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Schumacher R, Rossetti MF, Canesini G, Gaydou L, Garcia AP, Lazzarino GP, Fernandez PR, Stoker C, Carrió MJ, Andreoli MF, Ramos JG. Neonatal overfeeding alters the functioning of the mesolimbic dopaminergic circuitry involving changes in DNA methylation and effects on feeding behavior. J Nutr Biochem 2023; 122:109451. [PMID: 37748623 DOI: 10.1016/j.jnutbio.2023.109451] [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: 02/06/2023] [Revised: 08/23/2023] [Accepted: 09/21/2023] [Indexed: 09/27/2023]
Abstract
Mesolimbic dopaminergic circuit is essential for food reward and motivational behaviors and can contribute to weight gain and obesity. Litter reduction is a classical model for studying the effects of neonatal overfeeding and overweight. Litters of Wistar rats were reduced to 4 pups/dam for small litter (SL) and 10 pups/dam for normal litter at postnatal day (PND) 4. Immediately after performing the feeding behavior tests, the animals were sacrificed in PND21 and PND90. The ventral tegmental area (VTA), Nucleus Accumbens Core (NAcC) and Shell (NAcSh) were isolated from frozen brain sections using the Palkovits micropunch technique. RNA and DNA were extracted from these areas, gene expression was measured by RT-qPCR and DNA methylation levels were measured by MSRM-qPCR technique. SL-PND21 animals presented increased expression levels of Tyrosine Hydroxylase and Dopamine Receptor D2 in VTA, decreased expression levels of dopamine active transporter (DAT) in VTA, and higher expression levels of DAT in NAcC. On the other hand, SL-PND90 animals showed decreased expression levels of Dopamine Receptor D1 and higher expression of DAT in NAcSh. These animals also evidenced impaired sensory-specific satiety. In addition, altered promoter methylation was observed at weaning, and remained in adulthood. This work demonstrates that neonatal overfeeding induces disruptions in the mesolimbic dopaminergic circuitry and causes alterations in feeding behavior from weaning to adulthood, suggesting that the neonatal period is critical for the normal development of dopaminergic circuit that impact on feeding behavior.
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Affiliation(s)
- Rocio Schumacher
- Instituto de Salud y Ambiente del Litoral (ISAL), Facultad de Bioquímica y Ciencias Biológicas, Universidad Nacional del Litoral, Santa-CONICET, Santa Fe, Argentina
| | - Maria Florencia Rossetti
- Instituto de Salud y Ambiente del Litoral (ISAL), Facultad de Bioquímica y Ciencias Biológicas, Universidad Nacional del Litoral, Santa-CONICET, Santa Fe, Argentina
| | - Guillermina Canesini
- Instituto de Salud y Ambiente del Litoral (ISAL), Facultad de Bioquímica y Ciencias Biológicas, Universidad Nacional del Litoral, Santa-CONICET, Santa Fe, Argentina
| | - Luisa Gaydou
- Instituto de Salud y Ambiente del Litoral (ISAL), Facultad de Bioquímica y Ciencias Biológicas, Universidad Nacional del Litoral, Santa-CONICET, Santa Fe, Argentina; Departamento de Bioquímica Clínica y Cuantitativa, Facultad de Bioquímica y Ciencias Biológicas, Universidad Nacional del Litoral, Santa Fe, Argentina
| | - Ana Paula Garcia
- Instituto de Salud y Ambiente del Litoral (ISAL), Facultad de Bioquímica y Ciencias Biológicas, Universidad Nacional del Litoral, Santa-CONICET, Santa Fe, Argentina
| | - Gisela Paola Lazzarino
- Instituto de Salud y Ambiente del Litoral (ISAL), Facultad de Bioquímica y Ciencias Biológicas, Universidad Nacional del Litoral, Santa-CONICET, Santa Fe, Argentina
| | - Pamela Rocio Fernandez
- Instituto de Salud y Ambiente del Litoral (ISAL), Facultad de Bioquímica y Ciencias Biológicas, Universidad Nacional del Litoral, Santa-CONICET, Santa Fe, Argentina
| | - Cora Stoker
- Instituto de Salud y Ambiente del Litoral (ISAL), Facultad de Bioquímica y Ciencias Biológicas, Universidad Nacional del Litoral, Santa-CONICET, Santa Fe, Argentina; Departamento de Bioquímica Clínica y Cuantitativa, Facultad de Bioquímica y Ciencias Biológicas, Universidad Nacional del Litoral, Santa Fe, Argentina
| | - Maria Josefina Carrió
- Departamento de Matemática y Laboratorio de Investigaciones y Servicios en Bioestadística (LISEB), FBCB-UNL, Santa Fe, Argentina
| | - Maria Florencia Andreoli
- Instituto de Salud y Ambiente del Litoral (ISAL), Facultad de Bioquímica y Ciencias Biológicas, Universidad Nacional del Litoral, Santa-CONICET, Santa Fe, Argentina; Departamento de Bioquímica Clínica y Cuantitativa, Facultad de Bioquímica y Ciencias Biológicas, Universidad Nacional del Litoral, Santa Fe, Argentina
| | - Jorge Guillermo Ramos
- Instituto de Salud y Ambiente del Litoral (ISAL), Facultad de Bioquímica y Ciencias Biológicas, Universidad Nacional del Litoral, Santa-CONICET, Santa Fe, Argentina; Departamento de Bioquímica Clínica y Cuantitativa, Facultad de Bioquímica y Ciencias Biológicas, Universidad Nacional del Litoral, Santa Fe, Argentina.
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Rossetti MF, Varayoud J, Ramos JG. Steroidogenic enzymes in the hippocampus: Transcriptional regulation aspects. VITAMINS AND HORMONES 2022; 118:171-198. [PMID: 35180926 DOI: 10.1016/bs.vh.2021.11.004] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 06/14/2023]
Abstract
Neurosteroids are steroids synthesized de novo from cholesterol in brain regions, and regulate processes associated with the development and functioning of the nervous system. Enzymes and proteins involved in the synthesis of these steroids have been detected in several brain regions, including hippocampus, hypothalamus, and cerebral cortex. Hippocampus has long been associated with learning and memory functions, while the loss of its functionality has been linked to neurodegenerative pathologies. In this sense, neurosteroids are critical for the maintenance of hippocampal functions and neuroprotective effects. Moreover, several factors have been shown to deregulate expression of steroidogenic enzymes in the rodent brain, including aging, enrichment experiences, diet habits, drug/alcohol consumption, hormone fluctuations, neurodegenerative processes and other diseases. These transcriptional deregulations are mediated mainly by transcription factors and epigenetic mechanisms. An epigenetic modification of chromatin involves changes in bases and associated proteins in the absence of changes in the DNA sequence. One of the most well-studied mechanisms related to gene silencing is DNA methylation, which involves a reversible addition of methyl groups in a cytosine base. Importantly, these epigenetic marks could be maintained over time and could be transmitted transgenerationally. The aim of this chapter is to present the most relevant steroidogenic enzymes described in rodent hippocampus; to discuss about their transcriptional regulation under different conditions; to show the main gene control regions and to propose DNA methylation as an epigenetic mechanism through which the expression of these enzymes could be controlled.
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Affiliation(s)
- María Florencia Rossetti
- Departamento de Bioquímica Clínica y Cuantitativa, Facultad de Bioquímica y Ciencias Biológicas, Universidad Nacional del Litoral, Santa Fe, Argentina; Instituto de Salud y Ambiente del Litoral (ISAL), Facultad de Bioquímica y Ciencias Biológicas, Universidad Nacional del Litoral-CONICET, Santa Fe, Argentina
| | - Jorgelina Varayoud
- Instituto de Salud y Ambiente del Litoral (ISAL), Facultad de Bioquímica y Ciencias Biológicas, Universidad Nacional del Litoral-CONICET, Santa Fe, Argentina; Cátedra de Fisiología Humana, Facultad de Bioquímica y Ciencias Biológicas, Universidad Nacional del Litoral, Santa Fe, Argentina
| | - Jorge Guillermo Ramos
- Departamento de Bioquímica Clínica y Cuantitativa, Facultad de Bioquímica y Ciencias Biológicas, Universidad Nacional del Litoral, Santa Fe, Argentina; Instituto de Salud y Ambiente del Litoral (ISAL), Facultad de Bioquímica y Ciencias Biológicas, Universidad Nacional del Litoral-CONICET, Santa Fe, Argentina.
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Gaydou L, Rossetti MF, Tschopp MV, Stoker C, Bosquiazzo VL, Ramos JG. Epigenetic regulation of steroidogenic enzymes expressed in peripheral blood mononuclear cells from healthy individuals and from patients with chronic lymphocytic leukemia. J Steroid Biochem Mol Biol 2020; 204:105767. [PMID: 33011313 DOI: 10.1016/j.jsbmb.2020.105767] [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: 02/11/2020] [Revised: 09/21/2020] [Accepted: 09/25/2020] [Indexed: 10/23/2022]
Abstract
Sex hormone synthesis occurs in various organs and tissues besides the gonads, such as adrenal glands, brain, intestines, skin, fat, bone, and cells of the immune system. Regarding the latter, it is still not clear which pathways are active, and if they are modified in case of illness of the immune system. Our goal in this study was to determine mRNA expression of different steroidogenic enzymes in peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMCs) from healthy individuals of both sexes and of different ages, and then to compare their expression between healthy individuals and patients with Chronic Lymphocytic Leukemia (CLL). Furthermore, to elucidate possible mechanisms that regulate enzyme expression, we analyzed epigenetic events like promoter methylation. We determined that normal cells of the immune system, regardless of sex and age, expressed P450 side chain cleavage (P450scc), cytochrome P450 17α-hydroxylase/c17,20-lyase (P45017α), 3β-hydroxysteroid dehydrogenase/Δ5-Δ4-isomerase (3β-HSD), steroid 5 α reductase (5α-R) types 1, 2 and 3, 3α-hydroxysteroid dehydrogenase (3α-HSD) type 3, and 17β-hydroxysteroid dehydrogenase (17β-HSD) types 1, 3 and 5. We also established that 5α-R 1, 5α-R 3, 3α-HSD 3, 17β-HSD 1 and 17β-HSD 5 expression was altered in CLL patients, and that promoter regions of 5α-R 1, 17β-HSD 1 and 17β-HSD 5 were diferentially methylated. These results suggest that steroidogenic pathways may be affected in CLL cells, and this could be related to disease pathogenesis.
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MESH Headings
- Adult
- Aged
- Aged, 80 and over
- Cytochrome P-450 Enzyme System/genetics
- Epigenesis, Genetic
- Estradiol/blood
- Female
- Healthy Volunteers
- Humans
- Hydroxysteroid Dehydrogenases/genetics
- Leukemia, Lymphocytic, Chronic, B-Cell/enzymology
- Leukemia, Lymphocytic, Chronic, B-Cell/genetics
- Leukocytes, Mononuclear/enzymology
- Male
- Middle Aged
- Progesterone/blood
- RNA, Messenger/metabolism
- Testosterone/blood
- Young Adult
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Affiliation(s)
- Luisa Gaydou
- Departamento de Bioquímica Clínica y Cuantitativa, Facultad de Bioquímica y Ciencias Biológicas, Universidad Nacional del Litoral, Santa Fe, Argentina; Instituto de Salud y Ambiente del Litoral(ISAL), Facultad de Bioquímica y Ciencias Biológicas, Universidad Nacional del Litoral-CONICET, Santa Fe, Argentina.
| | - Ma Florencia Rossetti
- Departamento de Bioquímica Clínica y Cuantitativa, Facultad de Bioquímica y Ciencias Biológicas, Universidad Nacional del Litoral, Santa Fe, Argentina; Instituto de Salud y Ambiente del Litoral(ISAL), Facultad de Bioquímica y Ciencias Biológicas, Universidad Nacional del Litoral-CONICET, Santa Fe, Argentina.
| | - Ma Virginia Tschopp
- Instituto de Salud y Ambiente del Litoral(ISAL), Facultad de Bioquímica y Ciencias Biológicas, Universidad Nacional del Litoral-CONICET, Santa Fe, Argentina; Cátedra de Fisiología Humana, Facultad de Bioquímica y Ciencias Biológicas, Universidad Nacional del Litoral, Santa Fe, Argentina.
| | - Cora Stoker
- Departamento de Bioquímica Clínica y Cuantitativa, Facultad de Bioquímica y Ciencias Biológicas, Universidad Nacional del Litoral, Santa Fe, Argentina; Instituto de Salud y Ambiente del Litoral(ISAL), Facultad de Bioquímica y Ciencias Biológicas, Universidad Nacional del Litoral-CONICET, Santa Fe, Argentina.
| | - Verónica L Bosquiazzo
- Departamento de Bioquímica Clínica y Cuantitativa, Facultad de Bioquímica y Ciencias Biológicas, Universidad Nacional del Litoral, Santa Fe, Argentina; Instituto de Salud y Ambiente del Litoral(ISAL), Facultad de Bioquímica y Ciencias Biológicas, Universidad Nacional del Litoral-CONICET, Santa Fe, Argentina.
| | - Jorge G Ramos
- Departamento de Bioquímica Clínica y Cuantitativa, Facultad de Bioquímica y Ciencias Biológicas, Universidad Nacional del Litoral, Santa Fe, Argentina; Instituto de Salud y Ambiente del Litoral(ISAL), Facultad de Bioquímica y Ciencias Biológicas, Universidad Nacional del Litoral-CONICET, Santa Fe, Argentina.
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Robitaille J, Langlois VS. Consequences of steroid-5α-reductase deficiency and inhibition in vertebrates. Gen Comp Endocrinol 2020; 290:113400. [PMID: 31981690 DOI: 10.1016/j.ygcen.2020.113400] [Citation(s) in RCA: 22] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/15/2019] [Revised: 01/13/2020] [Accepted: 01/20/2020] [Indexed: 01/16/2023]
Abstract
In 1974, a lack of 5α-dihydrotestosterone (5α-DHT), the most potent androgen across species except for fish, was shown to be the origin of a type of pseudohermaphrodism in which boys have female-like external genitalia. This human intersex condition is linked to a mutation in the steroid-5α-reductase type 2 (SRD5α2) gene, which usually produces an important enzyme capable of reducing the Δ4-ene of steroid C-19 and C-21 into a 5α-stereoisomer. Seeing the potential of SRD5α2 as a target for androgen synthesis, pharmaceutical companies developed 5α-reductase inhibitors (5ARIs), such as finasteride (FIN) and dutasteride (DUT) to target SRD5α2 in benign prostatic hyperplasia and androgenic alopecia. In addition to human treatment, the development of 5ARIs also enabled further research of SRD5α functions. Therefore, this review details the morphological, physiological, and molecular effects of the lack of SRD5α activity induced by both SRD5α mutations and inhibitor exposures across species. More specifically, data highlights 1) the role of 5α-DHT in the development of male secondary sexual organs in vertebrates and sex determination in non-mammalian vertebrates, 2) the role of SRD5α1 in the synthesis of the neurosteroid allopregnanolone (ALLO) and 5α-androstane-3α,17β-diol (3α-diol), which are involved in anxiety and sexual behavior, respectively, and 3) the role of SRD5α3 in N-glycosylation. This review also features the lesser known functions of SRD5αs in steroid degradation in the uterus during pregnancy and glucocorticoid clearance in the liver. Additionally, the review describes the regulation of SRD5αs by the receptors of androgens, progesterone, estrogen, and thyroid hormones, as well as their differential DNA methylation. Factors known to be involved in their differential methylation are age, inflammation, and mental stimulation. Overall, this review helps shed light on the various essential functions of SRD5αs across species.
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Affiliation(s)
- Julie Robitaille
- Centre Eau Terre Environnement, Institut national de la recherche scientifique (INRS), Quebec City, QC, Canada
| | - Valerie S Langlois
- Centre Eau Terre Environnement, Institut national de la recherche scientifique (INRS), Quebec City, QC, Canada.
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Almeida FB, Nin MS, Barros HMT. The role of allopregnanolone in depressive-like behaviors: Focus on neurotrophic proteins. Neurobiol Stress 2020; 12:100218. [PMID: 32435667 PMCID: PMC7231971 DOI: 10.1016/j.ynstr.2020.100218] [Citation(s) in RCA: 28] [Impact Index Per Article: 7.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/22/2019] [Revised: 03/16/2020] [Accepted: 03/30/2020] [Indexed: 12/18/2022] Open
Abstract
Allopregnanolone (3α,5α-tetrahydroprogesterone; pharmaceutical formulation: brexanolone) is a neurosteroid that has recently been approved for the treatment of postpartum depression, promising to fill part of a long-lasting gap in the effectiveness of pharmacotherapies for depressive disorders. In this review, we explore the experimental research that characterized the antidepressant-like effects of allopregnanolone, with a particular focus on the neurotrophic adaptations induced by this neurosteroid in preclinical studies. We demonstrate that there is a consistent decrease in allopregnanolone levels in limbic brain areas in rodents submitted to stress-induced models of depression, such as social isolation and chronic unpredictable stress. Further, both the drug-induced upregulation of allopregnanolone or its direct administration reduce depressive-like behaviors in models such as the forced swim test. The main drugs of interest that upregulate allopregnanolone levels are selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors (SSRIs), which present the neurosteroidogenic property even in lower, non-SSRI doses. Finally, we explore how these antidepressant-like behaviors are related to neurogenesis, particularly in the hippocampus. The protagonist in this mechanism is likely the brain-derived neurotrophic factor (BFNF), which is decreased in animal models of depression and may be restored by the normalization of allopregnanolone levels. The role of an interaction between GABA and the neurotrophic mechanisms needs to be further investigated.
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Key Words
- 3α,5α-tetrahydroprogesterone
- BDNF
- BDNF, brain-derived neurotrophic factor
- Brexanolone
- CSF, cerebrospinal fluid
- CUS, chronic unpredictable stress
- Depression
- EKR, extracellular signal-regulated kinase
- FST, forced swim test
- GABA, γ-aminobutyric acid
- GABAAR, GABA type A receptor
- HSD, hydroxysteroid dehydrogenase
- NGF, nerve growth factor
- Neurosteroid
- PTSD, post-traumatic stress disorder
- PXR, pregnane xenobiotic receptor
- SBSS, selective brain steroidogenic stimulant
- SSRI, selective serotonin reuptake inhibitor
- Selective brain steroidogenic stimulant
- THP, tetrahydroprogesterone
- TSPO, 18 kDa translocator protein
- TrkB, tropomyosin receptor kinase B
- USV, ultrasonic vocalization
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Affiliation(s)
- Felipe Borges Almeida
- Graduate Program in Health Sciences: Pharmacology and Toxicology, Universidade Federal de Ciências da Saúde de Porto Alegre (UFCSPA), 90050-170, Porto Alegre, RS, Brazil
| | - Maurício Schüler Nin
- Graduate Program in Health Sciences: Pharmacology and Toxicology, Universidade Federal de Ciências da Saúde de Porto Alegre (UFCSPA), 90050-170, Porto Alegre, RS, Brazil.,Centro Universitário Metodista do IPA, 90420-060, Porto Alegre, RS, Brazil.,Graduate Program in Biological Sciences: Pharmacology and Therapeutics, Universidade Federal do Rio Grande do Sul (UFRGS), 90040-060, Porto Alegre, RS, Brazil
| | - Helena Maria Tannhauser Barros
- Graduate Program in Health Sciences: Pharmacology and Toxicology, Universidade Federal de Ciências da Saúde de Porto Alegre (UFCSPA), 90050-170, Porto Alegre, RS, Brazil
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