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Guarnieri L, Bosco F, Ruga S, Tallarico M, Leo A, De Sarro G, Citraro R. Long-Term High-Fat Diet Aggravates Absence Seizures and Neurobehavioral Disorders Without Inducing Metabolic Disorders in WAG/Rij Rats: Involvement of Systemic and Central Inflammation. Mol Neurobiol 2024:10.1007/s12035-024-04593-8. [PMID: 39487938 DOI: 10.1007/s12035-024-04593-8] [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: 08/06/2024] [Accepted: 10/25/2024] [Indexed: 11/04/2024]
Abstract
The consumption of a high-fat diet (HFD) represents a risk factor for diseases such as obesity, diabetes, insulin resistance (IR), and different brain disorders. HFD-induced obesity is linked with systemic and neuroinflammation implicated in the pathogenesis of metabolic impairment and epilepsy. In this study, we studied the negative effects of HFD consumption (16 weeks) on absence epilepsy and behavior comorbidities in WAG/Rij rats, a well-validated idiopathic model of absence epilepsy and comorbidities. Moreover, we investigated how, by restoring a normocaloric diet (NCD; 12 weeks), epileptic seizures and neuropsychiatric comorbidities could improve. We found that the HFD group showed a worsening of absence seizures, aggravation of depressive-like behavior, and performance in learning and memory than the NCD group even in the absence of hyperglycemia and/or obesity. In addition, intestinal villus rupture, inflammatory infiltrate, and intestinal permeability alteration increased after prolonged HFD intake, which could prevent weight gain. Inflammatory protein levels were found higher in the colon of the HFD group than in the NCD group, and also in the cortex and hippocampus, regions involved in absence seizures and behavioral alterations. After replacing HFD with NCD, a reduction in absence seizures and behavioral alterations was observed, and this decrease was well correlated with an improvement in inflammatory pathways. In conclusion, HFD consumption is sufficient to disrupt gut integrity resulting in systemic and brain inflammation contributing to the worsening of absence epilepsy and its comorbidities also without obesity development. These alterations can be improved by switching back the diet to NCD.
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Grants
- DN. 1553 11.10.2022 This study was supported by #NEXTGENERATIONEU (NGEU) and funded by the Ministry of University and Research (MUR), National Recovery and Resilience Plan (NRRP), project MNESYS (PE0000006)-A Multiscale integrated approach to the study of the nervous system in health and disease
- DN. 1553 11.10.2022 This study was supported by #NEXTGENERATIONEU (NGEU) and funded by the Ministry of University and Research (MUR), National Recovery and Resilience Plan (NRRP), project MNESYS (PE0000006)-A Multiscale integrated approach to the study of the nervous system in health and disease
- DN. 1553 11.10.2022 This study was supported by #NEXTGENERATIONEU (NGEU) and funded by the Ministry of University and Research (MUR), National Recovery and Resilience Plan (NRRP), project MNESYS (PE0000006)-A Multiscale integrated approach to the study of the nervous system in health and disease
- DN. 1553 11.10.2022 This study was supported by #NEXTGENERATIONEU (NGEU) and funded by the Ministry of University and Research (MUR), National Recovery and Resilience Plan (NRRP), project MNESYS (PE0000006)-A Multiscale integrated approach to the study of the nervous system in health and disease
- DN. 1553 11.10.2022 This study was supported by #NEXTGENERATIONEU (NGEU) and funded by the Ministry of University and Research (MUR), National Recovery and Resilience Plan (NRRP), project MNESYS (PE0000006)-A Multiscale integrated approach to the study of the nervous system in health and disease
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Affiliation(s)
- Lorenza Guarnieri
- Science of Health Department, School of Medicine and Surgery, Magna Graecia University of Catanzaro, 88100, Catanzaro, Italy
| | - Francesca Bosco
- Science of Health Department, School of Medicine and Surgery, Magna Graecia University of Catanzaro, 88100, Catanzaro, Italy
| | - Stefano Ruga
- Science of Health Department, School of Medicine and Surgery, Magna Graecia University of Catanzaro, 88100, Catanzaro, Italy
| | - Martina Tallarico
- Science of Health Department, School of Medicine and Surgery, Magna Graecia University of Catanzaro, 88100, Catanzaro, Italy
| | - Antonio Leo
- Science of Health Department, School of Medicine and Surgery, Magna Graecia University of Catanzaro, 88100, Catanzaro, Italy.
- Department of Health Science, Research Center FAS@UMG, University "Magna Graecia" of Catanzaro, 88100, Catanzaro, Italy.
| | - Giovambattista De Sarro
- Science of Health Department, School of Medicine and Surgery, Magna Graecia University of Catanzaro, 88100, Catanzaro, Italy
- Department of Health Science, Research Center FAS@UMG, University "Magna Graecia" of Catanzaro, 88100, Catanzaro, Italy
| | - Rita Citraro
- Science of Health Department, School of Medicine and Surgery, Magna Graecia University of Catanzaro, 88100, Catanzaro, Italy
- Department of Health Science, Research Center FAS@UMG, University "Magna Graecia" of Catanzaro, 88100, Catanzaro, Italy
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Rahmati-Dehkordi F, Khanifar H, Najari N, Tamtaji Z, Talebi Taheri A, Aschner M, Shafiee Ardestani M, Mirzaei H, Dadgostar E, Nabavizadeh F, Tamtaji OR. Therapeutic Potential of Fingolimod on Psychological Symptoms and Cognitive Function in Neuropsychiatric and Neurological Disorders. Neurochem Res 2024; 49:2668-2681. [PMID: 38918332 DOI: 10.1007/s11064-024-04199-5] [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: 05/08/2024] [Revised: 06/04/2024] [Accepted: 06/19/2024] [Indexed: 06/27/2024]
Abstract
Neuropsychiatric and neurological disorders pose a significant global health burden, highlighting the need for innovative therapeutic approaches. Fingolimod (FTY720), a common drug to treat multiple sclerosis, has shown promising efficacy against various neuropsychiatric and neurological disorders. Fingolimod exerts its neuroprotective effects by targeting multiple cellular and molecular processes, such as apoptosis, oxidative stress, neuroinflammation, and autophagy. By modulating Sphingosine-1-Phosphate Receptor activity, a key regulator of immune cell trafficking and neuronal function, it also affects synaptic activity and strengthens memory formation. In the hippocampus, fingolimod decreases glutamate levels and increases GABA levels, suggesting a potential role in modulating synaptic transmission and neuronal excitability. Taken together, fingolimod has emerged as a promising neuroprotective agent for neuropsychiatric and neurological disorders. Its broad spectrum of cellular and molecular effects, including the modulation of apoptosis, oxidative stress, neuroinflammation, autophagy, and synaptic plasticity, provides a comprehensive therapeutic approach for these debilitating conditions. Further research is warranted to fully elucidate the mechanisms of action of fingolimod and optimize its use in the treatment of neuropsychiatric and neurological disorders.
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Affiliation(s)
- Fatemeh Rahmati-Dehkordi
- Electrophysiology Research Center, Neuroscience Institute, Tehran University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran
- Department of Physiology, School of Medicine, Tehran University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran
- Students' Scientific Research Center, Tehran University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran
| | - Hadi Khanifar
- Department of Internal Medicine, Shahre-kord University of Medical Sciences, Shahre-kord, Iran
| | - Nazanin Najari
- Behavioral Sciences Research Center, Isfahan University of Medical Sciences, Isfahan, Iran
- Student Research Committee, Isfahan University of Medical Sciences, Isfahan, Iran
| | - Zeinab Tamtaji
- Student Research Committee, Kashan University of Medical Sciences, Kashan, Iran
| | - Abdolkarim Talebi Taheri
- Students' Scientific Research Center, Tehran University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran
- Department of Clinical Biochemistry, School of Medicine, Tehran University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran
| | - Michael Aschner
- Department of Molecular Pharmacology, Albert Einstein College of Medicine, Bronx, NY, 10461, USA
| | - Mehdi Shafiee Ardestani
- Department of Radio Pharmacy, Faculty of Pharmacy, Tehran University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran
| | - Hamed Mirzaei
- Research Center for Biochemistry and Nutrition in Metabolic Diseases, Kashan University of Medical Sciences, Kashan, Iran
| | - Ehsan Dadgostar
- Behavioral Sciences Research Center, Isfahan University of Medical Sciences, Isfahan, Iran.
- Student Research Committee, Isfahan University of Medical Sciences, Isfahan, Iran.
| | - Fatemeh Nabavizadeh
- Electrophysiology Research Center, Neuroscience Institute, Tehran University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran.
- Department of Physiology, School of Medicine, Tehran University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran.
| | - Omid Reza Tamtaji
- Electrophysiology Research Center, Neuroscience Institute, Tehran University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran.
- Department of Physiology, School of Medicine, Tehran University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran.
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Taraschenko O, Fox HS, Eldridge E, Heliso P, Al-Saleem F, Dessain S, Casale G, Willcockson G, Anderson K, Wang W, Dingledine R. MyD88-mediated signaling is critical for the generation of seizure responses and cognitive impairment in a model of anti-N-methyl-D-aspartate receptor encephalitis. Epilepsia 2024; 65:1475-1487. [PMID: 38470097 PMCID: PMC11087204 DOI: 10.1111/epi.17931] [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: 08/17/2023] [Revised: 02/11/2024] [Accepted: 02/12/2024] [Indexed: 03/13/2024]
Abstract
OBJECTIVE We previously demonstrated that interleukin-1 receptor-mediated immune activation contributes to seizure severity and memory loss in anti-N-methyl-D-aspartate receptor (NMDAR) encephalitis. In the present study, we assessed the role of the myeloid differentiation primary response gene 88 (MyD88), an adaptor protein in Toll-like receptor signaling, in the key phenotypic characteristics of anti-NMDAR encephalitis. METHODS Monoclonal anti-NMDAR antibodies or control antibodies were infused into the lateral ventricle of MyD88 knockout mice (MyD88-/-) and control C56BL/6J mice (wild type [WT]) via osmotic minipumps for 2 weeks. Seizure responses were measured by electroencephalography. Upon completion of the infusion, the motor, anxiety, and memory functions of the mice were assessed. Astrocytic (glial fibrillary acidic protein [GFAP]) and microglial (ionized calcium-binding adaptor molecule 1 [Iba-1]) activation and transcriptional activation for the principal inflammatory mediators involved in seizures were determined using immunohistochemistry and quantitative real-time polymerase chain reaction, respectively. RESULTS As shown before, 80% of WT mice infused with anti-NMDAR antibodies (n = 10) developed seizures (median = 11, interquartile range [IQR] = 3-25 in 2 weeks). In contrast, only three of 14 MyD88-/- mice (21.4%) had seizures (0, IQR = 0-.25, p = .01). The WT mice treated with antibodies also developed memory loss in the novel object recognition test, whereas such memory deficits were not apparent in MyD88-/- mice treated with anti-NMDAR antibodies (p = .03) or control antibodies (p = .04). Furthermore, in contrast to the WT mice exposed to anti-NMDAR antibodies, the MyD88-/- mice had a significantly lower induction of chemokine (C-C motif) ligand 2 (CCL2) in the hippocampus (p = .0001, Sidak tests). There were no significant changes in the expression of GFAP and Iba-1 in the MyD88-/- mice treated with anti-NMDAR or control antibodies. SIGNIFICANCE These findings suggest that MyD88-mediated signaling contributes to the seizure and memory phenotype in anti-NMDAR encephalitis and that CCL2 activation may participate in the expression of these features. The removal of MyD88 inflammation may be protective and therapeutically relevant.
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Affiliation(s)
- Olga Taraschenko
- Department of Neurological Sciences, Division of Epilepsy, University of Nebraska Medical Center, Omaha, NE
| | - Howard S. Fox
- Department of Neurological Sciences, Division of Epilepsy, University of Nebraska Medical Center, Omaha, NE
| | - Ember Eldridge
- Department of Neurological Sciences, Division of Epilepsy, University of Nebraska Medical Center, Omaha, NE
| | - Priscilla Heliso
- Department of Neurological Sciences, Division of Epilepsy, University of Nebraska Medical Center, Omaha, NE
| | | | - Scott Dessain
- Lankenau Institute for Medical Research, Wynnewood, PA
| | - George Casale
- Department of Surgery, Division of Vascular Surgery, University of Nebraska Medical Center, Omaha, NE
| | | | - Kayley Anderson
- Department of Neurological Sciences, Division of Epilepsy, University of Nebraska Medical Center, Omaha, NE
| | - Wenyi Wang
- Department of Pharmacology and Chemical Biology, Emory University School of Medicine, Atlanta, GA
| | - Raymond Dingledine
- Department of Pharmacology and Chemical Biology, Emory University School of Medicine, Atlanta, GA
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Hörner M, Popp S, Branchu J, Stevanin G, Darios F, Klebe S, Groh J, Martini R. Clinically approved immunomodulators ameliorate behavioral changes in a mouse model of hereditary spastic paraplegia type 11. Front Neurosci 2024; 18:1299554. [PMID: 38435059 PMCID: PMC10904495 DOI: 10.3389/fnins.2024.1299554] [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: 09/22/2023] [Accepted: 02/02/2024] [Indexed: 03/05/2024] Open
Abstract
We have previously demonstrated that neuroinflammation by the adaptive immune system acts as a robust and targetable disease amplifier in a mouse model of Spastic Paraplegia, type 11 (SPG11), a complicated form of Hereditary Spastic Paraplegia (HSP). While we identified an impact of neuroinflammation on distinct neuropathological changes and gait performance, neuropsychological features, typical and clinically highly relevant symptoms of complicated HSPs, were not addressed. Here we show that the corresponding SPG11 mouse model shows distinct behavioral abnormalities, particularly related to social behavior thus partially reflecting the neuropsychological changes in patients. We provide evidence that some behavioral abnormalities can be mitigated by genetic inactivation of the adaptive immune system. Translating this into a clinically applicable approach, we show that treatment with the established immunomodulators fingolimod or teriflunomide significantly attenuates distinct behavioral abnormalities, with the most striking effect on social behavior. This study links neuroinflammation to behavioral abnormalities in a mouse model of SPG11 and may thus pave the way for using immunomodulators as a treatment approach for SPG11 and possibly other complicated forms of HSP with neuropsychological involvement.
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Affiliation(s)
- Michaela Hörner
- Section of Developmental Neurobiology, Department of Neurology, University Hospital Würzburg, Würzburg, Germany
- Division of Neurodegenerative Diseases, Department of Neurology, Heidelberg University Hospital and Faculty of Medicine, Heidelberg, Germany
| | - Sandy Popp
- Section of Developmental Neurobiology, Department of Neurology, University Hospital Würzburg, Würzburg, Germany
- Center of Mental Health, Department of Psychiatry, Psychosomatics and Psychotherapy, University of Würzburg, Würzburg, Germany
- TSE Systems GmbH, Berlin, Germany
| | - Julien Branchu
- Institut du Cerveau – Paris Brain Institute, Inserm, Sorbonne Université, Paris, France
- EVerZom, Paris, France
| | - Giovanni Stevanin
- Institut du Cerveau – Paris Brain Institute, Inserm, Sorbonne Université, Paris, France
- INCIA, CNRS, EPHE, Université de Bordeaux, Bordeaux, France
| | - Frédéric Darios
- Institut du Cerveau – Paris Brain Institute, Inserm, Sorbonne Université, Paris, France
| | - Stephan Klebe
- Department of Neurology, University Hospital Essen, Essen, Germany
| | - Janos Groh
- Section of Developmental Neurobiology, Department of Neurology, University Hospital Würzburg, Würzburg, Germany
- Institute of Neuronal Cell Biology, Technical University Munich, Munich, Germany
| | - Rudolf Martini
- Section of Developmental Neurobiology, Department of Neurology, University Hospital Würzburg, Würzburg, Germany
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Lo Piccolo L, Umegawachi T, Yeewa R, Potikanond S, Nimlamool W, Prachayasittikul V, Gotoh Y, Yoshida H, Yamaguchi M, Jantrapirom S. A Novel Drosophila-based Drug Repurposing Platform Identified Fingolimod As a Potential Therapeutic for TDP-43 Proteinopathy. Neurotherapeutics 2023; 20:1330-1346. [PMID: 37493896 PMCID: PMC10480388 DOI: 10.1007/s13311-023-01406-z] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Accepted: 06/26/2023] [Indexed: 07/27/2023] Open
Abstract
Pathogenic changes to TAR DNA-binding protein 43 (TDP-43) leading to alteration of its homeostasis are a common feature shared by several progressive neurodegenerative diseases for which there is no effective therapy. Here, we developed Drosophila lines expressing either wild type TDP-43 (WT) or that carrying an Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis /Frontotemporal Lobar Degeneration-associating G384C mutation that recapitulate several aspects of the TDP-43 pathology. To identify potential therapeutics for TDP-43-related diseases, we implemented a drug repurposing strategy that involved three consecutive steps. Firstly, we evaluated the improvement of eclosion rate, followed by the assessment of locomotive functions at early and late developmental stages. Through this approach, we successfully identified fingolimod, as a promising candidate for modulating TDP-43 toxicity. Fingolimod exhibited several beneficial effects in both WT and mutant models of TDP-43 pathology, including post-transcriptional reduction of TDP-43 levels, rescue of pupal lethality, and improvement of locomotor dysfunctions. These findings provide compelling evidence for the therapeutic potential of fingolimod in addressing TDP-43 pathology, thereby strengthening the rationale for further investigation and consideration of clinical trials. Furthermore, our study demonstrates the utility of our Drosophila-based screening pipeline in identifying novel therapeutics for TDP-43-related diseases. These findings encourage further scale-up screening endeavors using this platform to discover additional compounds with therapeutic potential for TDP-43 pathology.
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Affiliation(s)
- Luca Lo Piccolo
- Center of Multidisciplinary Technology for Advanced Medicine (CMUTEAM), Faculty of Medicine, Chiang Mai University, Chiang Mai, Thailand
- Faculty of Medicine, Musculoskeletal Science and Translational Research Centre (MSTR), Chiang Mai University, Chiang Mai, Thailand
| | | | - Ranchana Yeewa
- Center of Multidisciplinary Technology for Advanced Medicine (CMUTEAM), Faculty of Medicine, Chiang Mai University, Chiang Mai, Thailand
| | - Saranyapin Potikanond
- Department of Pharmacology, Faculty of Medicine, Chiang Mai University, Chiang Mai, Thailand
| | - Wutigri Nimlamool
- Department of Pharmacology, Faculty of Medicine, Chiang Mai University, Chiang Mai, Thailand
| | - Virapong Prachayasittikul
- Department of Clinical Microbiology and Applied Technology, Faculty of Medical Technology, Mahidol University, Chiang Mai, Thailand
| | - Yusuke Gotoh
- Platform Technology Research Unit, Sumitomo Pharma Co., Ltd, Kyoto, Japan
| | - Hideki Yoshida
- Department of Applied Biology, Kyoto Institute of Technology, Kyoto, Japan
| | | | - Salinee Jantrapirom
- Department of Pharmacology, Faculty of Medicine, Chiang Mai University, Chiang Mai, Thailand.
- Drosophila Centre for Human Diseases and Drug Discovery (DHD), Faculty of Medicine, Chiang Mai University, Chiang Mai, Thailand.
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Citraro R, Bosco F, Di Gennaro G, Tallarico M, Guarnieri L, Gallelli L, Rania V, Siniscalchi A, De Sarro G, Leo A. An In Vivo Electroencephalographic Analysis of the Effect of Riluzole against Limbic and Absence Seizure and Comparison with Glutamate Antagonists. Pharmaceutics 2023; 15:2006. [PMID: 37514193 PMCID: PMC10386681 DOI: 10.3390/pharmaceutics15072006] [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: 03/08/2023] [Revised: 04/20/2023] [Accepted: 07/20/2023] [Indexed: 07/30/2023] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Riluzole (RLZ) has demonstrated neuroprotective effects in several neurological disorders. These neuroprotective effects seem to be mainly due to its ability to inhibit the excitatory glutamatergic neurotransmission, acting on different targets located both at the presynaptic and postsynaptic levels. METHODS In the present study, we evaluated the effects of Riluzole (RLZ) against limbic seizures, induced by AMPA, kainate, and NMDA receptor agonists in Sprague-Dawley rats, and in a well-validated genetic model of absence epilepsy, the WAG/Rij rat. Furthermore, in this latter model, we also studied the effect of RLZ in co-administration with the competitive NMDA receptor antagonist, CPP, or the non-competitive AMPA receptor antagonist, THIQ-10c, on spike-wave discharges (SWDs) in WAG/Rij rats, to understand the potential involvement of AMPA and NMDA receptors in the anti-absence effect of RLZ. RESULTS In Sprague-Dawley rats, RLZ pretreatment significantly reduced the limbic seizure severity induced by glutamatergic agonists, suggesting an antagonism of RLZ mainly on NMDA rather than non-NMDA receptors. RLZ also reduced SWD parameters in WAG/Rij rats. Interestingly, the co-administration of RLZ with CPP did not increase the anti-absence activity of RLZ in this model, advocating a competitive effect on the NMDA receptor. In contrast, the co-administration of RLZ with THIQ-10c induced an additive effect against absence seizure in WAG/Rij rats. CONCLUSIONS these results suggest that the antiepileptic effects of RLZ, in both seizure models, can be mainly due to the antagonism of the NMDA glutamatergic receptors.
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Affiliation(s)
- Rita Citraro
- Section of Pharmacology, Science of Health Department, School of Medicine, University "Magna Graecia" of Catanzaro, 88100 Catanzaro, Italy
- Research Center FAS@UMG, Department of Health Science, University "Magna Graecia" of Catanzaro, 88100 Catanzaro, Italy
| | - Francesca Bosco
- Section of Pharmacology, Science of Health Department, School of Medicine, University "Magna Graecia" of Catanzaro, 88100 Catanzaro, Italy
| | - Gianfranco Di Gennaro
- Section of Pharmacology, Science of Health Department, School of Medicine, University "Magna Graecia" of Catanzaro, 88100 Catanzaro, Italy
| | - Martina Tallarico
- Section of Pharmacology, Science of Health Department, School of Medicine, University "Magna Graecia" of Catanzaro, 88100 Catanzaro, Italy
| | - Lorenza Guarnieri
- Section of Pharmacology, Science of Health Department, School of Medicine, University "Magna Graecia" of Catanzaro, 88100 Catanzaro, Italy
| | - Luca Gallelli
- Section of Pharmacology, Science of Health Department, School of Medicine, University "Magna Graecia" of Catanzaro, 88100 Catanzaro, Italy
- Research Center FAS@UMG, Department of Health Science, University "Magna Graecia" of Catanzaro, 88100 Catanzaro, Italy
| | - Vincenzo Rania
- Section of Pharmacology, Science of Health Department, School of Medicine, University "Magna Graecia" of Catanzaro, 88100 Catanzaro, Italy
| | - Antonio Siniscalchi
- Department of Neurology and Stroke Unit, Annunziata Hospital of Cosenza, 87100 Cosenza, Italy
| | - Giovambattista De Sarro
- Section of Pharmacology, Science of Health Department, School of Medicine, University "Magna Graecia" of Catanzaro, 88100 Catanzaro, Italy
- Research Center FAS@UMG, Department of Health Science, University "Magna Graecia" of Catanzaro, 88100 Catanzaro, Italy
| | - Antonio Leo
- Section of Pharmacology, Science of Health Department, School of Medicine, University "Magna Graecia" of Catanzaro, 88100 Catanzaro, Italy
- Research Center FAS@UMG, Department of Health Science, University "Magna Graecia" of Catanzaro, 88100 Catanzaro, Italy
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Hajipour S, Khombi Shooshtari M, Farbood Y, Ali Mard S, Sarkaki A, Moradi Chameh H, Sistani Karampour N, Ghafouri S. Fingolimod administration following hypoxia induced neonatal seizure can restore impaired long-term potentiation and memory performance in adult rats. Neuroscience 2023; 519:107-119. [PMID: 36990271 DOI: 10.1016/j.neuroscience.2023.03.023] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/27/2022] [Revised: 02/18/2023] [Accepted: 03/21/2023] [Indexed: 03/30/2023]
Abstract
Neonatal seizures commonly caused by hypoxia can lead to long-term neurological outcomes. Early inflammation plays an important role in the pathology of these outcomes. Therefore, in the current study, we explored the long-term effects of Fingolimod (FTY720), an analog of sphingosine and potentsphingosine 1-phosphate(S1P) receptors modulator, as an anti-inflammatory and neuroprotective agent in attenuating anxiety, memory impairment, and possible alterations in gene expression of hippocampal inhibitory and excitatory receptors following hypoxia-induced neonatal seizure (HINS). Seizure was induced in 24 male and female pups (6 in each experimental group) at postnatal day 10 (P10) by premixed gas (5% oxygen/ 95% nitrogen) in a hypoxic chamber for 15 minutes. Sixty minutes after the onset of hypoxia, FTY720 (0.3 mg/kg) or saline (100 µl) was administered for 12 days (from P10 up to P21). Anxiety-like behavior and hippocampal memory function were assessed at P90 by elevated plus maze (EPM) and novel object recognition (NOR), respectively. Long-term potentiation (LTP) was recorded from hippocampal dentate gyrus region (DG) following stimulation of perforant pathway (PP). In addition, the hippocampal concentration of superoxide dismutase activity (SOD), malondialdehyde (MDA), and thiol as indices of oxidative stress were evaluated. Finally, the gene expression of NR2A subunit of N-Methyl-D-aspartic acid (NMDA) receptor, GluR2 subunit of (α-amino-3-hydroxy-5-methyl-4-isoxazolepropionic acid) AMPA receptor and γ2 subunit of γ-Aminobutyric acid (GABAA) receptor were assessed at P90 by the quantitative real-time PCR. FTY720 significantly reduced later-life anxiety-like behavior, ameliorated object recognition memory and increased the amplitude and slope of the field excitatory postsynaptic potential (fEPSP) in the rats following HINS. These effects were associated with restoration of the hippocampal thiol content to the normal values and the regulatory role of FTY720 in the expression of hippocampal GABA and glutamate receptors subunits. In conclusion, FTY720 could restore the dysregulated gene expression of excitatory and inhibitory receptors. It also increased the reduced hippocampal thiol content, which was accompanied with attenuation of HINS-induced anxiety, reduced the impaired hippocampal related memory, and prevented hippocampal LTP deficits in later life following HINS.
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Celli R, Striano P, Citraro R, Di Menna L, Cannella M, Imbriglio T, Koko M, Consortium EEC, De Sarro G, Monn JA, Battaglia G, van Luijtelaar G, Nicoletti F, Russo E, Leo A. mGlu3 Metabotropic Glutamate Receptors as a Target for the Treatment of Absence Epilepsy: Preclinical and Human Genetics Data. Curr Neuropharmacol 2023; 21:105-118. [PMID: 35579153 PMCID: PMC10193767 DOI: 10.2174/1570159x20666220509160511] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/13/2022] [Revised: 02/16/2022] [Accepted: 02/18/2022] [Indexed: 02/04/2023] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Previous studies suggest that different metabotropic glutamate (mGlu) receptor subtypes are potential drug targets for treating absence epilepsy. However, no information is available on mGlu3 receptors. OBJECTIVE To examine whether (i) changes of mGlu3 receptor expression/signaling are found in the somatosensory cortex and thalamus of WAG/Rij rats developing spontaneous absence seizures; (ii) selective activation of mGlu3 receptors with LY2794193 affects the number and duration of spikewave discharges (SWDs) in WAG/Rij rats; and (iii) a genetic variant of GRM3 (encoding the mGlu3 receptor) is associated with absence epilepsy. METHODS Animals: immunoblot analysis of mGlu3 receptors, GAT-1, GLAST, and GLT-1; realtime PCR analysis of mGlu3 mRNA levels; assessment of mGlu3 receptor signaling; EEG analysis of SWDs; assessment of depressive-like behavior. Humans: search for GRM3 and GRM5 missense variants in 196 patients with absence epilepsy or other Idiopathic Generalized Epilepsy (IGE)/ Genetic Generalized Epilepsy (GGE) and 125,748 controls. RESULTS mGlu3 protein levels and mGlu3-mediated inhibition of cAMP formation were reduced in the thalamus and somatosensory cortex of pre-symptomatic (25-27 days old) and symptomatic (6-7 months old) WAG/Rij rats compared to age-matched controls. Treatment with LY2794193 (1 or 10 mg/kg, i.p.) reduced absence seizures and depressive-like behavior in WAG/Rij rats. LY2794193 also enhanced GAT1, GLAST, and GLT-1 protein levels in the thalamus and somatosensory cortex. GRM3 and GRM5 gene variants did not differ between epileptic patients and controls. CONCLUSION We suggest that mGlu3 receptors modulate the activity of the cortico-thalamo-cortical circuit underlying SWDs and that selective mGlu3 receptor agonists are promising candidate drugs for absence epilepsy treatment.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Pasquale Striano
- Department Neurosciences, Rehabilitation, Ophthalmology, Genetics, Maternal and Child Health, University of Genoa, Genova, Italy
- I.R.C.C.S. “G. Gaslini” Institute, Genova, Italy
| | - Rita Citraro
- University of Catanzaro, School of Medicine, Science of Health Department, FAS@UMG Research Center, Catanzaro, Italy
| | | | | | | | - Mahmoud Koko
- Department of Neurology and Epileptology, Hertie Institute for Clinical Brain Research, University of Tuebingen, Tuebingen, Germany
| | | | - Giovambattista De Sarro
- University of Catanzaro, School of Medicine, Science of Health Department, FAS@UMG Research Center, Catanzaro, Italy
| | | | - Giuseppe Battaglia
- I.R.C.C.S. Neuromed, Pozzilli, Italy
- Department of Physiology and Pharmacology, University Sapienza, Rome, Italy
| | | | - Ferdinando Nicoletti
- I.R.C.C.S. Neuromed, Pozzilli, Italy
- Department of Physiology and Pharmacology, University Sapienza, Rome, Italy
| | - Emilio Russo
- University of Catanzaro, School of Medicine, Science of Health Department, FAS@UMG Research Center, Catanzaro, Italy
| | - Antonio Leo
- University of Catanzaro, School of Medicine, Science of Health Department, FAS@UMG Research Center, Catanzaro, Italy
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9
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Türel CA, Çelik H, Torun İE, Çetinkaya A, Türel İ. The antiinflammatory and electrophysiological effects of fingolimod on penicillin-induced rats. ARQUIVOS DE NEURO-PSIQUIATRIA 2022; 80:1220-1226. [PMID: 36580959 PMCID: PMC9800168 DOI: 10.1055/s-0042-1758754] [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] [Indexed: 12/31/2022]
Abstract
BACKGROUND The fact that inflammation triggers epileptic seizures brings to mind the antiepileptic properties of anti-inflammatory drugs. OBJECTIVE To investigate the electrophysiological and anti-inflammatory effects of fingolimod on an experimental penicillin-induced acute epileptic seizure model in rats. METHODS Thirty-two male Wistar rats were divided into four groups: control (penicillin), positive control (penicillin + diazepam [5 mg/kg]), drug (penicillin + fingolimod [0.3 mg/kg]) and synergy group (penicillin + diazepam + fingolimod). The animals were anesthetized with urethane, and epileptiform activity was induced by intracortical injection of penicillin (500,000 IU). After electrophysiological recording for 125 minutes, IL-1β, TNF-α, and IL-6 were evaluated by ELISA in the serum of sacrificed animals. RESULTS During the experiment, animal deaths occurred in the synergy group due to the synergistic negative chronotropic effect of diazepam and fingolimod. Although not statistically significant, fingolimod caused a slight decrease in spike-wave activity and spike amplitudes in the acute seizure model induced by penicillin (p > 0.05). Fingolimod decreased serum IL-1β (p < 0.05); fingolimod and diazepam together reduced IL-6 (p < 0.05), but no change was observed in serum TNF-α values. CONCLUSION Even in acute use, the spike-wave and amplitude values of fingolimod decrease with diazepam, anticonvulsant and anti-inflammatory effects of fingolimod will be more prominent in chronic applications and central tissue evaluations. In addition, concomitant use of fingolimod and diazepam is considered to be contraindicated due to the synergistic negative inotropic effect.
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Affiliation(s)
- Canan Akünal Türel
- Bolu Abant İzzet Baysal University School of Medicine, Department of Neurology, Bolu, Turkey.,Address for correspondence Canan Akünal Türel
| | - Hümeyra Çelik
- Bolu Abant İzzet Baysal University School of Medicine, Department of Physiology, Bolu, Turkey.
| | - İbrahim Ethem Torun
- Bolu Abant İzzet Baysal University School of Medicine, Department of Physiology, Bolu, Turkey.
| | - Ayhan Çetinkaya
- Bolu Abant İzzet Baysal University School of Medicine, Department of Physiology, Bolu, Turkey.
| | - İdris Türel
- Bolu Abant İzzet Baysal University School of Medicine, Department of Pharmacology, Bolu, Turkey.
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Pharmacological perspectives and mechanisms involved in epileptogenesis. BENI-SUEF UNIVERSITY JOURNAL OF BASIC AND APPLIED SCIENCES 2022. [DOI: 10.1186/s43088-022-00278-0] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/10/2022] Open
Abstract
Abstract
Background
Epileptogenesis can be defined as the process by which a previously healthy brain develops a tendency toward recurrent electrical activity, occurring in three phases: first as an initial trigger (such as stroke, infections, and traumatic brain injury); followed by the latency period and the onset of spontaneous and recurrent seizures which characterizes epilepsy.
Main body
The mechanisms that may be involved in epileptogenesis are inflammation, neurogenesis, migration of neurons to different regions of the brain, neural reorganization, and neuroplasticity.In recent years, experimental studies have enabled the discovery of several mechanisms involved in the process of epileptogenesis, mainly neuroinflammation, that involves the activation of glial cells and an increase in specific inflammatory mediators. The lack of an experimental animal model protocol for epileptogenic compounds contributes to the difficulty in understanding disease development and the creation of new drugs.
Conclusion
To solve these difficulties, a new approach is needed in the development of new AEDs that focus on the process of epileptogenesis and the consolidation of animal models for studies of antiepileptogenic compounds, aiming to reach the clinical phases of the study. Some examples of these compounds are rapamycin, which inhibits mTOR signaling, and losartan, that potentiates the antiepileptogenic effect of some AEDs. Based on this, this review discusses the main mechanisms involved in epileptogenesis, as well as its pharmacological approach.
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11
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De Sarro C, Tallarico M, Pisano M, Gallelli L, Citraro R, De Sarro G, Leo A. Liraglutide chronic treatment prevents development of tolerance to antiseizure effects of diazepam in genetically epilepsy prone rats. Eur J Pharmacol 2022; 928:175098. [PMID: 35700834 DOI: 10.1016/j.ejphar.2022.175098] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/08/2022] [Revised: 06/09/2022] [Accepted: 06/09/2022] [Indexed: 11/30/2022]
Abstract
Glucagon-like peptide-1 (GLP-1) is a hormone that can regulate several neuronal functions. The modulation of GLP-1 receptors emerged as a potential target to treat several neurological diseases, such as epilepsy. Here, we studied the effects of acute and chronic treatment with liraglutide (LIRA), in genetically epilepsy prone rats (GEPR-9s). We have also investigated the possible development of tolerance to antiseizure effects of diazepam, and how LIRA could affect this phenomenon over the same period of treatment. The present data indicate that an acute treatment with LIRA did not diminish the severity score of audiogenic seizures (AGS) in GEPR-9s. By contrast, a chronic treatment with LIRA has shown only a modest antiseizure effect that was maintained until the end of treatment, in GEPR-9s. Not surprisingly, acute administration of diazepam reduced, in a dose dependent manner, the severity of the AGS in GEPR-9s. However, when diazepam was chronically administered, an evident development of tolerance to its antiseizure effects was detected. Interestingly, following an add-on treatment with LIRA, a reduced development of tolerance and an enhanced diazepam antiseizure effect was observed in GEPR-9s. Overall, an add-on therapy with LIRA demonstrate benefits superior to single antiseizure medications and could be utilized to treat epilepsy as well as associated issues. Therefore, the potential use of GLP1 analogs for the treatment of epilepsy in combination with existing antiseizure medications could thus add a new and long-awaited dimension to its management.
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Affiliation(s)
- Caterina De Sarro
- System and Applied Pharmacology@University Magna Grecia, Science of Health Department, School of Medicine, Magna Graecia University of Catanzaro, Catanzaro, Italy
| | - Martina Tallarico
- System and Applied Pharmacology@University Magna Grecia, Science of Health Department, School of Medicine, Magna Graecia University of Catanzaro, Catanzaro, Italy
| | - Maria Pisano
- System and Applied Pharmacology@University Magna Grecia, Science of Health Department, School of Medicine, Magna Graecia University of Catanzaro, Catanzaro, Italy
| | - Luca Gallelli
- System and Applied Pharmacology@University Magna Grecia, Science of Health Department, School of Medicine, Magna Graecia University of Catanzaro, Catanzaro, Italy
| | - Rita Citraro
- System and Applied Pharmacology@University Magna Grecia, Science of Health Department, School of Medicine, Magna Graecia University of Catanzaro, Catanzaro, Italy.
| | - Giovambattista De Sarro
- System and Applied Pharmacology@University Magna Grecia, Science of Health Department, School of Medicine, Magna Graecia University of Catanzaro, Catanzaro, Italy.
| | - Antonio Leo
- System and Applied Pharmacology@University Magna Grecia, Science of Health Department, School of Medicine, Magna Graecia University of Catanzaro, Catanzaro, Italy
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12
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Effects of Postnatal Caffeine Exposure on Absence Epilepsy and Comorbid Depression: Results of a Study in WAG/Rij Rats. Brain Sci 2022; 12:brainsci12030361. [PMID: 35326317 PMCID: PMC8946037 DOI: 10.3390/brainsci12030361] [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: 01/22/2022] [Revised: 03/03/2022] [Accepted: 03/06/2022] [Indexed: 02/01/2023] Open
Abstract
The present study aims to investigate effect of early caffeine exposure on epileptogenesis and occurrence of absence seizures and comorbid depression in adulthood. For this purpose, Wistar Albino Glaxo from Rijswijk (WAG/Rij) rats were enrolled in a control and two experimental groups on the 7th day after the delivery. The rats in experimental groups received either 10 or 20 mg/kg caffeine subcutaneously while animals in control group had subcutaneous injections of 0.9% saline. The injections started at postnatal day 7 (PND7) and were continued each day for 5 days. At 6–7 months of age, electroencephalogram (EEG) recordings and behavioral recordings in the forced swimming test, sucrose consumption/preference test and locomotor activity test were carried out. At 6 months of age, 10 mg/kg and 20 mg/kg caffeine-treated WAG/Rij rats showed increased immobility latency and active swimming duration in forced swimming test when compared with the untreated controls. In addition, 20 mg/kg caffeine treatment decreased immobility time. In sucrose preference/consumption tests, WAG/Rij rats in 10 mg/kg caffeine group demonstrated higher sucrose consumption and preference compared to untreated controls. The rats treated with 20 mg/kg caffeine showed higher sucrose preference compared to control rats. The exploratory activity of rats in the 10 mg/kg caffeine-treated group was found to be higher than in the 20 mg/kg caffeine-treated and control groups in the locomotor activity test. At 7 months of age, caffeine-treated animals showed a decreased spike-wave discharge (SWD) number compared to the control animals. These results indicate that postnatal caffeine treatment may decrease the number of seizure and depression-like behaviors in WAG/Rij rats in later life. Caffeine blockade of adenosine receptors during the early developmental period may have beneficial effects in reducing seizure frequency and depression-like behaviors in WAG/Rij rat model.
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13
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Pournajaf S, Dargahi L, Javan M, Pourgholami MH. Molecular Pharmacology and Novel Potential Therapeutic Applications of Fingolimod. Front Pharmacol 2022; 13:807639. [PMID: 35250559 PMCID: PMC8889014 DOI: 10.3389/fphar.2022.807639] [Citation(s) in RCA: 14] [Impact Index Per Article: 7.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/02/2021] [Accepted: 01/31/2022] [Indexed: 12/14/2022] Open
Abstract
Fingolimod is a well-tolerated, highly effective disease-modifying therapy successfully utilized in the management of multiple sclerosis. The active metabolite, fingolimod-phosphate, acts on sphingosine-1-phosphate receptors (S1PRs) to bring about an array of pharmacological effects. While being initially recognized as a novel agent that can profoundly reduce T-cell numbers in circulation and the CNS, thereby suppressing inflammation and MS, there is now rapidly increasing knowledge on its previously unrecognized molecular and potential therapeutic effects in diverse pathological conditions. In addition to exerting inhibitory effects on sphingolipid pathway enzymes, fingolimod also inhibits histone deacetylases, transient receptor potential cation channel subfamily M member 7 (TRMP7), cytosolic phospholipase A2α (cPLA2α), reduces lysophosphatidic acid (LPA) plasma levels, and activates protein phosphatase 2A (PP2A). Furthermore, fingolimod induces apoptosis, autophagy, cell cycle arrest, epigenetic regulations, macrophages M1/M2 shift and enhances BDNF expression. According to recent evidence, fingolimod modulates a range of other molecular pathways deeply rooted in disease initiation or progression. Experimental reports have firmly associated the drug with potentially beneficial therapeutic effects in immunomodulatory diseases, CNS injuries, and diseases including Alzheimer's disease (AD), Parkinson's disease (PD), epilepsy, and even cancer. Attractive pharmacological effects, relative safety, favorable pharmacokinetics, and positive experimental data have collectively led to its testing in clinical trials. Based on the recent reports, fingolimod may soon find its way as an adjunct therapy in various disparate pathological conditions. This review summarizes the up-to-date knowledge about molecular pharmacology and potential therapeutic uses of fingolimod.
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Affiliation(s)
- Safura Pournajaf
- Department of Physiology, Faculty of Medical Sciences, Tarbiat Modares University, Tehran, Iran
| | - Leila Dargahi
- Neuroscience Research Center, Shahid Beheshti University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran
| | - Mohammad Javan
- Department of Physiology, Faculty of Medical Sciences, Tarbiat Modares University, Tehran, Iran
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N-acetylcysteine aggravates seizures while improving depressive-like and cognitive impairment comorbidities in the WAG/Rij rat model of absence epilepsy. Mol Neurobiol 2022; 59:2702-2714. [PMID: 35167014 DOI: 10.1007/s12035-021-02720-3] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/11/2021] [Accepted: 12/23/2021] [Indexed: 12/12/2022]
Abstract
N-acetylcysteine (NAC) is an antioxidant with some demonstrated efficacy in a range of neuropsychiatric disorders. NAC has shown anticonvulsant effects in animal models. NAC effects on absence seizures are still not uncovered, and considering its clinical use as a mucolytic in patients with lung diseases, people with epilepsy are also likely to be exposed to the drug. Therefore, we aimed to study the effects of NAC on absence seizures in the WAG/Rij rat model of absence epilepsy with neuropsychiatric comorbidities. The effects of NAC chronic treatment in WAG/Rij rats were evaluated on: absence seizures at 15 and 30 days by EEG recordings and animal behaviour at 30 days on neuropsychiatric comorbidities. Furthermore, the mechanism of action of NAC was evaluated by analysing brain expression levels of some possible key targets: the excitatory amino acid transporter 2, cystine-glutamate antiporter, metabotropic glutamate receptor 2, the mechanistic target of rapamycin and p70S6K as well as levels of total glutathione. Our results demonstrate that in WAG/Rij rats, NAC treatment significantly increased the number and duration of SWDs, aggravating absence epilepsy while ameliorating neuropsychiatric comorbidities. NAC treatment was linked to an increase in brain mGlu2 receptor expression with this being likely responsible for the observed absence seizure-promoting effects. In conclusion, while confirming the positive effects on animal behaviour induced by NAC also in epileptic animals, we report the aggravating effects of NAC on absence seizures which could have some serious consequences for epilepsy patients with the possible wider use of NAC in clinical therapeutics.
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15
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Leo A, De Caro C, Mainardi P, Tallarico M, Nesci V, Marascio N, Striano P, Russo E, Constanti A, De Sarro G, Citraro R. Increased efficacy of combining prebiotic and postbiotic in mouse models relevant to autism and depression. Neuropharmacology 2021; 198:108782. [PMID: 34492286 DOI: 10.1016/j.neuropharm.2021.108782] [Citation(s) in RCA: 35] [Impact Index Per Article: 11.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/01/2021] [Revised: 09/01/2021] [Accepted: 09/02/2021] [Indexed: 12/19/2022]
Abstract
The Microbiota-Gut-Brain axis (MGBA) is a bidirectional communication pathway between gut bacteria and the central nervous system (CNS) (including the intestine) that exerts a profound influence on neural development, neuroinflammation, activation of stress response and neurotransmission, in addition to modulating complex behaviours, such as sociability and anxiety. Several MGBA modulating approaches are possible, such as probiotic administration. A reasonable pharmacological approach would also be the contemporarily administration of both prebiotics and postbiotics. To test this hypothesis, we probed the effects of α-lactalbumin (ALAC; a prebiotic in the dose range of 125-500 mg/kg) and sodium butyrate (NaB; a postbiotic in the dose range of 30-300 mg/kg) alone and in combination. We used two animal behavioural models of idiopathic autism, (BTBR mice) and anxiety/depression (chronic unexpected mild stress - CUMS mice) respectively, using several standard behavioural paradigms such as Three-chamber social interaction test, Marble burying assay, depression-, anxiety- and memory-tests. In BTBR autistic mice, we found that both ALAC and NaB improve animal sociability, and memory in the passive avoidance (PA); drug combination was more effective in almost all tests also reducing immobility time in the forced swimming test (FST), which was not affected by single drug administration. Similarly, in the CUMS mice, single drug administration was effective in improving: 1) depressive-like behaviour in the FST and sucrose preference test; 2) memory and learning in the PA, novel object recognition and Morris water maze tests. Drug combination was again more effective than single drug administration in most cases; however, in the CUMS model, neither single drug or combination was effective in the elevated plus maze test for anxiety. Our results suggest that in both models, ALAC and NaB combination is more effective in improving some pathological aspects of animal behaviour than single administration and that the prebiotic/postbiotic approach should be considered a reasonable approach for the manipulation of the MGBA to improve efficacy.
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Affiliation(s)
- Antonio Leo
- System and Applied Pharmacology@University Magna Grecia, Science of Health Department, School of Medicine, Magna Graecia University of Catanzaro, Catanzaro, Italy
| | - Carmen De Caro
- System and Applied Pharmacology@University Magna Grecia, Science of Health Department, School of Medicine, Magna Graecia University of Catanzaro, Catanzaro, Italy
| | - Paolo Mainardi
- People's University for Food and Health Studies, Genoa, Italy
| | - Martina Tallarico
- System and Applied Pharmacology@University Magna Grecia, Science of Health Department, School of Medicine, Magna Graecia University of Catanzaro, Catanzaro, Italy
| | - Valentina Nesci
- System and Applied Pharmacology@University Magna Grecia, Science of Health Department, School of Medicine, Magna Graecia University of Catanzaro, Catanzaro, Italy
| | - Nadia Marascio
- System and Applied Pharmacology@University Magna Grecia, Science of Health Department, School of Medicine, Magna Graecia University of Catanzaro, Catanzaro, Italy
| | - Pasquale Striano
- Pediatric Neurology and Muscular Diseases Unit, Istituti di Ricovero e Cura a Carattere Scientifico (IRCCS) 'G. Gaslini' Institute, Genoa, Italy; Department of Neurosciences, Rehabilitation, Ophthalmology, Genetics, Maternal, and Child Health, University of Genoa, Genoa, Italy
| | - Emilio Russo
- System and Applied Pharmacology@University Magna Grecia, Science of Health Department, School of Medicine, Magna Graecia University of Catanzaro, Catanzaro, Italy
| | - Andrew Constanti
- Department of Pharmacology, University College London School of Pharmacy, London, UK.
| | - Giovambattista De Sarro
- System and Applied Pharmacology@University Magna Grecia, Science of Health Department, School of Medicine, Magna Graecia University of Catanzaro, Catanzaro, Italy
| | - Rita Citraro
- System and Applied Pharmacology@University Magna Grecia, Science of Health Department, School of Medicine, Magna Graecia University of Catanzaro, Catanzaro, Italy
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Paudel YN, Angelopoulou E, Piperi C, Gnatkovsky V, Othman I, Shaikh MF. From the Molecular Mechanism to Pre-clinical Results: Anti-epileptic Effects of Fingolimod. Curr Neuropharmacol 2021; 18:1126-1137. [PMID: 32310049 PMCID: PMC7709153 DOI: 10.2174/1570159x18666200420125017] [Citation(s) in RCA: 12] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/21/2020] [Revised: 03/13/2020] [Accepted: 04/14/2020] [Indexed: 02/08/2023] Open
Abstract
Epilepsy is a devastating neurological condition characterized by long-term tendency to generate unprovoked seizures, affecting around 1-2% of the population worldwide. Epilepsy is a serious health concern which often associates with other neurobehavioral comorbidities that further worsen disease conditions. Despite tremendous research, the mainstream anti-epileptic drugs (AEDs) exert only symptomatic relief leading to 30% of untreatable patients. This reflects the complexity of the disease pathogenesis and urges the precise understanding of underlying mechanisms in order to explore novel therapeutic strategies that might alter the disease progression as well as minimize the epilepsy-associated comorbidities. Unfortunately, the development of novel AEDs might be a difficult process engaging huge funds, tremendous scientific efforts and stringent regulatory compliance with a possible chance of end-stage drug failure. Hence, an alternate strategy is drug repurposing, where anti-epileptic effects are elicited from drugs that are already used to treat non-epileptic disorders. Herein, we provide evidence of the anti-epileptic effects of Fingolimod (FTY720), a modulator of sphingosine-1-phosphate (S1P) receptor, USFDA approved already for Relapsing-Remitting Multiple Sclerosis (RRMS). Emerging experimental findings suggest that Fingolimod treatment exerts disease-modifying anti-epileptic effects based on its anti-neuroinflammatory properties, potent neuroprotection, anti-gliotic effects, myelin protection, reduction of mTOR signaling pathway and activation of microglia and astrocytes. We further discuss the underlying molecular crosstalk associated with the anti-epileptic effects of Fingolimod and provide evidence for repurposing Fingolimod to overcome the limitations of current AEDs.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yam Nath Paudel
- Neuropharmacology Research Laboratory, Jeffrey Cheah School of Medicine and Health Sciences, Monash University Malaysia, Bandar Sunway, Selangor, Malaysia
| | - Efthalia Angelopoulou
- Department of Biological Chemistry, Medical School, National and Kapodistrian University of Athens, Athens, Greece
| | - Christina Piperi
- Department of Biological Chemistry, Medical School, National and Kapodistrian University of Athens, Athens, Greece
| | - Vadym Gnatkovsky
- Unit of Epileptology and Experimental Neurophysiology, Fondazione Istituto Neurologico Carlo Besta, 20133 Milan, Italy
| | - Iekhsan Othman
- Neuropharmacology Research Laboratory, Jeffrey Cheah School of Medicine and Health Sciences, Monash University Malaysia, Bandar Sunway, Selangor, Malaysia
| | - Mohd Farooq Shaikh
- Neuropharmacology Research Laboratory, Jeffrey Cheah School of Medicine and Health Sciences, Monash University Malaysia, Bandar Sunway, Selangor, Malaysia
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Karson A, Utkan T, Şahin TD, Balcı F, Arkan S, Ateş N. Etanercept rescues cognitive deficits, depression-like symptoms, and spike-wave discharge incidence in WAG/Rij rat model of absence epilepsy. Epilepsy Behav 2021; 115:107532. [PMID: 33444990 DOI: 10.1016/j.yebeh.2020.107532] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/14/2020] [Revised: 10/13/2020] [Accepted: 10/14/2020] [Indexed: 10/22/2022]
Abstract
Pro-inflammatory cytokines have been shown to be associated with the development of seizures in the WAG/Rij rat model of absence epilepsy. Importantly, WAG/Rij rats also exhibit cognitive deficits and depression-like behaviors. It is possible that pro-inflammatory cytokines mediate these comorbid conditions of absence epilepsy given their well-established effects on cognition and affective responses. The current study investigated the potential therapeutic effect of etanercept (tumor necrosis factor inhibitor) on cognitive impairment, depression-like behavior, and spike-wave discharges (SWDs) typically observed in the WAG/Rij rats. Eight-month-old male WAG/Rij rats and Wistar controls were tested in Morris water maze (MWM), passive avoidance (PA), forced swimming, sucrose preference, and locomotor activity tests, and electroencephalogram (EEG) recordings were taken from a separate group of WAG/Rij rats after 8 weeks of etanercept or vehicle treatment. Consistent with earlier work, WAG/Rij rats exhibited cognitive deficits and depression-like behavior. From these, the cognitive deficits and despair-like behavior were rescued by etanercept administration, which also reduced the frequency of SWDs without affecting their duration. Our results support the hypothesis that pro-inflammatory cytokines mediate the absence seizures and comorbid symptoms of absence epilepsy.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ayşe Karson
- Kocaeli University, School of Medicine, Department of Physiology, Turkey.
| | - Tijen Utkan
- Kocaeli University, School of Medicine, Department of Pharmacology, Turkey.
| | | | - Fuat Balcı
- Koç University, Department of Psychology & Research Center for Translational Medicine, Turkey
| | - Sertan Arkan
- Kocaeli University, School of Medicine, Department of Physiology, Turkey
| | - Nurbay Ateş
- Kocaeli University, School of Medicine, Department of Physiology, Turkey
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Najafian SA, Farbood Y, Sarkaki A, Ghafouri S. FTY720 administration following hypoxia-induced neonatal seizure reverse cognitive impairments and severity of seizures in male and female adult rats: The role of inflammation. Neurosci Lett 2021; 748:135675. [PMID: 33516800 DOI: 10.1016/j.neulet.2021.135675] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/31/2020] [Revised: 12/05/2020] [Accepted: 01/21/2021] [Indexed: 11/15/2022]
Abstract
Hypoxia-induced neonatal seizure mainly leads to deleterious effects on brain function, especially cognitive impairments and increased susceptibility to epilepsy later in life. Early inflammation plays an important role in the pathology of these consequences. Therefore, we explored the long-term outcomes of Fingolimod treatment as an anti-inflammatory and neuroprotective agent in a rat model of HINS. Seizures were induced in rats (postnatal day 10) by 5% O2 exposure for 15 min. Sixty minutes after the onset of hypoxia, pups received FTY720 (0.3 mg.kg-1) or normal saline for 12 consecutive days (lactation period), and they were used at P60-P63 for behavioral tests, ELISA and Pentylenetetrazole kindling model. The results of open field, novel object recognition and elevated plus maze tasks showed that Fingolimod prevents hippocampal memory dysfunction and anxiety-like behavior in both male and female hypoxic groups, which was accompanied with decreased TNF-α level in hippocampus. In addition, FTY720 postponed epileptogenesis just in female hypoxic + FTY group and decreased severity of seizures in both genders. Our results suggest that, FTY720 treatment in immature rats, which were previously subjected to HINS, prevented the long-lasting deficits, like cognitive impairments, decreased the severity of seizures and related inflammation. In addition, FTY720 did not show significant interaction with gender in most of the experiments, except the average day to reach fully kindled state. Taken together, FTY720 has therapeutic potential for long lasting effects of HINS in both male and female animals at puberty.
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Affiliation(s)
- Seyed Ahmad Najafian
- Department of Physiology, Faculty of Medicine, Ahvaz Jundishapur University of Medical Sciences, Ahvaz, Iran
| | - Yaghoob Farbood
- Department of Physiology, Faculty of Medicine, Ahvaz Jundishapur University of Medical Sciences, Ahvaz, Iran; Persian Gulf Physiology Research Center, Medical Basic Sciences Research Institute, Ahvaz Jundishapur University of Medical Sciences, Ahvaz, Iran
| | - Alireza Sarkaki
- Department of Physiology, Faculty of Medicine, Ahvaz Jundishapur University of Medical Sciences, Ahvaz, Iran; Persian Gulf Physiology Research Center, Medical Basic Sciences Research Institute, Ahvaz Jundishapur University of Medical Sciences, Ahvaz, Iran
| | - Samireh Ghafouri
- Department of Physiology, Faculty of Medicine, Ahvaz Jundishapur University of Medical Sciences, Ahvaz, Iran; Persian Gulf Physiology Research Center, Medical Basic Sciences Research Institute, Ahvaz Jundishapur University of Medical Sciences, Ahvaz, Iran.
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Leo A, Nesci V, Tallarico M, Amodio N, Gallo Cantafio EM, De Sarro G, Constanti A, Russo E, Citraro R. IL-6 Receptor Blockade by Tocilizumab Has Anti-absence and Anti-epileptogenic Effects in the WAG/Rij Rat Model of Absence Epilepsy. Neurotherapeutics 2020; 17:2004-2014. [PMID: 32681356 PMCID: PMC7851197 DOI: 10.1007/s13311-020-00893-8] [Citation(s) in RCA: 18] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/27/2022] Open
Abstract
Increased expression of interleukin-6 (IL-6) both in cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) and plasma is closely associated with convulsive epilepsy and symptom severity of depression. By comparison, at present, little is known about the role of this cytokine in childhood (non-convulsive) absence epilepsy. The aim of this work was to investigate the potential effects of acute and chronic treatment with tocilizumab (TCZ, 10 and 30 mg/kg/day), on absence seizures, their development, and related psychiatric comorbidity in WAG/Rij rats. It is known that lipopolysaccharide (LPS)-induced changes in inflammatory processes increase absence epileptic activity. In order to study the central effects of TCZ, we investigated whether administration of this anti-IL-6R antibody could modulate the lipopolysaccharide (LPS) or IL-6-evoked changes in absence epileptic activity in WAG/Rij rats. Our results demonstrate that TCZ, at both doses, significantly reduced the development of absence seizures in adult WAG/Rij rats at 6 months of age (1 month after treatment suspension) compared with untreated controls, thus showing disease-modifying effects. Decreased absence seizure development at 6 months of age was also accompanied by reduced comorbid depressive-like behavior, whereas no effects were observed on anxiety-related behavior. Acute treatment with TCZ, at 30 mg/kg, had anti-absence properties lasting ~25 h. The co-administration TCZ with i.c.v. LPS or IL-6 showed that TCZ inhibited the worsening of absence seizures induced by both proinflammatory agents in the WAG/Rij rats, supporting a central anti-inflammatory-like protective action. These results suggest the possible role of IL-6 and consequent neuroinflammation in the epileptogenic process underlying the development and maintenance of absence seizures in WAG/Rij rats. Accordingly, IL-6 signaling could be a promising pharmacological target in absence epilepsy and depressive-like comorbidity.
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MESH Headings
- Animals
- Antibodies, Monoclonal, Humanized/pharmacology
- Antibodies, Monoclonal, Humanized/therapeutic use
- Disease Models, Animal
- Dose-Response Relationship, Drug
- Epilepsy, Absence/drug therapy
- Epilepsy, Absence/genetics
- Epilepsy, Absence/metabolism
- Male
- Rats
- Rats, Transgenic
- Rats, Wistar
- Receptors, Interleukin-6/antagonists & inhibitors
- Receptors, Interleukin-6/metabolism
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Affiliation(s)
- Antonio Leo
- Science of Health Department, School of Medicine and Surgery, Magna Græcia University of Catanzaro, Viale Europa - Germaneto, 88100, Catanzaro, Italy
| | - Valentina Nesci
- Science of Health Department, School of Medicine and Surgery, Magna Græcia University of Catanzaro, Viale Europa - Germaneto, 88100, Catanzaro, Italy
| | - Martina Tallarico
- Science of Health Department, School of Medicine and Surgery, Magna Græcia University of Catanzaro, Viale Europa - Germaneto, 88100, Catanzaro, Italy
| | - Nicola Amodio
- Experimental and Clinical Medicine Department, School of Medicine and Surgery, Magna Græcia University, Catanzaro, Italy
| | - Eugenia M Gallo Cantafio
- Science of Health Department, School of Medicine and Surgery, Magna Græcia University of Catanzaro, Viale Europa - Germaneto, 88100, Catanzaro, Italy
| | - Giovambattista De Sarro
- Science of Health Department, School of Medicine and Surgery, Magna Græcia University of Catanzaro, Viale Europa - Germaneto, 88100, Catanzaro, Italy
| | | | - Emilio Russo
- Science of Health Department, School of Medicine and Surgery, Magna Græcia University of Catanzaro, Viale Europa - Germaneto, 88100, Catanzaro, Italy.
| | - Rita Citraro
- Science of Health Department, School of Medicine and Surgery, Magna Græcia University of Catanzaro, Viale Europa - Germaneto, 88100, Catanzaro, Italy
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20
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Bascuñana P, Möhle L, Brackhan M, Pahnke J. Fingolimod as a Treatment in Neurologic Disorders Beyond Multiple Sclerosis. Drugs R D 2020; 20:197-207. [PMID: 32696271 PMCID: PMC7419396 DOI: 10.1007/s40268-020-00316-1] [Citation(s) in RCA: 23] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/13/2022] Open
Abstract
Fingolimod is an approved treatment for relapsing-remitting multiple sclerosis (MS), and its properties in different pathways have raised interest in therapy research for other neurodegenerative diseases. Fingolimod is an agonist of sphingosine-1-phosphate (S1P) receptors. Its main pharmacologic effect is immunomodulation by lymphocyte homing, thereby reducing the numbers of T and B cells in circulation. Because of the ubiquitous expression of S1P receptors, other effects have also been described. Here, we review preclinical experiments evaluating the effects of treatment with fingolimod in neurodegenerative diseases other than MS, such as Alzheimer's disease or epilepsy. Fingolimod has shown neuroprotective effects in different animal models of neurodegenerative diseases, summarized here, correlating with increased brain-derived neurotrophic factor and improved disease phenotype (cognition and/or motor abilities). As expected, treatment also induced reductions in different neuroinflammatory markers because of not only inhibition of lymphocytes but also direct effects on astrocytes and microglia. Furthermore, fingolimod treatment exhibited additional effects for specific neurodegenerative disorders, such as reduction of amyloid-β production, and antiepileptogenic properties. The neuroprotective effects exerted by fingolimod in these preclinical studies are reviewed and support the translation of fingolimod into clinical trials as treatment in neurodegenerative diseases beyond neuroinflammatory conditions (MS).
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Affiliation(s)
- Pablo Bascuñana
- Department of Neuro-/Pathology, University of Oslo (UiO) and Oslo University Hospital (OUS), Oslo, Norway.
| | - Luisa Möhle
- Department of Neuro-/Pathology, University of Oslo (UiO) and Oslo University Hospital (OUS), Oslo, Norway
| | - Mirjam Brackhan
- Department of Neuro-/Pathology, University of Oslo (UiO) and Oslo University Hospital (OUS), Oslo, Norway
| | - Jens Pahnke
- Department of Neuro-/Pathology, University of Oslo (UiO) and Oslo University Hospital (OUS), Oslo, Norway.
- LIED, University of Lübeck, Lübeck, Germany.
- Department of Pharmacology, Medical Faculty, University of Latvia, Rīga, Latvia.
- Leibniz-Institute of Plant Biochemistry, Halle, Germany.
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21
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Nesci V, Russo E, Arcidiacono B, Citraro R, Tallarico M, Constanti A, Brunetti A, De Sarro G, Leo A. Metabolic Alterations Predispose to Seizure Development in High-Fat Diet-Treated Mice: the Role of Metformin. Mol Neurobiol 2020; 57:4778-4789. [PMID: 32785826 DOI: 10.1007/s12035-020-02062-6] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/26/2020] [Accepted: 08/07/2020] [Indexed: 12/15/2022]
Abstract
The link between epilepsy and type 2 diabetes (T2DM) and/or metabolic syndrome (MetS) has been poorly investigated. Therefore, we tested whether a high-fat diet (HFD), inducing insulin-resistant diabetes and obesity in mice, would increase susceptibility to develop generalized seizures induced by pentylentetrazole (PTZ) kindling. Furthermore, molecular mechanisms linked to glucose brain transport and the effects of the T2DM antidiabetic drug metformin were also studied along with neuropsychiatric comorbidities. To this aim, two sets of experiments were performed in CD1 mice, in which we firstly evaluated the HFD effects on some metabolic and behavioral parameters in order to have a baseline reference for kindling experiments assessed in the second section of our protocol. We detected that HFD predisposes towards seizure development in the PTZ-kindling model and this was linked to a reduction in glucose transporter-1 (GLUT-1) expression as observed in GLUT-1 deficiency syndrome in humans but accompanied by a compensatory increase in expression of GLUT-3. While we confirmed that HFD induced neuropsychiatric alterations in the treated mice, it did not change the development of kindling comorbidities. Furthermore, we propose that the beneficial effects of metformin we observed towards seizure development are related to a normalization of both GLUT-1 and GLUT-3 expression levels. Overall, our results support the hypothesis that an altered glycometabolic profile could play a pro-epileptic role in human patients. We therefore recommend that MetS or T2DM should be constantly monitored and possibly avoided in patients with epilepsy, since they could further aggravate this latter condition.
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Affiliation(s)
- Valentina Nesci
- Science of Health Department, School of Medicine, University "Magna Graecia" of Catanzaro, Viale Europa e Germaneto, 88100, Catanzaro, Italy
| | - Emilio Russo
- Science of Health Department, School of Medicine, University "Magna Graecia" of Catanzaro, Viale Europa e Germaneto, 88100, Catanzaro, Italy. .,C.I.S.-Interdepartmental Services Centre of Veterinary for Human and Animal Health, Magna Graecia University of Catanzaro, Viale Europa, Loc. Germaneto, 88100, Catanzaro, Italy.
| | - Biagio Arcidiacono
- Science of Health Department, School of Medicine, University "Magna Graecia" of Catanzaro, Viale Europa e Germaneto, 88100, Catanzaro, Italy
| | - Rita Citraro
- Science of Health Department, School of Medicine, University "Magna Graecia" of Catanzaro, Viale Europa e Germaneto, 88100, Catanzaro, Italy
| | - Martina Tallarico
- Science of Health Department, School of Medicine, University "Magna Graecia" of Catanzaro, Viale Europa e Germaneto, 88100, Catanzaro, Italy
| | - Andrew Constanti
- Department of Pharmacology, UCL School of Pharmacy, 29/39 Brunswick Square, London, UK
| | - Antonio Brunetti
- Science of Health Department, School of Medicine, University "Magna Graecia" of Catanzaro, Viale Europa e Germaneto, 88100, Catanzaro, Italy
| | - Giovambattista De Sarro
- Science of Health Department, School of Medicine, University "Magna Graecia" of Catanzaro, Viale Europa e Germaneto, 88100, Catanzaro, Italy
| | - Antonio Leo
- Science of Health Department, School of Medicine, University "Magna Graecia" of Catanzaro, Viale Europa e Germaneto, 88100, Catanzaro, Italy
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22
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Klein P, Friedman A, Hameed MQ, Kaminski RM, Bar-Klein G, Klitgaard H, Koepp M, Jozwiak S, Prince DA, Rotenberg A, Twyman R, Vezzani A, Wong M, Löscher W. Repurposed molecules for antiepileptogenesis: Missing an opportunity to prevent epilepsy? Epilepsia 2020; 61:359-386. [PMID: 32196665 PMCID: PMC8317585 DOI: 10.1111/epi.16450] [Citation(s) in RCA: 43] [Impact Index Per Article: 10.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/02/2019] [Revised: 01/26/2020] [Accepted: 01/27/2020] [Indexed: 12/11/2022]
Abstract
Prevention of epilepsy is a great unmet need. Acute central nervous system (CNS) insults such as traumatic brain injury (TBI), cerebrovascular accidents (CVA), and CNS infections account for 15%-20% of all epilepsy. Following TBI and CVA, there is a latency of days to years before epilepsy develops. This allows treatment to prevent or modify postinjury epilepsy. No such treatment exists. In animal models of acquired epilepsy, a number of medications in clinical use for diverse indications have been shown to have antiepileptogenic or disease-modifying effects, including medications with excellent side effect profiles. These include atorvastatin, ceftriaxone, losartan, isoflurane, N-acetylcysteine, and the antiseizure medications levetiracetam, brivaracetam, topiramate, gabapentin, pregabalin, vigabatrin, and eslicarbazepine acetate. In addition, there are preclinical antiepileptogenic data for anakinra, rapamycin, fingolimod, and erythropoietin, although these medications have potential for more serious side effects. However, except for vigabatrin, there have been almost no translation studies to prevent or modify epilepsy using these potentially "repurposable" medications. We may be missing an opportunity to develop preventive treatment for epilepsy by not evaluating these medications clinically. One reason for the lack of translation studies is that the preclinical data for most of these medications are disparate in terms of types of injury, models within different injury type, dosing, injury-treatment initiation latencies, treatment duration, and epilepsy outcome evaluation mode and duration. This makes it difficult to compare the relative strength of antiepileptogenic evidence across the molecules, and difficult to determine which drug(s) would be the best to evaluate clinically. Furthermore, most preclinical antiepileptogenic studies lack information needed for translation, such as dose-blood level relationship, brain target engagement, and dose-response, and many use treatment parameters that cannot be applied clinically, for example, treatment initiation before or at the time of injury and dosing higher than tolerated human equivalent dosing. Here, we review animal and human antiepileptogenic evidence for these medications. We highlight the gaps in our knowledge for each molecule that need to be filled in order to consider clinical translation, and we suggest a platform of preclinical antiepileptogenesis evaluation of potentially repurposable molecules or their combinations going forward.
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Affiliation(s)
- Pavel Klein
- Mid-Atlantic Epilepsy and Sleep Center, Bethesda, Maryland
| | - Alon Friedman
- Departments of Physiology and Cell Biology, and Brain and Cognitive Science, Zlotowski Center for Neuroscience, Ben-Gurion University of the Negev, Beer-Sheva, Israel
- Departments of Medical Neuroscience and Brain Repair Center, Dalhousie University, Halifax, Canada
| | - Mustafa Q. Hameed
- Neuromodulation Program, Division of Epilepsy and Clinical Neurophysiology, Department of Neurology, Boston Children’s Hospital, Harvard Medical School, Boston, Massachusetts
| | - Rafal M. Kaminski
- Neurosymptomatic Domains Section, Roche Pharma Research & Early Development, Roche Innovation Center, Basel, Switzerland
| | - Guy Bar-Klein
- McKusick-Nathans Institute of Genetic Medicine, Howard Hughes Medical Institute, Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, Baltimore, Maryland
| | - Henrik Klitgaard
- Neurosciences Therapeutic Area, UCB Pharma, Braine-l’Alleud, Belgium
| | - Mathias Koepp
- Department of Clinical and Experimental Epilepsy, University College London Institute of Neurology, London, UK
| | - Sergiusz Jozwiak
- Department of Pediatric Neurology, Warsaw Medical University, Warsaw, Poland
| | - David A. Prince
- Neurology and the Neurological Sciences, Stanford University School of Medicine, Stanford, California
| | - Alexander Rotenberg
- Neuromodulation Program, Division of Epilepsy and Clinical Neurophysiology, Department of Neurology, Boston Children’s Hospital, Harvard Medical School, Boston, Massachusetts
| | | | - Annamaria Vezzani
- Department of Neuroscience, Mario Negri Institute for Pharmacological Research, Scientific Institute for Research and Health Care, Milan, Italy
| | - Michael Wong
- Department of Neurology, Washington University School of Medicine, St Louis, Missouri
| | - Wolfgang Löscher
- Department of Pharmacology, Toxicology, and Pharmacy, University of Veterinary Medicine, Hannover, Germany
- Center for Systems Neuroscience, Hannover, Germany
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23
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Wang Z, Higashikawa K, Yasui H, Kuge Y, Ohno Y, Kihara A, Midori YA, Houkin K, Kawabori M. FTY720 Protects Against Ischemia-Reperfusion Injury by Preventing the Redistribution of Tight Junction Proteins and Decreases Inflammation in the Subacute Phase in an Experimental Stroke Model. Transl Stroke Res 2020; 11:1103-1116. [PMID: 32103462 PMCID: PMC7496052 DOI: 10.1007/s12975-020-00789-x] [Citation(s) in RCA: 14] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/01/2019] [Revised: 01/22/2020] [Accepted: 02/12/2020] [Indexed: 12/18/2022]
Abstract
Injury due to brain ischemia followed by reperfusion (I/R) may be an important therapeutic target in the era of thrombectomy. FTY720, a widely known sphingosine-1-phosphate receptor agonist, exerts various neuroprotective effects. The aim of this study was to examine the protective effect of FTY720 with respect to I/R injury, especially focusing on blood-brain barrier (BBB) protection and anti-inflammatory effects. Male rats were subjected to transient ischemia and administered vehicle or 0.5 or 1.5 mg/kg of FTY720 immediately before reperfusion. Positron emission tomography (PET) with [18F]DPA-714 was performed 2 and 9 days after the insult to serially monitor neuroinflammation. Bovine and rat brain microvascular endothelial cells (MVECs) were also subjected to oxygen-glucose deprivation (OGD) and reperfusion, and administered FTY720, phosphorylated-FTY720 (FTY720-P), or their inhibitor. FTY720 dose-dependently reduced cell death, the infarct size, cell death including apoptosis, and inflammation. It also ameliorated BBB disruption and neurological deficits compared to in the vehicle group. PET indicated that FTY720 significantly inhibited the worsening of inflammation in later stages. FTY720-P significantly prevented the intracellular redistribution of tight junction proteins but did not increase their mRNA expression. These results suggest that FTY720 can ameliorate I/R injury by protecting the BBB and regulating neuroinflammation.
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Affiliation(s)
- Zifeng Wang
- Department of Neurosurgery, Graduate School of Medicine, Hokkaido University, Kita 15, Nishi 7, Kita-ku, Sapporo, Hokkaido, 060-8638, Japan
| | - Kei Higashikawa
- Central Institutes of Isotope Science (Laboratory of Integrated Molecular Imaging, Department of Biomedical Imaging, Graduate School of Biomedical Science and Engineering), Hokkaido University, Sapporo, Hokkaido, Japan
| | - Hironobu Yasui
- Central Institutes of Isotope Science (Laboratory of Integrated Molecular Imaging, Department of Biomedical Imaging, Graduate School of Biomedical Science and Engineering), Hokkaido University, Sapporo, Hokkaido, Japan
| | - Yuji Kuge
- Central Institutes of Isotope Science (Laboratory of Integrated Molecular Imaging, Department of Biomedical Imaging, Graduate School of Biomedical Science and Engineering), Hokkaido University, Sapporo, Hokkaido, Japan
| | - Yusuke Ohno
- Laboratory of Biochemistry, Faculty of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Hokkaido University, Sapporo, Hokkaido, Japan
| | - Akio Kihara
- Laboratory of Biochemistry, Faculty of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Hokkaido University, Sapporo, Hokkaido, Japan
| | - Yenari A Midori
- Department of Neurology, University of California, San Francisco and the San Francisco Veterans Affairs Medical Center, San Francisco, CA, USA
| | - Kiyohiro Houkin
- Department of Neurosurgery, Graduate School of Medicine, Hokkaido University, Kita 15, Nishi 7, Kita-ku, Sapporo, Hokkaido, 060-8638, Japan
| | - Masahito Kawabori
- Department of Neurosurgery, Graduate School of Medicine, Hokkaido University, Kita 15, Nishi 7, Kita-ku, Sapporo, Hokkaido, 060-8638, Japan.
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24
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Cassano V, Leo A, Tallarico M, Nesci V, Cimellaro A, Fiorentino TV, Citraro R, Hribal ML, De Sarro G, Perticone F, Sesti G, Russo E, Sciacqua A. Metabolic and Cognitive Effects of Ranolazine in Type 2 Diabetes Mellitus: Data from an in vivo Model. Nutrients 2020; 12:nu12020382. [PMID: 32023991 PMCID: PMC7071286 DOI: 10.3390/nu12020382] [Citation(s) in RCA: 33] [Impact Index Per Article: 8.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/27/2019] [Revised: 01/23/2020] [Accepted: 01/28/2020] [Indexed: 02/06/2023] Open
Abstract
Type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM) is a risk factor for cognitive impairment. Ranolazine, an anti-ischemic drug used in the treatment of angina pectoris, has been shown to possess hypoglycemic properties in pre-clinical and clinical studies. The aim of this study was to evaluate the effects of ranolazine on glucose metabolism and cognitive function in a T2DM model of Wistar rats. Diabetes was induced by a high fat diet (HFD) and streptozotocin (STZ). The control group received a normal caloric diet (NCD) and sodium citrate buffer. Metformin, an effective hypoglycemic drug, was employed as a positive control. Animals were divided into the following groups: HFD/STZ + Ranolazine, HFD/STZ + Metformin, HFD/STZ + Vehicle, NCD + Vehicle, NCD + Ranolazine, and NCD + Metformin. Rats received ranolazine (20 mg/kg), metformin (300 mg/kg), or water, for 8 weeks. At the end of the treatments, all animals underwent to an intraperitoneal glucose tolerance test (IPGTT) and behavioral tests, including passive avoidance, novel object recognition, forced swimming, and elevate plus maze tests. Interleukin-6 plasma levels in the six treatment groups were assessed by Elisa assay. Body mass composition was estimated by nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR). Glucose responsiveness significantly improved in the HFD/STZ + Ranolazine (p < 0.0001) and HFD/STZ + Metformin (p = 0.003) groups. There was a moderate effect on blood glucose levels in the NCD + Ranolazine and NCD + Metformin groups. Lean body mass was significantly increased in the HFD/STZ + Ranolazine and HFD/STZ + Metformin animals, compared to HFD/STZ + Vehicle animals. Ranolazine improved learning and long-term memory in HFD/STZ + Ranolazine compared to HFD/STZ + Vehicle (p < 0.001) and ameliorated the pro-inflammatory profile of diabetic mice. These results support the hypothesis of a protective effect of ranolazine against cognitive decline caused by T2DM.
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Affiliation(s)
- Velia Cassano
- Department of Medical and Surgical Sciences, Magna Græcia University, 88100 Catanzaro, Italy
| | - Antonio Leo
- Science of Health Department, Magna Græcia University, 88100 Catanzaro, Italy (V.N.)
| | - Martina Tallarico
- Science of Health Department, Magna Græcia University, 88100 Catanzaro, Italy (V.N.)
| | - Valentina Nesci
- Science of Health Department, Magna Græcia University, 88100 Catanzaro, Italy (V.N.)
| | - Antonio Cimellaro
- Pugliese-Ciaccio, Hospital, Internal Medicine Unit, 88100 Catanzaro, Italy
| | | | - Rita Citraro
- Science of Health Department, Magna Græcia University, 88100 Catanzaro, Italy (V.N.)
| | - Marta Letizia Hribal
- Department of Medical and Surgical Sciences, Magna Græcia University, 88100 Catanzaro, Italy
- Correspondence: ; Tel.: +39-0961-364-7411
| | | | - Francesco Perticone
- Department of Medical and Surgical Sciences, Magna Græcia University, 88100 Catanzaro, Italy
| | - Giorgio Sesti
- Department of Clinical and Molecular Medicine, University of Rome-Sapienza, 00189 Rome, Italy
| | - Emilio Russo
- Science of Health Department, Magna Græcia University, 88100 Catanzaro, Italy (V.N.)
| | - Angela Sciacqua
- Department of Medical and Surgical Sciences, Magna Græcia University, 88100 Catanzaro, Italy
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25
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Wang Z, Kawabori M, Houkin K. FTY720 (Fingolimod) Ameliorates Brain Injury through Multiple Mechanisms and is a Strong Candidate for Stroke Treatment. Curr Med Chem 2020; 27:2979-2993. [PMID: 31785606 PMCID: PMC7403647 DOI: 10.2174/0929867326666190308133732] [Citation(s) in RCA: 46] [Impact Index Per Article: 11.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/02/2018] [Revised: 02/12/2019] [Accepted: 02/19/2019] [Indexed: 02/07/2023]
Abstract
FTY720 (Fingolimod) is a known sphingosine-1-phosphate (S1P) receptor agonist that exerts strong anti-inflammatory effects and was approved as the first oral drug for the treatment of multiple sclerosis by the US Food and Drug Administration (FDA) in 2010. FTY720 is mainly associated with unique functional "antagonist" and "agonist" mechanisms. The functional antagonistic mechanism is mediated by the transient down-regulation and degradation of S1P receptors on lymphocytes, which prevents lymphocytes from entering the blood stream from the lymph node. This subsequently results in the development of lymphopenia and reduces lymphocytic inflammation. Functional agonistic mechanisms are executed through S1P receptors expressed on the surface of various cells including neurons, astrocytes, microglia, and blood vessel endothelial cells. These functions might play important roles in regulating anti-apoptotic systems, modulating brain immune and phagocytic activities, preserving the Blood-Brain-Barrier (BBB), and the proliferation of neural precursor cells. Recently, FTY720 have shown receptor-independent effects, including intracellular target bindings and epigenetic modulations. Many researchers have recognized the positive effects of FTY720 and launched basic and clinical experiments to test the use of this agent against stroke. Although the mechanism of FTY720 has not been fully elucidated, its efficacy against cerebral stroke is becoming clear, not only in animal models, but also in ischemic stroke patients through clinical trials. In this article, we review the data obtained from laboratory findings and preliminary clinical trials using FTY720 for stroke treatment.
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Affiliation(s)
- Zifeng Wang
- Department of Neurosurgery, Hokkaido University Graduate School of Medicine, Sapporo, Hokkaido, Japan
| | - Masahito Kawabori
- Department of Neurosurgery, Hokkaido University Graduate School of Medicine, Sapporo, Hokkaido, Japan
| | - Kiyohiro Houkin
- Department of Neurosurgery, Hokkaido University Graduate School of Medicine, Sapporo, Hokkaido, Japan
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26
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Pirozzi C, Lama A, Annunziata C, Cavaliere G, De Caro C, Citraro R, Russo E, Tallarico M, Iannone M, Ferrante MC, Mollica MP, Mattace Raso G, De Sarro G, Calignano A, Meli R. Butyrate prevents valproate-induced liver injury: In vitro and in vivo evidence. FASEB J 2019; 34:676-690. [PMID: 31914696 DOI: 10.1096/fj.201900927rr] [Citation(s) in RCA: 34] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/10/2019] [Revised: 10/30/2019] [Accepted: 10/31/2019] [Indexed: 12/29/2022]
Abstract
Sodium valproate (VPA), an antiepileptic drug, may cause dose- and time-dependent hepatotoxicity. However, its iatrogenic molecular mechanism and the rescue therapy are disregarded. Recently, it has been demonstrated that sodium butyrate (NaB) reduces hepatic steatosis, improving respiratory capacity and mitochondrial dysfunction in obese mice. Here, we investigated the protective effect of NaB in counteracting VPA-induced hepatotoxicity using in vitro and in vivo models. Human HepG2 cells and primary rat hepatocytes were exposed to high VPA concentration and treated with NaB. Mitochondrial function, lipid metabolism, and oxidative stress were evaluated, using Seahorse analyzer, spectrophotometric, and biochemical determinations. Liver protection by NaB was also evaluated in VPA-treated epileptic WAG/Rij rats, receiving NaB for 6 months. NaB prevented VPA toxicity, limiting cell oxidative and mitochondrial damage (ROS, malondialdehyde, SOD activity, mitochondrial bioenergetics), and restoring fatty acid oxidation (peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor α expression and carnitine palmitoyl-transferase activity) in HepG2 cells, primary hepatocytes, and isolated mitochondria. In vivo, NaB confirmed its activity normalizing hepatic biomarkers, fatty acid metabolism, and reducing inflammation and fibrosis induced by VPA. These data support the protective potential of NaB on VPA-induced liver injury, indicating it as valid therapeutic approach in counteracting this common side effect due to VPA chronic treatment.
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Affiliation(s)
- Claudio Pirozzi
- Department of Pharmacy, University of Naples Federico II, Naples, Italy
| | - Adriano Lama
- Department of Pharmacy, University of Naples Federico II, Naples, Italy
| | - Chiara Annunziata
- Department of Pharmacy, University of Naples Federico II, Naples, Italy
| | - Gina Cavaliere
- Department of Biology, University of Naples Federico II, Naples, Italy
| | - Carmen De Caro
- Department of Health Sciences, University of Catanzaro "Magna Graecia", Catanzaro, Italy
| | - Rita Citraro
- Department of Health Sciences, University of Catanzaro "Magna Graecia", Catanzaro, Italy
| | - Emilio Russo
- Department of Health Sciences, University of Catanzaro "Magna Graecia", Catanzaro, Italy
| | - Martina Tallarico
- CNR, Institute of Neurological Sciences, Pharmacology Section, Roccelletta di Borgia, Catanzaro, Italy
| | - Michelangelo Iannone
- CNR, Institute of Neurological Sciences, Pharmacology Section, Roccelletta di Borgia, Catanzaro, Italy
| | - Maria Carmela Ferrante
- Department of Veterinary Medicine and Animal Production, University of Naples Federico II, Naples, Italy
| | | | | | | | - Antonio Calignano
- Department of Pharmacy, University of Naples Federico II, Naples, Italy
| | - Rosaria Meli
- Department of Pharmacy, University of Naples Federico II, Naples, Italy
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27
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Citraro R, Iannone M, Leo A, De Caro C, Nesci V, Tallarico M, Abdalla K, Palma E, Arturi F, De Sarro G, Constanti A, Russo E. Evaluation of the effects of liraglutide on the development of epilepsy and behavioural alterations in two animal models of epileptogenesis. Brain Res Bull 2019; 153:133-142. [DOI: 10.1016/j.brainresbull.2019.08.001] [Citation(s) in RCA: 18] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/11/2019] [Revised: 06/27/2019] [Accepted: 08/02/2019] [Indexed: 01/22/2023]
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Leo A, Caro CD, Nesci V, Palma E, Tallarico M, Iannone M, Constanti A, Sarro GD, Russo E, Citraro R. Antiepileptogenic effects of Ethosuximide and Levetiracetam in WAG/Rij rats are only temporary. Pharmacol Rep 2019; 71:833-838. [PMID: 31386986 DOI: 10.1016/j.pharep.2019.04.017] [Citation(s) in RCA: 14] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/30/2018] [Revised: 03/22/2019] [Accepted: 04/23/2019] [Indexed: 11/08/2022]
Abstract
BACKGROUND WAG/Rij rats represent a validated genetic animal model of epileptogenesis, absence epilepsy and depressive-like comorbidity. Some treatments (e.g. ethosuximide), using specific protocols, prevent the development of spontaneous absence seizures. Accordingly, ethosuximide increases remission occurrence in children with childhood absence epilepsy in comparison to valproic acid. Considering that in this animal model, antiepileptogenic effects are, in some cases, not retained over time, we studied whether the antiepileptogenic effects of both ethosuximide and levetiracetam (which also possesses antiepileptogenic effects in this and other animal epilepsy models) would be retained 5 months after drug suspension. METHODS WAG/Rij rats of ˜1 month of age were treated long-term with one of the two drugs at a dose of ˜80 mg/kg/day for 17 consecutive weeks; 1 and 5 months after drug suspension, the development of absence seizures as well as depressive-like behaviour were assessed by EEG recordings and the forced swimming test (FST). RESULTS In agreement with a previous report, both drugs continued to show antiepileptogenic effects 1 month after their discontinuation. Furthermore, ethosuximide improved depressive-like behaviour, whereas in contrast, levetiracetam worsened this symptom. However, none of the drugs maintained their antiepileptogenic effects 5 months after suspension, and in addition, animal behaviour in the FST returned to control conditions. CONCLUSION Overall, these results demonstrate that the antiepileptogenic effects of both ethosuximide and levetiracetam on absence seizure development and associated depressive-like behaviour in this model are only temporary.
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Affiliation(s)
- Antonio Leo
- University of Catanzaro, School of Medicine, Science of Health Department, Catanzaro, Italy
| | - Carmen De Caro
- University of Catanzaro, School of Medicine, Science of Health Department, Catanzaro, Italy
| | - Valentina Nesci
- University of Catanzaro, School of Medicine, Science of Health Department, Catanzaro, Italy
| | - Ernesto Palma
- University of Catanzaro, School of Medicine, Science of Health Department, Catanzaro, Italy
| | - Martina Tallarico
- University of Catanzaro, School of Medicine, Science of Health Department, Catanzaro, Italy; CNR, Institute of Neurological Sciences, Pharmacology Section, Roccelletta di Borgia, Catanzaro, Italy
| | - Michelangelo Iannone
- CNR, Institute of Neurological Sciences, Pharmacology Section, Roccelletta di Borgia, Catanzaro, Italy
| | | | | | - Emilio Russo
- University of Catanzaro, School of Medicine, Science of Health Department, Catanzaro, Italy
| | - Rita Citraro
- University of Catanzaro, School of Medicine, Science of Health Department, Catanzaro, Italy.
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Leo A, Citraro R, Tallarico M, Iannone M, Fedosova E, Nesci V, De Sarro G, Sarkisova K, Russo E. Cognitive impairment in the WAG/Rij rat absence model is secondary to absence seizures and depressive-like behavior. Prog Neuropsychopharmacol Biol Psychiatry 2019; 94:109652. [PMID: 31095993 DOI: 10.1016/j.pnpbp.2019.109652] [Citation(s) in RCA: 28] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/06/2018] [Revised: 04/30/2019] [Accepted: 05/12/2019] [Indexed: 01/06/2023]
Abstract
Neuropsychiatric comorbidities are common in patients with epilepsy, remaining still an urgent unmet clinical need. Therefore, the management of epileptic disorders should not only be restricted to the achievement of seizure-freedom but must also be able to counteract its related comorbidities. Experimental animal models of epilepsy represent a valid tool not only to study epilepsy but also its associated comorbidities. The WAG/Rij rat is a well-established genetically-based model of absence epilepsy with depressive-like comorbidity, in which learning and memory impairment was also recently reported. Aim of this study was to clarify whether this cognitive decline is secondary or not to absence seizures and/or depressive-like behavior. The behavioral performance of untreated and ethosuximide-treated (300 mg/kg/day; 17 days) WAG/Rij rats at 6 and 12 months of age were assessed in several tests: forced swimming test, objects recognition test, social recognition test, Morris water maze and passive avoidance. According to our results, it seems that cognitive impairment in this strain, similarly to depressive-like behavior, is secondary to the occurrence of absence seizures, which might be necessary for the expression of cognitive impairment. Furthermore, our results suggest an age-dependent impairment of cognitive performance in WAG/Rij rats, which could be linked to the age-dependent increase of spike wave discharges. Consistently, it is possible that absence seizures, depressive-like behavior and cognitive deficit may arise independently and separately in lifetime from the same underlying network disease, as previously suggested for the behavioral features associated with other epileptic syndromes.
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Affiliation(s)
- Antonio Leo
- University of Catanzaro, School of Medicine, Science of Health Dept., Catanzaro, Italy
| | - Rita Citraro
- University of Catanzaro, School of Medicine, Science of Health Dept., Catanzaro, Italy.
| | - Martina Tallarico
- University of Catanzaro, School of Medicine, Science of Health Dept., Catanzaro, Italy; CNR, Institute of Neurological Sciences, Pharmacology Section, Roccelletta di Borgia, Catanzaro, Italy
| | - Michelangelo Iannone
- CNR, Institute of Neurological Sciences, Pharmacology Section, Roccelletta di Borgia, Catanzaro, Italy
| | - Ekaterina Fedosova
- Institute of Higher Nervous Activity and Neurophysiology RAS, Moscow, Russia
| | - Valentina Nesci
- University of Catanzaro, School of Medicine, Science of Health Dept., Catanzaro, Italy
| | | | - Karine Sarkisova
- Institute of Higher Nervous Activity and Neurophysiology RAS, Moscow, Russia
| | - Emilio Russo
- University of Catanzaro, School of Medicine, Science of Health Dept., Catanzaro, Italy
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Citraro R, Leo A, De Caro C, Nesci V, Gallo Cantafio ME, Amodio N, Mattace Raso G, Lama A, Russo R, Calignano A, Tallarico M, Russo E, De Sarro G. Effects of Histone Deacetylase Inhibitors on the Development of Epilepsy and Psychiatric Comorbidity in WAG/Rij Rats. Mol Neurobiol 2019; 57:408-421. [PMID: 31368023 DOI: 10.1007/s12035-019-01712-8] [Citation(s) in RCA: 42] [Impact Index Per Article: 8.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/08/2019] [Accepted: 07/15/2019] [Indexed: 01/08/2023]
Abstract
Epigenetic mechanisms, such as alterations in histone acetylation based on histone deacetylases (HDACs) activity, have been linked not only to normal brain function but also to several brain disorders including epilepsy and the epileptogenic process. In WAG/Rij rats, a genetic model of absence epilepsy, epileptogenesis and mild-depression comorbidity, we investigated the effects of two HDAC inhibitors (HDACi), namely sodium butyrate (NaB), valproic acid (VPA) and their co-administration, on the development of absence seizures and related psychiatric/neurologic comorbidities following two different experimental paradigms. Treatment effects have been evaluated by EEG recordings (EEG) and behavioural tests at different time points. Prolonged and daily VPA and NaB treatment, started before absence seizure onset (P30), significantly reduced the development of absence epilepsy showing antiepileptogenic effects. These effects were enhanced by NaB/VPA co-administration. Furthermore, early-chronic HDACi treatment improved depressive-like behaviour and cognitive performance 1 month after treatment withdrawal. WAG/Rij rats of 7 months of age showed reduced acetylated levels of histone H3 and H4, analysed by Western Blotting of homogenized brain, in comparison to WAG/Rij before seizure onset (P30). The brain histone acetylation increased significantly during treatment with NaB or VPA alone and more markedly during co-administration. We also observed decreased expression of both HDAC1 and 3 following HDACi treatment compared to control group. Our results suggest that histone modifications may have a crucial role in the development of epilepsy and early treatment with HDACi might be a possible strategy for preventing epileptogenesis also affecting behavioural comorbidities.
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Affiliation(s)
- Rita Citraro
- Department of Health Science, School of Medicine, University of Catanzaro, Via T. Campanella, 115, 88100, Catanzaro, Italy
| | - Antonio Leo
- Department of Health Science, School of Medicine, University of Catanzaro, Via T. Campanella, 115, 88100, Catanzaro, Italy
| | - Carmen De Caro
- Department of Health Science, School of Medicine, University of Catanzaro, Via T. Campanella, 115, 88100, Catanzaro, Italy
| | - Valentina Nesci
- Department of Health Science, School of Medicine, University of Catanzaro, Via T. Campanella, 115, 88100, Catanzaro, Italy
| | - Maria E Gallo Cantafio
- Department of Experimental and Clinical Medicine, Magna Graecia University and Translational Medical Oncology Unit, Salvatore Venuta University Campus, Catanzaro, Italy
| | - Nicola Amodio
- Department of Experimental and Clinical Medicine, Magna Graecia University and Translational Medical Oncology Unit, Salvatore Venuta University Campus, Catanzaro, Italy
| | | | - Adriano Lama
- Department of Pharmacy, University of Naples Federico II, Naples, Italy
| | - Roberto Russo
- Department of Pharmacy, University of Naples Federico II, Naples, Italy
| | - Antonio Calignano
- Department of Pharmacy, University of Naples Federico II, Naples, Italy
| | - Martina Tallarico
- Department of Health Science, School of Medicine, University of Catanzaro, Via T. Campanella, 115, 88100, Catanzaro, Italy.,Pharmacology Section, CNR, Institute of Neurological Sciences, Roccelletta di Borgia, Catanzaro, Italy
| | - Emilio Russo
- Department of Health Science, School of Medicine, University of Catanzaro, Via T. Campanella, 115, 88100, Catanzaro, Italy.
| | - Giovambattista De Sarro
- Department of Health Science, School of Medicine, University of Catanzaro, Via T. Campanella, 115, 88100, Catanzaro, Italy
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Pitsch J, Kuehn JC, Gnatkovsky V, Müller JA, van Loo KMJ, de Curtis M, Vatter H, Schoch S, Elger CE, Becker AJ. Anti-epileptogenic and Anti-convulsive Effects of Fingolimod in Experimental Temporal Lobe Epilepsy. Mol Neurobiol 2018; 56:1825-1840. [PMID: 29934763 DOI: 10.1007/s12035-018-1181-y] [Citation(s) in RCA: 26] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/23/2018] [Accepted: 06/06/2018] [Indexed: 12/11/2022]
Abstract
Temporal lobe epilepsy (TLE) represents a devastating neurological condition, in which approximately 4/5 of patients remain refractory for anti-convulsive drugs. Epilepsy surgery biopsies often reveal the damage pattern of "hippocampal sclerosis" (HS) characterized not only by neuronal loss but also pronounced astrogliosis and inflammatory changes. Since TLE shares distinct pathogenetic aspects with multiple sclerosis (MS), we have here scrutinized therapeutic effects in experimental TLE of the immunmodulator fingolimod, which is established in MS therapy. Fingolimod targets sphingosine-phosphate receptors (S1PRs). mRNAs of fingolimod target S1PRs were augmented in two experimental post status epilepticus (SE) TLE mouse models (suprahippocampal kainate/pilocarpine). SE frequently induces chronic recurrent seizures after an extended latency referred to as epileptogenesis. Transient fingolimod treatment of mice during epileptogenesis after suprahippocampal kainate-induced SE revealed substantial reduction of chronic seizure activity despite lacking acute attenuation of SE itself. Intriguingly, fingolimod exerted robust anti-convulsive activity in kainate-induced SE mice treated in the chronic TLE stage and had neuroprotective and anti-gliotic effects and reduced cytotoxic T cell infiltrates. Finally, the expression profile of fingolimod target-S1PRs in human hippocampal biopsy tissue of pharmacoresistant TLE patients undergoing epilepsy surgery for seizure relief suggests repurposing of fingolimod as novel therapeutic perspective in focal epilepsies.
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Affiliation(s)
- Julika Pitsch
- Section for Translational Epilepsy Research, Department of Neuropathology, University of Bonn Medical Center, Sigmund-Freud-Str. 25, 53105, Bonn, Germany.
| | - Julia C Kuehn
- Section for Translational Epilepsy Research, Department of Neuropathology, University of Bonn Medical Center, Sigmund-Freud-Str. 25, 53105, Bonn, Germany
| | - Vadym Gnatkovsky
- Unit of Epileptology and Experimental Neurophysiology, Fondazione Istituto Neurologico Carlo Besta, 20133, Milan, Italy
| | - Johannes Alexander Müller
- Section for Translational Epilepsy Research, Department of Neuropathology, University of Bonn Medical Center, Sigmund-Freud-Str. 25, 53105, Bonn, Germany
| | - Karen M J van Loo
- Section for Translational Epilepsy Research, Department of Neuropathology, University of Bonn Medical Center, Sigmund-Freud-Str. 25, 53105, Bonn, Germany
| | - Marco de Curtis
- Unit of Epileptology and Experimental Neurophysiology, Fondazione Istituto Neurologico Carlo Besta, 20133, Milan, Italy
| | - Hartmut Vatter
- Clinic for Neurosurgery, University of Bonn Medical Center, 53105, Bonn, Germany
| | - Susanne Schoch
- Section for Translational Epilepsy Research, Department of Neuropathology, University of Bonn Medical Center, Sigmund-Freud-Str. 25, 53105, Bonn, Germany.,Clinic for Epileptology, University of Bonn Medical Center, 53105, Bonn, Germany
| | - Christian E Elger
- Clinic for Epileptology, University of Bonn Medical Center, 53105, Bonn, Germany
| | - Albert J Becker
- Section for Translational Epilepsy Research, Department of Neuropathology, University of Bonn Medical Center, Sigmund-Freud-Str. 25, 53105, Bonn, Germany
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Russo E, Citraro R. Pharmacology of epileptogenesis and related comorbidities in the WAG/Rij rat model of genetic absence epilepsy. J Neurosci Methods 2018; 310:54-62. [PMID: 29857008 DOI: 10.1016/j.jneumeth.2018.05.020] [Citation(s) in RCA: 18] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/13/2018] [Revised: 05/25/2018] [Accepted: 05/28/2018] [Indexed: 01/23/2023]
Abstract
Animal studies currently represent the best source of information also in the field of epileptogenesis research. Many animal models have been proposed and studied so far both from the pathophysiological and pharmacological point of view. Furthermore, they are widely used for the identification of potentially clinically valuable biomarkers. The WAG/Rij rat model, similarly to other genetic animal strains, represents a suitable animal model of absence epileptogenesis accompanied by depressive-like and cognitive comorbidities. Generally, animal models of epileptogenesis are characterized by an identifiable initial insult (e.g. traumatic brain injury), a latent phase lasting up to the appearance of the first spontaneous seizure and a chronic phase characterized by recurrent spontaneous seizures. In most of genetic models: the initial insult should be defined as the mutation causing epilepsy, which is not clearly defined in the WAG/Rij rat model; the latent phase ends at the appearance of the first spontaneous seizure, which is about 2-3 months of age in WAG/Rij rats and thereafter the chronic phase. WAG/Rij rats also display depressive-like comorbidity around the age of 4 months, which is apparently linked to the development of absence seizures considering both its ontogeny and the fact that drugs affecting absence seizures development also block the development of depressive-like behavior. Finally, WAG/Rij rats also display cognitive impairment in some memory tasks, however, this has not been yet definitively linked to absence seizures development and may represent an epiphenomenon. This review is focused on the effects of pharmacological treatments against epileptogenesis and their effects on comorbidities.
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Affiliation(s)
- Emilio Russo
- Science of Health Department, School of Medicine, University of Catanzaro, Italy.
| | - Rita Citraro
- Science of Health Department, School of Medicine, University of Catanzaro, Italy
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