma suggest that this HPA axis hormone can potentially prevent maladaptive behavioral and biological stress responses. However, the efficacy of glucocorticoid administration during the peripuberty period has not been tested yet, although this lifetime is a critical time window in brain development and is highly sensitive to the harmful effects of stress. To further examine the short and long-lasting impact of glucocorticoids treatment given during the post-peripubertal stress period, the present study utilized a rat model of peripubertal stress-induced psychopathology and animals were subjected to a battery of tests to assess anxiety-like behaviors, exploratory behavior and reactivity to novelty at late adolescence and sociability, anhedonia and stress coping behaviors at adulthood. All the experiments were performed in males and females to evaluate the potential behavioral sex differences. Overall, our results demonstrated that rats exposed to peripubertal stress show decreased sociability in adulthood without differences in anxiety and depression-like behaviors. Moreover, this study shows that the administration of corticosterone after stress exposure at peripuberty does not prevent stress-induced behavioral alterations. However, we observed that some stress-induced behavioural alterations and corticosterone responses are sex-specific. Thus, the data obtained highlight that delineating sex differences in stress-related studies may ultimately contribute to the development of effective therapeutic interventions for each sex.
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Affiliation(s)
- Laura Perez-Caballero
- Institut de Neurociències, Universitat Autònoma de Barcelona, Barcelona 08193, Spain; Departament de Psicobiologia i de Metodologia de les Ciències de la Salut, Universitat Autònoma de Barcelona, Barcelona 08193, Spain
| | - Isabelle Guillot de Suduiraut
- Laboratory of Behavioral Genetics, Brain Mind Institute, School of Life Sciences, École Polytechnique Fédérale de Lausanne (EPFL), 1015 Lausanne, Switzerland; Synapsy Center for Neuroscience and Mental Health Research, École Polytechnique Fédérale de Lausanne (EPFL), 1015 Lausanne, Switzerland
| | - Leire R Romero
- Institut de Neurociències, Universitat Autònoma de Barcelona, Barcelona 08193, Spain
| | - Jocelyn Grosse
- Laboratory of Behavioral Genetics, Brain Mind Institute, School of Life Sciences, École Polytechnique Fédérale de Lausanne (EPFL), 1015 Lausanne, Switzerland; Synapsy Center for Neuroscience and Mental Health Research, École Polytechnique Fédérale de Lausanne (EPFL), 1015 Lausanne, Switzerland
| | - Carmen Sandi
- Laboratory of Behavioral Genetics, Brain Mind Institute, School of Life Sciences, École Polytechnique Fédérale de Lausanne (EPFL), 1015 Lausanne, Switzerland; Synapsy Center for Neuroscience and Mental Health Research, École Polytechnique Fédérale de Lausanne (EPFL), 1015 Lausanne, Switzerland
| | - Raul Andero
- Institut de Neurociències, Universitat Autònoma de Barcelona, Barcelona 08193, Spain; Departament de Psicobiologia i de Metodologia de les Ciències de la Salut, Universitat Autònoma de Barcelona, Barcelona 08193, Spain; Centro de Investigación Biomédica En Red en Salud Mental (CIBERSAM), Instituto de Salud Carlos III, Madrid 28029, Spain; Unitat de Neurociència Traslacional, Parc Taulí Hospital Universitari, Institut d'Investigació i Innovació Parc Taulí (I3PT), Institut de Neurociències, Universitat Autònoma de Barcelona, Bellaterra 08193, Spain; ICREA, Pg Lluís Companys 23, Barcelona 08010, Spain.
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Gasser B, Escher G, Calin AE, Deppeler M, Marchon M, Kurz J, Mohaupt M. Are steroid hormones and autistic traits affected by metformin? First insights from a pilot. COMPREHENSIVE PSYCHONEUROENDOCRINOLOGY 2023; 16:100196. [PMID: 37577184 PMCID: PMC10415721 DOI: 10.1016/j.cpnec.2023.100196] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/10/2023] [Revised: 07/23/2023] [Accepted: 07/24/2023] [Indexed: 08/15/2023] Open
Abstract
Background Different lines of evidence imply that metformin could alter steroid hormone homeostasis and thereby improve social impairment. Here, we tried to correlate the impact of metformin treatment on alterations in steroid hormones and autism spectrum traits before versus after treatment with metformin. Material & methods Urine steroid hormones were measured using gas chromatography mass spectrometry in 12 male subjects (54.2 ± 9.1 years, 177.3 ± 4.1 cm, 80 ± 10.4 kg) and 7 female subjects (64.14 ± 18.0 years, 162.7 ± 4.1 cm, 76.1 ± 10.4 kg). Furthermore, a questionnaire on autism spectrum traits (Autism Spectrum Questionnaire]) was administered prior to and after metformin treatment. Results Overall, a decrease of steroid hormones were detected, which were most pronounced in the metabolites of corticosterone, deoxycortisol, cortisol, as well as androgens. These remained after Bonferroni correction (three classes: glucocorticoid, mineralocorticoid, androgens). No effect on autism spectrum traits (social skills, attention switching skills, attention to detail skills, communication skills, imagination skills), was identified pre versus post metformin treatment. Discussion The decreased steroid hormone levels are based on different mechanisms; one effect is likely via mitochondria, another effect via activated protein kinase prior to post treatment. The finding on autistic traits must be taxed as negative and do not directly provide an argument for using metformin in the treatment of autism.
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Affiliation(s)
- Benedikt Gasser
- Department of Sport, Exercise and Health, Division Sport and Exercise Medicine, University of Basel, Grosse Allee 6, CH-4052, Basel, Switzerland
| | - Genevieve Escher
- Lindenhofgruppe, Teaching Hospital of Internal Medicine, Lindenhofgruppe, 3006, Berne, Switzerland
| | | | - Michael Deppeler
- Lindenhofgruppe, Teaching Hospital of Internal Medicine, Lindenhofgruppe, 3006, Berne, Switzerland
| | - Miriam Marchon
- Lindenhofgruppe, Teaching Hospital of Internal Medicine, Lindenhofgruppe, 3006, Berne, Switzerland
| | - Johann Kurz
- Interscience Research Collaboration, Switzerland
| | - Markus Mohaupt
- Lindenhofgruppe, Teaching Hospital of Internal Medicine, Lindenhofgruppe, 3006, Berne, Switzerland
- Department of Biomedical Research, University Bern, Switzerland
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Moreno-Fernández RD, Sampedro-Piquero P, Gómez-Salas FJ, Nieto-Quero A, Estivill-Torrús G, Rodríguez de Fonseca F, Santín LJ, Pedraza C. Social avoidance and altered hypothalamic-pituitary-adrenal axis in a mouse model of anxious depression: The role of LPA 1 receptor. Behav Brain Res 2023; 455:114681. [PMID: 37741054 DOI: 10.1016/j.bbr.2023.114681] [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] [Received: 06/21/2023] [Revised: 09/03/2023] [Accepted: 09/20/2023] [Indexed: 09/25/2023]
Abstract
Anxious depression is a prevalent disease with devastating consequences. Despite the lack of knowledge about the neurobiological basis of this subtype of depression, recently our group has identified a relationship between the LPA1 receptor, one of the six characterized G protein-coupled receptors (LPA1-6) for lysophosphatidic acid, with a mixed depressive-anxiety phenotype. Dysfunctional social behaviors, which have been related to increased activation of the hypothalamus-pituitary-adrenal (HPA) axis, are key symptoms of depression and are even more prominent in patients with comorbid anxiety and depressive disorders. Social behavior and HPA functioning were assessed in animals lacking the LPA1 receptor. For these purposes, we first examined social behaviors in wild-type and LPA1 receptor-null mice. In addition, a dexamethasone (DEX) suppression test was carried out. maLPA1-null mice exhibited social avoidance, a blunted response to DEX administration and an impaired circadian rhythm of corticosterone levels, which are features that are consistently dysregulated in many mental illnesses including anxious depression. Here, we have strengthened the previous experimental evidence for maLPA1-null mice to represent a good animal model of anxious depression, providing an opportunity to explore new therapeutic targets for the treatment of mood disorders, particularly this subtype of depression.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - P Sampedro-Piquero
- Departamento de Psicología Biológica y de la Salud. Facultad de Psicología. Universidad Autónoma de Madrid. Madrid, Spain
| | - F J Gómez-Salas
- Departamento de Psicobiologia y Metodologia en las CC, Instituto de Investigación Biomédica de Málaga (IBIMA), Universidad de Malaga, Malaga, Spain
| | - A Nieto-Quero
- Departamento de Psicobiologia y Metodologia en las CC, Instituto de Investigación Biomédica de Málaga (IBIMA), Universidad de Malaga, Malaga, Spain; Instituto de Investigación Biomédica de Málaga y Plataforma en Nanomedicina (IBIMA Plataforma BIONAND), Malaga, Spain
| | - G Estivill-Torrús
- Instituto de Investigación Biomédica de Málaga y Plataforma en Nanomedicina (IBIMA Plataforma BIONAND), Malaga, Spain
| | - F Rodríguez de Fonseca
- Instituto de Investigación Biomédica de Málaga y Plataforma en Nanomedicina (IBIMA Plataforma BIONAND), Malaga, Spain; Unidad Clínica de Neurociencias, Hospital Regional Universitario de Málaga, Spain
| | - L J Santín
- Departamento de Psicobiologia y Metodologia en las CC, Instituto de Investigación Biomédica de Málaga (IBIMA), Universidad de Malaga, Malaga, Spain; Instituto de Investigación Biomédica de Málaga y Plataforma en Nanomedicina (IBIMA Plataforma BIONAND), Malaga, Spain
| | - C Pedraza
- Departamento de Psicobiologia y Metodologia en las CC, Instituto de Investigación Biomédica de Málaga (IBIMA), Universidad de Malaga, Malaga, Spain; Instituto de Investigación Biomédica de Málaga y Plataforma en Nanomedicina (IBIMA Plataforma BIONAND), Malaga, Spain.
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Gasser B, Escher G, Calin AE, Deppeler M, Marchon M, Mistry HD, Kurz J, Mohaupt MG. Prior to versus after Metformin Treatment-Effects on Steroid Enzymatic Activities. Life (Basel) 2023; 13:life13051094. [PMID: 37240739 DOI: 10.3390/life13051094] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/07/2023] [Revised: 04/10/2023] [Accepted: 04/18/2023] [Indexed: 05/28/2023] Open
Abstract
Background: We recently reported that metformin administration has substantial effects on steroid hormone concentrations. In this study, we specifically explored which enzymatic activities were affected before a first treatment versus after a time of metformin treatment. Material and Methods: Twelve male subjects (54.2 ± 9.1 years, 177.3 ± 4.1 cm, 80 ± 10.4 kg) and seven female subjects (57.2 ± 18.9 years, 162.7 ± 4.1 cm, 76.1 ± 10.4 kg) were recruited based on an indication of metformin. Prior to the first intake of metformin and after 24 h, urine collections were performed. Urine steroid analysis was completed using gas chromatography-mass spectrometry. Results: The average reduction in steroid hormone concentrations after the metformin treatment was substantial and relatively equally distributed in all metabolites and the sum of all metabolites with 35.4%. An exception was dehydroepiandrosterone, with a decrease of almost three hundred percent of average concentration. In addition, the sum of all cortisol metabolites and 18-OH cortisol (indicative of oxidative stress) were lower after the metformin treatment. Furthermore, significant inhibition of 3ß-HSD activity was detectable. Discussion: Effects prior to and after the metformin treatment on inhibiting 3ß-HSD activity were detected in line with findings from others. Furthermore, the pattern of a reduction, for example, in the sum of all glucocorticoids following the metformin treatment supported an effect on oxidative stress, which was further supported by the reduction in 18-OH cortisol. Nevertheless, we do not understand all steps in the complex pattern of the enzymes that affect steroid hormone metabolism and, consequently, further studies are necessary to improve our understanding.
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Affiliation(s)
- Benedikt Gasser
- Department of Sport, Exercise and Health, Division Sport and Exercise Medicine, University of Basel, Grosse Allee 6, 4052 Basel, Switzerland
| | - Genevieve Escher
- Department of Biomedical Research, University Bern, 3006 Bern, Switzerland
| | - Anca-Elena Calin
- Lindenhofgruppe, Teaching Hospital of Internal Medicine, 3006 Berne, Switzerland
| | - Michael Deppeler
- Lindenhofgruppe, Teaching Hospital of Internal Medicine, 3006 Berne, Switzerland
| | - Miriam Marchon
- Lindenhofgruppe, Teaching Hospital of Internal Medicine, 3006 Berne, Switzerland
| | - Hiten D Mistry
- Department of Women and Children's Health, School of Life Course and Population Science, Kings College, London SE1 1UL, UK
| | - Johann Kurz
- Lindenhofgruppe, Teaching Hospital of Internal Medicine, 3006 Berne, Switzerland
- Interscience Research Collaboration, 8430 Leibnitz, Austria
| | - Markus G Mohaupt
- Department of Biomedical Research, University Bern, 3006 Bern, Switzerland
- Lindenhofgruppe, Teaching Hospital of Internal Medicine, 3006 Berne, Switzerland
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Aspesi D, Bass N, Kavaliers M, Choleris E. The role of androgens and estrogens in social interactions and social cognition. Neuroscience 2023:S0306-4522(23)00151-3. [PMID: 37080448 DOI: 10.1016/j.neuroscience.2023.03.028] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/13/2022] [Revised: 03/02/2023] [Accepted: 03/28/2023] [Indexed: 04/22/2023]
Abstract
Gonadal hormones are becoming increasingly recognized for their effects on cognition. Estrogens, in particular, have received attention for their effects on learning and memory that rely upon the functioning of various brain regions. However, the impacts of androgens on cognition are relatively under investigated. Testosterone, as well as estrogens, have been shown to play a role in the modulation of different aspects of social cognition. This review explores the impact of testosterone and other androgens on various facets of social cognition including social recognition, social learning, social approach/avoidance, and aggression. We highlight the relevance of considering not only the actions of the most commonly studied steroids (i.e., testosterone, 17β-estradiol, and dihydrotestosterone), but also that of their metabolites and precursors, which interact with a plethora of different receptors and signalling molecules, ultimately modulating behaviour. We point out that it is also essential to investigate the effects of androgens, their precursors and metabolites in females, as prior studies have mostly focused on males. Overall, a comprehensive analysis of the impact of steroids such as androgens on behaviour is fundamental for a full understanding of the neural mechanisms underlying social cognition, including that of humans.
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Affiliation(s)
- Dario Aspesi
- Department of Psychology and Neuroscience Program, University of Guelph
| | - Noah Bass
- Department of Psychology and Neuroscience Program, University of Guelph
| | - Martin Kavaliers
- Department of Psychology and Neuroscience Program, University of Guelph; Department of Psychology, University of Western Ontario, London, Canada; Graduate Program in Neuroscience, University of Western Ontario, London, Canada
| | - Elena Choleris
- Department of Psychology and Neuroscience Program, University of Guelph.
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Gasser B, Calin AE, Escher G, Kurz J, Emmenegger A, Buerki S, Schmidt-Trucksäss A, Mohaupt M. Light in the Rational Treatment of Autism? Effects of Metformin on Steroid Hormones in a Patient with Polycystic Ovarian Syndrome (PCOS). Life (Basel) 2022; 12:life12111736. [PMID: 36362891 PMCID: PMC9696325 DOI: 10.3390/life12111736] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/13/2022] [Revised: 10/13/2022] [Accepted: 10/21/2022] [Indexed: 11/16/2022] Open
Abstract
Background: Metformin is an effective treatment option for type 2 diabetes mellitus, and it is, to this day, the most prescribed oral antiglycaemic drug. Besides its effects mainly on mitochondrial activity, an off-label use came up as a pharmaceutical for subjects with a diagnosis of polycystic ovarian syndrome (PCOS) along with altered steroid hormone homeostasis. Besides these effects, even an influence on mood and social behavior was described, leading to the aim of this case report to elucidate the effects before versus after treatment with metformin on steroid hormones and social behavior. Methods: A female patient with diagnosed PCOS was analyzed three times for steroid hormone levels. The first analysis was performed before treatment; the second, after a period of 71 days with metformin at 2 × 500 mg; and the third, after a total of 144 days with metformin at 2 × 500 mg. Spot urine probes were taken in the morning for a combined gas chromatography−mass spectrometry (GC-MS), and the steroid levels were adjusted for creatinine excretion. A questionnaire on social behavior (Autism Spectrum Questionnaire) was administered before treatment and after 71 days. Results: A decrease in all the steroid hormones measured was detected after 71 and 144 days of treatment with metformin, being more pronounced after 144 days of treatment and highly significant (p < 0.001). Furthermore, in the untreated state, the class of corticosterone metabolites showed increased values compared to the female reference values for TH-11-DH-corticosterone, TH-corticosterone, and 5a-TH-corticosterone. In the class of estrogen metabolites, increased values compared to the reference values were detected for 17b-estradiol; in the class of 11-deoxycortisol metabolites, an increase in TH-11-deoxycortisol was detected. For the class of cortisol metabolites, increased values compared to the reference values were detected for cortisone, TH-cortisone, a-cortolone, b-cortolone, 20b-dihydrocortisone, cortisol, TH-cortisol, 5a-TH-cortisol, a-cortol, 20b-dihydrocortisol, and 6b-OH-cortisol. No increases in androgen metabolites were detected. Interestingly, weight decreased from 93.4 kg to 91.3 kg after 71 days and fell to 82.7 kg after 144 days of treatment. The skeletal muscle mass was 30.1 kg at the first visit, decreasing to 29.9 kg and to 27.5 kg. No significant difference in the social behavior score from baseline to after 71 days of treatment was detected. Discussion: Metformin improved the steroid hormone profiles from levels above the upper reference values to the middle of the reference values after 71 days and to the lower ends of the reference values after 144 days of treatment. This implies not only that metformin has an effect on steroid hormone levels, but in addition that the efficacy of the pharmaceutical seems to depend on the time interval from intake. To summarize, in this patient, steroid hormones were affected but social behavior was not. If no effect of metformin on social behavior exists, this must be supported by further cases.
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Affiliation(s)
- Benedikt Gasser
- Department of Sport, Exercise and Health, Division Sport and Exercise Medicine, University of Basel, Grosse Allee 6, CH-4052 Basel, Switzerland
- Correspondence:
| | - Anca-Elena Calin
- Lindenhofgruppe—Teaching Hospital of Internal Medicine, Lindenhofgruppe, CH-3006 Bern, Switzerland
| | - Genevieve Escher
- Department of Biomedical Research, University of Bern, CH-3008 Bern, Switzerland
| | - Johann Kurz
- Interscience Research Collaboration, 8430 Leibnitz, Austria
| | - Aglaia Emmenegger
- Department of Sport, Exercise and Health, Division Sport and Exercise Medicine, University of Basel, Grosse Allee 6, CH-4052 Basel, Switzerland
| | - Samuel Buerki
- Lindenhofgruppe—Teaching Hospital of Internal Medicine, Lindenhofgruppe, CH-3006 Bern, Switzerland
| | - Arno Schmidt-Trucksäss
- Department of Sport, Exercise and Health, Division Sport and Exercise Medicine, University of Basel, Grosse Allee 6, CH-4052 Basel, Switzerland
| | - Markus Mohaupt
- Lindenhofgruppe—Teaching Hospital of Internal Medicine, Lindenhofgruppe, CH-3006 Bern, Switzerland
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Metformin-Treatment Option for Social Impairment? An Open Clinical Trial to Elucidate the Effects of Metformin Treatment on Steroid Hormones and Social Behavior. LIFE (BASEL, SWITZERLAND) 2022; 12:life12070998. [PMID: 35888087 PMCID: PMC9320776 DOI: 10.3390/life12070998] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/01/2022] [Revised: 06/25/2022] [Accepted: 06/28/2022] [Indexed: 11/17/2022]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Social behavior is mediated by steroid hormones, whereby various lines of evidence indicate that metformin might improve the symptoms of social withdrawal. This directly yields to the aim of the study to correlate the impact of metformin treatment on the potential alterations in steroid hormone homeostasis, which is ultimately impacting social behavior. Therefore, urinary samples of patients before and after treatment with metformin will be correlated to social behavior to elucidate potential changes in steroid hormone profiles and social behavior. MATERIAL AND METHODS An observational study in healthy adults with a new indication for metformin. Steroid hormone analysis, including the most prominent androgen, estrogen, progesterone, aldosterone, corticosterone, cortisone and cortisol metabolites analyzed with gas chromatography-mass spectrometry and a questionnaire on social behavior (Autism Spectrum Questionnaire (AQ)) will be administered prior to and after around a 12-week phase of metformin treatment. DISCUSSION It is likely that due to different pathophysiological mechanisms such as an effect on the respiratory chain in mitochondria or via AMP-activated protein kinase, a general alteration of steroid hormone levels can be detected prior to post treatment. The encompassing measurement of steroid hormones shall give hints concerning the involvement of specific cascades yielding potential pharmacological targets for future research.
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How Is CYP17A1 Activity Altered in Autism? A Pilot Study to Identify Potential Pharmacological Targets. LIFE (BASEL, SWITZERLAND) 2022; 12:life12060867. [PMID: 35743898 PMCID: PMC9225657 DOI: 10.3390/life12060867] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/17/2022] [Revised: 05/30/2022] [Accepted: 06/08/2022] [Indexed: 11/16/2022]
Abstract
Background: Increasing evidence exists that higher levels of androgens can be found in individuals with autism. Evidence yields to a susceptible role of Cytochrome P450 17A1 (CYP17A1) with its catalyzation of the two distinct types of substrate oxidation by a hydroxylase activity (17-alpha hydroxylase) and C17/20 lyase activity. However, to what extent steps are altered in affected children with autism versus healthy controls remains to be elucidated. Methods: Urine samples from 48 boys with autism (BMI 19.1 ± 0.6 kg/m2, age 14.2 ± 0.5 years) and a matched cohort of 48 healthy boys (BMI 18.6 ± 0.3 kg/m2, 14.3 ± 0.5 years) as well as 16 girls with autism (BMI 17.5 ± 0.7 kg/m2, age 13.8 ± 1.0 years) and a matched cohort of 16 healthy girls (BMI 17.2 ± 0.8 kg/m2, age 13.2 ± 0.8 years) were analyzed for steroid hormone metabolites by gas chromatography-mass spectrometry. Results: The activity of 17-alpha Hydroxylase increased by almost 50%, whereas activity of 17/20 Lyase activity increased by around 150% in affected children with autism. Furthermore, the concentration of Cortisol was higher as compared to the average increase of the three metabolites TH-Corticosterone, 5α-TH-Corticosterone and TH-11β-DH-Corticosterone, indicating, in addition, a stimulation by the CRH-ACTH system despite a higher enzymatic activity. Discussion: As it was shown that oxidative stress increases the 17/20-lyase activity via p38α, a link between higher steroid hormone levels and oxidative stress can be established. However, as glucocorticoid as well as androgen metabolites showed higher values in subjects affected with autism as compared to healthy controls, the data indicate, despite higher CYP17A1 activity, the presence of increased substrate availability in line with the Cholesterol theory of autism.
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Liu Y, Deng SL, Li LX, Zhou ZX, Lv Q, Wang ZY, Wang F, Chen JG. A circuit from dorsal hippocampal CA3 to parvafox nucleus mediates chronic social defeat stress-induced deficits in preference for social novelty. SCIENCE ADVANCES 2022; 8:eabe8828. [PMID: 35196094 PMCID: PMC8865774 DOI: 10.1126/sciadv.abe8828] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/27/2020] [Accepted: 12/29/2021] [Indexed: 06/14/2023]
Abstract
The preference for social novelty is crucial to the social life of humans and rodents. However, the neural mechanisms underlying social novelty preference are poorly understood. Here, we found that chronic social defeat stress (CSDS) reduced the preference for social novelty in mice by impairing the response of CaMKIIα+ neurons in the CA3 region of dorsal hippocampus (dCA3) during approach to an unfamiliar mouse. The deficits of social novelty preference in CSDS-treated mice were reversed by activating the output from dCA3 to the GABAergic neurons in the lateral septum (LS). The activation of GABAergic projection from LS recruited a circuit that inhibited the Foxb1+ neurons in the parvafox nucleus (PFN), which drove social avoidance by projecting to the lateral periaqueductal gray (lPAG). These results suggest that a previously unidentified circuit of dCA3CaMKIIα+→LSGABA+→PFNFoxb1+→lPAG mediates the deficits of social novelty preference induced by CSDS.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yang Liu
- Department of Pharmacology, Tongji Medical College, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, Wuhan 430030, China
| | - Si-Long Deng
- Department of Pharmacology, Tongji Medical College, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, Wuhan 430030, China
| | - Liang-Xia Li
- Department of Pharmacology, Tongji Medical College, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, Wuhan 430030, China
| | - Zi-Xiang Zhou
- Department of Pharmacology, Tongji Medical College, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, Wuhan 430030, China
| | - Qiu Lv
- Department of Pharmacology, Tongji Medical College, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, Wuhan 430030, China
| | - Zhong-Yuan Wang
- Department of Pharmacology, Tongji Medical College, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, Wuhan 430030, China
| | - Fang Wang
- Department of Pharmacology, Tongji Medical College, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, Wuhan 430030, China
- The Key Laboratory of Neurological Diseases (HUST), Ministry of Education of China, Wuhan 430030, China
- The Key Laboratory for Drug Target Researches and Pharmacodynamic Evaluation of Hubei Province, Wuhan 430030, China
| | - Jian-Guo Chen
- Department of Pharmacology, Tongji Medical College, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, Wuhan 430030, China
- The Key Laboratory of Neurological Diseases (HUST), Ministry of Education of China, Wuhan 430030, China
- The Key Laboratory for Drug Target Researches and Pharmacodynamic Evaluation of Hubei Province, Wuhan 430030, China
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Hyperandrogenism? Increased 17, 20-Lyase Activity? A Metanalysis and Systematic Review of Altered Androgens in Boys and Girls with Autism. Int J Mol Sci 2021; 22:ijms222212324. [PMID: 34830216 PMCID: PMC8620117 DOI: 10.3390/ijms222212324] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/26/2021] [Revised: 11/08/2021] [Accepted: 11/10/2021] [Indexed: 12/21/2022] Open
Abstract
Introduction: There is increasing evidence that steroid hormone levels and, especially, androgen levels are elevated in autism. An overactivity of 17, 20-lyase with a higher production of the testosterone precursors dehydroepiandrosterone (DHEA) and androstenedione/androstenediol seems especially present in autism. Methods: An encompassing literature analysis was performed, searching for altered androgens in children with autism and using preferred reporting items for systematic reviews and meta-analysis (PRISMA) guidelines. Included were all studies published before 31 March 2021 found using the following electronic databases: PubMed, Google Scholar, Cochrane Library, Scopus, and TRIP. Eight studies with boys and three studies with girls where steroid hormone measurements were performed from either plasma, urine, or saliva were found and analyzed. Analyses were performed for DHEA(-S/-C), androstenedione/androstenediol, and testosterone. Effect sizes were calculated for each parameter between mean concentrations for children with autism versus healthy controls. Results: Higher levels of androgens in autism were detected, with the majority of calculated effect sizes being larger than one. Conclusions: We found higher levels of the main testosterone precursors DHEA, androstenedione, and androstenediol, likely causing an additionally higher level of testosterone, and an increased 17, 20-lyase activity is therefore implied. Medications already used in PCOS such as metformin might be considered to treat hyperandrogenism in autism following further research.
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