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Saha P, Panda S, Holkar A, Vashishth R, Rana SS, Arumugam M, Ashraf GM, Haque S, Ahmad F. Neuroprotection by agmatine: Possible involvement of the gut microbiome? Ageing Res Rev 2023; 91:102056. [PMID: 37673131 DOI: 10.1016/j.arr.2023.102056] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/05/2023] [Revised: 08/09/2023] [Accepted: 08/31/2023] [Indexed: 09/08/2023]
Abstract
Agmatine, an endogenous polyamine derived from L-arginine, elicits tremendous multimodal neuromodulant properties. Alterations in agmatinergic signalling are closely linked to the pathogeneses of several brain disorders. Importantly, exogenous agmatine has been shown to act as a potent neuroprotectant in varied pathologies, including brain ageing and associated comorbidities. The antioxidant, anxiolytic, analgesic, antidepressant and memory-enhancing activities of agmatine may derive from its ability to regulate several cellular pathways; including cell metabolism, survival and differentiation, nitric oxide signalling, protein translation, oxidative homeostasis and neurotransmitter signalling. This review briefly discusses mammalian metabolism of agmatine and then proceeds to summarize our current understanding of neuromodulation and neuroprotection mediated by agmatine. Further, the emerging exciting bidirectional links between agmatine and the resident gut microbiome and their implications for brain pathophysiology and ageing are also discussed.
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Affiliation(s)
- Priyanka Saha
- Department of Biotechnology, School of Bio Sciences and Technology, Vellore Institute of Technology, Vellore, India
| | - Subhrajita Panda
- Department of Biotechnology, School of Bio Sciences and Technology, Vellore Institute of Technology, Vellore, India
| | - Aayusha Holkar
- Department of Integrative Biology, School of Bio Sciences and Technology, Vellore Institute of Technology, Vellore, India
| | - Rahul Vashishth
- Department of Biosciences, School of Bio Sciences and Technology, Vellore Institute of Technology, Vellore, India
| | - Sandeep Singh Rana
- Department of Biosciences, School of Bio Sciences and Technology, Vellore Institute of Technology, Vellore, India
| | - Mohanapriya Arumugam
- Department of Biotechnology, School of Bio Sciences and Technology, Vellore Institute of Technology, Vellore, India
| | - Ghulam Md Ashraf
- University of Sharjah, College of Health Sciences, and Research Institute for Medical and Health Sciences, Department of Medical Laboratory Sciences, Sharjah 27272, United Arab Emirates.
| | - Shafiul Haque
- Research and Scientific Studies Unit, College of Nursing and Allied Health Sciences, Jazan University, Jazan 45142, Saudi Arabia; Gilbert and Rose-Marie Chagoury School of Medicine, Lebanese American University, Beirut, Lebanon; Centre of Medical and Bio-Allied Health Sciences Research, Ajman University, Ajman, United Arab Emirates
| | - Faraz Ahmad
- Department of Biotechnology, School of Bio Sciences and Technology, Vellore Institute of Technology, Vellore, India.
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Tao Q, Zhang ZD, Lu XR, Qin Z, Liu XW, Li SH, Bai LX, Ge BW, Li JY, Yang YJ. Multi-omics reveals aspirin eugenol ester alleviates neurological disease. Biomed Pharmacother 2023; 166:115311. [PMID: 37572635 DOI: 10.1016/j.biopha.2023.115311] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/19/2023] [Revised: 08/06/2023] [Accepted: 08/07/2023] [Indexed: 08/14/2023] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Exosomes play an essential role in maintaining normal brain function due to their ability to cross the blood-brain barrier. Aspirin eugenol ester (AEE) is a new medicinal compound synthesized by the esterification of aspirin with eugenol using the prodrug principle. Aspirin has been reported to have neuroprotective effects and may be effective against neurodegenerative diseases. PURPOSE This study wanted to investigate how AEE affected neurological diseases in vivo and in vitro. EXPERIMENTAL APPROACH A multi-omics approach was used to explore the effects of AEE on the nervous system. Gene and protein expression changes of BDNF and NEFM in SY5Y cells after AEE treatment were detected using RT-qPCR and Western Blot. KEY RESULTS The multi-omics results showed that AEE could regulate neuronal synapses, neuronal axons, neuronal migration, and neuropeptide signaling by affecting transport, inflammatory response, and regulating apoptosis. Exosomes secreted by AEE-treated Caco-2 cells could promote the growth of neurofilaments in SY5Y cells and increased the expression of BDNF and NEFM proteins in SY5Y cells. miRNAs in the exosomes of AEE-treated Caco-2 cells may play an important role in the activation of SY5Y neuronal cells. CONCLUSIONS In conclusion, AEE could play positive effects on neurological-related diseases.
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Affiliation(s)
- Qi Tao
- Key Lab of New Animal Drug Project of Gansu Province, Key Lab of Veterinary Pharmaceutical Development of Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Affairs, Lanzhou Institute of Husbandry and Pharmaceutical Sciences of CAAS, Lanzhou 730050, China
| | - Zhen-Dong Zhang
- Key Lab of New Animal Drug Project of Gansu Province, Key Lab of Veterinary Pharmaceutical Development of Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Affairs, Lanzhou Institute of Husbandry and Pharmaceutical Sciences of CAAS, Lanzhou 730050, China
| | - Xiao-Rong Lu
- Key Lab of New Animal Drug Project of Gansu Province, Key Lab of Veterinary Pharmaceutical Development of Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Affairs, Lanzhou Institute of Husbandry and Pharmaceutical Sciences of CAAS, Lanzhou 730050, China
| | - Zhe Qin
- Key Lab of New Animal Drug Project of Gansu Province, Key Lab of Veterinary Pharmaceutical Development of Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Affairs, Lanzhou Institute of Husbandry and Pharmaceutical Sciences of CAAS, Lanzhou 730050, China
| | - Xi-Wang Liu
- Key Lab of New Animal Drug Project of Gansu Province, Key Lab of Veterinary Pharmaceutical Development of Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Affairs, Lanzhou Institute of Husbandry and Pharmaceutical Sciences of CAAS, Lanzhou 730050, China
| | - Shi-Hong Li
- Key Lab of New Animal Drug Project of Gansu Province, Key Lab of Veterinary Pharmaceutical Development of Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Affairs, Lanzhou Institute of Husbandry and Pharmaceutical Sciences of CAAS, Lanzhou 730050, China
| | - Li-Xia Bai
- Key Lab of New Animal Drug Project of Gansu Province, Key Lab of Veterinary Pharmaceutical Development of Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Affairs, Lanzhou Institute of Husbandry and Pharmaceutical Sciences of CAAS, Lanzhou 730050, China
| | - Bo-Wen Ge
- Key Lab of New Animal Drug Project of Gansu Province, Key Lab of Veterinary Pharmaceutical Development of Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Affairs, Lanzhou Institute of Husbandry and Pharmaceutical Sciences of CAAS, Lanzhou 730050, China
| | - Jian-Yong Li
- Key Lab of New Animal Drug Project of Gansu Province, Key Lab of Veterinary Pharmaceutical Development of Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Affairs, Lanzhou Institute of Husbandry and Pharmaceutical Sciences of CAAS, Lanzhou 730050, China.
| | - Ya-Jun Yang
- Key Lab of New Animal Drug Project of Gansu Province, Key Lab of Veterinary Pharmaceutical Development of Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Affairs, Lanzhou Institute of Husbandry and Pharmaceutical Sciences of CAAS, Lanzhou 730050, China.
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Yang X, Zhang X, Shu X, Gong J, Yang J, Li B, Lin J, Chai Y, Liu J. The effects of polyethylene microplastics on the growth, reproduction, metabolic enzymes, and metabolomics of earthworms Eisenia fetida. ECOTOXICOLOGY AND ENVIRONMENTAL SAFETY 2023; 263:115390. [PMID: 37619398 DOI: 10.1016/j.ecoenv.2023.115390] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/27/2023] [Revised: 08/11/2023] [Accepted: 08/17/2023] [Indexed: 08/26/2023]
Abstract
The existing data regarding the effects of polyethylene (PE) microplastics (MPs) smaller than 5 mm in size on earthworms are insufficient to fully comprehend their toxicity. In this study, earthworms Eisenia fetida were exposed to artificially added PE at a concentration ranging from 0.05 to 20 g/kg soil (0.005%-2%) for 60 days to determine the concentration range causing negative effects on earthworms and to uncover the potential toxic mechanisms. The individual growth, reproduction, and metabolic enzyme activities, including phase I enzymes (cytochrome P450 [CYP] 1A2, 2B6, 2C9, and 3A4), and phase II metabolic enzymes (superoxide dismutase (SOD), catalase (CAT), and glutathione sulfotransferase (GST)), and metabolomics were measured. The observed variations in responses of multiple cross-scale endpoints indicated that individual indices are less responsive to PE MPs than metabolic enzymes or metabolomics. Despite the absence of significant alterations in growth inhibition based on body weight, PE MPs at concentrations equal to or exceeding 2.5 g/kg were found to exert a toxic effect on earthworms, which was evidenced by significant changes in metabolic enzyme activities (CYP1A2, 2B6, 2C9, and 3A4, SOD, CAT, and GST) and important small molecule metabolites screened based on metabolomics, likely due to the bioaccumulation of PE. The toxicity of PE MPs to earthworms is inferred to be associated with neurotoxicity, oxidative damage, decreased detoxification capacity, energy metabolism imbalance, and impaired amino acid and purine metabolism due to bioaccumulation. The findings of this study will enhance our understanding of the molecular toxicity mechanisms of PE MPs and contribute to a more accurate assessment of the ecological risks posed by PE MPs in soil.
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Affiliation(s)
- Xiaoxia Yang
- Institute of Agricultural Quality Standard and Testing Technology, Chongqing Academy of Agricultural Sciences, Chongqing 401329, People's Republic of China.
| | - Xuemei Zhang
- Institute of Agricultural Quality Standard and Testing Technology, Chongqing Academy of Agricultural Sciences, Chongqing 401329, People's Republic of China
| | - Xiao Shu
- Institute of Agricultural Quality Standard and Testing Technology, Chongqing Academy of Agricultural Sciences, Chongqing 401329, People's Republic of China
| | - Jiuping Gong
- Institute of Agricultural Quality Standard and Testing Technology, Chongqing Academy of Agricultural Sciences, Chongqing 401329, People's Republic of China
| | - Junying Yang
- Institute of Agricultural Quality Standard and Testing Technology, Chongqing Academy of Agricultural Sciences, Chongqing 401329, People's Republic of China
| | - Biquan Li
- Institute of Agricultural Quality Standard and Testing Technology, Chongqing Academy of Agricultural Sciences, Chongqing 401329, People's Republic of China
| | - Junjie Lin
- Key Laboratory of Water, Environment, Evolution and Pollution Control in Three Gorges Reservoir, Chongqing Three Gorges University, Chongqing 404100, People's Republic of China
| | - Yong Chai
- Institute of Agricultural Quality Standard and Testing Technology, Chongqing Academy of Agricultural Sciences, Chongqing 401329, People's Republic of China
| | - Jianfei Liu
- Institute of Agricultural Quality Standard and Testing Technology, Chongqing Academy of Agricultural Sciences, Chongqing 401329, People's Republic of China
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Cieślik P, Siekierzycka A, Radulska A, Płoska A, Burnat G, Brański P, Kalinowski L, Wierońska JM. Nitric Oxide-Dependent Mechanisms Underlying MK-801- or Scopolamine-Induced Memory Dysfunction in Animals: Mechanistic Studies. Int J Mol Sci 2021; 22:ijms222212282. [PMID: 34830164 PMCID: PMC8624219 DOI: 10.3390/ijms222212282] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/16/2021] [Revised: 11/08/2021] [Accepted: 11/09/2021] [Indexed: 12/14/2022] Open
Abstract
MK-801, an NMDA receptor antagonist, and scopolamine, a cholinergic receptor blocker, are widely used as tool compounds to induce learning and memory deficits in animal models to study schizophrenia or Alzheimer-type dementia (AD), respectively. Memory impairments are observed after either acute or chronic administration of either compound. The present experiments were performed to study the nitric oxide (NO)-related mechanisms underlying memory dysfunction induced by acute or chronic (14 days) administration of MK-801 (0.3 mg/kg, i.p.) or scopolamine (1 mg/kg, i.p.). The levels of L-arginine and its derivatives, L-citrulline, L-glutamate, L-glutamine and L-ornithine, were measured. The expression of constitutive nitric oxide synthases (cNOS), dimethylaminohydrolase (DDAH1) and protein arginine N-methyltransferases (PMRTs) 1 and 5 was evaluated, and the impact of the studied tool compounds on cGMP production and NMDA receptors was measured. The studies were performed in both the cortex and hippocampus of mice. S-nitrosylation of selected proteins, such as GLT-1, APP and tau, was also investigated. Our results indicate that the availability of L-arginine decreased after chronic administration of MK-801 or scopolamine, as both the amino acid itself as well as its level in proportion to its derivatives (SDMA and NMMA) were decreased. Additionally, among all three methylamines, SDMA was the most abundant in the brain (~70%). Administration of either compound impaired eNOS-derived NO production, increasing the monomer levels, and had no significant impact on nNOS. Both compounds elevated DDAH1 expression, and slight decreases in PMRT1 and PMRT5 in the cortex after scopolamine (acute) and MK-801 (chronic) administration were observed in the PFC, respectively. Administration of MK-801 induced a decrease in the cGMP level in the hippocampus, accompanied by decreased NMDA expression, while increased cGMP production and decreased NMDA receptor expression were observed after scopolamine administration. Chronic MK-801 and scopolamine administration affected S-nitrosylation of GLT-1 transport protein. Our results indicate that the analyzed tool compounds used in pharmacological models of schizophrenia or AD induce changes in NO-related pathways in the brain structures involved in cognition. To some extent, the changes resemble those observed in human samples.
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Affiliation(s)
- Paulina Cieślik
- Department of Neurobiology, Maj Institute of Pharmacology, Polish Academy of Sciences, 12 Smętna Street, 31-343 Kraków, Poland; (P.C.); (A.S.); (G.B.); (P.B.)
| | - Anna Siekierzycka
- Department of Neurobiology, Maj Institute of Pharmacology, Polish Academy of Sciences, 12 Smętna Street, 31-343 Kraków, Poland; (P.C.); (A.S.); (G.B.); (P.B.)
- Department of Medical Laboratory Diagnostics—Fahrenheit Biobank BBMRI.pl, Medical University of Gdańsk, 7 Dębinki Street, 80-211 Gdańsk, Poland; (A.R.); (A.P.)
| | - Adrianna Radulska
- Department of Medical Laboratory Diagnostics—Fahrenheit Biobank BBMRI.pl, Medical University of Gdańsk, 7 Dębinki Street, 80-211 Gdańsk, Poland; (A.R.); (A.P.)
- Biobanking and Biomoleclular Resources Research Infrastructure Consortium Poland (BBMRI.pl), 7 Dębinki Street, 80-211 Gdańsk, Poland
| | - Agata Płoska
- Department of Medical Laboratory Diagnostics—Fahrenheit Biobank BBMRI.pl, Medical University of Gdańsk, 7 Dębinki Street, 80-211 Gdańsk, Poland; (A.R.); (A.P.)
- Biobanking and Biomoleclular Resources Research Infrastructure Consortium Poland (BBMRI.pl), 7 Dębinki Street, 80-211 Gdańsk, Poland
| | - Grzegorz Burnat
- Department of Neurobiology, Maj Institute of Pharmacology, Polish Academy of Sciences, 12 Smętna Street, 31-343 Kraków, Poland; (P.C.); (A.S.); (G.B.); (P.B.)
| | - Piotr Brański
- Department of Neurobiology, Maj Institute of Pharmacology, Polish Academy of Sciences, 12 Smętna Street, 31-343 Kraków, Poland; (P.C.); (A.S.); (G.B.); (P.B.)
| | - Leszek Kalinowski
- Department of Medical Laboratory Diagnostics—Fahrenheit Biobank BBMRI.pl, Medical University of Gdańsk, 7 Dębinki Street, 80-211 Gdańsk, Poland; (A.R.); (A.P.)
- Biobanking and Biomoleclular Resources Research Infrastructure Consortium Poland (BBMRI.pl), 7 Dębinki Street, 80-211 Gdańsk, Poland
- BioTechMed Centre, Department of Mechanics of Materials and Structures, University of Technology, 11/12 Narutowicza, 80-233 Gdańsk, Poland
- Correspondence: (L.K.); (J.M.W.); Tel.: +48-58-349-27-91 (L.K.); +48-12-662-32-88 (J.M.W.)
| | - Joanna M. Wierońska
- Department of Neurobiology, Maj Institute of Pharmacology, Polish Academy of Sciences, 12 Smętna Street, 31-343 Kraków, Poland; (P.C.); (A.S.); (G.B.); (P.B.)
- Correspondence: (L.K.); (J.M.W.); Tel.: +48-58-349-27-91 (L.K.); +48-12-662-32-88 (J.M.W.)
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Palomero-Gallagher N, Kedo O, Mohlberg H, Zilles K, Amunts K. Multimodal mapping and analysis of the cyto- and receptorarchitecture of the human hippocampus. Brain Struct Funct 2020; 225:881-907. [PMID: 31955294 PMCID: PMC7166210 DOI: 10.1007/s00429-019-02022-4] [Citation(s) in RCA: 33] [Impact Index Per Article: 8.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/19/2019] [Accepted: 12/26/2019] [Indexed: 12/29/2022]
Abstract
The human hippocampal formation is relevant for various aspects of memory and learning, and the different hippocampal regions are differentially affected by neuropsychiatric disorders. Therefore, the hippocampal formation has been subject of numerous cytoarchitectonic and other mapping studies, which resulted in divergent parcellation schemes. To understand the principles of hippocampal architecture, it is necessary to integrate different levels of hippocampal organisation, going beyond one modality. We here applied a multimodal mapping approach combining cyto- and multi-receptorarchitectonic analyses, and generated probabilistic maps in stereotaxic space of the identified regions. Cytoarchitecture in combination with the regional and laminar distribution of 15 neurotransmitter receptors visualized by in vitro receptor autoradiography were analysed in seven hemispheres from 6 unfixed shock frozen and serially sectioned brains. Cytoarchitectonic delineations for generation of probabilistic maps were carried out on histological sections from ten fixed, paraffin embedded and serially sectioned brains. Nine cyto- and receptorarchitectonically distinct regions were identified within the hippocampal formation (i.e., fascia dentata, cornu Ammonis (CA) regions 1-4, prosubiculum, subiculum proper, presubiculum and parasubiculum), as well as the hippocampal-amygdaloid transition area and the periallocortical transsubiculum. Subsequently generated probabilistic maps quantify intersubject variability in the size and extent of these cyto- and receptorarchitectonically distinct regions. The regions did not differ in their volume between the hemispheres and gender. Receptor mapping revealed additional subdivisions which could not be detected by cytoarchitectonic analysis alone. They correspond to parcellations previously found in immunohistochemical and connectivity studies. The multimodal approach enabled the definition of regions not consistently reported, e.g., CA4 region or prosubiculum. The ensuing detailed probabilistic maps of the hippocampal formation constitute the basis for future architectonically informed analyses of in vivo neuroimaging studies.
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Affiliation(s)
- Nicola Palomero-Gallagher
- Institute of Neuroscience and Medicine (INM-1), Research Centre Jülich, 52425, Jülich, Germany.
- Department of Psychiatry, Psychotherapy and Psychosomatics, Medical Faculty, RWTH Aachen University, Aachen, Germany.
- C. & O. Vogt Institute for Brain Research, Heinrich-Heine-University, 40225, Düsseldorf, Germany.
| | - Olga Kedo
- Institute of Neuroscience and Medicine (INM-1), Research Centre Jülich, 52425, Jülich, Germany
| | - Hartmut Mohlberg
- Institute of Neuroscience and Medicine (INM-1), Research Centre Jülich, 52425, Jülich, Germany
| | - Karl Zilles
- Institute of Neuroscience and Medicine (INM-1), Research Centre Jülich, 52425, Jülich, Germany
- JARA-BRAIN, Jülich-Aachen Research Alliance, Jülich, Germany
| | - Katrin Amunts
- Institute of Neuroscience and Medicine (INM-1), Research Centre Jülich, 52425, Jülich, Germany
- C. & O. Vogt Institute for Brain Research, Heinrich-Heine-University, 40225, Düsseldorf, Germany
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6
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Cellular and Molecular Differences Between Area CA1 and the Dentate Gyrus of the Hippocampus. Mol Neurobiol 2019; 56:6566-6580. [PMID: 30874972 DOI: 10.1007/s12035-019-1541-2] [Citation(s) in RCA: 31] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/15/2018] [Accepted: 02/27/2019] [Indexed: 12/16/2022]
Abstract
A distinct feature of the hippocampus of the brain is its unidirectional tri-synaptic pathway originating from the entorhinal cortex and projecting to the dentate gyrus (DG) then to area CA3 and subsequently, area CA1 of the Ammon's horn. Each of these areas of the hippocampus has its own cellular structure and distinctive function. The principal neurons in these areas are granule cells in the DG and pyramidal cells in the Ammon's horn's CA1 and CA3 areas with a vast network of interneurons. This review discusses the fundamental differences between the CA1 and DG areas regarding cell morphology, synaptic plasticity, signaling molecules, ability for neurogenesis, vulnerability to various insults and pathologies, and response to pharmacological agents.
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Hariharan A, Jing Y, Collie ND, Zhang H, Liu P. Altered neurovascular coupling and brain arginine metabolism in endothelial nitric oxide synthase deficient mice. Nitric Oxide 2019; 87:60-72. [PMID: 30877024 DOI: 10.1016/j.niox.2019.03.006] [Citation(s) in RCA: 17] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/21/2018] [Revised: 03/06/2019] [Accepted: 03/10/2019] [Indexed: 12/23/2022]
Abstract
Nitric oxide (NO) produced by endothelial NO synthase (eNOS) is a key regulator of cerebral blood flow (CBF) dynamics. Mice with eNOS deficiency (eNOS-/-) display age-related increases in amyloid beta in the brain and memory deficits, implicating eNOS dysfunction in the neuropathogenesis and/or development of Alzheimer's disease (AD). The present study systematically investigated behavioural, CBF and brain arginine metabolic profile changes in male and female wildtype (WT) and eNOS-/- mice at 14 months of age. eNOS-/- mice displayed altered behaviour in the Y-maze and open field tests. A real-time microcirculation imager revealed a significant sex difference in the basal CBF and significantly increased perfusion response to whisker stimulations in the Barrel cortex in both male and female eNOS-/- mice relative to their sex-matched WT controls. The treatment of 7-nitroindazole blocked the increased perfusion response to whisker stimulations in eNOS-/- mice. Neurochemically, the most intriguing changes were markedly reduced glutamine levels in both male and female eNOS-/- mice in the frontal cortex, hippocampus, parahippocampal region and cerebellum. These findings demonstrate altered behavioural function, neurovascular coupling and brain arginine metabolism (glutamine in particular) under the condition of eNOS deficiency, which further supports the role of eNOS dysfunction in the AD neuropathogenesis.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ashwini Hariharan
- Department of Anatomy, School of Biomedical Sciences, Brain Health Research Centre, University of Otago, Brain Research New Zealand, New Zealand
| | - Yu Jing
- Department of Anatomy, School of Biomedical Sciences, Brain Health Research Centre, University of Otago, Brain Research New Zealand, New Zealand
| | - Nicola D Collie
- Department of Anatomy, School of Biomedical Sciences, Brain Health Research Centre, University of Otago, Brain Research New Zealand, New Zealand
| | - Hu Zhang
- School of Pharmacy, Brain Health Research Centre, University of Otago, Brain Research New Zealand, New Zealand
| | - Ping Liu
- Department of Anatomy, School of Biomedical Sciences, Brain Health Research Centre, University of Otago, Brain Research New Zealand, New Zealand.
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8
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Bergin DH, Jing Y, Mockett BG, Zhang H, Abraham WC, Liu P. Altered plasma arginine metabolome precedes behavioural and brain arginine metabolomic profile changes in the APPswe/PS1ΔE9 mouse model of Alzheimer's disease. Transl Psychiatry 2018; 8:108. [PMID: 29802260 PMCID: PMC5970225 DOI: 10.1038/s41398-018-0149-z] [Citation(s) in RCA: 33] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/03/2017] [Revised: 02/21/2018] [Accepted: 04/04/2018] [Indexed: 11/09/2022] Open
Abstract
While amyloid-beta (Aβ) peptides play a central role in the development of Alzheimer's disease (AD), recent evidence also implicates altered metabolism of L-arginine in the pathogenesis of AD. The present study systematically investigated how behavioural function and the brain and plasma arginine metabolic profiles changed in a chronic Aβ accumulation model using male APPswe/PS1ΔE9 transgenic (Tg) mice at 7 and 13 months of age. As compared to their wild-type (WT) littermates, Tg mice displayed age-related deficits in spatial water maze tasks and alterations in brain arginine metabolism. Interestingly, the plasma arginine metabolic profile was markedly altered in 7-month Tg mice prior to major behavioural impairment. Receiver operating characteristic curve analysis revealed that plasma putrescine and spermine significantly differentiated between Tg and WT mice. These results demonstrate the parallel development of altered brain arginine metabolism and behavioural deficits in Tg mice. The altered plasma arginine metabolic profile that preceded the behavioural and brain profile changes suggests that there may be merit in an arginine-centric set of ante-mortem biomarkers for AD.
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Affiliation(s)
- D H Bergin
- Department of Anatomy, University of Otago, Dunedin, New Zealand
- School of Pharmacy, University of Otago, Dunedin, New Zealand
- Brain Research New Zealand and Brain Health Research Centre, University of Otago, Dunedin, New Zealand
| | - Y Jing
- Department of Anatomy, University of Otago, Dunedin, New Zealand
- Brain Research New Zealand and Brain Health Research Centre, University of Otago, Dunedin, New Zealand
| | - B G Mockett
- Brain Research New Zealand and Brain Health Research Centre, University of Otago, Dunedin, New Zealand
- Department of Psychology, University of Otago, Dunedin, New Zealand
| | - H Zhang
- School of Pharmacy, University of Otago, Dunedin, New Zealand
- Brain Research New Zealand and Brain Health Research Centre, University of Otago, Dunedin, New Zealand
| | - W C Abraham
- Brain Research New Zealand and Brain Health Research Centre, University of Otago, Dunedin, New Zealand
- Department of Psychology, University of Otago, Dunedin, New Zealand
| | - P Liu
- Department of Anatomy, University of Otago, Dunedin, New Zealand.
- Brain Research New Zealand and Brain Health Research Centre, University of Otago, Dunedin, New Zealand.
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9
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Liu P, Gupta N, Jing Y, Collie ND, Zhang H, Smith PF. Further studies of the effects of aging on arginine metabolites in the rat vestibular nucleus and cerebellum. Neuroscience 2017; 348:273-287. [PMID: 28238850 DOI: 10.1016/j.neuroscience.2017.02.033] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/21/2016] [Revised: 02/16/2017] [Accepted: 02/16/2017] [Indexed: 12/21/2022]
Abstract
Some studies have demonstrated that aging is associated with impaired vestibular reflexes, especially otolithic reflexes, resulting in postural instability. However, the neurochemical basis of these age-related changes is still poorly understood. The l-arginine metabolic system has been implicated in changes in the brain associated with aging. In the current study, we examined the levels of l-arginine and its metabolizing enzymes and downstream metabolites in the vestibular nucleus complex (VNC) and cerebellum (CE) of rats with and without behavioral testing which were young (4months old), middle-aged (12months old) or aged (24months old). We found that aging was associated with lower nitric oxide synthase activity in the CE of animals with testing and increased arginase in the VNC and CE of animals with testing. l-citrulline and l-ornithine were lower in the VNC of aged animals irrespective of testing, while l-arginine and l-citrulline were lower in the CE with and without testing, respectively. In the VNC and CE, aging was associated with lower levels of glutamate in the VNC, irrespective of testing. In the VNC it was associated with higher levels of agmatine and putrescine, irrespective of testing. In the CE, aging was associated with higher levels of putrescine in animals without testing and with higher levels of spermine in animals with testing, and spermidine, irrespective of testing. Multivariate analyses indicated significant predictive relationships between the different variables, and there were correlations between some of the neurochemical variables and behavioral measurements. Cluster analyses revealed that aging altered the relationships between l-arginine and its metabolites. The results of this study demonstrate that there are major changes occurring in l-arginine metabolism in the VNC and CE as a result of age, as well as behavioral activity.
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Affiliation(s)
- P Liu
- Dept. of Anatomy, School of Biomedical Sciences, University of Otago, Dunedin, New Zealand; Brain Health Research Centre, University of Otago, Dunedin, New Zealand; The Brain Research New Zealand Centre of Research Excellence, New Zealand.
| | - N Gupta
- Dept. of Anatomy, School of Biomedical Sciences, University of Otago, Dunedin, New Zealand; Brain Health Research Centre, University of Otago, Dunedin, New Zealand
| | - Y Jing
- Dept. of Anatomy, School of Biomedical Sciences, University of Otago, Dunedin, New Zealand; Brain Health Research Centre, University of Otago, Dunedin, New Zealand
| | - N D Collie
- Dept. of Anatomy, School of Biomedical Sciences, University of Otago, Dunedin, New Zealand; Brain Health Research Centre, University of Otago, Dunedin, New Zealand
| | - H Zhang
- School of Pharmacy, University of Otago, Dunedin, New Zealand; Brain Health Research Centre, University of Otago, Dunedin, New Zealand
| | - P F Smith
- Dept. of Pharmacology and Toxicology, School of Biomedical Sciences, University of Otago, Dunedin, New Zealand; Brain Health Research Centre, University of Otago, Dunedin, New Zealand; The Brain Research New Zealand Centre of Research Excellence, New Zealand; The Eisdell Moore Centre, University of Auckland, New Zealand
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10
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Knox LT, Jing Y, Bawazier-Edgecombe J, Collie ND, Zhang H, Liu P. Effects of withdrawal from repeated phencyclidine administration on behavioural function and brain arginine metabolism in rats. Pharmacol Biochem Behav 2016; 153:45-59. [PMID: 27986516 DOI: 10.1016/j.pbb.2016.12.006] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/10/2016] [Revised: 07/20/2016] [Accepted: 12/12/2016] [Indexed: 12/13/2022]
Abstract
Phencyclidine (PCP) induces behavioural changes in humans and laboratory animals that resemble positive and negative symptoms, and cognitive impairments in schizophrenia. It has been shown repeated treatment of PCP leading to persistent symptoms even after the drug discontinuation, and there is a growing body of evidence implicating altered arginine metabolism in the pathogenesis of schizophrenia. The present study investigated the effects of withdrawal from repeated daily injection of PCP (2mg/kg) for 12 consecutive days on animals'behavioural performance and arginine metabolism in the hippocampus and prefrontal cortex in male young adult rats. Repeated PCP treatment reduced spontaneous alternations in the Y-maze and exploratory and locomotor activities in the open field under the condition of a washout period of 24h, but not 4days. Interestingly, the PCP treated rats also displayed spatial working memory deficits when tested 8-10days after withdrawal from PCP and showed altered levels of arginase activities and eight out of ten l-arginine metabolites in neurochemical- and region-specific manner. Cluster analyses showed altered relationships among l-arginine and its three main metabolites as a function of withdrawal from repeated PCP treatment in a duration-specific manner. Multiple regression analysis revealed significant neurochemical-behavioural correlations. Collectively, the results suggest both the residual and long-term effects of withdrawal from repeated PCP treatment on behavioural function and brain arginine metabolism. These findings demonstrate, for the first time, the influence of the withdrawal duration on animals' behaviour and brain arginine metabolism.
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Affiliation(s)
- Logan T Knox
- Department of Anatomy, School of Biomedical Sciences, University of Otago, Dunedin, New Zealand; Brain Health Research Centre, University of Otago, Dunedin, New Zealand
| | - Yu Jing
- Department of Anatomy, School of Biomedical Sciences, University of Otago, Dunedin, New Zealand; Brain Health Research Centre, University of Otago, Dunedin, New Zealand
| | - Jamal Bawazier-Edgecombe
- Department of Anatomy, School of Biomedical Sciences, University of Otago, Dunedin, New Zealand; Brain Health Research Centre, University of Otago, Dunedin, New Zealand
| | - Nicola D Collie
- Department of Anatomy, School of Biomedical Sciences, University of Otago, Dunedin, New Zealand; Brain Health Research Centre, University of Otago, Dunedin, New Zealand
| | - Hu Zhang
- School of Pharmacy, University of Otago, Dunedin, New Zealand; Brain Health Research Centre, University of Otago, Dunedin, New Zealand
| | - Ping Liu
- Department of Anatomy, School of Biomedical Sciences, University of Otago, Dunedin, New Zealand; Brain Health Research Centre, University of Otago, Dunedin, New Zealand.
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11
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A single intracerebroventricular Aβ25–35 infusion leads to prolonged alterations in arginine metabolism in the rat hippocampus and prefrontal cortex. Neuroscience 2015; 298:367-79. [DOI: 10.1016/j.neuroscience.2015.04.034] [Citation(s) in RCA: 12] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/23/2015] [Revised: 04/03/2015] [Accepted: 04/14/2015] [Indexed: 12/21/2022]
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12
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Del Bianco-Borges B, Franci C. Estrogen-dependent post-translational change in the nitric oxide system may mediate the leptin action on LH and prolactin secretion. Brain Res 2015; 1604:62-73. [DOI: 10.1016/j.brainres.2015.02.001] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/17/2014] [Revised: 01/25/2015] [Accepted: 02/01/2015] [Indexed: 11/25/2022]
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13
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Hou XQ, Wu DW, Zhang CX, Yan R, Yang C, Rong CP, Zhang L, Chang X, Su RY, Zhang SJ, He WQ, Qu Z, Li S, Su ZR, Chen YB, Wang Q, Fang SH. Bushen‑Yizhi formula ameliorates cognition deficits and attenuates oxidative stress‑related neuronal apoptosis in scopolamine‑induced senescence in mice. Int J Mol Med 2014; 34:429-39. [PMID: 24919922 PMCID: PMC4094586 DOI: 10.3892/ijmm.2014.1801] [Citation(s) in RCA: 32] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/11/2014] [Accepted: 05/20/2014] [Indexed: 11/06/2022] Open
Abstract
Bushen‑Yizhi formula (BSYZ), a traditional Chinese medicine formula consisting of six herbs has been reported to possess a neuroprotective effect. The present study aimed to investigate the effects of BSYZ on learning and memory abilities, as well as oxidative stress and neuronal apoptosis in the hippocampus of scopolamine (SCOP)‑induced senescence in mice, in order to reveal whether BSYZ is a potential therapeutic agent for Alzheimer's disease (AD). A high‑performance liquid chromatography (HPLC) fingerprint was applied to provide a chemical profile of BSYZ. Extracts of BSYZ were orally administered to mice with SCOP‑induced memory impairment for two weeks. The learning and memory abilities were determined by the Morris water maze test. The oxidant stress‑related indices, such as activity of superoxide dismutase (SOD) and levels of glutathione (GSH) and malondialdehyde (MDA) were examined in hippocampus of SCOP‑treated mice. The cell death ratio was assessed by TUNEL staining, while apoptotic‑related proteins including Bcl‑2 and Bax were determined by immuno-fluorescent staining and western blot analysis. Caspase‑3 was determined by western blot analysis. Consequently, a chromatographic condition, which was conducted at 35˚C with a flow rate of 0.8 ml/min on the Gemini C18 column with mobile phase of acetonitrile and water‑phosphoric acid (100:0.1, v/v), was established to yield common fingerprint chromatography under 203 nm with a similarity index of 0.986 within 10 batches of BSYZ samples. BSYZ at a dose of 2.92 g/kg significantly improved the cognitive ability, restored the abnormal activity of SOD and increased the levels of MDA and GSH induced by SCOP. Moreover, the neural apoptosis in the hippocampus of SCOP‑treated mice was reversed by BSYZ by regulating the expression of Bcl‑2, Bax and caspase‑3. The results demonstrated that BSYZ had neuroprotective effects in SCOP‑induced senescence in mice by ameliorating oxidative stress and neuronal apoptosis in the brain, supporting its potential in AD treatment.
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Affiliation(s)
- Xue-Qin Hou
- Institute of Clinical Pharmacology, Guangzhou University of Chinese Medicine, Guangzhou, Guangdong 510405, P.R. China
| | - Dian-Wei Wu
- Shantou Hospital of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Guangzhou, Guangdong 515031, P.R. China
| | - Chun-Xia Zhang
- Institute of Clinical Pharmacology, Guangzhou University of Chinese Medicine, Guangzhou, Guangdong 510405, P.R. China
| | - Rong Yan
- Institute of Clinical Pharmacology, Guangzhou University of Chinese Medicine, Guangzhou, Guangdong 510405, P.R. China
| | - Cong Yang
- Institute of Clinical Pharmacology, Guangzhou University of Chinese Medicine, Guangzhou, Guangdong 510405, P.R. China
| | - Cui-Ping Rong
- Institute of Clinical Pharmacology, Guangzhou University of Chinese Medicine, Guangzhou, Guangdong 510405, P.R. China
| | - Lei Zhang
- Institute of Clinical Pharmacology, Guangzhou University of Chinese Medicine, Guangzhou, Guangdong 510405, P.R. China
| | - Xiang Chang
- Institute of Clinical Pharmacology, Guangzhou University of Chinese Medicine, Guangzhou, Guangdong 510405, P.R. China
| | - Ru-Yu Su
- Institute of Clinical Pharmacology, Guangzhou University of Chinese Medicine, Guangzhou, Guangdong 510405, P.R. China
| | - Shi-Jie Zhang
- Institute of Clinical Pharmacology, Guangzhou University of Chinese Medicine, Guangzhou, Guangdong 510405, P.R. China
| | - Wen-Qing He
- Institute of Clinical Pharmacology, Guangzhou University of Chinese Medicine, Guangzhou, Guangdong 510405, P.R. China
| | - Zhao Qu
- Institute of Clinical Pharmacology, Guangzhou University of Chinese Medicine, Guangzhou, Guangdong 510405, P.R. China
| | - Shi Li
- Institute of Clinical Pharmacology, Guangzhou University of Chinese Medicine, Guangzhou, Guangdong 510405, P.R. China
| | - Zi-Ren Su
- School of Chinese Materia Medica, Guangzhou University of Chinese Medicine, Guangzhou, Guangdong 510006, P.R. China
| | - Yun-Bo Chen
- Institute of Clinical Pharmacology, Guangzhou University of Chinese Medicine, Guangzhou, Guangdong 510405, P.R. China
| | - Qi Wang
- Institute of Clinical Pharmacology, Guangzhou University of Chinese Medicine, Guangzhou, Guangdong 510405, P.R. China
| | - Shu-Huan Fang
- Institute of Clinical Pharmacology, Guangzhou University of Chinese Medicine, Guangzhou, Guangdong 510405, P.R. China
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Effects of acute phencyclidine administration on arginine metabolism in the hippocampus and prefrontal cortex in rats. Neuropharmacology 2014; 81:195-205. [DOI: 10.1016/j.neuropharm.2014.02.004] [Citation(s) in RCA: 12] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/08/2013] [Revised: 01/03/2014] [Accepted: 02/05/2014] [Indexed: 12/19/2022]
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Liu P, Fleete MS, Jing Y, Collie ND, Curtis MA, Waldvogel HJ, Faull RLM, Abraham WC, Zhang H. Altered arginine metabolism in Alzheimer's disease brains. Neurobiol Aging 2014; 35:1992-2003. [PMID: 24746363 DOI: 10.1016/j.neurobiolaging.2014.03.013] [Citation(s) in RCA: 128] [Impact Index Per Article: 12.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/21/2013] [Revised: 02/27/2014] [Accepted: 03/14/2014] [Indexed: 12/21/2022]
Abstract
L-arginine is a semi-essential amino acid with a number of bioactive metabolites. Accumulating evidence suggests the implication of altered arginine metabolism in the pathogenesis of Alzheimer's disease (AD). The present study systematically compared the metabolic profile of L-arginine in the superior frontal gyrus, hippocampus, and cerebellum from AD (mean age 80 years) and normal (mean age 80 or 60 years) cases. The activity and protein expression of nitric oxide synthase and arginase were altered with AD and age in a region-specific manner. There were also AD- and age-related changes in the tissue concentrations of L-arginine and its downstream metabolites (L-citrulline, L-ornithine, agmatine, putrescine, spermidine, spermine, glutamate, γ-aminobutyric acid, and glutamine) in a metabolite- or region-specific manner. These findings demonstrate that arginine metabolism is dramatically altered in diverse regions of AD brains, thus meriting further investigation to understand its role in the pathogenesis and/or progression of the disease.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ping Liu
- Department of Anatomy, University of Otago, Dunedin, New Zealand; Brain Health Research Centre, University of Otago, Dunedin, New Zealand.
| | - Michael S Fleete
- Department of Anatomy, University of Otago, Dunedin, New Zealand; Brain Health Research Centre, University of Otago, Dunedin, New Zealand
| | - Yu Jing
- Department of Anatomy, University of Otago, Dunedin, New Zealand; Brain Health Research Centre, University of Otago, Dunedin, New Zealand
| | - Nicola D Collie
- Department of Anatomy, University of Otago, Dunedin, New Zealand; Brain Health Research Centre, University of Otago, Dunedin, New Zealand
| | - Maurice A Curtis
- Centre for Brain Research and Department of Anatomy with Radiology, University of Auckland, New Zealand
| | - Henry J Waldvogel
- Centre for Brain Research and Department of Anatomy with Radiology, University of Auckland, New Zealand
| | - Richard L M Faull
- Centre for Brain Research and Department of Anatomy with Radiology, University of Auckland, New Zealand
| | - Wickliffe C Abraham
- Brain Health Research Centre, University of Otago, Dunedin, New Zealand; Department of Psychology, University of Otago, Dunedin, New Zealand
| | - Hu Zhang
- Brain Health Research Centre, University of Otago, Dunedin, New Zealand; School of Pharmacy, University of Otago, Dunedin, New Zealand
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16
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Shi Z, Chen L, Li S, Chen S, Sun X, Sun L, Li Y, Zeng J, He Y, Liu X. Chronic scopolamine-injection-induced cognitive deficit on reward-directed instrumental learning in rat is associated with CREB signaling activity in the cerebral cortex and dorsal hippocampus. Psychopharmacology (Berl) 2013; 230:245-60. [PMID: 23722831 DOI: 10.1007/s00213-013-3149-y] [Citation(s) in RCA: 23] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/03/2013] [Accepted: 05/12/2013] [Indexed: 12/19/2022]
Abstract
RATIONALE Scopolamine, a nonselective muscarinic receptor antagonist, has been used in experimental animal models of dementia. It has been demonstrated to disrupt performances in a battery of behavioral tests. However, no attempt has been made to determine how scopolamine-treated animals would respond to a series of reward-directed instrumental learning (RDIL) tasks. OBJECTIVES The present study was designed to investigate the effects of chronic intraperitoneal injection of scopolamine in Wistar rats on RDIL, as well as on the expression of memory-related molecules in the dorsal hippocampus (DH) and cerebral cortex (CCx). METHODS The effects of the pretraining injection of scopolamine on the acquisition of instrumental response (experiment 1) were first investigated. Then, the effects of post-training manipulation on the maintenance of instrumental response and the responses to changes in contingency degradation and signal discrimination were assessed (experiment 2). Finally, the expression of cyclic AMP response element-binding protein (CREB), phosphorylated CREB, and brain-derived neurotrophic factor in the DH and CCx were examined using Western blotting and enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay. RESULTS The acquisition of instrumental conditioning is more vulnerable than its maintenance. The 3.0-mg/kg dose of scopolamine rendered rats unable to make adaptive changes in facing contingency degradation and correct responses in signal discrimination tasks. Furthermore, CREB signaling was inactivated by pretraining scopolamine treatment in both the DH and CCx. Nevertheless, this pathway was selectively suppressed by post-training treatment only in the CCx during memory reconsolidation. CONCLUSIONS The results suggest that scopolamine-induced cognitive deficits on RDIL are related to the distinguishing alteration of CREB signaling in the DH and CCx.
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Affiliation(s)
- Zhe Shi
- Research Center for Pharmacology and Toxicology, Institute of Medicinal Plant Development (IMPLAD), Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences and Peking Union Medical College, Malianwa North Road No. 151, Beijing, 100193, China
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17
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Sase A, Dahanayaka S, Höger H, Wu G, Lubec G. Changes of hippocampal beta-alanine and citrulline levels are paralleling early and late phase of retrieval in the Morris Water Maze. Behav Brain Res 2013; 249:104-8. [PMID: 23628211 DOI: 10.1016/j.bbr.2013.04.033] [Citation(s) in RCA: 18] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/27/2013] [Accepted: 04/19/2013] [Indexed: 12/11/2022]
Abstract
Although a series of amino acids (AA) have been associated with spatial memory formation, there is limited information on concentrations of beta-alanine and citrulline in rodent brains. Given the importance of AA metabolism in cognitive functions it was the aim of the study to determine hippocampal levels of beta-alanine and citrulline in rats during two different phases of memory retrieval in a spatial memory paradigm. Ten rats were used per group and the first group was trained and sacrificed five min, the second six hours following retrieval in the Morris Water Maze (MWM) and the third and fourth group were untrained, yoked controls. Hippocampi were taken and free AA were determined using a well-established HPLC protocol. Beta-alanine and citrulline levels were higher in trained rat hippocampi, during both, early and late phase of memory retrieval. Taurine, methionine, cysteine, lysine and ornithine levels were higher in yoked rats at the late phase while tyrosine was higher in yoked rats during the early phase. There were no significant correlations between time spent in the target quadrant and any of the AA levels. Herein, an AA pattern, different between yoked and trained animals at early and late phase of memory retrieval is shown, indicating probable involvement of different AA pathways in animals trained and untrained in the MWM. The results may be useful for the interpretation of previous studies and the design of future experiments to identify amino acids as possible targets for modulating spatial memory.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ajinkya Sase
- Department of Pediatrics, Medical University of Vienna, Währinger Gürtel 18, 1090 Vienna, Austria
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18
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Abstract
AbstractThe purpose was to evaluate the effects of extract of Rhodiola rosea on learning and memory processes on rats. The two series of experiments were carried out — on naïve rats and on rats with scopolamine-impaired memory. The passive avoidance tests were performed — step-down and step-through. The latency of reactions in seconds was observed in both tests. Naïve rats treated with the extract in showed the prolongation of latency of reaction of both step-down and step-through passive avoidances compared to the controls. Rats with scopolamine-impaired memory showed shorter latency of reaction in both passive avoidance tests compared to the controls. Rats treated with the extract of Rh. Rosea with scopolamine-impaired memory prolonged the latency in both passive avoidance tests compared to scopolamine group. It was found that the extract of Rh. Rosea improved performance during learning session, short and long memory retrieval tests in naïve rats. Scopolamine impaired the learning and memory retrieval of rats, but Rh. Rosea pretreatment improved performance and turned off the deterioration effect of scopolamine on these brain functions probably by non-specific mechanisms on cholinergic neurons. The studied plant extract can be a candidate for treatment of dementia and other memory disturbances.
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19
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Effects of prolonged agmatine treatment in aged male Sprague-Dawley rats. Neuroscience 2013; 234:116-24. [PMID: 23318245 DOI: 10.1016/j.neuroscience.2013.01.004] [Citation(s) in RCA: 28] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/20/2012] [Revised: 12/29/2012] [Accepted: 01/05/2013] [Indexed: 11/22/2022]
Abstract
Increasing evidence suggests that altered arginine metabolism contributes to cognitive decline during ageing. Agmatine, decarboxylated arginine, has a variety of pharmacological effects, including the modulation of behavioural function. A recent study demonstrated the beneficial effects of short-term agmatine treatment in aged rats. The present study investigated how intraperitoneal administration of agmatine (40mg/kg, once daily) over 4-6weeks affected behavioural function and neurochemistry in aged Sprague-Dawley rats. Aged rats treated with saline displayed significantly reduced exploratory activity in the open field, impaired spatial learning and memory in the water maze and object recognition memory relative to young rats. Prolonged agmatine treatment improved animals' performance in the reversal test of the water maze and object recognition memory test, and significantly suppressed age-related elevation in nitric oxide synthase activity in the dentate gyrus of the hippocampus and prefrontal cortex. However, this prolonged supplementation was unable to improve exploratory activity and spatial reference learning and memory in aged rats. These findings further demonstrate that exogenous agmatine selectively improves behavioural function in aged rats.
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20
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Li YS, Hong YF, He J, Lin JX, Shan YL, Fu DY, Chen ZP, Ren XR, Song ZH, Tao L. Effects of Magnolol on Impairment of Learning and Memory Abilities Induced by Scopolamine in Mice. Biol Pharm Bull 2013; 36:764-71. [DOI: 10.1248/bpb.b12-00880] [Citation(s) in RCA: 14] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/22/2022]
Affiliation(s)
- Yang-si Li
- Clinical medicine department, Sun Yet-Sen University
| | - Ying-fen Hong
- Clinical medicine department, Sun Yet-Sen University
| | - Jiang He
- Clinical medicine department, Sun Yet-Sen University
| | - Jian-xun Lin
- Clinical medicine department, Sun Yet-Sen University
| | - Yi-long Shan
- Clinical medicine department, Sun Yet-Sen University
| | - Dong-ying Fu
- Clinical medicine department, Sun Yet-Sen University
| | - Zhi-peng Chen
- Clinical medicine department, Sun Yet-Sen University
| | - Xin-ran Ren
- School of International Studies, Sun Yet-Sen University
| | - Zhi-hong Song
- Zhongshan School of Medicine, Sun Yet-Sen University
| | - Liang Tao
- Zhongshan School of Medicine, Sun Yet-Sen University
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21
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Lee B, Sur B, Park J, Shin H, Kwon S, Yeom M, Kim SJ, Kim K, Shim I, Yin CS, Lee H, Hahm DH. Fucoidan ameliorates scopolamine-induced neuronal impairment and memory dysfunction in rats via activation of cholinergic system and regulation of cAMP-response element-binding protein and brain-derived neurotrophic factor expressions. ACTA ACUST UNITED AC 2012. [DOI: 10.1007/s13765-012-2137-y] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/17/2023]
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22
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Gupta N, Jing Y, Collie ND, Zhang H, Liu P. Ageing alters behavioural function and brain arginine metabolism in male Sprague-Dawley rats. Neuroscience 2012; 226:178-96. [PMID: 22989918 DOI: 10.1016/j.neuroscience.2012.09.013] [Citation(s) in RCA: 34] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/24/2012] [Revised: 08/18/2012] [Accepted: 09/07/2012] [Indexed: 01/29/2023]
Abstract
A growing body of evidence suggests the involvement of L-arginine and its metabolites in the ageing and neurodegenerative processes. The present study assessed behavioural performance in 4- (young), 12- (middle-aged) and 24- (aged) month-old male Sprague-Dawley rats, and investigated age-related changes in the activity of two key arginine metabolic enzymes, nitric oxide synthase (NOS) and arginase, and the levels of L-arginine and its downstream metabolites in a number of memory-related brain structures. Aged rats were less anxious and performed poorly in the water maze task relative to the young and middle-aged rats, and both middle-aged and aged rats displayed reduced exploratory activity relative to the young ones. There were significant age-related changes in NOS and arginase activities, and the levels of L-arginine, L-citrulline, L-ornithine, agmatine, putrescine, spermidine, spermine and glutamate, but not γ-aminobutyric acid, in the CA1, CA2/3 and dentate gyrus sub-regions of the hippocampus and the prefrontal, entorhinal, perirhinal, postrhinal and temporal (an auditory cortex) cortices in a region-specific manner. Cluster analyses revealed that the nine related neurochemical variables formed distinct groups, which changed as a function of ageing. Multiple regression analyses revealed a number of significant correlations between the neurochemical and behavioural variables. The present study further supports the involvement of arginine metabolism in the ageing process, and provides further evidence of the effects of animals' behavioural experience on arginine metabolism.
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Affiliation(s)
- N Gupta
- Department of Anatomy, Brain Health Research Centre, University of Otago, P.O. Box 913, Dunedin 9054, New Zealand
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Rushaidhi M, Collie N, Zhang H, Liu P. Agmatine selectively improves behavioural function in aged male Sprague–Dawley rats. Neuroscience 2012; 218:206-15. [DOI: 10.1016/j.neuroscience.2012.05.015] [Citation(s) in RCA: 16] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/14/2012] [Revised: 04/11/2012] [Accepted: 05/04/2012] [Indexed: 10/28/2022]
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Rushaidhi M, Jing Y, Kennard J, Collie N, Williams J, Zhang H, Liu P. Aging affects l-arginine and its metabolites in memory-associated brain structures at the tissue and synaptoneurosome levels. Neuroscience 2012; 209:21-31. [DOI: 10.1016/j.neuroscience.2012.02.021] [Citation(s) in RCA: 26] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/28/2011] [Revised: 02/10/2012] [Accepted: 02/11/2012] [Indexed: 11/25/2022]
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Hescham S, Lim LW, Jahanshahi A, Steinbusch HWM, Prickaerts J, Blokland A, Temel Y. Deep brain stimulation of the forniceal area enhances memory functions in experimental dementia: the role of stimulation parameters. Brain Stimul 2012; 6:72-7. [PMID: 22405739 DOI: 10.1016/j.brs.2012.01.008] [Citation(s) in RCA: 79] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/06/2011] [Revised: 01/20/2012] [Accepted: 01/24/2012] [Indexed: 01/10/2023] Open
Abstract
Deep brain stimulation (DBS) is currently being evaluated as a potential therapy in improving memory functions in Alzheimer's disease. The target for DBS and the stimulation parameters to be used are unknown. Here, we implanted bilateral electrodes in the vicinity of the fornix, a key element of the memory circuitry, and applied DBS with different stimulation frequencies and amplitudes in an experimental model of dementia. Rats received scopolamine, a muscarinic acetylcholine receptor antagonist, to mimic memory impairment. Rats were then tested in the object location task with the following conditions: (i) with attachment of stimulation cable (off stimulation), and (ii) with DBS at various amplitudes (50 μA, 100 μA and 200 μA), 100 μs pulse width and 100 Hz or 10 Hz stimulation frequency. DBS reversed the memory impairing effects of scopolamine when compared to sham rats. We found that the fornix is not sensitive to the frequency of stimulation, but rather to current levels. With the most optimal stimulation parameter, we found no side-effects on anxiety levels and general motor activity. These findings identify the fornix as a key region in controlling spatial memory functions. DBS of this region, using tailored stimulation parameters, has the potential to improve memory functions in conditions characterised by memory impairment.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sarah Hescham
- Department of Neuroscience, Maastricht University Medical Center, Maastricht, PO Box 5800, 6202 AZ Maastricht, The Netherlands
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Moosavi M, Khales GY, Abbasi L, Zarifkar A, Rastegar K. Agmatine protects against scopolamine-induced water maze performance impairment and hippocampal ERK and Akt inactivation. Neuropharmacology 2012; 62:2018-23. [PMID: 22248637 DOI: 10.1016/j.neuropharm.2011.12.031] [Citation(s) in RCA: 56] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/06/2011] [Revised: 12/27/2011] [Accepted: 12/29/2011] [Indexed: 02/08/2023]
Abstract
Cholinergic brain activity plays a significant role in memory. Scopolamine a muscarinic cholinergic antagonist is known to induce impairment in Morris water maze performance, the task which is mainly dependent on the hippocampus. It is suggested that hippocampal ERK and Akt activation play roles in synaptic plasticity and some types of learning and memory. Agmatine, a polyamine derived from l-arginine decarboxylation, is recently shown to exert some neuroprotective effects. This study was aimed to investigate if agmatine could reverse scopolamine-induced memory impairment and possible hippocampal ERK and Akt activity alteration. Adult male Sprague-Dawley rats weighing 200-250 g were randomly assigned into 5 groups. The animals were trained for 3 days in Morris water maze and in day 4 their memory retention was assessed in probe trial which was consisted of a 60 s trial with no platform. Scopolamine (1 mg/kg/ip) or saline were injected 30 min and agmatine (20 or 40 mg/kg/ip) was administered 60 min before each session. The hippocampi were isolated after behavioral studies and western blotting studies on hippocampal lysates were done to determine the levels of activated ERK and Akt. Scopolamine treatment not only impaired water maze learning and memory, but also decreased the amount of phosphorylated (activated) ERK and Akt. Agmatine pre-treatment prevented both the learning impairment and hippocampal ERK and Akt inactivation induced by scopolamine. It seems that agmatine may act as a candidate substance against amnesia.
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Affiliation(s)
- Maryam Moosavi
- Shiraz Neuroscience Research Center and department of Physiology, Shiraz University of Medical Sciences, Zand Street, Shiraz, Iran.
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