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De Alcubierre D, Ferrari D, Mauro G, Isidori AM, Tomlinson JW, Pofi R. Glucocorticoids and cognitive function: a walkthrough in endogenous and exogenous alterations. J Endocrinol Invest 2023; 46:1961-1982. [PMID: 37058223 PMCID: PMC10514174 DOI: 10.1007/s40618-023-02091-7] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/14/2023] [Accepted: 04/05/2023] [Indexed: 04/15/2023]
Abstract
PURPOSE The hypothalamic-pituitary-adrenal (HPA) axis exerts many actions on the central nervous system (CNS) aside from stress regulation. Glucocorticoids (GCs) play an important role in affecting several cognitive functions through the effects on both glucocorticoid (GR) and mineralocorticoid receptors (MR). In this review, we aim to unravel the spectrum of cognitive dysfunction secondary to derangement of circulating levels of endogenous and exogenous glucocorticoids. METHODS All relevant human prospective and retrospective studies published up to 2022 in PubMed reporting information on HPA disorders, GCs, and cognition were included. RESULTS Cognitive impairment is commonly found in GC-related disorders. The main brain areas affected are the hippocampus and pre-frontal cortex, with memory being the most affected domain. Disease duration, circadian rhythm disruption, circulating GCs levels, and unbalanced MR/GR activation are all risk factors for cognitive decline in these patients, albeit with conflicting data among different conditions. Lack of normalization of cognitive dysfunction after treatment is potentially attributable to GC-dependent structural brain alterations, which can persist even after long-term remission. CONCLUSION The recognition of cognitive deficits in patients with GC-related disorders is challenging, often delayed, or mistaken. Prompt recognition and treatment of underlying disease may be important to avoid a long-lasting impact on GC-sensitive areas of the brain. However, the resolution of hormonal imbalance is not always followed by complete recovery, suggesting irreversible adverse effects on the CNS, for which there are no specific treatments. Further studies are needed to find the mechanisms involved, which may eventually be targeted for treatment strategies.
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Affiliation(s)
- D De Alcubierre
- Department of Experimental Medicine, Sapienza University of Rome, Rome, Italy
| | - D Ferrari
- Department of Experimental Medicine, Sapienza University of Rome, Rome, Italy
| | - G Mauro
- Department of Physiology and Pharmacology, Sapienza University of Rome, Rome, Italy
| | - A M Isidori
- Department of Experimental Medicine, Sapienza University of Rome, Rome, Italy
| | - J W Tomlinson
- Oxford Centre for Diabetes, Endocrinology and Metabolism, NIHR Oxford Biomedical Research Centre, University of Oxford, Churchill Hospital, Oxford, UK
| | - R Pofi
- Oxford Centre for Diabetes, Endocrinology and Metabolism, NIHR Oxford Biomedical Research Centre, University of Oxford, Churchill Hospital, Oxford, UK.
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Teo R, Dhanasekaran P, Tay SH, Mak A. Mathematical processing is affected by daily but not cumulative glucocorticoid dose in patients with systemic lupus erythematosus. Rheumatology (Oxford) 2020; 59:2534-2543. [PMID: 31990339 DOI: 10.1093/rheumatology/keaa002] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/14/2019] [Revised: 12/19/2019] [Indexed: 12/15/2022] Open
Abstract
OBJECTIVES The impact of glucocorticoids on neurocognitive performance in patients with SLE is not fully addressed. We aimed to study the effect of daily and cumulative glucocorticoid dose on neurocognitive performance in SLE patients. METHODS Consecutive SLE patients and gender- and age-matched healthy controls (HCs) underwent the computer-based Automated Neuropsychological Assessment Matric (ANAM), which evaluates eight neurocognitive domains including learning, recall, visual perception, mental rotation, short-term memory, attention, sustained attention and working memory. The total and individual-domain throughput scores (TPSs) and the presence of cognitive dysfunction (total TPS <1.5 s.d. below the mean TPS of HCs) were compared between SLE patients and HCs. Within the SLE group, univariate and independent associations between prednisolone dose (daily and cumulative) and individual-domain TPS were studied by univariate and multivariable linear regression, respectively. RESULTS A total of 96 SLE patients and 96 HCs were studied. SLE patients scored significantly worse across all the neurocognitive domains and had a significantly lower mean total TPS (P < 0.001) and a higher prevalence of cognitive dysfunction compared with HCs (25.0 vs 7.3%, P = 0.001). In SLE patients, daily prednisolone dose was significantly and negatively correlated with mathematical-processing TPS, which probes working memory (P = 0.018). No significant correlation between cumulative prednisolone dose and any of the individual-domain TPSs was found. In multivariable regression, higher daily prednisolone dose and doses >9 mg daily remained independently associated with lower mathematical-processing TPSs (P = 0.031). CONCLUSION Daily prednisolone dose ≥9 mg, but not cumulative glucocorticoid dose, had an independent negative impact on mathematical processing in SLE patients.
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Affiliation(s)
- Rachel Teo
- Department of Medicine, Yong Loo Lin School of Medicine, National University of Singapore, Singapore.,Lee Kong Chian School of Medicine, Nanyang Technological University, Singapore
| | - Preeti Dhanasekaran
- Department of Medicine, Yong Loo Lin School of Medicine, National University of Singapore, Singapore.,Division of Rheumatology, University Medicine Cluster, National University Health System, Singapore
| | - Sen Hee Tay
- Department of Medicine, Yong Loo Lin School of Medicine, National University of Singapore, Singapore.,Division of Rheumatology, University Medicine Cluster, National University Health System, Singapore
| | - Anselm Mak
- Department of Medicine, Yong Loo Lin School of Medicine, National University of Singapore, Singapore.,Division of Rheumatology, University Medicine Cluster, National University Health System, Singapore
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Miller JV, LeBouf RF, Kelly KA, Michalovicz LT, Ranpara A, Locker AR, Miller DB, O'Callaghan JP. The Neuroinflammatory Phenotype in a Mouse Model of Gulf War Illness is Unrelated to Brain Regional Levels of Acetylcholine as Measured by Quantitative HILIC-UPLC-MS/MS. Toxicol Sci 2019; 165:302-313. [PMID: 29846716 DOI: 10.1093/toxsci/kfy130] [Citation(s) in RCA: 27] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/25/2022] Open
Abstract
Many veterans of the 1991 Persian Gulf War (GW) returned with a chronic multisymptom illness that has been termed Gulf War Illness (GWI). Previous GWI studies have suggested that exposure to acetylcholinesterase inhibitors (AChEIs) in theater, such as sarin and/or pesticides, may have contributed to the symptomatology of GWI. Additionally, concomitant high physiological stress experienced during the war may have contributed to the initiation of the GWI phenotype. Although inhibition of AChE leading to accumulation of acetylcholine (ACh) will activate the cholinergic anti-inflammatory pathway, the signature symptomatology of GWI has been shown to be associated with neuroinflammation. To investigate the relationship between ACh and neuroinflammation in discrete brain regions, we used our previously established mouse model of GWI, which combines an exposure to a high physiological stress mimic, corticosterone (CORT), with GW-relevant AChEIs. The AChEIs used in this study were diisopropyl fluorophosphate (DFP), chlorpyrifos oxon (CPO), and physostigmine (PHY). After AChEI exposure, ACh concentrations for cortex (CTX), hippocampus (HIP), and striatum (STR) were determined using hydrophilic interaction liquid chromatography with ultraperformance liquid chromatography-tandem-mass spectrometry (MS/MS). CORT pretreatment ameliorated the DFP-induced ACh increase in HIP and STR, but not CTX. CORT pretreatment did not significantly alter ACh levels for CPO and PHY. Further analysis of STR neuroinflammatory biomarkers revealed an exacerbated CORT + AChEI response, which does not correspond to measured brain ACh. By utilizing this new analytical method for discrete brain region analysis of ACh, this work suggests the exacerbated neuroinflammatory effects in our mouse model of GWI are not driven by the accumulation of brain region-specific ACh.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Ryan F LeBouf
- Respiratory Health Division, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health, Morgantown, West Virginia 26505
| | | | | | - Anand Ranpara
- Respiratory Health Division, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health, Morgantown, West Virginia 26505
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Acupuncture alters pro-inflammatory cytokines in the plasma of maternally separated rat pups. Chin J Integr Med 2017; 23:943-947. [PMID: 28986807 DOI: 10.1007/s11655-017-2827-8] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/08/2015] [Indexed: 12/18/2022]
Abstract
OBJECTIVE To investigate the potential alleviating effects of acupuncture on maternal separation (MS)-induced changes in plasma pro-inflammatory cytokine levels of rat pups. METHODS On postnatal day 15, rat pups were randomly assigned to 4 groups (n=6 per group) using a random number table: normal, MS, MS with acupuncture stimulation at Shenmen (HT 7) acupoint (MS+HT 7), and MS with acupuncture stimulation at Chengshan (BL 57) acupoint (MS+BL 57) groups. Rat pups in the normal group were housed with their mothers under standard conditions; those in the MS, MS+HT 7 and MS+BL 57 groups were maternally separated and individually maintained. Acupuncture stimulation was performed at HT 7 or BL 57 acupoints once a day for 7 consecutive days. A tail suspension test was performed to measure immobility time of rats and the plasma was collected on postnatal day 21, then levels of corticosterone (CORT), interleukin (IL)-1β, IL-6 and glial cell-derived neurotrophic factor (GDNF) in plasma were measured. RESULTS Compared with the normal group, the immobility time and the plasma levels of CORT, IL-1β, IL-6 and GDNF in the MS group were significantly increased (P<0.05 or P<0.01). Compared with the MS group, the immobility time and the plasma levels of CORT, IL-1β, IL-6 and GDNF were significantly reduced in the MS+HT 7 group (P<0.05 or P<0.01). Moreover, the immobility time and plasma levels of IL-1β and IL-6 in the MS+HT 7 group were significantly lower than those in the MS+BL 57 group (P<0.05). CONCLUSION Acupuncture stimulation at HT 7 can alleviate the behavioral impairment and changes of the cytokines by MS, indicating that acupuncture can help to relieve MS-induced depression.
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Schnitzler S, Kopitz J, Plaschke K. Increased hippocampal CD38 and systemic inflammation after partial hepatectomy does not induce impairment of spatial cognition. Neurol Res 2016; 38:973-980. [DOI: 10.1080/01616412.2016.1242452] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 10/20/2022]
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Lee B, Sur B, Cho SG, Yeom M, Shim I, Lee H, Hahm DH. Effect of Beta-Asarone on Impairment of Spatial Working Memory and Apoptosis in the Hippocampus of Rats Exposed to Chronic Corticosterone Administration. Biomol Ther (Seoul) 2015; 23:571-81. [PMID: 26535083 PMCID: PMC4624074 DOI: 10.4062/biomolther.2015.027] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/09/2015] [Revised: 08/11/2015] [Accepted: 08/12/2015] [Indexed: 02/02/2023] Open
Abstract
β-asarone (BAS) is an active component of Acori graminei rhizoma, a traditional medicine used clinically in treating dementia and chronic stress in Korea. However, the cognitive effects of BAS and its mechanism of action have remained elusive. The purpose of this study was to examine whether BAS improved spatial cognitive impairment induced in rats following chronic corticosterone (CORT) administration. CORT administration (40 mg/kg, i.p., 21 days) resulted in cognitive impairment in the avoidance conditioning test (AAT) and the Morris water maze (MWM) test that was reversed by BAS (200 mg/kg, i.p). Additionally, as assessed by immunohistochemistry and RT-PCR analysis, the administration of BAS significantly alleviated memory-associated decreases in the expression levels of brain-derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF) and cAMP-response element-binding protein (CREB) proteins and mRNAs in the hippocampus. Also, BAS administration significantly restored the expression of Bax and Bcl-2 mRNAs in the hippocampus. Thus, BAS may be an effective therapeutic for learning and memory disturbances, and its neuroprotective effect was mediated, in part, by normalizing the CORT response, resulting in regulation of BDNF and CREB functions and anti-apoptosis in rats.
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Affiliation(s)
- Bombi Lee
- Acupuncture and Meridian Science Research Center, College of Korean Medicine, Kyung Hee University, Seoul 02447,
Republic of Korea
| | - Bongjun Sur
- Acupuncture and Meridian Science Research Center, College of Korean Medicine, Kyung Hee University, Seoul 02447,
Republic of Korea
| | - Seong-Guk Cho
- The Graduate School of Basic Science of Korean Medicine, College of Korean Medicine, Kyung Hee University, Seoul 02447,
Republic of Korea
| | - Mijung Yeom
- Acupuncture and Meridian Science Research Center, College of Korean Medicine, Kyung Hee University, Seoul 02447,
Republic of Korea
| | - Insop Shim
- Acupuncture and Meridian Science Research Center, College of Korean Medicine, Kyung Hee University, Seoul 02447,
Republic of Korea
- The Graduate School of Basic Science of Korean Medicine, College of Korean Medicine, Kyung Hee University, Seoul 02447,
Republic of Korea
| | - Hyejung Lee
- Acupuncture and Meridian Science Research Center, College of Korean Medicine, Kyung Hee University, Seoul 02447,
Republic of Korea
- The Graduate School of Basic Science of Korean Medicine, College of Korean Medicine, Kyung Hee University, Seoul 02447,
Republic of Korea
| | - Dae-Hyun Hahm
- Acupuncture and Meridian Science Research Center, College of Korean Medicine, Kyung Hee University, Seoul 02447,
Republic of Korea
- The Graduate School of Basic Science of Korean Medicine, College of Korean Medicine, Kyung Hee University, Seoul 02447,
Republic of Korea
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Lee B, Sur B, Shim I, Lee H, Hahm DH. Angelica gigas ameliorate depression-like symptoms in rats following chronic corticosterone injection. BMC COMPLEMENTARY AND ALTERNATIVE MEDICINE 2015; 15:210. [PMID: 26138544 PMCID: PMC4490640 DOI: 10.1186/s12906-015-0746-9] [Citation(s) in RCA: 30] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/10/2015] [Accepted: 06/24/2015] [Indexed: 01/28/2023]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Repeated injection of corticosterone (CORT) induces dysregulation in the hypothalamic-pituitary-adrenal (HPA) axis, resulting in depression. We examined the effects of Angelica gigas extract (AGN) treatment in a rat model of depressive and anxiety-like behaviors, induced by chronic CORT exposure. METHODS Male rats received 10, 20, or 50 mg/kg AGN (i.p.) 30 min prior to a daily injection of CORT for 21 consecutive days. Activation of the HPA axis in response to the repeated CORT injections was confirmed by measuring serum levels of CORT and the expression of corticotropin-releasing factor in the hypothalamus. RESULTS Daily AGN administration significantly reversed the depression and anxiety-like behavioral abnormalities. It also blocked increases in tyrosine hydroxylase expression in the locus coeruleus, and suppressed the decreased expression levels of brain-derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF) and its receptor TrkB mRNAs in the hippocampus. CONCLUSIONS These findings indicate that administration of AGN prior to high-dose exogenous CORT significantly improved helpless behaviors, possibly by modulating the central noradrenergic system and regulation of BDNF expression in rats. Thus, AGN may be a useful agent for the treatment or alleviation of psychiatric disorders associated with depression and anxiety disorders.
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Affiliation(s)
- Bombi Lee
- Acupuncture and Meridian Science Research Center, College of Korean Medicine, Kyung Hee University, 26 Kyungheedae-ro, Dongdaemun-gu, Seoul, 130-701, Republic of Korea.
| | - Bongjun Sur
- Acupuncture and Meridian Science Research Center, College of Korean Medicine, Kyung Hee University, 26 Kyungheedae-ro, Dongdaemun-gu, Seoul, 130-701, Republic of Korea
| | - Insop Shim
- Acupuncture and Meridian Science Research Center, College of Korean Medicine, Kyung Hee University, 26 Kyungheedae-ro, Dongdaemun-gu, Seoul, 130-701, Republic of Korea
- BK21 PLUS Korean Medicine Science Center, College of Korean Medicine, Kyung Hee University, Seoul, 130-701, South Korea
| | - Hyejung Lee
- Acupuncture and Meridian Science Research Center, College of Korean Medicine, Kyung Hee University, 26 Kyungheedae-ro, Dongdaemun-gu, Seoul, 130-701, Republic of Korea
| | - Dae-Hyun Hahm
- Acupuncture and Meridian Science Research Center, College of Korean Medicine, Kyung Hee University, 26 Kyungheedae-ro, Dongdaemun-gu, Seoul, 130-701, Republic of Korea.
- BK21 PLUS Korean Medicine Science Center, College of Korean Medicine, Kyung Hee University, Seoul, 130-701, South Korea.
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Lee B, Sur B, Yeom M, Shim I, Lee H, Hahm DH. Alpha-Asarone, a Major Component of Acorus gramineus, Attenuates Corticosterone-Induced Anxiety-Like Behaviours via Modulating TrkB Signaling Process. THE KOREAN JOURNAL OF PHYSIOLOGY & PHARMACOLOGY : OFFICIAL JOURNAL OF THE KOREAN PHYSIOLOGICAL SOCIETY AND THE KOREAN SOCIETY OF PHARMACOLOGY 2014; 18:191-200. [PMID: 24976758 PMCID: PMC4071171 DOI: 10.4196/kjpp.2014.18.3.191] [Citation(s) in RCA: 19] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/27/2013] [Revised: 03/18/2014] [Accepted: 04/12/2014] [Indexed: 11/27/2022]
Abstract
We investigated the anxiolytic-like activity of α-asarone (AAS) from Acorus gramineus in an experimental rat model of anxiety induced by repeated administration of the exogenous stress hormone corticosterone (CORT). The putative anxiolytic effect of AAS was studied in behavioral tests of anxiety, such as the elevated plus maze (EPM) test and the hole-board test (HBT) in rats. For 21 consecutive days, male rats received 50, 100, or 200 mg/kg AAS (i.p.) 30 min prior to a daily injection of CORT. Dysregulation of the HPA axis in response to the repeated CORT injections was confirmed by measuring serum levels of CORT and the expression of corticotrophin-releasing factor (CRF) in the hypothalamus. Daily AAS (200 mg/kg) administration increased open-arm exploration significantly in the EPM test, and it increased the duration of head dipping activity in the HBT. It also blocked the increase in tyrosine hydroxylase (TH) expression in the locus coeruleus (LC) and decreased mRNA expression of brain-derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF) and its receptor, TrkB, in the hippocampus. These results indicated that the administration of AAS prior to high-dose exogenous CORT significantly improved anxiety-like behaviors, which are associated with modification of the central noradrenergic system and with BDNF function in rats. The current finding may improve understanding of the neurobiological mechanisms responsible for changes in emotions induced by repeated administration of high doses of CORT or by elevated levels of hormones associated with chronic stress. Thus, AAS did exhibit an anxiolytic-like effects in animal models of anxiety.
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Affiliation(s)
- Bombi Lee
- Acupuncture and Meridian Science Research Center, College of Korean Medicine, Kyung Hee University, Seoul 130-701, Korea
| | - Bongjun Sur
- The Graduate School of Basic Science of Korean Medicine, College of Korean Medicine, Kyung Hee University, Seoul 130-701, Korea
| | - Mijung Yeom
- Acupuncture and Meridian Science Research Center, College of Korean Medicine, Kyung Hee University, Seoul 130-701, Korea
| | - Insop Shim
- Acupuncture and Meridian Science Research Center, College of Korean Medicine, Kyung Hee University, Seoul 130-701, Korea. ; The Graduate School of Basic Science of Korean Medicine, College of Korean Medicine, Kyung Hee University, Seoul 130-701, Korea
| | - Hyejung Lee
- Acupuncture and Meridian Science Research Center, College of Korean Medicine, Kyung Hee University, Seoul 130-701, Korea. ; The Graduate School of Basic Science of Korean Medicine, College of Korean Medicine, Kyung Hee University, Seoul 130-701, Korea
| | - Dae-Hyun Hahm
- Acupuncture and Meridian Science Research Center, College of Korean Medicine, Kyung Hee University, Seoul 130-701, Korea. ; The Graduate School of Basic Science of Korean Medicine, College of Korean Medicine, Kyung Hee University, Seoul 130-701, Korea
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Plaschke K, Bent F, Wagner S, Zorn M, Kopitz J. In contrast to its anti-inflammatory and anti-apoptotic peripheral effect, levosimendan failed to induce a long-term neuroprotective effect in a rat model of mild septic encephalopathy: a pilot study. Neurosci Lett 2013; 560:117-21. [PMID: 24361133 DOI: 10.1016/j.neulet.2013.12.021] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/02/2013] [Revised: 11/13/2013] [Accepted: 12/10/2013] [Indexed: 11/25/2022]
Abstract
Levosimendan shows protective myocardial characteristics and is administered to enhance cardiac contractility in patients. However, currently little is known about levosimendan's effect on brain. The aim of this pilot study was to investigate the long-term effect of levosimendan on brain and during mild rat sepsis in comparison to its peripheral mode of action. Adult rats (n=40) were divided into four groups with n=10 per group: (I) sham, (II) levosimendan (283 μg/kg body weight i.v.), (III) lipopolysaccharide (LPS, 8 mg/kg body weight i.p.), and (IV) LPS+levosimendan. Levosimendan was given 24h after injecting LPS. Psychometric investigations were conducted using a Morris water maze (MWM) and a holeboard test. In cerebral and splenic tissue, IL-1β, Il-6, TNFalpha levels, and apoptosis were determined; cerebral tissue corticosterone concentration was measured 6 days after injecting LPS. Blood cytokine concentrations were determined 1 day and 6 days after injecting LPS. Rats that received an LPS injection spent more time in the outer zone of the MWM according to increased cerebral corticosterone levels, and showed decreased cognitive abilities. LPS induced a reduction in body weight, increased splenic apoptosis and blood cytokine level. Levosimendan showed anti-inflammatory and anti-apoptotic properties in spleen but failed to show a long-term neuroprotective effect.
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Affiliation(s)
- Konstanze Plaschke
- Department of Anesthesiology, Medical Faculty, University of Heidelberg, Im Neuenheimer Feld 110, D-69120 Heidelberg, Germany.
| | - Franziska Bent
- Department of Anesthesiology, Medical Faculty, University of Heidelberg, Im Neuenheimer Feld 110, D-69120 Heidelberg, Germany
| | - Sören Wagner
- Department of Anesthesiology, Medical Faculty, University of Heidelberg, Im Neuenheimer Feld 110, D-69120 Heidelberg, Germany
| | - Markus Zorn
- Department of Internal Medicine, Laboratory Medicine, University of Heidelberg, Im Neuenheimer Feld 671, D-69120 Heidelberg, Germany
| | - Jürgen Kopitz
- Department of Pathology, Medical Faculty, University of Heidelberg, Im Neuenheimer Feld 224, D-69120 Heidelberg, Germany
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Lee B, Sur B, Kwon S, Yeom M, Shim I, Lee H, Hahm DH. Chronic administration of catechin decreases depression and anxiety-like behaviors in a rat model using chronic corticosterone injections. Biomol Ther (Seoul) 2013; 21:313-22. [PMID: 24244817 PMCID: PMC3819905 DOI: 10.4062/biomolther.2013.004] [Citation(s) in RCA: 40] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/09/2013] [Revised: 06/03/2013] [Accepted: 06/07/2013] [Indexed: 12/17/2022] Open
Abstract
Previous studies have demonstrated that repeated administration of the exogenous stress hormone corticosterone (CORT) induces dysregulation in the hypothalamic-pituitary-adrenal (HPA) axis and results in depression and anxiety. The current study sought to verify the impact of catechin (CTN) administration on chronic CORT-induced behavioral alterations using the forced swimming test (FST) and the elevated plus maze (EPM) test. Additionally, the effects of CTN on central noradrenergic systems were examined by observing changes in neuronal tyrosine hydroxylase (TH) immunoreactivity in rat brains. Male rats received 10, 20, or 40 mg/kg CTN (i.p.) 1 h prior to a daily injection of CORT for 21 consecutive days. The activation of the HPA axis in response to the repeated CORT injections was confirmed by measuring serum levels of CORT and the expression of corticotrophin-releasing factor (CRF) in the hypothalamus. Daily CTN administration significantly decreased immobility in the FST, increased open-arm exploration in the EPM test, and significantly blocked increases of TH expression in the locus coeruleus (LC). It also significantly enhanced the total number of line crossing in the open-field test (OFT), while individual differences in locomotor activities between experimental groups were not observed in the OFT. Taken together, these findings indicate that the administration of CTN prior to high-dose exogenous CORT significantly improves helpless behaviors, possibly by modulating the central noradrenergic system in rats. Therefore, CTN may be a useful agent for the treatment or alleviation of the complex symptoms associated with depression and anxiety disorders.
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Affiliation(s)
- Bombi Lee
- Acupuncture and Meridian Science Research Center
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Lee B, Sur B, Shim I, Lee H, Hahm DH. Baicalin improves chronic corticosterone-induced learning and memory deficits via the enhancement of impaired hippocampal brain-derived neurotrophic factor and cAMP response element-binding protein expression in the rat. J Nat Med 2013; 68:132-43. [DOI: 10.1007/s11418-013-0782-z] [Citation(s) in RCA: 25] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/20/2012] [Accepted: 05/16/2013] [Indexed: 11/29/2022]
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Glasper ER, Gould E. Sexual experience restores age-related decline in adult neurogenesis and hippocampal function. Hippocampus 2013; 23:303-12. [PMID: 23460298 PMCID: PMC9985342 DOI: 10.1002/hipo.22090] [Citation(s) in RCA: 33] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Accepted: 12/12/2012] [Indexed: 01/17/2023]
Abstract
Aging is associated with compromised hippocampal function and reduced adult neurogenesis in the dentate gyrus. As new neurons have been linked to hippocampal functions, such as cognition, age-related decline in new neuron formation may contribute to impaired hippocampal function. We investigated whether a rewarding experience known to stimulate neurogenesis in young adult rats, namely sexual experience, would restore new neuron production and hippocampal function in middle-aged rats. Sexual experience enhanced the number of newly generated neurons in the dentate gyrus with both single and repeated exposures in middle-aged rats. Following continuous long-term exposure to sexual experience, cognitive function was improved. However, when a prolonged withdrawal period was introduced between the final mating experience and behavioral testing, the improvements in cognitive function were lost despite the presence of more new neurons. Taken together, these results suggest that repeated sexual experience can stimulate adult neurogenesis and restore cognitive function in the middle-aged rat as long as the experience persists throughout the testing period. The extent to which changes in adult neurogenesis underlie those in cognition remain unknown.
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Affiliation(s)
- Erica R. Glasper
- University of Maryland, Department of Psychology, College Park, MD 20742, US
| | - Elizabeth Gould
- Princeton University, Department of Psychology and Neuroscience Institute, Princeton, NJ 08544, US,Corresponding author: Elizabeth Gould, Department of Psychology and Neuroscience, Institute, Princeton University, Princeton, NJ 08544, Telephone: 609-258-4483,
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Acupuncture stimulation alleviates corticosterone-induced impairments of spatial memory and cholinergic neurons in rats. EVIDENCE-BASED COMPLEMENTARY AND ALTERNATIVE MEDICINE 2011; 2012:670536. [PMID: 22216057 PMCID: PMC3246768 DOI: 10.1155/2012/670536] [Citation(s) in RCA: 27] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/24/2011] [Accepted: 09/08/2011] [Indexed: 12/11/2022]
Abstract
The purpose of this study was to examine whether acupuncture improves spatial cognitive impairment induced by repeated corticosterone (CORT) administration in rats. The effect of acupuncture on the acetylcholinergic system was also investigated in the hippocampus. Male rats were subcutaneously injected with CORT (5 mg/kg) once daily for 21 days. Acupuncture stimulation was performed at the HT7 (Sinmun) acupoint for 5 min before CORT injection. HT7 acupoint is located at the end of transverse crease of ulnar wrist of forepaw. In CORT-treated rats, reduced spatial cognitive function was associated with significant increases in plasma CORT level (+36%) and hippocampal CORT level (+204%) compared with saline-treated rats. Acupuncture stimulation improved the escape latency for finding the platform in the Morris water maze. Consistently, the acupuncture significantly alleviated memory-associated decreases in cholinergic immunoreactivity and mRNA expression of BDNF and CREB in the hippocampus. These findings demonstrate that stimulation of HT7 acupoint produced significant neuroprotective activity against the neuronal impairment and memory dysfunction.
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Veena J, Srikumar BN, Mahati K, Raju TR, Shankaranarayana Rao BS. Oxotremorine treatment restores hippocampal neurogenesis and ameliorates depression-like behaviour in chronically stressed rats. Psychopharmacology (Berl) 2011; 217:239-53. [PMID: 21494789 DOI: 10.1007/s00213-011-2279-3] [Citation(s) in RCA: 35] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/27/2010] [Accepted: 03/22/2011] [Indexed: 12/21/2022]
Abstract
RATIONALE Chronic stress results in cognitive impairment, affects hippocampal neurogenesis and is known to precipitate affective disorders such as depression. In addition to stress, neurotransmitters such as acetylcholine (ACh) modulate adult neurogenesis. Earlier, we have shown that oxotremorine, a cholinergic muscarinic agonist, ameliorates stress-induced cognitive impairment and restores cholinergic function. OBJECTIVES In the current study, we have looked into the possible involvement of adult neurogenesis in cognitive restoration by oxotremorine. Further, we have assessed the effect of oxotremorine treatment on depression-like behaviour and hippocampal volumes in stressed animals. METHODS Chronic restraint stressed rats were treated with either vehicle or oxotremorine. For neurogenesis studies, proliferation, survival and differentiation of the progenitor cells in the hippocampus were examined using 5'-bromo-2-deoxyuridine immunohistochemistry. Depression-like behaviour was evaluated using forced swim test (FST) and sucrose consumption test (SCT). Volumes were estimated using Cavalieri's estimator. RESULTS Hippocampal neurogenesis was severely decreased in stressed rats. Ten days of oxotremorine treatment to stressed animals partially restored proliferation and survival, while it completely restored the differentiation of the newly formed cells. Stressed rats showed increased immobility and decreased sucrose preference in the FST and SCT, respectively, and oxotremorine ameliorated this depression-like behaviour. In addition, oxotremorine treatment recovered the stress-induced decrease in hippocampal volume. CONCLUSIONS These results indicate that the restoration of impaired neurogenesis and hippocampal volume could be associated with the behavioural recovery by oxotremorine. Our results imply the muscarinic regulation of adult neurogenesis and incite the potential utility of cholinomimetics in ameliorating cognitive dysfunction in stress-related disorders.
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Affiliation(s)
- J Veena
- Department of Neurophysiology, National Institute of Mental Health and Neuro Sciences (NIMHANS), Hosur Road, PB # 2900, Bangalore, 560 029, India
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