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Altered motor cortical plasticity in patients with hepatic encephalopathy: A paired associative stimulation study. Clin Neurophysiol 2021; 132:2332-2341. [PMID: 34454259 DOI: 10.1016/j.clinph.2021.07.019] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/22/2020] [Revised: 06/29/2021] [Accepted: 07/03/2021] [Indexed: 12/12/2022]
Abstract
OBJECTIVE Hepatic encephalopathy (HE) is a potentially reversible brain dysfunction caused by liver failure. Altered synaptic plasticity is supposed to play a major role in the pathophysiology of HE. Here, we used paired associative stimulation with an inter-stimulus interval of 25 ms (PAS25), a transcranial magnetic stimulation (TMS) protocol, to test synaptic plasticity of the motor cortex in patients with manifest HE. METHODS 23 HE-patients and 23 healthy controls were enrolled in the study. Motor evoked potential (MEP) amplitudes were assessed as measure for cortical excitability. Time courses of MEP amplitude changes after the PAS25 intervention were compared between both groups. RESULTS MEP-amplitudes increased after PAS25 in the control group, indicating PAS25-induced synaptic plasticity in healthy controls, as expected. In contrast, MEP-amplitudes within the HE group did not change and were lower than in the control group, indicating no induction of plasticity. CONCLUSIONS Our study revealed reduced synaptic plasticity of the primary motor cortex in HE. SIGNIFICANCE Reduced synaptic plasticity in HE provides a link between pathological changes on the molecular level and early clinical symptoms of the disease. This decrease may be caused by disturbances in the glutamatergic neurotransmission due to the known hyperammonemia in HE patients.
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Limón ID, Angulo-Cruz I, Sánchez-Abdon L, Patricio-Martínez A. Disturbance of the Glutamate-Glutamine Cycle, Secondary to Hepatic Damage, Compromises Memory Function. Front Neurosci 2021; 15:578922. [PMID: 33584185 PMCID: PMC7873464 DOI: 10.3389/fnins.2021.578922] [Citation(s) in RCA: 31] [Impact Index Per Article: 10.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/01/2020] [Accepted: 01/06/2021] [Indexed: 12/13/2022] Open
Abstract
Glutamate fulfils many vital functions both at a peripheral level and in the central nervous system (CNS). However, hyperammonemia and hepatic failure induce alterations in glutamatergic neurotransmission, which may be the main cause of hepatic encephalopathy (HE), an imbalance which may explain damage to both learning and memory. Cognitive and motor alterations in hyperammonemia may be caused by a deregulation of the glutamate-glutamine cycle, particularly in astrocytes, due to the blocking of the glutamate excitatory amino-acid transporters 1 and 2 (EAAT1, EAAT2). Excess extracellular glutamate triggers mechanisms involving astrocyte-mediated inflammation, including the release of Ca2+-dependent glutamate from astrocytes, the appearance of excitotoxicity, the formation of reactive oxygen species (ROS), and cell damage. Glutamate re-uptake not only prevents excitotoxicity, but also acts as a vital component in synaptic plasticity and function. The present review outlines the evidence of the relationship between hepatic damage, such as that occurring in HE and hyperammonemia, and changes in glutamine synthetase function, which increase glutamate concentrations in the CNS. These conditions produce dysfunction in neuronal communication. The present review also includes data indicating that hyperammonemia is related to the release of a high level of pro-inflammatory factors, such as interleukin-6, by astrocytes. This neuroinflammatory condition alters the function of the membrane receptors, such as N-methyl-D-aspartate (NMDA), (α-amino-3-hydroxy-5-methyl-4-isoxazolepropionic acid) AMPA, and γ-aminobutyric acid (GABA), thus affecting learning and spatial memory. Data indicates that learning and spatial memory, as well as discriminatory or other information acquisition processes in the CNS, are damaged by the appearance of hyperammonemia and, moreover, are associated with a reduction in the production of cyclic guanosine monophosphate (cGMP). Therefore, increased levels of pharmacologically controlled cGMP may be used as a therapeutic tool for improving learning and memory in patients with HE, hyperammonemia, cerebral oedema, or reduced intellectual capacity.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Isael Angulo-Cruz
- Laboratorio de Neurofarmacología, Benemérita Universidad Autónoma de Puebla, Puebla, Mexico
| | - Lesli Sánchez-Abdon
- Laboratorio de Neurofarmacología, Benemérita Universidad Autónoma de Puebla, Puebla, Mexico
| | - Aleidy Patricio-Martínez
- Laboratorio de Neurofarmacología, Benemérita Universidad Autónoma de Puebla, Puebla, Mexico
- Facultad de Ciencias Biológicas, Benemérita Universidad Autónoma de Puebla, Puebla, Mexico
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Arenas YM, Cabrera-Pastor A, Juciute N, Mora-Navarro E, Felipo V. Blocking glycine receptors reduces neuroinflammation and restores neurotransmission in cerebellum through ADAM17-TNFR1-NF-κβ pathway. J Neuroinflammation 2020; 17:269. [PMID: 32917219 PMCID: PMC7488331 DOI: 10.1186/s12974-020-01941-y] [Citation(s) in RCA: 13] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/08/2020] [Accepted: 08/24/2020] [Indexed: 12/12/2022] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Chronic hyperammonemia induces neuroinflammation in cerebellum, with glial activation and enhanced activation of the TNFR1-NF-kB-glutaminase-glutamate-GABA pathway. Hyperammonemia also increases glycinergic neurotransmission. These alterations contribute to cognitive and motor impairment. Activation of glycine receptors is reduced by extracellular cGMP, which levels are reduced in cerebellum of hyperammonemic rats in vivo. We hypothesized that enhanced glycinergic neurotransmission in hyperammonemic rats (1) contributes to induce neuroinflammation and glutamatergic and GABAergic neurotransmission alterations; (2) is a consequence of the reduced extracellular cGMP levels. The aims were to assess, in cerebellum of hyperammonemic rats, (a) whether blocking glycine receptors with the antagonist strychnine reduces neuroinflammation; (b) the cellular localization of glycine receptor; (c) the effects of blocking glycine receptors on the TNFR1-NF-kB-glutaminase-glutamate-GABA pathway and microglia activation; (d) whether adding extracellular cGMP reproduces the effects of strychnine. METHODS We analyzed in freshly isolated cerebellar slices from control or hyperammonemic rats the effects of strychnine on activation of microglia and astrocytes, the content of TNFa and IL1b, the surface expression of ADAM17, TNFR1 and transporters, the phosphorylation levels of ERK, p38 and ADAM17. The cellular localization of glycine receptor was assessed by immunofluorescence. We analyzed the content of TNFa, IL1b, HMGB1, glutaminase, and the level of TNF-a mRNA and NF-κB in Purkinje neurons. Extracellular concentrations of glutamate and GABA were performed by in vivo microdialysis in cerebellum. We tested whether extracellular cGMP reproduces the effects of strychnine in ex vivo cerebellar slices. RESULTS Glycine receptors are expressed mainly in Purkinje cells. In hyperammonemic rats, enhanced glycinergic neurotransmission leads to reduced membrane expression of ADAM17, resulting in increased surface expression and activation of TNFR1 and of the associated NF-kB pathway. This increases the expression in Purkinje neurons of TNFa, IL-1b, HMGB1, and glutaminase. Increased glutaminase activity leads to increased extracellular glutamate, which increases extracellular GABA. Increased extracellular glutamate and HMGB1 potentiate microglial activation. Blocking glycine receptors with strychnine or extracellular cGMP completely prevents the above pathway in hyperammonemic rats. CONCLUSIONS Glycinergic neurotransmission modulates neuroinflammation. Enhanced glycinergic neurotransmission in hyperammonemia would be due to reduced extracellular cGMP. These results shed some light on possible new therapeutic target pathways for pathologies associated to neuroinflammation.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yaiza M Arenas
- Laboratory of Neurobiology, Príncipe Felipe Research Center Valencia, C/Eduardo Primo Yúfera 3, 46012, Valencia, Spain
| | - Andrea Cabrera-Pastor
- Laboratory of Neurobiology, Príncipe Felipe Research Center Valencia, C/Eduardo Primo Yúfera 3, 46012, Valencia, Spain.
- Laboratory of Neurological Impairment, Health Research Institute INCLIVA, 46010, Valencia, Spain.
| | - Nora Juciute
- Laboratory of Neurobiology, Príncipe Felipe Research Center Valencia, C/Eduardo Primo Yúfera 3, 46012, Valencia, Spain
| | - Eloy Mora-Navarro
- Laboratory of Neurobiology, Príncipe Felipe Research Center Valencia, C/Eduardo Primo Yúfera 3, 46012, Valencia, Spain
| | - Vicente Felipo
- Laboratory of Neurobiology, Príncipe Felipe Research Center Valencia, C/Eduardo Primo Yúfera 3, 46012, Valencia, Spain
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Zhang M, Zhang D, Dai J, Cao Y, Xu W, He G, Wang Z, Wang L, Li R, Qiao Z. Paternal nicotine exposure induces hyperactivity in next-generation via down-regulating the expression of DAT. Toxicology 2020; 431:152367. [DOI: 10.1016/j.tox.2020.152367] [Citation(s) in RCA: 13] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/19/2019] [Revised: 12/29/2019] [Accepted: 01/12/2020] [Indexed: 11/29/2022]
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Cabrera-Pastor A, Arenas YM, Taoro-Gonzalez L, Montoliu C, Felipo V. Chronic hyperammonemia alters extracellular glutamate, glutamine and GABA and membrane expression of their transporters in rat cerebellum. Modulation by extracellular cGMP. Neuropharmacology 2019; 161:107496. [PMID: 30641078 DOI: 10.1016/j.neuropharm.2019.01.011] [Citation(s) in RCA: 18] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/23/2018] [Revised: 12/15/2018] [Accepted: 01/10/2019] [Indexed: 12/14/2022]
Abstract
Trafficking of glutamate, glutamine and GABA between astrocytes and neurons is essential to maintain proper neurotransmission. Chronic hyperammonemia alters neurotransmission and cognitive function. The aims of this work were to analyze in cerebellum of rats the effects of chronic hyperammonemia on: a) extracellular glutamate, glutamine and GABA concentrations; b) membrane expression of glutamate, glutamine and GABA transporters; c) how they are modulated by extracellular cGMP. Hyperammonemic rats show increased levels of extracellular glutamate, glutamine, GABA and citrulline in cerebellum in vivo. Hyperammonemic rats show: a) increased membrane expression of the astrocytic glutamine transporter SNAT3 and reduced membrane expression of the neuronal transporter SNAT1; b) reduced membrane expression of the neuronal GABA transporter GAT1 and increased membrane expression of the astrocytic GAT3 transporter; c) reduced membrane expression of the astrocytic glutamate transporters GLAST and GLT-1 and of the neuronal transporter EAAC1. Increasing extracellular cGMP normalizes membrane expression of SNAT3, GAT3, GAT1 and GLAST and extracellular glutamate, glutamine, GABA and citrulline hyperammonemic rats. Extracellular cGMP also modulates membrane expression of most transporters in control rats, reducing membrane expression of SNAT1, GLT-1 and EAAC1 and increasing that of GAT1 and GAT3. Modulation of SNAT3, SNAT1, GLT-1 and EAAC1 by extracellular cGMP would be mediated by inhibition of glycine receptors. These data suggest that, in pathological situations such as hyperammonemia, hepatic encephalopathy or Alzheimer's disease, reduced levels of extracellular cGMP contribute to alterations in membrane expression of glutamine, glutamate and GABA transporters, in the extracellular levels of glutamine, glutamate and GABA and in neurotransmission. This article is part of the issue entitled 'Special Issue on Neurotransmitter Transporters'.
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Affiliation(s)
- Andrea Cabrera-Pastor
- Laboratory of Neurobiology, Centro de Investigación Principe Felipe, Valencia, Spain; Fundacion Investigacion Hospital Clinico Valencia, Instituto de Investigacion Sanitaria INCLIVA, Valencia, Spain
| | - Yaiza M Arenas
- Laboratory of Neurobiology, Centro de Investigación Principe Felipe, Valencia, Spain
| | - Lucas Taoro-Gonzalez
- Laboratory of Neurobiology, Centro de Investigación Principe Felipe, Valencia, Spain
| | - Carmina Montoliu
- Fundacion Investigacion Hospital Clinico Valencia, Instituto de Investigacion Sanitaria INCLIVA, Valencia, Spain
| | - Vicente Felipo
- Laboratory of Neurobiology, Centro de Investigación Principe Felipe, Valencia, Spain.
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Cabrera-Pastor A, Balzano T, Hernández-Rabaza V, Malaguarnera M, Llansola M, Felipo V. Increasing extracellular cGMP in cerebellum in vivo reduces neuroinflammation, GABAergic tone and motor in-coordination in hyperammonemic rats. Brain Behav Immun 2018; 69:386-398. [PMID: 29288802 DOI: 10.1016/j.bbi.2017.12.013] [Citation(s) in RCA: 31] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/27/2017] [Revised: 12/21/2017] [Accepted: 12/26/2017] [Indexed: 11/28/2022] Open
Abstract
Hyperammonemia is a main contributor to cognitive impairment and motor in-coordination in patients with hepatic encephalopathy. Hyperammonemia-induced neuroinflammation mediates the neurological alterations in hepatic encephalopathy. Intracerebral administration of extracellular cGMP restores some but not all types of cognitive impairment. Motor in-coordination, is mainly due to increased GABAergic tone in cerebellum. We hypothesized that extracellular cGMP would restore motor coordination in hyperammonemic rats by normalizing GABAergic tone in cerebellum and that this would be mediated by reduction of neuroinflammation. The aims of this work were to assess whether chronic intracerebral administration of cGMP to hyperammonemic rats: 1) restores motor coordination; 2) reduces neuroinflammation in cerebellum; 3) reduces extracellular GABA levels and GABAergic tone in cerebellum; and also 4) to provide some advance in the understanding on the molecular mechanisms involved. The results reported show that rats with chronic hyperammonemia show neuroinflammation in cerebellum, including microglia and astrocytes activation and increased levels of IL-1b and TNFa and increased membrane expression of the TNFa receptor. This is associated with increased glutaminase expression and extracellular glutamate, increased amount of the GABA transporter GAT-3 in activated astrocytes, increased extracellular GABA in cerebellum and motor in-coordination. Chronic intracerebral administration of extracellular cGMP to rats with chronic hyperammonemia reduces neuroinflammation, including microglia and astrocytes activation and membrane expression of the TNFa receptor. This is associated with reduced nuclear NF-κB, glutaminase expression and extracellular glutamate, reduced amount of the GABA transporter GAT-3 in activated astrocytes and reduced extracellular GABA in cerebellum and restoration of motor coordination. The data support that extracellular cGMP restores motor coordination in hyperammonemic rats by reducing microglia activation and neuroinflammation, leading to normalization of extracellular glutamate and GABA levels in cerebellum and of motor coordination.
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Affiliation(s)
- Andrea Cabrera-Pastor
- Laboratorio de Neurobiología, Centro Investigación Príncipe Felipe de Valencia, Spain
| | - Tiziano Balzano
- Laboratorio de Neurobiología, Centro Investigación Príncipe Felipe de Valencia, Spain
| | | | - Michele Malaguarnera
- Laboratorio de Neurobiología, Centro Investigación Príncipe Felipe de Valencia, Spain
| | - Marta Llansola
- Laboratorio de Neurobiología, Centro Investigación Príncipe Felipe de Valencia, Spain
| | - Vicente Felipo
- Laboratorio de Neurobiología, Centro Investigación Príncipe Felipe de Valencia, Spain.
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Ramakrishnan A, Vijayakumar N. Urea cycle pathway targeted therapeutic action of naringin against ammonium chloride induced hyperammonemic rats. Biomed Pharmacother 2017; 94:1028-1037. [DOI: 10.1016/j.biopha.2017.08.028] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/19/2017] [Revised: 08/04/2017] [Accepted: 08/04/2017] [Indexed: 12/25/2022] Open
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Agusti A, Hernández-Rabaza V, Balzano T, Taoro-Gonzalez L, Ibañez-Grau A, Cabrera-Pastor A, Fustero S, Llansola M, Montoliu C, Felipo V. Sildenafil reduces neuroinflammation in cerebellum, restores GABAergic tone, and improves motor in-coordination in rats with hepatic encephalopathy. CNS Neurosci Ther 2017; 23:386-394. [PMID: 28296282 DOI: 10.1111/cns.12688] [Citation(s) in RCA: 36] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/30/2016] [Revised: 01/23/2017] [Accepted: 02/09/2017] [Indexed: 12/31/2022] Open
Abstract
AIMS Patients with liver disease may develop hepatic encephalopathy (HE), with cognitive impairment and motor in-coordination. Rats with HE due to portacaval shunts (PCS) show motor in-coordination. We hypothesized that in PCS rats: (i) Motor in-coordination would be due to enhanced GABAergic tone in cerebellum; (ii) increased GABAergic tone would be due to neuroinflammation; (iii) increasing cGMP would reduce neuroinflammation and GABAergic tone and restore motor coordination. To assess these hypotheses, we assessed if (i) treatment with sildenafil reduces neuroinflammation; (ii) reduced neuroinflammation is associated with reduced GABAergic tone and restored motor coordination. METHODS Rats were treated with sildenafil to increase cGMP. Microglia and astrocytes activation were analyzed by immunohistochemistry, extracellular GABA by microdialysis, and motor coordination in the beam walking. RESULTS PCS rats show neuroinflammation in cerebellum, with microglia and astrocytes activation, increased IL-1b and TNF-a and reduced YM-1 and IL-4. Membrane expression of the GABA transporter GAT1 is reduced, while GAT3 is increased. Extracellular GABA and motor in-coordination are increased. Sildenafil treatment eliminates neuroinflammation, microglia and astrocytes activation; changes in membrane expression of GABA transporters; and restores motor coordination. CONCLUSIONS This study supports an interplay between cGMP-neuroinflammation and GABAergic neurotransmission in impairing motor coordination in PCS rats.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ana Agusti
- Laboratory of Neurobiology, Centro de Investigación Príncipe Felipe, Valencia, Spain
| | | | - Tiziano Balzano
- Laboratory of Neurobiology, Centro de Investigación Príncipe Felipe, Valencia, Spain
| | - Lucas Taoro-Gonzalez
- Laboratory of Neurobiology, Centro de Investigación Príncipe Felipe, Valencia, Spain
| | - Andrea Ibañez-Grau
- Laboratory of Neurobiology, Centro de Investigación Príncipe Felipe, Valencia, Spain
| | - Andrea Cabrera-Pastor
- Laboratory of Neurobiology, Centro de Investigación Príncipe Felipe, Valencia, Spain
| | - Santos Fustero
- Laboratory of Neurobiology, Centro de Investigación Príncipe Felipe, Valencia, Spain
| | - Marta Llansola
- Laboratory of Neurobiology, Centro de Investigación Príncipe Felipe, Valencia, Spain
| | - Carmina Montoliu
- Laboratory of Neurobiology, Centro de Investigación Príncipe Felipe, Valencia, Spain
| | - Vicente Felipo
- Laboratory of Neurobiology, Centro de Investigación Príncipe Felipe, Valencia, Spain
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Dadsetan S, Balzano T, Forteza J, Agusti A, Cabrera-Pastor A, Taoro-Gonzalez L, Hernandez-Rabaza V, Gomez-Gimenez B, ElMlili N, Llansola M, Felipo V. Infliximab reduces peripheral inflammation, neuroinflammation, and extracellular GABA in the cerebellum and improves learning and motor coordination in rats with hepatic encephalopathy. J Neuroinflammation 2016; 13:245. [PMID: 27623772 PMCID: PMC5022234 DOI: 10.1186/s12974-016-0710-8] [Citation(s) in RCA: 59] [Impact Index Per Article: 7.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/11/2016] [Accepted: 09/06/2016] [Indexed: 12/17/2022] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Peripheral inflammation contributes to the neurological alterations in hepatic encephalopathy (HE). Neuroinflammation and altered GABAergic neurotransmission mediate cognitive and motor alterations in rats with HE. It remains unclear (a) if neuroinflammation and neurological impairment in HE are a consequence of peripheral inflammation and (b) how neuroinflammation impairs GABAergic neurotransmission. The aims were to assess in rats with HE whether reducing peripheral inflammation with anti-TNF-α (1) prevents cognitive impairment and motor in-coordination, (2) normalizes neuroinflammation and extracellular GABA in the cerebellum and also (3) advances the understanding of mechanisms linking neuroinflammation and increased extracellular GABA. METHODS Rats with HE due to portacaval shunt (PCS) were treated with infliximab. Astrocytes and microglia activation and TNF-α and IL-1β were analyzed by immunohistochemistry. Membrane expression of the GABA transporters GAT-3 and GAT-1 was analyzed by cross-linking with BS3. Extracellular GABA was analyzed by microdialysis. Motor coordination was tested using the beam walking and learning ability using the Y maze task. RESULTS PCS rats show peripheral inflammation, activated astrocytes, and microglia and increased levels of TNF-α and IL-1β. Membrane expression of GAT-3 and extracellular GABA are increased, leading to impaired motor coordination and learning ability. Infliximab reduces peripheral inflammation, microglia, and astrocyte activation and neuroinflammation and normalizes GABAergic neurotransmission, motor coordination, and learning ability. CONCLUSIONS Neuroinflammation is associated with altered GABAergic neurotransmission and increased GAT-3 membrane expression and extracellular GABA (a); peripheral inflammation is a main contributor to the impairment of motor coordination and of the ability to learn the Y maze task in PCS rats (b); and reducing peripheral inflammation using safe procedures could be a new therapeutic approach to improve cognitive and motor function in patients with HE
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Affiliation(s)
- Sherry Dadsetan
- Laboratorio de Neurobiología, Centro Investigación Príncipe Felipe de Valencia, Eduardo Primo Yufera, 3, 46012 Valencia, Spain
| | - Tiziano Balzano
- Laboratorio de Neurobiología, Centro Investigación Príncipe Felipe de Valencia, Eduardo Primo Yufera, 3, 46012 Valencia, Spain
| | - Jerónimo Forteza
- Instituto Valenciano de Patología, Unidad Mixta de Patología Molecular, Centro de Investigación Príncipe Felipe/Universidad Católica de Valencia, Valencia, Spain
| | - Ana Agusti
- Laboratorio de Neurobiología, Centro Investigación Príncipe Felipe de Valencia, Eduardo Primo Yufera, 3, 46012 Valencia, Spain
| | - Andrea Cabrera-Pastor
- Laboratorio de Neurobiología, Centro Investigación Príncipe Felipe de Valencia, Eduardo Primo Yufera, 3, 46012 Valencia, Spain
| | - Lucas Taoro-Gonzalez
- Laboratorio de Neurobiología, Centro Investigación Príncipe Felipe de Valencia, Eduardo Primo Yufera, 3, 46012 Valencia, Spain
| | - Vicente Hernandez-Rabaza
- Laboratorio de Neurobiología, Centro Investigación Príncipe Felipe de Valencia, Eduardo Primo Yufera, 3, 46012 Valencia, Spain
| | - Belen Gomez-Gimenez
- Laboratorio de Neurobiología, Centro Investigación Príncipe Felipe de Valencia, Eduardo Primo Yufera, 3, 46012 Valencia, Spain
| | - Nisrin ElMlili
- Laboratorio de Neurobiología, Centro Investigación Príncipe Felipe de Valencia, Eduardo Primo Yufera, 3, 46012 Valencia, Spain
| | - Marta Llansola
- Laboratorio de Neurobiología, Centro Investigación Príncipe Felipe de Valencia, Eduardo Primo Yufera, 3, 46012 Valencia, Spain
| | - Vicente Felipo
- Laboratorio de Neurobiología, Centro Investigación Príncipe Felipe de Valencia, Eduardo Primo Yufera, 3, 46012 Valencia, Spain
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Hernandez-Rabaza V, Cabrera-Pastor A, Taoro-Gonzalez L, Gonzalez-Usano A, Agusti A, Balzano T, Llansola M, Felipo V. Neuroinflammation increases GABAergic tone and impairs cognitive and motor function in hyperammonemia by increasing GAT-3 membrane expression. Reversal by sulforaphane by promoting M2 polarization of microglia. J Neuroinflammation 2016; 13:83. [PMID: 27090509 PMCID: PMC4835883 DOI: 10.1186/s12974-016-0549-z] [Citation(s) in RCA: 89] [Impact Index Per Article: 11.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/26/2015] [Accepted: 04/11/2016] [Indexed: 12/12/2022] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Hyperammonemia induces neuroinflammation and increases GABAergic tone in the cerebellum which contributes to cognitive and motor impairment in hepatic encephalopathy (HE). The link between neuroinflammation and GABAergic tone remains unknown. New treatments reducing neuroinflammation and GABAergic tone could improve neurological impairment. The aims were, in hyperammonemic rats, to assess whether: (a) Enhancing endogenous anti-inflammatory mechanisms by sulforaphane treatment reduces neuroinflammation and restores learning and motor coordination. (b) Reduction of neuroinflammation by sulforaphane normalizes extracellular GABA and glutamate-NO-cGMP pathway and identify underlying mechanisms. (c) Identify steps by which hyperammonemia-induced microglial activation impairs cognitive and motor function and how sulforaphane restores them. METHODS We analyzed in control and hyperammonemic rats, treated or not with sulforaphane, (a) learning in the Y maze; (b) motor coordination in the beam walking; (c) glutamate-NO-cGMP pathway and extracellular GABA by microdialysis; (d) microglial activation, by analyzing by immunohistochemistry or Western blot markers of pro-inflammatory (M1) (IL-1b, Iba-1) and anti-inflammatory (M2) microglia (Iba1, IL-4, IL-10, Arg1, YM-1); and (e) membrane expression of the GABA transporter GAT-3. RESULTS Hyperammonemia induces activation of astrocytes and microglia in the cerebellum as assessed by immunohistochemistry. Hyperammonemia-induced neuroinflammation is associated with increased membrane expression of the GABA transporter GAT-3, mainly in activated astrocytes. This is also associated with increased extracellular GABA in the cerebellum and with motor in-coordination and impaired learning ability in the Y maze. Sulforaphane promotes polarization of microglia from the M1 to the M2 phenotype, reducing IL-1b and increasing IL-4, IL-10, Arg1, and YM-1 in the cerebellum. This is associated with astrocytes deactivation and normalization of GAT-3 membrane expression, extracellular GABA, glutamate-nitric oxide-cGMP pathway, and learning and motor coordination. CONCLUSIONS Neuroinflammation increases GABAergic tone in the cerebellum by increasing GAT-3 membrane expression. This impairs motor coordination and learning in the Y maze. Sulforaphane could be a new therapeutic approach to improve cognitive and motor function in hyperammonemia, hepatic encephalopathy, and other pathologies associated with neuroinflammation by promoting microglia differentiation from M1 to M2.
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Affiliation(s)
- Vicente Hernandez-Rabaza
- Laboratorio de Neurobiología, Centro Investigación Príncipe Felipe , Eduardo Primo Yúfera, 3, Valencia, 46012 Spain
| | - Andrea Cabrera-Pastor
- Laboratorio de Neurobiología, Centro Investigación Príncipe Felipe , Eduardo Primo Yúfera, 3, Valencia, 46012 Spain
| | - Lucas Taoro-Gonzalez
- Laboratorio de Neurobiología, Centro Investigación Príncipe Felipe , Eduardo Primo Yúfera, 3, Valencia, 46012 Spain
| | - Alba Gonzalez-Usano
- Laboratorio de Neurobiología, Centro Investigación Príncipe Felipe , Eduardo Primo Yúfera, 3, Valencia, 46012 Spain
| | - Ana Agusti
- Laboratorio de Neurobiología, Centro Investigación Príncipe Felipe , Eduardo Primo Yúfera, 3, Valencia, 46012 Spain
| | - Tiziano Balzano
- Laboratorio de Neurobiología, Centro Investigación Príncipe Felipe , Eduardo Primo Yúfera, 3, Valencia, 46012 Spain
| | - Marta Llansola
- Laboratorio de Neurobiología, Centro Investigación Príncipe Felipe , Eduardo Primo Yúfera, 3, Valencia, 46012 Spain
| | - Vicente Felipo
- Laboratorio de Neurobiología, Centro Investigación Príncipe Felipe , Eduardo Primo Yúfera, 3, Valencia, 46012 Spain
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Natesan V, Mani R, Arumugam R. Clinical aspects of urea cycle dysfunction and altered brain energy metabolism on modulation of glutamate receptors and transporters in acute and chronic hyperammonemia. Biomed Pharmacother 2016; 81:192-202. [PMID: 27261594 DOI: 10.1016/j.biopha.2016.04.010] [Citation(s) in RCA: 18] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/24/2015] [Revised: 04/06/2016] [Accepted: 04/07/2016] [Indexed: 12/12/2022] Open
Abstract
In living organisms, nitrogen arise primarily as ammonia (NH3) and ammonium (NH4(+)), which is a main component of the nucleic acid pool and proteins. Although nitrogen is essential for growth and maintenance in animals, but when the nitrogenous compounds exceeds the normal range which can quickly lead to toxicity and death. Urea cycle is the common pathway for the disposal of excess nitrogen through urea biosynthesis. Hyperammonemia is a consistent finding in many neurological disorders including congenital urea cycle disorders, reye's syndrome and acute liver failure leads to deleterious effects. Hyperammonemia and liver failure results in glutamatergic neurotransmission which contributes to the alteration in the function of the glutamate-nitric oxide-cGMP pathway, modulates the important cerebral process. Even though ammonia is essential for normal functioning of the central nervous system (CNS), in particular high concentrations of ammonia exposure to the brain leads to the alterations of glutamate transport by the transporters. Several glutamate transporters have been recognized in the central nervous system and each has a unique physiological property and distribution. The loss of glutamate transporter activity in brain during acute liver failure and hyperammonemia is allied with increased extracellular brain glutamate concentrations which may be conscientious for the cerebral edema and ultimately cell death.
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Affiliation(s)
- Vijayakumar Natesan
- Department of Biochemistry and Biotechnology, Faculty of Science, Annamalai University, Annamalainagar, Tamil Nadu 608002, India.
| | - Renuka Mani
- Department of Biochemistry and Biotechnology, Faculty of Science, Annamalai University, Annamalainagar, Tamil Nadu 608002, India
| | - Ramakrishnan Arumugam
- Department of Biochemistry and Biotechnology, Faculty of Science, Annamalai University, Annamalainagar, Tamil Nadu 608002, India
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12
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Cabrera-Pastor A, Taoro L, Llansola M, Felipo V. Roles of the NMDA Receptor and EAAC1 Transporter in the Modulation of Extracellular Glutamate by Low and High Affinity AMPA Receptors in the Cerebellum in Vivo: Differential Alteration in Chronic Hyperammonemia. ACS Chem Neurosci 2015; 6:1913-21. [PMID: 26428532 DOI: 10.1021/acschemneuro.5b00212] [Citation(s) in RCA: 16] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/28/2022] Open
Abstract
The roles of high- and low-affinity AMPA receptors in modulating extracellular glutamate in the cerebellum remain unclear. Altered glutamatergic neurotransmission is involved in neurological alterations in hyperammonemia, which differently affects high- and low-affinity AMPA receptors. The aims were to assess by in vivo microdialysis (a) the effects of high- and low-affinity AMPA receptor activation on extracellular glutamate in the cerebellum; (b) whether chronic hyperammonemia alters extracellular glutamate modulation by high- and/or low-affinity AMPA receptors; and (c) the contribution of NMDA receptors and EAAC1 transporter to AMPA-induced changes in extracellular glutamate. In control rats, high affinity receptor activation does not affect extracellular glutamate but increases glutamate if NMDA receptors are blocked. Low affinity AMPA receptor activation increases transiently extracellular glutamate followed by reduction below basal levels and return to basal values. The reduction is associated with transient increased membrane expression of EAAC1 and is prevented by blocking NMDA receptors. Blocking NMDA receptors with MK-801 induces a transient increase in extracellular glutamate which is associated with reduced membrane expression of EAAC1 followed by increased membrane expression of the glutamate transporter GLT-1. Chronic hyperammonemia does not affect responses to activation of low affinity AMPA receptors. Activation of high affinity AMPA receptors increases extracellular glutamate in hyperammonemic rats by an NMDA receptor-dependent mechanism. In conclusion, these results show that there is a tightly controlled interplay between AMPA and NMDA receptors and an EAAC1 transporter in controlling extracellular glutamate. Hyperammonemia alters high- but not low-affinity AMPA receptors.
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Affiliation(s)
- Andrea Cabrera-Pastor
- Laboratory of Neurobiology, Centro de Investigación Príncipe Felipe, Calle Eduardo Primo Yufera, 3, 46012 Valencia, Spain
| | - Lucas Taoro
- Laboratory of Neurobiology, Centro de Investigación Príncipe Felipe, Calle Eduardo Primo Yufera, 3, 46012 Valencia, Spain
| | - Marta Llansola
- Laboratory of Neurobiology, Centro de Investigación Príncipe Felipe, Calle Eduardo Primo Yufera, 3, 46012 Valencia, Spain
| | - Vicente Felipo
- Laboratory of Neurobiology, Centro de Investigación Príncipe Felipe, Calle Eduardo Primo Yufera, 3, 46012 Valencia, Spain
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13
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Ott P, Vilstrup H. Cerebral effects of ammonia in liver disease: current hypotheses. Metab Brain Dis 2014; 29:901-11. [PMID: 24488230 DOI: 10.1007/s11011-014-9494-7] [Citation(s) in RCA: 74] [Impact Index Per Article: 7.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/24/2013] [Accepted: 01/21/2014] [Indexed: 12/15/2022]
Abstract
Hyperammonemia is necessary for development of the cerebral complications to liver disease including hepatic encephalopathy and cerebral edema but the mechanisms are unclear. Ammonia is taken up by the brain in proportion to its arterial concentration. The flux into the brain is most likely by both diffusion of NH3 and mediated transport of NH4 (+) . Astrocytic detoxification of ammonia involves formation of glutamine at concentrations high enough to produce cellular edema, but compensatory mechanisms reduce this effect. Glutamine can be taken up by astrocytic mitochondria and initiate the mitochondrial permeability transition but the clinical relevance is uncertain. Elevated astrocytic glutamine interferes with neurotransmission. Thus, animal studies show enhanced glutamatergic neurotransmission via the NMDA receptor which may be related to the acute cerebral complications to liver failure, while impairment of the NMDA activated glutamate-NO-cGMP pathway could relate to the behavioural changes seen in hepatic encephalopathy. Elevated glutamine also increases GABA-ergic tone, an effect which is aggravated by mitochondrial production of neurosteroids; this may relate to decreased neurotransmission and precipitation of encephalopathy by GABA targeting drugs. Hyperammonemia may compromise cerebral energy metabolism as elevated cerebral lactate is generally reported. Hypoxia is unlikely since cerebral oxygen:glucose utilisation and lactate:pyruvate ratio are both normal in clinical studies. Ammonia inhibits α-ketoglutaratedehydrogenase in isolated mitochondria, but the clinical relevance is dubious due to the observed normal cerebral oxygen:glucose utilization. Recent studies suggest that ammonia stimulates glycolysis in excess of TCA cycle activity, a hypothesis that may warrant further testing, in being in accordance with the limited clinical observations.
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Affiliation(s)
- Peter Ott
- Department of Hepatology and Gastroenterology, Aarhus University Hospital, 8000C, Aarhus, Denmark,
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14
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Gonzalez-Usano A, Cauli O, Agusti A, Felipo V. Pregnenolone sulfate restores the glutamate-nitric-oxide-cGMP pathway and extracellular GABA in cerebellum and learning and motor coordination in hyperammonemic rats. ACS Chem Neurosci 2014; 5:100-5. [PMID: 24256194 PMCID: PMC3930995 DOI: 10.1021/cn400168y] [Citation(s) in RCA: 42] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/13/2013] [Revised: 11/19/2013] [Indexed: 12/21/2022] Open
Abstract
Around 40% of cirrhotic patients show minimal hepatic encephalopathy (MHE), with mild cognitive impairment which reduces their quality of life and life span. Treatment of MHE is unsatisfactory, and there are no specific treatments for the neurological alterations in MHE. Hyperammonemia is the main contributor to neurological alterations in MHE. New agents acting on molecular targets involved in brain mechanisms leading to neurological alterations are needed to treat MHE. Chronic hyperammonemia impairs learning of a Y-maze task by impairing the glutamate-nitric-oxide (NO)-cGMP pathway in cerebellum, in part by enhancing GABA(A) receptor activation, which also induces motor in-coordination. Acute pregnenolone sulfate (PregS) restores the glutamate-NO-cGMP pathway in hyperammonemic rats. This work aimed to assess whether chronic treatment of hyperammonemic rats with PregS restores (1) motor coordination; (2) extracellular GABA in cerebellum; (3) learning of the Y-maze task; (4) the glutamate-NO-cGMP pathway in cerebellum. Chronic intracerebral administration of PregS normalizes motor coordination likely due to extracellular GABA reduction. PregS restores learning ability by restoring the glutamate-NO-cGMP pathway, likely due to both enhanced NMDA receptor activation and reduced GABA(A) receptor activation. Similar treatments would improve cognitive and motor alterations in patients with MHE.
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Affiliation(s)
- Alba Gonzalez-Usano
- Laboratory of Neurobiology, Centro Investigación Príncipe Felipe, Valencia 46012, Spain
| | - Omar Cauli
- Laboratory of Neurobiology, Centro Investigación Príncipe Felipe, Valencia 46012, Spain
| | - Ana Agusti
- Laboratory of Neurobiology, Centro Investigación Príncipe Felipe, Valencia 46012, Spain
| | - Vicente Felipo
- Laboratory of Neurobiology, Centro Investigación Príncipe Felipe, Valencia 46012, Spain
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15
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Contributions of microdialysis to new alternative therapeutics for hepatic encephalopathy. Int J Mol Sci 2013; 14:16184-206. [PMID: 23921686 PMCID: PMC3759906 DOI: 10.3390/ijms140816184] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/15/2013] [Revised: 07/24/2013] [Accepted: 07/29/2013] [Indexed: 02/07/2023] Open
Abstract
Hepatic encephalopathy (HE) is a common complication of cirrhosis, of largely reversible impairment of brain function occurring in patients with acute or chronic liver failure or when the liver is bypassed by portosystemic shunts. The mechanisms causing this brain dysfunction are still largely unclear. The need to avoid complications caused by late diagnosis has attracted interest to understand the mechanisms underlying neuronal damage in order to find markers that will allow timely diagnosis and to propose new therapeutic alternatives to improve the care of patients. One of the experimental approaches to study HE is microdialysis; this technique allows evaluation of different chemical substances in several organs through the recollection of samples in specific places by semi-permeable membranes. In this review we will discuss the contributions of microdialysis in the understanding of the physiological alterations in human hepatic encephalopathy and experimental models and the studies to find novel alternative therapies for this disease.
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Llansola M, Montoliu C, Cauli O, Hernández-Rabaza V, Agustí A, Cabrera-Pastor A, Giménez-Garzó C, González-Usano A, Felipo V. Chronic hyperammonemia, glutamatergic neurotransmission and neurological alterations. Metab Brain Dis 2013; 28:151-4. [PMID: 23010935 DOI: 10.1007/s11011-012-9337-3] [Citation(s) in RCA: 24] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/13/2012] [Accepted: 09/19/2012] [Indexed: 02/01/2023]
Abstract
This mini-review focus on our studies on alterations in glutamatergic neurotransmission and their role in neurological alterations in rat models of chronic hyperammonemia and hepatic encephalopathy (HE). Hyperammonemia impairs the glutamate-nitric oxide (NO)-cGMP pathway in cerebellum, which is responsible for reduced learning ability. We studied the underlying mechanisms and designed treatments to restore the pathway and learning. This was achieved by treatment with: phosphodiesterase 5 inhibitors, cGMP, anti-inflammatories (ibuprofen), p38 inhibitors or GABAA receptor antagonists (bicuculline). Hyperammonemia alters signal transduction associated to metabotropic glutamate receptors (mGluRs). Hypokinesia in hyperammonemia and HE is due to increased extracellular glutamate and mGluR1 activation in substantia nigra; blocking this receptor restores motor activity. The motor responses to mGluRs activation in nucleus accumbens (NAcc) are altered in hyperammonemia and HE, with reduced dopamine and increased glutamate release. This leads to activation of different neuronal circuits and enhanced motor responses. These studies show that altered responses to activation of NMDA receptors and mGluRs play essential roles in cognitive and motor alterations in hyperammonemia and HE and provide new treatments restoring cognitive and motor function.
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Affiliation(s)
- Marta Llansola
- Laboratory of Neurobiology, Centro de Investigación Principe Felipe, Eduardo Primo Yufera, 3. 46012 Valencia, Spain
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17
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Palomero-Gallagher N, Zilles K. Neurotransmitter receptor alterations in hepatic encephalopathy: a review. Arch Biochem Biophys 2013; 536:109-21. [PMID: 23466244 DOI: 10.1016/j.abb.2013.02.010] [Citation(s) in RCA: 43] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/10/2013] [Revised: 02/18/2013] [Accepted: 02/19/2013] [Indexed: 01/07/2023]
Abstract
Hepatic encephalopathy (HE), a complex neuropsychiatric syndrome with symptoms ranging from subtle neuropsychiatric and motor disturbances to deep coma and death, is thought to be a clinical manifestation of a low-grade cerebral oedema associated with an altered neuron-astrocyte crosstalk and exacerbated by hyperammonemia and oxidative stress. These events are tightly coupled with alterations in neurotransmission, either in a causal or a causative manner, resulting in a net increase of inhibitory neurotransmission. Therefore, research focussed mainly on the potential role of γ-aminobutyric acid-(GABA) or glutamate-mediated neurotransmission in the pathophysiology of HE, though roles for other neurotransmitters (e.g. serotonin, dopamine, adenosine and histamine) or for neurosteroids or endogenous benzodiazepines have also been suggested. Therefore, we here review HE-related alterations in neurotransmission, focussing on changes in the levels of classical neurotransmitters and the neuromodulator adenosine, variations in the activity and/or concentrations of key enzymes involved in their metabolism, as well as in the densities of their receptors.
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18
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Arias N, Méndez M, Arias J, Arias JL. Brain metabolism and spatial memory are affected by portal hypertension. Metab Brain Dis 2012; 27:183-91. [PMID: 22314871 DOI: 10.1007/s11011-012-9276-z] [Citation(s) in RCA: 14] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/18/2011] [Accepted: 01/19/2012] [Indexed: 11/24/2022]
Abstract
Portal hypertension is a major complication of cirrhosis that frequently leads to a neuropsychiatric disorder that affects cognition. The present study was undertaken in order to compare the performance of sham-operated rats (SHAM) and portal hypertension rats (PH) in reference memory tasks in the Morris water maze (MWM). Two groups of animals were used: SHAM group (n=12) was used as a control group and PH group (n=12) by the triple portal vein ligation method was used as an animal model of early evolutive phase of PH. The portal pressure was measured in the splenic parenchyma. Our work shows that spatial learning in the MWM is not impaired in PH group although this group showed a one-day delay in the task acquisition compared to the SHAM group. We assessed the brain metabolic activity of the animals by means of cytochrome c-oxidase (COx) histochemistry. Significant changes were found in the CA3, dentate gyrus, basolateral, medial, lateral and central amygdala, showing lower COx activity in the PH group as compared to the SHAM group in all cases. We found no changes in metabolic activity in prefrontal cortex and CA1 area between groups. In fact, different neural networks were shown according to the execution level of the subjects. The early PH evolution induced changes in brain metabolic activity without biggest alterations in spatial memory.
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Affiliation(s)
- Natalia Arias
- Laboratorio de Neurociencias, Departamento de Psicología, Universidad de Oviedo, Asturias, Spain
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19
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Cabrera-Pastor A, Llansola M, Reznikov V, Boix J, Felipo V. Differential effects of chronic hyperammonemia on modulation of the glutamate-nitric oxide-cGMP pathway by metabotropic glutamate receptor 5 and low and high affinity AMPA receptors in cerebellum in vivo. Neurochem Int 2012; 61:63-71. [PMID: 22521775 DOI: 10.1016/j.neuint.2012.04.006] [Citation(s) in RCA: 14] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/25/2012] [Revised: 03/27/2012] [Accepted: 04/05/2012] [Indexed: 01/06/2023]
Abstract
Previous studies show that chronic hyperammonemia impairs learning ability of rats by impairing the glutamate-nitric oxide (NO)-cyclic guanosine mono-phosphate (cGMP) pathway in cerebellum. Three types of glutamate receptors cooperate in modulating the NO-cGMP pathway: metabotropic glutamate receptor 5 (mGluR5), (RS)-α-amino-3-hydroxy-5-methyl-4-isoxazolepropionic acid (AMPA) and N-methyl-d-aspartic acid (NMDA) receptors. The aim of this work was to assess whether hyperammonemia alters the modulation of this pathway by mGluR5 and AMPA receptors in cerebellum in vivo. The results support that in control rats: (1) low AMPA concentrations (0.1mM) activate nearly completely Ca(2+)-permeable (glutamate receptor subunit 2 (GluR2)-lacking) AMPA receptors and the NO-cGMP pathway; (2) higher AMPA concentrations (0.3 mM) also activate Ca(2+)-impermeable (GluR2-containing) AMPA receptors, leading to activation of NMDA receptors and of NO-cGMP pathway. Moreover, the data support that chronic hyperammonemia: (1) reduces glutamate release and activation of the glutamate-NO-cGMP pathway by activation of mGluR5; (2) strongly reduces the direct activation by AMPA receptors of the NO-cGMP pathway, likely due to reduced entry of Ca(2+) through GluR2-lacking, high affinity AMPA receptors; (3) strongly increases the indirect activation of the NO-cGMP pathway by high affinity AMPA receptors, likely due to increased entry of Na(+) through GluR2-lacking AMPA receptors and NMDA receptors activation; (4) reduces the indirect activation of the NO-cGMP pathway by low affinity AMPA receptors, likely due to reduced activation of NMDA receptors.
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Affiliation(s)
- Andrea Cabrera-Pastor
- Laboratory of Neurobiology, Centro de Investigación Príncipe Felipe, Av. Autopista del Saler, 16, 46012 Valencia, Spain.
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20
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Herman EJ, Bubser M, Conn PJ, Jones CK. Metabotropic glutamate receptors for new treatments in schizophrenia. Handb Exp Pharmacol 2012:297-365. [PMID: 23027420 DOI: 10.1007/978-3-642-25758-2_11] [Citation(s) in RCA: 32] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 06/01/2023]
Abstract
Metabotropic glutamate receptors (mGluRs) represent exciting targets for the development of novel therapeutic agents for schizophrenia. Recent studies indicate that selective activation of specific mGluR subtypes may provide potential benefits for not only the positive symptoms, but also the negative symptoms and cognitive impairments observed in individuals with schizophrenia. Although optimization of traditional orthosteric agonists may still offer a feasible approach for the activation of mGluRs, important progress has been made in the discovery of novel subtype-selective allosteric ligands, including positive allosteric modulators (PAMs) of mGluR2 and mGluR5. These allosteric mGluR ligands have improved properties for clinical development and have served as key preclinical tools for a more in-depth understanding of the potential roles of these different mGluR subtypes for the treatment of schizophrenia.
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Affiliation(s)
- E J Herman
- Vanderbilt Center for Neuroscience Drug Discovery, Vanderbilt University Medical Center, Nashville, TN 37232, USA
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21
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Toris GT, Bikis CN, Tsourouflis GS, Theocharis SE. Hepatic encephalopathy: an updated approach from pathogenesis to treatment. Med Sci Monit 2011; 17:RA53-63. [PMID: 21278704 PMCID: PMC3524698 DOI: 10.12659/msm.881387] [Citation(s) in RCA: 21] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/20/2022] Open
Abstract
One of the most serious complications of chronic or fulminant liver failure is hepatic encephalopathy (HE), associated most commonly with cirrhosis. In the presence of chronic liver disease, HE is a sign of decompensation, while in fulminant liver failure its development represents a worrying sign and usually indicates that transplantation will be required. Despite the significance of HE in the course of liver disease, the progress in development of new therapeutic options has been unremarkable over the last 20 years. An up-to-date review regarding HE, including both research and review articles. HE is a serious and progressive, but potentially reversible, disorder with a wide spectrum of neuropsychiatric abnormalities and motor disturbances that ranges from mild alteration of cognitive and motor function to coma and death. Although a clear pathogenesis is yet to be determined, elevated ammonia in serum and the central nervous system is the mainstay for pathogenesis and treatment of HE. Management includes early diagnosis and prompt treatment of precipitating factors. Clinical trials and extensive clinical experience have established the efficacy of diverse substances in HE treatment. Novel therapies with clinical promise include: L-ornithine L-aspartate, sodium benzoate, phenylacetate, AST-120, and the molecular adsorbent recirculating system. Eventually, liver transplantation is often the most successful long-term therapy for HE.
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Affiliation(s)
- Giannakis T Toris
- Department of Forensic Medicine and Toxicology, Medical School, National and Kapodistrian University of Athens, Athens, Greece
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22
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Effect of the class I metabotropic glutamate receptor antagonist AIDA on certain behaviours in rats with experimental chronic hyperammonemia. Adv Med Sci 2010; 54:269-76. [PMID: 19875354 DOI: 10.2478/v10039-009-0037-0] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/20/2022]
Abstract
PURPOSE This study examines possible interactions between behavioral effects and mGluR1 (class I metabotropic glutamate receptor) by injecting AIDA [(RS)-1-aminoindan-1,5-dicarboxylic acid] in rats with experimental chronic hyperammonemia (chHA). MATERIAL/METHODS The effects of mGluR1 antagonist on some behaviors were tested in control groups of rats and in rats with chHA. Experimental chHA was induced by intraperitoneal injection of ammonium acetate (12 mmol/kg) for five consecutive days. We used the following behavioural tests: the open field test, the passive avoidance test and the elevated "plus" maze. RESULTS In control rats AIDA administered intracerebroventricularly (i.c.v.) at the dose 100 nmol decreased the number of crossings and bar approaches in the open field test and impaired acquisition and recall in the passive avoidance situation. ChHA significantly inhibited locomotor and exploratory activity and profoundly impaired acquisition and recall processes in the passive avoidance test and significantly increased acute stress responses. AIDA increased locomotor activity in chHA rats (especially number of crossed fields and rearings) and produced anxiety enhancement in rats with chHA. AIDA used in rats with chHA significantly improved acquisition and retrieval processes. CONCLUSIONS The obtained results suggest that AIDA, the antagonist of mGluR1, had beneficial effects on learning and memory in rats with experimental chronic hyperammonemia.
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Tessari P, Vettore M, Millioni R, Puricelli L, Orlando R. Effect of liver cirrhosis on phenylalanine and tyrosine metabolism. Curr Opin Clin Nutr Metab Care 2010; 13:81-6. [PMID: 19898234 DOI: 10.1097/mco.0b013e32833383af] [Citation(s) in RCA: 27] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 02/07/2023]
Abstract
PURPOSE OF REVIEW Phenylalanine conversion to tyrosine (i.e., 'hydroxylation') is the first irreversible step in phenylalanine catabolism and a source of circulating tyrosine. The purpose of the present review is both to examine hydroxylation from a biochemical standpoint and to report data measured in vivo under physiological conditions, as well as in liver and kidney disease. RECENT FINDINGS The simultaneous infusion of phenylalanine and tyrosine tracers in humans allows us to determine the hydroxylation rate in vivo. Hydroxylation accounts for a minor ( approximately 10-20%) although significant portion of tyrosine flux. The liver and the kidney are the key organs accounting for virtually the whole-body hydroxylation rates. It is regulated by substrate availability, being acutely stimulated by mixed meal ingestion and by dietary adaptation to high phenylalanine intakes. Theoretically, it may be impaired in advanced liver and kidney disease. Nevertheless, in compensated liver cirrhosis, hydroxylation as well as tyrosine flux are not decreased but rather increased. Only in end stage liver disease hydroxylation may be impaired and is corrected by transplantation. Hydroxylation is also reduced in end stage renal disease. SUMMARY Phenylalanine hydroxylation in vivo appears to represent a regulatory step of phenylalanine disposal and tyrosine production under acute and/or extreme conditions.
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Affiliation(s)
- Paolo Tessari
- Department of Clinical and Experimental Medicine, University of Padova, Padova, Italy.
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24
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Abstract
BACKGROUND Hepatic encephalopathy (HE) is a severe complication of cirrhosis, seriously affecting the patients' quality of life. The classical approach aimed at reducing the production of gut-derived toxins, such as ammonia, is under debate as, at the moment, the information obtained from the clinical trials does not support any specific treatment for HE. OBJECTIVES i) To discuss present therapeutic strategies and possible future developments; ii) to identify areas of medical needs and iii) to suggest the ideal design and methodology for randomized controlled trials (RCTs) in HE. METHODS Current approaches were obtained from already available RCTs or from experimental animal studies. Those approaches developed from studies on HE pathophysiology were considered as working hypotheses for future therapies. RESULTS/CONCLUSION Our competence in testing old and new treatment modalities by RCTs with appropriate clinically relevant end points should urgently be improved. The patients at risk of HE are identifiable, and studies specifically aimed at establishing whether HE may be prevented or not are needed. As far as new treatment modalities are concerned, RCTs on the modulators of the intestinal bacterial flora and on the molecular adsorbent recirculating system are already available, but further studies are needed to confirm these promising approaches.
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Affiliation(s)
- Oliviero Riggio
- Sapienza Università di Roma, Dipartimento di Medicina Clinica, II Gastroenterologia, Viale dell' Università 37, 00185 Roma, Italy.
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Cauli O, Rodrigo R, Piedrafita B, Llansola M, Mansouri MT, Felipo V. Neuroinflammation contributes to hypokinesia in rats with hepatic encephalopathy: ibuprofen restores its motor activity. J Neurosci Res 2009; 87:1369-74. [PMID: 19025766 DOI: 10.1002/jnr.21947] [Citation(s) in RCA: 55] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/07/2022]
Abstract
Patients with hepatic encephalopathy show altered motor function, psychomotor slowing, and hypokinesia, which are reproduced in rats with portacaval shunts (PCS). Increased extracellular glutamate in substantia nigra pars reticulata (SNr) is responsible for hypokinesia in PCS rats. The mechanisms by which liver failure leads to increased extracellular glutamate in SNr remain unclear. Inflammation seems to act synergistically with hyperammonemia to induce neurological alterations in hepatic encephalopathy. It is therefore possible that inflammation-associated alterations may contribute to motor alterations in hepatic encephalopathy. The aim of this work was to assess whether treatment with an antiinflammatory, ibuprofen, is able to normalize extracellular glutamate in SNr and/or to improve hypokinesia in PCS rats. The amounts of the glutamate transporters GLT-1 and EAAC-1 are reduced by 26% and 32%, respectively, in SNr of PCS rats. This reduction is associated with a tenfold increase in extracellular glutamate in SNr and a reduction in motor activity. Chronic treatment with 30 mg/kg ibuprofen completely normalizes the amount of GLT-1 and EAAC-1 and significantly reduces (by 53%) extracellular glutamate in SNr of PCS rats. Moreover, ibuprofen, at 15 or 30 (but not at 5) mg/kg/day, completely eliminates hypokinesia, restoring normal motor activity. This supports the idea that inflammation is a main contributor to the induction of hypokinesia in hepatic encephalopathy. Moreover, these data point to the possible therapeutic utility of decreasing inflammation, by safe procedures, in the treatment of the motor deficits in patients with hepatic encephalopathy.
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Affiliation(s)
- Omar Cauli
- Laboratory of Neurobiology, Centro de Investigación Príncipe Felipe, Valencia, Spain
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26
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Cauli O, Rodrigo R, Llansola M, Montoliu C, Monfort P, Piedrafita B, El Mlili N, Boix J, Agustí A, Felipo V. Glutamatergic and gabaergic neurotransmission and neuronal circuits in hepatic encephalopathy. Metab Brain Dis 2009; 24:69-80. [PMID: 19085094 DOI: 10.1007/s11011-008-9115-4] [Citation(s) in RCA: 99] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/02/2008] [Accepted: 10/28/2008] [Indexed: 01/16/2023]
Abstract
Patients with hepatic encephalopathy (HE) may present different neurological alterations including impaired cognitive function and altered motor activity and coordination. HE may lead to coma and death. Many of these neurological alterations are the consequence of altered neurotransmission. Hyperammonemia is a main contributor to the alterations in neurotransmission and in neurological functions in HE. Both glutamatergic and GABAergic neurotransmission are altered in animal models of HE. We review some of these alterations, especially those alterations in glutamatergic neurotransmission responsible for some specific neurological alterations in hyperammonemia and HE: the role 1) of excessive NMDA receptors activation in death induced by acute hyperammonemia; 2) of impaired function of the glutamate-nitric oxide-cGMP pathway, associated to NMDA receptors, in cognitive impairment in chronic HE; 3) of increased extracellular glutamate and activation of metabotropic glutamate receptors in substantia nigra in hypokinesia in chronic HE. The therapeutic implications are discussed. We also review the alterations in the function of the neuronal circuits between basal ganglia-thalamus-cortex modulating motor activity and the role of sequential alterations in glutamatergic and GABAergic neurotransmission in these alterations. HE would be a consequence of altered neuronal communication due to alterations in general neurotransmission involving different neurotransmitter systems in different neurons.
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Affiliation(s)
- Omar Cauli
- Laboratory of Neurobiology, Centro de Investigacion Principe Felipe, Avdas Autopista del Saler, 16, 46013 Valencia, Spain
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27
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Ahabrach H, Piedrafita B, Ayad A, El Mlili N, Errami M, Felipo V, Llansola M. Chronic hyperammonemia alters the circadian rhythms of corticosteroid hormone levels and of motor activity in rats. J Neurosci Res 2009; 88:1605-14. [DOI: 10.1002/jnr.22311] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 02/02/2023]
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28
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Pascual M, Boix J, Felipo V, Guerri C. Repeated alcohol administration during adolescence causes changes in the mesolimbic dopaminergic and glutamatergic systems and promotes alcohol intake in the adult rat. J Neurochem 2008; 108:920-31. [PMID: 19077056 DOI: 10.1111/j.1471-4159.2008.05835.x] [Citation(s) in RCA: 248] [Impact Index Per Article: 15.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/15/2023]
Abstract
Adolescence is a developmental period which the risk of drug and alcohol abuse increases. Since mesolimbic dopaminergic system undergoes developmental changes during adolescence, and this system is involved in rewarding effects of drugs of abuse, we addressed the hypothesis that ethanol exposure during juvenile/adolescent period over-activates mesolimbic dopaminergic system inducing adaptations which can trigger long-term enduring behavioural effects of alcohol abuse. We treated juvenile/adolescent or adult rats with ethanol (3 g/kg) for two-consecutive days at 48-h intervals over 14-day period. Here we show that intermittent ethanol treatment during the juvenile/adolescence period alters subsequent ethanol intake. In vivo microdialysis demonstrates that ethanol elicits a similar prolonged dopamine response in the nucleus accumbens of both adolescent and adult animals pre-treated with multiple doses of ethanol, although the basal dopamine levels were higher in ethanol-treated adolescents than in adult-treated animals. Repeated ethanol administration also down-regulates the expression of DRD2 and NMDAR2B phosphorylation in prefrontal cortex of adolescent animals, but not of adult rats. Finally, ethanol treatment during adolescence changes the acetylation of histones H3 and H4 in frontal cortex, nucleus accumbens and striatum, suggesting chromatin remodelling changes. In summary, our findings demonstrate the sensitivity of adolescent brain to ethanol effects on dopaminergic and glutamatergic neurotransmission, and suggest that abnormal plasticity in reward-related processes and epigenetic mechanisms could contribute to the vulnerability of adolescents to alcohol addiction.
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Morgan MY, Blei A, Grüngreiff K, Jalan R, Kircheis G, Marchesini G, Riggio O, Weissenborn K. The treatment of hepatic encephalopathy. Metab Brain Dis 2007; 22:389-405. [PMID: 17846875 DOI: 10.1007/s11011-007-9060-7] [Citation(s) in RCA: 56] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 02/07/2023]
Abstract
Current recommendations for the treatment of hepatic encephalopathy are based, to a large extent, on open or uncontrolled trials, undertaken in very small numbers of patients. In consequence, there is ongoing discussion as to whether the classical approach to the treatment of this condition, which aims at reducing ammonia production and absorption using either non-absorbable disaccharides and/or antibiotics, should be revisited, modified or even abandoned. Pros and cons of present therapeutic strategies and possible future developments were discussed at the fourth International Hannover Conference on Hepatic Encephalopathy held in Dresden in June 2006. The content of this discussion is summarized.
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Affiliation(s)
- Marsha Y Morgan
- Centre for Hepatology, Division of Medicine, Royal Free Campus, Royal Free and University College Medical School, University College London, London, UK.
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Cauli O, Mlili N, Rodrigo R, Felipo V. Hyperammonaemia alters the mechanisms by which metabotropic glutamate receptors in nucleus accumbens modulate motor function. J Neurochem 2007; 103:38-46. [PMID: 17587309 DOI: 10.1111/j.1471-4159.2007.04734.x] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/29/2022]
Abstract
Activation of metabotropic glutamate receptors by injecting (S)3,5-dihydroxyphenylglycine (DHPG) in nucleus accumbens (NAcc) increases motor activity by different mechanisms in control rats and in rats with chronic liver failure due to portacaval shunt. In control rats DHPG increases extracellular dopamine in NAcc and induces locomotion by activating the 'normal' circuit: NAcc-->ventral pallidum-->medial-dorsal thalamus-->prefrontal cortex, which is not activated in portacaval shunt rats. In these rats, DHPG activates an 'alternative' circuit: NAcc-->substantia nigra pars reticulata-->ventro-medial thalamus-->prefrontal cortex, which is not activated in control rats. The reasons by which liver failure leads to activation of this 'alternative' circuit remain unclear. The aim of this work was to assess whether hyperammonaemia could be responsible for the alterations found in chronic liver failure. We injected DHPG in NAcc of control or hyperammonaemic rats and analysed, by in vivo brain microdialysis, the neurochemical responses of the 'normal' and 'alternative' circuits. In hyperammonaemic rats DHPG injection in NAcc activates both the 'normal' and 'alternative' circuits. In hyperammonaemia, activation of the 'alternative' circuit and increased motor response following metabotropic glutamate receptors activation in NAcc seem due to an increase in extracellular glutamate which activates AMPA receptors.
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Affiliation(s)
- Omar Cauli
- Laboratory of Neurobiology, Centro de Investigacion Príncipe Felipe, Valencia, Spain
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Cauli O, Mlili N, Llansola M, Felipo V. Motor activity is modulated via different neuronal circuits in rats with chronic liver failure than in normal rats. Eur J Neurosci 2007; 25:2112-22. [PMID: 17439495 DOI: 10.1111/j.1460-9568.2007.05435.x] [Citation(s) in RCA: 32] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/22/2023]
Abstract
The mechanisms by which liver failure alters motor function remain unclear. It has been suggested that liver disease alters the neuronal circuit between basal ganglia and cortex that modulates motor function. Activation of group I metabotropic glutamate receptors in the nucleus accumbens (NAcc) by injecting (S)-3,5-dihydroxyphenylglycine (DHPG) activates this circuit and induces locomotion We analysed by in vivo brain microdialysis the function of the circuits that modulate motor function in rats with liver failure due to portacaval shunt (PCS). We inserted cannulae in the NAcc and microdialysis probes in the NAcc, ventral pallidum (VP), substantia nigra pars reticulata (SNr), medio-dorsal thalamus (MDT), ventro-medial thalamus (VMT) or prefrontal cortex (PFCx). We injected DHPG in the NAcc and analysed extracellular neurotransmitters concentration in these areas. The results indicate that in control rats DHPG induces locomotion by activating the 'normal' neuronal circuit: NAcc --> VP --> MDT --> PFCx. In PCS rats this circuit is not activated. In PCS rats, DHPG injection activates an 'alternative' circuit: NAcc --> SNr --> VMT --> PFCx. This circuit is not activated in control rats. DHPG injection increases dopamine in the NAcc of control but not of PCS rats, and glutamate in PCS but not in control rats. DHPG-induced increase in dopamine would activate the 'normal' neuronal circuit, while an increase in glutamate would activate the 'alternative' circuit. The identification of the mechanisms responsible for altered motor function and coordination in liver disease would allow designing treatments to improve motor function in patients with hepatic encephalopathy.
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Affiliation(s)
- Omar Cauli
- Laboratory of Neurobiology, Centro de Investigacion Príncipe Felipe, Valencia, Spain
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Lominac KD, Kapasova Z, Hannun RA, Patterson C, Middaugh LD, Szumlinski KK. Behavioral and neurochemical interactions between Group 1 mGluR antagonists and ethanol: potential insight into their anti-addictive properties. Drug Alcohol Depend 2006; 85:142-56. [PMID: 16697125 DOI: 10.1016/j.drugalcdep.2006.04.003] [Citation(s) in RCA: 105] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/24/2005] [Revised: 04/08/2006] [Accepted: 04/12/2006] [Indexed: 10/24/2022]
Abstract
Blockade of the mGluR5 subtype of Group 1 metabotropic glutamate receptor (mGluRs) reduces the rewarding effects of ethanol (EtOH), while the effects of mGluR1a blockade remain under-investigated. The present study compared the effects of pretreatment with the mGluR5 antagonist MPEP and the mGluR1a antagonist CPCCPOEt upon behavioral and neurochemical variables associated with EtOH reward in alcohol-preferring C57BL/6J mice. Pretreatment with either antagonist (0-10 mg/kg, IP) dose-dependently reduced measures of EtOH reward in an operant self-administration paradigm and the maximally effective antagonist dose (10 mg/kg) also blocked the expression of EtOH-induced place conditioning, as well as EtOH consumption under 24-h free-access conditions. MPEP pretreatment did not significantly alter the EtOH dose-locomotor response function; however, it prevented EtOH-induced changes in extracellular dopamine, glutamate and GABA in the nucleus accumbens (NAC). In contrast, CPCCOEt shifted the EtOH dose-response function downwards, enhanced the capacity of higher EtOH doses to elevate NAC levels of GABA and lowered extracellular dopamine and glutamate below baseline following EtOH injection. It is suggested that the "anti-alcohol" effects of MPEP may involve an attenuation of the neurochemical signals mediating EtOH reward, whereas those of CPCCOEt may involve an increased sensitivity to the inhibitory effects of EtOH upon brain and behavior.
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Affiliation(s)
- Kevin D Lominac
- Department of Psychology, University of California Santa Barbara, Santa Barbara, CA 93106-9660, USA
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Cauli O, Llansola M, Erceg S, Felipo V. Hypolocomotion in rats with chronic liver failure is due to increased glutamate and activation of metabotropic glutamate receptors in substantia nigra. J Hepatol 2006; 45:654-61. [PMID: 16982110 DOI: 10.1016/j.jhep.2006.06.019] [Citation(s) in RCA: 45] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/18/2006] [Revised: 06/23/2006] [Accepted: 06/28/2006] [Indexed: 01/13/2023]
Abstract
BACKGROUND/AIMS Patients with hepatic encephalopathy show altered motor function, psychomotor slowing and hypokinesia. The underlying mechanisms remain unclear. This work's aims were: (1) to analyse in rats with chronic liver failure due to portacaval shunt (PCS) the neurochemical alterations in the basal ganglia-thalamus-cortex circuits; (2) to correlate these alterations with those in motor function and (3) to normalize motor activity of PCS rats by pharmacological means. METHODS Extracellular neurotransmitters levels were analysed by in vivo brain microdialysis. Motor activity was determined by counting crossings in open field. RESULTS Extracellular glutamate is increased in substantia nigra pars reticulata (SNr) of PCS rats. Blocking metabotropic receptor 1 (mGluR1) in SNr normalizes motor activity in PCS rats. In ventro-medial thalamus of PCS rats GABA is increased and it is normalized by blocking mGluR1 in SNr. Blocking mGluR1 in SNr increases and mGluR1 activation reduces glutamate in motor cortex and motor activity. CONCLUSIONS Increased extracellular glutamate and activation of mGluR1 in SNr are responsible for reduced motor activity in rats with chronic liver failure. Blocking mGluR1 in SNr normalizes motor activity in PCS rats, suggesting that, under appropriate conditions, similar treatments could be useful to treat the psychomotor slowing and hypokinesia in patients with hepatic encephalopathy.
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Affiliation(s)
- Omar Cauli
- Laboratory of Neurobiology, Centro de Investigacion Principe Felipe, Valencia, Spain
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Cauli O, Llansola M, Rodrigo R, El Mlili N, Errami M, Felipo V. Altered modulation of motor activity by group I metabotropic glutamate receptors in the nucleus accumbens in hyperammonemic rats. Metab Brain Dis 2005; 20:347-58. [PMID: 16382345 DOI: 10.1007/s11011-005-7918-0] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/12/2023]
Abstract
One of the neurological complications in hepatic encephalopathy is the impairment of motor coordination and function. Clinical signs of basal ganglia, cortico-spinal and cerebellar dysfunction have been commonly detected in these patients. We are studying the molecular bases of the alterations in motor coordination and function in hepatic encephalopathy. Hyperammonemia is considered the main factor responsible for the neurological alterations in patients with hepatic encephalopathy. Activation of metabotropic glutamate receptors (mGluRs) in the nucleus accumbens (NAcc) induces locomotion in rats. Asa first step in our studies on the alterations in motor co-ordination and function in hyperammonemia and hepatic encephalopathy we studied whether the control of motor function by mGluRs in the NAcc is altered in hyperammonemic rats. The locomotor activity induced by injection into the nucleus accumbens (NAcc) of DHPG, an agonist of group I mGluRs was significantly increased in hyperammonemic rats. Injection of DHPG increased extracellular dopamine but not glutamate in the NAcc of control rats. In hyperammonemic rats DHPG-induced increase in dopamine was significantly reduced, and extracellular glutamate increased 6-fold. The content of mGluR 1 but not mGluR 5, is increased in the NAcc of hyperammonemic rats. Blockade of mGluR 1 completely prevented motor and neurochemical effects induced by DHPG. These results show that modulation of both motor function and extracellular concentration of neurotransmitters by mGluRs in the NAcc is altered in hyperammonemia. This may contribute to the alterations in motor function in hepatic encephalopathy.
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Affiliation(s)
- Omar Cauli
- Laboratory of Neurobiology, Fundación Valenciana de Investigaciones Biomédicas, Valencia, Spain.
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Llansola M, Erceg S, Felipo V. Chronic exposure to ammonia alters the modulation of phosphorylation of microtubule-associated protein 2 by metabotropic glutamate receptors 1 and 5 in cerebellar neurons in culture. Neuroscience 2005; 133:185-91. [PMID: 15893642 DOI: 10.1016/j.neuroscience.2005.02.008] [Citation(s) in RCA: 11] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/09/2004] [Revised: 02/07/2005] [Accepted: 02/07/2005] [Indexed: 10/25/2022]
Abstract
Hyperammonemia impairs signal transduction associated to glutamate receptors and phosphorylation of some neuronal proteins including microtubule-associated protein 2 (MAP-2). The aim of this work was to analyze the effects of hyperammonemia on modulation of MAP-2 phosphorylation by metabotropic glutamate receptors (mGluRs) in rat cerebellar neurons in culture. Hyperammonemia increased basal phosphorylation of MAP-2 (180%). Activation of mGluRs 1 and 5 with (S)-3,5-dihydroxyphenylglycine (DHPG) increased MAP-2 phosphorylation (170%) in control neurons but not in neurons exposed to ammonia. Activation of mGluRs 2 and 3 with (2S,3S,4S)-CCG/(2S, 1'S,2'S)-2-(carboxycyclopropyl)glycine increased slightly (25%) MAP-2 phosphorylation in neurons exposed to ammonia or not. Activation of mGluR5 with (+/-)-trans-azetidine-2,4-dicarboxylic acid increased MAP-2 phosphorylation (24%) in control neurons but decreased it by 56% in neurons exposed to ammonia. Activation of mGluR1 using 2-methyl-6-(phenylethynyl)pyridine and DHPG increased MAP-2 phosphorylation 183% in control neurons but only 89% in neurons exposed to ammonia. In control neurons mGluR1 activation greatly increases phosphorylation of MAP-2, while activation of mGluRs 5, 2 or 3 increased it slightly. Taken together, hyperammonemia reduces the increase in MAP-2 phosphorylation induced by mGluR1activation. Moreover, in neurons exposed to ammonia activation of mGluR5 reduces MAP-2 phosphorylation. These effects reflect significant alterations in signal transduction associated to mGluR1 and mGluR5 in hyperammonemia that may contribute to altered glutamatergic neurotransmission and to the neurological alterations in hyperammonemia and hepatic encephalopathy.
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Affiliation(s)
- M Llansola
- Laboratory of Neurobiology, Fundacion Valenciana de Investigaciones Biomedicas, Amadeo de Saboya 4, 46010 Valencia, Spain
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