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Wongsaengchan C, McCafferty DJ, Evans NP, McKeegan DEF, Nager RG. Body surface temperature of rats reveals both magnitude and sex differences in the acute stress response. Physiol Behav 2023; 264:114138. [PMID: 36871696 DOI: 10.1016/j.physbeh.2023.114138] [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: 06/07/2022] [Revised: 02/09/2023] [Accepted: 02/24/2023] [Indexed: 03/07/2023]
Abstract
Understanding how biological markers of stress relate to stressor magnitude is much needed and can be used in welfare assessment. Changes in body surface temperature can be measured using infrared thermography (IRT) as a marker of a physiological response to acute stress. While an avian study has shown that changes in body surface temperature can reflect the intensity of acute stress, little is known about surface temperature responses to stressors of different magnitudes and its sex-specificity in mammals, and how they correlate with hormonal and behavioural responses. We used IRT to collect continuous surface temperature measurements of tail and eye of adult male and female rats (Rattus norvegicus), for 30 minutes after exposure to one of three stressors (small cage, encircling handling or rodent restraint cone) for one minute, and cross-validated the thermal response with plasma corticosterone (CORT) and behavioural assessment. To obtain individual baseline temperatures and thermal responses to stress, rats were imaged in a test arena (to which they were habituated) for 30 seconds before and 30 minutes after being exposed to the stressor. In response to the three stressors, tail temperature initially decreased and then recovered to, or overshot the baseline temperature. Tail temperature dynamics differed between stressors; being restrained in the small cage was associated with the smallest drop in temperature, in male rats, and the fastest thermal recovery, in both sexes. Increases in eye temperature only distinguished between stressors early in the response and only in females. The post stressor increase in eye temperature was greater in the right eye of males and the left eye of females. In both sexes encircling may have been associated with the fastest increase in CORT. These results were in line with observed behavioural changes, with greater movement in rats exposed to the small cage and higher immobility after encircling. The female tail and eye temperature, as well as the CORT concentrations did not return to pre-stressor levels in the observation period, in conjunction with the greater occurrence of escape-related behaviours in female rats. These results suggest that female rats are more vulnerable to acute restraint stress compared to male rats and emphasise the importance of using both sexes in future investigations of stressor magnitude. This study demonstrates that acute stress induced changes in mammalian surface temperature measured with IRT relate to the magnitude of restraint stress, indicate sex differences and correlate with hormonal and behavioural responses. Thus, IRT has the potential to become a non-invasive method of continuous welfare assessment in unrestrained mammals.
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Affiliation(s)
- Chanakarn Wongsaengchan
- School of Psychology & Neuroscience, University of St Andrews, St Andrews, KY16 9JP, United Kingdom
| | - Dominic J McCafferty
- School of Biodiversity, One Health & Veterinary Medicine, University of Glasgow, Scottish Centre for Ecology and the Natural Environment, Rowardennan, G63 0AW, United Kingdom
| | - Neil P Evans
- School of Biodiversity, One Health & Veterinary Medicine, University of Glasgow, Jarrett Building, Glasgow, G61 1QH, United Kingdom
| | - Dorothy E F McKeegan
- School of Biodiversity, One Health & Veterinary Medicine, University of Glasgow, Jarrett Building, Glasgow, G61 1QH, United Kingdom
| | - Ruedi G Nager
- School of Biodiversity, One Health & Veterinary Medicine, University of Glasgow, Graham Kerr Building, Glasgow, G12 8QQ, United Kingdom.
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Wang Q, Liu Y, Xu Y, Jin Y, Wu J, Ren Z. Comparative transcriptome and Lipidome analyses suggest a lipid droplet-specific response to heat exposure of brown adipose tissue in normal and obese mice. Life Sci 2022; 299:120540. [PMID: 35398332 DOI: 10.1016/j.lfs.2022.120540] [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: 03/06/2022] [Revised: 04/03/2022] [Accepted: 04/04/2022] [Indexed: 10/18/2022]
Abstract
AIMS In mammals, heat stress (HS) from high-temperature environments has multiple adverse effects on the well-being of the organism. Brown adipose tissue (BAT) is a thermogenesis tissue that protects against obesity, and as an endocrine organ that regulates the systemic metabolism, but it is unclear how heat stress affects BAT in normal and obese subjects. Understanding the transcriptomic profiles and lipidomics of BAT upon heat exposure provides insights into the adaptive changes associated with this process. MATERIALS AND METHODS We constructed heat treatment (40 °C, 4 h) models for normal and obese mice, observed the effect of heat treatment on interscapular BAT (iBAT) and performed an assay for iBAT with RNA-seq and lipidomics to compare transcriptional programs and lipid dynamics. KEY FINDINGS In normal mice, heat treatment caused an iBAT damage by decreasing the expression of genes involved in thermogenesis, adipogenesis and lipid metabolism. Furthermore, HS disturbed the acyl-chain composition of triacylglycerols (TAGs) and glycerophospholipids (PEs, PCs and CLs), accelerated the production of cholesterol esters, and caused the formation of giant lipid droplets rich in cholesterol esters in iBAT. Unexpectedly, in obese mice, heat treatment had a smaller effect on iBAT by improving the composition of the saturated glycerolipids, PEs and PCs and increasing the proportion of oxidized lipid in lipid droplets. SIGNIFICANCE Our findings proved lipid droplets participated in the regulation of lipid components of iBAT in normal and obese mice after heat treatment, which provided a new view for the understanding of the adaptation of iBAT to high-temperature environments.
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Affiliation(s)
- Qiankun Wang
- Key Laboratory of Agriculture Animal Genetics, Breeding and Reproduction of the Ministry of Education & Key Laboratory of Swine Genetics and Breeding of the Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Affairs, College of Animal Science, Huazhong Agricultural University, Wuhan 430070, Hubei, China
| | - Yue Liu
- Key Laboratory of Agriculture Animal Genetics, Breeding and Reproduction of the Ministry of Education & Key Laboratory of Swine Genetics and Breeding of the Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Affairs, College of Animal Science, Huazhong Agricultural University, Wuhan 430070, Hubei, China
| | - Yue Xu
- Key Laboratory of Agriculture Animal Genetics, Breeding and Reproduction of the Ministry of Education & Key Laboratory of Swine Genetics and Breeding of the Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Affairs, College of Animal Science, Huazhong Agricultural University, Wuhan 430070, Hubei, China
| | - Yi Jin
- Key Laboratory of Agriculture Animal Genetics, Breeding and Reproduction of the Ministry of Education & Key Laboratory of Swine Genetics and Breeding of the Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Affairs, College of Animal Science, Huazhong Agricultural University, Wuhan 430070, Hubei, China; Hubei Hongshan Laboratory, Hubei Province, PR China
| | - Jian Wu
- Key Laboratory of Agriculture Animal Genetics, Breeding and Reproduction of the Ministry of Education & Key Laboratory of Swine Genetics and Breeding of the Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Affairs, College of Animal Science, Huazhong Agricultural University, Wuhan 430070, Hubei, China
| | - Zhuqing Ren
- Key Laboratory of Agriculture Animal Genetics, Breeding and Reproduction of the Ministry of Education & Key Laboratory of Swine Genetics and Breeding of the Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Affairs, College of Animal Science, Huazhong Agricultural University, Wuhan 430070, Hubei, China; Hubei Hongshan Laboratory, Hubei Province, PR China.
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Yu H, Niu Y, Jia G, Liang Y, Chen B, Sun R, Wang M, Huang S, Zeng J, Lu J, Li L, Guo X, Yao P. Maternal diabetes-mediated RORA suppression in mice contributes to autism-like offspring through inhibition of aromatase. Commun Biol 2022; 5:51. [PMID: 35027651 PMCID: PMC8758718 DOI: 10.1038/s42003-022-03005-8] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/19/2021] [Accepted: 12/23/2021] [Indexed: 01/31/2023] Open
Abstract
Retinoic acid-related orphan receptor alpha (RORA) suppression is associated with autism spectrum disorder (ASD) development, although the mechanism remains unclear. In this study, we aim to investigate the potential effect and mechanisms of RORA suppression on autism-like behavior (ALB) through maternal diabetes-mediated mouse model. Our in vitro study in human neural progenitor cells shows that transient hyperglycemia induces persistent RORA suppression through oxidative stress-mediated epigenetic modifications and subsequent dissociation of octamer-binding transcription factor 3/4 from the RORA promoter, subsequently suppressing the expression of aromatase and superoxide dismutase 2. The in vivo mouse study shows that prenatal RORA deficiency in neuron-specific RORA null mice mimics maternal diabetes-mediated ALB; postnatal RORA expression in the amygdala ameliorates, while postnatal RORA knockdown mimics, maternal diabetes-mediated ALB in offspring. In addition, RORA mRNA levels in peripheral blood mononuclear cells decrease to 34.2% in ASD patients (n = 121) compared to the typically developing group (n = 118), and the related Receiver Operating Characteristic curve shows good sensitivity and specificity with a calculated 84.1% of Area Under the Curve for ASD diagnosis. We conclude that maternal diabetes contributes to ALB in offspring through suppression of RORA and aromatase, RORA expression in PBMC could be a potential marker for ASD screening. Hong Yu, Yanbin Niu, Guohua Jia et al. integrate in vitro, in vivo, and human experiments to examine a link between RORA expression on autism-like behavior. Their results suggest that maternal diabetes may contribute to autism-like behavior via RORA suppression.
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Affiliation(s)
- Hong Yu
- Department of Pediatrics, Foshan Maternity and Child Health Care Hospital, Foshan, 528041, P. R. China
| | - Yanbin Niu
- Teachers College, Columbia University, New York, NY, 10027, USA
| | - Guohua Jia
- Hainan Women and Children's Medical Center, Haikou, 570206, P. R. China
| | - Yujie Liang
- Department of Child Psychiatry, Kangning Hospital of Shenzhen, Shenzhen Mental Health Center, Shenzhen, 518020, P. R. China
| | - Baolin Chen
- Department of Pediatrics, Foshan Maternity and Child Health Care Hospital, Foshan, 528041, P. R. China
| | - Ruoyu Sun
- Department of Pediatrics, Foshan Maternity and Child Health Care Hospital, Foshan, 528041, P. R. China
| | - Min Wang
- Hainan Women and Children's Medical Center, Haikou, 570206, P. R. China
| | - Saijun Huang
- Department of Pediatrics, Foshan Maternity and Child Health Care Hospital, Foshan, 528041, P. R. China
| | - Jiaying Zeng
- Department of Pediatrics, Foshan Maternity and Child Health Care Hospital, Foshan, 528041, P. R. China
| | - Jianpin Lu
- Department of Child Psychiatry, Kangning Hospital of Shenzhen, Shenzhen Mental Health Center, Shenzhen, 518020, P. R. China
| | - Ling Li
- Hainan Women and Children's Medical Center, Haikou, 570206, P. R. China.
| | - Xiaoling Guo
- Department of Pediatrics, Foshan Maternity and Child Health Care Hospital, Foshan, 528041, P. R. China.
| | - Paul Yao
- Department of Pediatrics, Foshan Maternity and Child Health Care Hospital, Foshan, 528041, P. R. China. .,Hainan Women and Children's Medical Center, Haikou, 570206, P. R. China.
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Running wheel access fails to resolve impaired sustainable health in mice feeding a high fat sucrose diet. Aging (Albany NY) 2020; 11:1564-1579. [PMID: 30860981 PMCID: PMC6428087 DOI: 10.18632/aging.101857] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/08/2018] [Accepted: 03/06/2019] [Indexed: 12/16/2022]
Abstract
Diet and physical activity are thought to affect sustainable metabolic health and survival. To improve understanding, we studied survival of mice feeding a low-fat (LF) or high-saturated fat/high sugar (HFS) diet, each with or without free running wheel (RW) access. Additionally several endocrine and metabolic health indices were assessed at 6, 12, 18 and 24 months of age. As expected, HFS feeding left-shifted survival curve of mice compared to LF feeding, and this was associated with increased energy intake and increased (visceral/total) adiposity, liver triglycerides, and increased plasma cholesterol, corticosterone, HOMA-IR, and lowered adiponectin levels. Several of these health parameters improved (transiently) by RW access in HFS and LF fed mice (i.e., HOMA-IR, plasma corticosterone), others however deteriorated (transiently) by RW access only in HFS-fed mice (i.e., body adiposity, plasma resistin, and free cholesterol levels). Apart from these multiple and sometimes diverging health effects of RW access, RW access did not affect survival curves. Important to note, voluntary RW activity declined with age, but this effect was most pronounced in the HFS fed mice. These results thus challenge the hypothesis that voluntary wheel running can counteract HFS-induced deterioration of survival and metabolic health.
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Seidel J, Bockhop F, Mitkovski M, Martin S, Ronnenberg A, Krueger‐Burg D, Schneider K, Röhse H, Wüstefeld L, Cosi F, Bröking K, Schacht A, Ehrenreich H. Vascular response to social cognitive performance measured by infrared thermography: A translational study from mouse to man. FASEB Bioadv 2020; 2:18-32. [PMID: 32123854 PMCID: PMC6996302 DOI: 10.1096/fba.2019-00085] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/18/2019] [Revised: 10/25/2019] [Accepted: 11/12/2019] [Indexed: 01/27/2023] Open
Abstract
To assess complex social recognition in mice, we previously developed the SocioBox paradigm. Unexpectedly, 4 weeks after performing in the SocioBox, mice displayed robust social avoidance during Y-maze sociability testing. This unique "sociophobia" acquisition could be documented in independent cohorts. We therefore employed infrared thermography as a non-invasive method of stress-monitoring during SocioBox testing (presentation of five other mice) versus empty box. A higher Centralization Index (body/tail temperature) in the SocioBox correlated negatively with social recognition memory and, after 4 weeks, with social preference in the Y-maze. Assuming that social stimuli might be associated with characteristic thermo-responses, we exposed healthy men (N = 103) with a comparably high intelligence level to a standardized test session including two cognitive tests with or without social component (face versus pattern recognition). In some analogy to the Centralization Index (within-subject measure) used in mice, the Reference Index (ratio nose/malar cheek temperature) was introduced to determine the autonomic facial response/flushing during social recognition testing. Whereas cognitive performance and salivary cortisol were comparable across human subjects and tests, the Face Recognition Test was associated with a characteristic Reference Index profile. Infrared thermography may have potential for discriminating disturbed social behaviors.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jan Seidel
- Clinical NeuroscienceMax Planck Institute of Experimental MedicineGöttingenGermany
| | - Fabian Bockhop
- Clinical NeuroscienceMax Planck Institute of Experimental MedicineGöttingenGermany
| | - Miso Mitkovski
- Light Microscopy FacilityMax Planck Institute of Experimental MedicineGöttingenGermany
| | - Sabine Martin
- Clinical NeuroscienceMax Planck Institute of Experimental MedicineGöttingenGermany
| | - Anja Ronnenberg
- Clinical NeuroscienceMax Planck Institute of Experimental MedicineGöttingenGermany
| | - Dilja Krueger‐Burg
- Department of Molecular NeurobiologyMax Planck Institute of Experimental MedicineGöttingenGermany
| | - Katharina Schneider
- Light Microscopy FacilityMax Planck Institute of Experimental MedicineGöttingenGermany
| | - Heiko Röhse
- Light Microscopy FacilityMax Planck Institute of Experimental MedicineGöttingenGermany
| | - Liane Wüstefeld
- Clinical NeuroscienceMax Planck Institute of Experimental MedicineGöttingenGermany
| | - Filippo Cosi
- Biomedical Physics GroupMax Planck Institute for Dynamics and Self‐OrganizationGöttingenGermany
| | - Kai Bröking
- Light Microscopy FacilityMax Planck Institute of Experimental MedicineGöttingenGermany
| | - Annekathrin Schacht
- Department of Affective Neuroscience and PsychophysiologyGeorg‐Elias‐Müller‐Institute of PsychologyGeorg‐August UniversityGöttingenGermany
| | - Hannelore Ehrenreich
- Clinical NeuroscienceMax Planck Institute of Experimental MedicineGöttingenGermany
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Yang YC, Lu L, Jeng SF, Tsao PN, Cheong PL, Li YJ, Wang SY, Huang HC, Wu YT. Multidimensional Developments and Free-Play Movement Tracking in 30- to 36-Month-Old Toddlers With Autism Spectrum Disorder Who Were Full Term. Phys Ther 2019; 99:1535-1550. [PMID: 31392998 DOI: 10.1093/ptj/pzz114] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/08/2019] [Revised: 01/28/2019] [Accepted: 03/31/2019] [Indexed: 11/13/2022]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Few studies have investigated multidimensional developments and free-play movement performance in toddlers with an early diagnosis of autism spectrum disorder (ASD). OBJECTIVE This study compared cognitive, motor, and behavioral developments and free-play movement performance in toddlers with ASD who were full term (FT-ASD), toddlers who were full term and are typically developing (FT-TD), and toddlers who were born preterm and had a very low birth weight (VLBW-PT). DESIGN This was a prospective cross-sectional study. METHODS Forty-five 30- to 36-month-old age-matched toddlers were recruited and divided into FT-ASD, FT-TD, and VLBW-PT groups. Their developments were examined using the Mullen Scales of Early Learning; the Peabody Developmental Motor Scales, Second Edition; the Child Behavior Checklist for Ages 1.5 to 5; and the Repetitive Behavior Scale-Revised. In addition, the toddlers' free-play movements were tracked in laboratory settings using an automatic movement tracking system. RESULTS Toddlers with FT-ASD exhibited lower cognitive and motor scores and a higher degree of behavioral problems compared with toddlers with FT-TD or VLBW-PT. Furthermore, the movement tracking data in a free-play setting revealed that toddlers with FT-ASD displayed a higher degree of turning velocity, a higher moving time, and a higher frequency of moving toward the peripheral region compared with toddlers with FT-TD or VLBW-PT. Moreover, several motor developmental and movement-tracking indicators were found to correlate with behavioral problems and cognitive scores in toddlers with FT-ASD. LIMITATIONS The study results may have been affected by the small sample size, the cross-sectional design, and tracking only the whole body without subtle movements or segmental motions. CONCLUSIONS The findings suggest varied aspects of co-occurring developmental conditions and movement-based problems in toddlers with FT-ASD. Using standardized and sensitive measures for the early assessment of perceptuo-motor impairments is necessary for timely early intervention for such toddlers.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yu-Ching Yang
- School and Graduate Institute of Physical Therapy, College of Medicine, National Taiwan University, Taipei, Taiwan
| | - Lu Lu
- Department of Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation, National Taiwan University Hospital, Taipei, Taiwan
| | - Suh-Fang Jeng
- School and Graduate Institute of Physical Therapy, College of Medicine, National Taiwan University
| | - Po-Nien Tsao
- Department of Pediatrics, National Taiwan University Children Hospital, Taipei, Taiwan
| | - Pou-Leng Cheong
- Department of Pediatrics, National Taiwan University Hospital Hsin-Chu Branch, Hsinchu, Taiwan
| | - Yao-Jen Li
- Institute of Epidemiology and Prevention Medicine, National Taiwan University
| | - Shih-Ya Wang
- School and Graduate Institute of Physical Therapy, College of Medicine, National Taiwan University
| | - Hsiao-Ching Huang
- School and Graduate Institute of Psychology, National Taiwan University
| | - Yen-Tzu Wu
- School and Graduate Institute of Physical Therapy, College of Medicine, National Taiwan University, Room 317, Floor 3, No. 17, Xu-Zhou Road, Taipei 10055, Taiwan; and Department of Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation, National Taiwan University Hospital
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Franco NH, Gerós A, Oliveira L, Olsson IAS, Aguiar P. ThermoLabAnimal – A high-throughput analysis software for non-invasive thermal assessment of laboratory mice. Physiol Behav 2019; 207:113-121. [DOI: 10.1016/j.physbeh.2019.05.004] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/02/2019] [Revised: 04/22/2019] [Accepted: 05/07/2019] [Indexed: 11/28/2022]
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8
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Mazur-Milecka M, Ruminski J. The Analysis of Temperature Changes of the Saliva Traces Left on the Fur During Laboratory Rats Soial Contacts. ANNUAL INTERNATIONAL CONFERENCE OF THE IEEE ENGINEERING IN MEDICINE AND BIOLOGY SOCIETY. IEEE ENGINEERING IN MEDICINE AND BIOLOGY SOCIETY. ANNUAL INTERNATIONAL CONFERENCE 2018; 2018:2607-2610. [PMID: 30440942 DOI: 10.1109/embc.2018.8512743] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/07/2022]
Abstract
Automatic analysis of complex rodent social behavior, especially aggressive ones, is of important scientific interest. In this paper we analyze the properties of the data created as a result of aggressive rodent social behavior. Detection of specific aggressive behaviors is based on the event of leaving traces of saliva on the fur of the attacked individual, which are clearly visible in the thermal imaging. The traces change temperature in time in a specific way. After bite, saliva is cooled and then heated to the body temperature. Usage of this method in social behavior analysis ensures detection and tracking aggressive behaviors even if the event itself is invisible.
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Xie W, Ge X, Li L, Yao A, Wang X, Li M, Gong X, Chu Z, Lu Z, Huang X, Jiao Y, Wang Y, Xiao M, Chen H, Xiang W, Yao P. Resveratrol ameliorates prenatal progestin exposure-induced autism-like behavior through ERβ activation. Mol Autism 2018; 9:43. [PMID: 30123446 PMCID: PMC6090838 DOI: 10.1186/s13229-018-0225-5] [Citation(s) in RCA: 35] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/05/2018] [Accepted: 07/19/2018] [Indexed: 12/11/2022] Open
Abstract
Background Recent literatures indicate that maternal hormone exposure is a risk factor for autism spectrum disorder (ASD). We hypothesize that prenatal progestin exposure may counteract the neuroprotective effect of estrogen and contribute to ASD development, and we aim to develop a method to ameliorate prenatal progestin exposure-induced autism-like behavior. Methods Experiment 1: Prenatal progestin exposure-induced offspring are treated with resveratrol (RSV) through either prenatal or postnatal exposure and then used for autism-like behavior testing and other biomedical analyses. Experiment 2: Prenatal norethindrone (NET) exposure-induced offspring are treated with ERβ knockdown lentivirus together with RSV for further testing. Experiment 3: Pregnant dams are treated with prenatal NET exposure together with RSV, and the offspring are used for further testing. Results Eight kinds of clinically relevant progestins were used for prenatal exposure in pregnant dams, and the offspring showed decreased ERβ expression in the amygdala with autism-like behavior. Oral administration of either postnatal or prenatal RSV treatment significantly reversed this effect with ERβ activation and ameliorated autism-like behavior. Further investigation showed that RSV activates ERβ and its target genes by demethylation of DNA and histone on the ERβ promoter, and then minimizes progestin-induced oxidative stress as well as the dysfunction of mitochondria and lipid metabolism in the brain, subsequently ameliorating autism-like behavior. Conclusions We conclude that resveratrol ameliorates prenatal progestin exposure-induced autism-like behavior through ERβ activation. Our data suggest that prenatal progestin exposure is a strong risk factor for autism-like behavior. Many potential clinical progestin applications, including oral contraceptive pills, preterm birth drugs, and progestin-contaminated drinking water or seafood, may be risk factors for ASD. In addition, RSV may be a good candidate for clinically rescuing or preventing ASD symptoms in humans, while high doses of resveratrol used in the animals may be a potential limitation for human application.
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Affiliation(s)
- Weiguo Xie
- 1Institute of Rehabilitation Center, Tongren Hospital of Wuhan University, Wuhan, 430060 People's Republic of China
| | - Xiaohu Ge
- SALIAI Stem Cell Institute of Guangdong, Guangzhou SALIAI Stem Cell Science and Technology Co. LTD, Guangzhou, 510055 People's Republic of China
| | - Ling Li
- 3Department of Pediatrics, Hainan Maternal and Child Health Hospital, Haikou, 570206 People's Republic of China
| | - Athena Yao
- 1Institute of Rehabilitation Center, Tongren Hospital of Wuhan University, Wuhan, 430060 People's Republic of China
| | - Xiaoyan Wang
- SALIAI Stem Cell Institute of Guangdong, Guangzhou SALIAI Stem Cell Science and Technology Co. LTD, Guangzhou, 510055 People's Republic of China
| | - Min Li
- 1Institute of Rehabilitation Center, Tongren Hospital of Wuhan University, Wuhan, 430060 People's Republic of China
| | - Xiang Gong
- 1Institute of Rehabilitation Center, Tongren Hospital of Wuhan University, Wuhan, 430060 People's Republic of China
| | - Zhigang Chu
- 1Institute of Rehabilitation Center, Tongren Hospital of Wuhan University, Wuhan, 430060 People's Republic of China
| | - Zhe Lu
- 3Department of Pediatrics, Hainan Maternal and Child Health Hospital, Haikou, 570206 People's Republic of China
| | - Xiaodong Huang
- 1Institute of Rehabilitation Center, Tongren Hospital of Wuhan University, Wuhan, 430060 People's Republic of China
| | - Yun Jiao
- 3Department of Pediatrics, Hainan Maternal and Child Health Hospital, Haikou, 570206 People's Republic of China
| | - Yifei Wang
- SALIAI Stem Cell Institute of Guangdong, Guangzhou SALIAI Stem Cell Science and Technology Co. LTD, Guangzhou, 510055 People's Republic of China
| | - Meifang Xiao
- 3Department of Pediatrics, Hainan Maternal and Child Health Hospital, Haikou, 570206 People's Republic of China
| | - Haijia Chen
- SALIAI Stem Cell Institute of Guangdong, Guangzhou SALIAI Stem Cell Science and Technology Co. LTD, Guangzhou, 510055 People's Republic of China
| | - Wei Xiang
- 3Department of Pediatrics, Hainan Maternal and Child Health Hospital, Haikou, 570206 People's Republic of China
| | - Paul Yao
- 1Institute of Rehabilitation Center, Tongren Hospital of Wuhan University, Wuhan, 430060 People's Republic of China.,3Department of Pediatrics, Hainan Maternal and Child Health Hospital, Haikou, 570206 People's Republic of China
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Li L, Li M, Lu J, Ge X, Xie W, Wang Z, Li X, Li C, Wang X, Han Y, Wang Y, Zhong L, Xiang W, Huang X, Chen H, Yao P. Prenatal Progestin Exposure Is Associated With Autism Spectrum Disorders. Front Psychiatry 2018; 9:611. [PMID: 30510526 PMCID: PMC6252360 DOI: 10.3389/fpsyt.2018.00611] [Citation(s) in RCA: 26] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/23/2018] [Accepted: 10/30/2018] [Indexed: 12/21/2022] Open
Abstract
We have previously reported that prenatal progestin exposure induces autism-like behavior in offspring through ERβ (estrogen receptor β) suppression in the brain, indicating that progestin may induce autism spectrum disorders (ASD). In this study, we aim to investigate whether prenatal progestin exposure is associated with ASD. A population-based case-control epidemiology study was conducted in Hainan province of China. The ASD children were first screened with the Autism Behavior Checklist (ABC) questionnaire, and then diagnosed by clinical professionals using the ASD diagnosis criteria found in the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders, Fifth Edition (DSM-V). Eventually, 235 cases were identified as ASD from 37863 children aged 0-6 years old, and 682 matched control subjects with typically developing children were selected for the analysis of potential impact factors on ASD prevalence using multivariate logistic regression. Our data show that the ASD prevalence rate in Hainan was 0.62% with a boy:girl ratio of 5.4:1. Interestingly, we found that the following factors were strongly associated with ASD prevalence: use of progestin to prevent threatened abortion, use of progestin contraceptives at the time of conception, and prenatal consumption of progestin-contaminated seafood during the first trimester of pregnancy. All the above factors were directly or indirectly involved with prenatal progestin exposure. Additionally, we conducted in vivo experiments in rats to further confirm our findings. Either endogenous (progesterone) or synthetic progestin (norethindrone)-treated seafood zebrafish were used to feed pregnant dams, and the subsequent offspring showed autism-like behavior, which further demonstrated that prenatal progestin exposure may induce ASD. We conclude that prenatal progestin exposure may be associated with ASD development.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ling Li
- Department of Pediatrics, Hainan Maternal and Child Health Hospital, Haikou, China
| | - Min Li
- Institute of Rehabilitation Center, Tongren Hospital of Wuhan University, Wuhan, China
| | - Jianping Lu
- Department of Child Psychiatry, Kangning Hospital of Shenzhen, Shenzhen, China
| | - Xiaohu Ge
- SALIAI Stem Cell Institute of Guangdong, Guangzhou SALIAI Stem Cell Science and Technology Co. LTD., Guangzhou, China
| | - Weiguo Xie
- Institute of Rehabilitation Center, Tongren Hospital of Wuhan University, Wuhan, China
| | - Zichen Wang
- Department of Child Psychiatry, Kangning Hospital of Shenzhen, Shenzhen, China
| | - Xiaoling Li
- Department of Pediatrics, Hainan Maternal and Child Health Hospital, Haikou, China
| | - Chao Li
- Department of Pediatrics, Hainan Maternal and Child Health Hospital, Haikou, China
| | - Xiaoyan Wang
- SALIAI Stem Cell Institute of Guangdong, Guangzhou SALIAI Stem Cell Science and Technology Co. LTD., Guangzhou, China
| | - Yan Han
- Department of Pediatrics, Hainan Maternal and Child Health Hospital, Haikou, China
| | - Yifei Wang
- SALIAI Stem Cell Institute of Guangdong, Guangzhou SALIAI Stem Cell Science and Technology Co. LTD., Guangzhou, China
| | - Liyan Zhong
- Department of Pediatrics, Hainan Maternal and Child Health Hospital, Haikou, China
| | - Wei Xiang
- Department of Pediatrics, Hainan Maternal and Child Health Hospital, Haikou, China
| | - Xiaodong Huang
- Institute of Rehabilitation Center, Tongren Hospital of Wuhan University, Wuhan, China
| | - Haijia Chen
- SALIAI Stem Cell Institute of Guangdong, Guangzhou SALIAI Stem Cell Science and Technology Co. LTD., Guangzhou, China
| | - Paul Yao
- Department of Pediatrics, Hainan Maternal and Child Health Hospital, Haikou, China.,Institute of Rehabilitation Center, Tongren Hospital of Wuhan University, Wuhan, China.,Department of Child Psychiatry, Kangning Hospital of Shenzhen, Shenzhen, China
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