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Karim A, Anwar F, Saleem U, Fatima S, Ismail T, Obaidullah AJ, Khayat RO, Alqahtani MJ, Alsharif I, Khan H, Vargas-De-La-Cruz C, Shah MA. Administration of α-lipoic acid and silymarin attenuates aggression by modulating endocrine, oxidative stress and inflammatory pathways in mice. Metab Brain Dis 2023; 38:2255-2267. [PMID: 37458892 DOI: 10.1007/s11011-023-01258-8] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/10/2023] [Accepted: 06/23/2023] [Indexed: 09/16/2023]
Abstract
Aggression, a highly prevalent behavior among all the psychological disorders having strong association with psychiatric imbalance, neuroendocrine changes and neurological disturbances (including oxidative stress & neuroinflammation) require both pharmacological and non-pharmacological treatments. Focusing the preclinical neuroendocrine determinants of aggression, this interventional study was designed to elucidate the curative effect of antioxidants on aggression in male mice. Adult albino male mice (n = 140) randomly divided into two main treatment groups for α-lipoic acid (ALA) and silymarin with 5 subgroups (n = 10) for each curative study, namely control, disease (aggression-induced), standard (diazepam, 2.5 mg/kg), low dose (100 mg/kg) and high dose (200 mg/kg) treatment groups of selected antioxidants. Resident-intruder paradigm and levodopa (L-dopa 375 mg/kg, p.o.) induced models were used for aggression. Effect of antioxidant treatment (i.e., 21 days bid) on aggression was assessed by evaluating the changes in aggressive behavior, oxidative stress biomarkers superoxide dismutase, catalase, glutathione, nitrite and malondialdehyde (SOD, CAT, GSH, nitrite & MDA), neurotransmitters (dopamine, nor-adrenaline and serotonin), pro-inflammatory cytokines tumor necrosis factor-α and interleukin- 6 (TNF-α & IL-6) along with serum testosterone examination. This study showed potential ameliorative effect on aggressive behavior with both low (100 mg/kg) and high (200 mg/kg) doses of antioxidants (ALA & silymarin). Resident-intruder or L-dopa induced aggression in male mice was more significantly tuned with ALA treatment than silymarin via down regulating both oxidative stress and inflammatory biomarkers. ALA also exhibited notable effects in managing aggression-induced disturbances on plasma testosterone levels. In conclusion, ALA is more effective than silymarin in attenuating aggression in mice.
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Affiliation(s)
- Adnan Karim
- Riphah Institute of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Riphah International University, Lahore, Pakistan
| | - Fareeha Anwar
- Riphah Institute of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Riphah International University, Lahore, Pakistan.
| | - Uzma Saleem
- Department of Pharmacology, Faculty of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Government College University, Faisalabad, Pakistan.
| | - Saniya Fatima
- Riphah Institute of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Riphah International University, Lahore, Pakistan
| | - Tariq Ismail
- Department of Pharmacy, COMSAT University, Abbottabad, Pakistan
| | - Ahmad J Obaidullah
- Department of Pharmaceutical Chemistry, College of Pharmacy, King Saud University, Riyadh, 11451, Saudi Arabia
| | - Rana O Khayat
- Department of Biology, College of Applied Sciences, Umm Al-Qura University, Makkah, 21955, Saudi Arabia
| | - Moneerah J Alqahtani
- Department of Pharmacognosy, College of Pharmacy, King Saud University, Riyadh, 11451, Saudi Arabia
| | - Ifat Alsharif
- Department of Biology, Jamoum University College, Umm Al-Qura University, Makkah, 21955, Saudi Arabia
| | - Haroon Khan
- Department of Pharmacy, Abdul Wali Khan University, Mardan, Pakistan
| | - Celia Vargas-De-La-Cruz
- Department of Pharmacology, Bromatology, Toxicology, Faculty of Pharmacy and Biochemistry, Universidad Nacional Mayor de San Marcos, Jr. Puno 1002, Lima, 15001, Peru
- E-Health Research Center, Universidad de Ciencias Y Humanidades, Lima, 15001, Peru
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Caminski ES, Antunes FTT, Souza IA, Dallegrave E, Zamponi GW. Regulation of N-type calcium channels by nociceptin receptors and its possible role in neurological disorders. Mol Brain 2022; 15:95. [PMID: 36434658 PMCID: PMC9700961 DOI: 10.1186/s13041-022-00982-z] [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: 10/11/2022] [Accepted: 11/15/2022] [Indexed: 11/27/2022] Open
Abstract
Activation of nociceptin opioid peptide receptors (NOP, a.k.a. opioid-like receptor-1, ORL-1) by the ligand nociceptin/orphanin FQ, leads to G protein-dependent regulation of Cav2.2 (N-type) voltage-gated calcium channels (VGCCs). This typically causes a reduction in calcium currents, triggering changes in presynaptic calcium levels and thus neurotransmission. Because of the widespread expression patterns of NOP and VGCCs across multiple brain regions, the dorsal horn of the spinal cord, and the dorsal root ganglia, this results in the alteration of numerous neurophysiological features. Here we review the regulation of N-type calcium channels by the NOP-nociceptin system in the context of neurological conditions such as anxiety, addiction, and pain.
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Affiliation(s)
- Emanuelle Sistherenn Caminski
- grid.412344.40000 0004 0444 6202Graduate Program in Health Sciences, Laboratory of Research in Toxicology (LAPETOX), Federal University of Health Sciences of Porto Alegre, Porto Alegre, RS Brazil
| | - Flavia Tasmin Techera Antunes
- grid.22072.350000 0004 1936 7697Department of Clinical Neurosciences, University of Calgary, Calgary, AB Canada ,grid.22072.350000 0004 1936 7697Hotchkiss Brain Institute, University of Calgary, Calgary, AB Canada
| | - Ivana Assis Souza
- grid.22072.350000 0004 1936 7697Department of Clinical Neurosciences, University of Calgary, Calgary, AB Canada ,grid.22072.350000 0004 1936 7697Hotchkiss Brain Institute, University of Calgary, Calgary, AB Canada
| | - Eliane Dallegrave
- grid.412344.40000 0004 0444 6202Graduate Program in Health Sciences, Laboratory of Research in Toxicology (LAPETOX), Federal University of Health Sciences of Porto Alegre, Porto Alegre, RS Brazil
| | - Gerald W. Zamponi
- grid.22072.350000 0004 1936 7697Department of Clinical Neurosciences, University of Calgary, Calgary, AB Canada ,grid.22072.350000 0004 1936 7697Hotchkiss Brain Institute, University of Calgary, Calgary, AB Canada
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Kupcova I, Danisovic L, Grgac I, Harsanyi S. Anxiety and Depression: What Do We Know of Neuropeptides? Behav Sci (Basel) 2022; 12:262. [PMID: 36004833 PMCID: PMC9405013 DOI: 10.3390/bs12080262] [Citation(s) in RCA: 12] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/07/2022] [Revised: 07/11/2022] [Accepted: 07/27/2022] [Indexed: 12/04/2022] Open
Abstract
In modern society, there has been a rising trend of depression and anxiety. This trend heavily impacts the population's mental health and thus contributes significantly to morbidity and, in the worst case, to suicides. Modern medicine, with many antidepressants and anxiolytics at hand, is still unable to achieve remission in many patients. The pathophysiology of depression and anxiety is still only marginally understood, which encouraged researchers to focus on neuropeptides, as they are a vast group of signaling molecules in the nervous system. Neuropeptides are involved in the regulation of many physiological functions. Some act as neuromodulators and are often co-released with neurotransmitters that allow for reciprocal communication between the brain and the body. Most studied in the past were the antidepressant and anxiolytic effects of oxytocin, vasopressin or neuropeptide Y and S, or Substance P. However, in recent years, more and more novel neuropeptides have been added to the list, with implications for the research and development of new targets, diagnostic elements, and even therapies to treat anxiety and depressive disorders. In this review, we take a close look at all currently studied neuropeptides, their related pathways, their roles in stress adaptation, and the etiology of anxiety and depression in humans and animal models. We will focus on the latest research and information regarding these associated neuropeptides and thus picture their potential uses in the future.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ida Kupcova
- Institute of Medical Biology, Genetics and Clinical Genetics, Faculty of Medicine, Comenius University in Bratislava, Sasinkova 4, 811 08 Bratislava, Slovakia; (I.K.); (L.D.)
| | - Lubos Danisovic
- Institute of Medical Biology, Genetics and Clinical Genetics, Faculty of Medicine, Comenius University in Bratislava, Sasinkova 4, 811 08 Bratislava, Slovakia; (I.K.); (L.D.)
| | - Ivan Grgac
- Institute of Anatomy, Faculty of Medicine, Comenius University in Bratislava, Sasinkova 4, 811 08 Bratislava, Slovakia;
| | - Stefan Harsanyi
- Institute of Medical Biology, Genetics and Clinical Genetics, Faculty of Medicine, Comenius University in Bratislava, Sasinkova 4, 811 08 Bratislava, Slovakia; (I.K.); (L.D.)
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Holanda VAD, Oliveira MC, Da Silva Junior ED, Calo' G, Ruzza C, Gavioli EC. Blockade of nociceptin/orphanin FQ signaling facilitates an active copying strategy due to acute and repeated stressful stimuli in mice. Neurobiol Stress 2020; 13:100255. [PMID: 33344710 PMCID: PMC7739191 DOI: 10.1016/j.ynstr.2020.100255] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/13/2020] [Revised: 08/26/2020] [Accepted: 10/01/2020] [Indexed: 02/02/2023] Open
Abstract
The role of stress in the etiology of depression has been largely reported. In this line, exogenous glucocorticoids are employed to mimic the influence of stress on the development of depression. The N/OFQ-NOP receptor system has been implicated in the modulation of stress and emotional behaviors. In fact, the blockade of NOP receptors induces antidepressant effects and increases resilience to acute stress. This study investigated the effects of the NOP receptor blockade on dexamethasone-treated mice exposed to acute and prolonged swimming stress. Swiss and NOP(+/+) and NOP(−/−) mice were treated with dexamethasone, and the protective effects of the NOP antagonist SB-612111 (10 mg/kg, ip) or imipramine (20 mg/kg, ip) were investigated in three swimming sessions. The re-exposure to swim stress increased immobility time in Swiss and NOP(+/+), but not in NOP(−/−) mice. Acute and repeated dexamethasone administration induced a further increase in the immobility time, and facilitated body weight loss in Swiss mice. Single administration of SB-612111, but not imipramine, prevented swimming stress- and dexamethasone-induced increase in the immobility time. Repeated administrations of SB-612111 prevented the deleterious effects of 5 days of dexamethasone treatment. Imipramine also partially prevented the effects of repeated glucocorticoid administration on the immobility time, but did not affect the body weight loss. NOP(−/−) mice were more resistant than NOP(+/+) mice to inescapable swimming stress, but not dexamethasone-induced increase in the immobility time and body weight loss. In conclusion, the blockade of the NOP receptor facilitates an active stress copying response and attenuates body weight loss due to repeated stress.
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Key Words
- ACTH, adrenocorticotropic hormone
- CRF, corticotrophin releasing factor
- Dexamethasone
- Forced swimming test
- GR, glucocorticoid receptor
- HPA, hypothalamus-pituitary-adrenal axis
- LPS, lipopolysaccharide
- MR, mineralocorticoid receptor
- Mouse
- N/OFQ, nociceptin/orphanin FQ
- NOP receptor
- NOP, nociceptin/orphanin FQ peptide receptor
- Nociceptin/orphanin FQ
- POMC, opiomelanocortin
- SB-612111
- SPF, specific pathogen-free
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Affiliation(s)
- Victor A D Holanda
- Department of Biophysics and Pharmacology, Federal University of Rio Grande Do Norte, Natal, RN, Brazil
| | - Matheus C Oliveira
- Department of Biophysics and Pharmacology, Federal University of Rio Grande Do Norte, Natal, RN, Brazil
| | - Edilson D Da Silva Junior
- Department of Biophysics and Pharmacology, Federal University of Rio Grande Do Norte, Natal, RN, Brazil
| | - Girolamo Calo'
- Department of Medical Sciences, Section of Pharmacology, University of Ferrara, Ferrara, Italy
| | - Chiara Ruzza
- Department of Medical Sciences, Section of Pharmacology, University of Ferrara, Ferrara, Italy.,Technopole of Ferrara, LTTA Laboratory for Advanced Therapies, Ferrara, Italy
| | - Elaine C Gavioli
- Department of Biophysics and Pharmacology, Federal University of Rio Grande Do Norte, Natal, RN, Brazil
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Asth L, Tiago PRF, Costa LRF, Holanda VAD, Pacifico S, Zaveri NT, Calo' G, Ruzza C, Gavioli EC. Effects of non-peptide nociceptin/orphanin FQ receptor ligands on methylphenidate-induced hyperactivity in mice: Implications for bipolar disorders. Neuropeptides 2020; 82:102059. [PMID: 32600667 DOI: 10.1016/j.npep.2020.102059] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/24/2020] [Revised: 06/09/2020] [Accepted: 06/09/2020] [Indexed: 01/11/2023]
Abstract
Bipolar disorder is a psychiatric pathology characterized by biphasic mood episodes of mania or hypomania and depression. The pharmacotherapy of bipolar disorder has significant adverse effects impairing treatment adherence and patient quality of life. The N/OFQ-NOP receptor system has been widely implicated with mood disorders. Clinical and preclinical findings suggest antidepressants actions for NOP antagonists. More recently, the administration of NOP agonists has shown to promote depressant states. The present study aimed to investigate the effects of non-peptide NOP ligands in methylphenidate-induced manic-like behavior in mice. The NOP agonist Ro 65-6570 (0.01-1 mg/kg, ip), at the higher dose, did not affect spontaneous locomotion per se, but prevented the methylphenidate (10 mg/kg, sc)-induced hyperlocomotion. The NOP partial agonist AT-090 (0.001-0.03 mg/kg, ip) and the NOP antagonist SB-612111 (1-10 mg/kg, ip) did not significantly affect the psychostimulant-induced hyperactivity. Experiments performed with mice lacking the NOP receptor (NOP(-/-)) demonstrated that the treatment with methylphenidate induced similar hyperlocomotion in NOP(-/-) and NOP(+/+) mice. In conclusion, these findings suggest a potential role for NOP agonists in the prevention of manic states, especially by counteracting the hyperactivity symptom of bipolar patients. However, more studies are necessary in order to evaluate these compounds in other features of bipolar disorder.
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Affiliation(s)
- Laila Asth
- Department of Biophysics and Pharmacology, Federal University of Rio Grande do Norte, Natal, Brazil
| | - Pamella R F Tiago
- Department of Biophysics and Pharmacology, Federal University of Rio Grande do Norte, Natal, Brazil
| | - Layse R F Costa
- Department of Biophysics and Pharmacology, Federal University of Rio Grande do Norte, Natal, Brazil
| | - Victor A D Holanda
- Department of Biophysics and Pharmacology, Federal University of Rio Grande do Norte, Natal, Brazil
| | - Salvatore Pacifico
- Department of Chemical and Pharmaceutical Sciences, University of Ferrara, 44121 Ferrara, Italy
| | - Nurulain T Zaveri
- Astraea Therapeutics, LLC., 320 Logue Avenue, Mountain View, CA 94043, United States
| | - Girolamo Calo'
- Department of Medical Sciences, Section of Pharmacology, University of Ferrara, 44121 Ferrara, Italy
| | - Chiara Ruzza
- Department of Medical Sciences, Section of Pharmacology, University of Ferrara, 44121 Ferrara, Italy; Technopole of Ferrara, LTTA Laboratory for Advanced Therapies, Ferrara, Italy
| | - Elaine C Gavioli
- Department of Biophysics and Pharmacology, Federal University of Rio Grande do Norte, Natal, Brazil.
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Blockade of NOP receptor modulates anxiety-related behaviors in mice exposed to inescapable stress. Psychopharmacology (Berl) 2020; 237:1633-1642. [PMID: 32095915 DOI: 10.1007/s00213-020-05487-y] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/19/2019] [Accepted: 02/14/2020] [Indexed: 02/03/2023]
Abstract
RATIONALE Depression and anxiety frequently co-occur, and this has important clinical implications. Previous studies showed that activation of the nociceptin/orphanin FQ receptor (NOP) elicits anxiolytic effects, while its blockade promotes consistent antidepressant actions. NOP antagonists are effective in reversing footshock-induced depressive-like behaviors, but their effects on stress-induced anxiety are still unclear. OBJECTIVE This study aimed to investigate the effects of the NOP antagonist SB-612111 on footshock stress-induced anxiety behaviors. METHODS Male Swiss mice were exposed to inescapable electric footshock stress, and behavioral phenotype was screened based on the ability to escape from footshock (i.e., helpless or non-helpless). Animals were then treated with diazepam (1 mg/kg) and SB-612111 (0.1-10 mg/kg), and their behavior was assessed in the elevated plus-maze (EPM) and open field test. RESULTS When compared with non-stressed mice, helpless, but not non-helpless, animals displayed significant reductions in the time spent in and entries into open arms in the EPM. Diazepam significantly increased open arms exploration in helpless, non-helpless, and non-stressed mice. However, treatment with the NOP antagonist SB-612111 was inactive in naive mice, while it reversed anxiogenic-related behaviors in helpless mice and increased anxiety states in non-helpless mice. No effects on locomotion were observed. CONCLUSION Helpless mice displayed increased anxiety compared to non-stressed and non-helpless animals, thus supporting use of this approach as an animal model to investigate anxiety/depression comorbidity. Additionally, SB-612111 modulated anxiety-like behaviors in male mice depending on individual stress susceptibility. Ultimately, NOP antagonists could be useful for treating anxiety in depressed patients.
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Barjasteh-Askari F, Davoudi M, Amini H, Ghorbani M, Yaseri M, Yunesian M, Mahvi AH, Lester D. Relationship between suicide mortality and lithium in drinking water: A systematic review and meta-analysis. J Affect Disord 2020; 264:234-241. [PMID: 32056756 DOI: 10.1016/j.jad.2019.12.027] [Citation(s) in RCA: 30] [Impact Index Per Article: 7.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/22/2019] [Revised: 12/13/2019] [Accepted: 12/19/2019] [Indexed: 02/07/2023]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Lithium at therapeutic doses has protective effects against suicide in clinical practice. This meta-analysis aimed to investigate the relationship between lithium concentration in drinking water and suicide mortality in the general population. METHODS A systematic search was conducted in Web of Knowledge, PubMed, ScienceDirect, and Scopus to find papers reporting the crude relationship between drinking water lithium and suicide incidence in the general population until June 2019. The pooled effect measure was expressed as odds ratio (OR) and 95% confidence interval (CI) using the random-effects model. RESULTS We retrieved 308 English original articles, of which 13 ecologic studies with a total sample size of 939 regions and one cohort study with a sample size of 3,740,113 people were eligible for the meta-analysis. A significant relationship was found between the lithium concentration in drinking water and reduced suicide mortality (OR= 0.42; 95% CI: 0.27-0.67; p-value <0.01). Ten studies reported gender-specific responses to lithium, with the pooled estimates as follows: OR= 0.54; 95% CI: 0.35-0.84; p-value <0.01 for men, OR= 0.70; 95% CI: 0.48-1.01; p-value =0.057 for women, and OR= 0.63; 95% CI: 0.47-0.83; p-value <0.01 for total. LIMITATIONS The study was limited to the assessment of the crude relationship between lithium exposure and suicide rate without considering the role of confounders. CONCLUSIONS Lithium in drinking water is dose-dependently associated with reduced suicide mortality at least in ecological studies. However, we need well-designed clinical trials to confirm the protective effect of drinking water lithium intake against suicide.
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Affiliation(s)
- Fateme Barjasteh-Askari
- Department of Environmental Health Engineering, School of Public Health, Tehran University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran; Department of Environmental Health Engineering, School of Health, Torbat Heydariyeh University of Medical Sciences, Torbat Heydariyeh, Iran; Health Sciences Research Center, Torbat Heydariyeh University of Medical Sciences, Torbat Heydariyeh, Iran
| | - Mojtaba Davoudi
- Social Determinants of Health Research Center, Mashhad University of Medical Sciences, Mashhad, Iran; Department of Environmental Health Engineering, School of Health, Mashhad University of Medical Sciences, Mashhad, Iran
| | - Homayoun Amini
- Department of Psychiatry & Psychosomatic Medicine Research Center, Tehran University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran
| | - Mohammad Ghorbani
- Health Sciences Research Center, Torbat Heydariyeh University of Medical Sciences, Torbat Heydariyeh, Iran; Department of Public Health, School of Health, Torbat Heydariyeh University of Medical Sciences, Torbat Heydariyeh, Iran
| | - Mehdi Yaseri
- Department of Epidemiology and Biostatistics, School of Public Health, Tehran University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran
| | - Masoud Yunesian
- Department of Environmental Health Engineering, School of Public Health, Tehran University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran; Department of Research Methodology and Data Analysis, Institute for Environmental Research (IER),Tehran University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran
| | - Amir Hossein Mahvi
- Department of Environmental Health Engineering, School of Public Health, Tehran University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran; Center for Solid Waste Research, Institute for Environmental Research, Tehran University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran.
| | - David Lester
- Distinguished Professor of Psychology, Emeritus, Stockton University, Galloway, NJ, USA
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Holanda VAD, Pacifico S, Azevedo Neto J, Finetti L, Lobão-Soares B, Calo G, Gavioli EC, Ruzza C. Modulation of the NOP receptor signaling affects resilience to acute stress. J Psychopharmacol 2019; 33:1540-1549. [PMID: 31337258 DOI: 10.1177/0269881119864942] [Citation(s) in RCA: 14] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/11/2022]
Abstract
BACKGROUND The peptide nociceptin/orphanin FQ (N/OFQ) and its receptor (NOP) are implicated in the modulation of emotional states. Previous human and rodent findings support NOP antagonists as antidepressants. However, the role played by the N/OFQ-NOP receptor system in resilience to stress is unclear. AIMS The present study investigated the effects of activation or blockade of NOP receptor signaling before exposure to acute stress. METHODS The behavioral effects of the administration before stress of the NOP agonists Ro 65-6570 (0.01-1 mg/kg) and MCOPPB (0.1-10 mg/kg), and the NOP antagonist SB-612111 (1-10 mg/kg) were assessed in mice exposed to inescapable electric footshock and forced swim as stressors. The behavioral phenotype of mice lacking the NOP receptor (NOP(-/-)) exposed to inescapable electric footshock was also investigated. RESULTS The activation of NOP receptor signaling with the agonists increased the percentage of mice developing helpless behavior and facilitated immobile posture. In contrast, the blockade of NOP receptor reduced the acquisition of depressive-like phenotypes, and similar resistance to develop helpless behaviors was observed in NOP(-/-) mice. Under the same stressful conditions, the antidepressant nortriptyline (20 mg/kg) did not change the acquisition of helpless behavior and immobile posture. CONCLUSIONS These findings support the view that NOP activation during acute stress facilitates the development of depressive-related behaviors, whereas NOP blockade has a protective outcome. This study showed for first time that NOP antagonists are worthy of investigation as preemptive treatments in patients with severe risk factors for depression.
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MESH Headings
- Animals
- Behavior, Animal/drug effects
- Benzimidazoles/administration & dosage
- Benzimidazoles/pharmacology
- Cycloheptanes/administration & dosage
- Cycloheptanes/pharmacology
- Depression/drug therapy
- Depression/physiopathology
- Disease Models, Animal
- Dose-Response Relationship, Drug
- Female
- Imidazoles/administration & dosage
- Imidazoles/pharmacology
- Male
- Mice
- Mice, Knockout
- Nortriptyline/pharmacology
- Opioid Peptides/metabolism
- Piperidines/administration & dosage
- Piperidines/pharmacology
- Receptors, Opioid/drug effects
- Receptors, Opioid/genetics
- Receptors, Opioid/metabolism
- Resilience, Psychological/drug effects
- Spiro Compounds/administration & dosage
- Spiro Compounds/pharmacology
- Stress, Psychological/drug therapy
- Stress, Psychological/physiopathology
- Nociceptin Receptor
- Nociceptin
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Affiliation(s)
- Victor A D Holanda
- Behavioral Pharmacology Laboratory, Department of Biophysics and Pharmacology, Federal University of Rio Grande do Norte, Natal, Brazil
| | - Salvatore Pacifico
- Department of Chemistry and Pharmaceutical Sciences, University of Ferrara, Ferrara, Italy
| | - Joaquim Azevedo Neto
- Department of Medical Sciences, Section of Pharmacology, and National Institute of Neuroscience, University of Ferrara, Ferrara, Italy
| | - Luca Finetti
- Department of Life Sciences and Biotechnology, University of Ferrara, Ferrara, Italy
| | - Bruno Lobão-Soares
- Behavioral Pharmacology Laboratory, Department of Biophysics and Pharmacology, Federal University of Rio Grande do Norte, Natal, Brazil
| | - Girolamo Calo
- Department of Medical Sciences, Section of Pharmacology, and National Institute of Neuroscience, University of Ferrara, Ferrara, Italy
| | - Elaine C Gavioli
- Behavioral Pharmacology Laboratory, Department of Biophysics and Pharmacology, Federal University of Rio Grande do Norte, Natal, Brazil
| | - Chiara Ruzza
- Department of Medical Sciences, Section of Pharmacology, and National Institute of Neuroscience, University of Ferrara, Ferrara, Italy
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9
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Brunori G, Weger M, Schoch J, Targowska-Duda K, Barnes M, Borruto AM, Rorick-Kehn LM, Zaveri NT, Pintar JE, Ciccocioppo R, Toll L, Cippitelli A. NOP Receptor Antagonists Decrease Alcohol Drinking in the Dark in C57BL/6J Mice. Alcohol Clin Exp Res 2019; 43:2167-2178. [PMID: 31386211 DOI: 10.1111/acer.14165] [Citation(s) in RCA: 15] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/21/2019] [Accepted: 07/25/2019] [Indexed: 12/11/2022]
Abstract
BACKGROUND The nociceptin/orphanin FQ opioid peptide (NOP) receptor and its endogenous ligand N/OFQ have been implicated in the regulation of drug and alcohol use disorders (AUD). In particular, evidence demonstrated that NOP receptor activation blocks reinforcing and motivating effects of alcohol across a range of behavioral measures, including alcohol intake, conditioned place preference, and vulnerability to relapse. METHODS Here, we show the effects of pharmacological activation and inhibition of NOP receptors on binge-like alcohol consumption, as measured by the "drinking in the dark" (DID) model in C57BL/6J mice. RESULTS We found that 2 potent and selective NOP agonists AT-202 (0, 0.3, 1, 3 mg/kg) and AT-312 (0, 0.3, 1 mg/kg) did not affect binge alcohol drinking at doses that do not affect locomotor activity. AT-202 also failed to alter DID behavior when administered to mice previously exposed to chronic alcohol treatment with an alcohol-containing liquid diet. Conversely, treatment with either the high affinity NOP receptor antagonist SB-612111 (0, 3, 10, 30 mg/kg) or the selective antagonist LY2817412 (0, 3, 10, 30 mg/kg) decreased binge drinking. SB-612111 was effective at all doses examined, and LY2817412 was effective at 30 mg/kg. Consistently, NOP receptor knockout mice consumed less alcohol compared to wild type. SB-612111 reduced DID and increased sucrose consumption at doses that do not appear to affect locomotor activity. However, the high dose of SB-612111 (30 mg/kg) reduced alcohol intake but failed to inhibit preference in a 2-bottle choice DID model that can assess moderate alcohol intake. CONCLUSIONS The present results suggest that NOP receptor inhibition rather than activation may represent a valuable approach for treatment of AUD characterized by excessive alcohol consumption such as binge drinking.
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Affiliation(s)
- Gloria Brunori
- Department of Biomedical Science, Charles E. Schmidt College of Medicine, Florida Atlantic University, Boca Raton, Florida.,Torrey Pines Institute for Molecular Studies, Port St. Lucie, Florida.,Pharmacology Unit, School of Pharmacy, University of Camerino, Camerino, Italy
| | - Michelle Weger
- Torrey Pines Institute for Molecular Studies, Port St. Lucie, Florida
| | - Jennifer Schoch
- Department of Biomedical Science, Charles E. Schmidt College of Medicine, Florida Atlantic University, Boca Raton, Florida.,Torrey Pines Institute for Molecular Studies, Port St. Lucie, Florida
| | - Katarzyna Targowska-Duda
- Department of Biomedical Science, Charles E. Schmidt College of Medicine, Florida Atlantic University, Boca Raton, Florida.,Department of Biopharmacy, Medical University of Lublin, Lublin, Poland
| | - Megan Barnes
- Department of Biomedical Science, Charles E. Schmidt College of Medicine, Florida Atlantic University, Boca Raton, Florida
| | - Anna Maria Borruto
- Pharmacology Unit, School of Pharmacy, University of Camerino, Camerino, Italy
| | | | | | - John E Pintar
- Department of Neuroscience and Cell Biology, Rutgers Robert Wood Johnson Medical School, Piscataway, New Jersey
| | - Roberto Ciccocioppo
- Pharmacology Unit, School of Pharmacy, University of Camerino, Camerino, Italy
| | - Lawrence Toll
- Department of Biomedical Science, Charles E. Schmidt College of Medicine, Florida Atlantic University, Boca Raton, Florida.,Torrey Pines Institute for Molecular Studies, Port St. Lucie, Florida
| | - Andrea Cippitelli
- Department of Biomedical Science, Charles E. Schmidt College of Medicine, Florida Atlantic University, Boca Raton, Florida.,Torrey Pines Institute for Molecular Studies, Port St. Lucie, Florida
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