Metyrapone effects on systemic and cerebral energy metabolism

Cortisol enhances aerobic metabolism and locomotor performance during the transition to land in an amphibious fish

Amphibious fishes on land encounter higher oxygen (O2) availability and novel energetic demands, which impacts metabolism. Previous work on the amphibious mangrove killifish (Kryptolebias marmoratus) has shown that cortisol becomes elevated in response to air exposure, suggesting a possible role in regulating metabolism as fish move into terrestrial environments. We tested the hypothesis that cortisol is the mechanism by which oxidative processes are upregulated during the transition to land in amphibious fishes. We used two groups of fish, treated fish (+metyrapone, a cortisol synthesis inhibitor) and control (-metyrapone), to determine the impact of cortisol during air exposure (0 and 1 h, 7 days) on O2 consumption, terrestrial locomotion, the phenotype of red skeletal muscle, and muscle lipid concentration. Metyrapone-treated fish had an attenuated elevation in O2 consumption rate during the water to air transition and an immediate reduction in terrestrial exercise performance relative to control fish. In contrast, we found no short- (0 h) or long-term (7 days) differences between treatments in the oxidative phenotype of red muscles, nor in muscle lipid concentrations. Our results suggest that cortisol stimulates the necessary increase in aerobic metabolism needed to fuel the physiological changes that amphibious fishes undergo during the acclimation to air, although further studies are required to determine specific mechanisms of cortisol regulation.

Metyrapone prevents acute glucose hypermetabolism and short-term brain damage induced by intrahippocampal administration of 4-aminopyridine in rats

Intracerebral administration of the potassium channel blocker 4-aminopyridine (4-AP) triggers neuronal depolarization and intense acute seizure activity followed by neuronal damage. We have recently shown that, in the lithium-pilocarpine rat model of status epilepticus (SE), a single administration of metyrapone, an inhibitor of the 11β-hydroxylase enzyme, had protective properties of preventive nature against signs of brain damage and neuroinflammation. Herein, our aim was to investigate to which extent, pretreatment with metyrapone (150 mg/kg, i.p.) was also able to prevent eventual changes in the acute brain metabolism and short-term neuronal damage induced by intrahippocampal injection of 4-AP (7 μg/5 μl). To this end, regional brain metabolism was assessed by 2-deoxy-2-[¹⁸F]fluoro-d-glucose ([¹⁸F]FDG) positron emission tomography (PET) during the ictal period. Three days later, markers of neuronal death and hippocampal integrity and apoptosis (Nissl staining, NeuN and active caspase-3 immunohistochemistry), neurodegeneration (Fluoro-Jade C labeling), astrogliosis (glial fibrillary acidic protein (GFAP) immunohistochemistry) and microglia-mediated neuroinflammation (in vitro [¹⁸F]GE180 autoradiography) were evaluated. 4-AP administration acutely triggered marked brain hypermetabolism within and around the site of injection as well as short-term signs of brain damage and inflammation. Most important, metyrapone pretreatment was able to reduce ictal hypermetabolism as well as all the markers of brain damage except microglia-mediated neuroinflammation. Overall, our study corroborates the neuroprotective effects of metyrapone against multiple signs of brain damage caused by seizures triggered by 4-AP. Ultimately, our data add up to the consistent protective effect of metyrapone pretreatment reported in other models of neurological disorders of different etiology.

Metyrapone prevents brain damage induced by status epilepticus in the rat lithium-pilocarpine model

The status epilepticus (SE) induced by lithium-pilocarpine is a well characterized rodent model of the human temporal lobe epilepsy (TLE) which is accompanied by severe brain damage. Stress and glucocorticoids markedly contribute to exacerbate neuronal damage induced by seizures but the underlying mechanisms are poorly understood. Herein we sought to investigate whether a single administration of metyrapone (150 mg/kg, i.p.), an 11β-hydroxylase inhibitor, enzyme involved in the peripheral and central synthesis of corticosteroids, had neuroprotective properties in this model. Two experiments were carried out. In exp. 1, metyrapone was administered 3 h before pilocarpine injection whereas in exp. 2, metyrapone administration took place at the onset of the SE. In both experiments, 3 days after the insult, brain metabolism was assessed by in vivo 2-deoxy-2-[¹⁸F]fluoro-d-glucose ([¹⁸F]FDG) positron emission tomography (PET). Brains were processed for analyses of markers of hippocampal integrity (Nissl staining), neurodegeneration (Fluoro-Jade C), astrogliosis (glial fibrillary acidic protein (GFAP) immunohistochemistry) and, for a marker of activated microglia by in vitro autoradiography with the TSPO (18 kDa translocator protein) radioligand [¹⁸F]GE180. The SE resulted in a consistent hypometabolism in hippocampus, cortex and striatum and neuronal damage, hippocampal neurodegeneration, neuronal death and gliosis. Interestingly, metyrapone had neuroprotective effects when administered before, but not after the insult. In summary, we conclude that metyrapone administration prior but not after the SE protected from brain damage induced by SE in the lithium-pilocarpine model. Therefore, it seems that the effect of metyrapone is preventive in nature and likely related to its antiseizure properties.

Subchronic metformin pretreatment enhances novel object recognition memory task in forebrain ischemia: behavioural, molecular, and electrophysiological studies

Metformin exerts its effect via AMP-activated protein kinase (AMPK), which is a key sensor for energy homeostasis that regulates different intracellular pathways. Metformin attenuates oxidative stress and cognitive impairment. In our experiment, rats were divided into 8 groups; some were pretreated with metformin (Met, 200 mg/kg) and (or) the AMPK inhibitor Compound C (CC) for 14 days. On day 14, rats underwent transient forebrain global ischemia. Data indicated that pretreatment of ischemic rats with metformin reduced working memory deficits in a novel object recognition test compared to group with ischemia–reperfusion (I–R) (P < 0.01). Pretreatment of the I–R animals with metformin increased phosphorylated cyclic-AMP response element-binding protein (pCREB) and c-fos levels compared to the I–R group (P < 0.001 for both). The level of CREB and c-fos was significantly lower in ischemic rats pretreated with Met + CC compared to the Met + I–R group. Field excitatory postsynaptic potential (fEPSP) amplitude and slope was significantly lower in the I–R group compared to the sham operation group (P < 0.001). Data showed that fEPSP amplitude and slope was significantly higher in the Met + I–R group compared to the I–R group (P < 0.001). Treatment of ischemic animals with Met + CC increased fEPSP amplitude and slope compared to the Met + I–R group (P < 0.01). We unravelled new aspects of the protective role of AMPK activation by metformin, further emphasizing the potency of metformin pretreatment against cerebral ischemia.

Changes in Energy Levels by Dexamethasone in Ischemic Hearts and Brains in Male Mice

BACKGROUND

Glucocorticoids have been shown to alleviate ischemia-induced myocardial injury, while aggravating neuronal damage caused by ischemia. As energy failure is a predominant factor in cellular viability, we examined the effects of glucocorticoids on energy utilization in the mouse heart and brain.

METHODS

Seventy-two male ddY mice were assigned to 1 of 3 groups: saline (S), dexamethasone (a glucocorticoid without mineralocorticoid activity, 5 mg/kg) (D), and metyrapone (a potent inhibitor of the synthesis of glucocorticoids, 100 mg/kg) (M) groups (n=24 in each). Three hours after intraperitoneal administration, all animals were decapitated, and the heads were frozen in liquid nitrogen after 0, 0.5, 1, or 2 minutes (n=6 in each). The hearts were immediately removed and frozen in liquid nitrogen after 0, 5, 10, or 20 minutes of incubation at 37°C (n=6 in each). The concentrations of adenylates and monoamines were determined by high-performance liquid chromatography.

RESULTS

In the heart, the adenosine 5'-triphosphate (ATP) concentration did not differ among the 3 groups at 0 minute of ischemia (3 h of S, D, or M treatment). Ischemia for 5 minutes decreased the ATP content to 21% of the basal level in the S group. The ATP decrease was suppressed by either the D or M treatment, such that after 5 minutes ATP levels were 63% and 64% of each basal level, respectively. In the brain, the ATP level in the M group was 62% of that in the S group at 0 minute of ischemia, and the 5'-monophosphate (AMP) level was 276% of that in the S group. Brain dopamine metabolism was facilitated by dexamethasone, and suppressed by metyrapone.

CONCLUSIONS

The relationship between effects of glucocorticoids on ischemia-induced changes in energy levels and cellular viability was not clearly elucidated.

Acute stress delays brain mitochondrial permeability transition pore opening

Since emotional stress elicits brain activation, mitochondria should be a key component of stressed brain response. However, few studies have focused on mitochondria functioning in these conditions. In this work, we aimed to determine the effects of an acute restraint stress on rat brain mitochondrial functions, with a focus on permeability transition pore (PTP) functioning. Rats were divided into two groups, submitted or not to an acute 30-min restraint stress (Stress, S-group, vs. Control, C-group). Brain was removed immediately after stress. Mitochondrial respiration and enzymatic activities (complex I, complex II, hexokinase) were measured. Changes in PTP opening were assessed by the Ca(2+) retention capacity. Cell signaling pathways relevant to the coupling between mitochondria and cell function (adenosine monophosphate-activated protein kinase, phosphatidylinositol 3-kinase, glycogen synthase kinase 3 beta, MAPK, and cGMP/NO) were measured. The effect of glucocorticoids was also assessed in vitro. Stress delayed (43%) the opening of PTP and resulted in a mild inhibition of complex I respiratory chain. This inhibition was associated with significant stress-induced changes in adenosine monophosphate-activated protein kinase signaling pathway without changes in brain cGMP level. In contrast, glucocorticoids did not modify PTP opening. These data suggest a rapid adaptive mechanism of brain mitochondria in stressed conditions, with a special focus on PTP regulation. In a rat model of acute restraint stress, we observed substantial changes in brain mitochondria functioning. Stress significantly (i) delays (43%) the opening of permeability transition pore (PTP) by the calcium (Ca(2+) ), its main inductor and (ii) results in an inhibition of complex I in electron transport chain associated with change in AMPK signaling pathway. These data suggest an adaptive mechanism of brain mitochondria in stressed condition, with a special focus on PTP regulation.

Neuroprotective effect of gadolinium: a stretch-activated calcium channel blocker in mouse model of ischemia-reperfusion injury

The present study was designed to investigate the potential of gadolinium, a stretch-activated calcium channel blocker in ischemic reperfusion (I/R)-induced brain injury in mice. Bilateral carotid artery occlusion of 12 min followed by reperfusion for 24 h was given to induce cerebral injury in male Swiss mice. Cerebral infarct size was measured using triphenyltetrazolium chloride staining. Memory was assessed using Morris water maze test and motor incoordination was evaluated using rota-rod, lateral push, and inclined beam walking tests. In addition, total calcium, thiobarbituric acid reactive substance (TBARS), reduced glutathione (GSH), and acetylcholinesterase (AChE) activity were also estimated in brain tissue. I/R injury produced a significant increase in cerebral infarct size. A significant loss of memory along with impairment of motor performance was also noted. Furthermore, I/R injury also produced a significant increase in levels of TBARS, total calcium, AChE activity, and a decrease in GSH levels. Pretreatment of gadolinium significantly attenuated I/R-induced infarct size, behavioral and biochemical changes. On the basis of the present findings, we can suggest that opening of stretch-activated calcium channel may play a critical role in ischemic reperfusion-induced brain injury and that gadolinium has neuroprotective potential in I/R-induced injury.