1
|
Garcia-Serrano AM, Vieira JPP, Fleischhart V, Duarte JMN. Taurine and N-acetylcysteine treatments prevent memory impairment and metabolite profile alterations in the hippocampus of high-fat diet-fed female mice. Nutr Neurosci 2023; 26:1090-1102. [PMID: 36222315 DOI: 10.1080/1028415x.2022.2131062] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 8.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 10/17/2022]
Abstract
Background: Obesity constitutes a risk factor for cognitive impairment. In rodent models, long-term exposure to obesogenic diets leads to hippocampal taurine accumulation. Since taurine has putative cyto-protective effects, hippocampal taurine accumulation in obese and diabetic models might constitute a counteracting response to metabolic stress. Objective: We tested the hypothesis that treatment with taurine or with N-acetylcysteine (NAC), which provides cysteine for the synthesis of taurine and glutathione, prevent high-fat diet (HFD)-associated hippocampal alterations and memory impairment. Methods: Female mice were fed either a regular diet or HFD. Some mice had access to 3%(w/v) taurine or 3%(w/v) NAC in the drinking water. After 2 months, magnetic resonance spectroscopy (MRS) was used to measure metabolite profiles. Memory was assessed in novel object and novel location recognition tests. Results: HFD feeding caused memory impairment in both tests, and reduced concentration of lactate, phosphocreatine-to-creatine ratio, and the neuronal marker N-acetylaspartate in the hippocampus. Taurine and NAC prevented HFD-induced memory impairment and N-acetylaspartate reduction. NAC, but not taurine, prevented the reduction of lactate and phosphocreatine-to-creatine ratio. MRS revealed NAC/taurine-induced increase of hippocampal glutamate and GABA levels. Conclusion: NAC and taurine can prevent memory impairment, while only NAC prevents alterations of metabolite concentrations in HFD-exposed female mice.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Alba M Garcia-Serrano
- Faculty of Medicine, Department of Experimental Medical Science, Lund University, Lund, Sweden
- Wallenberg Centre for Molecular Medicine, Lund University, Lund, Sweden
| | - Joao P P Vieira
- Faculty of Medicine, Department of Experimental Medical Science, Lund University, Lund, Sweden
- Wallenberg Centre for Molecular Medicine, Lund University, Lund, Sweden
| | - Veronika Fleischhart
- Faculty of Medicine, Department of Experimental Medical Science, Lund University, Lund, Sweden
- Wallenberg Centre for Molecular Medicine, Lund University, Lund, Sweden
| | - João M N Duarte
- Faculty of Medicine, Department of Experimental Medical Science, Lund University, Lund, Sweden
- Wallenberg Centre for Molecular Medicine, Lund University, Lund, Sweden
| |
Collapse
|
2
|
PESARICO ANAPAULA, CECHELLA JOSÉL, NOGUEIRA CRISTINAW, ROSA SUZANG. Swimming exercise and diphenyl diselenide-supplemented diet modulate cerebral cortical and striatal GABA uptake in aged rats. AN ACAD BRAS CIENC 2022; 94:e20200844. [DOI: 10.1590/0001-3765202220200844] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/08/2020] [Accepted: 01/21/2021] [Indexed: 11/21/2022] Open
|
3
|
Cruz GB, Vasquez MA, Cabañas E, Joseph JN, Skeen JC, Lynch KP, Ahmed I, Khairi EB, Bonitto JR, Clarke EG, Rubi S, Hameed N, Kaur S, Mathew N, Dacius TF, Jose TJ, Handford G, Wolfe S, Feher A, Tidwell K, Tobin J, Ugalde E, Fee S, Choe A, Gillenwater K, Hindi B, Pilout S, Natale NR, Domahoski N, Kent MH, Jacob JC, Lambert KG, Neuwirth LS. Developmental Lead Exposure in Rats Causes Sex-Dependent Changes in Neurobiological and Anxiety-Like Behaviors that Are Improved by Taurine Co-treatment. ADVANCES IN EXPERIMENTAL MEDICINE AND BIOLOGY 2022; 1370:461-479. [DOI: 10.1007/978-3-030-93337-1_43] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/09/2022]
|
4
|
Neuwirth LS, Emenike BU, Cruz GB, Cabañas E, Vasquez MA, Joseph JN, Ayaz Z, Mian M, Ali MM, Clarke EG, Barrera ED, Hameed N, Rubi S, Dacius TF, Skeen JC, Bonitto JR, Khairi EB, Iqbal A, Ahmed I, Jose TJ, Lynch KP, Alivira A, Mathew N, Kaur S, Masood S, Tranquilee B, Thiruverkadu V. Taurine-Derived Compounds Produce Anxiolytic Effects in Rats Following Developmental Lead Exposure. ADVANCES IN EXPERIMENTAL MEDICINE AND BIOLOGY 2022; 1370:445-460. [PMID: 35882818 DOI: 10.1007/978-3-030-93337-1_42] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/09/2022]
Abstract
Lead (Pb2+) is a developmental neurotoxicant that disrupts the GABA-shift and subsequently causes alterations in the brain's excitation-to-inhibition (E/I) balance. Taurine is a well-established neuroprotective and inhibitory compound for regulating brain excitability. Since mechanistically taurine can facilitate neuronal inhibition through the GABA-AR, the present study examined the anxiolytic potential of taurine derivatives. Treatment groups consisted of the following developmental Pb2+-exposures: Control (0 ppm) and Perinatal (150 ppm or 1,000 ppm lead acetate in the drinking water). Rats were scheduled for behavioral tests between postnatal days (PND) 36-45 with random drug assignments to either saline, taurine, or taurine-derived compound (TD-101, TD-102, or TD-103) to assess the rats' responsivity to each drug in mitigating the developmental Pb2+-exposure and anxiety-like behaviors through the GABAergic system. Long-Evans hooded rats were assessed using an open field (OF) test for preliminary locomotor assessment. Twenty-four hours later, the same rats were exposed to the elevated plus maze (EPM) and were given an i.p. injection of 43 mg/Kg of the saline, taurine, or TD drugs 15 min prior to testing. Each rat was tested using the triple-blind random assignment method for each drug condition. The OF data revealed that Control female rats had increased locomotor activity over Control male rats, and the Pb2+-exposed males and females had increased locomotor activity when compared to the Control male and female rats. However, in the EPM, the Control female rats exhibited more anxiety-like behaviors over Control male rats, and the Pb2+-exposed male and female rats showed selective responsivity to TD drugs when compared to taurine. For Pb2+-exposed males, TD-101 showed consistent recovery of anxiety-like behaviors similar to that of taurine regardless of Pb2+ dose, whereas in Pb2+-exposed females TD-101 and TD-103 showed greater anxiolytic responses in the EPM. The results from the present psychopharmacological study suggests that taurine and its derivatives are interesting drug candidates to explore sex-specific mechanisms and actions of taurine and the associated GABAergic receptor properties by which these compounds alleviate anxiety as a potential behavioral pharmacotherapy for neurodevelopmental Pb2+ exposure.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Lorenz S Neuwirth
- Department of Psychology, SUNY Old Westbury, Old Westbury, NY, USA.
- SUNY Neuroscience Research Institute, SUNY Old Westbury, Old Westbury, NY, USA.
| | - Bright U Emenike
- Department of Chemistry and Physics, SUNY Old Westbury, Old Westbury, NY, USA
| | - George B Cruz
- SUNY Neuroscience Research Institute, SUNY Old Westbury, Old Westbury, NY, USA
- Department of Biology, SUNY Old Westbury, Old Westbury, NY, USA
| | - Ericka Cabañas
- SUNY Neuroscience Research Institute, SUNY Old Westbury, Old Westbury, NY, USA
- Department of Biology, SUNY Old Westbury, Old Westbury, NY, USA
| | - Michelle A Vasquez
- SUNY Neuroscience Research Institute, SUNY Old Westbury, Old Westbury, NY, USA
- Department of Chemistry and Physics, SUNY Old Westbury, Old Westbury, NY, USA
| | - Jewel N Joseph
- SUNY Neuroscience Research Institute, SUNY Old Westbury, Old Westbury, NY, USA
- Department of Biology, SUNY Old Westbury, Old Westbury, NY, USA
| | - Zaid Ayaz
- SUNY Neuroscience Research Institute, SUNY Old Westbury, Old Westbury, NY, USA
- Department of Biology, SUNY Old Westbury, Old Westbury, NY, USA
| | - Mohammed Mian
- SUNY Neuroscience Research Institute, SUNY Old Westbury, Old Westbury, NY, USA
- Department of Biology, SUNY Old Westbury, Old Westbury, NY, USA
| | - Mohamed M Ali
- SUNY Neuroscience Research Institute, SUNY Old Westbury, Old Westbury, NY, USA
- Department of Biology, SUNY Old Westbury, Old Westbury, NY, USA
| | - Evan G Clarke
- SUNY Neuroscience Research Institute, SUNY Old Westbury, Old Westbury, NY, USA
- Department of Biology, SUNY Old Westbury, Old Westbury, NY, USA
| | - Eddy D Barrera
- Department of Psychology, SUNY Old Westbury, Old Westbury, NY, USA
- SUNY Neuroscience Research Institute, SUNY Old Westbury, Old Westbury, NY, USA
| | - Nimra Hameed
- SUNY Neuroscience Research Institute, SUNY Old Westbury, Old Westbury, NY, USA
- Department of Biology, SUNY Old Westbury, Old Westbury, NY, USA
| | - Samantha Rubi
- SUNY Neuroscience Research Institute, SUNY Old Westbury, Old Westbury, NY, USA
- Department of Biology, SUNY Old Westbury, Old Westbury, NY, USA
| | - Teddy F Dacius
- Department of Psychology, SUNY Old Westbury, Old Westbury, NY, USA
- SUNY Neuroscience Research Institute, SUNY Old Westbury, Old Westbury, NY, USA
| | - Jourvonn C Skeen
- SUNY Neuroscience Research Institute, SUNY Old Westbury, Old Westbury, NY, USA
- Department of Biology, SUNY Old Westbury, Old Westbury, NY, USA
| | - Jalen R Bonitto
- SUNY Neuroscience Research Institute, SUNY Old Westbury, Old Westbury, NY, USA
- Department of Biology, SUNY Old Westbury, Old Westbury, NY, USA
| | - Eric B Khairi
- SUNY Neuroscience Research Institute, SUNY Old Westbury, Old Westbury, NY, USA
- Department of Biology, SUNY Old Westbury, Old Westbury, NY, USA
| | - Asma Iqbal
- Department of Psychology, SUNY Old Westbury, Old Westbury, NY, USA
- SUNY Neuroscience Research Institute, SUNY Old Westbury, Old Westbury, NY, USA
| | - Isra Ahmed
- Department of Psychology, SUNY Old Westbury, Old Westbury, NY, USA
- SUNY Neuroscience Research Institute, SUNY Old Westbury, Old Westbury, NY, USA
| | - Tokunbo J Jose
- Department of Psychology, SUNY Old Westbury, Old Westbury, NY, USA
- SUNY Neuroscience Research Institute, SUNY Old Westbury, Old Westbury, NY, USA
| | - Kirsten P Lynch
- Department of Psychology, SUNY Old Westbury, Old Westbury, NY, USA
- SUNY Neuroscience Research Institute, SUNY Old Westbury, Old Westbury, NY, USA
| | - Amber Alivira
- Department of Psychology, SUNY Old Westbury, Old Westbury, NY, USA
- SUNY Neuroscience Research Institute, SUNY Old Westbury, Old Westbury, NY, USA
| | - Neena Mathew
- Department of Psychology, SUNY Old Westbury, Old Westbury, NY, USA
- SUNY Neuroscience Research Institute, SUNY Old Westbury, Old Westbury, NY, USA
| | - Sukhpreet Kaur
- Department of Psychology, SUNY Old Westbury, Old Westbury, NY, USA
- SUNY Neuroscience Research Institute, SUNY Old Westbury, Old Westbury, NY, USA
| | - Sidrah Masood
- Department of Psychology, SUNY Old Westbury, Old Westbury, NY, USA
- SUNY Neuroscience Research Institute, SUNY Old Westbury, Old Westbury, NY, USA
| | - Bettina Tranquilee
- SUNY Neuroscience Research Institute, SUNY Old Westbury, Old Westbury, NY, USA
- Department of Biology, SUNY Old Westbury, Old Westbury, NY, USA
| | - Veni Thiruverkadu
- SUNY Neuroscience Research Institute, SUNY Old Westbury, Old Westbury, NY, USA
- Department of Biology, SUNY Old Westbury, Old Westbury, NY, USA
| |
Collapse
|
5
|
Influences of Taurine Pharmacodynamics and Sex on Active Avoidance Learning and Memory. ADVANCES IN EXPERIMENTAL MEDICINE AND BIOLOGY 2022; 1370:381-393. [DOI: 10.1007/978-3-030-93337-1_36] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 10/16/2022]
|
6
|
Zhu H, Dronamraju V, Xie W, More SS. Sulfur-containing therapeutics in the treatment of Alzheimer's disease. Med Chem Res 2021; 30:305-352. [PMID: 33613018 PMCID: PMC7889054 DOI: 10.1007/s00044-020-02687-1] [Citation(s) in RCA: 14] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/31/2020] [Accepted: 12/06/2020] [Indexed: 12/12/2022]
Abstract
Sulfur is widely existent in natural products and synthetic organic compounds as organosulfur, which are often associated with a multitude of biological activities. OBenzothiazole, in which benzene ring is fused to the 4,5-positions of the thiazolerganosulfur compounds continue to garner increasing amounts of attention in the field of medicinal chemistry, especially in the development of therapeutic agents for Alzheimer's disease (AD). AD is a fatal neurodegenerative disease and the primary cause of age-related dementia posing severe societal and economic burdens. Unfortunately, there is no cure for AD. A lot of research has been conducted on sulfur-containing compounds in the context of AD due to their innate antioxidant potential and some are currently being evaluated in clinical trials. In this review, we have described emerging trends in the field, particularly the concept of multi-targeting and formulation of disease-modifying strategies. SAR, pharmacological targets, in vitro/vivo ADMET, efficacy in AD animal models, and applications in clinical trials of such sulfur compounds have also been discussed. This article provides a comprehensive review of organosulfur-based AD therapeutic agents and provides insights into their future development.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Haizhou Zhu
- Center for Drug Design, College of Pharmacy, University of Minnesota, Minneapolis, MN 55455, USA
| | - Venkateshwara Dronamraju
- Center for Drug Design, College of Pharmacy, University of Minnesota, Minneapolis, MN 55455, USA
| | - Wei Xie
- Center for Drug Design, College of Pharmacy, University of Minnesota, Minneapolis, MN 55455, USA
| | - Swati S. More
- Center for Drug Design, College of Pharmacy, University of Minnesota, Minneapolis, MN 55455, USA
| |
Collapse
|
7
|
Creatine and taurine mixtures alleviate depressive-like behaviour in Drosophila melanogaster and mice via regulating Akt and ERK/BDNF pathways. Sci Rep 2020; 10:11370. [PMID: 32647316 PMCID: PMC7347602 DOI: 10.1038/s41598-020-68424-1] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/18/2020] [Accepted: 06/23/2020] [Indexed: 12/13/2022] Open
Abstract
We investigated the antidepressant effect of creatine (CRE) and taurine (TAU) mixtures on behavioural changes and biomarkers in stress-induced depression in Drosophila melanogaster and a mouse model. Following CRE/TAU mixture administration in the Drosophila model, depression-like state induced by vibration, locomotion, climbing activity, and survival rate were measured. The normal stress (NS) group demonstrated decreased movement than the control (CON) group; movements in the CRE/TAU-treated group (particularly 0.15/0.5%) returned to the CON levels. Antidepressant effects of CRE/TAU mixtures were confirmed in a depressive mouse model induced by chronic mild stress. In behavioural assessments, movement and sucrose preference of the CRE/TAU group increased to a similar level as in the positive control group; hippocampal catecholamine and serotonin levels increased significantly. Stress-related hormones (adrenocorticotropic and corticotropin-releasing hormones) and inflammatory factors (IL-1β, IL-6, and TNF-α) increased in the NS group but significantly decreased in the CRE/TAU-treated group. Brain signalling protein expression ratio of phosphorylated protein kinase B (p-Akt)/Akt, phosphorylated extracellular signal-regulated kinase (p-ERK)/ERK, and brain-derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF) significantly increased in the CRE/TAU-treated group. These results indicate that CRE/TAU-induced antidepressant effects are associated with increased behavioural patterns and downregulation of stress hormones and cytokines, mediated through Akt and ERK/BDNF pathways in vertebrate models.
Collapse
|
8
|
Expedition into Taurine Biology: Structural Insights and Therapeutic Perspective of Taurine in Neurodegenerative Diseases. Biomolecules 2020; 10:biom10060863. [PMID: 32516961 PMCID: PMC7355587 DOI: 10.3390/biom10060863] [Citation(s) in RCA: 13] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/29/2020] [Revised: 05/28/2020] [Accepted: 06/02/2020] [Indexed: 12/18/2022] Open
Abstract
Neurodegenerative diseases (NDs) are characterized by the accumulation of misfolded proteins. The hallmarks of protein aggregation in NDs proceed with impairment in the mitochondrial function, besides causing an enhancement in endoplasmic reticulum (ER) stress, neuroinflammation and synaptic loss. As accumulation of misfolded proteins hampers normal neuronal functions, it triggers ER stress, which leads to the activation of downstream effectors formulating events along the signaling cascade—referred to as unfolded protein response (UPRER) —thereby controlling cellular gene expression. The absence of disease-modifying therapeutic targets in different NDs, and the exponential increase in the number of cases, makes it critical to explore new approaches to treating these devastating diseases. In one such approach, osmolytes (low molecular weight substances), such as taurine have been found to promote protein folding under stress conditions, thereby averting aggregation of the misfolded proteins. Maintaining the structural integrity of the protein, taurine-mediated resumption of protein folding prompts a shift in folding homeostasis more towards functionality than towards aggregation and degradation. Together, taurine enacts protection in NDs by causing misfolded proteins to refold, so as to regain their stability and functionality. The present study provides recent and useful insights into understanding the progression of NDs, besides summarizing the genetics of NDs in correlation with mitochondrial dysfunction, ER stress, neuroinflammation and synaptic loss. It also highlights the structural and functional aspects of taurine in imparting protection against the aggregation/misfolding of proteins, thereby shifting the focus more towards the development of effective therapeutic modules that could avert the development of NDs.
Collapse
|
9
|
Agostini A, Yuchun D, Li B, Kendall DA, Pardon MC. Sex-specific hippocampal metabolic signatures at the onset of systemic inflammation with lipopolysaccharide in the APPswe/PS1dE9 mouse model of Alzheimer's disease. Brain Behav Immun 2020; 83:87-111. [PMID: 31560941 PMCID: PMC6928588 DOI: 10.1016/j.bbi.2019.09.019] [Citation(s) in RCA: 22] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/04/2019] [Revised: 09/23/2019] [Accepted: 09/24/2019] [Indexed: 12/27/2022] Open
Abstract
Systemic inflammation enhances the risk and progression of Alzheimer's disease (AD). Lipopolysaccharide (LPS), a potent pro-inflammatory endotoxin produced by the gut, is found in excess levels in AD where it associates with neurological hallmarks of pathology. Sex differences in susceptibility to inflammation and AD progression have been reported, but how this impacts on LPS responses remains under investigated. We previously reported in an APP/PS1 model of AD that systemic LPS administration rapidly altered hippocampal metabolism in males. Here, we used untargeted metabolomics to comprehensively identify hippocampal metabolic processes occurring at onset of systemic inflammation with LPS (100 µg/kg, i.v.) in APP/PS1 mice, at an early pathological stage, and investigated the sexual dimorphism in this response. Four hours after LPS administration, pathways regulating energy metabolism, immune and oxidative stress responses were simultaneously recruited in the hippocampi of 4.5-month-old mice with a more protective response in females despite their pro-inflammatory and pro-oxidant metabolic signature in the absence of immune stimulation. LPS induced comparable behavioural sickness responses in male and female wild-type and APP/PS1 mice and comparable activation of both the serotonin and nicotinamide pathways of tryptophan metabolism in their hippocampi. Elevations in N-methyl-2-pyridone-5-carboxamide, a major toxic metabolite of nicotinamide, correlated with behavioural sickness regardless of sex, as well as with the LPS-induced hypothermia seen in males. Males also exhibited a pro-inflammatory-like downregulation of pyruvate metabolism, exacerbated in APP/PS1 males, and methionine metabolism whereas females showed a greater cytokine response and anti-inflammatory-like downregulation of hippocampal methylglyoxal and methionine metabolism. Metabolic changes were not associated with morphological markers of immune cell activation suggesting that they constitute an early event in the development of LPS-induced neuroinflammation and AD exacerbation. These data suggest that the female hippocampus is more tolerant to acute systemic inflammation.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Alessandra Agostini
- School of Life Sciences, Division of Physiology, Pharmacology and Neuroscience, University of Nottingham, Medical School, Queens Medical Centre, Nottingham NG7 2UH, UK
| | - Ding Yuchun
- School of Computer Sciences, University of Nottingham, Jubilee Campus, Wollaton Road, Nottingham NG8 1BB, UK; School of Computing Science, Urban Sciences Building, Newcastle University, 1 Science Square, Science Central, Newcastle upon Tyne NE4 5TG, UK(1)
| | - Bai Li
- School of Computing Science, Urban Sciences Building, Newcastle University, 1 Science Square, Science Central, Newcastle upon Tyne NE4 5TG, UK(1)
| | - David A Kendall
- School of Life Sciences, Division of Physiology, Pharmacology and Neuroscience, University of Nottingham, Medical School, Queens Medical Centre, Nottingham NG7 2UH, UK
| | - Marie-Christine Pardon
- School of Life Sciences, Division of Physiology, Pharmacology and Neuroscience, University of Nottingham, Medical School, Queens Medical Centre, Nottingham NG7 2UH, UK.
| |
Collapse
|
10
|
Gorgani S, Jahanshahi M, Elyasi L. Taurine Prevents Passive Avoidance Memory Impairment, Accumulation of Amyloid-β Plaques, and Neuronal Loss in the Hippocampus of Scopolamine-Treated Rats. NEUROPHYSIOLOGY+ 2019. [DOI: 10.1007/s11062-019-09810-y] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/19/2022]
|
11
|
Neuwirth LS, Emenike BU, Barrera ED, Hameed N, Rubi S, Dacius TF, Skeen JC, Bonitto JR, Khairi E, Iqbal A, Ahmed I, Jose TJ, Lynch K, Khan M, Alvira AL, Mathew N, Kaur S, Masood S, Tranquilee B, Thiruverkadu V. Assessing the Anxiolytic Properties of Taurine-Derived Compounds in Rats Following Developmental Lead Exposure: A Neurodevelopmental and Behavioral Pharmacological Pilot Study. ADVANCES IN EXPERIMENTAL MEDICINE AND BIOLOGY 2019; 1155:801-819. [PMID: 31468449 DOI: 10.1007/978-981-13-8023-5_69] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 02/16/2023]
Abstract
Lead (Pb2+) is a developmental neurotoxicant that causes alterations in the brain's excitation-to-inhibition (E/I) balance. By increasing chloride concentration through GABA-ARs, taurine serves as an effective inhibitory compound for maintaining appropriate levels of brain excitability. Considering this pharmacological mechanism of taurine facilitated inhibition through the GABA-AR, the present pilot study sought to explore the anxiolytic potential of taurine derivatives. Treatment groups consisted of the following developmental Pb2+-exposures: Control (0 ppm) and Perinatal (150 ppm or 1000 ppm lead acetate in the drinking water). Rats were scheduled for behavioral tests between postnatal days (PND) 36-45 with random assignments to either solutions of Saline, Taurine, or Taurine Derived compounds (i.e., TD-101, TD-102, or TD-103) to assess the rats' responsiveness to each drug in mitigating the developmental Pb2+-exposure through the GABAergic system. Long Evans Hooded rats were assessed using an Open Field (OF) test for preliminary locomotor assessment. Approximately 24-h after the OF, the same rats were exposed to the Elevated Plus Maze (EPM) and were given an i.p. injection of 43 mg/Kg of the Saline, Taurine, or TD drugs 15-min prior to testing. Each rat was tested using the random assignment method for each pharmacological condition, which was conducted using a triple-blind procedure. The OF data revealed that locomotor activity was unaffected by Pb2+-exposure with no gender differences observed. However, Pb2+-exposure induced an anxiogenic response in the EPM, which interestingly, was ameliorated in a gender-specific manner in response to taurine and TD drugs. Female rats exhibited more anxiogenic behavior than the male rats; and as such, exhibited a greater degree of anxiety that were recovered in response to Taurine and its derivatives as a drug therapy. The results from the present psychopharmacological pilot study suggests that Taurine and its derivatives could provide useful data for further exploring the pharmacological mechanisms and actions of Taurine and the associated GABAergic receptor properties by which these compounds alleviate anxiety as a potential behavioral pharmacotherapy for treating anxiety and other associated mood disorders.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Lorenz S Neuwirth
- Department of Psychology, SUNY Old Westbury, Old Westbury, NY, USA. .,SUNY Neuroscience Research Institute, SUNY Old Westbury, Old Westbury, NY, USA.
| | - Bright U Emenike
- Department of Chemistry & Physics, SUNY Old Westbury, Old Westbury, NY, USA
| | - Eddy D Barrera
- Department of Psychology, SUNY Old Westbury, Old Westbury, NY, USA.,SUNY Neuroscience Research Institute, SUNY Old Westbury, Old Westbury, NY, USA
| | - Nimra Hameed
- SUNY Neuroscience Research Institute, SUNY Old Westbury, Old Westbury, NY, USA.,Department of Biology, SUNY Old Westbury, Old Westbury, NY, USA
| | - Samantha Rubi
- SUNY Neuroscience Research Institute, SUNY Old Westbury, Old Westbury, NY, USA.,Department of Biology, SUNY Old Westbury, Old Westbury, NY, USA
| | - Teddy F Dacius
- Department of Psychology, SUNY Old Westbury, Old Westbury, NY, USA.,SUNY Neuroscience Research Institute, SUNY Old Westbury, Old Westbury, NY, USA
| | - Jourvonn C Skeen
- SUNY Neuroscience Research Institute, SUNY Old Westbury, Old Westbury, NY, USA.,Department of Biology, SUNY Old Westbury, Old Westbury, NY, USA
| | - Jalen R Bonitto
- SUNY Neuroscience Research Institute, SUNY Old Westbury, Old Westbury, NY, USA.,Department of Biology, SUNY Old Westbury, Old Westbury, NY, USA
| | - Eric Khairi
- SUNY Neuroscience Research Institute, SUNY Old Westbury, Old Westbury, NY, USA.,Department of Biology, SUNY Old Westbury, Old Westbury, NY, USA
| | - Asma Iqbal
- Department of Psychology, SUNY Old Westbury, Old Westbury, NY, USA.,SUNY Neuroscience Research Institute, SUNY Old Westbury, Old Westbury, NY, USA
| | - Isra Ahmed
- Department of Psychology, SUNY Old Westbury, Old Westbury, NY, USA.,SUNY Neuroscience Research Institute, SUNY Old Westbury, Old Westbury, NY, USA
| | - Tokunbo J Jose
- Department of Psychology, SUNY Old Westbury, Old Westbury, NY, USA.,SUNY Neuroscience Research Institute, SUNY Old Westbury, Old Westbury, NY, USA
| | - Kirsten Lynch
- Department of Psychology, SUNY Old Westbury, Old Westbury, NY, USA.,SUNY Neuroscience Research Institute, SUNY Old Westbury, Old Westbury, NY, USA
| | - Maheen Khan
- SUNY Neuroscience Research Institute, SUNY Old Westbury, Old Westbury, NY, USA.,Department of Neuroscience, Johns Hopkins University, Baltimore, MD, USA
| | - Amber L Alvira
- Department of Psychology, SUNY Old Westbury, Old Westbury, NY, USA.,SUNY Neuroscience Research Institute, SUNY Old Westbury, Old Westbury, NY, USA
| | - Neena Mathew
- Department of Psychology, SUNY Old Westbury, Old Westbury, NY, USA.,SUNY Neuroscience Research Institute, SUNY Old Westbury, Old Westbury, NY, USA
| | - Sukhpreet Kaur
- Department of Psychology, SUNY Old Westbury, Old Westbury, NY, USA.,SUNY Neuroscience Research Institute, SUNY Old Westbury, Old Westbury, NY, USA
| | - Sidrah Masood
- Department of Psychology, SUNY Old Westbury, Old Westbury, NY, USA.,SUNY Neuroscience Research Institute, SUNY Old Westbury, Old Westbury, NY, USA
| | - Bettina Tranquilee
- SUNY Neuroscience Research Institute, SUNY Old Westbury, Old Westbury, NY, USA.,Department of Biology, SUNY Old Westbury, Old Westbury, NY, USA
| | - Veni Thiruverkadu
- SUNY Neuroscience Research Institute, SUNY Old Westbury, Old Westbury, NY, USA.,Department of Biology, SUNY Old Westbury, Old Westbury, NY, USA
| |
Collapse
|
12
|
Gao R, Bae MA, Han SH, Chang KJ, Kim SH. Effects of Dietary Taurine Supplementation on Blood and Urine Taurine Concentrations in the Elderly Women with Dementia. ADVANCES IN EXPERIMENTAL MEDICINE AND BIOLOGY 2019; 1155:231-238. [PMID: 31468402 DOI: 10.1007/978-981-13-8023-5_22] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 03/06/2023]
Abstract
The purpose of this research is to investigate the effects of dietary taurine supplementation on blood and urine taurine concentrations of the elderly women with dementia. Subjects were 31 female elderly with dementia hospitalized in a geriatric hospital. They were divided randomly into control group and dietary taurine supplemented group. Basically, same meals were served to both groups. Scorched rice water without taurine were served to control group. Scorched rice water containing 3 g of taurine were reserved to taurine group with lunch similarly. Food ingredients containing high concentration of taurine were eliminated from the meal menu. Blood and urine samples were obtained from each subject at the beginning of study, after 2 week and 4 weeks in the morning fasting state. Taurine concentrations in serum and urine were measured as taurine-fluorescamine derivatives using high performance liquid chromatography (HPLC). Data were analyzed using SPSS 20.0. The average taurine concentrations in serum and urine of subjects were 89.2 ± 9.5 μM and 876.7 ± 97.1 μM at the beginning. After 4 weeks, the taurine concentrations in serum and urine of dietary taurine supplemented group were 218.0 ± 15.6 μM and 6502.6 ± 380.6 μM, which were significantly higher compared to control group. Dietary taurine supplemented group showed positive changes in the score on language and execute performance. So taurine supplementation can provide beneficial effects to the elderly and the elderly with dementia.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Ranran Gao
- Department of Food & Nutrition, Inha University, Incheon, South Korea
| | - Mi Ae Bae
- Department of Food & Nutrition, Inha University, Incheon, South Korea
| | - So Hee Han
- Department of Food & Nutrition, Inha University, Incheon, South Korea
| | - Kyung Ja Chang
- Department of Food & Nutrition, Inha University, Incheon, South Korea.
| | - Sung Hoon Kim
- Department of Chemistry, Konkuk University, Seoul, South Korea.
| |
Collapse
|
13
|
Maclean KN, Jiang H, Phinney WN, Keating AK, Hurt KJ, Stabler SP. Taurine alleviates repression of betaine‐homocysteine S‐methyltransferase and significantly improves the efficacy of long‐term betaine treatment in a mouse model of cystathionine β‐synthase–deficient homocystinuria. FASEB J 2019; 33:6339-6353. [DOI: 10.1096/fj.201802069rr] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/22/2023]
Affiliation(s)
- Kenneth N. Maclean
- Department of PediatricsUniversity of Colorado School of Medicine Aurora Colorado USA
| | - Hua Jiang
- Department of PediatricsUniversity of Colorado School of Medicine Aurora Colorado USA
| | - Whitney N. Phinney
- Department of MedicineUniversity of Colorado School of Medicine Aurora Colorado USA
| | - Amy K. Keating
- Department of PediatricsUniversity of Colorado School of Medicine Aurora Colorado USA
| | - K. Joseph Hurt
- Department of Obstetrics and GynecologyUniversity of Colorado School of Medicine Aurora Colorado USA
| | - Sally P. Stabler
- Department of MedicineUniversity of Colorado School of Medicine Aurora Colorado USA
| |
Collapse
|
14
|
Zhao D, Lv Q, Yang J, Wu G, Liu M, Yang Q, Han J, Feng Y, Lin S, Hu J. Taurine Improves Lipid Metabolism and Skeletal Muscle Sensitivity to Insulin in Rats Fed with High Sugar and High Fat Diet. ADVANCES IN EXPERIMENTAL MEDICINE AND BIOLOGY 2019; 1155:133-146. [PMID: 31468392 DOI: 10.1007/978-981-13-8023-5_12] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/26/2022]
Abstract
Metabolic syndrome is a lifestyle-related disease caused by high nutrient condition and lack of exercise. The insulin resistance due to obesity has attracted attention as an underlying mechanism of metabolic syndrome. Insulin resistance refers to reduced insulin sensitivity in insulin target tissues. In this case, in order to maintain normal blood glucose levels, a compensatory large amount of insulin is released, leading to the occurrence of hyperinsulinemia. Taurine is widely distributed in animal tissues. Although it is not involved in protein synthesis, taurine plays an important role in maintaining the body's physiological function. In this experiment, insulin resistance model was induced by high fat and high sugar diet. Two percent taurine was added in drinking water to explore the mechanism of taurine in insulin resistance and to provide theoretical basis for using taurine to improve insulin resistance. The result showed that high-fat and high-sugar diet could decrease insulin sensitivity, and taurine could improve it by oral glucose tolerance test. Moreover, serum TG, TC were higher, while HDL-C in rats fed with high sugar and high fat diet was lower than normal rats, the changes of which can be significantly relieved by 2% taurine administration. mRNA and protein expressions of IRS1, and GLUT4 which were significantly changed by high sugar and high fat diet can also be regulated by 2% taurine. The results indicated that taurine can improve insulin sensitivity through remediating lipid metabolism disorder and regulating the expressions of IRS and GLUT4.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Dongdong Zhao
- Liaoning Provincial Key Laboratory of Zoonosis, College of Animal Science & Veterinary Medicine, Shenyang Agricultural University, Shenyang, Liaoning, People's Republic of China
| | - Qiufeng Lv
- Liaoning Provincial Key Laboratory of Zoonosis, College of Animal Science & Veterinary Medicine, Shenyang Agricultural University, Shenyang, Liaoning, People's Republic of China
| | - Jiancheng Yang
- Liaoning Provincial Key Laboratory of Zoonosis, College of Animal Science & Veterinary Medicine, Shenyang Agricultural University, Shenyang, Liaoning, People's Republic of China
| | - Gaofeng Wu
- Liaoning Provincial Key Laboratory of Zoonosis, College of Animal Science & Veterinary Medicine, Shenyang Agricultural University, Shenyang, Liaoning, People's Republic of China
| | - Mei Liu
- Liaoning Provincial Key Laboratory of Zoonosis, College of Animal Science & Veterinary Medicine, Shenyang Agricultural University, Shenyang, Liaoning, People's Republic of China
| | - Qunhui Yang
- Liaoning Provincial Key Laboratory of Zoonosis, College of Animal Science & Veterinary Medicine, Shenyang Agricultural University, Shenyang, Liaoning, People's Republic of China
| | - Jie Han
- Liaoning Provincial Key Laboratory of Zoonosis, College of Animal Science & Veterinary Medicine, Shenyang Agricultural University, Shenyang, Liaoning, People's Republic of China
| | - Ying Feng
- Liaoning Provincial Key Laboratory of Zoonosis, College of Animal Science & Veterinary Medicine, Shenyang Agricultural University, Shenyang, Liaoning, People's Republic of China
| | - Shumei Lin
- Liaoning Provincial Key Laboratory of Zoonosis, College of Animal Science & Veterinary Medicine, Shenyang Agricultural University, Shenyang, Liaoning, People's Republic of China
| | - Jianmin Hu
- Liaoning Provincial Key Laboratory of Zoonosis, College of Animal Science & Veterinary Medicine, Shenyang Agricultural University, Shenyang, Liaoning, People's Republic of China
| |
Collapse
|
15
|
Bae MA, Park SH, Han SH, Chang KJ, Kim SH. Taurine-Related Nutritional Knowledge Has a Positive Effect on Intake of Taurine and Cognitive Function in the Elderly. ADVANCES IN EXPERIMENTAL MEDICINE AND BIOLOGY 2019; 1155:323-333. [DOI: 10.1007/978-981-13-8023-5_31] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/29/2022]
|
16
|
Kilb W. Putative Role of Taurine as Neurotransmitter During Perinatal Cortical Development. ADVANCES IN EXPERIMENTAL MEDICINE AND BIOLOGY 2018; 975 Pt 1:281-292. [PMID: 28849463 DOI: 10.1007/978-94-024-1079-2_25] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 02/04/2023]
Abstract
Neurotransmitters and neuronal activity affect neurodevelopmental events like neurogenesis, neuronal migration, apoptosis and differentiation. Beside glutamate and gamma-amino butyric acid, the aminosulfonic acid taurine has been considered as possible neurotransmitter that influences early neuronal development. In this article I review recent studies of our group which demonstrate that taurine can affect a variety of identified neuronal populations in the immature neocortex and directly modulates neuronal activity. These experiments revealed that taurine evoke dose-dependent membrane responses in a variety of neocortical neuron populations, including Cajal-Retzius cells, subplate neurons and GABAergic interneurons. Taurine responses persist in the presence of GABA(A) receptor antagonists and are reduced by the addition of strychnine, suggesting that glycine receptors are involved in taurine-mediated membrane responses. Gramicidin-perforated patch-clamp and cell-attached recordings demonstrated that taurine evokes depolarizing and mainly excitatory membrane responses, in accordance with the high intracellular Cl- concentration in immature neurons. In addition, taurine increases the frequency of postsynaptic GABAergic currents (PSCs) in a considerable fraction of immature pyramidal neurons, indicating a specific activation of presynaptic GABAergic networks projecting toward and exciting pyramidal neurons. In summary, these results suggest that taurine may be critically involved in the regulation of network excitability in the immature neocortex and hippocampus via interactions with glycine receptors.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Werner Kilb
- Institute of Physiology, University Medical Center, Johannes-Gutenberg University, Mainz, Germany.
| |
Collapse
|
17
|
Neuwirth LS, Volpe NP, Corwin C, Ng S, Madan N, Ferraro AM, Furman Y, El Idrissi A. Taurine Recovery of Learning Deficits Induced by Developmental Pb 2+ Exposure. ADVANCES IN EXPERIMENTAL MEDICINE AND BIOLOGY 2018; 975 Pt 1:39-55. [PMID: 28849442 DOI: 10.1007/978-94-024-1079-2_4] [Citation(s) in RCA: 13] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/04/2023]
Abstract
Lead (Pb2+) is a historically well-documented environmental neurotoxin that produces developmental cognitive learning and memory impairments. These early neurodevelopmental impairments cause increased brain excitability via disruption of Ca2+ mediated signaling during critical periods of synaptogenesis inducing competition with Ica2+ through NMDARs resulting in altered brain development and functioning across the lifespan. Interestingly, Pb2+ has been shown to decrease GABA transport and uptake, decrease spontaneous and depolarization-evoked GABA neurotransmission and lower the expression of glutamic acid decarboxylase (GAD); thereby, limiting excitatory GABAergic influences that regulate early developmental brain excitability and reducing inhibition across mature GABAergic networks. Taurine has been shown to regulate brain excitability in the mature brain through GABAAR mediated inhibition, thereby attenuating improper brain excitability. Mechanistically, taurine is developmentally a potent neuromodulator that acts as a GABAAR agonist and more recently has been reported as a partial agonist for NMDARs through glycine sites. We investigated the effects of developmental Pb2+ exposure on the rat's mature inhibitory cognitive control abilities pharmacologically through anxiety and emotional learning-related behaviors and whether taurine could recover Pb2+ induced neurodevelopmental behavioral deficits later in life. Results showed that Pb2+ increased anxiety symptoms in the open field and hole board test, increased sensitivity to context fear training with cognitive deficits in both acquisition and extinction learning while producing learning deficits and inabilities in acquiring inhibitory learned associations through the acoustic startle response and pre-pulse inhibition (ASR-PPI) test. Interestingly, taurine recovered Pb2+ developmentally induced behavioral deficits in the open field and hole board test evidenced by decreased freezing and increased exploration behaviors and facilitated inhibitory dependent ASR-PPI learning to levels higher than controls. In contrast, Baclofen, a GABABR agonist, dose dependently showed no interaction with Pb2+ effects on ASR-PPI learning. Thus, taurine may work as an important neuromodulator at both GABAARs and NMDARs glycine sites, thereby increasing inhibition, enhancing Ca2+-mediated signaling, and decreasing the altered brain excitability, which impedes learning and memory from early Pb2+ exposure. Taken together our data suggests that GABAAR dependent inhibitory learning is altered by early Pb2+ exposure and taurine was able to recover these Pb2+ induced deficits through neuromodulation of GABAARs and potentially NMDARs later in life. These findings may pave the way for further exploration of taurine as a pharmacotherapy for neurodevelopmental lead poisoning in both animal and clinical models.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Lorenz S Neuwirth
- Department of Psychology, SUNY Old Westbury, Old Westbury, NY, USA.
- SUNY Neuroscience Research Institute, SUNY Old Westbury, Old Westbury, NY, USA.
- Department of Psychology, The College of Staten Island CUNY, Staten Island, NY, USA.
- Department of Biology, The College of Staten Island CUNY, Staten Island, NY, USA.
- The Center for Developmental Neuroscience, The College of Staten Island CUNY, Staten Island, NY, USA.
- Department of Biology, The CUNY Graduate Center, New York, NY, USA.
| | - Nicholas P Volpe
- Department of Biology, The College of Staten Island CUNY, Staten Island, NY, USA
- The Center for Developmental Neuroscience, The College of Staten Island CUNY, Staten Island, NY, USA
| | - Chuyon Corwin
- Department of Biology, The College of Staten Island CUNY, Staten Island, NY, USA
- The Center for Developmental Neuroscience, The College of Staten Island CUNY, Staten Island, NY, USA
- Department of Biology, The CUNY Graduate Center, New York, NY, USA
| | - Simon Ng
- Department of Psychology, The College of Staten Island CUNY, Staten Island, NY, USA
| | - Navita Madan
- Department of Psychology, The College of Staten Island CUNY, Staten Island, NY, USA
| | - Alyssa M Ferraro
- Department of Psychology, The College of Staten Island CUNY, Staten Island, NY, USA
| | - Yevgeniy Furman
- Department of Psychology, The College of Staten Island CUNY, Staten Island, NY, USA
| | - Abdeslem El Idrissi
- Department of Biology, The College of Staten Island CUNY, Staten Island, NY, USA
- The Center for Developmental Neuroscience, The College of Staten Island CUNY, Staten Island, NY, USA
- Department of Biology, The CUNY Graduate Center, New York, NY, USA
| |
Collapse
|
18
|
Mezzomo NJ, Fontana BD, Kalueff AV, Barcellos LJ, Rosemberg DB. Understanding taurine CNS activity using alternative zebrafish models. Neurosci Biobehav Rev 2018; 90:471-485. [DOI: 10.1016/j.neubiorev.2018.04.012] [Citation(s) in RCA: 14] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/22/2022]
|
19
|
Curran CP, Marczinski CA. Taurine, caffeine, and energy drinks: Reviewing the risks to the adolescent brain. Birth Defects Res 2017; 109:1640-1648. [PMID: 29251842 PMCID: PMC5737830 DOI: 10.1002/bdr2.1177] [Citation(s) in RCA: 44] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/02/2017] [Accepted: 11/02/2017] [Indexed: 01/04/2023]
Abstract
Energy drinks are emerging as a major component of the beverage market with sales projected to top $60 billion globally in the next five years. Energy drinks contain a variety of ingredients, but many of the top-selling brands include high doses of caffeine and the amino acid taurine. Energy drink consumption by children has raised concerns, due to potential caffeine toxicity. An additional risk has been noted among college-aged consumers of energy drinks who appear at higher risk of over-consumption of alcohol when the two drinks are consumed together. The differential and combinatorial effects of caffeine and taurine on the developing brain are reviewed here with an emphasis on the adolescent brain, which is still maturing. Key data from animal studies are summarized to highlight both reported benefits and adverse effects reported following acute and chronic exposures. The data suggest that age is an important factor in both caffeine and taurine toxicity. Although the aged or diseased brain might benefit from taurine or caffeine supplementation, it appears that adolescents are not likely to benefit from supplementation and may, in fact, suffer ill effects from chronic ingestion of high doses. Additional work is needed though to address gaps in our understanding of how taurine affects females, since the majority of animal studies focused exclusively on male subjects.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Christine Perdan Curran
- Department of Biological Sciences, Northern Kentucky University, Highland Heights, KY, USA 41099
| | - Cecile A. Marczinski
- Department of Psychological Science, Northern Kentucky University, Highland Heights, KY, USA 41099
| |
Collapse
|
20
|
Kilb W, Fukuda A. Taurine as an Essential Neuromodulator during Perinatal Cortical Development. Front Cell Neurosci 2017; 11:328. [PMID: 29123472 PMCID: PMC5662885 DOI: 10.3389/fncel.2017.00328] [Citation(s) in RCA: 43] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/01/2017] [Accepted: 10/04/2017] [Indexed: 01/10/2023] Open
Abstract
A variety of experimental studies demonstrated that neurotransmitters are an important factor for the development of the central nervous system, affecting neurodevelopmental events like neurogenesis, neuronal migration, programmed cell death, and differentiation. While the role of the classical neurotransmitters glutamate and gamma-aminobutyric acid (GABA) on neuronal development is well established, the aminosulfonic acid taurine has also been considered as possible neuromodulator during early neuronal development. The purpose of the present review article is to summarize the properties of taurine as neuromodulator in detail, focusing on the direct involvement of taurine on various neurodevelopmental events and the regulation of neuronal activity during early developmental epochs. The current knowledge is that taurine lacks a synaptic release mechanism but is released by volume-sensitive organic anion channels and/or a reversal of the taurine transporter. Extracellular taurine affects neurons and neuronal progenitor cells mainly via glycine, GABA(A), and GABA(B) receptors with considerable receptor and subtype-specific affinities. Taurine has been shown to directly influence neurogenesis in vitro as well as neuronal migration in vitro and in vivo. It provides a depolarizing signal for a variety of neuronal population in the immature central nervous system, thereby directly influencing neuronal activity. While in the neocortex, taurine probably enhance neuronal activity, in the immature hippocampus, a tonic taurinergic tone might be necessary to attenuate activity. In summary, taurine must be considered as an essential modulator of neurodevelopmental events, and possible adverse consequences on fetal and/or early postnatal development should be evaluated for pharmacological therapies affecting taurinergic functions.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Werner Kilb
- Institute of Physiology, University Medical Center, Johannes Gutenberg University of Mainz, Mainz, Germany
| | - Atsuo Fukuda
- Department of Neurophysiology, Hamamatsu University School of Medicine, Hamamatsu, Japan
| |
Collapse
|
21
|
Durani LW, Hamezah HS, Ibrahim NF, Yanagisawa D, Makpol S, Damanhuri HA, Tooyama I. Age-related changes in the metabolic profiles of rat hippocampus, medial prefrontal cortex and striatum. Biochem Biophys Res Commun 2017; 493:1356-1363. [PMID: 28970069 DOI: 10.1016/j.bbrc.2017.09.164] [Citation(s) in RCA: 13] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/19/2017] [Accepted: 09/29/2017] [Indexed: 02/07/2023]
Abstract
We have recently shown that age-dependent regional brain atrophy and lateral ventricle expansion may be linked with impaired cognitive and locomotor functions. However, metabolic profile transformation in different brain regions during aging is unknown. This study examined metabolic changes in the hippocampus, medial prefrontal cortex (mPFC) and striatum of middle- and late-aged Sprague-Dawley rats using ultrahigh performance liquid chromatography coupled with high-resolution accurate mass-orbitrap tandem mass spectrometry. Thirty-eight potential metabolites were altered in hippocampus, 29 in mPFC, and 14 in striatum. These alterations indicated that regional metabolic mechanisms in lated-aged rats are related to multiple pathways including glutathione, sphingolipid, tyrosine, and purine metabolism. Thus, our findings might be useful for understanding the complexity of metabolic mechanisms in aging and provide insight for aging and health span.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Lina Wati Durani
- Molecular Neuroscience Research Center, Shiga University of Medical Science, Seta Tsukinowa-cho, Otsu 520-2192, Japan
| | - Hamizah Shahirah Hamezah
- Molecular Neuroscience Research Center, Shiga University of Medical Science, Seta Tsukinowa-cho, Otsu 520-2192, Japan
| | - Nor Faeizah Ibrahim
- Department of Biochemistry, Faculty of Medicine, UKMMC, Universiti Kebangsaan Malaysia, Jalan Yaacob Latif, 56000 Cheras, Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia
| | - Daijiro Yanagisawa
- Molecular Neuroscience Research Center, Shiga University of Medical Science, Seta Tsukinowa-cho, Otsu 520-2192, Japan
| | - Suzana Makpol
- Department of Biochemistry, Faculty of Medicine, UKMMC, Universiti Kebangsaan Malaysia, Jalan Yaacob Latif, 56000 Cheras, Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia
| | - Hanafi Ahmad Damanhuri
- Department of Biochemistry, Faculty of Medicine, UKMMC, Universiti Kebangsaan Malaysia, Jalan Yaacob Latif, 56000 Cheras, Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia
| | - Ikuo Tooyama
- Molecular Neuroscience Research Center, Shiga University of Medical Science, Seta Tsukinowa-cho, Otsu 520-2192, Japan.
| |
Collapse
|
22
|
Taurine counteracts the neurotoxic effects of streptozotocin-induced diabetes in rats. Amino Acids 2017; 50:95-104. [DOI: 10.1007/s00726-017-2495-1] [Citation(s) in RCA: 12] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/10/2017] [Accepted: 09/18/2017] [Indexed: 01/07/2023]
|
23
|
Understanding taurine CNS activity using alternative zebrafish models. Neurosci Biobehav Rev 2017; 83:525-539. [PMID: 28916270 DOI: 10.1016/j.neubiorev.2017.09.008] [Citation(s) in RCA: 15] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/09/2017] [Revised: 08/08/2017] [Accepted: 09/02/2017] [Indexed: 12/11/2022]
Abstract
Taurine is a highly abundant "amino acid" in the brain. Despite the potential neuroactive role of taurine in vertebrates has long been recognized, the underlying molecular mechanisms related to its pleiotropic effects in the brain remain poorly understood. Due to the genetic tractability, rich behavioral repertoire, neurochemical conservation, and small size, the zebrafish (Danio rerio) has emerged as a powerful candidate for neuropsychopharmacology investigation and in vivo drug screening. Here, we summarize the main physiological roles of taurine in mammals, including neuromodulation, osmoregulation, membrane stabilization, and antioxidant action. In this context, we also highlight how zebrafish models of brain disorders may present interesting approaches to assess molecular mechanisms underlying positive effects of taurine in the brain. Finally, we outline recent advances in zebrafish drug screening that significantly improve neuropsychiatric translational researches and small molecule screens.
Collapse
|
24
|
Chen D, Liu F, Wan JB, Lai CQ, Shen LR. Effect of Major Royal Jelly Proteins on Spatial Memory in Aged Rats: Metabolomics Analysis in Urine. JOURNAL OF AGRICULTURAL AND FOOD CHEMISTRY 2017; 65:3151-3159. [PMID: 28362493 DOI: 10.1021/acs.jafc.7b00202] [Citation(s) in RCA: 22] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 06/07/2023]
Abstract
Royal jelly (RJ) produced by worker honeybees is the sole food for the queen bee throughout her life as well as the larvae of worker bees for the first 3 days after hatching. Supplementation of RJ in the diet has been shown to increase spatial memory in rodents. However, the key constituents in RJ responsible for improvement of cognitive function are unknown. Our objective was to determine if the major royal jelly proteins (MRJPs) extracted from RJ can improve the spatial memory of aged rats. The spatial memory assay using the Morris water maze test was administered once to rats after a 14-week feeding. Metabolomics analysis based on quadrupole time-of-flight mass spectrometry was conducted to examine the differences in compounds from urine. Aged male rats fed MRJPs showed improved spatial memory up to 48.5% when compared to the control male aged rats fed distilled water. The metabolite pattern of the MRJPs-fed aged rats was regressed to that of the young rats. Compounds altered by MRJPs were mapped to nicotinate and nicotinamide metabolism, cysteine taurine metabolism, and energy metabolism pathways. In summary, MRJPs may improve spatial memory and possess the potential for prevention of cognitive impairment via the cysteine and taurine metabolism and energy metabolism pathways in aged rats.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Di Chen
- Department of Food Science and Nutrition, Fuli Institute of Food Science, Zhejiang Key Laboratory for Agro-Food Processing, Zhejiang University , Hangzhou 310058, People's Republic of China
| | - Fang Liu
- State Key Laboratory of Quality Research in Chinese Medicine, Institute of Chinese Medical Sciences, University of Macau , Macau, People's Republic of China
| | - Jian-Bo Wan
- State Key Laboratory of Quality Research in Chinese Medicine, Institute of Chinese Medical Sciences, University of Macau , Macau, People's Republic of China
| | - Chao-Qiang Lai
- USDA ARS Nutritional Genomics Laboratory, JM-USDA Human Nutrition Research Center on Aging at Tufts University , Boston, Massachusetts 02111, United States
| | - Li-Rong Shen
- Department of Food Science and Nutrition, Fuli Institute of Food Science, Zhejiang Key Laboratory for Agro-Food Processing, Zhejiang University , Hangzhou 310058, People's Republic of China
| |
Collapse
|
25
|
Scheyltjens I, Arckens L. The Current Status of Somatostatin-Interneurons in Inhibitory Control of Brain Function and Plasticity. Neural Plast 2016; 2016:8723623. [PMID: 27403348 PMCID: PMC4923604 DOI: 10.1155/2016/8723623] [Citation(s) in RCA: 38] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/04/2016] [Accepted: 05/12/2016] [Indexed: 12/05/2022] Open
Abstract
The mammalian neocortex contains many distinct inhibitory neuronal populations to balance excitatory neurotransmission. A correct excitation/inhibition equilibrium is crucial for normal brain development, functioning, and controlling lifelong cortical plasticity. Knowledge about how the inhibitory network contributes to brain plasticity however remains incomplete. Somatostatin- (SST-) interneurons constitute a large neocortical subpopulation of interneurons, next to parvalbumin- (PV-) and vasoactive intestinal peptide- (VIP-) interneurons. Unlike the extensively studied PV-interneurons, acknowledged as key components in guiding ocular dominance plasticity, the contribution of SST-interneurons is less understood. Nevertheless, SST-interneurons are ideally situated within cortical networks to integrate unimodal or cross-modal sensory information processing and therefore likely to be important mediators of experience-dependent plasticity. The lack of knowledge on SST-interneurons partially relates to the wide variety of distinct subpopulations present in the sensory neocortex. This review informs on those SST-subpopulations hitherto described based on anatomical, molecular, or electrophysiological characteristics and whose functional roles can be attributed based on specific cortical wiring patterns. A possible role for these subpopulations in experience-dependent plasticity will be discussed, emphasizing on learning-induced plasticity and on unimodal and cross-modal plasticity upon sensory loss. This knowledge will ultimately contribute to guide brain plasticity into well-defined directions to restore sensory function and promote lifelong learning.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Isabelle Scheyltjens
- Laboratory of Neuroplasticity and Neuroproteomics, KU Leuven, 3000 Leuven, Belgium
| | - Lutgarde Arckens
- Laboratory of Neuroplasticity and Neuroproteomics, KU Leuven, 3000 Leuven, Belgium
| |
Collapse
|
26
|
Zhang Y, Li D, Li H, Hou D, Hou J. Taurine Pretreatment Prevents Isoflurane-Induced Cognitive Impairment by Inhibiting ER Stress-Mediated Activation of Apoptosis Pathways in the Hippocampus in Aged Rats. Neurochem Res 2016; 41:2517-2525. [DOI: 10.1007/s11064-016-1963-4] [Citation(s) in RCA: 20] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/13/2016] [Revised: 05/01/2016] [Accepted: 05/24/2016] [Indexed: 11/30/2022]
|
27
|
Abnormal tau induces cognitive impairment through two different mechanisms: synaptic dysfunction and neuronal loss. Sci Rep 2016; 6:20833. [PMID: 26888634 PMCID: PMC4757872 DOI: 10.1038/srep20833] [Citation(s) in RCA: 76] [Impact Index Per Article: 9.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/06/2015] [Accepted: 01/08/2016] [Indexed: 01/26/2023] Open
Abstract
The hyperphosphorylated microtubule-associated protein tau is present in several neurodegenerative diseases, although the causal relationship remains elusive. Few mouse models used to study Alzheimer-like dementia target tau phosphorylation. We created an inducible pseudophosphorylated tau (Pathological Human Tau, PH-Tau) mouse model to study the effect of conformationally modified tau in vivo. Leaky expression resulted in two levels of PH-Tau: low basal level and higher upon induction (4% and 14% of the endogenous tau, respectively). Unexpectedly, low PH-Tau resulted in significant cognitive deficits, decrease in the number of synapses (seen by EM in the CA1 region), reduction of synaptic proteins, and localization to the nucleus. Induction of PH-Tau triggered neuronal death (60% in CA3), astrocytosis, and loss of the processes in CA1. These findings suggest, that phosphorylated tau is sufficient to induce neurodegeneration and that two different mechanisms can induce cognitive impairment depending on the levels of PH-Tau expression.
Collapse
|
28
|
Taurine content in different brain structures during ageing: effect on hippocampal synaptic plasticity. Amino Acids 2016; 48:1199-208. [DOI: 10.1007/s00726-015-2155-2] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/07/2015] [Accepted: 12/10/2015] [Indexed: 10/22/2022]
|
29
|
Pairing Cholinergic Enhancement with Perceptual Training Promotes Recovery of Age-Related Changes in Rat Primary Auditory Cortex. Neural Plast 2015; 2016:1801979. [PMID: 27057359 PMCID: PMC4709731 DOI: 10.1155/2016/1801979] [Citation(s) in RCA: 16] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/20/2015] [Accepted: 10/25/2015] [Indexed: 02/04/2023] Open
Abstract
We used the rat primary auditory cortex (A1) as a model to probe the effects of cholinergic enhancement on perceptual learning and auditory processing mechanisms in both young and old animals. Rats learned to perform a two-tone frequency discrimination task over the course of two weeks, combined with either the administration of a cholinesterase inhibitor or saline. We found that while both age groups learned the task more quickly through cholinergic enhancement, the young did so by improving target detection, whereas the old did so by inhibiting erroneous responses to nontarget stimuli. We also found that cholinergic enhancement led to marked functional and structural changes within A1 in both young and old rats. Importantly, we found that several functional changes observed in the old rats, particularly those relating to the processing and inhibition of nontargets, produced cortical processing features that resembled those of young untrained rats more so than those of older adult rats. Overall, these findings demonstrate that combining auditory training with neuromodulation of the cholinergic system can restore many of the auditory cortical functional deficits observed as a result of normal aging and add to the growing body of evidence demonstrating that many age-related perceptual and neuroplastic changes are reversible.
Collapse
|
30
|
López-Avalos MD, Fernández-Llebrez Zayas R, Cifuentes M, De Andrés MV, Fernández-Llebrez Del Rey P, Grondona JM, Pérez-Martín M, Pedraza C. Mente Activa® Improves Impaired Spatial Memory in Aging Rats. J Nutr Health Aging 2015; 19:819-27. [PMID: 26412286 DOI: 10.1007/s12603-015-0546-4] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/28/2022]
Abstract
OBJECTIVES Aging is accompanied by a decline in several aspects of the cognitive function, having negative personal and socioeconomic impacts. Dietary supplements could be beneficial for preventing age-related cognitive decline. In this context, we examined whether the nutritional supplement Mente Activa® has beneficial effects on aging-related cognitive deficits without inducing side effects. METHODS Mente Activa® was administered to old rats (n= 30 treated rats and n= 30 control rats) during 5 months, and the Morris water maze was used to test the learning capacities of the animals. The first assessment was conducted before the nutritional intervention (age of 18-19 months), to determine the baseline of the performance of animals on this test, and the second assessment was performed at the end of the treatment (23-24 moths). In order to examine possible secondary effects of this nutritional supplement, plasma, heart anatomy and liver parameters were evaluated. RESULTS Our data indicate that supplemented rats showed less escape latency, distance swum, higher use of spatial search strategies, and crossed the former platform location with higher frequency than control rats. These effects were specific of the treatment, indicating that this nutritional supplement has a beneficial effect on spatial memory. On the other hand, the regular intake of Mente Activa® did not induce any negative effects in plasma parameters and heart size. CONCLUSIONS Aged rats under a sustained dietary intake of the nutritional supplement Mente Activa® displayed improved learning and memory abilities compared to the non-treated rats. These results suggest the therapeutic potential and safety of use of Mente Activa® for age-related cognitive deficits, particularly, in the onset of the first cognitive dysfunction symptoms.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- M D López-Avalos
- C. Pedraza, Dpto. Psicobiología y Metodología de las CC. Facultad de Psicología. Universidad de Málaga, Campus de Teatinos s/n., Málaga, 29071. Spain, Tel: +34 952 132 510; Fax: +34 952 134 142, E-mail:
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
Collapse
|
31
|
Liu X, Cao S, Zhang X. Modulation of Gut Microbiota-Brain Axis by Probiotics, Prebiotics, and Diet. JOURNAL OF AGRICULTURAL AND FOOD CHEMISTRY 2015; 63:7885-7895. [PMID: 26306709 DOI: 10.1021/acs.jafc.5b02404] [Citation(s) in RCA: 163] [Impact Index Per Article: 18.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 06/04/2023]
Abstract
There exists a bidirectional communication system between the gastrointestinal tract and the brain. Increasing evidence shows that gut microbiota can play a critical role in this communication; thus, the concept of a gut microbiota and brain axis is emerging. Here, we review recent findings in the relationship between intestinal microbes and brain function, such as anxiety, depression, stress, autism, learning, and memory. We highlight the advances in modulating brain development and behavior by probiotics, prebiotics, and diet through the gut microbiota-brain axis. A variety of mechanisms including immune, neural, and metabolic pathways may be involved in modulation of the gut microbiota-brain axis. We also discuss some future challenges. A deeper understanding of the relationship between the gut bacteria and their hosts is implicated in developing microbial-based therapeutic strategies for brain disorders.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Xiaofei Liu
- College of Light Industry and Food Sciences, South China University of Technology , Guangzhou, China
| | - Shangqing Cao
- Department of Psychology, Sun Yat-Sen University , Guangzhou, China
- Library, South China University of Technology , Guangzhou, China
| | - Xuewu Zhang
- College of Light Industry and Food Sciences, South China University of Technology , Guangzhou, China
| |
Collapse
|
32
|
Neuwirth LS, Volpe NP, Ng S, Marsillo A, Corwin C, Madan N, Ferraro AM, El Idrissi A. Taurine recovers mice emotional learning and memory disruptions associated with fragile x syndrome in context fear and auditory cued-conditioning. ADVANCES IN EXPERIMENTAL MEDICINE AND BIOLOGY 2015; 803:425-38. [PMID: 25833515 DOI: 10.1007/978-3-319-15126-7_33] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 02/22/2023]
Affiliation(s)
- Lorenz S Neuwirth
- Department of Psychology, The College of Staten Island CUNY, Staten Island, NY, USA,
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
Collapse
|
33
|
Gebara E, Udry F, Sultan S, Toni N. Taurine increases hippocampal neurogenesis in aging mice. Stem Cell Res 2015; 14:369-79. [PMID: 25889858 DOI: 10.1016/j.scr.2015.04.001] [Citation(s) in RCA: 53] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/19/2014] [Revised: 03/31/2015] [Accepted: 04/01/2015] [Indexed: 12/13/2022] Open
Abstract
Aging is associated with increased inflammation and reduced hippocampal neurogenesis, which may in turn contribute to cognitive impairment. Taurine is a free amino acid found in numerous diets, with anti-inflammatory properties. Although abundant in the young brain, the decrease in taurine concentration with age may underlie reduced neurogenesis. Here, we assessed the effect of taurine on hippocampal neurogenesis in middle-aged mice. We found that taurine increased cell proliferation in the dentate gyrus through the activation of quiescent stem cells, resulting in increased number of stem cells and intermediate neural progenitors. Taurine had a direct effect on stem/progenitor cells proliferation, as observed in vitro, and also reduced activated microglia. Furthermore, taurine increased the survival of newborn neurons, resulting in a net increase in adult neurogenesis. Together, these results show that taurine increases several steps of adult neurogenesis and support a beneficial role of taurine on hippocampal neurogenesis in the context of brain aging.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Elias Gebara
- Department of Fundamental Neurosciences, University of Lausanne, 9 rue du Bugnon, 1005 Lausanne, Switzerland.
| | - Florian Udry
- Department of Fundamental Neurosciences, University of Lausanne, 9 rue du Bugnon, 1005 Lausanne, Switzerland.
| | - Sébastien Sultan
- Department of Fundamental Neurosciences, University of Lausanne, 9 rue du Bugnon, 1005 Lausanne, Switzerland.
| | - Nicolas Toni
- Department of Fundamental Neurosciences, University of Lausanne, 9 rue du Bugnon, 1005 Lausanne, Switzerland.
| |
Collapse
|
34
|
Analysis of Taurine as Modulator of Neurotransmitter in Caenorhabditis elegans. ADVANCES IN EXPERIMENTAL MEDICINE AND BIOLOGY 2015; 803:489-99. [PMID: 25833521 DOI: 10.1007/978-3-319-15126-7_39] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/25/2023]
|
35
|
Kim HY, Kim HV, Yoon JH, Kang BR, Cho SM, Lee S, Kim JY, Kim JW, Cho Y, Woo J, Kim Y. Taurine in drinking water recovers learning and memory in the adult APP/PS1 mouse model of Alzheimer's disease. Sci Rep 2014; 4:7467. [PMID: 25502280 PMCID: PMC4264000 DOI: 10.1038/srep07467] [Citation(s) in RCA: 78] [Impact Index Per Article: 7.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/02/2014] [Accepted: 11/25/2014] [Indexed: 12/12/2022] Open
Abstract
Alzheimer's disease (AD) is a lethal progressive neurological disorder affecting the memory. Recently, US Food and Drug Administration mitigated the standard for drug approval, allowing symptomatic drugs that only improve cognitive deficits to be allowed to accelerate on to clinical trials. Our study focuses on taurine, an endogenous amino acid found in high concentrations in humans. It has demonstrated neuroprotective properties against many forms of dementia. In this study, we assessed cognitively enhancing property of taurine in transgenic mouse model of AD. We orally administered taurine via drinking water to adult APP/PS1 transgenic mouse model for 6 weeks. Taurine treatment rescued cognitive deficits in APP/PS1 mice up to the age-matching wild-type mice in Y-maze and passive avoidance tests without modifying the behaviours of cognitively normal mice. In the cortex of APP/PS1 mice, taurine slightly decreased insoluble fraction of Aβ. While the exact mechanism of taurine in AD has not yet been ascertained, our results suggest that taurine can aid cognitive impairment and may inhibit Aβ-related damages.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Hye Yun Kim
- 1] Center for Neuro-Medicine, Brain Science Institute, Korea Institute of Science and Technology, Seoul, Republic of Korea [2] Biological Chemistry Program, Korea University of Science and Technology, Daejeon, Republic of Korea [3] Department of Biochemistry and Biomedical Sciences, Seoul National University, College of Medicine, Seoul, Republic of Korea
| | - Hyunjin V Kim
- 1] Center for Neuro-Medicine, Brain Science Institute, Korea Institute of Science and Technology, Seoul, Republic of Korea [2] Biological Chemistry Program, Korea University of Science and Technology, Daejeon, Republic of Korea
| | - Jin H Yoon
- 1] Center for Neuro-Medicine, Brain Science Institute, Korea Institute of Science and Technology, Seoul, Republic of Korea [2] Department of Biology, Massachusetts Institute of Technology, Cambridge, MA, U.S.A
| | - Bo Ram Kang
- 1] Center for Neuro-Medicine, Brain Science Institute, Korea Institute of Science and Technology, Seoul, Republic of Korea [2] Biological Chemistry Program, Korea University of Science and Technology, Daejeon, Republic of Korea
| | - Soo Min Cho
- 1] Center for Neuro-Medicine, Brain Science Institute, Korea Institute of Science and Technology, Seoul, Republic of Korea [2] Biological Chemistry Program, Korea University of Science and Technology, Daejeon, Republic of Korea
| | - Sejin Lee
- 1] Center for Neuro-Medicine, Brain Science Institute, Korea Institute of Science and Technology, Seoul, Republic of Korea [2] Biological Chemistry Program, Korea University of Science and Technology, Daejeon, Republic of Korea
| | - Ji Yoon Kim
- 1] Center for Neuro-Medicine, Brain Science Institute, Korea Institute of Science and Technology, Seoul, Republic of Korea [2] Biological Chemistry Program, Korea University of Science and Technology, Daejeon, Republic of Korea
| | - Joo Won Kim
- 1] Center for Neuro-Medicine, Brain Science Institute, Korea Institute of Science and Technology, Seoul, Republic of Korea [2] Department of Applied Chemistry, Dongduk Women's University, Seoul, Republic of Korea
| | - Yakdol Cho
- Center for Neuroscience, Brain Science Institute, Korea Institute of Science and Technology, Seoul, Republic of Korea
| | - Jiwan Woo
- Center for Neuroscience, Brain Science Institute, Korea Institute of Science and Technology, Seoul, Republic of Korea
| | - YoungSoo Kim
- 1] Center for Neuro-Medicine, Brain Science Institute, Korea Institute of Science and Technology, Seoul, Republic of Korea [2] Biological Chemistry Program, Korea University of Science and Technology, Daejeon, Republic of Korea
| |
Collapse
|
36
|
Role of astrocytes in memory and psychiatric disorders. ACTA ACUST UNITED AC 2014; 108:240-51. [PMID: 25169821 DOI: 10.1016/j.jphysparis.2014.08.005] [Citation(s) in RCA: 37] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/01/2014] [Revised: 04/12/2014] [Accepted: 08/18/2014] [Indexed: 01/10/2023]
Abstract
Over the past decade, the traditional description of astrocytes as being merely accessories to brain function has shifted to one in which their role has been pushed into the forefront of importance. Current views suggest that astrocytes:(1) are excitable through calcium fluctuations and respond to neurotransmitters released at synapses; (2) communicate with each other via calcium waves and release their own gliotransmitters which are essential for synaptic plasticity; (3) activate hundreds of synapses at once, thereby synchronizing neuronal activity and activating or inhibiting complete neuronal networks; (4) release vasoactive substances to the smooth muscle surrounding blood vessels enabling the coupling of circulation (blood flow) to local brain activity; and (5) release lactate in an activity-dependent manner in order to supply neuronal metabolic demand. In consequence, the role of astrocytes and astrocytic gliotransmitters is now believed to be critical for higher brain function and recently, evidence begins to gather suggesting that astrocytes are pivotal for learning and memory. All of the above are reviewed here while focusing on the role of astrocytes in memory and psychiatric disorders.
Collapse
|
37
|
Akande MG, Aliu YO, Ambali SF, Ayo JO. Taurine mitigates cognitive impairment induced by chronic co-exposure of male Wistar rats to chlorpyrifos and lead acetate. ENVIRONMENTAL TOXICOLOGY AND PHARMACOLOGY 2014; 37:315-325. [PMID: 24394474 DOI: 10.1016/j.etap.2013.11.023] [Citation(s) in RCA: 19] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/06/2013] [Revised: 10/28/2013] [Accepted: 11/20/2013] [Indexed: 06/03/2023]
Abstract
Organophosphate pesticides and heavy metals are ubiquitous environmental pollutants and neurotoxicants. We investigated the effects of taurine (an antioxidant; TA) on oxidative stress and cognition in male Wistar rats co-treated with chlorpyrifos (an organophosphate pesticide; CPF) and lead acetate (heavy metal; LA). The Wistar rats were divided into 5 groups of 10 rats each. The first two groups were administered with distilled water and soya oil respectively. The remaining three groups were administered with taurine (TA), 50 mg/kg body weight, CPF+LA group [CPF (4.25 mg/kg, 1/20 LD₅₀] and LA (233.25 mg/kg, 1/20 LD₅₀) and TA+CPF+LA group [TA (50 mg/kg), CPF (4.25 mg/kg) and LA (233.25 mg/kg)]. The xenobiotics were administered once daily by oral gavage for 16 weeks. The results showed reductions in the activities of brain antioxidant enzymes and acetylcholinesterase, increased lipoperoxidation and histopathological alterations of the cerebral cortex in the CPF+LA group. However, TA mitigated perturbations in the activities of the antioxidant enzymes and acetylcholinesterase, counteracted oxidative stress and brain lipoperoxidation and attenuated neuronal degeneration induced by joint CPF and LA-induced neurotoxicity. The results suggested that TA is neuroprotective following chronic co-exposure of rats to CPF and LA.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- M G Akande
- Department of Pharmacology and Toxicology, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, University of Abuja, Nigeria.
| | - Y O Aliu
- Department of Physiology and Pharmacology, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Ahmadu Bello University, Zaria, Nigeria.
| | - S F Ambali
- Department of Physiology and Pharmacology, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, University of Ilorin, Ilorin, Nigeria.
| | - J O Ayo
- Department of Physiology and Pharmacology, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Ahmadu Bello University, Zaria, Nigeria.
| |
Collapse
|
38
|
The effects of chronic taurine supplementation on motor learning. ADVANCES IN EXPERIMENTAL MEDICINE AND BIOLOGY 2013; 775:177-85. [PMID: 23392934 DOI: 10.1007/978-1-4614-6130-2_15] [Citation(s) in RCA: 12] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 02/14/2023]
Abstract
Taurine is one of the most abundant nonprotein amino acids shown to be essential for the development, survival, and growth of vertebrate neurons. We previously demonstrated that chronic taurine supplementation during neonatal development results in changes in the GABAergic system (El Idrissi, Neurosci Lett 436:19-22, 2008). The brains of mice chronically treated with taurine have decreased levels of GABA(A)β subunits and increased expression of GAD and GABA, which contributes to hyperexcitability. This down regulation of GABA(A)receptor subunit expression and function may be due to a sustained interaction of taurine with GABA(A)receptors. This desensitization decreases the efficacy of the inhibitory synapses at the postsynaptic membrane. If changes occur in the GABAergic system as a possible compensatory mechanism due to taurine administration, then it is important to study all aspects by which taurine induces hyperexcitability and affects motor behavior. We therefore hypothesized that modification of the GABAergic system in response to taurine supplementation influences motor learning capacity in mice. To test this hypothesis, the rotarod task was employed after chronic taurine supplementation in drinking water (0.05% for 4 weeks). Control animals receiving no taurine supplementation were also tested in order to determine the difference in motor learning ability between groups. Each animal was trained on the rotarod apparatus for 7 days at an intermediate speed of 24 rpm in order to establish baseline performance. On the testing day, each animal was subjected to eight different predefined speeds (5, 8, 15, 20, 24, 31, 33, and 44 rpm). From our observations, the animals that underwent chronic taurine supplementation appeared to have a diminished motor learning capacity in comparison to control animals. The taurine-fed mice displayed minor improvements after repeated training when compared to controls. During the testing session the taurine-fed mice also exhibited a shorter latency to fall, as the task requirements became more demanding.
Collapse
|
39
|
Vitvitsky V, Martinov M, Ataullakhanov F, Miller RA, Banerjee R. Sulfur-based redox alterations in long-lived Snell dwarf mice. Mech Ageing Dev 2013; 134:321-30. [PMID: 23707637 DOI: 10.1016/j.mad.2013.05.004] [Citation(s) in RCA: 25] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/09/2013] [Revised: 03/29/2013] [Accepted: 05/01/2013] [Indexed: 02/08/2023]
Abstract
Changes in sulfur-based redox metabolite profiles in multiple tissues of long-lived Snell dwarf mice were compared with age- and sex-matched controls. Plasma methionine and its oxidation products, hypotaurine and taurine, were increased in Snell dwarfs while cystine and glutathione levels were decreased, leading to an oxidative shift in the redox potential. Sexual dimorphism in renal cystathionine β-synthase (CBS) activity was observed in control mice but not in Snell dwarfs. Instead, female Snell mice exhibited ~2-fold higher CBS activity, comparable to levels seen in male Snell dwarf and in control mice. Taurine levels were significantly higher in kidney and brain of Snell dwarf versus control mice. Methionine adenosyltransferase (MAT) was higher in liver of Snell dwarfs, and the higher concentration of its product, S-adenosylmethionine, was correlated with elevated global DNA methylation status. Application of a mathematical model for methionine metabolism revealed that the metabolite perturbations in Snell dwarfs could be explained by decreased methionine transport, increased MAT and increased methyltransferase activity. Our study provides a comprehensive map of systemic differences in the sulfur network between Snell dwarfs and controls, providing the necessary foundation for assessment of nutrition-linked metabolic status in long-lived versus control animals.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Victor Vitvitsky
- Department of Biological Chemistry, University of Michigan Medical School, Ann Arbor, MI 48109-0600, USA.
| | | | | | | | | |
Collapse
|
40
|
Neuwirth LS, Volpe NP, Idrissi AE. Taurine Effects on Emotional Learning and Memory in Aged Mice: Neurochemical Alterations and Differentiation in Auditory Cued Fear and Context Conditioning. ADVANCES IN EXPERIMENTAL MEDICINE AND BIOLOGY 2013; 775:195-214. [DOI: 10.1007/978-1-4614-6130-2_17] [Citation(s) in RCA: 16] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/20/2023]
|
41
|
Wu G, Matsuwaki T, Tanaka Y, Yamanouchi K, Hu J, Nishihara M. Taurine counteracts the suppressive effect of lipopolysaccharide on neurogenesis in the hippocampus of rats. ADVANCES IN EXPERIMENTAL MEDICINE AND BIOLOGY 2013; 775:111-9. [PMID: 23392928 DOI: 10.1007/978-1-4614-6130-2_9] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/28/2023]
Abstract
Neurogenesis has been generally accepted to happen in the subventricular zone lining the lateral ventricular and subgranular zone (SGZ) in the hippocampus of adult mammalian brain. Recent studies have reported that inflammatory stimuli, such as injection of lipopolysaccharide (LPS), impair neurogenesis in the SGZ. Taurine, a sulfur-containing β-amino acid, is a major free intracellular amino acid in many tissues of mammals and having various supplementary effects on the mammalian body functions including the brain. Recently, it has been also reported that taurine levels in the brain significantly increase under stressful conditions. The present study was aimed to evaluate the possible beneficial effects of taurine on the neurogenesis in the SGZ under the condition of acute inflammatory stimuli by LPS. Adult male rats were intraperitoneally injected with taurine once a day for 39 days. Twenty-four hours before the animals were sacrificed on the last day of taurine treatment, LPS was injected simultaneously with bromodeoxyuridine (BrdU). Immunohistochemistry for BrdU, Ki67, and Iba-1 in the brain was performed, and serum levels of TNF-α and IL-1β 2 h after LPS injection were determined. The results showed that LPS significantly decreased the number of immunoreactive cells for both BrdU and Ki67 in the SGZ, while increased that for Iba-1, all of which were restored by taurine administration. Meanwhile, the serum concentrations of TNF-α and IL-1β were significantly increased, which were significantly attenuated by taurine administration. These results suggest that taurine effectively maintains neurogenesis in the SGZ under the acute infectious condition by attenuating the increase of microgliosis in the hippocampus as well as proinflammatory cytokines in the peripheral circulation.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Gaofeng Wu
- Department of Veterinary Physiology, The University of Tokyo, Bunkyo-ku, Tokyo, Japan
| | | | | | | | | | | |
Collapse
|
42
|
Affiliation(s)
| | - Harris R Lieberman
- Military Nutrition Division; US Army Research Institute of Environmental Medicine (USARIEM); Natick; Massachusetts; USA
| |
Collapse
|
43
|
Wei S, Huang Q, Li J, Liu Z, You H, Chen Y, Gong J. Taurine attenuates liver injury by downregulating phosphorylated p38 MAPK of Kupffer cells in rats with severe acute pancreatitis. Inflammation 2012; 35:690-701. [PMID: 21833764 DOI: 10.1007/s10753-011-9362-0] [Citation(s) in RCA: 25] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/15/2022]
Abstract
This study was undertaken to clarify the effects of taurine on liver injury in rats with severe acute pancreatitis (SAP). Rats were randomly assigned to three groups: a sham operation (SO), a SAP (established by infusion of 5% taurocholate), and a SAP given taurine (Taur). At 12 and 24 h post-operation, taurine pretreatment significantly attenuated hepatic tissue injury induced by SAP, and concurrently, serum alanine aminotransferase, aspartate transaminase, and amylase levels were significantly reduced by taurine pretreatment. Compared with the SO group, the total and phosphorylated p38 mitogen-activated protein kinase (p38 MAPK) expression and nuclear factor-κB (NF-κB) activity of Kupffer cells (KCs) were significantly higher in the SAP group, but taurine pretreatment inhibited the total and phosphorylated p38 MAPK expression and NF-κB activity of KCs in the SAP group. The increase of tumor necrosis factor-α and interleukin-lβ in cultured supernate of the SAP rat-derived KCs was also significantly inhibited by taurine pretreatment. These results suggest that taurine pretreatment ameliorated liver injury in rats with SAP mainly by inhibiting phosphorylated p38 MAPK and NF-κB activity in KCs, which may play an important role in liver injury.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Sidong Wei
- Chongqing Key Laboratory of Hepatobiliary Surgery and Department of Hepatobiliary Surgery, Second Affiliated Hospital, Chongqing Medical University, 74 Linjiang Road, Chongqing 400010, China
| | | | | | | | | | | | | |
Collapse
|
44
|
Ito K, Arko M, Kawaguchi T, Kikusui T, Kuwahara M, Tsubone H. Intracerebroventricular administration of taurine impairs learning and memory in rats. Nutr Neurosci 2012; 15:70-7. [PMID: 22334283 DOI: 10.1179/1476830511y.0000000036] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 10/31/2022]
Abstract
OBJECTIVES Taurine is a semi-essential amino acid widely distributed in the body and we take in it from a wide range of nutritive-tonic drinks to improve health. To date, we have elucidated that oral supplementation of taurine does not affect learning and memory in the rat. However, there are few studies concerning the direct effects of taurine in the brain at the behavior level. In this study, we intracerebroventricularly administered taurine to rats and aimed to elucidate the acute effects on learning and memory using the Morris water maze method. METHODS Escape latency, swim distance, and distance to zone, which is the integral of the distance between the rats and the platform for every 0.16 seconds, were adopted as parameters of the ability of learning and memory. We also tried to evaluate the effect of intraperitoneal taurine administration. RESULTS Escape latency, swim distance, and distance to zone were significantly longer in the intracerebroventricularly taurine-administered rats than in the saline-administered rats. Mean swimming velocity was comparable between these two groups, although the physical performance was improved by taurine administration. Probe trials showed that the manner of the rats in finding the platform was comparable. In contrast, no significant differences were found between the intraperitoneally taurine-administered rats and the saline-administered rats. DISCUSSION These results indicate that taurine administered directly into the brain ventricle suppresses and delays the ability of learning and memory in rats. In contrast, it is implied that taurine administered peripherally was not involved in learning and memory.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Koichi Ito
- Graduate School of Agricultural and Life Sciences, The University of Tokyo, Bunkyo-ku, Tokyo 113-8657, Japan
| | | | | | | | | | | |
Collapse
|
45
|
Increased transsulfuration mediates longevity and dietary restriction in Drosophila. Proc Natl Acad Sci U S A 2011; 108:16831-6. [PMID: 21930912 DOI: 10.1073/pnas.1102008108] [Citation(s) in RCA: 106] [Impact Index Per Article: 8.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/16/2022] Open
Abstract
The mechanisms through which dietary restriction enhances health and longevity in diverse species are unclear. The transsulfuration pathway (TSP) is a highly conserved mechanism for metabolizing the sulfur-containing amino acids, methionine and cysteine. Here we show that Drosophila cystathionine β-synthase (dCBS), which catalyzes the rate-determining step in the TSP, is a positive regulator of lifespan in Drosophila and that the pathway is required for the effects of diet restriction on animal physiology and lifespan. dCBS activity was up-regulated in flies exposed to reduced nutrient conditions, and ubiquitous or neuron-specific transgenic overexpression of dCBS enhanced longevity in fully fed animals. Inhibition of the TSP abrogated the changes in lifespan, adiposity, and protein content that normally accompany diet restriction. RNAi-mediated knockdown of dCBS also limited lifespan extension by diet. Diet restriction reduced levels of protein translation in Drosophila, and we show that this is largely caused by increased metabolic commitment of methionine cycle intermediates to transsulfuration. However, dietary supplementation of methionine restored normal levels of protein synthesis to restricted animals without affecting lifespan, indicating that global reductions in translation alone are not required for diet-restriction longevity. Our results indicate a mechanism by which dietary restriction influences physiology and aging.
Collapse
|
46
|
Yang H, Pang W, Lu H, Cheng D, Yan X, Cheng Y, Jiang Y. Comparison of metabolic profiling of cyanidin-3-O-galactoside and extracts from blueberry in aged mice. JOURNAL OF AGRICULTURAL AND FOOD CHEMISTRY 2011; 59:2069-76. [PMID: 21302942 DOI: 10.1021/jf1033619] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 05/11/2023]
Abstract
The metabonomics changes of plasma and brain tissue after dietary supplementation with blueberry extracts (BBE) and cyanidin-3-O-galactoside from blueberry (BBM) in aged mice were investigated by (1)H NMR technique. The mice received intragastric administration of BBE (200 mg/kg/day), BBM (50 mg/kg/day), and saline water (0.9%) for 6 weeks, respectively, in the BBE, BBM, and control groups. At the end of the experiment, plasma and brain samples were collected for NMR analysis. The results demonstrated that the level of choline in plasma from BBE and BBM groups were obviously elevated relative to the control group, whereas the levels of lactate and phosphocholine in plasma were remarkably reduced. Compared with those in the control group, the levels of choline and GABA in the brain from the BBE group were obviously increased, whereas glutamate and phosphocholine in the BBE group were significantly decreased. The level of taurine in the brain from the BBM group was particularly higher than that in the control group. These results indicated supplementation with BBE or BBM might induce similar changes of endogenous plasma and brain metabolic profiles in aged mice.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Hongpeng Yang
- Department of Nutrition and Food Science, Institute of Health and Environmental Medicine of Academy of Military Medical Sciences , 1 Dali Road, Tianjin 300050, China
| | | | | | | | | | | | | |
Collapse
|
47
|
Ali EHA, Arafa NMS. Comparative protective action of curcumin, memantine and diclofenac against scopolamine-induced memory dysfunction. Fitoterapia 2011; 82:601-8. [PMID: 21277954 DOI: 10.1016/j.fitote.2011.01.016] [Citation(s) in RCA: 23] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/09/2010] [Revised: 01/19/2011] [Accepted: 01/19/2011] [Indexed: 11/18/2022]
Abstract
The comparative preventive effect of curcumin, memantine, and diclofenac on scopolamine-induced memory dysfunction was investigated in a controlled study. A group of male and female rats was treated with one of these compounds for 15 days, after which a single dosage of scopolamine was administered. The preventive activity of curcumin on memory dysfunction was higher than that of diclofenac or memantine, that was, however, administered at lower dosages. Gender differences were observed.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Elham H A Ali
- Zoology Department, Women College, for Arts, Science and Education, Ain Shams University, Cairo, Egypt.
| | | |
Collapse
|
48
|
Fujiwara H, Zheng M, Miyamoto A, Hoshino O. Insufficient augmentation of ambient GABA responsible for age-related cognitive deficit. Cogn Process 2010; 12:151-9. [PMID: 21046192 DOI: 10.1007/s10339-010-0375-7] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/02/2010] [Accepted: 10/12/2010] [Indexed: 09/29/2022]
Abstract
Age-related degeneration of intracortical inhibition could underlie declines in cognitive function during senescence. Based on a hypothesis that a decrease in basal concentration of ambient (extrasynaptic) GABA with aging leads to depressing intracortical inhibition, we investigated how the basal concentration affects stimulus-evoked activity (as signal), ongoing-spontaneous activity (as noise) of neurons and their (signal-to-noise) ratio S/N. We simulated a neural network model equipped with a GABA transport system that regulates ambient GABA concentration in a neuronal activity-dependent manner. An increase in basal concentration augmented ambient GABA, increased GABA-mediated inhibitory current, and depressed ongoing-spontaneous activity while still keeping stimulus-evoked activity. This led to S/N improvement, for which it was necessary for the reversal potential of GABA transporter to be close to the resting potential of neurons. Above the resting potential, ongoing-spontaneous activity was predominantly enhanced due to excessive GABA-uptake from the extracellular space by transporters. Below the resting potential, stimulus-evoked activity was predominantly depressed, caused by excessive GABA-release. We suggest that the insufficient augmentation of ambient GABA due to a decrease in its basal concentration may be one of the possible causes of cognitive deficit with aging, increasing ongoing-spontaneous neuronal activity as noise. GABA transporter may contribute to improving S/N, provided that its reversal potential is close to the resting potential.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Hideyuki Fujiwara
- Department of Intelligent Systems Engineering, Ibaraki University, 4-12-1 Nakanarusawa, Hitachi, Ibaraki 316-8511, Japan
| | | | | | | |
Collapse
|
49
|
Luna-Munguía H, Meneses A, Peña-Ortega F, Gaona A, Rocha L. Effects of hippocampal high-frequency electrical stimulation in memory formation and their association with amino acid tissue content and release in normal rats. Hippocampus 2010; 22:98-105. [DOI: 10.1002/hipo.20868] [Citation(s) in RCA: 20] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Accepted: 07/01/2010] [Indexed: 11/07/2022]
|
50
|
Brozoski TJ, Caspary DM, Bauer CA, Richardson BD. The effect of supplemental dietary taurine on tinnitus and auditory discrimination in an animal model. Hear Res 2010; 270:71-80. [PMID: 20868734 DOI: 10.1016/j.heares.2010.09.006] [Citation(s) in RCA: 23] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/11/2010] [Revised: 09/08/2010] [Accepted: 09/14/2010] [Indexed: 10/19/2022]
Abstract
Loss of central inhibition has been hypothesized to underpin tinnitus and impact auditory acuity. Taurine, a partial agonist at inhibitory glycine and γ-amino butyric acid receptors, was added to the daily diet of rats to examine its effects on chronic tinnitus and normal auditory discrimination. Eight rats were unilaterally exposed once to a loud sound to induce tinnitus. The rats were trained and tested in an operant task shown to be sensitive to tinnitus. An equivalent unexposed control group was run in parallel. Months after exposure, 6 of the exposed rats showed significant evidence of chronic tinnitus. Two concentrations of taurine in drinking water were given over several weeks (attaining average daily doses of 67 mg/kg and 294 mg/kg). Water consumption was unaffected. Three main effects were obtained: (1) The high taurine dose significantly attenuated tinnitus, which returned to near pre-treatment levels following washout. (2) Auditory discrimination was significantly improved in unexposed control rats at both doses. (3) As indicated by lever pressing, taurine at both doses had a significant group-equivalent stimulant effect. These results are consistent with the hypothesis that taurine attenuates tinnitus and improves auditory discrimination by increasing inhibitory tone and decreasing noise in the auditory pathway.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Thomas J Brozoski
- Division of Otolaryngology, Head and Neck Surgery, Southern Illinois University School of Medicine, Springfield, IL 62794, USA.
| | | | | | | |
Collapse
|