1
|
Balikci A, Eryilmaz U, Guler VK, Ilbay G. Tactile stimulation of young WAG/Rij rats prevents development of depression but not absence epilepsy. Front Behav Neurosci 2024; 18:1433431. [PMID: 38993266 PMCID: PMC11236540 DOI: 10.3389/fnbeh.2024.1433431] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/15/2024] [Accepted: 06/17/2024] [Indexed: 07/13/2024] Open
Abstract
Investigations in Wistar Albino Glaxo from Rijswijk (WAG/Rij) rats that are susceptible to genetic absence epilepsy have demonstrated that environmental modifications affect absence seizures. Previously, we showed that neonatal tactile stimulations produce disease-modifying effect on genetically determined absence epilepsy and associated depression in Wag/Rij rats. The study presented here examined the effect of TS during late ontogenesis (adolescence and young adulthood) on epilepsy and depression outcomes in this genetically epileptic rat strain. On postnatal day (PND) 38, male WAG/Rij rats randomly were assigned to either the tactile stimulation (TS), handled or control group (unhandled) with 8 animals in each group. Following a 7-day adaptation period to their new surroundings, the animals were submitted to tactile stimulation from PND 45 to PND 90, five days per week, for 5 min daily. The tactile-stimulated rat was removed from its cage, placed on the experimenter's lap, and had its neck and back gently stroked by the researcher. The handled rats were taken to another cage and left alone for 5 min daily from PND 45 to PND 90. The control rats were left undisturbed in their home cage, except for regular cage cleaning. After PND 90, all rats were left undisturbed until behavioral testing and EEG recording. When the animals were 7 months old, they were subjected to the sucrose consumption test (SCT) and the forced swimming test (FST). Electroencephalogram (EEG) recordings were made at 8 months of age in order to measure electroencephalographic seizure activity, thus, the spike-wave discharges (SWDs). Tactile-stimulated rats showed increased sucrose consumption and number of approaches to the sucrose solution in the SCT when compared with the handled and control rats. In the FST, rats in TS group showed lower immobility time and greater immobility latency, active swimming time and diving frequency than the handled and control rats. The duration and the number of seizures were not different amongst the groups. The data obtained suggest that TS in young rats is able to prevent depression in WAG/Rij rats.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Aymen Balikci
- Department of Physiology, Faculty of Medicine, Kocaeli University, İzmit, Türkiye
| | - Ugur Eryilmaz
- Department of Physiology, Faculty of Medicine, Kocaeli University, İzmit, Türkiye
| | - Vildan Keles Guler
- Department of Physiology, Faculty of Medicine, Kocaeli University, İzmit, Türkiye
| | - Gul Ilbay
- Department of Physiology, Faculty of Medicine, Kocaeli University, İzmit, Türkiye
| |
Collapse
|
2
|
Argenbright CM, Bertlesman AM, Russell IM, Greer TL, Peng YB, Fuchs PN. The Fibromyalgia Pain Experience: A Scoping Review of the Preclinical Evidence for Replication and Treatment of the Affective and Cognitive Pain Dimensions. Biomedicines 2024; 12:778. [PMID: 38672134 PMCID: PMC11048409 DOI: 10.3390/biomedicines12040778] [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: 02/09/2024] [Revised: 03/18/2024] [Accepted: 03/25/2024] [Indexed: 04/28/2024] Open
Abstract
Fibromyalgia is a chronic, widespread pain disorder that is strongly represented across the affective and cognitive dimensions of pain, given that the underlying pathophysiology of the disorder is yet to be identified. These affective and cognitive deficits are crucial to understanding and treating the fibromyalgia pain experience as a whole but replicating this multidimensionality on a preclinical level is challenging. To understand the underlying mechanisms, animal models are used. In this scoping review, we evaluate the current primary animal models of fibromyalgia regarding their translational relevance within the affective and cognitive pain realms, as well as summarize treatments that have been identified preclinically for attenuating these deficits.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Cassie M. Argenbright
- Department of Psychology and Biobehavioral Sciences, St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital, Memphis, TN 38105, USA
| | - Alysia M. Bertlesman
- Department of Psychology, The University of Texas at Arlington, Arlington, TX 76019, USA; (A.M.B.); (I.M.R.); (T.L.G.); (Y.B.P.)
| | - Izabella M. Russell
- Department of Psychology, The University of Texas at Arlington, Arlington, TX 76019, USA; (A.M.B.); (I.M.R.); (T.L.G.); (Y.B.P.)
| | - Tracy L. Greer
- Department of Psychology, The University of Texas at Arlington, Arlington, TX 76019, USA; (A.M.B.); (I.M.R.); (T.L.G.); (Y.B.P.)
| | - Yuan B. Peng
- Department of Psychology, The University of Texas at Arlington, Arlington, TX 76019, USA; (A.M.B.); (I.M.R.); (T.L.G.); (Y.B.P.)
| | - Perry N. Fuchs
- Department of Psychological Science, The University of Texas Rio Grande Valley, Edinburg, TX 78539, USA;
| |
Collapse
|
3
|
Qian X, Zhong Z, Lu S, Zhang Y. Repeated reserpine treatment induces depressive-like behaviors accompanied with hippocampal impairment and synapse deficit in mice. Brain Res 2023; 1819:148541. [PMID: 37619854 DOI: 10.1016/j.brainres.2023.148541] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/24/2023] [Revised: 08/16/2023] [Accepted: 08/17/2023] [Indexed: 08/26/2023]
Abstract
Depression remains a significant public health concern, and current animal models of depression are limited in their ability to accurately mimic human depression. However, studying the new development of antidepressants requires the use of progressive animal models. In this study, the mice were exposed to a low dose of reserpine (0.5 mg/kg) once daily for 14 days, followed by a 14-day period to allow for the development of spontaneous depression. We have successfully established a repeated reserpine-induced depressive animal model, which was characterized by emotional symptoms (anhedonia), cognitive symptoms, and psychomotor agitation or retardation. Our study demonstrated that repeated treatment with low-dose reserpine increased immobility time in the TST and FST. It also decreased the sucrose consumption ratio and induced anxiety-like behaviors. These anxiety-like behaviors were evidenced by decreased time spent in the center zone, longer first latency to center zone, and fewer entries into the center zone in the open field test. These findings support the utility of the low-dose reserpine repeated injection animal model for studying the pathogenesis of depression and the development of novel antidepressant treatments. Additionally, this study provides valuable insights into the potential of low-dose reserpine as a tool for modeling chronic depression in animals. Furthermore, our findings suggest that prolonged low-dose reserpine treatment could result in chronic depression. These findings have significant implications for the use of reserpine as a therapeutic agent for various conditions and emphasize the importance of closely monitoring patients' mental health.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Xu Qian
- School of Chemistry, Guangdong Key Lab of Chiral Molecules and Drug Discovery, Sun Yat-Sen University, Guangzhou 510275, China.
| | - Zuodong Zhong
- School of Pharmacy, Guangzhou Medical University, Guangzhou 510275, China
| | - Sitong Lu
- School of Pharmacy, Guangzhou Medical University, Guangzhou 510275, China
| | - Yao Zhang
- Department of Respiratory and Critical Medicine, General Hospital of Eastern Theater Command, Nanjing 210016, China.
| |
Collapse
|
4
|
Hossain SR, Karem H, Jafari Z, Kolb BE, Mohajerani MH. Early tactile stimulation influences the development of Alzheimer's disease in gestationally stressed APP NL-G-F adult offspring NL-G-F/NL-G-F mice. Exp Neurol 2023; 368:114498. [PMID: 37536439 DOI: 10.1016/j.expneurol.2023.114498] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/08/2023] [Revised: 07/20/2023] [Accepted: 07/25/2023] [Indexed: 08/05/2023]
Abstract
Alzheimer's disease (AD) is associated with cerebral plaques and tangles, reduced synapse number, and shrinkage in several brain areas and these morphological effects are associated with the onset of compromised cognitive, motor, and anxiety-like behaviours. The appearance of both anatomical and behavioural symptoms is worsened by stress. The focus of this study was to examine the effect of neonatal tactile stimulation on AD-like behavioural and neurological symptoms on APP NL-G-F/NL-G-F mice, a mouse model of AD, who have been gestationally stressed. Our findings indicate that neonatal tactile stimulation improves cognition, motor skills, and anxiety-like symptoms in both gestationally stressed and non-stressed adult APP mice and that these alterations are associated with reduced Aβ plaque formation. Thus, tactile stimulation appears to be a promising non-invasive preventative strategy for slowing the onset of dementia in aging animals.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Shakhawat R Hossain
- Department of Neuroscience, Canadian Centre for Behavioural Neuroscience, University of Lethbridge, Lethbridge T1K 3M4, AB, Canada
| | - Hadil Karem
- Department of Neuroscience, Canadian Centre for Behavioural Neuroscience, University of Lethbridge, Lethbridge T1K 3M4, AB, Canada
| | - Zahra Jafari
- School of Communication Sciences and Disorders, Dalhousie University, Halifax, NS B3H 4R2, Canada
| | - Bryan E Kolb
- Department of Neuroscience, Canadian Centre for Behavioural Neuroscience, University of Lethbridge, Lethbridge T1K 3M4, AB, Canada.
| | - Majid H Mohajerani
- Department of Neuroscience, Canadian Centre for Behavioural Neuroscience, University of Lethbridge, Lethbridge T1K 3M4, AB, Canada.
| |
Collapse
|
5
|
Day M, Gibb R, Kolb B. Tactile stimulation facilitates functional recovery and dendritic change following neonatal hemidecortication in rats. Behav Brain Res 2023; 452:114582. [PMID: 37454933 DOI: 10.1016/j.bbr.2023.114582] [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: 05/11/2023] [Revised: 07/06/2023] [Accepted: 07/12/2023] [Indexed: 07/18/2023]
Abstract
After large neocortical lesions, such as hemidecortication, children can show significant motor and cognitive impairments. It thus is of considerable interest to identify treatments that might enhance long-term functional outcome. We have previously shown that tactile stimulation enhances recovery from perinatal focal cortical lesions in rats, so the goal of the present experiment was to explore the effectiveness of postlesion tactile stimulation in reducing functional deficits associated with neonatal hemidecortication. Rats were given hemidecortications on postnatal day 10 (P10). Half of the group was then exposed to a daily tactile stimulation treatment for 15 min, three times a day for eleven days following the surgery. All groups were then tested on a number of behavioural tasks (Morris water task, skilled reaching, forelimb placing during spontaneous vertical exploration, and a sunflower seed opening task) beginning at P 120. The brains of the male animals were prepared for Golgi-Cox staining and subsequent analysis of dendritic arborisation and spine density. There were two main findings in this experiment: 1) Tactile stimulation improved cognitive ability and some motor performance after P 10 hemidecortication; and, 2) Tactile stimulation altered cortical organization after P10 hemidecortication. Tactile stimulation may provide an important noninvasive therapy after hemispherectomy in children.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Morgan Day
- Dept of Neuroscience, University of Lethbridge, Lethbridge, AB, Canada
| | - Robbin Gibb
- Dept of Neuroscience, University of Lethbridge, Lethbridge, AB, Canada
| | - Bryan Kolb
- Dept of Neuroscience, University of Lethbridge, Lethbridge, AB, Canada.
| |
Collapse
|
6
|
Satti S, Palepu MSK, Singh AA, Jaiswal Y, Dash SP, Gajula SNR, Chaganti S, Samanthula G, Sonti R, Dandekar MP. Anxiolytic- and antidepressant-like effects of Bacillus coagulans Unique IS-2 mediate via reshaping of microbiome gut-brain axis in rats. Neurochem Int 2023; 163:105483. [PMID: 36641109 DOI: 10.1016/j.neuint.2023.105483] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 10.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/20/2022] [Revised: 12/14/2022] [Accepted: 01/05/2023] [Indexed: 01/13/2023]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Due to the rising cases of treatment-refractory affective disorders, the discovery of newer therapeutic approaches is needed. In recent times, probiotics have garnered notable attention in managing stress-related disorders. Herein, we examined the effect of Bacillus coagulans Unique IS-2® probiotic on anxiety- and depression-like phenotypes employing maternal separation (MS) and chronic-unpredictable mild stress (CUMS) model in rats. METHODS Both male and female Sprague-Dawley rats were subjected to MS + CUMS. Probiotic treatment was provided for 6 weeks via drinking water. Anxiety- and depression-like phenotypes were assessed using sucrose-preference test (SPT), forced-swimming test (FST), elevated-plus maze test (EPM), and open-field test (OFT). Blood, brain, intestine, and fecal samples were obtained for biochemical and molecular studies. RESULTS Stress-exposed rats drank less sucrose solution, showed increased passivity, and explored less in open-arms in SPT, FST, and EPM, respectively. These stress-generated neurobehavioral aberrations were alleviated by 6-week of Bacillus coagulans Unique IS-2 treatment. The overall locomotor activity in OFT remained unchanged. The decreased levels of BDNF and serotonin and increased levels of C-reactive protein, TNF-α, IL-1β, and dopamine, in the hippocampus and/or frontal cortex of stress-exposed rats were reversed following probiotic treatment. Administration of probiotic also restored the systemic levels of L-tryptophan, L-kynurenine, kynurenic-acid, and 3-hydroxyanthranilic acid, villi/crypt ratio, goblet-cell count, Firmicutes to Bacteroides ratio, and levels of acetate, propionate, and butyrate in fecal samples. These results indicate remodeling of the microbiome gut-brain axis in Bacillus coagulans Unique IS-2 recipient rats. However, protein levels of doublecortin, GFAP, and zona occludens in the hippocampus and occludin-immunoreactivity in the intestine remained unchanged. No prominent sex-specific changes were noted. CONCLUSION Anxiolytic- and antidepressant-like effects of Bacillus coagulans Unique IS-2 in MS + CUMS rat model may be mediated via reshaping the microbiome gut-brain axis.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Srilakshmi Satti
- Department of Biological Sciences, Pharmacology and Toxicology, National Institute of Pharmaceutical Education and Research NIPER, Hyderabad, India
| | - Mani Surya Kumar Palepu
- Department of Biological Sciences, Pharmacology and Toxicology, National Institute of Pharmaceutical Education and Research NIPER, Hyderabad, India
| | - Aditya A Singh
- Department of Biological Sciences, Pharmacology and Toxicology, National Institute of Pharmaceutical Education and Research NIPER, Hyderabad, India
| | - Yash Jaiswal
- Department of Biological Sciences, Pharmacology and Toxicology, National Institute of Pharmaceutical Education and Research NIPER, Hyderabad, India
| | - Surya Prakash Dash
- Department of Biological Sciences, Pharmacology and Toxicology, National Institute of Pharmaceutical Education and Research NIPER, Hyderabad, India
| | - Siva Nageswara Rao Gajula
- Department of Pharmaceutical Analysis, National Institute of Pharmaceutical Education and Research NIPER, Hyderabad, India
| | - Sowmya Chaganti
- Department of Pharmaceutical Analysis, National Institute of Pharmaceutical Education and Research NIPER, Hyderabad, India
| | - Gananadhamu Samanthula
- Department of Pharmaceutical Analysis, National Institute of Pharmaceutical Education and Research NIPER, Hyderabad, India
| | - Rajesh Sonti
- Department of Pharmaceutical Analysis, National Institute of Pharmaceutical Education and Research NIPER, Hyderabad, India
| | - Manoj P Dandekar
- Department of Biological Sciences, Pharmacology and Toxicology, National Institute of Pharmaceutical Education and Research NIPER, Hyderabad, India.
| |
Collapse
|
7
|
Jiang C, Zheng S, Chen T, Li W, Zhang C, Gu S, Ren H, Huanhuan, Song J, Zhang Z. Repetitive Transcranial Magnetic Stimulation Improves Depression-like Behavior in Rats by Promoting Neural Stem Cell Proliferation and Differentiation. Neuroscience 2022:S0306-4522(22)00467-5. [PMID: 36116556 DOI: 10.1016/j.neuroscience.2022.09.013] [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: 12/08/2021] [Revised: 09/05/2022] [Accepted: 09/08/2022] [Indexed: 11/17/2022]
Abstract
Repetitive transcranial magnetic stimulation (rTMS) is a novel non-invasive neuromodulation technique with neuroprotective properties and is used to treat depression. However, the underlying mechanism of action remains unclear. In this study, we examined the possible mechanism mediating the antidepressant effect of rTMS using animal experiments. Specific pathogen-free rats were treated with rTMS after exposure to social isolation combined with chronic unpredictable mild stress (CUMS). After four weeks of CUMS, the rats exhibited a significant decrease in spatial working memory assessed using open-field testing, a general loss of interest assessed with the sucrose preference test, and a significant reduction in spatial recognition memory ability assessed using the Y-maze. These behavioral deficits were accompanied by decreased numbers of astrocytes in the hippocampus, decreased expression of glial fibrillary acidic protein (GFAP), increased numbers of neural stem cells (NSCs), and increased expression of nestin protein. These results indicated that neuron damage occurred in the depression-like rats. After rTMS intervention, the depression-like behavior was alleviated significantly, and the numbers of NSCs and astrocytes, as well as the expression of GFAP and nestin proteins, returned to normal levels. Overall, it is likely that attenuation of NSC proliferation and differentiation into astrocytes produced a neuroprotective effect on hippocampal neurons, which might partly explain the mechanism by which rTMS alleviates depression.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Cuihong Jiang
- Department of Psychiatry, The Second Affiliated Hospital of Xinxiang Medical University, Xinxiang, Henan 453002, China
| | - Shuang Zheng
- Department of Psychiatry, The Second Affiliated Hospital of Xinxiang Medical University, Xinxiang, Henan 453002, China
| | - Tengfei Chen
- Department of Psychiatry, The Second Affiliated Hospital of Xinxiang Medical University, Xinxiang, Henan 453002, China; Henan Key Lab of Biological Psychiatry, Xinxiang, Henan 453002, China
| | - Wenqiang Li
- Department of Psychiatry, The Second Affiliated Hospital of Xinxiang Medical University, Xinxiang, Henan 453002, China; Henan Key Lab of Biological Psychiatry, Xinxiang, Henan 453002, China
| | - Chencheng Zhang
- Department of Neurosurgery, Center for Functional Neurosurgery, Ruijin Hospital, Shanghai Jiao Tong University School of Medicine, Shanghai, China
| | - Shina Gu
- Department of Psychiatry, The First Affiliated Hospital of Xinxiang Medical University, Weihui, Henan 453100, China
| | - Huicong Ren
- Department of Psychiatry, The Second Affiliated Hospital of Xinxiang Medical University, Xinxiang, Henan 453002, China
| | - Huanhuan
- Department of Psychiatry, The Second Affiliated Hospital of Xinxiang Medical University, Xinxiang, Henan 453002, China
| | - Jinggui Song
- Department of Psychiatry, The Second Affiliated Hospital of Xinxiang Medical University, Xinxiang, Henan 453002, China.
| | - Zhaohui Zhang
- Department of Psychiatry, The Second Affiliated Hospital of Xinxiang Medical University, Xinxiang, Henan 453002, China; Department of Psychiatry, The First Affiliated Hospital of Xinxiang Medical University, Weihui, Henan 453100, China.
| |
Collapse
|
8
|
Rossato DR, Rosa HZ, Rosa JLO, Milanesi LH, Metz VG, D'Àvila LF, Burger ME. Tactile Stimulation in Adult Rats Modulates Dopaminergic Molecular Parameters in the Nucleus accumbens Preventing Amphetamine Relapse. Mol Neurobiol 2022; 59:5564-5573. [PMID: 35732868 PMCID: PMC9217176 DOI: 10.1007/s12035-022-02927-y] [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: 01/11/2022] [Accepted: 06/14/2022] [Indexed: 11/28/2022]
Abstract
Amphetamine (AMPH) is a psychostimulant drug frequently related to addiction, which is characterized by functional and molecular changes in the brain reward system, favoring relapse development, and pharmacotherapies have shown low effectiveness. Considering the beneficial influences of tactile stimulation (TS) in different diseases that affect the central nervous system (CNS), here we evaluated if TS applied in adult rats could prevent or minimize the AMPH-relapse behavior also accessing molecular neuroadaptations in the nucleus accumbens (NAc). Following AMPH conditioning in the conditioned place preference (CPP) paradigm, male rats were submitted to TS (15-min session, 3 times a day, for 8 days) during the drug abstinence period, which were re-exposed to the drug in the CPP paradigm for additional 3 days for relapse observation and molecular assessment. Our findings showed that besides AMPH relapse, TS prevented the dopamine transporter (DAT), dopamine 1 receptor (D1R), tyrosine hydroxylase (TH), mu opioid receptor (MOR) increase, and AMPH-induced delta FosB (ΔFosB). Based on these outcomes, we propose TS as a useful tool to treat psychostimulant addiction, which is subsequent to clinical studies; it could be included in detoxification programs together with pharmacotherapies and psychological treatments already conventionally established.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- D R Rossato
- Graduation Program in Pharmacology, Universidade Federal de Santa Maria (UFSM), Santa Maria, Rio Grande do Sul, Brazil
| | - H Z Rosa
- Graduation Program in Pharmacology, Universidade Federal de Santa Maria (UFSM), Santa Maria, Rio Grande do Sul, Brazil
| | - J L O Rosa
- Graduation Program in Pharmacology, Universidade Federal de Santa Maria (UFSM), Santa Maria, Rio Grande do Sul, Brazil
| | - L H Milanesi
- Department of Physiology and Pharmacology (UFSM), Santa Maria, Rio Grande do Sul, Brazil
| | - V G Metz
- Graduation Program in Pharmacology, Universidade Federal de Santa Maria (UFSM), Santa Maria, Rio Grande do Sul, Brazil
| | - L F D'Àvila
- Graduation Program in Pharmacology, Universidade Federal de Santa Maria (UFSM), Santa Maria, Rio Grande do Sul, Brazil
| | - M E Burger
- Graduation Program in Pharmacology, Universidade Federal de Santa Maria (UFSM), Santa Maria, Rio Grande do Sul, Brazil. .,Department of Physiology and Pharmacology (UFSM), Santa Maria, Rio Grande do Sul, Brazil.
| |
Collapse
|
9
|
Neonatal Tactile Stimulation Downregulates Dendritic Spines in Layer V Pyramidal Neurons of the WAG/Rij Rat Somatosensory Cortex. Neural Plast 2022; 2022:7251460. [PMID: 35465396 PMCID: PMC9019463 DOI: 10.1155/2022/7251460] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/05/2022] [Revised: 02/28/2022] [Accepted: 03/25/2022] [Indexed: 11/18/2022] Open
Abstract
Objective The aim of our study is to examine the effects of neonatal tactile stimulations on the brain structures that previously defined as the focus of epilepsy in the Wistar-Albino-Glaxo from Rijswijk (WAG/Rij) rat brain with genetic absence epilepsy. Methods In the present research, morphology and density of dendritic spines were analyzed in layer V pyramidal neurons of the somatosensory cortex (SoCx) of WAG/Rij rats (nonstimulated control, tactile-stimulated, and maternal separated rats) and healthy Wistar (nonepileptic) rats. To achieve this, a Golgi-Cox method was used. Results Dendritic spine number in layer V of the SoCx has been detected significantly higher in adult WAG/Rij rats at postnatal day 150 in comparison to nonepileptic adult control Wistar rats (p < 0.001). Moreover, quantitative analyses of dendrite structure in adult WAG/Rij rats showed a decrease in dendrite spine density of pyramidal neurons of SoCx which occurred in early neonatal exposure to maternal separation (MS) and tactile stimulation (TS) (p < 0.001). Conclusions Our findings provide the first evidence that tactile stimulations during the early postnatal period have a long-term impact on dendrite structure in WAG/Rij rat's brain and demonstrate that neonatal tactile stimulation can regulate dendritic spines in layer V in pyramidal neurons of SoCx in epileptic brains.
Collapse
|
10
|
Zhang R, Qiao C, Liu Q, He J, Lai Y, Shang J, Zhong H. A Reliable High-Throughput Screening Model for Antidepressant. Int J Mol Sci 2021; 22:ijms22179505. [PMID: 34502414 PMCID: PMC8430800 DOI: 10.3390/ijms22179505] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/27/2021] [Revised: 08/24/2021] [Accepted: 08/25/2021] [Indexed: 12/17/2022] Open
Abstract
Depression is the most frequent affective disorder and is the leading cause of disability worldwide. In order to screen antidepressants and explore molecular mechanisms, a variety of animal models were used in experiments, but there is no reliable high-throughput screening method. Zebrafish is a common model organism for mental illness such as depression. In our research, we established chronic unpredictable mild stress (CUMS) models in C57BL/6 mice and zebrafish; the similarities in behavior and pathology suggest that zebrafish can replace rodents as high-throughput screening organisms. Stress mice (ip., 1 mg/kg/d, 3 days) and zebrafish (10 mg/L, 20 min) were treated with reserpine. As a result, reserpine caused depression-like behavior in mice, which was consistent with the results of the CUMS mice model. Additionally, reserpine reduced the locomotor ability and exploratory behavior of zebrafish, which was consistent with the results of the CUMS zebrafish model. Further analysis of the metabolic differences showed that the reserpine-induced zebrafish depression model was similar to the reserpine mice model and the CUMS mice model in the tyrosine metabolism pathway. The above results showed that the reserpine-induced depression zebrafish model was similar to the CUMS model from phenotype to internal metabolic changes and can replace the CUMS model for antidepressants screening. Moreover, the results from this model were obtained in a short time, which can shorten the cycle of drug screening and achieve high-throughput screening. Therefore, we believe it is a reliable high-throughput screening model.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Rui Zhang
- State Key Laboratory of Natural Medicines, China Pharmaceutical University, Nanjing 210009, China; (R.Z.); (C.Q.); (Q.L.); (J.H.); (Y.L.)
- School of Traditional Chinese Pharmacy, China Pharmaceutical University, Nanjing 211198, China
| | - Caili Qiao
- State Key Laboratory of Natural Medicines, China Pharmaceutical University, Nanjing 210009, China; (R.Z.); (C.Q.); (Q.L.); (J.H.); (Y.L.)
- School of Traditional Chinese Pharmacy, China Pharmaceutical University, Nanjing 211198, China
| | - Qiuyan Liu
- State Key Laboratory of Natural Medicines, China Pharmaceutical University, Nanjing 210009, China; (R.Z.); (C.Q.); (Q.L.); (J.H.); (Y.L.)
- School of Traditional Chinese Pharmacy, China Pharmaceutical University, Nanjing 211198, China
| | - Jingwen He
- State Key Laboratory of Natural Medicines, China Pharmaceutical University, Nanjing 210009, China; (R.Z.); (C.Q.); (Q.L.); (J.H.); (Y.L.)
- School of Traditional Chinese Pharmacy, China Pharmaceutical University, Nanjing 211198, China
| | - Yifan Lai
- State Key Laboratory of Natural Medicines, China Pharmaceutical University, Nanjing 210009, China; (R.Z.); (C.Q.); (Q.L.); (J.H.); (Y.L.)
- School of Traditional Chinese Pharmacy, China Pharmaceutical University, Nanjing 211198, China
| | - Jing Shang
- State Key Laboratory of Natural Medicines, China Pharmaceutical University, Nanjing 210009, China; (R.Z.); (C.Q.); (Q.L.); (J.H.); (Y.L.)
- School of Traditional Chinese Pharmacy, China Pharmaceutical University, Nanjing 211198, China
- Correspondence: (J.S.); (H.Z.)
| | - Hui Zhong
- State Key Laboratory of Natural Medicines, China Pharmaceutical University, Nanjing 210009, China; (R.Z.); (C.Q.); (Q.L.); (J.H.); (Y.L.)
- School of Traditional Chinese Pharmacy, China Pharmaceutical University, Nanjing 211198, China
- Correspondence: (J.S.); (H.Z.)
| |
Collapse
|
11
|
Shahidpour F, Mehrjerdi FZ, Mozayan MR, Marefati N, Hosseini M. The effects of frankincense extract on depression and anxiety-like behaviors induced by lipopolysaccharide in rats. LEARNING AND MOTIVATION 2021. [DOI: 10.1016/j.lmot.2021.101708] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 10/22/2022]
|
12
|
Balikci A, Ilbay G, Ates N. Neonatal Tactile Stimulations Affect Genetic Generalized Epilepsy and Comorbid Depression-Like Behaviors. Front Behav Neurosci 2020; 14:132. [PMID: 32792925 PMCID: PMC7390910 DOI: 10.3389/fnbeh.2020.00132] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/12/2020] [Accepted: 07/02/2020] [Indexed: 12/18/2022] Open
Abstract
Recent studies suggest that development of absence epilepsy and comorbid depression might be prevented by increased maternal care of the offspring, in which tactile stimulation induced by licking/grooming and non-nutritive contact seem to be crucial. In this study, we aimed to evaluate the effect of neonatal tactile stimulations (NTS) on absence epilepsy and depression-like behaviors in adulthood. Wistar Albino Glaxo from Rijswijk (WAG/Rij) rat pups with a genetic predisposition to absence epilepsy were divided into tactile stimulation (TS) group, deep touch pressure (DTP) group, maternal separation (MS) group or control group. Between postnatal day 3 and 21, manipulations (TS, DTP, and MS) were carried out for 15 min and three times a day. Animals were submitted to locomotor activity, sucrose consumption test (SCT) and forced swimming test (FST) at five months of age. At the age of six months, the electroencephalogram (EEG) recordings were conducted in order to quantify the spike-wave discharges (SWDs), which is the hallmark of absence epilepsy. The TS and DTP groups showed less and shorter SWDs in later life in comparison to maternally separated and control rats. SWDs’ number and total duration were significantly reduced in TS and DTP groups whereas mean duration of SWDs was reduced only in DTP group (p < 0.05). TS and DTP also decreased depression-like behaviors measured by SCT and FST in adult animals. In the SCT, number of approaches was significantly higher in TS and DTP groups than the maternally separated and control rats. In the FST, while the immobility latency of TS and DTP groups was significantly higher, only TS group showed significantly decreased immobility and increased swimming time. The results showed that NTS decreases both the number and length of SWDs and the depression-like behaviors in WAG/Rij rats probably by increasing arousal level and causing alterations in the level of some neurotrophic factors as well as in functions of the neural plasticity in the developing rat’s brain.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Aymen Balikci
- Department of Physiology, Faculty of Medicine, Kocaeli University, Kocaeli, Turkey
| | - Gul Ilbay
- Department of Physiology, Faculty of Medicine, Kocaeli University, Kocaeli, Turkey
| | - Nurbay Ates
- Department of Physiology, Faculty of Medicine, Kocaeli University, Kocaeli, Turkey
| |
Collapse
|
13
|
Roversi K, Buizza C, Brivio P, Calabrese F, Verheij MMM, Antoniazzi CTD, Burger ME, Riva MA, Homberg JR. Neonatal Tactile Stimulation Alters Behaviors in Heterozygous Serotonin Transporter Male Rats: Role of the Amygdala. Front Behav Neurosci 2020; 14:142. [PMID: 32903627 PMCID: PMC7438747 DOI: 10.3389/fnbeh.2020.00142] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/09/2020] [Accepted: 07/23/2020] [Indexed: 02/02/2023] Open
Abstract
The serotonin transporter (SERT) gene, especially the short allele of the human serotonin transporter linked polymorphic region (5-HTTLPR), has been associated with the development of stress-related neuropsychiatric disorders. In line, exposure to early life stress in SERT knockout animals contributes to anxiety- and depression-like behavior. However, there is a lack of investigation of how early-life exposure to beneficial stimuli, such as tactile stimulation (TS), affects later life behavior in these animals. In this study, we investigated the effect of TS on social, anxiety, and anhedonic behavior in heterozygous SERT knockouts rats and wild-type controls and its impact on gene expression in the basolateral amygdala. Heterozygous SERT+/– rats were submitted to TS during postnatal days 8–14, for 10 min per day. In adulthood, rats were assessed for social and affective behavior. Besides, brain-derived neurotrophic factor (Bdnf) gene expression and its isoforms, components of glutamatergic and GABAergic systems as well as glucocorticoid-responsive genes were measured in the basolateral amygdala. We found that exposure to neonatal TS improved social and affective behavior in SERT+/– animals compared to naïve SERT+/– animals and was normalized to the level of naïve SERT+/+ animals. At the molecular level, we observed that TS per se affected Bdnf, the glucocorticoid-responsive genes Nr4a1, Gadd45β, the co-chaperone Fkbp5 as well as glutamatergic and GABAergic gene expression markers including the enzyme Gad67, the vesicular GABA transporter, and the vesicular glutamate transporter genes. Our results suggest that exposure of SERT+/– rats to neonatal TS can normalize their phenotype in adulthood and that TS per se alters the expression of plasticity and stress-related genes in the basolateral amygdala. These findings demonstrate the potential effect of a supportive stimulus in SERT rodents, which are more susceptible to develop psychiatric disorders.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Karine Roversi
- Department of Physiology and Pharmacology, Health Sciences Center, Federal University of Santa Maria, Santa Maria, Brazil
| | - Carolina Buizza
- Department of Pharmacological and Biomolecular Sciences, Università Degli Studi di Milano, Milan, Italy
| | - Paola Brivio
- Department of Pharmacological and Biomolecular Sciences, Università Degli Studi di Milano, Milan, Italy
| | - Francesca Calabrese
- Department of Pharmacological and Biomolecular Sciences, Università Degli Studi di Milano, Milan, Italy
| | - Michel M M Verheij
- Department of Cognitive Neuroscience, Donders Institute for Brain, Cognition, and Behavior, Radboud University Medical Center, Nijmegen, Netherlands
| | - Caren T D Antoniazzi
- International Centre for Neurotherapeutics, Dublin City University, Dublin, Ireland
| | - Marilise E Burger
- Department of Physiology and Pharmacology, Health Sciences Center, Federal University of Santa Maria, Santa Maria, Brazil
| | - Marco A Riva
- Department of Pharmacological and Biomolecular Sciences, Università Degli Studi di Milano, Milan, Italy
| | - Judith R Homberg
- Department of Cognitive Neuroscience, Donders Institute for Brain, Cognition, and Behavior, Radboud University Medical Center, Nijmegen, Netherlands
| |
Collapse
|
14
|
Costa R, Tamascia ML, Sanches A, Moreira RP, Cunha TS, Nogueira MD, Casarini DE, Marcondes FK. Tactile stimulation of adult rats modulates hormonal responses, depression-like behaviors, and memory impairment induced by chronic mild stress: Role of angiotensin II. Behav Brain Res 2020; 379:112250. [DOI: 10.1016/j.bbr.2019.112250] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/26/2019] [Revised: 09/17/2019] [Accepted: 09/17/2019] [Indexed: 12/19/2022]
|
15
|
Zhou XT, Bao WD, Liu D, Zhu LQ. Targeting the Neuronal Activity of Prefrontal Cortex: New Directions for the Therapy of Depression. Curr Neuropharmacol 2020; 18:332-346. [PMID: 31686631 PMCID: PMC7327942 DOI: 10.2174/1570159x17666191101124017] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/22/2019] [Revised: 09/24/2019] [Accepted: 10/31/2019] [Indexed: 01/05/2023] Open
Abstract
Depression is one of the prevalent psychiatric illnesses with a comprehensive performance such as low self-esteem, lack of motivation, anhedonia, poor appetite, low energy, and uncomfortableness without a specific cause. So far, the cause of depression is not very clear, but it is certain that many aspects of biological psychological and social environment are involved in the pathogenesis of depression. Recently, the prefrontal cortex (PFC) has been indicated to be a pivotal brain region in the pathogenesis of depression. And increasing evidence showed that the abnormal activity of the PFC neurons is linked with depressive symptoms. Unveiling the molecular and cellular, as well as the circuit properties of the PFC neurons will help to find out how abnormalities in PFC neuronal activity are associated with depressive disorders. In addition, concerning many antidepressant drugs, in this review, we concluded the effect of several antidepressants on PFC neuronal activity to better understand its association with depression.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
| | | | | | - Ling-Qiang Zhu
- Address correspondence to this author at the Department of Neurosurgery, Union Hospital, Tongji Medical College, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, Wuhan, Hubei 430022, P.R. China; Tel: 862783692625; Fax: 862783692608; E-mail:
| |
Collapse
|
16
|
Liu Y, Ding XF, Wang XX, Zou XJ, Li XJ, Liu YY, Li J, Qian XY, Chen JX. Xiaoyaosan exerts antidepressant-like effects by regulating the functions of astrocytes and EAATs in the prefrontal cortex of mice. Altern Ther Health Med 2019; 19:215. [PMID: 31412844 PMCID: PMC6694586 DOI: 10.1186/s12906-019-2613-6] [Citation(s) in RCA: 15] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/25/2018] [Accepted: 07/23/2019] [Indexed: 12/26/2022]
Abstract
Background Mounting evidence indicates that the cerebral cortex is an important physiological system of emotional activity, and its dysfunction may be the main cause of stress. Glutamate is the primary excitatory neurotransmitter in the central nervous system (CNS), which initiates rapid signal transmission in the synapse before its reuptake into the surrounding glia, specifically astrocytes (ASTs). The astrocytic excitatory amino acid transporters 1 (EAAT1) and 2 (EAAT2) are the major transporters that take up synaptic glutamate to maintain optimal extracellular glutamic levels, thus preventing accumulation in the synaptic cleft and ensuing excitotoxicity. Growing evidence has shown that excitotoxicity is associated with depression. Therefore, we hypothesized that the underlying antidepressant-like mechanism of Xiaoyaosan (XYS), a Chinese herbal formula, may be related to the regulation of astrocytic EAATs. Therefore, we studied the antidepressant mechanism of XYS on the basis of EAAT dysfunction in ASTs. Methods Eighty adult C57BL/6 J mice were randomly divided into 4 groups: a control group, a chronic unpredictable mild stress (CUMS) group, a Xiaoyaosan (XYS) treatment group and a fluoxetine hydrochloride (Flu) treatment group. Except for the control group, mice in the other groups all received chronic unpredictable mild stress for 21 days. Mice in the control and CUMS groups received gavage administration with 0.5 mL of normal saline (NS) for 21 days, and mice in the XYS and Flu treatment groups were administered dosages of 0.25 g/kg/d and 2.6 mg/kg/d by gavage. The effects of XYS on the depressive-like behavioral tests, including the open field test (OFT), forced swimming test (FST) and sucrose preference test (SPT), were examined. The glutamate (Glu) concentrations of the prefrontal cortex (PFC) were detected with colorimetry. The morphology of neurons in the PFC was observed by Nissl staining. The expression of glial fibrillary acidic protein (GFAP), NeuN, EAAT1 and EAAT2 proteins in the PFC of mice was detected by using Western blotting and immunohistochemistry. Quantitative real-time PCR (qPCR) was used to detect the expression of the GFAP, NeuN, EAAT1 and EAAT2 genes in the PFC of mice. Results The results of behavioral tests showed that CUMS-induced mice exhibited depressive-like behavior, which could be improved in some tests with XYS and Flu treatment. Immunohistochemistry and Western blot analysis showed that the protein levels of GFAP, NeuN, EAAT1 and EAAT2 in the PFC of CUMS mice were significantly lower than those in the control group, and these changes could be reversed by XYS and Flu. The results of qPCR analysis showed that the expression of GFAP, NeuN, EAAT1 and EAAT2 mRNAs in the PFC of CUMS mice was not significantly changed, with the exception of EAAT2, compared with that of the control group, while the expression of the above mRNAs was significantly higher in the XYS and Flu groups than that in the CUMS group. Conclusion XYS may exert antidepressant-like effects by improving the functions of AST and EAATs and attenuating glutamate-induced neuronal damage in the frontal cortex.
Collapse
|