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Kongsui R, Jittiwat J. In vivo protective effects of 6‑gingerol in cerebral ischemia involve preservation of antioxidant defenses and activation of anti‑apoptotic pathways. Biomed Rep 2024; 20:85. [PMID: 38665422 PMCID: PMC11040226 DOI: 10.3892/br.2024.1773] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/08/2023] [Accepted: 03/22/2024] [Indexed: 04/28/2024] Open
Abstract
Stroke is an important medical problem in developing countries, characterized by a sudden disruption of blood supply to the brain, either through occlusion or hemorrhage. It is a major cause of neurological impairment, resulting in high medical costs. The present study examined the effect of 6-gingerol on morphological changes, antioxidant defenses, and the anti-apoptotic factors p38 mitogen-activated protein kinase (MAPK) and mitofusin (Mfn)2, in a rat model of focal cerebral ischemia. A total of 60 healthy male Wistar rats were randomly allocated into six groups: Control, right middle cerebral artery occlusion (Rt.MCAO) + vehicle, Rt.MCAO + piracetam, and Rt.MCAO + 6-Gin 5, 10 and 20 mg/kg BW groups. The results indicated that 6-gingerol treatment for a duration of 7 days reverses morphological alterations, enhances catalase and glutathione peroxidase activities, reduces Bax, caspase-3 and MAPK expression, and increases Bcl-xL and Mfn2 expression in the cortex and hippocampus. In conclusion, 6-gingerol demonstrated significant in vivo effectiveness in mitigating pathological changes induced by cerebral ischemia. This beneficial effect is attributed, at least in part, to preservation of antioxidant defenses and activation of anti-apoptotic pathways.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ratchaniporn Kongsui
- Division of Physiology, School of Medical Sciences, University of Phayao, Phayao 56000, Thailand
| | - Jinatta Jittiwat
- Faculty of Medicine, Mahasarakham University, Mahasarakham 44000, Thailand
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2
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Goncalves-Garcia M, Hamilton DA. Unraveling the complex relationship between prenatal alcohol exposure, hippocampal LTP, and learning and memory. Front Mol Neurosci 2024; 16:1326089. [PMID: 38283699 PMCID: PMC10811250 DOI: 10.3389/fnmol.2023.1326089] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/22/2023] [Accepted: 12/13/2023] [Indexed: 01/30/2024] Open
Abstract
Prenatal alcohol exposure (PAE) has been extensively studied for its profound impact on neurodevelopment, synaptic plasticity, and cognitive outcomes. While PAE, particularly at moderate levels, has long-lasting cognitive implications for the exposed individuals, there remains a substantial gap in our understanding of the precise mechanisms underlying these deficits. This review provides a framework for comprehending the neurobiological basis of learning and memory processes that are negatively impacted by PAE. Sex differences, diverse PAE protocols, and the timing of exposure are explored as potential variables influencing the diverse outcomes of PAE on long-term potentiation (LTP). Additionally, potential interventions, both pharmacological and non-pharmacological, are reviewed, offering promising avenues for mitigating the detrimental effects of PAE on cognitive processes. While significant progress has been made, further research is required to enhance our understanding of how prenatal alcohol exposure affects neural plasticity and cognitive functions and to develop effective therapeutic interventions for those impacted. Ultimately, this work aims to advance the comprehension of the consequences of PAE on the brain and cognitive functions.
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Cure of Alzheimer's Dementia Requires Addressing All of the Affected Brain Cell Types. J Clin Med 2023; 12:jcm12052049. [PMID: 36902833 PMCID: PMC10004473 DOI: 10.3390/jcm12052049] [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: 02/01/2023] [Revised: 02/27/2023] [Accepted: 03/02/2023] [Indexed: 03/08/2023] Open
Abstract
Multiple genetic, metabolic, and environmental abnormalities are known to contribute to the pathogenesis of Alzheimer's dementia (AD). If all of those abnormalities were addressed it should be possible to reverse the dementia; however, that would require a suffocating volume of drugs. Nevertheless, the problem may be simplified by using available data to address, instead, the brain cells whose functions become changed as a result of the abnormalities, because at least eleven drugs are available from which to formulate a rational therapy to correct those changes. The affected brain cell types are astrocytes, oligodendrocytes, neurons, endothelial cells/pericytes, and microglia. The available drugs include clemastine, dantrolene, erythropoietin, fingolimod, fluoxetine, lithium, memantine, minocycline, pioglitazone, piracetam, and riluzole. This article describes the ways by which the individual cell types contribute to AD's pathogenesis and how each of the drugs corrects the changes in the cell types. All five of the cell types may be involved in the pathogenesis of AD; of the 11 drugs, fingolimod, fluoxetine, lithium, memantine, and pioglitazone, each address all five of the cell types. Fingolimod only slightly addresses endothelial cells, and memantine is the weakest of the remaining four. Low doses of either two or three drugs are suggested in order to minimize the likelihood of toxicity and drug-drug interactions (including drugs used for co-morbidities). Suggested two-drug combinations are pioglitazone plus lithium and pioglitazone plus fluoxetine; a three-drug combination could add either clemastine or memantine. Clinical trials are required to validate that the suggest combinations may reverse AD.
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Fessel J. Supplementary Pharmacotherapy for the Behavioral Abnormalities Caused by Stressors in Humans, Focused on Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD). J Clin Med 2023; 12:jcm12041680. [PMID: 36836215 PMCID: PMC9967886 DOI: 10.3390/jcm12041680] [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: 01/14/2023] [Revised: 02/17/2023] [Accepted: 02/18/2023] [Indexed: 02/22/2023] Open
Abstract
Used as a supplement to psychotherapy, pharmacotherapy that addresses all of the known metabolic and genetic contributions to the pathogenesis of psychiatric conditions caused by stressors would require an inordinate number of drugs. Far simpler is to address the abnormalities caused by those metabolic and genetic changes in the cell types of the brain that mediate the behavioral abnormality. Relevant data regarding the changed brain cell types are described in this article and are derived from subjects with the paradigmatic behavioral abnormality of PTSD and from subjects with traumatic brain injury or chronic traumatic encephalopathy. If this analysis is correct, then therapy is required that benefits all of the affected brain cell types; those are astrocytes, oligodendrocytes, synapses and neurons, endothelial cells, and microglia (the pro-inflammatory (M1) subtype requires switching to the anti-inflammatory (M2) subtype). Combinations are advocated using several drugs, erythropoietin, fluoxetine, lithium, and pioglitazone, that benefit all of the five cell types, and that should be used to form a two-drug combination, suggested as pioglitazone with either fluoxetine or lithium. Clemastine, fingolimod, and memantine benefit four of the cell types, and one chosen from those could be added to the two-drug combination to form a three-drug combination. Using low doses of chosen drugs will limit both toxicity and drug-drug interactions. A clinical trial is required to validate both the advocated concept and the choice of drugs.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jeffrey Fessel
- Department of Medicine, University of California, 2069 Filbert Street, San Francisco, CA 94123, USA
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Mohammed AS, Al-Hassani AN, Alrawi RA, Tawfeeq RD. The protective effect of taurine, piracetam and vinpocetine on etoposide-induced inflammation and brain injury in the serum of female albino rats. Ecancermedicalscience 2023; 17:1499. [PMID: 36816786 PMCID: PMC9937074 DOI: 10.3332/ecancer.2023.1499] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/07/2022] [Indexed: 01/24/2023] Open
Abstract
Etoposide (ETP) is one of the leading antitumour agents in cancer chemotherapy. Many studies have reported on ETP-induced peripheral neuropathy; however, few reports have focused on its brain toxicity. The current research investigates the protective potential of taurine, piracetam and vinpocetine on serum biomarkers associated with inflammation and brain injury induced by ETP in a rodent model. A total of 30 female albino rats were equally divided into five groups; the 1st and 2nd groups were the control and ETP-treated groups, respectively, while the 3rd, 4th and 5th groups were ETP-treated rats cotreated with taurine, piracetam and vinpocetine, respectively. Administration of ETP reduced body weight significantly, enhanced production of serum proinflammatory cytokines including tumour necrosis factor-alpha, interleukin-1 beta (IL-1β) and IL-6 and decreased glutathione serum levels. Moreover, ETP treatment resulted in upregulation of glial fibrillary acidic protein expression and histopathological alterations in the rats' brain compared to the control group. Co-treatment with taurine, piracetam and vinpocetine counteracted ETP-induced brain injury and altered serum biomarkers levels. We concluded that co-treatment with vinpocetine could serve as a complementary therapeutic agent in reducing brain injury and toxicity induced by ETP.
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Affiliation(s)
- Arwa Salam Mohammed
- Department of Pharmacology and Toxicology, College of Pharmacy, Hawler Medical University, Erbil 44001, Iraq
| | - Ansam N Al-Hassani
- Department of Pharmacology and Toxicology, College of Pharmacy, Hawler Medical University, Erbil 44001, Iraq
| | - Rafal Abdulrazaq Alrawi
- Department of Clinical Analysis, College of Pharmacy, Hawler Medical University, Erbil 44001, Iraq
| | - Rawaz D Tawfeeq
- Department of Clinical Analysis, College of Pharmacy, Hawler Medical University, Erbil 44001, Iraq
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Fessel J. Formulating treatment of major psychiatric disorders: algorithm targets the dominantly affected brain cell-types. DISCOVER MENTAL HEALTH 2023; 3:3. [PMID: 37861813 PMCID: PMC10501034 DOI: 10.1007/s44192-022-00029-8] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/27/2022] [Accepted: 12/21/2022] [Indexed: 10/21/2023]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Pharmacotherapy for most psychiatric conditions was developed from serendipitous observations of benefit from drugs prescribed for different reasons. An algorithmic approach to formulating pharmacotherapy is proposed, based upon which combination of changed activities by brain cell-types is dominant for any particular condition, because those cell-types contain and surrogate for genetic, metabolic and environmental information, that has affected their function. The algorithm performs because functions of some or all the affected cell-types benefit from several available drugs: clemastine, dantrolene, erythropoietin, fingolimod, fluoxetine, lithium, memantine, minocycline, pioglitazone, piracetam, and riluzole PROCEDURES/FINDINGS: Bipolar disorder, major depressive disorder, schizophrenia, Alzheimer's disease, and post-traumatic stress disorder, illustrate the algorithm; for them, literature reviews show that no single combination of altered cell-types accounts for all cases; but they identify, for each condition, which combination occurs most frequently, i.e., dominates, as compared with other possible combinations. Knowing the dominant combination of altered cell-types in a particular condition, permits formulation of therapy with combinations of drugs taken from the above list. The percentage of patients who might benefit from that therapy, depends upon the frequency with which the dominant combination occurs in patients with that particular condition. CONCLUSIONS Knowing the dominant combination of changed cell types in psychiatric conditions, permits an algorithmically formulated, rationally-based treatment. Different studies of the same condition often produce discrepant results; all might be correct, because identical clinical phenotypes result from different combinations of impaired cell-types, thus producing different results. Clinical trials would validate both the proposed concept and choice of drugs.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jeffrey Fessel
- Department of Medicine, University of California, 2069 Filbert Street, San Francisco, CA, 94123, USA.
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Sun Y, Wang H, Wang W, Lu J, Zhang J, Luo X, Luan L, Wang K, Jia J, Yan J, Qin L. Glutamatergic and GABAergic neurons in the preoptic area of the hypothalamus play key roles in menopausal hot flashes. Front Aging Neurosci 2022; 14:993955. [PMID: 36313017 PMCID: PMC9614233 DOI: 10.3389/fnagi.2022.993955] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/14/2022] [Accepted: 09/23/2022] [Indexed: 11/21/2022] Open
Abstract
During menopause, when estrogen levels are low, abnormalities in the hypothalamic preoptic area (POA) of the thermoregulatory center can cause hot flashes. However, the involved neural population has not been identified. Proteomics showed that under low estrogen, differentially expressed proteins in the hypothalamus were associated with glutamatergic and GABAergic synapses. RNAscope, Western blotting and qRT-PCR indicated that the number of glutamatergic neurons in the POA was decreased, while the number of GABAergic neurons was increased. Chemogenetics showed that the rat body temperature decreased slowly after glutamatergic neurons were activated and increased quickly after glutamatergic neurons were inhibited, while it increased quickly after GABAergic neurons were activated and decreased slowly after GABAergic neurons were inhibited. RNAscope, immunofluorescence, Western blotting and qRT-PCR further showed that glutamate decarboxylase (GAD) 1 expression in the POA was increased, while GAD2 expression in the POA was decreased; that thermosensitive transient receptor potential protein (ThermoTRP) M (TRPM) 2 expression in glutamatergic neurons was decreased, while TRPM8 expression in GABAergic neurons was increased; and that estrogen receptor (ER) α and β expression in the POA was decreased, and ERα and ERβ expressed in both glutamatergic and GABAergic neurons. Estrogen therapy corrected these abnormalities. In addition, CUT&Tag and Western blot after injection of agonists and inhibitors of ERs showed that ERα and ERβ were both transcription factors in glutamatergic and GABAergic synapses. Mechanistically, during menopause, estrogen may regulate the transcription and expression of GADs and ThermoTRPs through ERs, impacting the number and function of glutamatergic and GABAergic neurons, resulting in unbalanced heat dissipation and production in the POA and ultimately triggering hot flashes.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yanrong Sun
- Department of Human Anatomy, Histology and Embryology, School of Basic Medical Sciences, Peking University Health Science Center, Beijing, China
| | - Hanfei Wang
- Department of Human Anatomy, Histology and Embryology, School of Basic Medical Sciences, Peking University Health Science Center, Beijing, China
| | - Wenjuan Wang
- Department of Human Anatomy, Histology and Embryology, School of Basic Medical Sciences, Peking University Health Science Center, Beijing, China
| | - Jiali Lu
- Department of Stomatology, Shanxi Medical University School and Hospital of Stomatology, Taiyuan, Shanxi, China
| | - Jinglin Zhang
- Department of Stomatology, Shanxi Medical University School and Hospital of Stomatology, Taiyuan, Shanxi, China
| | - Xiaofeng Luo
- Department of Stomatology, Shanxi Medical University School and Hospital of Stomatology, Taiyuan, Shanxi, China
| | - Liju Luan
- Department of Human Anatomy, Histology and Embryology, School of Basic Medical Sciences, Peking University Health Science Center, Beijing, China
| | - Ke Wang
- Department of Human Anatomy, Histology and Embryology, School of Basic Medical Sciences, Peking University Health Science Center, Beijing, China
| | - Jing Jia
- Department of Stomatology, Shanxi Medical University School and Hospital of Stomatology, Taiyuan, Shanxi, China
- Department of Stomatology, The Third Medical Center, Chinese PLA General Hospital, Beijing, China
| | - Junhao Yan
- Department of Human Anatomy, Histology and Embryology, School of Basic Medical Sciences, Peking University Health Science Center, Beijing, China
- Beijing Key Lab of Magnetic Resonance Imaging Technology, Peking University Third Hospital, Beijing, China
| | - Lihua Qin
- Department of Human Anatomy, Histology and Embryology, School of Basic Medical Sciences, Peking University Health Science Center, Beijing, China
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Mostafa RE, Morsi AH, Asaad GF. Piracetam attenuates cyclophosphamide-induced hepatotoxicity in rats: Amelioration of necroptosis, pyroptosis and caspase-dependent apoptosis. Life Sci 2022; 303:120671. [PMID: 35636581 DOI: 10.1016/j.lfs.2022.120671] [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: 04/22/2022] [Revised: 05/24/2022] [Accepted: 05/24/2022] [Indexed: 11/17/2022]
Abstract
AIMS Cyclophosphamide (Cyclo) is an immunosuppressive and antineoplastic agent. The clinical use of Cyclo is limited by significant hepatotoxicity. Piracetam (Pira) is used to improve cognitive function. Pira possesses diverse physiological functions; however, the exact mechanisms of its activity are still non-elucidated. MAIN METHODS Forty rats were allocated in four groups. 1st group comprised normal rats; the remaining groups received single Cyclo dose (200 mg/kg/i.p.) on the experiment's 15th day. 2nd group comprised Cyclo-control rats. 3rd & 4th groups received Pira (100 & 300 mg/kg body weight) for 15 days. KEY FINDINGS Cyclo administration resulted in deterioration of serum liver function tests and elevation of hepatic tissue concentration of P53, Nf-kβ, apoptosis-inducing factor-1, NLRP3 inflammasome, Bax; gene expression of receptor-induced protein-1 along with reduction of hepatic Bcl-2 concentration. Bax/Bcl-2 ratio headed for apoptosis. Cyclo administration also resulted in a severe deterioration of the hepatic histopathological picture and significant immunohistochemical expression of caspase-3, tumor necrosis factor-alpha (TNF-α) and Cyclooxygenase-2 (COX-2) in hepatic tissues versus the normal group. Pira significantly improved all the aforementioned parameters, reallocating the Bax/Bcl-2 ratio to anti-apoptosis. Moreover, Pira treatment amended Cyclo-induced histopathological abnormalities and significantly reduced caspase-3, TNF-α plus COX-2 immunoreactivity in hepatic tissues. SIGNIFICANCE The present work is the first to link Cyclo-induced hepatotoxicity to the activation of caspase-independent apoptosis (necroptosis), pyroptosis and caspase-dependent apoptosis signaling pathways. Pira treatment significantly ameliorated Cyclo-induced hepatotoxicity mainly via the amendment of necroptotic, pyroptotic and caspase-dependent apoptotic changes along with the histopathological deformities in rats' hepatic tissues.
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Affiliation(s)
- Rasha E Mostafa
- Department of Pharmacology, Medical Research and Clinical Studies Institute, National Research Centre (ID: 60014618), Cairo, Egypt.
| | - Azza Hassan Morsi
- Department of Pathology, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Cairo University, Giza, Egypt
| | - Gihan F Asaad
- Department of Pharmacology, Medical Research and Clinical Studies Institute, National Research Centre (ID: 60014618), Cairo, Egypt
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Severyukhin YS, Lalkovičová M, Kolesnikova IA, Utina DM, Lyakhova KN, Gaevsky VN. The effect of piracetam on behavioral reactions of adult rats and morphological changes in the brain after whole body fractionated gamma irradiation: an exploratory study. RADIATION AND ENVIRONMENTAL BIOPHYSICS 2021; 60:73-86. [PMID: 33394131 DOI: 10.1007/s00411-020-00886-3] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/13/2019] [Accepted: 12/07/2020] [Indexed: 06/12/2023]
Abstract
This research was aimed at examining the effect of piracetam on behavioral reactions and morphological changes in the brain of adult rats after fractionated gamma irradiation with a total dose of 5 Gy. Fractionated gamma irradiation led to a decrease in freezing behavior in the Open Field and leukopenia. These behavioral and hematological disorders were accompanied by a cell decrease in the cross-sectional area of granular layer of the dentate gyrus, an increase in the number of Fluoro Jade B-positive cells, and an increase in the number of irreversible changes in the cerebral cortex. The administration of piracetam immediately after irradiation for 14 days maintained the freezing behavior at the level of intact animals and decreased in general motor activity. Also, an increase in morphometric parameters and a decrease of neurodegeneration were observed. We found a statistically significant decrease in the number of Fluoro Jade B-positive cells in comparison with the group of irradiated animals. The drug had no leukoprotective effect on laboratory animals, and led to the emergence of inconclusive trends in the alternation of the arms of the T-labyrinth. Piracetam application showed positive behavioral and morphological changes in rodents and might have a neuroprotective effect in brain tissue after gamma irradiation. Since it is the first experiment with piracetam we attempted, this exploratory study serves to provide more insight into the potential neuroprotection activity of piracetam, and following research is necessary.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yu S Severyukhin
- Laboratory of Radiation Biology, Joint Institute for Nuclear Research, Joliot-Curie 20, 14198, Dubna, Russia
- Dubna State University, Universitetskaya 19, 14198, Dubna, Russia
| | - M Lalkovičová
- Laboratory of Radiation Biology, Joint Institute for Nuclear Research, Joliot-Curie 20, 14198, Dubna, Russia.
- Institute of Experimental Physics, Slovak Academy of Sciences, Watsonova 47, 040 01, Kosice, Slovakia.
| | - I A Kolesnikova
- Laboratory of Radiation Biology, Joint Institute for Nuclear Research, Joliot-Curie 20, 14198, Dubna, Russia
- Dubna State University, Universitetskaya 19, 14198, Dubna, Russia
| | - D M Utina
- Laboratory of Radiation Biology, Joint Institute for Nuclear Research, Joliot-Curie 20, 14198, Dubna, Russia
- Dubna State University, Universitetskaya 19, 14198, Dubna, Russia
| | - K N Lyakhova
- Laboratory of Radiation Biology, Joint Institute for Nuclear Research, Joliot-Curie 20, 14198, Dubna, Russia
| | - V N Gaevsky
- Laboratory of Radiation Biology, Joint Institute for Nuclear Research, Joliot-Curie 20, 14198, Dubna, Russia
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Qiao X, Sun M, Chen Y, Jin W, Zhao H, Zhang W, Lai J, Yan H. Ethanol-Induced Neuronal and Cognitive/Emotional Impairments are Accompanied by Down-Regulated NT3-TrkC-ERK in Hippocampus. Alcohol Alcohol 2021; 56:220-229. [PMID: 33103180 DOI: 10.1093/alcalc/agaa101] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/09/2020] [Revised: 09/15/2020] [Accepted: 09/17/2020] [Indexed: 11/14/2022] Open
Abstract
AIMS Ethanol ingestion affects cognition and emotion, which have been attributed to the dysfunction of specific brain structures. Studies of alcoholic patients and animal models consistently identify reduced hippocampal mass as a key ethanol-induced brain adaptation. This study evaluated how neuroadaptation in the hippocampus (Hip) produced by ethanol contributed to related behavioral deficits in male and female rats. METHODS Effects of acute, short-term and long-term ethanol exposure on the anxiety-like behavior and recognition memory on adult male and female Sprague-Dawley rats were assessed using elevated plus maze test and novel object recognition test, respectively. In addition, in order to investigate the direct effect of ethanol on hippocampal neurons, primary culture of hippocampal neurons was exposed to ethanol (10, 30 and 90 mM; 1, 24 and 48 h), and viability (CCK-8) and morphology (immunocytochemistry) were analyzed at structural levels. Western blot assays were used to assess protein levels of NT3-TrkC-ERK. RESULTS Acute and short-term ethanol exposure exerted anxiolytic effects, whereas long-term ethanol exposure induced anxiogenic responses in both sexes. Short-term ethanol exposure impaired spatial memory only in female rats, whereas long-term ethanol exposure impaired spatial and recognition memory in both sexes. These behavioral impairments and ethanol-induced loss of hippocampal neurons and decreased cell viability were accompanied by downregulated NT3-TrkC-ERK pathway. CONCLUSION These results indicate that NT3-TrkC-ERK signaling in the Hip may play an important role in ethanol-induced structural and behavioral impairments.
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Affiliation(s)
- Xiaomeng Qiao
- Department of Forensic Medicine, School of Basic Medical Sciences, Zhengzhou University, No.100, Science Avenue, Zhengzhou, Henan, 450001, China
| | - Mizhu Sun
- Department of Forensic Medicine, School of Basic Medical Sciences, Zhengzhou University, No.100, Science Avenue, Zhengzhou, Henan, 450001, China
| | - Yuanyuan Chen
- Department of Forensic Biology, College of Forensic Science, School of Medicine, Xi'an Jiaotong University, No.76, Yanta West Road, Xi'an, Shaanxi, 710061, China
| | - Wenyang Jin
- Department of Forensic Medicine, School of Basic Medical Sciences, Zhengzhou University, No.100, Science Avenue, Zhengzhou, Henan, 450001, China
| | - Huan Zhao
- Department of Forensic Medicine, School of Basic Medical Sciences, Zhengzhou University, No.100, Science Avenue, Zhengzhou, Henan, 450001, China
| | - Weiqi Zhang
- Department of Forensic Medicine, School of Basic Medical Sciences, Zhengzhou University, No.100, Science Avenue, Zhengzhou, Henan, 450001, China
| | - Jianghua Lai
- Department of Forensic Biology, College of Forensic Science, School of Medicine, Xi'an Jiaotong University, No.76, Yanta West Road, Xi'an, Shaanxi, 710061, China.,Key Laboratory of Environment and Genes Related to Diseases, Ministry of Education, No.76, Yanta West Road, Xi'an, Shaanxi, 710061, China
| | - Hongtao Yan
- Department of Forensic Medicine, School of Basic Medical Sciences, Zhengzhou University, No.100, Science Avenue, Zhengzhou, Henan, 450001, China
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Lee J, Lunde-Young R, Naik V, Ramirez J, Orzabal M, Ramadoss J. Chronic Binge Alcohol Exposure During Pregnancy Alters mTOR System in Rat Fetal Hippocampus. Alcohol Clin Exp Res 2020; 44:1329-1336. [PMID: 32333810 DOI: 10.1111/acer.14348] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/04/2019] [Revised: 04/10/2020] [Accepted: 04/19/2020] [Indexed: 01/04/2023]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Gestational alcohol exposure can contribute to fetal alcohol spectrum disorders (FASD), an array of cognitive, behavioral, and physical developmental impairments. Mammalian target of rapamycin (mTOR) plays a key role in regulating protein synthesis in response to neuronal activity, thereby modulating synaptic plasticity and long-term memory formation in the brain. Based on our previous quantitative mass spectrometry proteomic studies, we hypothesized that gestational chronic binge alcohol exposure alters mTOR signaling and downstream pathways in the fetal hippocampus. METHODS Pregnant Sprague-Dawley rats were assigned to either a pair-fed control (PF-Cont) or a binge alcohol (Alcohol) treatment group. Alcohol dams were acclimatized via a once-daily orogastric gavage of 4.5 g/kg alcohol (peak BAC, 216 mg/dl) from GD 5-10 and progressed to 6 g/kg alcohol (peak BAC, 289 mg/dl) from GD 11-21. Pair-fed dams similarly received isocaloric maltose dextrin. RESULTS In the Alcohol group, following this exposure paradigm, fetal body weight and crown-rump length were decreased. The phosphorylation level of mTOR (P-mTOR) in the fetal hippocampus was decreased in the Alcohol group compared with controls. Alcohol exposure resulted in dysregulation of fetal hippocampal mTORC1 signaling, as evidenced by an increase in total 4E-BP1 expression. Phosphorylation levels of 4E-BP1 and p70 S6K were also increased following alcohol exposure. P-mTOR and P-4E-BP1 were exclusively detected in the dentate gyrus and oriens layer of the fetal hippocampus, respectively. DEPTOR and RICTOR expression levels in the fetal hippocampus were increased; however, RAPTOR was not altered by chronic binge alcohol exposure. CONCLUSION We conclude that chronic binge alcohol exposure during pregnancy alters mTORC1 signaling pathway in the fetal hippocampus. We conjecture that this dysregulation of mTOR protein expression, its activity, and downstream proteins may play a critical role in FASD neurobiological phenotypes.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jehoon Lee
- From the, Department of Veterinary Physiology and Pharmacology, College of Veterinary Medicine and Biomedical Sciences, Texas A&M University, College Station, Texas, USA
| | - Raine Lunde-Young
- From the, Department of Veterinary Physiology and Pharmacology, College of Veterinary Medicine and Biomedical Sciences, Texas A&M University, College Station, Texas, USA
| | - Vishal Naik
- From the, Department of Veterinary Physiology and Pharmacology, College of Veterinary Medicine and Biomedical Sciences, Texas A&M University, College Station, Texas, USA
| | - Josue Ramirez
- From the, Department of Veterinary Physiology and Pharmacology, College of Veterinary Medicine and Biomedical Sciences, Texas A&M University, College Station, Texas, USA
| | - Marcus Orzabal
- From the, Department of Veterinary Physiology and Pharmacology, College of Veterinary Medicine and Biomedical Sciences, Texas A&M University, College Station, Texas, USA
| | - Jayanth Ramadoss
- From the, Department of Veterinary Physiology and Pharmacology, College of Veterinary Medicine and Biomedical Sciences, Texas A&M University, College Station, Texas, USA
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Lv K, Yang C, Xiao R, Yang L, Liu T, Zhang R, Fan X. Dexmedetomidine attenuates ethanol-induced inhibition of hippocampal neurogenesis in neonatal mice. Toxicol Appl Pharmacol 2020; 390:114881. [PMID: 31954762 DOI: 10.1016/j.taap.2020.114881] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/24/2019] [Revised: 01/10/2020] [Accepted: 01/13/2020] [Indexed: 12/12/2022]
Abstract
BACKGROUND/AIMS Ethanol (EtOH) exposure during a period comparable to the third trimester in human results in obvious neurotoxicity in the developing hippocampus and persistent deficits in hippocampal neurogenesis. Dexmedetomidine (DEX), a highly selective α-2-adrenergic agonist has been demonstrated to restore the impaired neurogenesis and neuronal plasticity in the dentate gyrus (DG) that follows neurological insult. However, the protective roles of DEX in the EtOH-induced deficits of postnatal neurogenesis in the hippocampus are still unknown. METHODS Mice were pretreated with DEX prior to EtOH exposure to determine its protective effects on impaired postnatal hippocampal neurogenesis. Six-day-old neonatal mice were treated with DEX (125 μg/kg) or saline, followed by EtOH at a total of 5 g/kg or an equivalent volume of saline on P7. Immunohistochemistry and immunofluorescence were used to evaluate the neurogenesis and activated microglia in the DG. Quantitative real time PCR (qRT-PCR) was utilized to assess the expression of inflammatory factors in the hippocampus. RESULTS DEX pretreatment attenuated the inhibition of EtOH-mediated hippocampal neurogenesis and the reduction of hippocampal neural precursor cells (NPCs). We further confirmed that DEX pretreatment reversed the EtOH-induced microglia activation in the DG as well as the upregulation of the hippocampal TNFα, MCP-1, IL-6, and IL-1β mRNA levels. CONCLUSION Our findings indicate that DEX pretreatment protects against EtOH-mediated inhibition of hippocampal neurogenesis in postnatal mice and reverses EtOH-induced neuroinflammation via repressing microglia activation and the expression of inflammatory cytokines.
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Affiliation(s)
- Keyi Lv
- Department of Developmental Neuropsychology, School of Psychology, Third Military Medical University, Chongqing 400038, China
| | - Congwen Yang
- Department of Anesthesiology, Southwest Hospital, Third Military Medical University, Chongqing 400038, China
| | - Rui Xiao
- Department of Developmental Neuropsychology, School of Psychology, Third Military Medical University, Chongqing 400038, China
| | - Ling Yang
- Department of Developmental Neuropsychology, School of Psychology, Third Military Medical University, Chongqing 400038, China
| | - Tianyao Liu
- Department of Developmental Neuropsychology, School of Psychology, Third Military Medical University, Chongqing 400038, China
| | - Ruiyu Zhang
- Department of Developmental Neuropsychology, School of Psychology, Third Military Medical University, Chongqing 400038, China
| | - Xiaotang Fan
- Department of Developmental Neuropsychology, School of Psychology, Third Military Medical University, Chongqing 400038, China.
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Verma DK, Gupta S, Biswas J, Joshi N, Singh A, Gupta P, Tiwari S, Sivarama Raju K, Chaturvedi S, Wahajuddin M, Singh S. New therapeutic activity of metabolic enhancer piracetam in treatment of neurodegenerative disease: Participation of caspase independent death factors, oxidative stress, inflammatory responses and apoptosis. Biochim Biophys Acta Mol Basis Dis 2018; 1864:2078-2096. [DOI: 10.1016/j.bbadis.2018.03.014] [Citation(s) in RCA: 16] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/31/2017] [Revised: 02/26/2018] [Accepted: 03/13/2018] [Indexed: 12/12/2022]
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