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Nocheva H, Stoynev N, Vodenicharov V, Krastev D, Krastev N, Mileva M. Cannabinoid and Serotonergic Systems: Unraveling the Pathogenetic Mechanisms of Stress-Induced Analgesia. Biomedicines 2024; 12:235. [PMID: 38275406 PMCID: PMC10813752 DOI: 10.3390/biomedicines12010235] [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: 11/07/2023] [Revised: 01/12/2024] [Accepted: 01/12/2024] [Indexed: 01/27/2024] Open
Abstract
The perception of "stress" triggers many physiological and behavioral responses, collectively called the stress response. Such a complex process allows for coping with stress and also triggers severe pathology. Because of the multidirectional effect of stress on the body, multiple systems participate in its pathogenesis, with the endogenous cannabinoid and the serotoninergic ones among them. These two systems also take part in the pain perception decrease, known as stress-induced analgesia (SIA), which can then be taken as an indirect indicator of the stress response. The aim of our study was to study the changes in cold SIA (c-SIA) resulting from the exogenous activation of cannabinoid receptor type 1 (CB1) and 5-hydroxytryptamine (5-HT, serotonin) receptor type 1A (5-HT1A). Various combinations of agonists and/or antagonists of CB1 and 5-HT1A, before or after 1 h of cold exposure, were applied, since we presumed that the exogenous activation of the receptors before the cold exposure would influence the pathogenesis of the stress response, while their activation after the stressful trigger would influence the later development. Our results show that the serotonergic system "maintained" c-SIA in the pre-stress treatment, while the cannabinoids' modulative effect was more prominent in the post-stress treatment. Here, we show the interactions of the two systems in the stress response. The interpretation and understanding of the mechanisms of interaction between CB1 and 5-HT1A may provide information for the prevention and control of adverse stress effects, as well as suggest interesting directions for the development of targeted interventions for the control of specific body responses.
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Affiliation(s)
- Hristina Nocheva
- Department of Physiology and Pathophysiology, Medical Faculty, Medical University, 2 Zdrave Str., 1431 Sofia, Bulgaria; (H.N.); (N.S.)
| | - Nikolay Stoynev
- Department of Physiology and Pathophysiology, Medical Faculty, Medical University, 2 Zdrave Str., 1431 Sofia, Bulgaria; (H.N.); (N.S.)
| | - Vlayko Vodenicharov
- Department of Epidemiology and Hygiene, Medical Faculty, Medical University, 2 Zdrave Str., 1431 Sofia, Bulgaria;
| | - Dimo Krastev
- Department of Anatomy and Physiology, South-West University “Neofit Rilski”, Blagoevgrad, 66, Ivan Mihaylov Str., 2700 Blagoevgrad, Bulgaria;
| | - Nikolay Krastev
- Department of Anatomy, Faculty of Medicine, Medical University, 2, Zdrave Str., 1431 Sofia, Bulgaria;
| | - Milka Mileva
- Institute of Microbiology “Stephan Angeloff”, Bulgarian Academy of Sciences, 26, Acad. Georgi Bonchev Str., 1113 Sofia, Bulgaria
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Effects of chronic mild stress induced depression on synaptic plasticity in mouse hippocampus. Behav Brain Res 2019; 365:26-35. [DOI: 10.1016/j.bbr.2019.02.044] [Citation(s) in RCA: 34] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/12/2018] [Revised: 02/23/2019] [Accepted: 02/26/2019] [Indexed: 12/11/2022]
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Näslund J, Studer E, Johansson E, Eriksson E. Effects of gonadectomy and serotonin depletion on inter-individual differences in anxiety-like behaviour in male Wistar rats. Behav Brain Res 2016; 308:160-5. [PMID: 27083304 DOI: 10.1016/j.bbr.2016.04.015] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/26/2016] [Revised: 03/31/2016] [Accepted: 04/10/2016] [Indexed: 10/21/2022]
Abstract
Previous studies in Wistar rats suggest inter-individual differences in anxiety-like behaviour as assessed using the elevated plus maze (EPM), both between sexes and among males, to be abolished by serotonin depletion. To shed further light on the influence of sex steroids and serotonin - and on the interplay between the two - on proneness for EPM-assessed anxiety in males, outbred Wistar rats were divided into those with high and low anxiety, respectively, and exposed to gonadectomy or sham operation followed by administration of a serotonin synthesis inhibitor, para-chlorophenylalanine, or saline. Whereas gonadectomy enhanced anxiety-like behaviour in low anxiety rats so that these no longer differed in this regard from the high anxiety group, serotonin depletion reversed this effect, and also reduced anxiety in the low anxiety group regardless of gonadal state. A previously observed association between high anxiety-like behaviour and high expression of the serotonin-synthesizing enzyme tryptophan hydroxylase 2 (Tph2) in the raphe was confirmed in sham-operated animals but absent in gonadectomised rats, an ANCOVA revealing a significant interactive effect of baseline anxiety and gonadal state on Tph2 expression. It is suggested that androgens may contribute to upholding inter-individual differences in anxiety-like behaviour in male rats by interacting with serotonergic neurotransmission.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jakob Näslund
- Department of Pharmacology, Institute of Neuroscience and Physiology at the Sahlgrenska Academy, University of Gothenburg, POB 431, SE 405 30 Gothenburg, Sweden.
| | - Erik Studer
- Department of Pharmacology, Institute of Neuroscience and Physiology at the Sahlgrenska Academy, University of Gothenburg, POB 431, SE 405 30 Gothenburg, Sweden
| | - Elin Johansson
- Department of Pharmacology, Institute of Neuroscience and Physiology at the Sahlgrenska Academy, University of Gothenburg, POB 431, SE 405 30 Gothenburg, Sweden
| | - Elias Eriksson
- Department of Pharmacology, Institute of Neuroscience and Physiology at the Sahlgrenska Academy, University of Gothenburg, POB 431, SE 405 30 Gothenburg, Sweden
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Xie G, Zuo W, Wu L, Li W, Wu W, Bekker A, Ye JH. Serotonin modulates glutamatergic transmission to neurons in the lateral habenula. Sci Rep 2016; 6:23798. [PMID: 27033153 PMCID: PMC4817146 DOI: 10.1038/srep23798] [Citation(s) in RCA: 33] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/03/2015] [Accepted: 03/07/2016] [Indexed: 01/04/2023] Open
Abstract
The lateral habenula (LHb) is bilaterally connected with serotoninergic raphe nuclei, and expresses high density of serotonin receptors. However, actions of serotonin on the excitatory synaptic transmission to LHb neurons have not been thoroughly investigated. The LHb contains two anatomically and functionally distinct regions: lateral (LHbl) and medial (LHbm) divisions. We compared serotonin’s effects on glutamatergic transmission across the LHb in rat brains. Serotonin bi-directionally and differentially modulated glutamatergic transmission. Serotonin inhibited glutamatergic transmission in higher percentage of LHbl neurons but potentiated in higher percentage of LHbm neurons. Magnitude of potentiation was greater in LHbm than in LHbl. Type 2 and 3 serotonin receptor antagonists attenuated serotonin’s potentiation. The serotonin reuptake blocker, and the type 2 and 3 receptor agonists facilitated glutamatergic transmission in both LHbl and LHbm neurons. Thus, serotonin via activating its type 2, 3 receptors, increased glutamate release at nerve terminals in some LHb neurons. Our data demonstrated that serotonin affects both LHbm and LHbl. Serotonin might play an important role in processing information between the LHb and its downstream-targeted structures during decision-making. It may also contribute to a homeostatic balance underlying the neural circuitry between the LHb and raphe nuclei.
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Affiliation(s)
- Guiqin Xie
- Department of Anesthesiology, Pharmacology and Physiology, Rutgers, The State University of New Jersey, New Jersey Medical School, Newark, New Jersey, USA
| | - Wanhong Zuo
- Department of Anesthesiology, Pharmacology and Physiology, Rutgers, The State University of New Jersey, New Jersey Medical School, Newark, New Jersey, USA
| | - Liangzhi Wu
- Department of Anesthesiology, Pharmacology and Physiology, Rutgers, The State University of New Jersey, New Jersey Medical School, Newark, New Jersey, USA
| | - Wenting Li
- Department of Anesthesiology, Pharmacology and Physiology, Rutgers, The State University of New Jersey, New Jersey Medical School, Newark, New Jersey, USA
| | - Wei Wu
- Department of Anesthesiology, Pharmacology and Physiology, Rutgers, The State University of New Jersey, New Jersey Medical School, Newark, New Jersey, USA
| | - Alex Bekker
- Department of Anesthesiology, Pharmacology and Physiology, Rutgers, The State University of New Jersey, New Jersey Medical School, Newark, New Jersey, USA
| | - Jiang-Hong Ye
- Department of Anesthesiology, Pharmacology and Physiology, Rutgers, The State University of New Jersey, New Jersey Medical School, Newark, New Jersey, USA
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Anti-Apoptotic Protein Bcl-xL Expression in the Midbrain Raphe Region Is Sensitive to Stress and Glucocorticoids. PLoS One 2015; 10:e0143978. [PMID: 26624017 PMCID: PMC4666588 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0143978] [Citation(s) in RCA: 15] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/19/2015] [Accepted: 11/11/2015] [Indexed: 12/26/2022] Open
Abstract
Anti-apoptotic proteins are suggested to be important for the normal health of neurons and synapses as well as for resilience to stress. In order to determine whether stressful events may influence the expression of anti-apoptotic protein Bcl-xL in the midbrain and specifically in the midbrain serotonergic (5-HT) neurons involved in neurobehavioral responses to adverse stimuli, adult male rats were subjected to short-term or chronic forced swim stress. A short-term stress rapidly increased the midbrain bcl-xl mRNA levels and significantly elevated Bcl-xL immunoreactivity in the midbrain 5-HT cells. Stress-induced increase in glucocorticoid secretion was implicated in the observed effect. The levels of bcl-xl mRNA were decreased after stress when glucocorticoid elevation was inhibited by metyrapone (MET, 150 mg/kg), and this decrease was attenuated by glucocorticoid replacement with dexamethasone (DEX; 0.2 mg/kg). Both short-term stress and acute DEX administration, in parallel with Bcl-xL, caused a significant increase in tph2 mRNA levels and slightly enhanced tryptophan hydroxylase immunoreactivity in the midbrain. The increasing effect on the bcl-xl expression was specific to the short-term stress. Forced swim repeated daily for 2 weeks led to a decrease in bcl-xl mRNA in the midbrain without any effects on the Bcl-xL protein expression in the 5-HT neurons. In chronically stressed animals, an increase in tph2 gene expression was not associated with any changes in tryptophan hydroxylase protein levels. Our findings are the first to demonstrate that both short-term stress and acute glucocorticoid exposures induce Bcl-xL protein expression in the midbrain 5-HT neurons concomitantly with the activation of the 5-HT synthesis pathway in these neurons.
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Fu HJ, Zhao Y, Zhou YR, Bao BH, Du Y, Li JX. Ursolic acid derivatives as bone anabolic agents targeted to tryptophan hydroxylase 1 (Tph-1). Eur J Pharm Sci 2015; 76:33-47. [PMID: 25930119 DOI: 10.1016/j.ejps.2015.04.021] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/12/2015] [Revised: 04/15/2015] [Accepted: 04/26/2015] [Indexed: 01/28/2023]
Abstract
Tryptophan hydroxylase 1 (Tph-1) initiates the biosynthesis of peripheral serotonin. As peripheral serotonin suppresses bone formation, inhibitor of Tph-1 provides a useful tool to discover anabolic agents for osteoporosis. In the present study, series of ursolic acid (UA) derivatives were synthesized, and their inhibitory activity on serotonin biosynthesis and cytotoxicity were evaluated. Among the derivatives, 8d with potent inhibitory activity on serotonin was applied for further research. The data revealed that 8d significantly inhibited protein and mRNA expressions of Tph-1, and an SPR study indicated that 8d directly interacted to Tph-1 with a binding affinity of KD=15.09μM. Oral administration of 8d significantly prevented bone loss via suppressing serotonin biosynthesis without estrogenic side-effects in ovariectomized (OVX) rats.
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Affiliation(s)
- Hai-Jian Fu
- State Key Lab of Analytical Chemistry for Life Science and Collaborative Innovation Center of Chemistry for Life Sciences, School of Chemistry and Chemical Engineering, Nanjing University, Nanjing, Jiangsu 210093, PR China
| | - Yang Zhao
- State Key Lab of Analytical Chemistry for Life Science and Collaborative Innovation Center of Chemistry for Life Sciences, School of Chemistry and Chemical Engineering, Nanjing University, Nanjing, Jiangsu 210093, PR China
| | - Yu-Ren Zhou
- State Key Lab of Analytical Chemistry for Life Science and Collaborative Innovation Center of Chemistry for Life Sciences, School of Chemistry and Chemical Engineering, Nanjing University, Nanjing, Jiangsu 210093, PR China
| | - Bei-Hua Bao
- State Key Lab of Analytical Chemistry for Life Science and Collaborative Innovation Center of Chemistry for Life Sciences, School of Chemistry and Chemical Engineering, Nanjing University, Nanjing, Jiangsu 210093, PR China
| | - Yun Du
- State Key Lab of Analytical Chemistry for Life Science and Collaborative Innovation Center of Chemistry for Life Sciences, School of Chemistry and Chemical Engineering, Nanjing University, Nanjing, Jiangsu 210093, PR China
| | - Jian-Xin Li
- State Key Lab of Analytical Chemistry for Life Science and Collaborative Innovation Center of Chemistry for Life Sciences, School of Chemistry and Chemical Engineering, Nanjing University, Nanjing, Jiangsu 210093, PR China.
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Näslund J, Studer E, Pettersson R, Hagsäter M, Nilsson S, Nissbrandt H, Eriksson E. Differences in Anxiety-Like Behavior within a Batch of Wistar Rats Are Associated with Differences in Serotonergic Transmission, Enhanced by Acute SRI Administration, and Abolished By Serotonin Depletion. Int J Neuropsychopharmacol 2015; 18:pyv018. [PMID: 25716782 PMCID: PMC4571633 DOI: 10.1093/ijnp/pyv018] [Citation(s) in RCA: 24] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/19/2022] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND The anxiety-reducing effect of long-term administration of serotonin reuptake inhibitors is usually seen only in subjects with anxiety disorders, and such patients are also abnormally inclined to experience a paradoxical anxiety-enhancing effect of acute serotonin reuptake inhibition. These unique responses to serotonin reuptake inhibitors in anxiety-prone subjects suggest, as do genetic association studies, that inter-individual differences in anxiety may be associated with differences in serotonergic transmission. METHODS The one-third of the animals within a batch of Wistar rats most inclined to spend time on open arms in the elevated plus maze were compared with the one-third most inclined to avoid them with respect to indices of brain serotonergic transmission and how their behavior was influenced by serotonin-modulating drugs. RESULTS "Anxious" rats displayed higher expression of the tryptophan hydroxylase-2 gene and higher levels of the tryptophan hydroxylase-2 protein in raphe and also higher levels of serotonin in amygdala. Supporting these differences to be important for the behavioral differences, serotonin depletion obtained by the tryptophan hydroxylase-2 inhibitor p-chlorophenylalanine eliminated them by reducing anxiety in "anxious" but not "non-anxious" rats. Acute administration of a serotonin reuptake inhibitor, paroxetine, exerted an anxiety-enhancing effect in "anxious" but not "non-anxious" rats, which was eliminated by long-term pretreatment with another serotonin reuptake inhibitor, escitalopram. CONCLUSIONS Differences in an anxiogenic impact of serotonin, which is enhanced by acute serotonin reuptake inhibitor administration, may contribute to differences in anxiety-like behavior amongst Wistar rats.
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Affiliation(s)
| | | | | | | | | | | | - Elias Eriksson
- Department of Pharmacology, Institute of Neuroscience and Physiology at the Sahlgrenska Academy, University of Gothenburg, Gothenburg, Sweden (Dr Näslund, Mr Studer, Mr Pettersson, Drs Hagsäter, Nissbrandt, and Eriksson); Institute of Mathematical Sciences, Chalmers University of Technology, Gothenburg, Sweden (Dr Nilsson).
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Own LS, Iqbal R, Patel PD. Maternal separation alters serotonergic and HPA axis gene expression independent of separation duration in c57bl/6 mice. Brain Res 2013; 1515:29-38. [DOI: 10.1016/j.brainres.2013.03.032] [Citation(s) in RCA: 26] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/25/2012] [Revised: 01/21/2013] [Accepted: 03/13/2013] [Indexed: 12/29/2022]
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García-García AL, Venzala E, Elizalde N, Ramírez MJ, Urbiola A, Del Rio J, Lanfumey L, Tordera RM. Regulation of serotonin (5-HT) function by a VGLUT1 dependent glutamate pathway. Neuropharmacology 2012; 70:190-9. [PMID: 23168115 DOI: 10.1016/j.neuropharm.2012.11.005] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/17/2012] [Revised: 10/13/2012] [Accepted: 11/02/2012] [Indexed: 01/05/2023]
Abstract
Unraveling the mechanisms of 5-HT neuron control might provide new insights into depression pathophysiology. In addition to the inhibitory 5-HT1A autoreceptors, cortico-raphe glutamatergic descending pathways are suggested to modulate 5-HT activity in the DRN. Here we studied how decreased VGLUT1 levels in the brain stem affect glutamate regulation of 5-HT function. VGLUT1+/- mice (C57BL/6) and wild type (WT) littermates were used. VGLUT1 expression in the DRN, 5-HT turnover and immuno histochemical analysis of neuronal activity in different areas was studied. Moreover, the functionality of the inhibitory 5-HT1A autoreceptor was assessed using electrophysiological, biochemical and pharmacological approaches. VGLUT1 immunoreactivity was markedly lower in the DRN of the VGLUT1+/- mice and specifically, in the surroundings of GABA and 5-HT cell bodies. These mice showed decreased induced neuronal activity in 5-HT cells bodies and in different forebrain areas, as well as decreased hippocampal cell proliferation and 5-HT turnover. Further, 5-HT1A autoreceptor desensitization was evidenced by electrophysiological studies, GTP-γ-S coupling to 5-HT1A autoreceptor and a lower hypothermic response to 5-HT1A activation. This study shows first time that VGLUT1 dependent glutamate innervation of the DRN could modulate 5-HT function.
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Dogrul A, Seyrek M, Yalcin B, Ulugol A. Involvement of descending serotonergic and noradrenergic pathways in CB1 receptor-mediated antinociception. Prog Neuropsychopharmacol Biol Psychiatry 2012; 38:97-105. [PMID: 22300745 DOI: 10.1016/j.pnpbp.2012.01.007] [Citation(s) in RCA: 37] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/04/2011] [Revised: 01/03/2012] [Accepted: 01/15/2012] [Indexed: 12/18/2022]
Abstract
Cannabinoids produce antinociceptive and antihyperalgesic effects mainly through activation of the inhibitory CB1 receptors. The demonstration that antinociceptive effects of systemic cannabinoids are significantly diminished following surgical dorsolateral funiculus lesion provides evidence that supraspinal sites and descending pain modulatory pathways play crucial roles in systemic cannabinoid analgesia. In this review, we will firstly provide a background, brief overview of descending modulatory pathways followed by descending pathways implicated in cannabinoid analgesia. We will then describe the recent evidence of the involvement of descending serotonergic and noradrenergic pathways in CB1 receptor-mediated antinociception. This review will provide evidences that systemically administered cannabinoids reinforce the descending serotonergic and noradrenergic pathways to produce acute antinociceptive effects via spinal 5-HT7, 5-HT2A and alpha-2 adrenoceptors activation.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ahmet Dogrul
- Department of Medical Pharmacology, Gulhane Military Academy of Medicine, Ankara, Turkey.
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