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Temkin SM, Clayton JA. Inclusion of Sex and Gender to Improve the State of the Science in Women's Health. J Bone Joint Surg Am 2024:00004623-990000000-01149. [PMID: 38954641 DOI: 10.2106/jbjs.24.00172] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 07/04/2024]
Abstract
ABSTRACT The influence of sex and gender-related factors on health and disease at all levels of scale, across all health conditions, and throughout the entire life course is increasingly clear. A series of policies instituted by the National Institutes of Health (NIH) that require researchers to include appropriate populations and to analyze the data accordingly have strengthened the evidence base around the health of women. Translating these advances to the entire research ecosystem can catalyze rigorous biomedical discovery that can improve health. We encourage journals, publishers, and funders to align their policies and expectations regarding sex and gender considerations in research with those of the NIH and other international funding agencies.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sarah M Temkin
- Office of Research on Women's Health, National Institutes of Health, Bethesda, Maryland
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2
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Witt A, Politis M, Norton R, Womersley K. Integrating sex and gender into biomedical research requires policy and culture change. NPJ WOMEN'S HEALTH 2024; 2:23. [PMID: 38966522 PMCID: PMC11219278 DOI: 10.1038/s44294-024-00027-x] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/12/2023] [Accepted: 06/18/2024] [Indexed: 07/06/2024]
Abstract
Most biomedical, health and care research does not adequately account for sex and gender dimensions of health and illness. Overlooking and disregarding the influence of sex and gender in research reduces scientific rigour and reproducibility, which leads to less effective treatments and worse health outcomes for all, particularly women and sex and gender diverse people. Historically, there has been minimal sex and gender policy innovation in UK medical research. To address this, stakeholders from across the UK research sector have been collaborating since spring 2023 to co-design a sex and gender policy framework to be implemented by research funders, as part of the MESSAGE (Medical Science Sex and Gender Equity) project. In the first Policy Lab, held in London in May 2023, 50 participants, including representatives from funding organisations, medical journals, regulators, clinicians, academics and people with lived experience, identified two key priorities for future action: 1) A whole system approach to policy change, and 2) Technical capacity-building and wider culture change efforts. In pursuing these priorities and collaborating cross-sectorally, UK stakeholders are engaged in an internationally innovative approach aimed at realising sustainable and impactful sex and gender policy change. Drawing on MESSAGE Policy Lab discussions, we set out key actions needed for the UK research sector to embed meaningful accounting for sex and gender as a new norm for research practice.
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Affiliation(s)
- Alice Witt
- The George Institute for Global Health, London, UK
| | | | - Robyn Norton
- The George Institute for Global Health, London, UK
- Imperial College London, London, UK
- UNSW Sydney, Sydney, NSW, Australia
| | - Kate Womersley
- The George Institute for Global Health, London, UK
- Imperial College London, London, UK
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Bisio MMC, Jurado Medina LS, García-Bournissen F, Gulin JEN. Listen to what the animals say: a systematic review and meta-analysis of sterol 14-demethylase inhibitor efficacy for in vivo models of Trypanosoma cruzi infection. Parasitol Res 2024; 123:248. [PMID: 38904688 DOI: 10.1007/s00436-024-08257-3] [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: 03/23/2024] [Accepted: 05/30/2024] [Indexed: 06/22/2024]
Abstract
Sterol 14-demethylase (CYP51) inhibitors, encompassing new chemical entities and repurposed drugs, have emerged as promising candidates for Chagas disease treatment, based on preclinical studies reporting anti-Trypanosoma cruzi activity. Triazoles like ravuconazole (RAV) and posaconazole (POS) progressed to clinical trials. Unexpectedly, their efficacy was transient in chronic Chagas disease patients, and their activity was not superior to benznidazole (BZ) treatment. This paper aims to summarize evidence on the global activity of CYP51 inhibitors against T. cruzi by applying systematic review strategies, risk of bias assessment, and meta-analysis from in vivo studies. PubMed and Embase databases were searched for original articles, obtaining fifty-six relevant papers meeting inclusion criteria. Characteristics of animal models, parasite strain, treatment schemes, and cure rates were extracted. Primary outcomes such as maximum parasitaemia values, survival, and parasitological cure were recorded for meta-analysis, when possible. The risk of bias was uncertain in most studies. Animals treated with itraconazole, RAV, or POS survived significantly longer than the infected non-treated groups (RR = 4.85 [3.62, 6.49], P < 0.00001), and they showed no differences with animals treated with positive control drugs (RR = 1.01 [0.98, 1.04], P = 0.54). Furthermore, the overall analysis showed that RAV or POS was not likely to achieve parasitological cure when compared with BZ or NFX treatment (OD = 0.49 [0.31, 0.77], P = 0.002). This systematic review contributes to understanding why the azoles had failed in clinical trials and, more importantly, how to improve the animal models of T. cruzi infection by filling the gaps between basic, translational, and clinical research.
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Affiliation(s)
- Margarita María Catalina Bisio
- Instituto Nacional de Parasitología (INP) 'Dr. Mario Fatala Chaben'-ANLIS 'Dr. Carlos G. Malbrán', Buenos Aires, Argentina. Av. Paseo Colón 568, C1097, Buenos Aires, Argentina
- Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas (CONICET), Buenos Aires, Argentina
| | - Laura Smeldy Jurado Medina
- Dipartimento Di Scienze Mediche E Chirurgiche, Alma Mater Studiorum, Università Di Bologna, Via San Giacomo 12, 2 Floor, 55. 40126, BO. Bologna, Italy
| | - Facundo García-Bournissen
- Division of Paediatric Clinical Pharmacology, Department of Paediatrics, Schulich School of Medicine & Dentistry, University of Western Ontario, 800 Commissioners Rd. E., Rm. B1-437., London, ON, Canada
| | - Julián Ernesto Nicolás Gulin
- Instituto de Biología y Medicina Experimental (IBYME), CONICET, Vuelta de Obligado 2490 (C1428ADN), Buenos Aires, Argentina.
- Instituto de Investigaciones Biomédicas (INBIOMED), UBA-CONICET, Paraguay 2155 (C1121ABG), Buenos Aires, Argentina.
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Kostas-Polston EA, Bevans M, Shea TL, McGlothen-Bell K, Nies MA, Alexander IM, Johnson-Mallard V, Clayton JA. Ensuring accountability for consideration of sex as a biological variable in research. Nurs Outlook 2024; 72:102194. [PMID: 38788270 DOI: 10.1016/j.outlook.2024.102194] [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: 02/22/2024] [Revised: 04/27/2024] [Accepted: 04/28/2024] [Indexed: 05/26/2024]
Abstract
The National Institute of Health (NIH) policy, Consideration of Sex as a Biological Variable (SABV) in NIH-funded Research (2015), focuses on the expectation that researchers account for the influence of SABV in vertebrate animal and human studies and provide a strong justification for single-sex investigations. When SABV is considered in the research design, data analyses, and reporting, the rigor and reproducibility of the research are elevated and inform best practices and precision health for all people. Additional recommendations include the appropriate use of terminology, integration into curricula, intersection with social determinants of health, and application of sex and gender equity guidelines when disseminating research. This paper is a "call to action" for nurse researchers to lean into and apply this policy's principles and our recommendations, from the bench to the bedside, to advance the equity and health of all people.
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Affiliation(s)
- Elizabeth A Kostas-Polston
- Daniel K. Inouye Graduate School of Nursing, Uniformed Services University of the Health Sciences, Bethesda, MD.
| | - Margaret Bevans
- Office of the Clinical Director, National Heart Lung and Blood Institute, National Institutes of Health, Bethesda, MD
| | - Tamra L Shea
- College of Health, Western Carolina University, Cullowhee, NC
| | | | - Mary A Nies
- College of Health, Idaho State University, Pocatello, ID
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Tiwari N, Qiao LY. Sex Differences in Visceral Pain and Comorbidities: Clinical Outcomes, Preclinical Models, and Cellular and Molecular Mechanisms. Cells 2024; 13:834. [PMID: 38786056 PMCID: PMC11119472 DOI: 10.3390/cells13100834] [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: 03/19/2024] [Revised: 05/03/2024] [Accepted: 05/10/2024] [Indexed: 05/25/2024] Open
Abstract
Sexual dimorphism of visceral pain has been documented in clinics and experimental animal models. Aside from hormones, emerging evidence suggests the sex-differential intrinsic neural regulation of pain generation and maintenance. According to the International Association for the Study of Pain (IASP) and the American College of Gastroenterology (ACG), up to 25% of the population have visceral pain at any one time, and in the United States 10-15 percent of adults suffer from irritable bowel syndrome (IBS). Here we examine the preclinical and clinical evidence of sex differences in visceral pain focusing on IBS, other forms of bowel dysfunction and IBS-associated comorbidities. We summarize preclinical animal models that provide a means to investigate the underlying molecular mechanisms in the sexual dimorphism of visceral pain. Neurons and nonneuronal cells (glia and immune cells) in the peripheral and central nervous systems, and the communication of gut microbiota and neural systems all contribute to sex-dependent nociception and nociplasticity in visceral painful signal processing. Emotion is another factor in pain perception and appears to have sexual dimorphism.
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Affiliation(s)
- Namrata Tiwari
- Department of Physiology and Biophysics, Virginia Commonwealth University School of Medicine, Richmond, VA 23298, USA
- Department of Internal Medicine, Virginia Commonwealth University School of Medicine, Richmond, VA 23298, USA
| | - Liya Y. Qiao
- Department of Physiology and Biophysics, Virginia Commonwealth University School of Medicine, Richmond, VA 23298, USA
- Department of Internal Medicine, Virginia Commonwealth University School of Medicine, Richmond, VA 23298, USA
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Chapp AD, Nwakama CA, Jagtap PP, Phan CMH, Thomas MJ, Mermelstein PG. Fundamental Sex Differences in Cocaine-Induced Plasticity of Dopamine D1 Receptor- and D2 Receptor-Expressing Medium Spiny Neurons in the Mouse Nucleus Accumbens Shell. BIOLOGICAL PSYCHIATRY GLOBAL OPEN SCIENCE 2024; 4:100295. [PMID: 38533248 PMCID: PMC10963205 DOI: 10.1016/j.bpsgos.2024.100295] [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: 11/27/2023] [Revised: 02/02/2024] [Accepted: 02/11/2024] [Indexed: 03/28/2024] Open
Abstract
Background Cocaine-induced plasticity in the nucleus accumbens shell of males occurs primarily in dopamine D1 receptor-expressing medium spiny neurons (D1R-MSNs), with little if any impact on dopamine D2 receptor-expressing medium spiny neurons (D2R-MSNs). In females, the effect of cocaine on accumbens shell D1R- and D2R-MSN neurophysiology has yet to be reported, nor have estrous cycle effects been accounted for. Methods We used a 5-day locomotor sensitization paradigm followed by a 10- to 14-day drug-free abstinence period. We then obtained ex vivo whole-cell recordings from fluorescently labeled D1R-MSNs and D2R-MSNs in the nucleus accumbens shell of male and female mice during estrus and diestrus. We examined accumbens shell neuronal excitability as well as miniature excitatory postsynaptic currents (mEPSCs). Results In females, we observed alterations in D1R-MSN excitability across the estrous cycle similar in magnitude to the effects of cocaine in males. Furthermore, cocaine shifted estrous cycle-dependent plasticity from intrinsic excitability changes in D1R-MSNs to D2R-MSNs. In males, cocaine treatment produced the anticipated drop in D1R-MSN excitability with no effect on D2R-MSN excitability. Cocaine increased mEPSC frequencies and amplitudes in D2R-MSNs from females in estrus and mEPSC amplitudes of D2R-MSNs from females in diestrus. In males, cocaine increased both D1R- and D2R-MSN mEPSC amplitudes with no effect on mEPSC frequencies. Conclusions Overall, while there are similar cocaine-induced disparities regarding the relative excitability of D1R-MSNs versus D2R-MSNs between the sexes, this is mediated through reduced D1R-MSN excitability in males, whereas it is due to heightened D2R-MSN excitability in females.
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Affiliation(s)
- Andrew D. Chapp
- Department of Neuroscience, University of Minnesota, Minneapolis, Minnesota
- Medical Discovery Team on Addiction, University of Minnesota, Minneapolis, Minnesota
| | - Chinonso A. Nwakama
- Department of Neuroscience, University of Minnesota, Minneapolis, Minnesota
- Medical Discovery Team on Addiction, University of Minnesota, Minneapolis, Minnesota
- Medical Scientist Training Program, Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai, New York, New York
| | - Pramit P. Jagtap
- Department of Neuroscience, University of Minnesota, Minneapolis, Minnesota
| | - Chau-Mi H. Phan
- Department of Neuroscience, University of Minnesota, Minneapolis, Minnesota
| | - Mark J. Thomas
- Department of Neuroscience, University of Minnesota, Minneapolis, Minnesota
- Medical Discovery Team on Addiction, University of Minnesota, Minneapolis, Minnesota
- Center for Neural Circuits in Addiction, University of Minnesota, Minneapolis, Minnesota
| | - Paul G. Mermelstein
- Department of Neuroscience, University of Minnesota, Minneapolis, Minnesota
- Medical Discovery Team on Addiction, University of Minnesota, Minneapolis, Minnesota
- Center for Neural Circuits in Addiction, University of Minnesota, Minneapolis, Minnesota
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Rodríguez-Ibarra C, Díaz-Urbina D, Zagal-Salinas AA, Medina-Reyes EI, Déciga-Alcaraz A, Hernández-Pando R, Chirino YI. Oral exposure to food grade titanium dioxide (E171) induces intestinal and behavioural alterations in adult mice but limited effects in young mice. J Trace Elem Med Biol 2024; 83:127409. [PMID: 38394968 DOI: 10.1016/j.jtemb.2024.127409] [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: 11/10/2023] [Revised: 02/01/2024] [Accepted: 02/02/2024] [Indexed: 02/25/2024]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Food-grade titanium dioxide (E171), a white colourant widely used in ultra-processed food products, has been banned in the European Union. However, its usage is still permitted in medicines, and in several other countries. The estimated intake of E171 in children is higher than in adults, which led us to hypothesise that E171 induces differential effects depending on age, with adult mice being the most susceptible due to age, despite the lower dose. AIM To evaluate the effects of oral administration of E171 on intestinal permeability, ileum, and colon histology, and how these effects impact anxious and depressive behaviour in young and adult mice of both sexes. METHODS Young and adult mice of both sexes C57BL/6 mice received 10 mg/kgbw E171/3 times per week for 3 months. E171 was administered orally in water by pipetting, while control groups only received drinking water, then intestinal permeability, histology and animal behaviour were analysed. RESULTS E171 showed an amorphous shape, primary particles sized below 1 µm and anatase crystalline structure. Oral administration of E171 disrupted the intestinal permeability in adult male and female mice, but no effects were observed in young mice of both sexes. E171 promoted ileal adenoma formation in half of the adult female population, moreover hyperplastic crypts, and hyperplastic goblet cells at histological level in adult mice of both sexes. The colon presented hyperplastic goblet cells, hyperchromatic nuclei, increased proliferation and DNA damage in adult mice of both sexes. The anxiety and depressive behaviour were only altered in adult mice treated with E171, but no changes were detected in young animals of both sexes. CONCLUSIONS Adult mice displayed higher susceptibility in all parameters analysed in this study compared to young mice of both sexes.
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Affiliation(s)
- Carolina Rodríguez-Ibarra
- Unidad de Biomedicina, Facultad de Estudios Superiores Iztacala, Universidad Nacional Autónoma de México, Av. de los Barrios No. 1, Los Reyes Iztacala, Tlalnepantla de Baz, CP 54090 Estado de México, Mexico
| | - Daniel Díaz-Urbina
- Laboratorio de Neurobiología de la Alimentación. Facultad de Estudios Superiores Iztacala, Universidad Nacional Autónoma de México, Av. de los Barrios No. 1, Los Reyes Iztacala, Tlalnepantla de Baz, CP 54090 Estado de México, Mexico; Laboratory of Neurobiology on Compulsive Behaviors, The National Institute on Alcohol Abuse and Alcoholism (NIAAA), National Institute of Health, Bethesda, MD, USA
| | - Alejandro A Zagal-Salinas
- Unidad de Biomedicina, Facultad de Estudios Superiores Iztacala, Universidad Nacional Autónoma de México, Av. de los Barrios No. 1, Los Reyes Iztacala, Tlalnepantla de Baz, CP 54090 Estado de México, Mexico
| | - Estefany I Medina-Reyes
- Unidad de Biomedicina, Facultad de Estudios Superiores Iztacala, Universidad Nacional Autónoma de México, Av. de los Barrios No. 1, Los Reyes Iztacala, Tlalnepantla de Baz, CP 54090 Estado de México, Mexico
| | - Alejandro Déciga-Alcaraz
- Química de Aerosoles Orgánicos Atmosféricos, Instituto de Ciencias de la Atmósfera y Cambio Climático, Universidad Nacional Autónoma de México, CP 04510 Ciudad de México, Mexico
| | - Rogelio Hernández-Pando
- Sección de Patología Experimental, Departamento de Patología, Instituto Nacional de Ciencias Médicas y Nutrición "Salvador Zubirán", Vasco de Quiroga 15, Belisario Domínguez Sección 16, Tlalpan, CP 14080 Ciudad de México, Mexico
| | - Yolanda I Chirino
- Unidad de Biomedicina, Facultad de Estudios Superiores Iztacala, Universidad Nacional Autónoma de México, Av. de los Barrios No. 1, Los Reyes Iztacala, Tlalnepantla de Baz, CP 54090 Estado de México, Mexico.
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Ofosu-Boateng M, Shaik F, Choi S, Ekuban FA, Gebreyesus LH, Twum E, Nnamani D, Yeyeodu ST, Yadak N, Collier DM, Gyamfi MA. High-fat diet induced obesity promotes inflammation, oxidative stress, and hepatotoxicity in female FVB/N mice. Biofactors 2024; 50:572-591. [PMID: 38183321 PMCID: PMC11178471 DOI: 10.1002/biof.2028] [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: 05/20/2023] [Accepted: 11/04/2023] [Indexed: 01/08/2024]
Abstract
Although obesity and subsequent liver injury are increasingly prevalent in women, female mouse models have generally shown resistance to high-fat diet (HFD)-induced obesity. We evaluated control and HFD-fed male and female FVB/N mice, a strain well-suited to transgenic analyses, for phenotypic, histological, and molecular markers related to control of glucose, lipids, and inflammation in serum, liver, and perigonadal white adipose tissues. Unlike many mouse models, HFD-fed FVB/N females gained more perigonadal and mesenteric fat mass and overall body weight than their male counterparts, with increased hepatic expression of lipogenic PPARγ target genes (Cd36, Fsp27, and Fsp27β), oxidative stress genes and protein (Nqo1 and CYP2E1), inflammatory gene (Mip-2), and the pro-fibrotic gene Pai-1, along with increases in malondialdehyde and serum ALT levels. Further, inherent to females (independently of HFD), hepatic antioxidant heme oxygenase-1 (HMOX1, HO-1) protein levels were reduced compared to their male counterparts. In contrast, males may have been relatively protected from HFD-induced oxidative stress and liver injury by elevated mRNA and protein levels of hepatic antioxidants BHMT and Gpx2, increased fatty acid oxidation genes in liver and adipocytes (Pparδ), despite disorganized and inflamed adipocytes. Thus, female FVB/N mice offer a valuable preclinical, genetically malleable model that recapitulates many of the features of diet-induced obesity and liver damage observed in human females.
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Affiliation(s)
- Malvin Ofosu-Boateng
- Department of Pharmaceutical Sciences, College of Pharmacy, The University of Tennessee Health Science Center, Memphis, TN, 38163
| | - Fathima Shaik
- Department of Pharmaceutical Sciences, College of Pharmacy, The University of Tennessee Health Science Center, Memphis, TN, 38163
| | - Sora Choi
- Julius L. Chambers Biomedical Biotechnology Research Institute, North Carolina Central University, Durham, 27707, NC
| | - Frederick A. Ekuban
- Department of Pharmaceutical Sciences, College of Pharmacy, The University of Tennessee Health Science Center, Memphis, TN, 38163
| | - Lidya H. Gebreyesus
- Department of Pharmaceutical Sciences, College of Pharmacy, The University of Tennessee Health Science Center, Memphis, TN, 38163
| | - Elizabeth Twum
- Department of Pharmaceutical Sciences, College of Pharmacy, The University of Tennessee Health Science Center, Memphis, TN, 38163
| | - Daniel Nnamani
- Department of Pharmaceutical Sciences, College of Pharmacy, The University of Tennessee Health Science Center, Memphis, TN, 38163
| | - Susan T. Yeyeodu
- Julius L. Chambers Biomedical Biotechnology Research Institute, North Carolina Central University, Durham, 27707, NC
- Charles River Discovery Services, Durham, NC, 27709
| | - Nour Yadak
- Department of Pathology and Laboratory Medicine, The University of Tennessee Health Science Center, Memphis, TN, 38163
| | - Daniel M. Collier
- Department of Pharmaceutical Sciences, College of Pharmacy, The University of Tennessee Health Science Center, Memphis, TN, 38163
| | - Maxwell A. Gyamfi
- Department of Pharmaceutical Sciences, College of Pharmacy, The University of Tennessee Health Science Center, Memphis, TN, 38163
- Julius L. Chambers Biomedical Biotechnology Research Institute, North Carolina Central University, Durham, 27707, NC
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Patil R, Aswar U, Vyas N. Pterostilbene alleviates cafeteria diet-induced obesity and underlying depression in adolescent male Swiss albino mice and affects insulin resistance, inflammation, HPA axis dysfunction and SIRT1 mediated leptin-ghrelin signaling. Horm Behav 2024; 161:105504. [PMID: 38354494 DOI: 10.1016/j.yhbeh.2024.105504] [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: 09/03/2023] [Revised: 02/06/2024] [Accepted: 02/06/2024] [Indexed: 02/16/2024]
Abstract
Cafeteria diet (CD) model for in-vivo studies mimics the western diet having imbalanced nutritional value, high caloric-density and palatability. Uncontrolled eating leads to the development of childhood obesity, poor self-esteem and depression due to its effects on brain development. Herbal supplements are novel inclusion in the management of obesity and mental well-being. Pterostilbene (PTE) found in blueberries and Pterocarpus marsupium heartwood, is known to prevent obesity in invivo models. Adolescent Swiss albino male mice were fed on CD for 70 days and the development of obesity was assessed by gain in body weight, abdominal circumference. Forced swim and tail suspension test confirmed depression in CD fed mice. Obesity induced depressed (OID) mice were treated with PTE (10, 20, 40 mg/kg), standard antiobesity drug cetilistat (10 mg/kg), antidepressant fluoxetine (10 mg/kg) for 28 days. Post treatment, PTE-treated mice showed reduction in BW and depression-like behavior analysed using paradigms such as sucrose preference, open field, marble burying, and resident intruder test in comparison to the CD group. Insulin resistance, lipid profile, antioxidant enzyme, inflammatory cytokines (NF-κB, IL-6, TNF α) and cortisol levels were mitigated by PTE. It also restored normal cellular architecture of the brain and adipose tissue and increased the Silent mating type information regulation 2 homolog1 (SIRT1), leptin and ghrelin receptors gene expression in the brain. Thus, it can be concluded that PTE might have inhibited OID like behavior in mice via inhibition of IR, modulating neuroinflammation and hypothalamic-pituitary-adrenal axis dysfunction and upregulating SIRT1 mediated leptin-ghrelin signaling.
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Affiliation(s)
- Rashmi Patil
- Poona College of Pharmacy, Bharati Vidyapeeth (Deemed to Be) University, Pune, Maharashtra 411038, India
| | - Urmila Aswar
- Poona College of Pharmacy, Bharati Vidyapeeth (Deemed to Be) University, Pune, Maharashtra 411038, India.
| | - Nishant Vyas
- Logical Life Sciences Private Limited, Pune, India
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Sadighi M, Mai L, Xu Y, Boillot M, Targa G, Mottarlini F, Brambilla P, Gass P, Caffino L, Fumagalli F, Homberg JR. Chronic exposure to imipramine induces a switch from depression-like to mania-like behavior in female serotonin transporter knockout rats: Role of BDNF signaling in the infralimbic cortex. J Affect Disord 2024; 351:128-142. [PMID: 38280571 DOI: 10.1016/j.jad.2024.01.186] [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: 07/25/2023] [Revised: 01/08/2024] [Accepted: 01/18/2024] [Indexed: 01/29/2024]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Bipolar disorder (BD) is a highly burdensome psychiatric disorder characterized by alternating states of mania and depression. A major challenge in the clinic is the switch from depression to mania, which is often observed in female BD patients during antidepressant treatment such as imipramine. However, the underlying neural basis is unclear. METHODS To investigate the potential neuronal pathways, serotonin transporter knockout (SERT KO) rats, an experimental model of female BD patients, were subjected to a battery of behavioral tests under chronic treatment of the antidepressant imipramine. In addition, the expression of brain-derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF) and its downstream signaling was examined in the prefrontal cortex. RESULTS Chronic exposure to imipramine reduced anxiety and sociability and problem-solving capacity, and increased thigmotaxis and day/night activity in all animals, but specifically in female SERT KO rats, compared to female wild-type (WT) rats. Further, we found an activation of BDNF-TrkB-Akt pathway signaling in the infralimbic, but not prelimbic, cortex after chronic imipramine treatment in SERT KO, but not WT, rats. LIMITATIONS Repeated testing behaviors could potentially affect the results. Additionally, the imipramine induced changes in behavior and in the BDNF system were measured in separate animals. CONCLUSIONS Our study indicates that female SERT KO rats, which mirror the female BD patients with the 5-HTTLPR s-allele, are at higher risk of a switch to mania-like behaviors under imipramine treatment. Activation of the BDNF-TrkB-Akt pathway in the infralimbic cortex might contribute to this phenotype, but causal evidence remains to be provided.
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Affiliation(s)
- Mina Sadighi
- Department of Cognitive Neuroscience, Radboud University Medical Center, Donders Institute for Brain, Cognition, and Behaviour, Nijmegen, the Netherlands
| | - Lingling Mai
- Department of Cognitive Neuroscience, Radboud University Medical Center, Donders Institute for Brain, Cognition, and Behaviour, Nijmegen, the Netherlands
| | - Yifan Xu
- Department of Cognitive Neuroscience, Radboud University Medical Center, Donders Institute for Brain, Cognition, and Behaviour, Nijmegen, the Netherlands
| | - Morgane Boillot
- Department of Cognitive Neuroscience, Radboud University Medical Center, Donders Institute for Brain, Cognition, and Behaviour, Nijmegen, the Netherlands
| | - Giorgia Targa
- Department of Pharmacological and Biomolecular Sciences 'Rodolfo Paoletti', Università degli Studi di Milano, Milan, Italy
| | - Francesca Mottarlini
- Department of Pharmacological and Biomolecular Sciences 'Rodolfo Paoletti', Università degli Studi di Milano, Milan, Italy
| | - Paolo Brambilla
- Department of Neurosciences and Mental Health, Fondazione IRCCS Ca' Granda, Ospedale Maggiore Policlinico, Milan, Italy; Department of Pathophysiology and Transplantation, University of Milan, Milan, Italy
| | - Peter Gass
- Department of Psychiatry and Psychotherapy, RG Animal Models in Psychiatry, Central Institute of Mental Health, Medical Faculty Mannheim, Heidelberg University, Mannheim, Germany
| | - Lucia Caffino
- Department of Pharmacological and Biomolecular Sciences 'Rodolfo Paoletti', Università degli Studi di Milano, Milan, Italy
| | - Fabio Fumagalli
- Department of Pharmacological and Biomolecular Sciences 'Rodolfo Paoletti', Università degli Studi di Milano, Milan, Italy
| | - Judith R Homberg
- Department of Cognitive Neuroscience, Radboud University Medical Center, Donders Institute for Brain, Cognition, and Behaviour, Nijmegen, the Netherlands.
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Gunderson ML, Heer S, Klahr AC. A Pilot Systematic Review and Meta-analysis of Neuroprotective Studies in Female Rodent Models of Ischemic Stroke. Transl Stroke Res 2024; 15:364-377. [PMID: 36763321 DOI: 10.1007/s12975-023-01134-8] [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: 08/26/2022] [Revised: 12/29/2022] [Accepted: 01/30/2023] [Indexed: 02/11/2023]
Abstract
Most ischemic stroke (IS) patients go untreated due to limited treatment windows, restrictive eligibility criteria, and poor availability of current clinical therapies. Neuroprotective treatments targeting protracted neurodegeneration are needed yet keep failing in clinical trials. Over half of IS patients are female, and the scarcity of neuroprotective studies using female animals hinders translational success. This pilot review and meta-analysis assessed the relationship between the risk of bias and efficacy of studies testing post-ischemic neuroprotective therapies using female rodent models of IS. We carried out a systematic search of the PubMed database for studies published between 1999 and May 2022, used the CAMARADES checklist to evaluate study quality, and extracted data pertaining to lesion volume and behavioral assessment. We found that 34 studies met our inclusion criteria, with pooled effect sizes depicting a significant treatment effect. However, researchers used mostly healthy young females, administered therapies within short time windows, ignored hormonal influences, and did not assess long-term outcomes. Interestingly, studies failing to report factors impacting internal validity, such as blinding and random allocation, had inflated effect sizes or did not reach statistical significance. There was also a relationship between low study quality and larger effect sizes for functional outcome, stressing the need to follow the existing translational design, reporting, and data analysis guidelines. In this review, we cover previous recommendations and offer our own in hopes that rigorous and meticulous research using female animal models of IS will increase our chances of successful bench-to-bedside translation.
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Affiliation(s)
- Morgen L Gunderson
- Department of Social Sciences, Augustana Faculty, University of Alberta, Camrose, Canada
| | - Sukhmani Heer
- Department of Social Sciences, Augustana Faculty, University of Alberta, Camrose, Canada
| | - Ana C Klahr
- Department of Social Sciences, Augustana Faculty, University of Alberta, Camrose, Canada.
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12
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Raimondi GM, Eng AK, Kenny MP, Britting MA, Ostroff LE. Track-by-Day: A standardized approach to estrous cycle monitoring in biobehavioral research. Behav Brain Res 2024; 461:114860. [PMID: 38216058 DOI: 10.1016/j.bbr.2024.114860] [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: 09/29/2023] [Revised: 01/03/2024] [Accepted: 01/06/2024] [Indexed: 01/14/2024]
Abstract
Despite known sex differences in brain function, female subjects are underrepresented in preclinical neuroscience research. This is driven in part by concerns about variability arising from estrous cycle-related hormone fluctuations, especially in fear- and anxiety-related research where there are conflicting reports as to whether and how the cycle influences behavior. The inconsistency may arise from a lack of common standards for tracking and reporting the cycle as opposed to inherent unpredictability in the cycle itself. The rat estrous cycle is conventionally tracked by assigning vaginal cytology smears to one of four qualitatively-defined stages. Although the cytology stages are of unequal length, the stage names are often, but not always, used to refer to the four cycle days. Subjective staging criteria and inconsistent use of terminology are not necessarily a problem in research on the cycle itself, but can lead to irreproducibility in neuroscience studies that treat the stages as independent grouping factors. We propose the explicit use of cycle days as independent variables, which we term Track-by-Day to differentiate it from traditional stage-based tracking, and that days be indexed to the only cytology feature that is a direct and rapid consequence of a hormonal event: a cornified cell layer formed in response to the pre-ovulatory 17β-estradiol peak. Here we demonstrate that cycle length is robustly regular with this method, and that the method outperforms traditional staging in detecting estrous cycle effects on Pavlovian fear conditioning and on a separate proxy for hormonal changes, uterine histology.
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Affiliation(s)
- Gianna M Raimondi
- Department of Physiology and Neurobiology, University of Connecticut, Storrs, CT, USA; Connecticut Institute for the Brain and Cognitive Science, University of Connecticut, Storrs, CT, USA
| | - Ashley K Eng
- Department of Physiology and Neurobiology, University of Connecticut, Storrs, CT, USA
| | - Murphy P Kenny
- Department of Physiology and Neurobiology, University of Connecticut, Storrs, CT, USA
| | - Madison A Britting
- Department of Physiology and Neurobiology, University of Connecticut, Storrs, CT, USA
| | - Linnaea E Ostroff
- Department of Physiology and Neurobiology, University of Connecticut, Storrs, CT, USA; Connecticut Institute for the Brain and Cognitive Science, University of Connecticut, Storrs, CT, USA; Institute of Materials Science, University of Connecticut, Storrs, CT, USA.
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13
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Mușat MI, Mitran SI, Udriștoiu I, Albu CV, Cătălin B. The impact of stress on the behavior of C57BL/6 mice with liver injury: a comparative study. Front Behav Neurosci 2024; 18:1358964. [PMID: 38510829 PMCID: PMC10950904 DOI: 10.3389/fnbeh.2024.1358964] [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: 12/20/2023] [Accepted: 02/26/2024] [Indexed: 03/22/2024] Open
Abstract
Introduction Depressive-like behavior has been shown to be associated with liver damage. This study aimed to evaluate the impact of three different models of depression on the behavior of mice with liver injury. Methods During the 4 weeks of methionine/choline deficiency diet (MCD), adult C57BL/6 mice were randomly divided into four groups: MCD (no stress protocol, n = 6), chronic unpredictable mild stress (CUMS, n = 9), acute and repeated forced swim stress [aFSS (n = 9) and rFSS (n = 9)]. Results All depression protocols induced increased anhedonia and anxiety-like behavior compared to baseline and had no impact on the severity of liver damage, according to ultrasonography. However, different protocols evoked different overall behavior patterns. After the depressive-like behavior induction protocols, animals subjected to aFSS did not exhibit anxiety-like behavior differences compared to MCD animals, while mice subjected to CUMS showed additional weight loss compared to FSS animals. All tested protocols for inducing depressive-like behavior decreased the short-term memory of mice with liver damage, as assessed by the novel object recognition test (NORT). Discussion Our results show that the use of all protocols seems to generate different levels of anxiety-like behavior, but only the depressive-like behavior induction procedures associate additional anhedonia and memory impairment in mice with liver injury.
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Affiliation(s)
- Mădălina Iuliana Mușat
- U.M.F. Doctoral School Craiova, University of Medicine and Pharmacy of Craiova, Craiova, Romania
- Experimental Research Centre for Normal and Pathological Aging, University of Medicine and Pharmacy of Craiova, Craiova, Romania
| | - Smaranda Ioana Mitran
- Experimental Research Centre for Normal and Pathological Aging, University of Medicine and Pharmacy of Craiova, Craiova, Romania
- Department of Physiology, University of Medicine and Pharmacy of Craiova, Craiova, Romania
| | - Ion Udriștoiu
- Department of Psychiatry, University of Medicine and Pharmacy, Craiova, Romania
| | - Carmen Valeria Albu
- Department of Neurology, University of Medicine and Pharmacy, Craiova, Romania
| | - Bogdan Cătălin
- Experimental Research Centre for Normal and Pathological Aging, University of Medicine and Pharmacy of Craiova, Craiova, Romania
- Department of Physiology, University of Medicine and Pharmacy of Craiova, Craiova, Romania
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14
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Fürstenau E, Lindauer U, Koch H, Höllig A. Secondary Ischemia Assessment in Murine and Rat Preclinical Subarachnoid Hemorrhage Models: A Systematic Review. J Am Heart Assoc 2024; 13:e032694. [PMID: 38420758 PMCID: PMC10944078 DOI: 10.1161/jaha.123.032694] [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: 09/20/2023] [Accepted: 01/11/2024] [Indexed: 03/02/2024]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Delayed cerebral ischemia represents a significant contributor to death and disability following aneurysmal subarachnoid hemorrhage. Although preclinical models have shown promising results, clinical trials have consistently failed to replicate the success of therapeutic strategies. The lack of standardized experimental setups and outcome assessments, particularly regarding secondary vasospastic/ischemic events, may be partly responsible for the translational failure. The study aims to delineate the procedural characteristics and assessment modalities of secondary vasospastic and ischemic events, serving as surrogates for clinically relevant delayed cerebral ischemia, in recent rat and murine subarachnoid hemorrhage models. METHODS AND RESULTS We conducted a systematic review of rat and murine in vivo subarachnoid hemorrhage studies (published: 2016-2020) using delayed cerebral ischemia/vasospasm as outcome parameters. Our analysis included 102 eligible studies. In murine studies (n=30), the endovascular perforation model was predominantly used, while rat studies primarily employed intracisternal blood injection to mimic subarachnoid hemorrhage. Particularly, the injection models exhibited considerable variation in injection volume, rate, and cerebrospinal fluid withdrawal. Peri-interventional monitoring was generally inadequately reported across all models, with body temperature and blood pressure being the most frequently documented parameters (62% and 34%, respectively). Vasospastic events were mainly assessed through microscopy of large cerebral arteries. In 90% of the rat and 86% of the murine studies, only male animals were used. CONCLUSIONS Our study underscores the substantial heterogeneity in procedural characteristics and outcome assessments of experimental subarachnoid hemorrhage research. To address these challenges, drafting guidelines for standardization and ensuring rigorous control of methodological and experimental quality by funders and journals are essential. REGISTRATION URL: https://www.crd.york.ac.uk/prospero/; Unique identifier: CRD42022337279.
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Affiliation(s)
- Elias Fürstenau
- Department of NeurosurgeryUniversity Hospital Aachen, RWTH Aachen UniversityAachenGermany
| | - Ute Lindauer
- Department of NeurosurgeryUniversity Hospital Aachen, RWTH Aachen UniversityAachenGermany
- Translational Neurosurgery and Neurobiology, Department of NeurosurgeryUniversity Hospital Aachen, RWTH Aachen UniversityAachenGermany
| | - Henner Koch
- Department of Epileptology and NeurologyRWTH Aachen UniversityAachenGermany
| | - Anke Höllig
- Department of NeurosurgeryUniversity Hospital Aachen, RWTH Aachen UniversityAachenGermany
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15
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Wierenga LM, Ruigrok A, Aksnes ER, Barth C, Beck D, Burke S, Crestol A, van Drunen L, Ferrara M, Galea LAM, Goddings AL, Hausmann M, Homanen I, Klinge I, de Lange AM, Geelhoed-Ouwerkerk L, van der Miesen A, Proppert R, Rieble C, Tamnes CK, Bos MGN. Recommendations for a Better Understanding of Sex and Gender in the Neuroscience of Mental Health. BIOLOGICAL PSYCHIATRY GLOBAL OPEN SCIENCE 2024; 4:100283. [PMID: 38312851 PMCID: PMC10837069 DOI: 10.1016/j.bpsgos.2023.100283] [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: 05/11/2023] [Revised: 11/16/2023] [Accepted: 11/17/2023] [Indexed: 02/06/2024] Open
Abstract
There are prominent sex/gender differences in the prevalence, expression, and life span course of mental health and neurodiverse conditions. However, the underlying sex- and gender-related mechanisms and their interactions are still not fully understood. This lack of knowledge has harmful consequences for those with mental health problems. Therefore, we set up a cocreation session in a 1-week workshop with a multidisciplinary team of 25 researchers, clinicians, and policy makers to identify the main barriers in sex and gender research in the neuroscience of mental health. Based on this work, here we provide recommendations for methodologies, translational research, and stakeholder involvement. These include guidelines for recording, reporting, analysis beyond binary groups, and open science. Improved understanding of sex- and gender-related mechanisms in neuroscience may benefit public health because this is an important step toward precision medicine and may function as an archetype for studying diversity.
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Affiliation(s)
- Lara Marise Wierenga
- Institute of Psychology, Leiden University, Leiden, the Netherlands
- Leiden Institute for Brain and Cognition, Leiden University, Leiden, the Netherlands
| | - Amber Ruigrok
- Division of Psychology and Mental Health, School of Health Sciences, Faculty of Biology, Medicine and Health, University of Manchester, Manchester, United Kingdom
- Autism Research Centre, Department of Psychiatry, University of Cambridge, Cambridge, United Kingdom
| | - Eira Ranheim Aksnes
- Department of Psychiatric Research, Diakonhjemmet Hospital, Oslo, Norway
- NORMENT, Institute of Clinical Medicine, University of Oslo, Oslo, Norway
- PROMENTA Research Center, Department of Psychology, University of Oslo, Oslo, Norway
| | - Claudia Barth
- Department of Psychiatric Research, Diakonhjemmet Hospital, Oslo, Norway
- NORMENT, Institute of Clinical Medicine, University of Oslo, Oslo, Norway
| | - Dani Beck
- Department of Psychiatric Research, Diakonhjemmet Hospital, Oslo, Norway
- NORMENT, Institute of Clinical Medicine, University of Oslo, Oslo, Norway
- PROMENTA Research Center, Department of Psychology, University of Oslo, Oslo, Norway
| | - Sarah Burke
- Interdisciplinary Center for Psychopathology and Emotion regulation, Department of Psychiatry, University Medical Center Groningen, University of Groningen, Groningen, the Netherlands
| | - Arielle Crestol
- Department of Psychiatric Research, Diakonhjemmet Hospital, Oslo, Norway
- NORMENT, Institute of Clinical Medicine, University of Oslo, Oslo, Norway
| | - Lina van Drunen
- Institute of Psychology, Leiden University, Leiden, the Netherlands
- Leiden Institute for Brain and Cognition, Leiden University, Leiden, the Netherlands
| | - Maria Ferrara
- Department of Neuroscience and Rehabilitation, Institute of Psychiatry, University of Ferrara, Ferrara, Italy
- University Hospital Psychiatry Unit, Integrated Department of Mental Health and Addictive Behavior, University S. Anna Hospital and Health Trust, Ferrara, Italy
| | - Liisa Ann Margaret Galea
- Centre for Addiction and Mental Health, Department of Psychiatry, University of Toronto, Toronto, Ontario, Canada
| | - Anne-Lise Goddings
- University College London Great Ormond Street Institute of Child Health, University College London, London, United Kingdom
| | - Markus Hausmann
- Department of Psychology, Durham University, Durham, United Kingdom
| | - Inka Homanen
- Institute of Psychology, Leiden University, Leiden, the Netherlands
- Leiden Institute for Brain and Cognition, Leiden University, Leiden, the Netherlands
| | - Ineke Klinge
- Dutch Society for Gender & Health, the Netherlands
- Gendered Innovations at European Commission, Brussels, Belgium
| | - Ann-Marie de Lange
- Laboratory for Research in Neuroimaging, Centre for Research in Neurosciences, Department of Clinical Neurosciences, Lausanne University Hospital and University of Lausanne, Lausanne, Switzerland
- Department of Psychology, University of Oslo, Oslo, Norway
- Department of Psychiatry, University of Oxford, Oxford, United Kingdom
| | - Lineke Geelhoed-Ouwerkerk
- Institute of Psychology, Leiden University, Leiden, the Netherlands
- Leiden Institute for Brain and Cognition, Leiden University, Leiden, the Netherlands
| | - Anna van der Miesen
- Department of Child and Adolescent Psychiatry, Center of Expertise on Gender Dysphoria, Amsterdam University Medical Center, Vrije Universiteit Amsterdam, Amsterdam, the Netherlands
| | - Ricarda Proppert
- Department of Clinical Psychology, Leiden University, Leiden, the Netherlands
| | - Carlotta Rieble
- Department of Clinical Psychology, Leiden University, Leiden, the Netherlands
| | - Christian Krog Tamnes
- Department of Psychiatric Research, Diakonhjemmet Hospital, Oslo, Norway
- NORMENT, Institute of Clinical Medicine, University of Oslo, Oslo, Norway
- PROMENTA Research Center, Department of Psychology, University of Oslo, Oslo, Norway
| | - Marieke Geerte Nynke Bos
- Institute of Psychology, Leiden University, Leiden, the Netherlands
- Leiden Institute for Brain and Cognition, Leiden University, Leiden, the Netherlands
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16
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Lindsey ML, Usselman CW, Ripplinger CM, Carter JR, DeLeon-Pennell KY. Sex as a biological variable for cardiovascular physiology. Am J Physiol Heart Circ Physiol 2024; 326:H459-H469. [PMID: 38099847 PMCID: PMC11219053 DOI: 10.1152/ajpheart.00727.2023] [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: 11/20/2023] [Revised: 12/08/2023] [Accepted: 12/10/2023] [Indexed: 02/03/2024]
Abstract
There have been ongoing efforts by federal agencies and scientific communities since the early 1990s to incorporate sex and/or gender in all aspects of cardiovascular research. Scientific journals provide a critical function as change agents to influence transformation by encouraging submissions for topic areas, and by setting standards and expectations for articles submitted to the journal. As part of ongoing efforts to advance sex and gender in cardiovascular physiology research, the American Journal of Physiology-Heart and Circulatory Physiology recently launched a call for papers on Considering Sex as a Biological Variable. This call was an overwhelming success, resulting in 78 articles published in this collection. This review summarizes the major themes of the collection, including Sex as a Biological Variable Within: Endothelial Cell and Vascular Physiology, Cardiovascular Immunity and Inflammation, Metabolism and Mitochondrial Energy, Extracellular Matrix Turnover and Fibrosis, Neurohormonal Signaling, and Cardiovascular Clinical and Epidemiology Assessments. Several articles also focused on establishing rigor and reproducibility of key physiological measurements involved in cardiovascular health and disease, as well as recommendations and considerations for study design. Combined, these articles summarize our current understanding of sex and gender influences on cardiovascular physiology and pathophysiology and provide insight into future directions needed to further expand our knowledge.
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Affiliation(s)
- Merry L Lindsey
- School of Graduate Studies, Meharry Medical College, Nashville, Tennessee, United States
- Research Service, Nashville Veterans Affairs Medical Center, Nashville, Tennessee, United States
| | - Charlotte W Usselman
- Cardiovascular Health and Autonomic Regulation Laboratory, Department of Kinesiology and Physical Education, McGill University, Montreal, Quebec, Canada
| | - Crystal M Ripplinger
- Department of Pharmacology, UC Davis School of Medicine, Davis, California, United States
| | - Jason R Carter
- Robbins College of Health and Human Sciences, Baylor University, Waco, Texas, United States
| | - Kristine Y DeLeon-Pennell
- Division of Cardiology, Department of Medicine, School of Medicine, Medical University of South Carolina, Charleston, South Carolina, United States
- Research Service, Ralph H. Johnson Veterans Affairs Medical Center, Charleston, South Carolina, United States
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17
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Keogh E, Boerner KE. Challenges with embedding an integrated sex and gender perspective into pain research: Recommendations and opportunities. Brain Behav Immun 2024; 117:112-121. [PMID: 38145854 DOI: 10.1016/j.bbi.2023.12.027] [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: 04/21/2023] [Revised: 12/01/2023] [Accepted: 12/20/2023] [Indexed: 12/27/2023] Open
Abstract
The focus of this article, within this BBI horizons special issue, is on sex, gender, and pain. We summarise what is currently known about sex- and gender-related variations in pain, exploring intersectional biological and psychosocial mechanisms, and highlight gaps in knowledge and understanding. Five key challenges with the exploration of sex and gender in pain research are presented, relating to: conceptual imprecision, research bias, limitations with binary descriptions, integrating sex and gender, and timely adoption/implementation of good research practice. Guidance on how to overcome such challenges is provided. Despite clear evidence for sex and gender differences in pain, there are conceptual and methodological barriers to overcome. Innovation in methods and approach can help develop more effective and tailored treatment approaches for men, women, boys, girls, and gender-diverse people.
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Affiliation(s)
- Edmund Keogh
- Bath Centre for Pain Research & Department of Psychology, University of Bath, UK.
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18
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Melgar-Locatelli S, Mañas-Padilla MC, Gavito AL, Rivera P, Rodríguez-Pérez C, Castilla-Ortega E, Castro-Zavala A. Sex-specific variations in spatial reference memory acquisition: Insights from a comprehensive behavioral test battery in C57BL/6JRj mice. Behav Brain Res 2024; 459:114806. [PMID: 38086456 DOI: 10.1016/j.bbr.2023.114806] [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: 07/19/2023] [Revised: 12/06/2023] [Accepted: 12/07/2023] [Indexed: 12/25/2023]
Abstract
Sex differences in declarative memory are described in humans, revealing a female or a male advantage depending on the task. Specifically, spatial memory (i.e., spatial navigation) is typically most efficient in men. This sexual dimorphism has been replicated in male rats but not clearly in mice. In this study, sex differences in spatial memory were assessed in thirty-six C57BL/6 J mice (Janvier Labs; i.e., C57BL/6JRj mice), a widely used mouse substrain. Both male and female mice (12 weeks-old) were subjected to standard behavioral paradigms: the elevated plus maze, the open field test, the novel object and place tests, the forced swimming test, and the water maze test for spatial navigation. Across assessment, no sex differences were found in measures of locomotor activity, emotional and behavioral responses, and object and place recognition memories. In the water maze, male mice were faster in learning the platform location in the reference memory training and used more spatial strategies during the first training days. However, both sexes reached a similar asymptotic performance and performed similarly in the probe trial for long-term memory consolidation. No sex differences were found in the cued training, platform inversion sessions, or spatial working memory sessions. Hippocampal expression of the brain-derived neurotrophic factor was similar in both sexes, either in basal conditions or after performing the behavioral training battery. Importantly, female mice were not more variable than males in any measure analyzed. This outcome encourages the investigation of sex differences in animal models and the usefulness of including female mice in behavioral research.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sonia Melgar-Locatelli
- Instituto de Investigación Biomédica de Málaga y Plataforma en Nanomedicina-IBIMA Plataforma BIONAND, Spain; Departamento de Psicobiología y Metodología de las Ciencias del Comportamiento, Universidad de Málaga, Spain
| | - M Carmen Mañas-Padilla
- Instituto de Investigación Biomédica de Málaga y Plataforma en Nanomedicina-IBIMA Plataforma BIONAND, Spain; Departamento de Psicobiología y Metodología de las Ciencias del Comportamiento, Universidad de Málaga, Spain
| | - Ana L Gavito
- Instituto de Investigación Biomédica de Málaga y Plataforma en Nanomedicina-IBIMA Plataforma BIONAND, Spain; Unidad de Gestión Clínica de Salud Mental, Hospital Regional Universitario de Málaga, Spain
| | - Patricia Rivera
- Instituto de Investigación Biomédica de Málaga y Plataforma en Nanomedicina-IBIMA Plataforma BIONAND, Spain; Unidad de Gestión Clínica de Salud Mental, Hospital Regional Universitario de Málaga, Spain
| | - Celia Rodríguez-Pérez
- Departamento de Nutrición y Bromatología, Universidad de Granada, Campus Universitario de Cartuja, Spain; Instituto de Nutrición y Tecnología de los Alimentos 'José Mataix', Universidad de Granada, Granada, Spain; Instituto de Investigación Biosanitaria de Granada (ibs.GRANADA), Granada, Spain
| | - Estela Castilla-Ortega
- Instituto de Investigación Biomédica de Málaga y Plataforma en Nanomedicina-IBIMA Plataforma BIONAND, Spain; Departamento de Psicobiología y Metodología de las Ciencias del Comportamiento, Universidad de Málaga, Spain.
| | - Adriana Castro-Zavala
- Instituto de Investigación Biomédica de Málaga y Plataforma en Nanomedicina-IBIMA Plataforma BIONAND, Spain; Departamento de Psicobiología y Metodología de las Ciencias del Comportamiento, Universidad de Málaga, Spain.
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19
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Cherian CM, Reeves HR, De Silva D, Tsao S, Marshall KE, Rideout EJ. Consideration of sex as a biological variable in diabetes research across twenty years. Biol Sex Differ 2024; 15:19. [PMID: 38409052 PMCID: PMC10895746 DOI: 10.1186/s13293-024-00595-2] [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: 11/14/2023] [Accepted: 02/16/2024] [Indexed: 02/28/2024] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Sex differences exist in the risk of developing type 1 and type 2 diabetes, and in the risk of developing diabetes-associated complications. Sex differences in glucose homeostasis, islet and β cell biology, and peripheral insulin sensitivity have also been reported. Yet, we lack detailed information on the mechanisms underlying these differences, preventing the development of sex-informed therapeutic strategies for persons living with diabetes. To chart a path toward greater inclusion of biological sex as a variable in diabetes research, we first need a detailed assessment of common practices in the field. METHODS We developed a scoring system to evaluate the inclusion of biological sex in manuscripts published in Diabetes, a journal published by the American Diabetes Association. We chose Diabetes as this journal focuses solely on diabetes and diabetes-related research, and includes manuscripts that use both clinical and biomedical approaches. We scored papers published across 3 years within a 20-year period (1999, 2009, 2019), a timeframe that spans the introduction of funding agency and journal policies designed to improve the consideration of biological sex as a variable. RESULTS Our analysis showed fewer than 15% of papers used sex-based analysis in even one figure across all study years, a trend that was reproduced across journal-defined categories of diabetes research (e.g., islet studies, signal transduction). Single-sex studies accounted for approximately 40% of all manuscripts, of which > 87% used male subjects only. While we observed a modest increase in the overall inclusion of sex as a biological variable during our study period, our data highlight significant opportunities for improvement in diabetes research practices. We also present data supporting a positive role for journal policies in promoting better consideration of biological sex in diabetes research. CONCLUSIONS Our analysis provides significant insight into common practices in diabetes research related to the consideration of biological sex as a variable. Based on our analysis we recommend ways that diabetes researchers can improve inclusion of biological sex as a variable. In the long term, improved practices will reveal sex-specific mechanisms underlying diabetes risk and complications, generating knowledge to enable the development of sex-informed prevention and treatment strategies.
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Affiliation(s)
- Celena M Cherian
- Department of Cellular and Physiological Sciences, Life Sciences Institute, The University of British Columbia, Vancouver, Canada
| | - Hayley R Reeves
- Department of Cellular and Physiological Sciences, Life Sciences Institute, The University of British Columbia, Vancouver, Canada
- School of Molecular Biosciences, University of Glasgow, Glasgow, UK
| | - Duneesha De Silva
- Department of Cellular and Physiological Sciences, Life Sciences Institute, The University of British Columbia, Vancouver, Canada
- Department of Orthopaedics, The University of British Columbia, Vancouver, Canada
| | - Serena Tsao
- Department of Cellular and Physiological Sciences, Life Sciences Institute, The University of British Columbia, Vancouver, Canada
- Department of Anatomy and Cell Biology, Faculty of Medicine and Health Sciences, McGill University, Montréal, Canada
| | - Katie E Marshall
- Department of Zoology, The University of British Columbia, Vancouver, Canada
| | - Elizabeth J Rideout
- Department of Cellular and Physiological Sciences, Life Sciences Institute, The University of British Columbia, Vancouver, Canada.
- Life Sciences Center, 2350 Health Sciences Mall (RM3308), Vancouver, BC, V6T 1Z3, Canada.
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20
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Di Pierdomenico J, Gallego-Ortega A, Norte-Muñoz M, Vidal-Villegas B, Bravo I, Boluda-Ruiz M, Bernal-Garro JM, Fernandez-Bueno I, Pastor-Jimeno JC, Villegas-Pérez MP, Avilés-Trigueros M, de Los Ríos C, Vidal-Sanz M. Evaluation of the neuroprotective efficacy of the gramine derivative ITH12657 against NMDA-induced excitotoxicity in the rat retina. Front Neuroanat 2024; 18:1335176. [PMID: 38415017 PMCID: PMC10898249 DOI: 10.3389/fnana.2024.1335176] [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: 11/08/2023] [Accepted: 01/16/2024] [Indexed: 02/29/2024] Open
Abstract
Purpose The aim of this study was to investigate, the neuroprotective effects of a new Gramine derivative named: ITH12657, in a model of retinal excitotoxicity induced by intravitreal injection of NMDA. Methods Adult Sprague Dawley rats received an intravitreal injection of 100 mM NMDA in their left eye and were treated daily with subcutaneous injections of ITH12657 or vehicle. The best dose-response, therapeutic window study, and optimal treatment duration of ITH12657 were studied. Based on the best survival of Brn3a + RGCs obtained from the above-mentioned studies, the protective effects of ITH12657 were studied in vivo (retinal thickness and full-field Electroretinography), and ex vivo by quantifying the surviving population of Brn3a + RGCs, αRGCs and their subtypes α-ONsRGCs, α-ONtRGCs, and α-OFFRGCs. Results Administration of 10 mg/kg ITH12657, starting 12 h before NMDA injection and dispensed for 3 days, resulted in the best significant protection of Brn3a + RGCs against NMDA-induced excitotoxicity. In vivo, ITH12657-treated rats showed significant preservation of retinal thickness and functional protection against NMDA-induced retinal excitotoxicity. Ex vivo results showed that ITH12657 afforded a significant protection against NMDA-induced excitotoxicity for the populations of Brn3a + RGC, αRGC, and αONs-RGC, but not for the population of αOFF-RGC, while the population of α-ONtRGC was fully resistant to NMDA-induced excitotoxicity. Conclusion Subcutaneous administration of ITH12657 at 10 mg/kg, initiated 12 h before NMDA-induced retinal injury and continued for 3 days, resulted in the best protection of Brn3a + RGCs, αRGC, and αONs-RGC against excitotoxicity-induced RGC death. The population of αOFF-RGCs was extremely sensitive while α-ONtRGCs were fully resistant to NMDA-induced excitotoxicity.
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Affiliation(s)
| | | | - María Norte-Muñoz
- Departamento de Oftalmología, Universidad de Murcia e IMIB-Arrixaca, Murcia, Spain
| | | | - Isaac Bravo
- Instituto de Investigación Sanitaria, Hospital Universitario de la Princesa, Madrid, Spain
- Departamento de Ciencias Básicas de la Salud, Universidad Rey Juan Carlos, Alcorcón, Spain
| | - María Boluda-Ruiz
- Departamento de Oftalmología, Universidad de Murcia e IMIB-Arrixaca, Murcia, Spain
| | | | - Iván Fernandez-Bueno
- Instituto Universitario de Oftalmobiología Aplicada (IOBA), Retina Group, Universidad de Valladolid, Valladolid, Spain
| | - Jose Carlos Pastor-Jimeno
- Instituto Universitario de Oftalmobiología Aplicada (IOBA), Retina Group, Universidad de Valladolid, Valladolid, Spain
| | | | | | - Cristobal de Los Ríos
- Instituto de Investigación Sanitaria, Hospital Universitario de la Princesa, Madrid, Spain
- Departamento de Ciencias Básicas de la Salud, Universidad Rey Juan Carlos, Alcorcón, Spain
| | - Manuel Vidal-Sanz
- Departamento de Oftalmología, Universidad de Murcia e IMIB-Arrixaca, Murcia, Spain
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21
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Goikolea-Vives A, Fernandes C, Thomas MSC, Thornton C, Stolp HB. Sex-specific behavioural deficits in adulthood following acute activation of the GABAA receptor in the neonatal mouse. Dev Neurosci 2024:000536641. [PMID: 38325353 DOI: 10.1159/000536641] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/23/2023] [Accepted: 01/26/2024] [Indexed: 02/09/2024] Open
Abstract
INTRODUCTION Sex differences exist in the prevalence of neurodevelopmental disorders (NDDs). Part of the aetiology of NDDs has been proposed to be alterations in the balance between excitatory and inhibitory neurotransmission, leading to the question of whether males and females respond differently to altered neurotransmitter balance. We investigated whether pharmacological alteration of GABAA signalling in early development results in sex-dependent changes in adult behaviours associated with NDDs. METHODS Male and female C57BL/6J mice received intraperitoneal injections of 0.5mg/kg muscimol or saline on postnatal days (P) 3-5 and were subjected to behavioural testing, specifically open field, light dark box, marble burying, sucralose preference, social interaction and olfactory habituation/dishabituation tests between P60-90. RESULTS Early postnatal administration of muscimol resulted in reduced anxiety in the light dark box test in both male and female adult mice. Muscimol reduced sucralose preference in males, but not females, whereas female mice showed reduced social behaviours. Regional alterations in cortical thickness were observed in the weeks following GABAA receptor activation, pointing to an evolving structural difference in the brain underlying adult behaviour. CONCLUSIONS We conclude that activation of the GABAA receptor in the first week of life resulted in long-lasting changes in a range of behaviours in adulthood following altered neurodevelopment. Sex of the individual affected the nature and severity of these abnormalities, explaining part of the varied pathophysiology and neurodevelopmental diagnosis that derive from excitatory/inhibitory imbalance.
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22
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Wu X, Nagy LE, Gautheron J. Mediators of necroptosis: from cell death to metabolic regulation. EMBO Mol Med 2024; 16:219-237. [PMID: 38195700 PMCID: PMC10897313 DOI: 10.1038/s44321-023-00011-z] [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: 09/21/2023] [Revised: 11/08/2023] [Accepted: 11/20/2023] [Indexed: 01/11/2024] Open
Abstract
Necroptosis, a programmed cell death mechanism distinct from apoptosis, has garnered attention for its role in various pathological conditions. While initially recognized for its involvement in cell death, recent research has revealed that key necroptotic mediators, including receptor-interacting protein kinases (RIPKs) and mixed lineage kinase domain-like protein (MLKL), possess additional functions that go beyond inducing cell demise. These functions encompass influencing critical aspects of metabolic regulation, such as energy metabolism, glucose homeostasis, and lipid metabolism. Dysregulated necroptosis has been implicated in metabolic diseases, including obesity, diabetes, metabolic dysfunction-associated steatotic liver disease (MASLD) and alcohol-associated liver disease (ALD), contributing to chronic inflammation and tissue damage. This review provides insight into the multifaceted role of necroptosis, encompassing both cell death and these extra-necroptotic functions, in the context of metabolic diseases. Understanding this intricate interplay is crucial for developing targeted therapeutic strategies in diseases that currently lack effective treatments.
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Affiliation(s)
- Xiaoqin Wu
- Northern Ohio Alcohol Center, Department of Inflammation and Immunity, Cleveland Clinic, Cleveland, OH, USA
- Department of Integrative Biology and Pharmacology, McGovern Medical School, University of Texas Health Science Center at Houston, Houston, TX, USA
| | - Laura E Nagy
- Northern Ohio Alcohol Center, Department of Inflammation and Immunity, Cleveland Clinic, Cleveland, OH, USA
- Department of Gastroenterology and Hepatology, Cleveland Clinic, Cleveland, OH, USA
- Department of Molecular Medicine, Case Western Reserve University, Cleveland, OH, USA
| | - Jérémie Gautheron
- Sorbonne Université, Inserm UMRS_938, Centre de Recherche Saint-Antoine (CRSA), Paris, 75012, France.
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23
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Lee W, Lee JW, Kim S, Kim JM, Youn DH, Park SH, Kwon CH, Choi SO. Discriminative stimulus and reinforcing effects of diclazepam in rodents. Pharmacol Biochem Behav 2024; 235:173687. [PMID: 38016594 DOI: 10.1016/j.pbb.2023.173687] [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: 05/25/2023] [Revised: 11/22/2023] [Accepted: 11/23/2023] [Indexed: 11/30/2023]
Abstract
Diclazepam, a designer benzodiazepine, is a lesser-known novel anxiolytic substance and a structural analog of diazepam. Although several case studies have reported the adverse effects of diclazepam, their potential impacts remain unknown. Therefore, this study aimed to determine the effects of diclazepam in rodents using drug discrimination, locomotor activity, self-administration (SA), and conditioned place preference (CPP) tests. Sprague-Dawley rats (male, 8 weeks old, weighing 220-450 g, n = 12 per group) and C57BL/6 mice (male, 7 weeks old, weighing 20-25 g, n = 7-8 per group) were administered alprazolam, morphine, and diclazepam. Diclazepam fully elicited alprazolam-appropriate dose-dependent lever responses (>80 %) similar to those of alprazolam. In rats administered 0.5 mg/kg of morphine, a partial substitution (80 %-20 %) was observed. Mice receiving intraperitoneal injections of diclazepam (0.05, 0.2, and 2 mg/kg) showed decreased locomotor activity. In the SA experiment, mice that self-administered intravenous diclazepam (2 μg/kg/infusion) showed significantly higher infusion and active lever responses compared to the vehicle group. No statistically significant rewarding effects of diclazepam at the doses of 0.2 and 2 mg/kg evaluated using the CPP paradigm were found. In conclusion, diclazepam has reinforcing effects and shares the interoceptive effects of alprazolam. Therefore, legal restrictions on the use of diclazepam should be carefully considered.
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Affiliation(s)
- Wonjong Lee
- Pharmacological Research Division, Toxicological Evaluation and Research Department, National Institute of Food and Drug Safety Evaluation, Ministry of Food and Drug Safety, 187 Osong Saengmyeong 2-ro, Heungdeok-gu, Chungju 28159, Republic of Korea
| | - Jung Won Lee
- Division of in Vitro Diagnostic Devices National Institute of Food and Drug Safety Evaluation, Ministry of Food and Drug Safety, 187 Osong Saengmyeong 2-ro, Heungdeok-gu, Chungju 28159, Republic of Korea
| | - Sungsun Kim
- Pharmacological Research Division, Toxicological Evaluation and Research Department, National Institute of Food and Drug Safety Evaluation, Ministry of Food and Drug Safety, 187 Osong Saengmyeong 2-ro, Heungdeok-gu, Chungju 28159, Republic of Korea
| | - Jin Mook Kim
- Pharmacological Research Division, Toxicological Evaluation and Research Department, National Institute of Food and Drug Safety Evaluation, Ministry of Food and Drug Safety, 187 Osong Saengmyeong 2-ro, Heungdeok-gu, Chungju 28159, Republic of Korea
| | - Dong-Hyun Youn
- Pharmacological Research Division, Toxicological Evaluation and Research Department, National Institute of Food and Drug Safety Evaluation, Ministry of Food and Drug Safety, 187 Osong Saengmyeong 2-ro, Heungdeok-gu, Chungju 28159, Republic of Korea
| | - Seong Hye Park
- Pharmacological Research Division, Toxicological Evaluation and Research Department, National Institute of Food and Drug Safety Evaluation, Ministry of Food and Drug Safety, 187 Osong Saengmyeong 2-ro, Heungdeok-gu, Chungju 28159, Republic of Korea
| | - Chan Hyeok Kwon
- Pharmacological Research Division, Toxicological Evaluation and Research Department, National Institute of Food and Drug Safety Evaluation, Ministry of Food and Drug Safety, 187 Osong Saengmyeong 2-ro, Heungdeok-gu, Chungju 28159, Republic of Korea
| | - Sun-Ok Choi
- Pharmacological Research Division, Toxicological Evaluation and Research Department, National Institute of Food and Drug Safety Evaluation, Ministry of Food and Drug Safety, 187 Osong Saengmyeong 2-ro, Heungdeok-gu, Chungju 28159, Republic of Korea.
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24
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Nuseir K, Alzoubi KH, Altarifi A, Kassab M, Khabour OF, Al-Ghraiybah NF, Obiedat R. Long-term effects of neonatal pain and sucrose treatment. CURRENT RESEARCH IN PHARMACOLOGY AND DRUG DISCOVERY 2024; 6:100176. [PMID: 38322818 PMCID: PMC10844943 DOI: 10.1016/j.crphar.2024.100176] [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: 09/13/2023] [Revised: 01/04/2024] [Accepted: 01/16/2024] [Indexed: 02/08/2024] Open
Abstract
Purpose In neonatal intensive care units, applying sucrose solution for analgesia is now a routine treatment for mild procedural pain. Studies of animal and human infants provide clear evidence of benefits in the short term, but few studies have investigated the long term benefits. Thus, we determined whether sucrose could ameliorate painful stimulation during infancy in Sprague-Dawley rats and also explored the long-term effects of repeated sucrose administration during infancy. Female and male rats were included to investigate sex-related differences. Methods Rat pups were stimulated either with painful or tactile stimuli for the first 14 days of their lives. Pups were pretreated either with sucrose or not treated before stimulation. Behavioral tests were conducted during adolescence and adulthood. Hotplate, rotarod, open field, elevated plus maze, and radial arm water maze tests were employed to assess the behavioral consequences of early life manipulations and treatments. Results Painful stimulation during infancy increased the sensitivity to pain later in life, and sucrose did not remedy this effect. Motility, coordination, anxiety, and cognition tests in adulthood obtained mixed results. Pain during infancy appeared to increase anxiety during adulthood. Learning and memory in adulthood were affected by pain during infancy, and sucrose had a negative effect even in the absence of pain. No sex-related differences were observed in any of the behavioral tests by employing this model of neonatal pain. Conclusion Painful stimulation during infancy resulted in deficiencies in some behavioral tests later in life. Sucrose pretreatment did not mitigate these shortcomings and it actually resulted in negative outcomes.
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Affiliation(s)
- Khawla Nuseir
- Department of Clinical Pharmacy, Faculty of Pharmacy, Jordan University of Science and Technology, Irbid, Jordan
| | - Karem H. Alzoubi
- Department of Pharmacy Practice and Pharmacotherapeutics, University of Sharjah, Sharjah, United Arab Emirates
- Faculty of Pharmacy, Jordan University of Science and Technology, Irbid, 22110, Jordan
| | - Ahmad Altarifi
- Department of Pharmacology, Faculty of Medicine, Jordan University of Science and Technology, Irbid, Jordan
| | - Manal Kassab
- Department Maternal and Child Health, Faculty of Nursing, Jordan University of Science and Technology, Irbid, Jordan
| | - Omar F. Khabour
- Department of Medical Laboratory Sciences, Faculty of Applied Medical Sciences, Jordan University of Science and Technology, Irbid, Jordan
| | - Nour F. Al-Ghraiybah
- Department of Clinical Pharmacy, Faculty of Pharmacy, Jordan University of Science and Technology, Irbid, Jordan
| | - Roa'a Obiedat
- Department of Clinical Pharmacy, Faculty of Pharmacy, Jordan University of Science and Technology, Irbid, Jordan
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25
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Tripathi MK, Ojha SK, Kartawy M, Khaliulin I, Hamoudi W, Amal H. Mutations associated with autism lead to similar synaptic and behavioral alterations in both sexes of male and female mouse brain. Sci Rep 2024; 14:10. [PMID: 38177238 PMCID: PMC10766975 DOI: 10.1038/s41598-023-50248-4] [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: 09/10/2023] [Accepted: 12/17/2023] [Indexed: 01/06/2024] Open
Abstract
Autism spectrum disorder (ASD) is a neurodevelopmental disorder based on synaptic abnormalities. The estimated prevalence rate of male individuals diagnosed with ASD prevails over females is in a proportion of 4:1. Consequently, males remain the main focus in ASD studies in clinical and experimental settings. Meanwhile, some studies point to an underestimation of this disorder in females. In this work, we studied the sex differences of the synaptic and behavioral phenotypes of ASD mouse models. Juvenile male and female Shank3Δ4-22 and Cntnap2-/- mutant mice and their WT littermates were used in the experiments. The animals were subjected to a Three-Chamber Sociability Test, then euthanized, and the whole cortex was used for the evaluation of the synaptic phenotype. Protein levels of glutamatergic (NR1) and GABAergic (GAD1 and VGAT) neuronal markers were measured. Protein level of synaptophysin (Syp) was also measured. Dendritic spine density in somatosensory neurons was analyzed by Golgi staining methods. Spine Density and GAD1, NR1, VGAT, and Syp levels were significantly reduced in Shank3Δ4-22 and Cntnap2-/- mice compared to the control group irrespective of sex, indicating impaired synaptic development in the mutant mice. These results were consistent with the lack of differences in the three-chamber sociability test between male and female mice. In conclusion, female ASD mice of both mutations undergo similar synaptic aberrations as their male counterparts and need to be studied along with the male animals. Finally, this work urges the psychiatry scientific community to use both sexes in their investigations.
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Affiliation(s)
- Manish Kumar Tripathi
- Institute for Drug Research, School of Pharmacy, Faculty of Medicine, The Hebrew University of Jerusalem, Jerusalem, Israel
| | - Shashank Kumar Ojha
- Institute for Drug Research, School of Pharmacy, Faculty of Medicine, The Hebrew University of Jerusalem, Jerusalem, Israel
| | - Maryam Kartawy
- Institute for Drug Research, School of Pharmacy, Faculty of Medicine, The Hebrew University of Jerusalem, Jerusalem, Israel
| | - Igor Khaliulin
- Institute for Drug Research, School of Pharmacy, Faculty of Medicine, The Hebrew University of Jerusalem, Jerusalem, Israel
| | - Wajeha Hamoudi
- Institute for Drug Research, School of Pharmacy, Faculty of Medicine, The Hebrew University of Jerusalem, Jerusalem, Israel
| | - Haitham Amal
- Institute for Drug Research, School of Pharmacy, Faculty of Medicine, The Hebrew University of Jerusalem, Jerusalem, Israel.
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26
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Bartke A, Hascup E, Hascup K. Responses to Many Anti-Aging Interventions Are Sexually Dimorphic. World J Mens Health 2024; 42:29-38. [PMID: 37118966 PMCID: PMC10782120 DOI: 10.5534/wjmh.230015] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/27/2023] [Revised: 02/23/2023] [Accepted: 02/28/2023] [Indexed: 04/30/2023] Open
Abstract
There is increasing appreciation that sex differences are not limited to reproductive organs or traits related to reproduction and that sex is an important biological variable in most characteristics of a living organism. The biological process of aging and aging-related traits are no exception and exhibit numerous, often major, sex differences. This article explores one aspect of these differences, namely sex differences in the responses to anti-aging interventions. Aging can be slowed down and/or postponed by a variety of environmental ("lifestyle"), genetic or pharmacological interventions. Although many, particularly older studies utilized only one sex of experimental animals, there is considerable evidence that responses to these interventions can be very different in females and males. Calorie restriction (CR), that is reducing food intake without malnutrition can extend longevity in both sexes, but specific metabolic alterations and health benefits induced by CR are not the same in women and men. In laboratory mice, several of the genetic alterations that reduce insulin-like growth factor I (IGF-1) signaling extend longevity more effectively in females or in females only. Beneficial effects of rapamycin, an inhibitor of mTOR signaling, on mouse longevity are greater in females. In contrast, several anti-aging compounds, including a weak estrogen, 17 alpha estradiol, extend longevity of male, but not female, mice. Apparently, fundamental mechanisms of aging are not identical in females and males and it is essential to use both sexes in studies aimed at identifying novel anti-aging interventions. Recommendations for lifestyle modifications, drugs, and dietary supplements to maintain good health and functionality into advanced age and to live longer will likely need to be tailored to the sex of the user.
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Affiliation(s)
- Andrzej Bartke
- Department of Internal Medicine, Southern Illinois University School of Medicine, Springfield, IL, USA
- Department of Medical Microbiology, Immunology and Cell Biology, Southern Illinois University School of Medicine, Springfield, IL, USA.
| | - Erin Hascup
- Dale and Deborah Smith Center for Alzheimer's Research and Treatment, Department of Neurology, Neurosciences Institute, Southern Illinois University School of Medicine, Springfield, IL, USA
- Department of Pharmacology, Southern Illinois University School of Medicine, Springfield, IL, USA
| | - Kevin Hascup
- Dale and Deborah Smith Center for Alzheimer's Research and Treatment, Department of Neurology, Neurosciences Institute, Southern Illinois University School of Medicine, Springfield, IL, USA
- Department of Medical Microbiology, Immunology and Cell Biology, Southern Illinois University School of Medicine, Springfield, IL, USA
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27
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Dalla C, Jaric I, Pavlidi P, Hodes GE, Kokras N, Bespalov A, Kas MJ, Steckler T, Kabbaj M, Würbel H, Marrocco J, Tollkuhn J, Shansky R, Bangasser D, Becker JB, McCarthy M, Ferland-Beckham C. Practical solutions for including sex as a biological variable (SABV) in preclinical neuropsychopharmacological research. J Neurosci Methods 2024; 401:110003. [PMID: 37918446 PMCID: PMC10842858 DOI: 10.1016/j.jneumeth.2023.110003] [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: 08/29/2023] [Revised: 10/13/2023] [Accepted: 10/27/2023] [Indexed: 11/04/2023]
Abstract
Recently, many funding agencies have released guidelines on the importance of considering sex as a biological variable (SABV) as an experimental factor, aiming to address sex differences and avoid possible sex biases to enhance the reproducibility and translational relevance of preclinical research. In neuroscience and pharmacology, the female sex is often omitted from experimental designs, with researchers generalizing male-driven outcomes to both sexes, risking a biased or limited understanding of disease mechanisms and thus potentially ineffective therapeutics. Herein, we describe key methodological aspects that should be considered when sex is factored into in vitro and in vivo experiments and provide practical knowledge for researchers to incorporate SABV into preclinical research. Both age and sex significantly influence biological and behavioral processes due to critical changes at different timepoints of development for males and females and due to hormonal fluctuations across the rodent lifespan. We show that including both sexes does not require larger sample sizes, and even if sex is included as an independent variable in the study design, a moderate increase in sample size is sufficient. Moreover, the importance of tracking hormone levels in both sexes and the differentiation between sex differences and sex-related strategy in behaviors are explained. Finally, the lack of robust data on how biological sex influences the pharmacokinetic (PK), pharmacodynamic (PD), or toxicological effects of various preclinically administered drugs to animals due to the exclusion of female animals is discussed, and methodological strategies to enhance the rigor and translational relevance of preclinical research are proposed.
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Affiliation(s)
- Christina Dalla
- Department of Pharmacology, Medical School, National and Kapodistrian University of Athens, Greece.
| | - Ivana Jaric
- Animal Welfare Division, Vetsuisse Faculty, University of Bern, Bern, Switzerland
| | - Pavlina Pavlidi
- Department of Pharmacology, Medical School, National and Kapodistrian University of Athens, Greece
| | - Georgia E Hodes
- School of Neuroscience, Virginia Tech, Blacksburg, VA 24060, USA
| | - Nikolaos Kokras
- Department of Pharmacology, Medical School, National and Kapodistrian University of Athens, Greece; First Department of Psychiatry, Eginition Hospital, Medical School, National and Kapodistrian University of Athens, Greece
| | - Anton Bespalov
- Partnership for Assessment and Accreditation of Scientific Practice (PAASP GmbH), Heidelberg, Germany
| | - Martien J Kas
- Groningen Institute for Evolutionary Life Sciences, University of Groningen, the Netherlands
| | | | - Mohamed Kabbaj
- Department of Biomedical Sciences & Neurosciences, College of Medicine, Florida State University, USA
| | - Hanno Würbel
- Animal Welfare Division, Vetsuisse Faculty, University of Bern, Bern, Switzerland
| | - Jordan Marrocco
- Department of Biology, Touro University, New York, NY 10027, USA
| | | | - Rebecca Shansky
- Department of Psychology, Northeastern University, Boston, MA 02128, USA
| | - Debra Bangasser
- Neuroscience Institute, Georgia State University, Atlanta, GA 30303, USA; Center for Behavioral Neuroscience, Georgia State University, Atlanta, GA 30303, USA
| | - Jill B Becker
- Department of Psychology and Michigan Neuroscience Institute, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, MI 48109, USA
| | - Margaret McCarthy
- University of Maryland School of Medicine, Department of Pharmacology, Baltimore MD, USA
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28
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Usselman CW, Lindsey ML, Robinson AT, Habecker BA, Taylor CE, Merryman WD, Kimmerly D, Bender JR, Regensteiner JG, Moreau KL, Pilote L, Wenner MM, O'Brien M, Yarovinsky TO, Stachenfeld NS, Charkoudian N, Denfeld QE, Moreira-Bouchard JD, Pyle WG, DeLeon-Pennell KY. Guidelines on the use of sex and gender in cardiovascular research. Am J Physiol Heart Circ Physiol 2024; 326:H238-H255. [PMID: 37999647 PMCID: PMC11219057 DOI: 10.1152/ajpheart.00535.2023] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 9.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/31/2023] [Revised: 11/02/2023] [Accepted: 11/21/2023] [Indexed: 11/25/2023]
Abstract
In cardiovascular research, sex and gender have not typically been considered in research design and reporting until recently. This has resulted in clinical research findings from which not only all women, but also gender-diverse individuals have been excluded. The resulting dearth of data has led to a lack of sex- and gender-specific clinical guidelines and raises serious questions about evidence-based care. Basic research has also excluded considerations of sex. Including sex and/or gender as research variables not only has the potential to improve the health of society overall now, but it also provides a foundation of knowledge on which to build future advances. The goal of this guidelines article is to provide advice on best practices to include sex and gender considerations in study design, as well as data collection, analysis, and interpretation to optimally establish rigor and reproducibility needed to inform clinical decision-making and improve outcomes. In cardiovascular physiology, incorporating sex and gender is a necessary component when optimally designing and executing research plans. The guidelines serve as the first guidance on how to include sex and gender in cardiovascular research. We provide here a beginning path toward achieving this goal and improve the ability of the research community to interpret results through a sex and gender lens to enable comparison across studies and laboratories, resulting in better health for all.
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Affiliation(s)
- Charlotte W Usselman
- Cardiovascular Health and Autonomic Regulation Laboratory, Department of Kinesiology and Physical Education, McGill University, Montreal, Quebec, Canada
| | - Merry L Lindsey
- School of Graduate Studies, Meharry Medical College, Nashville, Tennessee, United States
- Research Service, Nashville Veterans Affairs Medical Center, Nashville, Tennessee, United States
| | - Austin T Robinson
- Neurovascular Physiology Laboratory, School of Kinesiology, Auburn University, Auburn, Alabama, United States
| | - Beth A Habecker
- Department of Chemical Physiology and Biochemistry and Knight Cardiovascular Institute, Oregon Health and Science University, Portland, Oregon, United States
| | - Chloe E Taylor
- School of Health Sciences, Western Sydney University, Sydney, New South Wales, Australia
| | - W David Merryman
- Department of Biomedical Engineering, Vanderbilt University, Nashville, Tennessee, United States
| | - Derek Kimmerly
- Autonomic Cardiovascular Control and Exercise Laboratory, Division of Kinesiology, School of Health and Human Performance, Faculty of Health, Dalhousie University, Halifax, Nova Scotia, Canada
| | - Jeffrey R Bender
- Section of Cardiovascular Medicine, Department of Internal Medicine, Yale Cardiovascular Research Center, New Haven, Connecticut, United States
- Department of Immunobiology, Yale University School of Medicine, New Haven, Connecticut, United States
| | - Judith G Regensteiner
- Divisions of General Internal Medicine and Cardiology, Department of Medicine, Ludeman Family Center for Women's Health Research, University of Colorado Anschutz Medical Campus, Aurora, Colorado, United States
| | - Kerrie L Moreau
- Division of Geriatrics, Department of Medicine, University of Colorado Anschutz Medical Campus, Aurora, Colorado, United States
- Eastern Colorado Health Care System, Geriatric Research Education and Clinical Center, Aurora, Colorado, United States
| | - Louise Pilote
- Centre for Outcomes Research and Evaluation, Research Institute of the McGill University Health Centre, McGill University, Montreal, Quebec, Canada
| | - Megan M Wenner
- Department of Kinesiology and Applied Physiology, University of Delaware, Newark, Delaware, United States
| | - Myles O'Brien
- School of Physiotherapy and Department of Medicine, Faculty of Health, Dalhousie University, Halifax, Nova Scotia, Canada
| | - Timur O Yarovinsky
- Section of Cardiovascular Medicine, Department of Internal Medicine, Yale Cardiovascular Research Center, New Haven, Connecticut, United States
- Department of Immunobiology, Yale University School of Medicine, New Haven, Connecticut, United States
| | - Nina S Stachenfeld
- John B. Pierce Laboratory, New Haven, Connecticut, United States
- Department of Obstetrics, Gynecology and Reproductive Sciences, Yale School of Medicine, New Haven, Connecticut, United States
| | - Nisha Charkoudian
- Thermal and Mountain Medicine Division, United States Army Research Institute of Environmental Medicine, Natick, Massachusetts, United States
| | - Quin E Denfeld
- School of Nursing and Knight Cardiovascular Institute, Oregon Health and Science University, Portland, Oregon, United States
| | - Jesse D Moreira-Bouchard
- Q.U.E.E.R. Lab, Programs in Human Physiology, Department of Health Sciences, Boston University College of Health and Rehabilitation Sciences: Sargent College, Boston, Massachusetts, United States
| | - W Glen Pyle
- IMPART Team Canada Network, Dalhousie Medicine, Saint John, New Brunswick, Canada
- Department of Biomedical Sciences, University of Guelph, Guelph, Ontario, Canada
| | - Kristine Y DeLeon-Pennell
- School of Medicine, Division of Cardiology, Department of Medicine, Medical University of South Carolina, Charleston, South Carolina, United States
- Research Service, Ralph H. Johnson Veterans Affairs Medical Center, Charleston, South Carolina, United States
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Partridge KJ, Olson R, Hillhouse TM. Methodological approach: using a within-subjects design in the marble burying assay. Behav Pharmacol 2023; 34:494-499. [PMID: 37668149 DOI: 10.1097/fbp.0000000000000752] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 09/06/2023]
Abstract
In 2016, the National Institutes of Health mandated the use of both male and female mice in funded research. The use of both sexes is an important variable to consider; however, it comes with negative consequences such as increased animal expenses. One way to combat these negatives is to explore the option of using a within-subjects design (repeated measures) in behavioral assays that historically use a between-subjects design. Our study aimed to determine if a within-subjects design can be utilized in the marble burying assay. The marble burying assay is used as a tool for screening putative anxiolytic compounds as the assay is thought to measure obsessive-compulsive disorder- or anxiety-like behaviors. First, we compared the effects of sex and digging medium (corn cob or Sani Chip) on the number of marbles buried using CD-1 mice. Second, we determined if mice would continue to bury marbles after repeated exposures to the test arena. Lastly, we tested three positive controls (buspirone, ketamine, and fluoxetine). We found that mice buried significantly more marbles within Sani Chip digging medium, and no sex differences were observed. Next, the number of marbles buried and locomotor activity remained consistent across four test sessions. The positive controls buspirone (3.2-10 mg/kg) ketamine (32 mg/kg), and fluoxetine (10 mg/kg) decreased the number of marbles buried using the within-subjects design. These data suggest that a within-subjects design is optimal for the marble burying assay as it will reduce the number of animals and increase statistical power.
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Affiliation(s)
- Kaitlyn J Partridge
- Department of Psychology, University of Wisconsin - Green Bay, Green Bay, Wisconsin, USA
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Taliaferro LP, Agarwal RK, Coleman CN, DiCarlo AL, Hofmeyer KA, Loelius SG, Molinar-Inglis O, Tedesco DC, Satyamitra MM. Sex differences in radiation research. Int J Radiat Biol 2023; 100:466-485. [PMID: 37991728 PMCID: PMC10922591 DOI: 10.1080/09553002.2023.2283089] [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: 08/23/2023] [Accepted: 10/26/2023] [Indexed: 11/23/2023]
Abstract
PURPOSE The Sex Differences in Radiation Research workshop addressed the role of sex as a confounder in radiation research and its implication in real-world radiological and nuclear applications. METHODS In April 2022, HHS-wide partners from the Radiation and Nuclear Countermeasures Program, the Office of Research on Women's Health National Institutes of Health Office of Women's Health, U.S. Food and Drug Administration, and the Radiological and Nuclear Countermeasures Branch at the Biomedical Advanced Research and Development Authority conducted a workshop to address the scientific implication and knowledge gaps in understanding sex in basic and translational research. The goals of this workshop were to examine sex differences in 1. Radiation animal models and understand how these may affect radiation medical countermeasure development; 2. Biodosimetry and/or biomarkers used to assess acute radiation syndrome, delayed effects of acute radiation exposure, and/or predict major organ morbidities; 3. medical research that lacks representation from both sexes. In addition, regulatory policies that influence inclusion of women in research, and the gaps that exist in drug development and device clearance were discussed. Finally, real-world sex differences in human health scenarios were also considered. RESULTS This report provides an overview of the two-day workshop, and open discussion among academic investigators, industry researchers, and U.S. government representatives. CONCLUSIONS This meeting highlighted that current study designs lack the power to determine statistical significance based on sex, and much is unknown about the underlying factors that contribute to these differences. Investigators should accommodate both sexes in all stages of research to ensure that the outcome is robust, reproducible, and accurate, and will benefit public health.
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Affiliation(s)
- Lanyn P. Taliaferro
- Division of Allergy, Immunology, and Transplantation (DAIT), National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases (NIAID), National Institutes of Health (NIH), Radiation and Nuclear Countermeasures Program (RNCP), Rockville, MD, USA
| | - Rajeev K. Agarwal
- Office of Research on Women’s Health (ORWH), Office of the Director, NIH, Rockville, MD, USA
| | - C. Norman Coleman
- Radiation Research Program Division of Cancer Treatment and Diagnosis, Radiation Oncology Branch, Center for Cancer Research, National Cancer Institute (NCI) and Administration for Strategic Preparedness and Response (ASPR), U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS), Washington, DC, USA
| | - Andrea L. DiCarlo
- Division of Allergy, Immunology, and Transplantation (DAIT), National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases (NIAID), National Institutes of Health (NIH), Radiation and Nuclear Countermeasures Program (RNCP), Rockville, MD, USA
| | - Kimberly A. Hofmeyer
- Radiological and Nuclear Countermeasures Branch, Biomedical Advanced Research and Development Authority (BARDA), ASPR, HHS, Washington, DC, USA
| | - Shannon G. Loelius
- Radiological and Nuclear Countermeasures Branch, Biomedical Advanced Research and Development Authority (BARDA), ASPR, HHS, Washington, DC, USA
| | - Olivia Molinar-Inglis
- Previously RNCP, DAIT, NIAID, NIH; now Antivirals and Antitoxins Program, Division of CBRN Countermeasures, BARDA, ASPR, HHS, Washington, DC, USA
| | - Dana C. Tedesco
- Radiological and Nuclear Countermeasures Branch, Biomedical Advanced Research and Development Authority (BARDA), ASPR, HHS, Washington, DC, USA
| | - Merriline M. Satyamitra
- Division of Allergy, Immunology, and Transplantation (DAIT), National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases (NIAID), National Institutes of Health (NIH), Radiation and Nuclear Countermeasures Program (RNCP), Rockville, MD, USA
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Ertik O, Magaji UF, Sacan O, Yanardag R. Effect of Moringa oleifera leaf extract on valproate-induced oxidative damage in muscle. Drug Chem Toxicol 2023; 46:1212-1222. [PMID: 36373188 DOI: 10.1080/01480545.2022.2144876] [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: 07/19/2022] [Revised: 09/28/2022] [Accepted: 10/30/2022] [Indexed: 11/16/2022]
Abstract
Valproic acid (VPA) is a drug used for the treatment of epilepsy worldwide. Depending on usage, it can cause complications such as coagulopathies, hepatotoxicity, and encephalopathy. Moringa oleifera has been shown to have antitumor, anti-inflammatory, antiulcer, antispasmodic, diuretic, antihypertensive, antidiabetic, and hepatoprotective activities. The current study investigated the effects of Moringa leaves extract (70% ethanol) on antioxidant systems against valproate-induced oxidative damage in muscle tissues of rats. Female Sprague Dawley rats were randomly divided into four groups. Group I: control group; Group II: animals given only Moringa extract; Group III: animals that received only sodium valproate; Group IV: animals administered with sodium valproate + Moringa extract. Moringa extract and sodium valproate were administered orally. Muscle tissues were collected after sacrificing the animals. Biochemical analysis of muscle tissue homogenates of the valproate group revealed elevated levels/activities of lipid peroxidation, aspartate aminotransferase, alanine aminotransferase, alkaline phosphatase, lactate dehydrogenase, catalase, glutathione reductase, glutathione-S-transferase, reactive oxygen species, total oxidant status, oxidative stress index, glucose-6-phosphate dehydrogenase, sialic acid, protein carbonyl, nitric oxide, and myeloperoxidase. While glutathione, superoxide dismutase, glutathione peroxidase, total antioxidant status, aryl esterase and sodium/potassium ATPase were decreased. The administration of Moringa extract reversed these biochemical changes. These results indicate that Moringa leaves extract had a protective effect on muscle tissues against valproate-induced damage.
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Affiliation(s)
- Onur Ertik
- Department of Chemistry, Faculty of Engineering, Istanbul University-Cerrahpasa, Avcilar, Istanbul, Turkey
| | - Umar Faruk Magaji
- Department of Chemistry, Faculty of Engineering, Istanbul University-Cerrahpasa, Avcilar, Istanbul, Turkey
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, Federal University Birnin Kebbi, Birnin Kebbi, Kebbi State, Nigeria
| | - Ozlem Sacan
- Department of Chemistry, Faculty of Engineering, Istanbul University-Cerrahpasa, Avcilar, Istanbul, Turkey
| | - Refiye Yanardag
- Department of Chemistry, Faculty of Engineering, Istanbul University-Cerrahpasa, Avcilar, Istanbul, Turkey
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32
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Sadie-Van Gijsen H, Kotzé-Hörstmann L. Rat models of diet-induced obesity and metabolic dysregulation: Current trends, shortcomings and considerations for future research. Obes Res Clin Pract 2023; 17:449-457. [PMID: 37788944 DOI: 10.1016/j.orcp.2023.09.010] [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: 06/06/2023] [Revised: 08/18/2023] [Accepted: 09/18/2023] [Indexed: 10/05/2023]
Abstract
Rat diet-induced obesity and metabolic dysregulation (DIO/DIMD) is widely used as a pre-clinical model for human obesity and for testing weight-loss interventions. The aim of this review was to utilise a systematic literature survey of rat DIO/DIMD studies as a tool to document trends around study design and metabolic outcomes of these studies, and to consider ways in which the design of these studies may be improved to enhance the relevance thereof for human obesity research. In total, 110 comparisons between control and obesogenic dietary groups were included in the survey. Young male rats were found to be the model of choice, but fewer than 50% of studies provided comprehensive information about diet composition and energy intake. In addition, it was found that the majority of expected DIO/DIMD responses (hyperglycemia, hyperinsulinemia, dyslipidemia, hypoadiponectinemia) occurred at < 80% frequency, drawing into question the concept of a "typical" or "appropriate" response. We discuss the impact of differences in diet composition and energy intake on metabolic outcomes against the context of large heterogeneity of obesogenic diets employed in rat DIO/DIMD studies, and provide recommendations for the improvement of reporting standards around diet composition and dietary intake. In addition, we highlight the lack of data from female and older rats and describe considerations around the inclusion of sex and age as a variable in rat DIO/DIMD studies, aiming towards improving the applicability of these studies as a model of human obesity, which is most prevalent in women and older individuals.
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Affiliation(s)
- Hanél Sadie-Van Gijsen
- Centre for Cardio-metabolic Research in Africa (CARMA), Division of Medical Physiology, Department of Biomedical Sciences, Faculty of Medicine and Health Sciences, Stellenbosch University Tygerberg Campus, PO Box 241, Cape Town 8000, South Africa.
| | - Liske Kotzé-Hörstmann
- Centre for Cardio-metabolic Research in Africa (CARMA), Division of Medical Physiology, Department of Biomedical Sciences, Faculty of Medicine and Health Sciences, Stellenbosch University Tygerberg Campus, PO Box 241, Cape Town 8000, South Africa; Institute for Sport and Exercise Medicine (ISEM), Department of Sport Science, Faculty of Medicine and Health Sciences, Stellenbosch University Tygerberg Campus, PO Box 241, Cape Town 8000, South Africa
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33
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Sharma A, De Blasio M, Ritchie R. Current challenges in the treatment of cardiac fibrosis: Recent insights into the sex-specific differences of glucose-lowering therapies on the diabetic heart: IUPHAR Review 33. Br J Pharmacol 2023; 180:2916-2933. [PMID: 35174479 PMCID: PMC10952904 DOI: 10.1111/bph.15820] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/01/2021] [Revised: 01/13/2022] [Accepted: 01/18/2022] [Indexed: 11/28/2022] Open
Abstract
A significant cardiac complication of diabetes is cardiomyopathy, a form of ventricular dysfunction that develops independently of coronary artery disease, hypertension and valvular diseases, which may subsequently lead to heart failure. Several structural features underlie the development of diabetic cardiomyopathy and eventual diabetes-induced heart failure. Pathological cardiac fibrosis (interstitial and perivascular), in addition to capillary rarefaction and myocardial apoptosis, are particularly noteworthy. Sex differences in the incidence, development and presentation of diabetes, heart failure and interstitial myocardial fibrosis have been identified. Nevertheless, therapeutics specifically targeting diabetes-associated cardiac fibrosis remain lacking and treatment approaches remain the same regardless of patient sex or the co-morbidities that patients may present. This review addresses the observed anti-fibrotic effects of newer glucose-lowering therapies and traditional cardiovascular disease treatments, in the diabetic myocardium (from both preclinical and clinical contexts). Furthermore, any known sex differences in these treatment effects are also explored. LINKED ARTICLES: This article is part of a themed issue on Translational Advances in Fibrosis as a Therapeutic Target. To view the other articles in this section visit http://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/10.1111/bph.v180.22/issuetoc.
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Affiliation(s)
- Abhipree Sharma
- Heart Failure Pharmacology, Drug Discovery Biology, Monash Institute of Pharmaceutical Sciences (MIPS)Monash UniversityParkvilleVictoriaAustralia
| | - Miles De Blasio
- Heart Failure Pharmacology, Drug Discovery Biology, Monash Institute of Pharmaceutical Sciences (MIPS)Monash UniversityParkvilleVictoriaAustralia
- Department of PharmacologyMonash UniversityClaytonVictoriaAustralia
| | - Rebecca Ritchie
- Heart Failure Pharmacology, Drug Discovery Biology, Monash Institute of Pharmaceutical Sciences (MIPS)Monash UniversityParkvilleVictoriaAustralia
- Department of PharmacologyMonash UniversityClaytonVictoriaAustralia
- Department of MedicineMonash UniversityClaytonVictoriaAustralia
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Ivić V, Zjalić M, Blažetić S, Fenrich M, Labak I, Scitovski R, Szűcs KF, Ducza E, Tábi T, Bagamery F, Szökő É, Vuković R, Rončević A, Mandić D, Debeljak Ž, Berecki M, Balog M, Seres-Bokor A, Sztojkov-Ivanov A, Hajagos-Tóth J, Gajović S, Imširović A, Bakula M, Mahiiovych S, Gaspar R, Vari SG, Heffer M. Elderly rats fed with a high-fat high-sucrose diet developed sex-dependent metabolic syndrome regardless of long-term metformin and liraglutide treatment. Front Endocrinol (Lausanne) 2023; 14:1181064. [PMID: 37929025 PMCID: PMC10623428 DOI: 10.3389/fendo.2023.1181064] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/07/2023] [Accepted: 09/25/2023] [Indexed: 11/07/2023] Open
Abstract
Aim/Introduction The study aimed to determine the effectiveness of early antidiabetic therapy in reversing metabolic changes caused by high-fat and high-sucrose diet (HFHSD) in both sexes. Methods Elderly Sprague-Dawley rats, 45 weeks old, were randomized into four groups: a control group fed on the standard diet (STD), one group fed the HFHSD, and two groups fed the HFHSD along with long-term treatment of either metformin (HFHSD+M) or liraglutide (HFHSD+L). Antidiabetic treatment started 5 weeks after the introduction of the diet and lasted 13 weeks until the animals were 64 weeks old. Results Unexpectedly, HFHSD-fed animals did not gain weight but underwent significant metabolic changes. Both antidiabetic treatments produced sex-specific effects, but neither prevented the onset of prediabetes nor diabetes. Conclusion Liraglutide vested benefits to liver and skeletal muscle tissue in males but induced signs of insulin resistance in females.
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Affiliation(s)
- Vedrana Ivić
- Department of Medical Biology and Genetics, Faculty of Medicine Osijek, Josip Juraj Strossmayer University of Osijek, Osijek, Croatia
| | - Milorad Zjalić
- Department of Medical Biology and Genetics, Faculty of Medicine Osijek, Josip Juraj Strossmayer University of Osijek, Osijek, Croatia
| | - Senka Blažetić
- Department of Biology, Josip Juraj Strossmayer University of Osijek, Osijek, Croatia
| | - Matija Fenrich
- Department of Medical Biology and Genetics, Faculty of Medicine Osijek, Josip Juraj Strossmayer University of Osijek, Osijek, Croatia
| | - Irena Labak
- Department of Biology, Josip Juraj Strossmayer University of Osijek, Osijek, Croatia
| | - Rudolf Scitovski
- School of Applied Mathematics and Computer Science, Josip Juraj Strossmayer University of Osijek, Osijek, Croatia
| | - Kálmán Ferenc Szűcs
- Department of Pharmacology and Pharmacotherapy, Albert Szent-Györgyi Medical School, Interdisciplinary Excellence Centre, University of Szeged, Szeged, Hungary
| | - Eszter Ducza
- Department of Pharmacodynamics and Biopharmacy, Faculty of Pharmacy, University of Szeged, Szeged, Hungary
| | - Tamás Tábi
- Department of Pharmacodynamics, Faculty of Pharmacy, Semmelweis University, Budapest, Hungary
| | - Fruzsina Bagamery
- Department of Pharmacodynamics, Faculty of Pharmacy, Semmelweis University, Budapest, Hungary
| | - Éva Szökő
- Department of Pharmacodynamics, Faculty of Pharmacy, Semmelweis University, Budapest, Hungary
| | - Rosemary Vuković
- Department of Biology, Josip Juraj Strossmayer University of Osijek, Osijek, Croatia
| | - Alen Rončević
- Department of Medical Biology and Genetics, Faculty of Medicine Osijek, Josip Juraj Strossmayer University of Osijek, Osijek, Croatia
- Department of Neurosurgery, Osijek University Hospital, Osijek, Croatia
| | - Dario Mandić
- Clinical Institute of Laboratory Diagnostics, Osijek University Hospital, Osijek, Croatia
- Department of Medical Chemistry, Biochemistry and Clinical Chemistry, Faculty of Medicine, Josip Juraj Strossmayer University of Osijek, Osijek, Croatia
| | - Željko Debeljak
- Clinical Institute of Laboratory Diagnostics, Osijek University Hospital, Osijek, Croatia
- Department of Pharmacology, Faculty of Medicine, Josip Juraj Strossmayer University of Osijek, Osijek, Croatia
| | - Monika Berecki
- Department of Medical Biology and Genetics, Faculty of Medicine Osijek, Josip Juraj Strossmayer University of Osijek, Osijek, Croatia
| | - Marta Balog
- Department of Medical Biology and Genetics, Faculty of Medicine Osijek, Josip Juraj Strossmayer University of Osijek, Osijek, Croatia
| | - Adrienn Seres-Bokor
- Department of Pharmacodynamics and Biopharmacy, Faculty of Pharmacy, University of Szeged, Szeged, Hungary
| | - Anita Sztojkov-Ivanov
- Department of Pharmacodynamics and Biopharmacy, Faculty of Pharmacy, University of Szeged, Szeged, Hungary
| | - Judit Hajagos-Tóth
- Department of Pharmacology and Pharmacotherapy, Albert Szent-Györgyi Medical School, Interdisciplinary Excellence Centre, University of Szeged, Szeged, Hungary
| | - Srećko Gajović
- Croatian Institute for Brain Research, and BIMIS - Biomedical Research Institute Šalata, University of Zagreb School of Medicine, Zagreb, Croatia
| | - Alen Imširović
- Department of Medical Biology and Genetics, Faculty of Medicine Osijek, Josip Juraj Strossmayer University of Osijek, Osijek, Croatia
| | - Marina Bakula
- Department of Clinical Pathology and Forensic Medicine, Osijek University Hospital, Osijek, Croatia
| | - Solomiia Mahiiovych
- Department of Therapy № 1 and Medical Diagnostics, Hematology and Transfusiology, Faculty of Postgraduate Education, Danylo Halytsky Lviv National Medical University, Lviv, Ukraine
| | - Robert Gaspar
- Department of Pharmacology and Pharmacotherapy, Albert Szent-Györgyi Medical School, Interdisciplinary Excellence Centre, University of Szeged, Szeged, Hungary
| | - Sandor G. Vari
- Cedars-Sinai Medical Center, International Research and Innovation in Medicine Program, Los Angeles, CA, United States
| | - Marija Heffer
- Department of Medical Biology and Genetics, Faculty of Medicine Osijek, Josip Juraj Strossmayer University of Osijek, Osijek, Croatia
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Díez-Solinska A, Azkona G, Muñoz-Culla M, Beitia-Oyarzabal G, Goñi-Balentziaga O, Gómez-Lazaro E, Vegas O. The role of sociability in social instability stress: Behavioral, neuroendocrine and monoaminergic effects. Physiol Behav 2023; 270:114306. [PMID: 37516231 DOI: 10.1016/j.physbeh.2023.114306] [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: 05/18/2023] [Revised: 07/10/2023] [Accepted: 07/26/2023] [Indexed: 07/31/2023]
Abstract
Extensive literature has reported a link between social stress and mental health. In this complex relationship, individual strategies for coping with social stress are thought to have a possible modulating effect, with sociability being a key factor. Despite the higher incidence of affective disorders in females and sex-related neurochemical differences, female populations have been understudied. The aim of the present study was, therefore, to analyze the behavioral, neuroendocrine, and neurochemical effects of stress in female OF1 mice, paying special attention to social connectedness (female mice with high vs low sociability). To this end, subjects were exposed to the Chronic Social Instability Stress (CSIS) model for four weeks. Although female mice exposed to CSIS had increased arousal, there was no evidence of depressive-like behavior. Neither did exposure to CSIS affect corticosterone levels, although it did increase the MR/GR ratio by decreasing GR expression. Female mice exposed to CSIS had higher noradrenaline and dopamine levels in the hippocampus and striatum respectively, with a lower monoaminergic turnover, resulting in an increased arousal. CSIS increased serotonin levels in both the hippocampus and striatum. Similarly, CSIS was found to reduce kynurenic acid, 3-HK, and IDO and iNOS enzyme levels in the hippocampus. Interestingly, the observed decrease in IDO synthesis and the increased serotonin and dopamine levels in the striatum were only found in subjects with high sociability. These highly sociable female mice also had significantly lower levels of noradrenaline in the striatum after CSIS application. Overall, our model has produced neuroendocrine and neurochemical but not behavioral changes, so it has not allowed us to study sociability in depth. Therefore, a model that induces both molecular and behavioral phenotypes should be applied to determine the role of sociability.
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Affiliation(s)
- Alina Díez-Solinska
- Department of Basic Psychological Processes and their Development, School of Psychology, University of the Basque Country (UPV/EHU), 20018 Donostia-San Sebastian, Spain
| | - Garikoitz Azkona
- Department of Basic Psychological Processes and their Development, School of Psychology, University of the Basque Country (UPV/EHU), 20018 Donostia-San Sebastian, Spain.
| | - Maider Muñoz-Culla
- Department of Basic Psychological Processes and their Development, School of Psychology, University of the Basque Country (UPV/EHU), 20018 Donostia-San Sebastian, Spain; Biodonostia Institute, 20018 Donostia-San Sebastian, Spain
| | - Garikoitz Beitia-Oyarzabal
- Department of Basic Psychological Processes and their Development, School of Psychology, University of the Basque Country (UPV/EHU), 20018 Donostia-San Sebastian, Spain
| | - Olatz Goñi-Balentziaga
- Department of Clinical and Health Psychology, and Research Methods, School of Psychology, University of the Basque Country (UPV/EHU), 20018 Donostia-San Sebastian, Spain
| | - Eneritz Gómez-Lazaro
- Department of Basic Psychological Processes and their Development, School of Psychology, University of the Basque Country (UPV/EHU), 20018 Donostia-San Sebastian, Spain
| | - Oscar Vegas
- Department of Basic Psychological Processes and their Development, School of Psychology, University of the Basque Country (UPV/EHU), 20018 Donostia-San Sebastian, Spain; Biodonostia Institute, 20018 Donostia-San Sebastian, Spain
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36
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Tsao CH, Wu KY, Su NC, Edwards A, Huang GJ. The influence of sex difference on behavior and adult hippocampal neurogenesis in C57BL/6 mice. Sci Rep 2023; 13:17297. [PMID: 37828065 PMCID: PMC10570284 DOI: 10.1038/s41598-023-44360-8] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/03/2023] [Accepted: 10/06/2023] [Indexed: 10/14/2023] Open
Abstract
Animal models have been used extensively in in vivo studies, especially within the biomedical field. Traditionally, single-sex studies, mostly males, are used to avoid any potential confounding variation caused by sex difference and the female estrous cycle. Historically, female animal subjects are believed to exhibit higher variability, and this could increase the statistical power needed to test a hypothesis. This study sets out to evaluate whether a sex difference does exist in mouse behavior, and whether female mice featured higher variability. We assessed the sensorimotor skills, anxiety-like behavior, depression-like behavior, and cognitive abilities of mice through a series of commonly used behavioral tests. Except for the stronger grip force and lower tactile sensory sensitivity detected in male mice, there was no significant difference between males and females in other tests. Furthermore, immunolabeling of neurogenesis markers suggested no significant difference between sexes in adult hippocampal neurogenesis. Within group variances were equivalent; females did not exhibit higher variability than males. However, the overall negative results could be due to the limitation of small sample size. In conclusion, our study provides evidence that sex difference in mice does not significantly influence these commonly used behavioral tests nor adult neurogenesis under basal conditions. We suggest that female mice could also be considered for test inclusion in future experiment design.
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Affiliation(s)
- Chi-Hui Tsao
- Graduate Institute of Biomedical Sciences, College of Medicine, Chang Gung University, Taoyuan, 333, Taiwan
| | - Kuan-Yu Wu
- Graduate Institute of Biomedical Sciences, College of Medicine, Chang Gung University, Taoyuan, 333, Taiwan
| | - Nicole Ching Su
- Department of Biomedical Sciences, College of Medicine, Chang Gung University, Taoyuan, 33302, Taiwan
| | - Andrew Edwards
- Department of Psychiatry, Dykebar Hospital, National Health Service Greater Glasgow and Clyde, Paisley, PA2 7DE, Scotland
| | - Guo-Jen Huang
- Graduate Institute of Biomedical Sciences, College of Medicine, Chang Gung University, Taoyuan, 333, Taiwan.
- Department of Biomedical Sciences, College of Medicine, Chang Gung University, Taoyuan, 33302, Taiwan.
- Department of Neurology, Chang Gung Memorial Hospital-Linkou Medical Center, Taoyuan, 333, Taiwan.
- Molecular Medicine Research Center, Chang Gung University, Taoyuan, 333, Taiwan.
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Wiese CB, Avetisyan R, Reue K. The impact of chromosomal sex on cardiometabolic health and disease. Trends Endocrinol Metab 2023; 34:652-665. [PMID: 37598068 PMCID: PMC11090013 DOI: 10.1016/j.tem.2023.07.003] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/22/2023] [Revised: 07/14/2023] [Accepted: 07/20/2023] [Indexed: 08/21/2023]
Abstract
Many aspects of metabolism are sex-biased, from gene expression in metabolic tissues to the prevalence and presentation of cardiometabolic diseases. The influence of hormones produced by male and female gonads has been widely documented, but recent studies have begun to elucidate the impact of genetic sex (XX or XY chromosomes) on cellular and organismal metabolism. XX and XY cells have differential gene dosage conferred by specific genes that escape X chromosome inactivation or the presence of Y chromosome genes that are absent from XX cells. Studies in mouse models that dissociate chromosomal and gonadal sex have uncovered mechanisms for sex-biased epigenetic, transcriptional, and post-transcriptional regulation of gene expression in conditions such as obesity, atherosclerosis, pulmonary hypertension, autoimmune disease, and Alzheimer's disease.
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Affiliation(s)
- Carrie B Wiese
- Department of Human Genetics, David Geffen School of Medicine, University of California, Los Angeles, CA 90095, USA
| | - Rozeta Avetisyan
- Department of Human Genetics, David Geffen School of Medicine, University of California, Los Angeles, CA 90095, USA
| | - Karen Reue
- Department of Human Genetics, David Geffen School of Medicine, University of California, Los Angeles, CA 90095, USA.
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38
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Juszczak F, Pierre L, Decarnoncle M, Jadot I, Martin B, Botton O, Caron N, Dehairs J, Swinnen JV, Declèves AE. Sex differences in obesity-induced renal lipid accumulation revealed by lipidomics: a role of adiponectin/AMPK axis. Biol Sex Differ 2023; 14:63. [PMID: 37770988 PMCID: PMC10537536 DOI: 10.1186/s13293-023-00543-6] [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: 04/16/2023] [Accepted: 09/04/2023] [Indexed: 09/30/2023] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Sex differences have been observed in the development of obesity-related complications in patients, as well as in animal models. Accumulating evidence suggests that sex-dependent regulation of lipid metabolism contributes to sex-specific physiopathology. Lipid accumulation in the renal tissue has been shown to play a major role in the pathogenesis of obesity-induced kidney injury. Unlike in males, the physiopathology of the disease has been poorly described in females, particularly regarding the lipid metabolism adaptation. METHODS Here, we compared the lipid profile changes in the kidneys of female and male mice fed a high-fat diet (HFD) or low-fat diet (LFD) by lipidomics and correlated them with pathophysiological changes. RESULTS We showed that HFD-fed female mice were protected from insulin resistance and hepatic steatosis compared to males, despite similar body weight gains. Females were particularly protected from renal dysfunction, oxidative stress, and tubular lipid accumulation. Both HFD-fed male and female mice presented dyslipidemia, but lipidomic analysis highlighted differential renal lipid profiles. While both sexes presented similar neutral lipid accumulation with obesity, only males showed increased levels of ceramides and phospholipids. Remarkably, protection against renal lipotoxicity in females was associated with enhanced renal adiponectin and AMP-activated protein kinase (AMPK) signaling. Circulating adiponectin and its renal receptor levels were significantly lower in obese males, but were maintained in females. This observation correlated with the maintained basal AMPK activity in obese female mice compared to males. CONCLUSIONS Collectively, our findings suggest that female mice are protected from obesity-induced renal dysfunction and lipotoxicity associated with enhanced adiponectin and AMPK signaling compared to males.
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Affiliation(s)
- Florian Juszczak
- Laboratory of Metabolic and Molecular Biochemistry, Faculty of Medicine and Pharmacy, Research Institute for Health Sciences and Technology, University of Mons (UMONS), Mons, Belgium.
- Molecular Physiology Research Unit (URPhyM), Namur Research Institute for Life Sciences (NARILIS), University of Namur (UNamur), Namur, Belgium.
| | - Louise Pierre
- Laboratory of Metabolic and Molecular Biochemistry, Faculty of Medicine and Pharmacy, Research Institute for Health Sciences and Technology, University of Mons (UMONS), Mons, Belgium
- Biochemistry and Cellular Biology Research Unit (URBC), Namur Research Institute for Life Sciences (NARILIS), University of Namur (UNamur), Namur, Belgium
| | - Morgane Decarnoncle
- Laboratory of Metabolic and Molecular Biochemistry, Faculty of Medicine and Pharmacy, Research Institute for Health Sciences and Technology, University of Mons (UMONS), Mons, Belgium
| | - Inès Jadot
- Molecular Physiology Research Unit (URPhyM), Namur Research Institute for Life Sciences (NARILIS), University of Namur (UNamur), Namur, Belgium
| | - Blanche Martin
- Molecular Physiology Research Unit (URPhyM), Namur Research Institute for Life Sciences (NARILIS), University of Namur (UNamur), Namur, Belgium
| | - Olivia Botton
- Molecular Physiology Research Unit (URPhyM), Namur Research Institute for Life Sciences (NARILIS), University of Namur (UNamur), Namur, Belgium
| | - Nathalie Caron
- Molecular Physiology Research Unit (URPhyM), Namur Research Institute for Life Sciences (NARILIS), University of Namur (UNamur), Namur, Belgium
| | - Jonas Dehairs
- Laboratory of Lipid Metabolism and Cancer, Department of Oncology, KU Leuven, Leuven, Belgium
| | - Johannes V Swinnen
- Laboratory of Lipid Metabolism and Cancer, Department of Oncology, KU Leuven, Leuven, Belgium
| | - Anne-Emilie Declèves
- Laboratory of Metabolic and Molecular Biochemistry, Faculty of Medicine and Pharmacy, Research Institute for Health Sciences and Technology, University of Mons (UMONS), Mons, Belgium
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Lauby SC, Lapp HE, Salazar M, Semyrenko S, Chauhan D, Margolis AE, Champagne FA. Postnatal maternal care moderates the effects of prenatal bisphenol exposure on offspring neurodevelopmental, behavioral, and transcriptomic outcomes. BIORXIV : THE PREPRINT SERVER FOR BIOLOGY 2023:2023.09.19.558481. [PMID: 37786706 PMCID: PMC10541647 DOI: 10.1101/2023.09.19.558481] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 10/04/2023]
Abstract
Bisphenols (BPs), including BPA and "BPA-free" structural analogs, are commonly used plasticizers that are present in many plastics and are known endocrine disrupting chemicals. Prenatal exposure to BPA has been associated with negative neurodevelopmental and behavioral outcomes in children and rodent models. Prenatal BPA exposure has also been shown to impair postnatal maternal care provisioning, which can also affect offspring neurodevelopment and behavior. However, there is limited knowledge regarding the biological effects of prenatal exposure to bisphenols other than BPA and the interplay between prenatal BP exposure and postnatal maternal care on adult behavior. The purpose of the current study was to determine the interactive impact of prenatal BP exposure and postnatal maternal care on neurodevelopment and behavior. Our findings suggest that the effects of prenatal BP exposure on eye-opening, adult attentional set shifting and anxiety-like behavior in the open field are dependent on maternal care in the first five days of life. Interestingly, maternal care might also attenuate the effects of prenatal BP exposure on eye opening and adult attentional set shifting. Finally, transcriptomic profiles in male and female medial prefrontal cortex and amygdala suggest that the interactive effects of prenatal BP exposure and postnatal maternal care converge on estrogen receptor signaling and are involved in biological processes related to gene expression and protein translation and synthesis. Overall, these findings indicate that postnatal maternal care plays a critical role in the expression of the effects of prenatal BP exposure on neurodevelopment and adult behavior. Understanding the underlying biological mechanisms involved might allow us to identify potential avenues to mitigate the adverse effects of prenatal BP exposure and improve health and well-being in human populations.
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Affiliation(s)
- Samantha C Lauby
- Department of Psychology, College of Liberal Arts, University of Texas at Austin
- Center for Molecular Carcinogenesis and Toxicology, University of Texas at Austin
| | - Hannah E Lapp
- Department of Psychology, College of Liberal Arts, University of Texas at Austin
| | - Melissa Salazar
- Department of Psychology, College of Liberal Arts, University of Texas at Austin
| | - Sofiia Semyrenko
- Department of Psychology, College of Liberal Arts, University of Texas at Austin
| | - Danyal Chauhan
- Department of Psychology, College of Liberal Arts, University of Texas at Austin
| | - Amy E Margolis
- Department of Psychiatry, Columbia University Irving Medical Center
| | - Frances A Champagne
- Department of Psychology, College of Liberal Arts, University of Texas at Austin
- Center for Molecular Carcinogenesis and Toxicology, University of Texas at Austin
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Eliot L, Beery AK, Jacobs EG, LeBlanc HF, Maney DL, McCarthy MM. Why and How to Account for Sex and Gender in Brain and Behavioral Research. J Neurosci 2023; 43:6344-6356. [PMID: 37704386 PMCID: PMC10500996 DOI: 10.1523/jneurosci.0020-23.2023] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/18/2023] [Revised: 07/14/2023] [Accepted: 07/18/2023] [Indexed: 09/15/2023] Open
Abstract
Long overlooked in neuroscience research, sex and gender are increasingly included as key variables potentially impacting all levels of neurobehavioral analysis. Still, many neuroscientists do not understand the difference between the terms "sex" and "gender," the complexity and nuance of each, or how to best include them as variables in research designs. This TechSights article outlines rationales for considering the influence of sex and gender across taxa, and provides technical guidance for strengthening the rigor and reproducibility of such analyses. This guidance includes the use of appropriate statistical methods for comparing groups as well as controls for key covariates of sex (e.g., total intracranial volume) and gender (e.g., income, caregiver stress, bias). We also recommend approaches for interpreting and communicating sex- and gender-related findings about the brain, which have often been misconstrued by neuroscientists and the lay public alike.
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Affiliation(s)
- Lise Eliot
- Stanson Toshok Center for Brain Function and Repair, Chicago Medical School, Rosalind Franklin University of Medicine & Science, North Chicago, Illinois 60064
| | - Annaliese K Beery
- Department of Integrative Biology, University of California-Berkeley, Berkeley, California 94720
| | - Emily G Jacobs
- Department of Psychological & Brain Sciences, University of California-Santa Barbara, Santa Barbara, California 93106
| | - Hannah F LeBlanc
- Division of the Humanities & Social Sciences, California Institute of Technology, Pasadena, California 91125
| | - Donna L Maney
- Department of Psychology, Emory University, Atlanta, Georgia 30322
| | - Margaret M McCarthy
- Department of Pharmacology, University of Maryland School of Medicine, Baltimore, Maryland 21201
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Nunamaker EA, Turner PV. Unmasking the Adverse Impacts of Sex Bias on Science and Research Animal Welfare. Animals (Basel) 2023; 13:2792. [PMID: 37685056 PMCID: PMC10486396 DOI: 10.3390/ani13172792] [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: 07/21/2023] [Revised: 08/30/2023] [Accepted: 08/30/2023] [Indexed: 09/10/2023] Open
Abstract
Sex bias in biomedical and natural science research has been prevalent for decades. In many cases, the female estrous cycle was thought to be too complex an issue to model for, and it was thought to be simpler to only use males in studies. At times, particularly when studying efficacy and safety of new therapeutics, this sex bias has resulted in over- and under-medication with associated deleterious side effects in women. Many sex differences have been recognized that are unrelated to hormonal variation occurring during the estrous cycle. Sex bias also creates animal welfare challenges related to animal over-production and wastage, insufficient consideration of welfare (and scientific) impact related to differential housing of male vs female animals within research facilities, and a lack of understanding regarding differential requirements for pain recognition and alleviation in male versus female animals. Although many funding and government agencies require both sexes to be studied in biomedical research, many disparities remain in practice. This requires further enforcement of expectations by the Institutional Animal Care and Use Committee when reviewing protocols, research groups when writing grants, planning studies, and conducting research, and scientific journals and reviewers to ensure that sex bias policies are enforced.
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Affiliation(s)
- Elizabeth A. Nunamaker
- Global Animal Welfare and Training, Charles River Laboratories, Wilmington, MA 01887, USA;
| | - Patricia V. Turner
- Global Animal Welfare and Training, Charles River Laboratories, Wilmington, MA 01887, USA;
- Department of Pathobiology, University of Guelph, Guelph, ON N1G 2W1, Canada
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Fitzgerald E, Arcego DM, Shen MJ, O'Toole N, Wen X, Nagy C, Mostafavi S, Craig K, Silveira PP, Rayan NA, Diorio J, Meaney MJ, Zhang TY. Sex and cell-specific gene expression in corticolimbic brain regions associated with psychiatric disorders revealed by bulk and single-nuclei RNA sequencing. EBioMedicine 2023; 95:104749. [PMID: 37549631 PMCID: PMC10432187 DOI: 10.1016/j.ebiom.2023.104749] [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: 11/02/2022] [Revised: 06/28/2023] [Accepted: 07/25/2023] [Indexed: 08/09/2023] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND There are sex-specific differences in the prevalence, symptomology and course of psychiatric disorders. However, preclinical models have primarily used males, such that the molecular mechanisms underlying sex-specific differences in psychiatric disorders are not well established. METHODS In this study, we compared transcriptome-wide gene expression profiles in male and female rats within the corticolimbic system, including the cingulate cortex, nucleus accumbens medial shell (NAcS), ventral dentate gyrus and the basolateral amygdala (n = 22-24 per group/region). FINDINGS We found over 3000 differentially expressed genes (DEGs) in the NAcS between males and females. Of these DEGs in the NAcS, 303 showed sex-dependent conservation DEGs in humans and were significantly enriched for gene ontology terms related to blood vessel morphogenesis and regulation of cell migration. Single nuclei RNA sequencing in the NAcS of male and female rats identified widespread sex-dependent expression, with genes upregulated in females showing a notable enrichment for synaptic function. Female upregulated genes in astrocytes, Drd3+MSNs and oligodendrocyte were also enriched in several psychiatric genome-wide association studies (GWAS). INTERPRETATION Our data provide comprehensive evidence of sex- and cell-specific molecular profiles in the NAcS. Importantly these differences associate with anxiety, bipolar disorder, schizophrenia, and cross-disorder, suggesting an intrinsic molecular basis for sex-based differences in psychiatric disorders that strongly implicates the NAcS. FUNDING This work was supported by funding from the Hope for Depression Research Foundation (MJM).
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Affiliation(s)
- Eamon Fitzgerald
- Douglas Mental Health University Institute, Department of Psychiatry, McGill University, Montréal, H4H 1R3, Canada; Ludmer Centre for Neuroinformatics and Mental Health, McGill University, Montréal, H4H 1R3, Canada
| | - Danusa Mar Arcego
- Douglas Mental Health University Institute, Department of Psychiatry, McGill University, Montréal, H4H 1R3, Canada; Ludmer Centre for Neuroinformatics and Mental Health, McGill University, Montréal, H4H 1R3, Canada
| | - Mo Jun Shen
- Yong Loo Lin School of Medicine, National University of Singapore, Singapore
| | - Nicholas O'Toole
- Douglas Mental Health University Institute, Department of Psychiatry, McGill University, Montréal, H4H 1R3, Canada; Ludmer Centre for Neuroinformatics and Mental Health, McGill University, Montréal, H4H 1R3, Canada
| | - Xianglan Wen
- Douglas Mental Health University Institute, Department of Psychiatry, McGill University, Montréal, H4H 1R3, Canada; Ludmer Centre for Neuroinformatics and Mental Health, McGill University, Montréal, H4H 1R3, Canada
| | - Corina Nagy
- Douglas Mental Health University Institute, Department of Psychiatry, McGill University, Montréal, H4H 1R3, Canada
| | - Sara Mostafavi
- Paul G. Allen School of Computer Science and Engineering, University of Washington, 185 E Stevens Way NE, Seattle, WA 9819, USA
| | - Kelly Craig
- Douglas Mental Health University Institute, Department of Psychiatry, McGill University, Montréal, H4H 1R3, Canada
| | - Patricia Pelufo Silveira
- Douglas Mental Health University Institute, Department of Psychiatry, McGill University, Montréal, H4H 1R3, Canada; Ludmer Centre for Neuroinformatics and Mental Health, McGill University, Montréal, H4H 1R3, Canada; Yong Loo Lin School of Medicine, National University of Singapore, Singapore
| | - Nirmala Arul Rayan
- Translational Neuroscience Program, Singapore Institute for Clinical Sciences and Brain - Body Initiative, Agency for Science, Technology and Research (A∗STAR), Singapore
| | - Josie Diorio
- Douglas Mental Health University Institute, Department of Psychiatry, McGill University, Montréal, H4H 1R3, Canada
| | - Michael J Meaney
- Douglas Mental Health University Institute, Department of Psychiatry, McGill University, Montréal, H4H 1R3, Canada; Ludmer Centre for Neuroinformatics and Mental Health, McGill University, Montréal, H4H 1R3, Canada; Translational Neuroscience Program, Singapore Institute for Clinical Sciences and Brain - Body Initiative, Agency for Science, Technology and Research (A∗STAR), Singapore; Yong Loo Lin School of Medicine, National University of Singapore, Singapore
| | - Tie-Yuan Zhang
- Douglas Mental Health University Institute, Department of Psychiatry, McGill University, Montréal, H4H 1R3, Canada; Ludmer Centre for Neuroinformatics and Mental Health, McGill University, Montréal, H4H 1R3, Canada.
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Alhadlaq MW, Masocha W. Microglia and p38 MAPK Inhibitors Suppress Development of Mechanical Allodynia in Both Sexes in a Mouse Model of Antiretroviral-Induced Neuropathic Pain. Int J Mol Sci 2023; 24:12805. [PMID: 37628987 PMCID: PMC10454318 DOI: 10.3390/ijms241612805] [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: 06/30/2023] [Revised: 08/08/2023] [Accepted: 08/09/2023] [Indexed: 08/27/2023] Open
Abstract
Microglia activation in the spinal cord play a major role in the pathogenesis of neuropathic pain. The p38 mitogen-activated protein kinase (MAPK) regulates microglia activation. Previously, 2',3'-dideoxycytidine (ddC), a nucleoside reverse transcriptase inhibitor (NRTI), was found to induce mechanical allodynia and microglia activation in the spinal cords of male and female mice. In this study, we investigated the role of spinal microglia and p38 MAPK signaling in the development of mechanical allodynia using immunofluorescence staining and treatment with microglia and p38 MAPK inhibitors in both sexes. Male and female mice (BALB/c strain) treated intraperitoneally once daily with ddC 25 mg/kg for five consecutive days developed mechanical allodynia, assessed using the dynamic plantar aesthesiometer. Treatment with ddC increased microglia markers CD11b and ionized calcium-binding adapter molecule 1 (Iba1) staining intensity in male mice, while only CD11b was increased in female mice. Both sexes had increased phosphorylated p38 MAPK staining intensity. The administration of minocycline, an inhibitor of microglia activation, and adezmapimod, a selective p38 MAPK inhibitor, suppressed mechanical allodynia in both sexes at day 7 after ddC treatment. Therefore, microglia activation and p38 MAPK signaling are important for the development of antiretroviral drug-induced mechanical allodynia.
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Affiliation(s)
- Maryam W. Alhadlaq
- Molecular Biology Program, College of Graduate Studies, Kuwait University, Safat, Kuwait City 13110, Kuwait;
- Department of Pharmacology and Therapeutics, College of Pharmacy, Kuwait University, Safat, Kuwait City 13110, Kuwait
| | - Willias Masocha
- Department of Pharmacology and Therapeutics, College of Pharmacy, Kuwait University, Safat, Kuwait City 13110, Kuwait
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Dawson MS, Gordon-Fleet K, Yan L, Tardos V, He H, Mui K, Nawani S, Asgarian Z, Catani M, Fernandes C, Drescher U. Sexual dimorphism in the social behaviour of Cntnap2-null mice correlates with disrupted synaptic connectivity and increased microglial activity in the anterior cingulate cortex. Commun Biol 2023; 6:846. [PMID: 37582968 PMCID: PMC10427688 DOI: 10.1038/s42003-023-05215-0] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/16/2022] [Accepted: 08/04/2023] [Indexed: 08/17/2023] Open
Abstract
A biological understanding of the apparent sex bias in autism is lacking. Here we have identified Cntnap2 KO mice as a model system to help better understand this dimorphism. Using this model, we observed social deficits in juvenile male KO mice only. These male-specific social deficits correlated with reduced spine densities of Layer 2/3 and Layer 5 pyramidal neurons in the Anterior Cingulate Cortex, a forebrain region prominently associated with the control of social behaviour. Furthermore, in male KO mice, microglia showed an increased activated morphology and phagocytosis of synaptic structures compared to WT mice, whereas no differences were seen in female KO and WT mice. Our data suggest that sexually dimorphic microglial activity may be involved in the aetiology of ASD, disrupting the development of neural circuits that control social behaviour by overpruning synapses at a developmentally critical period.
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Affiliation(s)
- Matt S Dawson
- Centre for Developmental Neurobiology, Institute of Psychiatry, Psychology and Neuroscience (IoPPN), King's College London, London, SE1 1UL, UK
| | - Kevin Gordon-Fleet
- Centre for Developmental Neurobiology, Institute of Psychiatry, Psychology and Neuroscience (IoPPN), King's College London, London, SE1 1UL, UK
| | - Lingxin Yan
- Centre for Developmental Neurobiology, Institute of Psychiatry, Psychology and Neuroscience (IoPPN), King's College London, London, SE1 1UL, UK
| | - Vera Tardos
- Centre for Developmental Neurobiology, Institute of Psychiatry, Psychology and Neuroscience (IoPPN), King's College London, London, SE1 1UL, UK
| | - Huanying He
- Centre for Developmental Neurobiology, Institute of Psychiatry, Psychology and Neuroscience (IoPPN), King's College London, London, SE1 1UL, UK
| | - Kwong Mui
- Centre for Developmental Neurobiology, Institute of Psychiatry, Psychology and Neuroscience (IoPPN), King's College London, London, SE1 1UL, UK
| | - Smriti Nawani
- Social, Genetic & Developmental Psychiatry Centre, IoPPN, King's College London, London, SE1 1UL, UK
| | - Zeinab Asgarian
- Centre for Developmental Neurobiology, Institute of Psychiatry, Psychology and Neuroscience (IoPPN), King's College London, London, SE1 1UL, UK
- Molecular Therapeutics Lab, University College London, Research Department of Targeted Intervention, London, W1W 7TY, UK
| | - Marco Catani
- NatBrainLab, Departments of Neuroimaging Sciences and Forensic and Neurodevelopmental Sciences, IoPPN, King's College London, London, SE1 1UL, UK
| | - Cathy Fernandes
- Social, Genetic & Developmental Psychiatry Centre, IoPPN, King's College London, London, SE1 1UL, UK
- MRC Centre for Neurodevelopmental Disorders, IoPPN, King's College London, London, SE1 1UL, UK
| | - Uwe Drescher
- Centre for Developmental Neurobiology, Institute of Psychiatry, Psychology and Neuroscience (IoPPN), King's College London, London, SE1 1UL, UK.
- MRC Centre for Neurodevelopmental Disorders, IoPPN, King's College London, London, SE1 1UL, UK.
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Janse van Rensburg HD, Terre'Blanche G, Van der Walt MM. On the basis of sex: male vs. female rat adenosine A 1/A 2A receptor affinity. BMC Res Notes 2023; 16:165. [PMID: 37563689 PMCID: PMC10413537 DOI: 10.1186/s13104-023-06346-7] [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: 08/11/2022] [Accepted: 04/28/2023] [Indexed: 08/12/2023] Open
Abstract
OBJECTIVE To ensure reproducibility in biomedical research, the biological variable sex must be reported; yet a reason for using male (instead of female) rodents is seldom given. In our search for novel adenosine receptor ligands, our research group routinely determines a test compound's binding affinities at male Sprague-Dawley rat (r) adenosine A1 and A2A receptors via in vitro radioligand binding studies. This pilot study compared the binding affinities of four adenosine receptor ligands (frequently used as reference standards) at male and female adenosine rA1 and rA2A receptors. RESULTS The inhibition constant (Ki) values determined using female rats correspond well to the values obtained using male rats and no markable difference could be observed in affinity and selectivity of reference standards. For example, DPCPX the selective adenosine A1 receptor antagonist: male rA1Ki: 0.5 ± 0.1 nM versus female rA1Ki: 0.5 ± 0.03 nM; male rA2AKi: 149 ± 23 nM versus female rA2AKi: 135 ± 29 nM. From the limited data at hand, we conclude that even when using female rats for in vitro studies without regard for the oestrous cycle, the obtained data did not vary much from their male counterparts.
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Affiliation(s)
- Helena D Janse van Rensburg
- Centre of Excellence for Pharmaceutical Sciences, North-West University, Private Bag X6001, Potchefstroom, 2520, South Africa.
| | - Gisella Terre'Blanche
- Centre of Excellence for Pharmaceutical Sciences, North-West University, Private Bag X6001, Potchefstroom, 2520, South Africa
- Department of Pharmaceutical Chemistry, School of Pharmacy, North-West University, Potchefstroom, South Africa
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Clinch SP, Busse M, Griffiths J, Rosser AE, Lelos MJ. Identification of the Neural Correlates Underlying Conflict Resolution Performance Using a Rodent Analogue of the Stroop Tests. Neuroscience 2023; 524:79-88. [PMID: 37290682 PMCID: PMC10824669 DOI: 10.1016/j.neuroscience.2023.05.024] [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: 02/17/2023] [Revised: 05/19/2023] [Accepted: 05/27/2023] [Indexed: 06/10/2023]
Abstract
The Stroop test is a widely used neuropsychological test measuring attention and conflict resolution, which shows sensitivity across a range of diseases, including Alzheimer's, Parkinson's and Huntington's diseases. A rodent analogue of the Stroop test, the Response-Conflict task (rRCT), allows for systematic investigation of the neural systems underpinning performance in this test. Little is known about the involvement of the basal ganglia in this neural process. The aim of this study was to use the rRCT to determine whether striatal subregions are recruited during conflict resolution processing. To achieve this, rats were exposed to Congruent or Incongruent stimuli in the rRCT and the expression patterns of the immediate early gene Zif268 were analysed throughout cortical, hippocampal and basal ganglia subregions. The results confirmed the previously reported involvement of prefrontal cortical and hippocampal regions, as well as identifying a specific role for the dysgranular (but not granular) retrosplenial cortex in conflict resolution. Finally, performance accuracy correlated significantly with reduced neural activation in the dorsomedial striatum. Involvement of the basal ganglia in this neural process has not previously been reported. These data demonstrate that the cognitive process of conflict resolution requires not only prefrontal cortical regions, but also recruits the dysgranular retrosplenial cortex and the medial region of the neostriatum. These data have implications for understanding the neuroanatomical changes that underpin impaired Stroop performance in people with neurological disorders.
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Affiliation(s)
- S P Clinch
- Brain Repair Group, School of Biosciences, Cardiff University, Cardiff CF10 3AX, UK
| | - M Busse
- Centre for Clinical Trials Research, School of Medicine, Cardiff University, Cardiff CF24 4HQ, UK
| | - J Griffiths
- Brain Repair Group, School of Biosciences, Cardiff University, Cardiff CF10 3AX, UK
| | - A E Rosser
- Brain Repair Group, School of Biosciences, Cardiff University, Cardiff CF10 3AX, UK
| | - M J Lelos
- Brain Repair Group, School of Biosciences, Cardiff University, Cardiff CF10 3AX, UK.
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Milchevskaya V, Bugnon P, Ten Buren EBJ, Vanhecke D, Brand F, Tresch A, Buch T. Group size planning for breedings of gene-modified mice and other organisms following Mendelian inheritance. Lab Anim (NY) 2023; 52:183-188. [PMID: 37488410 PMCID: PMC10393774 DOI: 10.1038/s41684-023-01213-1] [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: 07/22/2022] [Accepted: 06/14/2023] [Indexed: 07/26/2023]
Abstract
Colony management of gene-modified animals is time-consuming, costly and affected by random events related to Mendelian genetics, fertility and litter size. Careful planning is mandatory to ensure successful outcomes using the least number of animals, hence adhering to the 3R principles of animal welfare. Here we have developed an R package, accessible also through an interactive public website, that optimizes breeding design by providing information about the optimal number of breedings needed to obtain defined breeding outcomes, taking into account specific species, strain, or line properties and success probability. Our software also enables breeding planning for balanced male-to-female ratio or single-sex experiments. We show that, for single-sex designs, the necessary number of breedings is at least doubled compared to the use of all born animals. While the presented tool provides preset parameters for the laboratory mouse, it can be readily used for any other species.
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Affiliation(s)
- Vladislava Milchevskaya
- Cologne Excellence Cluster on Cellular Stress Responses in Aging-Associated Diseases (CECAD), University of Cologne, Cologne, Germany
- Institute of Medical Statistics and Computational Biology, Faculty of Medicine, University of Cologne, Cologne, Germany
| | - Philippe Bugnon
- Institute of Laboratory Animal Science, University of Zurich, Zurich, Switzerland
| | - Emiel B J Ten Buren
- Institute of Laboratory Animal Science, University of Zurich, Zurich, Switzerland
| | - Dominique Vanhecke
- Institute of Laboratory Animal Science, University of Zurich, Zurich, Switzerland
| | - Frank Brand
- Quantitative Methods, Department of Business and Economics, Berlin School of Economics and Law, Berlin, Germany
| | - Achim Tresch
- Cologne Excellence Cluster on Cellular Stress Responses in Aging-Associated Diseases (CECAD), University of Cologne, Cologne, Germany
- Institute of Medical Statistics and Computational Biology, Faculty of Medicine, University of Cologne, Cologne, Germany
| | - Thorsten Buch
- Institute of Laboratory Animal Science, University of Zurich, Zurich, Switzerland.
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Hersey M, Bartole MK, Jones CS, Newman AH, Tanda G. Are There Prevalent Sex Differences in Psychostimulant Use Disorder? A Focus on the Potential Therapeutic Efficacy of Atypical Dopamine Uptake Inhibitors. Molecules 2023; 28:5270. [PMID: 37446929 DOI: 10.3390/molecules28135270] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/21/2023] [Revised: 06/23/2023] [Accepted: 06/26/2023] [Indexed: 07/15/2023] Open
Abstract
Psychostimulant use disorders (PSUD) affect a growing number of men and women and exert sizable public health and economic burdens on our global society. Notably, there are some sex differences in the onset of dependence, relapse rates, and treatment success with PSUD observed in preclinical and clinical studies. The subtle sex differences observed in the behavioral aspects of PSUD may be associated with differences in the neurochemistry of the dopaminergic system between sexes. Preclinically, psychostimulants have been shown to increase synaptic dopamine (DA) levels and may downregulate the dopamine transporter (DAT). This effect is greatest in females during the high estradiol phase of the estrous cycle. Interestingly, women have been shown to be more likely to begin drug use at younger ages and report higher levels of desire to use cocaine than males. Even though there is currently no FDA-approved medication, modafinil, a DAT inhibitor approved for use in the treatment of narcolepsy and sleep disorders, has shown promise in the treatment of PSUD among specific populations of affected individuals. In this review, we highlight the therapeutic potential of modafinil and other atypical DAT inhibitors focusing on the lack of sex differences in the actions of these agents.
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Affiliation(s)
- Melinda Hersey
- Medication Development Program, NIDA IRP, Baltimore, MD 21224, USA
| | | | - Claire S Jones
- Medication Development Program, NIDA IRP, Baltimore, MD 21224, USA
| | - Amy Hauck Newman
- Medication Development Program, NIDA IRP, Baltimore, MD 21224, USA
| | - Gianluigi Tanda
- Medication Development Program, NIDA IRP, Baltimore, MD 21224, USA
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Carneiro CFD, Drude N, Hülsemann M, Collazo A, Toelch U. Mapping strategies towards improved external validity in preclinical translational research. Expert Opin Drug Discov 2023; 18:1273-1285. [PMID: 37691294 DOI: 10.1080/17460441.2023.2251886] [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: 02/24/2023] [Accepted: 08/22/2023] [Indexed: 09/12/2023]
Abstract
INTRODUCTION Translation is about successfully bringing findings from preclinical contexts into the clinic. This transfer is challenging as clinical trials frequently fail despite positive preclinical results. Limited robustness of preclinical research has been marked as one of the drivers of such failures. One suggested solution is to improve the external validity of in vitro and in vivo experiments via a suite of complementary strategies. AREAS COVERED In this review, the authors summarize the literature available on different strategies to improve external validity in in vivo, in vitro, or ex vivo experiments; systematic heterogenization; generalizability tests; and multi-batch and multicenter experiments. Articles that tested or discussed sources of variability in systematically heterogenized experiments were identified, and the most prevalent sources of variability are reviewed further. Special considerations in sample size planning, analysis options, and practical feasibility associated with each strategy are also reviewed. EXPERT OPINION The strategies reviewed differentially influence variation in experiments. Different research projects, with their unique goals, can leverage the strengths and limitations of each strategy. Applying a combination of these approaches in confirmatory stages of preclinical research putatively increases the chances of success in clinical studies.
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Affiliation(s)
- Clarissa F D Carneiro
- QUEST Center for Responsible Research, Berlin Institute of Health at Charité, Berlin, Germany
| | - Natascha Drude
- QUEST Center for Responsible Research, Berlin Institute of Health at Charité, Berlin, Germany
| | - Maren Hülsemann
- QUEST Center for Responsible Research, Berlin Institute of Health at Charité, Berlin, Germany
| | - Anja Collazo
- QUEST Center for Responsible Research, Berlin Institute of Health at Charité, Berlin, Germany
| | - Ulf Toelch
- QUEST Center for Responsible Research, Berlin Institute of Health at Charité, Berlin, Germany
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Agarwal R, Agarwal P, Iezhitsa I. Exploring the current use of animal models in glaucoma drug discovery: where are we in 2023? Expert Opin Drug Discov 2023; 18:1287-1300. [PMID: 37608634 DOI: 10.1080/17460441.2023.2246892] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/25/2023] [Accepted: 08/08/2023] [Indexed: 08/24/2023]
Abstract
INTRODUCTION Animal models are widely used in glaucoma-related research. Since the elevated intraocular pressure (IOP) is a major risk factor underlying the disease pathogenesis, animal models with high IOP are commonly used. However, models are also used to represent the clinical context of glaucomatous changes developing despite a normal IOP. AREAS COVERED Herein, the authors discuss the various factors that contribute to the quality of studies using animal models based on the evaluation of studies published in 2022. The factors affecting the quality of studies using animal models, such as the animal species, age, and sex, are discussed, along with various methods and outcomes of studies involving different animal models of glaucoma. EXPERT OPINION Translating animal research data to clinical applications remains challenging. Our observations in this review clearly indicate that many studies lack scientific robustness not only in their experiment conduct but also in data analysis, interpretation, and presentation. In this context, ensuring the internal validity of animal studies is the first step in quality assurance. External validity, however, is more challenging, and steps should be taken to satisfy external validity at least to some extent.
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Affiliation(s)
- Renu Agarwal
- School of Medicine, International Medical University, Bukit Jalil, Malaysia
| | - Puneet Agarwal
- School of Medicine, International Medical University, Bukit Jalil, Malaysia
| | - Igor Iezhitsa
- School of Medicine, International Medical University, Bukit Jalil, Malaysia
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