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Strogulski NR, Kopczynski A, de Oliveira VG, Carteri RB, Hansel G, Venturin GT, Greggio S, DaCosta JC, De Bastiani MA, Rodolphi MS, Portela LV. Nandrolone Supplementation Promotes AMPK Activation and Divergent 18[FDG] PET Brain Connectivity in Adult and Aged Mice. Neurochem Res 2022; 47:2032-2042. [PMID: 35415802 DOI: 10.1007/s11064-022-03592-2] [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: 12/09/2021] [Revised: 03/26/2022] [Accepted: 03/28/2022] [Indexed: 11/29/2022]
Abstract
Decreased anabolic androgen levels are followed by impaired brain energy support and sensing with loss of neural connectivity during physiological aging, providing a neurobiological basis for hormone supplementation. Here, we investigated whether nandrolone decanoate (ND) administration mediates hypothalamic AMPK activation and glucose metabolism, thus affecting metabolic connectivity in brain areas of adult and aged mice. Metabolic interconnected brain areas of rodents can be detected by positron emission tomography using 18FDG-mPET. Albino CF1 mice at 3 and 18 months of age were separated into 4 groups that received daily subcutaneous injections of either ND (15 mg/kg) or vehicle for 15 days. At the in vivo baseline and on the 14th day, brain 18FDG-microPET scans were performed. Hypothalamic pAMPKT172/AMPK protein levels were assessed, and basal mitochondrial respiratory states were evaluated in synaptosomes. A metabolic connectivity network between brain areas was estimated based on 18FDG uptake. We found that ND increased the pAMPKT172/AMPK ratio in both adult and aged mice but increased 18FDG uptake and mitochondrial basal respiration only in adult mice. Furthermore, ND triggered rearrangement in the metabolic connectivity of adult mice and aged mice compared to age-matched controls. Altogether, our findings suggest that ND promotes hypothalamic AMPK activation, and distinct glucose metabolism and metabolic connectivity rearrangements in the brains of adult and aged mice.
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Affiliation(s)
- N R Strogulski
- Laboratory of Neurotrauma and Biomarkers, Departamento de Bioquímica, ICBS, Universidade Federal Do Rio Grande Do Sul, Porto Alegre, Brazil
| | - A Kopczynski
- Laboratory of Neurotrauma and Biomarkers, Departamento de Bioquímica, ICBS, Universidade Federal Do Rio Grande Do Sul, Porto Alegre, Brazil
| | - V G de Oliveira
- Laboratory of Neurotrauma and Biomarkers, Departamento de Bioquímica, ICBS, Universidade Federal Do Rio Grande Do Sul, Porto Alegre, Brazil
| | - R B Carteri
- Laboratory of Neurotrauma and Biomarkers, Departamento de Bioquímica, ICBS, Universidade Federal Do Rio Grande Do Sul, Porto Alegre, Brazil
| | - G Hansel
- Neuroinflammation and Neuroimmunology Laboratory, Brain Institute of Rio Grande Do Sul, Pontifical Catholic University of Rio Grande Do Sul (PUCRS), Porto Alegre, RS, Brazil
| | - G T Venturin
- Brain Institute of Rio Grande Do Sul (BraIns), Pontifical Catholic University of Rio Grande Do Sul (PUCRS), Porto Alegre, RS, Brazil
| | - S Greggio
- Brain Institute of Rio Grande Do Sul (BraIns), Pontifical Catholic University of Rio Grande Do Sul (PUCRS), Porto Alegre, RS, Brazil
| | - J C DaCosta
- Brain Institute of Rio Grande Do Sul (BraIns), Pontifical Catholic University of Rio Grande Do Sul (PUCRS), Porto Alegre, RS, Brazil
| | - M A De Bastiani
- Zimmer Neuroimaging Lab, Departamento de Bioquímica, ICBS, Universidade Federal Do Rio Grande Do Sul, Porto Alegre, Brazil
| | - M S Rodolphi
- Laboratory of Neurotrauma and Biomarkers, Departamento de Bioquímica, ICBS, Universidade Federal Do Rio Grande Do Sul, Porto Alegre, Brazil
| | - L V Portela
- Laboratory of Neurotrauma and Biomarkers, Departamento de Bioquímica, ICBS, Universidade Federal Do Rio Grande Do Sul, Porto Alegre, Brazil.
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Medeiros ADM, Silva RH. Sex Differences in Alzheimer’s Disease: Where Do We Stand? J Alzheimers Dis 2019; 67:35-60. [DOI: 10.3233/jad-180213] [Citation(s) in RCA: 23] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 02/06/2023]
Affiliation(s)
- André de Macêdo Medeiros
- Behavioral Neuroscience Laboratory, Department of Pharmacology, Escola Paulista de Medicina, Universidade Federal de São Paulo, São Paulo, Brazil
- Center of Health and Biological Sciences, Universidade Federal Rural do Semiárido, Mossoró, Brazil
| | - Regina Helena Silva
- Behavioral Neuroscience Laboratory, Department of Pharmacology, Escola Paulista de Medicina, Universidade Federal de São Paulo, São Paulo, Brazil
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Moraga‐Amaro R, van Waarde A, Doorduin J, de Vries EFJ. Sex steroid hormones and brain function: PET imaging as a tool for research. J Neuroendocrinol 2018; 30:e12565. [PMID: 29237239 PMCID: PMC5838537 DOI: 10.1111/jne.12565] [Citation(s) in RCA: 38] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/15/2017] [Revised: 10/26/2017] [Accepted: 12/06/2017] [Indexed: 12/15/2022]
Abstract
Sex steroid hormones are major regulators of sexual characteristic among species. These hormones, however, are also produced in the brain. Steroidal hormone-mediated signalling via the corresponding hormone receptors can influence brain function at the cellular level and thus affect behaviour and higher brain functions. Altered steroid hormone signalling has been associated with psychiatric disorders, such as anxiety and depression. Neurosteroids are also considered to have a neuroprotective effect in neurodegenerative diseases. So far, the role of steroid hormone receptors in physiological and pathological conditions has mainly been investigated post mortem on animal or human brain tissues. To study the dynamic interplay between sex steroids, their receptors, brain function and behaviour in psychiatric and neurological disorders in a longitudinal manner, however, non-invasive techniques are needed. Positron emission tomography (PET) is a non-invasive imaging tool that is used to quantitatively investigate a variety of physiological and biochemical parameters in vivo. PET uses radiotracers aimed at a specific target (eg, receptor, enzyme, transporter) to visualise the processes of interest. In this review, we discuss the current status of the use of PET imaging for studying sex steroid hormones in the brain. So far, PET has mainly been investigated as a tool to measure (changes in) sex hormone receptor expression in the brain, to measure a key enzyme in the steroid synthesis pathway (aromatase) and to evaluate the effects of hormonal treatment by imaging specific downstream processes in the brain. Although validated radiotracers for a number of targets are still warranted, PET can already be a useful technique for steroid hormone research and facilitate the translation of interesting findings in animal studies to clinical trials in patients.
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Affiliation(s)
- R. Moraga‐Amaro
- Department of Nuclear Medicine and Molecular ImagingUniversity Medical Center GroningenUniversity of GroningenGroningenThe Netherlands
| | - A. van Waarde
- Department of Nuclear Medicine and Molecular ImagingUniversity Medical Center GroningenUniversity of GroningenGroningenThe Netherlands
| | - J. Doorduin
- Department of Nuclear Medicine and Molecular ImagingUniversity Medical Center GroningenUniversity of GroningenGroningenThe Netherlands
| | - E. F. J. de Vries
- Department of Nuclear Medicine and Molecular ImagingUniversity Medical Center GroningenUniversity of GroningenGroningenThe Netherlands
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Asih PR, Tegg ML, Sohrabi H, Carruthers M, Gandy SE, Saad F, Verdile G, Ittner LM, Martins RN. Multiple Mechanisms Linking Type 2 Diabetes and Alzheimer's Disease: Testosterone as a Modifier. J Alzheimers Dis 2017; 59:445-466. [PMID: 28655134 PMCID: PMC6462402 DOI: 10.3233/jad-161259] [Citation(s) in RCA: 26] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/19/2023]
Abstract
Evidence in support of links between type-2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM) and Alzheimer's disease (AD) has increased considerably in recent years. AD pathological hallmarks include the accumulation of extracellular amyloid-β (Aβ) and intracellular hyperphosphorylated tau in the brain, which are hypothesized to promote inflammation, oxidative stress, and neuronal loss. T2DM exhibits many AD pathological features, including reduced brain insulin uptake, lipid dysregulation, inflammation, oxidative stress, and depression; T2DM has also been shown to increase AD risk, and with increasing age, the prevalence of both conditions increases. In addition, amylin deposition in the pancreas is more common in AD than in normal aging, and although there is no significant increase in cerebral Aβ deposition in T2DM, the extent of Aβ accumulation in AD correlates with T2DM duration. Given these similarities and correlations, there may be common underlying mechanism(s) that predispose to both T2DM and AD. In other studies, an age-related gradual loss of testosterone and an increase in testosterone resistance has been shown in men; low testosterone levels can also occur in women. In this review, we focus on the evidence for low testosterone levels contributing to an increased risk of T2DM and AD, and the potential of testosterone treatment in reducing this risk in both men and women. However, such testosterone treatment may need to be long-term, and would need regular monitoring to maintain testosterone at physiological levels. It is possible that a combination of testosterone therapy together with a healthy lifestyle approach, including improved diet and exercise, may significantly reduce AD risk.
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Affiliation(s)
- Prita R. Asih
- Department of Anatomy, Dementia Research Unit, School of Medical Sciences, Faculty of Medicine, University of New South Wales, Sydney, NSW, Australia
- KaRa Institute of Neurological Diseases, Sydney, NSW, Australia
| | - Michelle L. Tegg
- School of Medical and Health Sciences, Edith Cowan University, Perth, WA, Australia
| | - Hamid Sohrabi
- School of Medical and Health Sciences, Edith Cowan University, Perth, WA, Australia
- Australian Alzheimer’s Research Foundation Perth, WA, Australia
- Department of Biomedical Sciences, Macquarie University, Sydney, NSW, Australia
- School of Psychiatry and Clinical Neurosciences, University of Western Australia, Perth, WA, Australia
| | | | - Samuel E. Gandy
- Departments of Neurology and Psychiatry and the Alzheimer’s Disease Research Center, Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai, One Gustave L Levy Place, New York, NY, USA
| | - Farid Saad
- Bayer Pharma AG, Global Medical Affairs Andrology, Berlin, Germany
- Gulf Medical University School of Medicine, Ajman, UAE
| | - Giuseppe Verdile
- Australian Alzheimer’s Research Foundation Perth, WA, Australia
- School of Biomedical Sciences, Curtin University of Technology, Bentley, WA, Australia
| | - Lars M. Ittner
- Department of Anatomy, Dementia Research Unit, School of Medical Sciences, Faculty of Medicine, University of New South Wales, Sydney, NSW, Australia
- Neuroscience Research Australia, Sydney, NSW, Australia
| | - Ralph N. Martins
- KaRa Institute of Neurological Diseases, Sydney, NSW, Australia
- School of Medical and Health Sciences, Edith Cowan University, Perth, WA, Australia
- Australian Alzheimer’s Research Foundation Perth, WA, Australia
- Department of Biomedical Sciences, Macquarie University, Sydney, NSW, Australia
- School of Psychiatry and Clinical Neurosciences, University of Western Australia, Perth, WA, Australia
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Bertram S, Brixius K, Brinkmann C. Exercise for the diabetic brain: how physical training may help prevent dementia and Alzheimer's disease in T2DM patients. Endocrine 2016; 53:350-63. [PMID: 27160819 DOI: 10.1007/s12020-016-0976-8] [Citation(s) in RCA: 50] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/10/2016] [Accepted: 04/27/2016] [Indexed: 12/21/2022]
Abstract
Epidemiological studies indicate that patients with type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM) are at increased risk of developing dementia/Alzheimer's disease (AD). This review, which is based on recent studies, presents a molecular framework that links the two diseases and explains how physical training could help counteract neurodegeneration in T2DM patients. Inflammatory, oxidative, and metabolic changes in T2DM patients cause cerebrovascular complications and can lead to blood-brain-barrier (BBB) breakdown. Peripherally increased pro-inflammatory molecules can then pass the BBB more easily and activate stress-activated pathways, thereby promoting key pathological features of dementia/AD such as brain insulin resistance, mitochondrial dysfunction, and accumulation of neurotoxic beta-amyloid (Aβ) oligomers, leading to synaptic loss, neuronal dysfunction, and cell death. Ceramides can also pass the BBB, induce pro-inflammatory reactions, and disturb brain insulin signaling. In a vicious circle, oxidative stress and the pro-inflammatory environment intensify, leading to further cognitive decline. Low testosterone levels might be a common risk factor in T2DM and AD. Regular physical exercise reinforces antioxidative capacity, reduces oxidative stress, and has anti-inflammatory effects. It improves endothelial function and might increase brain capillarization. Physical training can further counteract dyslipidemia and reduce increased ceramide levels. It might also improve Aβ clearance by up-regulating Aβ transporters and, in some cases, increase basal testosterone levels. In addition, regular physical activity can induce neurogenesis. Physical training should therefore be emphasized as a part of prevention programs developed for diabetic patients to minimize the risk of the onset of neurodegenerative diseases among this specific patient group.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sebastian Bertram
- Institute of Cardiovascular Research and Sport Medicine, Department of Molecular and Cellular Sport Medicine, German Sport University Cologne, Am Sportpark Müngersdorf 6, 50933, Cologne, Germany
| | - Klara Brixius
- Institute of Cardiovascular Research and Sport Medicine, Department of Molecular and Cellular Sport Medicine, German Sport University Cologne, Am Sportpark Müngersdorf 6, 50933, Cologne, Germany
| | - Christian Brinkmann
- Institute of Cardiovascular Research and Sport Medicine, Department of Molecular and Cellular Sport Medicine, German Sport University Cologne, Am Sportpark Müngersdorf 6, 50933, Cologne, Germany.
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Hebert JR, Kindred JH, Bucci M, Tuulari JJ, Brenner LA, Forster JE, Koo PJ, Rudroff T. Cognitive-Motor Related Brain Activity During Walking: Differences Between Men and Women With Multiple Sclerosis. Arch Phys Med Rehabil 2015; 97:61-6. [PMID: 26450771 DOI: 10.1016/j.apmr.2015.09.015] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/07/2015] [Revised: 09/17/2015] [Accepted: 09/24/2015] [Indexed: 11/25/2022]
Abstract
OBJECTIVE To determine if sex differences in glucose uptake, a marker of brain activity, are present in brain regions that facilitate walking performance in persons with multiple sclerosis (MS). DESIGN Cross-sectional, observational pilot. SETTING University laboratory. PARTICIPANTS Positron emission tomography with fluorine-18-labeled deoxyglucose (FDG) was performed on persons with MS and healthy controls (4 men and 4 women per group; N=16) after a 15-minute walking test. INTERVENTIONS Not applicable. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURE Brain activity was quantified as the mean standardized uptake value (SUV). RESULTS The mean SUV was significantly lower in the thalamus (P=.029) and cerebellum (P=.029) for men with MS compared with women with MS, but not for the prefrontal (P=.057) or frontal (P=.057) cortices. Similar nonsignificant trends were found for healthy controls. No mean SUV group × sex interaction effects were found between the MS and healthy control groups (all P>.05). CONCLUSIONS To our knowledge, this is the first study of brain activity sex differences based on FDG uptake in persons with MS during walking. Significantly less FDG uptake in the thalamus and cerebellum brain regions important for walking performance was found in men with MS compared with women with MS; however, these comparisons were not significantly different in the healthy control group. No differences in FDG uptake were found between the MS and healthy control groups in any of the brain regions examined. Results from this study provide pilot data for larger studies aimed at identifying underlying mechanisms responsible for accelerated disability in men with MS.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jeffrey R Hebert
- Department of Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation, University of Colorado School of Medicine, Aurora, CO; Department of Neurology, University of Colorado School of Medicine, Aurora, CO.
| | - John H Kindred
- Department of Health and Exercise Science, Colorado State University, Fort Collins, CO
| | - Marco Bucci
- Turku Positron Emission Tomography Centre, University of Turku and Turku University Hospital, Turku, Finland
| | - Jetro J Tuulari
- Turku Positron Emission Tomography Centre, University of Turku and Turku University Hospital, Turku, Finland
| | - Lisa A Brenner
- Department of Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation, University of Colorado School of Medicine, Aurora, CO
| | - Jeri E Forster
- Department of Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation, University of Colorado School of Medicine, Aurora, CO
| | - Phillip J Koo
- Division of Nuclear Medicine and Molecular Imaging, Department of Radiology, University of Colorado School of Medicine, Aurora, CO
| | - Thorsten Rudroff
- Department of Health and Exercise Science, Colorado State University, Fort Collins, CO
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Li R, Singh M. Sex differences in cognitive impairment and Alzheimer's disease. Front Neuroendocrinol 2014; 35:385-403. [PMID: 24434111 PMCID: PMC4087048 DOI: 10.1016/j.yfrne.2014.01.002] [Citation(s) in RCA: 333] [Impact Index Per Article: 33.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/03/2013] [Revised: 12/31/2013] [Accepted: 01/06/2014] [Indexed: 12/15/2022]
Abstract
Studies have shown differences in specific cognitive ability domains and risk of Alzheimer's disease between the men and women at later age. However it is important to know that sex differences in cognitive function during adulthood may have their basis in both organizational effects, i.e., occurring as early as during the neuronal development period, as well as in activational effects, where the influence of the sex steroids influence brain function in adulthood. Further, the rate of cognitive decline with aging is also different between the sexes. Understanding the biology of sex differences in cognitive function will not only provide insight into Alzheimer's disease prevention, but also is integral to the development of personalized, gender-specific medicine. This review draws on epidemiological, translational, clinical, and basic science studies to assess the impact of sex differences in cognitive function from young to old, and examines the effects of sex hormone treatments on Alzheimer's disease in men and women.
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Affiliation(s)
- Rena Li
- Center for Hormone Advanced Science and Education (CHASE), Roskamp Institute, Sarasota, FL 34243, United States.
| | - Meharvan Singh
- Department of Pharmacology and Neuroscience, Institute for Aging and Alzheimer's Disease Research (IAADR), Center FOR HER, University of North Texas, Health Science Center, Fort Worth, TX 76107, United States
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Abstract
Testosterone replacement improves quality of life and is aromatized in men in adipose tissues to estrogen. Hyperestrogenism is believed to be harmful to male sexuality. This is a description of our experience of screening 34,016 men in the Low T Centers, of which approximately 50% were converted to treatment. Men were treated with injectable testosterone, and we have available data from 2009 to 2014. The data were extracted from our electronic health record (AdvancedMD) of 35 Low T Centers across the United States. In all, 7,215 (20.2%) out of the 34,016 patients had high estradiol levels defined as ≥42.6 pg/ml. Estradiol was measured using electro-chemiluminescence immunoassay. Of the patients who had high estradiol levels, the age distribution was as follows: 132/989 (13.3%) were older than 65 years, 3,753/16,955 (22.1%) were between 45 and 65 years; 2,968/15,857 (18.7%) were between 25 and 44 years, 7/215 (3.3%) were younger than 25 years. The difference between extreme age groups (<25 and ≥65) was statistically significant using a chi-square test ( p = .013). The correlation coefficient of serum estradiol to age was .53, SD = 8.21. It was observed that practitioners used aromatase inhibitor and selective estrogen receptor modulator to treat symptoms of hyperestrogenism, irrespective of blood estradiol levels. Gynecomastia was rarely documented as a reason for the prescription. Our finding was that high estradiol levels were not associated with higher rates of low libido but established higher rates of documented low libido with those with normal or lower estradiol levels. The difference was statistically significant ( p < .05).
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