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Tan X, Neslund EM, Fentis K, Ding ZM. Fluorocitrate inhibition of astrocytes reduces nicotine self-administration and alters extracellular levels of glutamate and dopamine within the nucleus accumbens in male wistar rats. Neuropharmacology 2024; 255:110001. [PMID: 38750804 PMCID: PMC11156530 DOI: 10.1016/j.neuropharm.2024.110001] [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: 02/27/2024] [Revised: 05/10/2024] [Accepted: 05/11/2024] [Indexed: 05/25/2024]
Abstract
Emerging evidence suggests an important role of astrocytes in mediating behavioral and molecular effects of commonly misused drugs. Passive exposure to nicotine alters molecular, morphological, and functional properties of astrocytes. However, a potential involvement of astrocytes in nicotine reinforcement remains largely unexplored. The overall hypothesis tested in the current study is that astrocytes play a critical role in nicotine reinforcement. Protein levels of the astrocyte marker glial fibrillary acidic protein (GFAP) were examined in key mesocorticolimbic regions following chronic nicotine intravenous self-administration. Fluorocitrate, a metabolic inhibitor of astrocytes, was tested for its effects on behaviors related to nicotine reinforcement and relapse. Effects of fluorocitrate on extracellular neurotransmitter levels, including glutamate, GABA, and dopamine, were determined with microdialysis. Chronic nicotine intravenous self-administration increased GFAP expression in the nucleus accumbens core (NACcr), but not other key mesocorticolimbic regions, compared to saline intravenous self-administration. Both intra-ventricular and intra-NACcr microinjection of fluorocitrate decreased nicotine self-administration. Intra-NACcr fluorocitrate microinjection also inhibited cue-induced reinstatement of nicotine seeking. Local perfusion of fluorocitrate decreased extracellular glutamate levels, elevated extracellular dopamine levels, but did not alter extracellular GABA levels in the NACcr. Fluorocitrate did not alter basal locomotor activity. These results indicate that nicotine reinforcement upregulates the astrocyte marker GFAP expression in the NACcr, metabolic inhibition of astrocytes attenuates nicotine reinforcement and relapse, and metabolic inhibition of astrocytes disrupts extracellular dopamine and glutamate transmission. Overall, these findings suggest that astrocytes play an important role in nicotine reinforcement and relapse, potentially through regulation of extracellular glutamate and dopamine neurotransmission.
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Affiliation(s)
- Xiaoying Tan
- Department of Anesthesiology & Perioperative Medicine, Pennsylvania State University College of Medicine, Hershey, PA 17033, USA
| | - Elizabeth M Neslund
- Department of Anesthesiology & Perioperative Medicine, Pennsylvania State University College of Medicine, Hershey, PA 17033, USA
| | - Khawla Fentis
- Department of Anesthesiology & Perioperative Medicine, Pennsylvania State University College of Medicine, Hershey, PA 17033, USA
| | - Zheng-Ming Ding
- Department of Anesthesiology & Perioperative Medicine, Pennsylvania State University College of Medicine, Hershey, PA 17033, USA; Department of Pharmacology, Pennsylvania State University College of Medicine, Hershey, PA 17033, USA.
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Panagopoulos VN, Bailey A, Kostopoulos GK, Ioannides AA. Changes in distinct brain systems identified with fMRI during smoking cessation treatment with varenicline: a review. Psychopharmacology (Berl) 2024; 241:653-685. [PMID: 38430396 DOI: 10.1007/s00213-024-06556-2] [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: 03/23/2023] [Accepted: 02/15/2024] [Indexed: 03/03/2024]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Varenicline is considered one of the most effective treatment options for smoking cessation. Nonetheless, it is only modestly effective. A deeper comprehension of the effects of varenicline by means of the in-depth review of relevant fMRI studies may assist in paving the development of more targeted and effective treatments. METHODOLOGY A search of PubMed and Google Scholar databases was conducted with the keywords "functional magnetic resonance imaging" or "fMRI", and "varenicline". All peer-reviewed articles regarding the assessment of smokers with fMRI while undergoing treatment with varenicline and meeting the predefined criteria were included. RESULTS Several studies utilizing different methodologies and targeting different aspects of brain function were identified. During nicotine withdrawal, decreased mesocorticolimbic activity and increased amygdala activity, as well as elevated amygdala-insula and insula-default-mode-network functional connectivity are alleviated by varenicline under specific testing conditions. However, other nicotine withdrawal-induced changes, including the decreased reward responsivity of the ventral striatum, the bilateral dorsal striatum and the anterior cingulate cortex are not influenced by varenicline suggesting a task-dependent divergence in neurocircuitry activation. Under satiety, varenicline treatment is associated with diminished cue-induced activation of the ventral striatum and medial orbitofrontal cortex concomitant with reduced cravings; during the resting state, varenicline induces activation of the lateral orbitofrontal cortex and suppression of the right amygdala. CONCLUSIONS The current review provides important clues with regard to the neurobiological mechanism of action of varenicline and highlights promising research opportunities regarding the development of more selective and effective treatments and predictive biomarkers for treatment efficacy.
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Affiliation(s)
- Vassilis N Panagopoulos
- Laboratory for Human Brain Dynamics, AAI Scientific Cultural Services Ltd., Nicosia, Cyprus.
- Department of Physiology, Medical School, University of Patras, Patras, Greece.
| | - Alexis Bailey
- Pharmacology Section, St. George's University of London, London, UK
| | | | - Andreas A Ioannides
- Laboratory for Human Brain Dynamics, AAI Scientific Cultural Services Ltd., Nicosia, Cyprus
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Soares ÉN, Costa ACDS, Ferrolho GDJ, Ureshino RP, Getachew B, Costa SL, da Silva VDA, Tizabi Y. Nicotinic Acetylcholine Receptors in Glial Cells as Molecular Target for Parkinson's Disease. Cells 2024; 13:474. [PMID: 38534318 DOI: 10.3390/cells13060474] [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: 01/30/2024] [Revised: 03/02/2024] [Accepted: 03/05/2024] [Indexed: 03/28/2024] Open
Abstract
Parkinson's disease (PD) is a progressive neurodegenerative disease characterized by resting tremor, bradykinesia, rigidity, and postural instability that also includes non-motor symptoms such as mood dysregulation. Dopamine (DA) is the primary neurotransmitter involved in this disease, but cholinergic imbalance has also been implicated. Current intervention in PD is focused on replenishing central DA, which provides remarkable temporary symptomatic relief but does not address neuronal loss and the progression of the disease. It has been well established that neuronal nicotinic cholinergic receptors (nAChRs) can regulate DA release and that nicotine itself may have neuroprotective effects. Recent studies identified nAChRs in nonneuronal cell types, including glial cells, where they may regulate inflammatory responses. Given the crucial role of neuroinflammation in dopaminergic degeneration and the involvement of microglia and astrocytes in this response, glial nAChRs may provide a novel therapeutic target in the prevention and/or treatment of PD. In this review, following a brief discussion of PD, we focus on the role of glial cells and, specifically, their nAChRs in PD pathology and/or treatment.
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Affiliation(s)
- Érica Novaes Soares
- Laboratory of Neurochemistry and Cell Biology, Department of Biochemistry and Biophysics, Institute of Health Sciences, Federal University of Bahia, Salvador 40110-902, BA, Brazil
| | - Ana Carla Dos Santos Costa
- Laboratory of Neurochemistry and Cell Biology, Department of Biochemistry and Biophysics, Institute of Health Sciences, Federal University of Bahia, Salvador 40110-902, BA, Brazil
| | - Gabriel de Jesus Ferrolho
- Laboratory of Neurochemistry and Cell Biology, Department of Biochemistry and Biophysics, Institute of Health Sciences, Federal University of Bahia, Salvador 40110-902, BA, Brazil
- Laboratory of Neurosciences, Institute of Health Sciences, Federal University of Bahia, Salvador 40110-902, BA, Brazil
| | - Rodrigo Portes Ureshino
- Department of Biological Sciences, Universidade Federal de São Paulo, Diadema 09961-400, SP, Brazil
- Laboratory of Molecular and Translational Endocrinology, Escola Paulista de Medicina, Universidade Federal de São Paulo, São Paulo 04039-032, SP, Brazil
| | - Bruk Getachew
- Department of Pharmacology, College of Medicine, Howard University, 520 W Street NW, Washington, DC 20059, USA
| | - Silvia Lima Costa
- Laboratory of Neurochemistry and Cell Biology, Department of Biochemistry and Biophysics, Institute of Health Sciences, Federal University of Bahia, Salvador 40110-902, BA, Brazil
| | - Victor Diogenes Amaral da Silva
- Laboratory of Neurochemistry and Cell Biology, Department of Biochemistry and Biophysics, Institute of Health Sciences, Federal University of Bahia, Salvador 40110-902, BA, Brazil
- Laboratory of Neurosciences, Institute of Health Sciences, Federal University of Bahia, Salvador 40110-902, BA, Brazil
| | - Yousef Tizabi
- Department of Pharmacology, College of Medicine, Howard University, 520 W Street NW, Washington, DC 20059, USA
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Zheng F, Xie Q, Ren Q, Kong J. Extraction and Purification of Nicotine from Tobacco Rhizomes by Supercritical CO 2. Molecules 2024; 29:1147. [PMID: 38474659 DOI: 10.3390/molecules29051147] [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: 02/03/2024] [Revised: 02/21/2024] [Accepted: 02/21/2024] [Indexed: 03/14/2024] Open
Abstract
Currently, in the ongoing development of the tobacco industry, a large amount of tobacco rhizomes is discarded as waste. These wastes are usually disposed of through incineration or burial. However, these tobacco wastes still have some economic value. High-purity nicotine has a promising market outlook as the primary raw material for electronic cigarette liquid. Nicotine is not only found in tobacco leaves but also in the rhizomes of tobacco plants. This study presents a method for treating tobacco waste and extracting high-purity nicotine from it. After mixing the raw material powder and entrainer in specific ratios, as much of the nicotine in tobacco roots can be extracted as possible using supercritical carbon dioxide extraction. The effects of temperature, the ratio of the entrainer, and the volume fraction of ethanol in the entrainer on the nicotine yield in supercritical fluid extraction (SFE) at 25 MPa for 120 min were discussed. By using 90% ethanol (a raw material mass-to-volume ratio of 1:5) as the entrainer, we obtained the highest nicotine yield of 0.49% at 65 °C. Meanwhile, the purity of the crude extract was 61.71%, and after purification, it increased to 97.57%. In this way, we can not only obtain nicotine with market value but also further reduce the harm to the environment caused by tobacco waste disposal.
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Affiliation(s)
- Fangyuan Zheng
- Department of Chemistry, Fudan University, Shanghai 200433, China
| | - Qishan Xie
- Department of Chemistry, Fudan University, Shanghai 200433, China
| | - Qingguang Ren
- Department of Chemistry, Fudan University, Shanghai 200433, China
| | - Jilie Kong
- Department of Chemistry, Fudan University, Shanghai 200433, China
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Wang X, Chen Y, Dong J, Ge J, Liu X, Liu J. Neurobiology of Stress-Induced Nicotine Relapse. Int J Mol Sci 2024; 25:1482. [PMID: 38338760 PMCID: PMC10855331 DOI: 10.3390/ijms25031482] [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: 12/17/2023] [Revised: 01/15/2024] [Accepted: 01/19/2024] [Indexed: 02/12/2024] Open
Abstract
Tobacco smoking is the leading cause of preventable death and disease. Although there are some FAD-approved medicines for controlling smoking, the relapse rate remains very high. Among the factors that could induce nicotine relapse, stress might be the most important one. In the last decades, preclinical studies have generated many new findings that lead to a better understanding of stress-induced relapse of nicotine-seeking. Several molecules such as α3β4 nicotinic acetylcholine receptor, α2-adrenergic receptors, cannabinoid receptor 1, trace amine-associated receptor 1, and neuropeptide systems (corticotropin-releasing factor and its receptors, dynorphine and kappa opioid receptor) have been linked to stress-induced nicotine relapse. In this review, we discuss recent advances in the neurobiology, treatment targets, and potential therapeutics of stress-induced nicotine relapse. We also discuss some factors that may influence stress-induced nicotine relapse and that should be considered in future studies. In the final section, a perspective on some research directions is provided. Further investigation on the neurobiology of stress-induced nicotine relapse will shed light on the development of new medicines for controlling smoking and will help us understand the interactions between the stress and reward systems in the brain.
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Affiliation(s)
| | | | | | | | | | - Jianfeng Liu
- Institute of Brain Science and Advanced Technology, Hubei Province Key Laboratory of Occupational Hazard Identification and Control, School of Medicine, Wuhan University of Science and Technology, Wuhan 430065, China (Y.C.); (J.D.)
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