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Jiang Y, Dong Y, Hu H. The N-methyl-d-aspartate receptor hypothesis of ketamine's antidepressant action: evidence and controversies. Philos Trans R Soc Lond B Biol Sci 2024; 379:20230225. [PMID: 38853549 PMCID: PMC11343275 DOI: 10.1098/rstb.2023.0225] [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: 10/10/2023] [Revised: 12/26/2023] [Accepted: 01/02/2024] [Indexed: 06/11/2024] Open
Abstract
Substantial clinical evidence has unravelled the superior antidepressant efficacy of ketamine: in comparison to traditional antidepressants targeting the monoamine systems, ketamine, as an N-methyl-d-aspartate receptor (NMDAR) antagonist, acts much faster and more potently. Surrounding the antidepressant mechanisms of ketamine, there is ample evidence supporting an NMDAR-antagonism-based hypothesis. However, alternative arguments also exist, mostly derived from the controversial clinical results of other NMDAR inhibitors. In this article, we first summarize the historical development of the NMDAR-centred hypothesis of rapid antidepressants. We then classify different NMDAR inhibitors based on their mechanisms of inhibition and evaluate preclinical as well as clinical evidence of their antidepressant effects. Finally, we critically analyse controversies and arguments surrounding ketamine's NMDAR-dependent and NMDAR-independent antidepressant action. A better understanding of ketamine's molecular targets and antidepressant mechanisms should shed light on the future development of better treatment for depression. This article is part of a discussion meeting issue 'Long-term potentiation: 50 years on'.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yihao Jiang
- Department of Affiliated Mental Health Center & Hangzhou Seventh People’s Hospital and School of Brain Science and Brain Medicine, Zhejiang University School of Medicine, Hangzhou310058, People's Republic of China
- Nanhu Brain-Computer Interface Institute, MOE Frontier Science Center for Brain Science and Brain-Machine Integration, State Key Laboratory of Brain-Machine Intelligence, New Cornerstone Science Laboratory, Zhejiang University, Hangzhou311100, People's Republic of China
| | - Yiyan Dong
- Department of Affiliated Mental Health Center & Hangzhou Seventh People’s Hospital and School of Brain Science and Brain Medicine, Zhejiang University School of Medicine, Hangzhou310058, People's Republic of China
| | - Hailan Hu
- Department of Affiliated Mental Health Center & Hangzhou Seventh People’s Hospital and School of Brain Science and Brain Medicine, Zhejiang University School of Medicine, Hangzhou310058, People's Republic of China
- Nanhu Brain-Computer Interface Institute, MOE Frontier Science Center for Brain Science and Brain-Machine Integration, State Key Laboratory of Brain-Machine Intelligence, New Cornerstone Science Laboratory, Zhejiang University, Hangzhou311100, People's Republic of China
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Egunlusi AO, Joubert J. NMDA Receptor Antagonists: Emerging Insights into Molecular Mechanisms and Clinical Applications in Neurological Disorders. Pharmaceuticals (Basel) 2024; 17:639. [PMID: 38794209 PMCID: PMC11124131 DOI: 10.3390/ph17050639] [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: 04/12/2024] [Revised: 05/04/2024] [Accepted: 05/13/2024] [Indexed: 05/26/2024] Open
Abstract
Neurodegenerative disorders (NDs) include a range of chronic conditions characterized by progressive neuronal loss, leading to cognitive, motor, and behavioral impairments. Common examples include Alzheimer's disease (AD) and Parkinson's disease (PD). The global prevalence of NDs is on the rise, imposing significant economic and social burdens. Despite extensive research, the mechanisms underlying NDs remain incompletely understood, hampering the development of effective treatments. Excitotoxicity, particularly glutamate-mediated excitotoxicity, is a key pathological process implicated in NDs. Targeting the N-methyl-D-aspartate (NMDA) receptor, which plays a central role in excitotoxicity, holds therapeutic promise. However, challenges, such as blood-brain barrier penetration and adverse effects, such as extrapyramidal effects, have hindered the success of many NMDA receptor antagonists in clinical trials. This review explores the molecular mechanisms of NMDA receptor antagonists, emphasizing their structure, function, types, challenges, and future prospects in treating NDs. Despite extensive research on competitive and noncompetitive NMDA receptor antagonists, the quest for effective treatments still faces significant hurdles. This is partly because the same NMDA receptor that necessitates blockage under pathological conditions is also responsible for the normal physiological function of NMDA receptors. Allosteric modulation of NMDA receptors presents a potential alternative, with the GluN2B subunit emerging as a particularly attractive target due to its enrichment in presynaptic and extrasynaptic NMDA receptors, which are major contributors to excitotoxic-induced neuronal cell death. Despite their low side-effect profiles, selective GluN2B antagonists like ifenprodil and radiprodil have encountered obstacles such as poor bioavailability in clinical trials. Moreover, the selectivity of these antagonists is often relative, as they have been shown to bind to other GluN2 subunits, albeit minimally. Recent advancements in developing phenanthroic and naphthoic acid derivatives offer promise for enhanced GluN2B, GluN2A or GluN2C/GluN2D selectivity and improved pharmacodynamic properties. Additional challenges in NMDA receptor antagonist development include conflicting preclinical and clinical results, as well as the complexity of neurodegenerative disorders and poorly defined NMDA receptor subtypes. Although multifunctional agents targeting multiple degenerative processes are also being explored, clinical data are limited. Designing and developing selective GluN2B antagonists/modulators with polycyclic moieties and multitarget properties would be significant in addressing neurodegenerative disorders. However, advancements in understanding NMDA receptor structure and function, coupled with collaborative efforts in drug design, are imperative for realizing the therapeutic potential of these NMDA receptor antagonists/modulators.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ayodeji Olatunde Egunlusi
- Pharmaceutical Chemistry, Faculty of Pharmacy, Rhodes University, P.O. Box 94, Makhanda 6140, South Africa
| | - Jacques Joubert
- Pharmaceutical Chemistry, School of Pharmacy, University of the Western Cape, Private Bag X17, Bellville 7535, South Africa;
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Qin T, Guo L, Wang X, Zhou G, Liu L, Zhang Z, Ding G. Repetitive transcranial magnetic stimulation ameliorates cognitive deficits in mice with radiation-induced brain injury by attenuating microglial pyroptosis and promoting neurogenesis via BDNF pathway. Cell Commun Signal 2024; 22:216. [PMID: 38570868 PMCID: PMC10988892 DOI: 10.1186/s12964-024-01591-0] [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: 01/12/2024] [Accepted: 03/23/2024] [Indexed: 04/05/2024] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Radiation-induced brain injury (RIBI) is a common and severe complication during radiotherapy for head and neck tumor. Repetitive transcranial magnetic stimulation (rTMS) is a novel and non-invasive method of brain stimulation, which has been applied in various neurological diseases. rTMS has been proved to be effective for treatment of RIBI, while its mechanisms have not been well understood. METHODS RIBI mouse model was established by cranial irradiation, K252a was daily injected intraperitoneally to block BDNF pathway. Immunofluorescence staining, immunohistochemistry and western blotting were performed to examine the microglial pyroptosis and hippocampal neurogenesis. Behavioral tests were used to assess the cognitive function and emotionality of mice. Golgi staining was applied to observe the structure of dendritic spine in hippocampus. RESULTS rTMS significantly promoted hippocampal neurogenesis and mitigated neuroinflammation, with ameliorating pyroptosis in microglia, as well as downregulation of the protein expression level of NLRP3 inflammasome and key pyroptosis factor Gasdermin D (GSDMD). BDNF signaling pathway might be involved in it. After blocking BDNF pathway by K252a, a specific BDNF pathway inhibitor, the neuroprotective effect of rTMS was markedly reversed. Evaluated by behavioral tests, the cognitive dysfunction and anxiety-like behavior were found aggravated with the comparison of mice in rTMS intervention group. Moreover, the level of hippocampal neurogenesis was found to be attenuated, the pyroptosis of microglia as well as the levels of GSDMD, NLRP3 inflammasome and IL-1β were upregulated. CONCLUSION Our study indicated that rTMS notably ameliorated RIBI-induced cognitive disorders, by mitigating pyroptosis in microglia and promoting hippocampal neurogenesis via mediating BDNF pathway.
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Affiliation(s)
- Tongzhou Qin
- Department of radiation protection medicine, School of Preventive Medicine, Fourth Military Medical University, Xi'an, 710032, China
- Ministry of Education Key Lab of Hazard Assessment and Control in Special Operational Environment, Xi'an, China
| | - Ling Guo
- Department of radiation protection medicine, School of Preventive Medicine, Fourth Military Medical University, Xi'an, 710032, China
- Ministry of Education Key Lab of Hazard Assessment and Control in Special Operational Environment, Xi'an, China
| | - Xing Wang
- Department of radiation protection medicine, School of Preventive Medicine, Fourth Military Medical University, Xi'an, 710032, China
- Ministry of Education Key Lab of Hazard Assessment and Control in Special Operational Environment, Xi'an, China
| | - Guiqiang Zhou
- Department of radiation protection medicine, School of Preventive Medicine, Fourth Military Medical University, Xi'an, 710032, China
- Ministry of Education Key Lab of Hazard Assessment and Control in Special Operational Environment, Xi'an, China
- Department of occupational & environmental health, School of Public Health, Weifang Medical University, Weifang, 261021, China
| | - Liyuan Liu
- Department of radiation protection medicine, School of Preventive Medicine, Fourth Military Medical University, Xi'an, 710032, China
- Ministry of Education Key Lab of Hazard Assessment and Control in Special Operational Environment, Xi'an, China
| | - Zhaowen Zhang
- Department of radiation protection medicine, School of Preventive Medicine, Fourth Military Medical University, Xi'an, 710032, China
- Ministry of Education Key Lab of Hazard Assessment and Control in Special Operational Environment, Xi'an, China
| | - Guirong Ding
- Department of radiation protection medicine, School of Preventive Medicine, Fourth Military Medical University, Xi'an, 710032, China.
- Ministry of Education Key Lab of Hazard Assessment and Control in Special Operational Environment, Xi'an, China.
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Li M, Han L, Xiao J, Zhang S, Liu G, Sun X. IL-1ra treatment prevents chronic social defeat stress-induced depression-like behaviors and glutamatergic dysfunction via the upregulation of CREB-BDNF. J Affect Disord 2023; 335:358-370. [PMID: 37217098 DOI: 10.1016/j.jad.2023.05.049] [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: 01/16/2023] [Revised: 04/30/2023] [Accepted: 05/15/2023] [Indexed: 05/24/2023]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Proinflammatory cytokines IL-1β has been proposed to be a key mediator in the pathophysiology of mood-related disorders. However, the IL-1 receptor antagonist (IL-1ra) is a natural antagonist of IL-1 and plays a key role in the regulation of IL-1-mediated inflammation, the effects of IL-1ra in stress-induced depression has not been well elucidated. METHODS Chronic social defeat stress (CSDS) and lipopolysaccharide (LPS) were used to investigate the effects of IL-1ra. ELISA kit and qPCR were used to detect IL-1ra levels. Golgi staining and electrophysiological recordings were used to investigate glutamatergic neurotransmission in the hippocampus. Immunofluorescence and western blotting were used to analyze CREB-BDNF pathway and synaptic proteins. RESULTS Serum levels of IL-1ra increased significantly in two animal models of depression, and there was a significant correlation between serum IL-1ra levels and depression-like behaviors. Both CSDS and LPS induced the imbalance of IL-1ra and IL-1β in the hippocampus. Furthermore, chronic intracerebroventricular (i.c.v.) infusion of IL-1ra not only blocked CSDS-induced depression-like behaviors, but also alleviated CSDS-induced decrease in dendritic spine density and impairments in AMPARs-mediated neurotransmission. Finally, IL-1ra treatment produces antidepressant-like effects through the activation of CREB-BDNF in the hippocampus. LIMITATION Further studies need to investigate the effect of IL-1ra in the periphery in CSDS-induced depression. CONCLUSION Our study suggests that the imbalance of IL-1ra and IL-1β reduces the expression of the CREB-BDNF pathway in the hippocampus, which dysregulates AMPARs-mediated neurotransmission, ultimately leading to depression-like behaviors. IL-1ra could be a new potential candidate for the treatment of mood disorders.
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Affiliation(s)
- Mingxing Li
- Affiliated Wuhan Mental Health Center, Tongji Medical College, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, Wuhan 430012, China; Department of Psychiatry, Wuhan Mental Health Center, Wuhan 430012, China.
| | - Li Han
- Affiliated Wuhan Mental Health Center, Tongji Medical College, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, Wuhan 430012, China; Department of Psychiatry, Wuhan Mental Health Center, Wuhan 430012, China
| | - Junli Xiao
- Affiliated Wuhan Mental Health Center, Tongji Medical College, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, Wuhan 430012, China; Department of Psychiatry, Wuhan Mental Health Center, Wuhan 430012, China
| | - Song Zhang
- Department of Rehabilitation Medicine, Tongji Hospital, Tongji Medical College, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, Wuhan 430030, China
| | - Guangya Liu
- Department of Infectious Diseases, Wuhan Jinyintan Hospital, Wuhan 430023, China.
| | - Xuejiao Sun
- Department of Rehabilitation Medicine, Zhongnan Hospital, Wuhan University, Wuhan 430071, China.
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Wu ZH, Fan H, Gao SY, Jin YF, Cheng chen, Jiang B, Shen J. Antidepressant-like activity of oroxylin A in mice models of depression: A behavioral and neurobiological characterization. Front Pharmacol 2022; 13:921553. [PMID: 35959431 PMCID: PMC9360618 DOI: 10.3389/fphar.2022.921553] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/16/2022] [Accepted: 07/11/2022] [Indexed: 11/23/2022] Open
Abstract
Depression is a mood disorder which causes a huge economic burden to both families and societies. However, those monoamine-based antidepressants used in clinical practice have been found to have various limitations. Therefore, currently it is very necessary to explore novel antidepressant targets and medications. As a main active component extracted from Scutellariae radix, oroxylin A possesses many pharmacological functions such as anti-cancer, anti-inflammation and neuroprotection. Here, the present study aims to investigate whether oroxylin A possess antidepressant-like actions using the chronic unpredictable mild stress (CUMS) and chronic restraint stress (CRS) models of depression, forced swim test, tail suspension test, open field test, sucrose preference test, western blotting, immunofluorescence and viral-mediated gene interference. Our results revealed that treatment of oroxylin A fully prevented both the CUMS-induced and CRS-induced depressive-like behaviors in mice. Moreover, the protecting effects of oroxylin A against CUMS and CRS on mice behaviors were accompanied with a significant enhancement on the levels of brain-derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF), phosphorylated tyrosine kinase B (pTrkB), phosphorylated cAMP-response element binding protein (pCREB) and neurogenesis in the hippocampus. Furthermore, genetic knockdown of BDNF and TrkB in the hippocampus remarkably abolished the antidepressant-like efficacy of oroxylin A in both the CUMS and CRS models of depression, proving that the hippocampal BDNF-TrkB system participates in the antidepressant mechanism of oroxylin A. In summary, our findings are the first evidence showing that oroxylin A possesses potential of being an antidepressant candidate.
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Liu D, Wang J, Chang L, Zhu Q, Jiang N, Azhar M, Zeng G. Effect of Qingyangshen glycosides on social defeat mice model. JOURNAL OF ETHNOPHARMACOLOGY 2022; 293:115253. [PMID: 35390471 DOI: 10.1016/j.jep.2022.115253] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/29/2022] [Revised: 03/14/2022] [Accepted: 03/28/2022] [Indexed: 06/14/2023]
Abstract
ETHNOPHARMACOLOGICAL RELEVANCE Qingyangshen (Cynanchum otophyllum C.K.Schneid.PI.Wilson.) is the folk medicine of Yunnan which is renowned for its use in the management of neuropsychiatric diseases. The isolated glycosides from Qingyangshen have demonstrated relief in the social defeat stress, however, mechanism of action has not yet been elucidated. AIM OF THE STUDY This study is aimed to elucidate the effect of Qingyangshen glycosides (QYS) on chronic social defeat stress (CSDS)-induced depression-like symptoms and the related mechanism. MATERIALS AND METHODS In mice, CSDS model was developed, and the effect of QYS was evaluated by observing the behavioral performance of these mice exposed to tasks related to depression-like activities. Moreover, microscopic pathological examinutesation was also done. Furthermore, the protein expressions related to social defeat stress were also determined to elucidate the possible underlying mechanism. RESULTS Our results indicated that QYS treatment reversed the CSDS-induced depressive-like behaviors as measured by the increased sucrose preference, open field activity, and social interactions among mice. The reversal of the morphological changes in the hippocampus of the CSDS mice was also noted. Additionally, QYS treatment also upregulated the silent mating type information regulation 2 homolog 1 (SIRT1), peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor-γ coactivator-1α (PGC-1α), fibronectin III domain containing protein 5 (FNDC5), brain-derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF), tropomyosin-related kinase B (TrkB), and mitogen-activated protein kinase (MAPK) proteins. CONCLUSIONS Our study indicated that QYS had a good anti-social defeat stress effect on CSDS-induced depression in mice, mainly through SIRT1/PGC-1α/FNDC5/BDNF-TrkB signaling pathway activation.
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Affiliation(s)
- Dingding Liu
- College of Pharmacy & Research Center for Pharmacodynamic Material Basis and Mechanism of Action, Guizhou University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Guiyang, 550025, China
| | - Jingru Wang
- College of Pharmacy & Research Center for Pharmacodynamic Material Basis and Mechanism of Action, Guizhou University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Guiyang, 550025, China
| | - Lulu Chang
- College of Pharmacy & Research Center for Pharmacodynamic Material Basis and Mechanism of Action, Guizhou University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Guiyang, 550025, China
| | - Qiang Zhu
- College of Pharmacy & Research Center for Pharmacodynamic Material Basis and Mechanism of Action, Guizhou University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Guiyang, 550025, China
| | - Ning Jiang
- Institute of Medicinal Plant Development, Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences & Peking Union Medical College, Beijing, 100193, China
| | - Mudassar Azhar
- Dr. Panjwani Center for Molecular Medicine and Drug Research International Center for Chemical and Biological Sciences University of Karachi, Karachi, 75270, Pakistan
| | - Guirong Zeng
- Hunan Key Laboratory of Pharmacodynamics and Safety Evaluation of New Drugs & Hunan Provincial Research Center for Safety Evaluation of Drugs, Changsha, 410331, China.
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