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Qin Z, He X, Gao Q, Li Y, Zhang Y, Wang H, Qin N, Wang C, Huang B, Shi Y, Liu C, Wang S, Zhang H, Li Y, Shi H, Tian X, Song L. Postweaning sodium citrate exposure induces long-lasting and sex-dependent effects on social behaviours in mice. Pharmacol Biochem Behav 2024:173807. [PMID: 38925482 DOI: 10.1016/j.pbb.2024.173807] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/09/2024] [Revised: 06/12/2024] [Accepted: 06/13/2024] [Indexed: 06/28/2024]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Postweaning is a pivotal period for brain development and individual growth. As an important chemical used in medicines, foods and beverages, sodium citrate (SC) is commonly available. Although some effects of SC exposure on individual physiology have been demonstrated, the potential long-lasting effects of postweaning dietary SC exposure on social behaviours are still elusive. METHODS Both postweaning male and female C57BL/6 mice were exposed to SC through drinking water for a total of 3 weeks. A series of behavioural tests, including social dominance test (SDT), social interaction test (SIT), bedding preference test (BPT) and sexual preference test (SPT), were performed in adolescence and adulthood. After these tests, serum oxytocin (OT) levels and gut microbiota were detected. RESULTS The behavioural results revealed that postweaning SC exposure decreased the social dominance of male mice in adulthood and female mice in both adolescence and adulthood. SC exposure also reduced the sexual preference rates of both males and females, while it had no effect on social interaction behaviour. ELISA results indicated that SC exposure decreased the serum OT levels of females but not males. 16S rRNA sequencing analysis revealed a significant difference in β-diversity after SC exposure in both males and females. The correlation coefficient indicated the correlation between social behaviours, OT levels and dominant genera of gut microbiota. CONCLUSION Our findings suggest that postweaning SC exposure may have enduring and sex-dependent effects on social behaviours, which may be correlated with altered serum OT levels and gut microbiota composition.
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Affiliation(s)
- Zihan Qin
- Neuroscience Research Center, Institute of Medical and Health Science of Hebei Medical University, Shijiazhuang 050017, China
| | - Xinyue He
- Neuroscience Research Center, Institute of Medical and Health Science of Hebei Medical University, Shijiazhuang 050017, China
| | - Qiang Gao
- Neuroscience Research Center, Institute of Medical and Health Science of Hebei Medical University, Shijiazhuang 050017, China; Hebei Key Laboratory of Neurophysiology (SZX2020013), Hebei Medical University, 050017, China
| | - Yuxin Li
- Neuroscience Research Center, Institute of Medical and Health Science of Hebei Medical University, Shijiazhuang 050017, China
| | - Yue Zhang
- Neuroscience Research Center, Institute of Medical and Health Science of Hebei Medical University, Shijiazhuang 050017, China
| | - Huajian Wang
- Neuroscience Research Center, Institute of Medical and Health Science of Hebei Medical University, Shijiazhuang 050017, China
| | - Na Qin
- Neuroscience Research Center, Institute of Medical and Health Science of Hebei Medical University, Shijiazhuang 050017, China
| | - Chen Wang
- Neuroscience Research Center, Institute of Medical and Health Science of Hebei Medical University, Shijiazhuang 050017, China
| | - Boya Huang
- Neuroscience Research Center, Institute of Medical and Health Science of Hebei Medical University, Shijiazhuang 050017, China; Hebei Key Laboratory of Neurophysiology (SZX2020013), Hebei Medical University, 050017, China
| | - Yun Shi
- Neuroscience Research Center, Institute of Medical and Health Science of Hebei Medical University, Shijiazhuang 050017, China; Hebei Key Laboratory of Neurophysiology (SZX2020013), Hebei Medical University, 050017, China
| | - Congcong Liu
- Neuroscience Research Center, Institute of Medical and Health Science of Hebei Medical University, Shijiazhuang 050017, China; Early Life Health Research Center, Hebei Medical University, Shijiazhuang 050017, China
| | - Sheng Wang
- Neuroscience Research Center, Institute of Medical and Health Science of Hebei Medical University, Shijiazhuang 050017, China; Hebei Key Laboratory of Neurophysiology (SZX2020013), Hebei Medical University, 050017, China
| | - Huifeng Zhang
- Neuroscience Research Center, Institute of Medical and Health Science of Hebei Medical University, Shijiazhuang 050017, China; Department of Pediatrics, The Second Hospital of Hebei Medical University, Shijiazhuang 050017, China; Early Life Health Research Center, Hebei Medical University, Shijiazhuang 050017, China
| | - Youdong Li
- Neuroscience Research Center, Institute of Medical and Health Science of Hebei Medical University, Shijiazhuang 050017, China; Early Life Health Research Center, Hebei Medical University, Shijiazhuang 050017, China
| | - Haishui Shi
- Neuroscience Research Center, Institute of Medical and Health Science of Hebei Medical University, Shijiazhuang 050017, China; Hebei Key Laboratory of Neurophysiology (SZX2020013), Hebei Medical University, 050017, China; Research Unit of Digestive Tract Microecosystem Pharmacology and Toxicology, Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences, Shijiazhuang 050017, China; Early Life Health Research Center, Hebei Medical University, Shijiazhuang 050017, China
| | - Xiaoyu Tian
- Neuroscience Research Center, Institute of Medical and Health Science of Hebei Medical University, Shijiazhuang 050017, China; Department of Pediatrics, The Second Hospital of Hebei Medical University, Shijiazhuang 050017, China.
| | - Li Song
- Neuroscience Research Center, Institute of Medical and Health Science of Hebei Medical University, Shijiazhuang 050017, China; Hebei Key Laboratory of Neurophysiology (SZX2020013), Hebei Medical University, 050017, China.
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Wright KA, Polk R, Lin T, Feifel D, Ebner NC. Four-week intranasal oxytocin administration reduces attachment avoidance in older women. Horm Behav 2023; 155:105413. [PMID: 37659357 PMCID: PMC10961710 DOI: 10.1016/j.yhbeh.2023.105413] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/10/2022] [Revised: 06/13/2023] [Accepted: 08/19/2023] [Indexed: 09/04/2023]
Abstract
The neuropeptide oxytocin (OT) serves as a critical modulator of social cognition and social behavior. Adult attachment is an affiliative process crucial for social interaction across adulthood. Insecure adult attachment comprises two broad dimensions, attachment anxiety and attachment avoidance. Both these dimensions of attachment are currently understudied regarding OT modulation, and especially in older adults. The present study determined the effects of chronic intranasal OT administration on adult attachment in generally healthy older women and men (aged 55-95 years). Embedded in a larger project, participants were randomly assigned to self-administer 24 international units of either OT or a placebo (P) intranasally twice daily for four weeks. The Experiences in Close Relationships Scale assessed adult attachment (anxiety and avoidance) pre- and post-treatment. There was no significant pre- to post-treatment change in attachment avoidance overall, but the treatment x timepoint x sex interaction was significant, in that women (but not men) in the OT (vs. P) group reported decreased attachment avoidance. No comparable effects were observed for attachment anxiety. Results suggest that older women may benefit from chronic intranasal OT treatment by experiencing less attachment avoidance in their adult relationships.
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Affiliation(s)
- Kylie A Wright
- Department of Psychology, University of Florida, Gainesville, FL, United States of America.
| | - Rebecca Polk
- Department of Psychology, University of Florida, Gainesville, FL, United States of America
| | - Tian Lin
- Department of Psychology, University of Florida, Gainesville, FL, United States of America
| | - David Feifel
- Department of Psychiatry, University of California, San Diego, CA, United States of America
| | - Natalie C Ebner
- Department of Psychology, University of Florida, Gainesville, FL, United States of America; Institute on Aging, University of Florida, Gainesville, FL, United States of America; Center for Cognitive Aging and Memory, University of Florida, Gainesville, FL, United States of America.
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Guoynes CD, Marler CA. Acute intranasal oxytocin dose enhances social preference for parents over peers in male but not female peri-adolescent California mice (Peromyscus californicus). Gen Comp Endocrinol 2023; 335:114230. [PMID: 36781024 DOI: 10.1016/j.ygcen.2023.114230] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/08/2022] [Revised: 11/10/2022] [Accepted: 02/08/2023] [Indexed: 02/13/2023]
Abstract
Peri-adolescence is a critical developmental stage marked by profound changes in the valence of social interactions with parents and peers. We hypothesized that the oxytocin (OXT) and vasopressin (AVP) systems, known for influencing social behavior, would be involved in the maintenance and breaking of bonding behavior expressed by very early peri-adolescent males and females. In rodents, OXT is associated with mother-pup bonding and may promote social attachment to members of the natal territory. AVP, on the other hand, can act in contrasting ways to OXT and has been associated with aggression and territoriality. Specifically, we predicted that in peri-adolescent male and female juveniles of the biparental and territorial California mouse (Peromyscus californicus), a) OXT would increase the social preferences for the parents over unfamiliar age-matched peers (one male and one female), and b) AVP would break the parent-offspring bond and either increase time in the neutral chamber and/or approach to their unfamiliar and novel peers. We examined anxiety and exploratory behavior using an elevated plus maze and a novel object task as a control. Peri-adolescent mice were administered an acute intranasal (IN) treatment of 0.5 IU/kg IN AVP, 0.5 IU/kg IN OXT, or saline control; five minutes later, the behavioral tests were conducted. As predicted, we found that IN OXT enhanced social preference for parents; however, this was only in male and not female peri-adolescent mice. IN AVP did not influence social preference in either sex. These effects appear specific to social behavior and not anxiety, as neither IN OXT nor AVP influenced behavior during the elevated plus maze or novel object tasks. To our knowledge, this is the first evidence indicating that OXT may play a role in promoting peri-adolescent social preferences for parents and delaying weaning in males.
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Affiliation(s)
- Caleigh D Guoynes
- Department of Psychology, University of Wisconsin-Madison, Madison, WI, USA; Center for Neuroscience Research, Children's National Hospital, Washington, DC, USA.
| | - Catherine A Marler
- Department of Psychology, University of Wisconsin-Madison, Madison, WI, USA.
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Exploring a Possible Interplay between Schizophrenia, Oxytocin, and Estrogens: A Narrative Review. Brain Sci 2023; 13:brainsci13030461. [PMID: 36979271 PMCID: PMC10046503 DOI: 10.3390/brainsci13030461] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/07/2023] [Revised: 03/01/2023] [Accepted: 03/06/2023] [Indexed: 03/11/2023] Open
Abstract
Schizophrenia is characterized by symptoms of psychosis and sociocognitive deficits. Considering oxytocin’s antipsychotic and prosocial properties, numerous clinical, and preclinical studies have explored the neuropeptide’s therapeutic efficacy. Sex differences in the clinical course of schizophrenia, as well as in oxytocin-mediated behaviors, indicate the involvement of gonadal steroid hormones. The current narrative review aimed to explore empirical evidence on the interplay between schizophrenia psychopathology and oxytocin’s therapeutic potential in consideration of female gonadal steroid interactions, with a focus on estrogens. The review was conducted using the PubMed and PsychINFO databases and conforms to the Scale for the Assessment of Narrative Review Articles (SANRA) guidelines. The results suggest a potential synergistic effect of the combined antipsychotic effect of oxytocin and neuroprotective effect of estrogen on schizophrenia. Consideration of typical menstrual cycle-related hormonal changes is warranted and further research is needed to confirm this assumption.
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Mental health and the effects on methylation of stress-related genes in front-line versus other health care professionals during the second wave of COVID-19 pandemic: an Italian pilot study. Eur Arch Psychiatry Clin Neurosci 2022; 273:347-356. [PMID: 36001138 PMCID: PMC9399986 DOI: 10.1007/s00406-022-01472-y] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/27/2022] [Accepted: 08/02/2022] [Indexed: 11/12/2022]
Abstract
Healthcare workers experienced high degree of stress during COVID-19. Purpose of the present article is to compare mental health (depressive and Post-Traumatic-Stress-Disorders-PTSD-symptoms) and epigenetics aspects (degree of methylation of stress-related genes) in front-line healthcare professionals versus healthcare working in non-COVID-19 wards. Sixty-eight healthcare workers were included in the study: 39 were working in COVID-19 wards (cases) and 29 in non-COVID wards (controls). From all participants, demographic and clinical information were collected by an ad-hoc questionnaire. Depressive and PTSD symptoms were evaluated by the Patient Health Questionnaire-9 (PHQ-9) and the Impact of Event Scale-Revised (IES-R), respectively. Methylation analyses of 9 promoter/regulatory regions of genes known to be implicated in depression/PTSD (ADCYAP1, BDNF, CRHR1, DRD2, IGF2, LSD1/KDM1A, NR3C1, OXTR, SLC6A4) were performed on DNA from blood samples by the MassARRAY EpiTYPER platform, with MassCleave settings. Controls showed more frequent lifetime history of anxiety/depression with respect to cases (χ2 = 5.72, p = 0.03). On the contrary, cases versus controls presented higher PHQ-9 (t = 2.13, p = 0.04), PHQ-9 sleep item (t = 2.26, p = 0.03), IES-R total (t = 2.17, p = 0.03), IES-R intrusion (t = 2.46, p = 0.02), IES-R avoidance (t = 1.99, p = 0.05) mean total scores. Methylation levels at CRHR1, DRD2 and LSD1 genes was significantly higher in cases with respect to controls (p < 0.01, p = 0.03 and p = 0.03, respectively). Frontline health professionals experienced more negative effects on mental health during COVID-19 pandemic than non-frontline healthcare workers. Methylation levels were increased in genes regulating HPA axis (CRHR1) and dopamine neurotransmission (DRD2 and LSD1), thus supporting the involvement of these biological processes in depression/PTSD and indicating that methylation of these genes can be modulated by stress conditions, such as working as healthcare front-line during COVID-19 pandemic.
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Jiang S, Wang YQ, Tang Y, Lu X, Guo D. Environmental Enrichment Protects Against Sepsis-Associated Encephalopathy-Induced Learning and Memory Deficits by Enhancing the Synthesis and Release of Vasopressin in the Supraoptic Nucleus. J Inflamm Res 2022; 15:363-379. [PMID: 35079222 PMCID: PMC8776728 DOI: 10.2147/jir.s345108] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/03/2021] [Accepted: 01/07/2022] [Indexed: 12/28/2022] Open
Abstract
Background As a severe complication of sepsis, sepsis-associated encephalopathy (SAE) usually manifests as impaired learning and memory ability in survivors. Previous studies have reported that environmental enrichment (EE) can increase the learning and memory ability in different brain injury models. However, there has been no research on the possible positive effect of EE on SAE. Aim The present study aimed to test the effect of EE on SAE-induced impairment of learning and memory and its related mechanisms. Methods A Morris water maze test (MWM) was used to evaluate the learning and memory ability of SAE rats that received EE housing or not. The expression of vasopressin (VP) was assessed using immunofluorescence microscopy and enzyme-linked immunosorbent assays (ELISAs). The synthesis of VP in the supraoptic nucleus (SON) was determined using quantitative real-time reverse transcription-PCR analysis. Moreover, inflammatory markers and brain-derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF) were detected using ELISA. Results The results showed that SAE induced a decreased learning and memory ability, while EE reversed this impairment. EE also enhanced the synthesis and secretion of VP in the SON. Blocking the action of VP in the hippocampus interrupted the EE-induced amelioration of learning and memory impairment. Moreover, EE induced changes to the levels of BDNF and cytokines in the hippocampus and these effects were mediated by VP binding to the VP receptor 1a. Conclusion Our findings demonstrated that the enhanced synthesis and secretion of VP in the SON are a key determinant responsible for EE-induced alleviation of learning and memory deficits caused by SAE.
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Affiliation(s)
- Shan Jiang
- Department of Rehabilitation Medicine, the China-Japan Friendship Hospital, Beijing, 100029, People’s Republic of China
- Correspondence: Shan Jiang, Department of Rehabilitation Medicine, the China-Japan Friendship Hospital, No. 2 Ying Hua Yuan East Street, Beijing, 100029, People’s Republic of China, Tel +86 10 84205288, Fax +86 10 64217749, Email
| | - Yong-Qiang Wang
- Department of Ophthalmology, the Sunshine Union Hospital, Weifang, Shandong, 261071, People’s Republic of China
| | - Yifei Tang
- Department of Rehabilitation Medicine, the China-Japan Friendship Hospital, Beijing, 100029, People’s Republic of China
| | - Xi Lu
- Department of Rehabilitation Medicine, the China-Japan Friendship Hospital, Beijing, 100029, People’s Republic of China
| | - Dan Guo
- Department of Rehabilitation Medicine, the China-Japan Friendship Hospital, Beijing, 100029, People’s Republic of China
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