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Kumar J, Naina Mohamed I, Mohamed R, Ugusman A, Muzaimi M, Mohamed W, Yahaya MF, Teoh SL, Kamaluddin MR, Abdul Hamid H, Mehat MZ, Shanmugam PK. Locomotion changes in methamphetamine and amphetamine withdrawal: a systematic review. Front Pharmacol 2024; 15:1428492. [PMID: 39086393 PMCID: PMC11288965 DOI: 10.3389/fphar.2024.1428492] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/06/2024] [Accepted: 06/26/2024] [Indexed: 08/02/2024] Open
Abstract
Despite extensive preclinical research over the years, a significant gap remains in our understanding of the specific effects of methamphetamine (METH) and amphetamine (AMPH) withdrawal. Understanding these differences could be pivotal to unveiling the unique pathophysiology underlying each stimulant. This may facilitate the development of targeted and effective treatment strategies tailored to the specific characteristics of each substance. Following PRISMA guidelines, this systematic review was conducted to examine alterations in spontaneous locomotor activity, specifically horizontal activity, in animals experiencing withdrawal from extended and repeated administration of AMPH or METH. Original articles were retrieved from four electronic databases, supplemented by a review of the references cited in the published papers. A total of thirty-one full-length articles (n = 31) were incorporated in the analysis. The results indicated that six studies documented a significant increase in horizontal activity among animals, seven studies reported decreased locomotion, and eighteen studies (8 AMPH; 10 METH) reported no significant alterations in the animals' locomotor activity. Studies reporting heightened locomotion mainly employed mice undergoing withdrawal from METH, studies reporting diminished locomotion predominantly involved rats undergoing withdrawal from AMPH, and studies reporting no significant changes in horizontal activity employed both rats and mice (12 rats; 6 mice). Drug characteristics, routes of administration, animal models, dosage regimens, duration, and assessment timing seem to influence the observed outcomes. Despite more than 50% of papers enlisted in this review indicate no significant changes in the locomotion during the stimulant withdrawal, the unique reactions of animals to withdrawal from METH and AMPH reported by some underscore the need for a more nuanced understanding of stimulant withdrawal.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jaya Kumar
- Department of Physiology, Faculty of Medicine, Universiti Kebangsaan Malaysia, Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia
| | - Isa Naina Mohamed
- Department of Pharmacology, Faculty of Medicine, Universiti Kebangsaan Malaysia, Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia
| | - Rashidi Mohamed
- Department of Family Medicine, Faculty of Medicine, Universiti Kebangsaan Malaysia, Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia
| | - Azizah Ugusman
- Department of Physiology, Faculty of Medicine, Universiti Kebangsaan Malaysia, Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia
| | - Mustapha Muzaimi
- Department of Neurosciences, School of Medical Sciences, Universiti Sains Malaysia, Kota Bharu, Malaysia
| | - Wael Mohamed
- Basic Medical Science Department, Kulliyyah of Medicine, International Islamic University Malaysia, Kuantan, Malaysia
- Department of Clinical Pharmacology, Faculty of Medicine, Menoufia University, Shebin El Kom, Egypt
| | - Mohamad Fairuz Yahaya
- Department of Anatomy, Faculty of Medicine, Universiti Kebangsaan Malaysia, Cheras, Malaysia
| | - Seong Lin Teoh
- Department of Anatomy, Faculty of Medicine, Universiti Kebangsaan Malaysia, Cheras, Malaysia
| | - Mohammad Rahim Kamaluddin
- The Centre for Research in Psychology and Human Well-Being, Faculty of Social Sciences and Humanities, The National University of Malaysia, Bangi, Malaysia
| | - Hafizah Abdul Hamid
- Department of Human Anatomy, Faculty of Medicine and Health Sciences, Universiti Putra Malaysia, Selangor, Malaysia
| | - Muhammad Zulfadli Mehat
- Department of Human Anatomy, Faculty of Medicine and Health Sciences, Universiti Putra Malaysia, Selangor, Malaysia
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Yamasue H. Is the efficacy of oxytocin for autism diminished at higher dosages or repeated doses?: Potential mechanisms and candidate solutions. Peptides 2024; 171:171133. [PMID: 38072084 DOI: 10.1016/j.peptides.2023.171133] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/03/2023] [Revised: 12/05/2023] [Accepted: 12/05/2023] [Indexed: 12/17/2023]
Abstract
No approved pharmacological intervention currently exists to address the core symptoms of autism spectrum disorder, a prevalent neurodevelopmental condition. However, there is a growing body of empirical evidence highlighting oxytocin's modulatory effects on social and communicative behaviors. Numerous single-dose trials have consistently demonstrated the efficacy of oxytocin in ameliorating behavioral and neural measurements associated with the core symptoms of autism spectrum disorder. Nevertheless, prior investigations involving the repeated administration of oxytocin have yielded disparate findings concerning its effectiveness, particularly in relation to clinical measures of the core symptoms of autism spectrum disorder. Recent studies have also raised the possibility of diminishing efficacy of oxytocin over time, particularly when higher or recurrent dosages of oxytocin are administered. This review article aims to provide an overview of previous studies examining this issue. Furthermore, it aims to discuss the potential mechanisms underlying these effects, including the interaction between oxytocin and vasopressin, as well as potential strategies for addressing the challenges mentioned. This review's overall objective is to provide insights into the potential development of innovative therapeutics to mitigate the core symptoms of autism spectrum disorder, representing potential breakthroughs in the treatment of this complex neurodevelopmental condition.
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Affiliation(s)
- Hidenori Yamasue
- Department of Psychiatry, Hamamatsu University School of Medicine, 1-20-1 Handayama, Higashi-ku, Hamamatsu, Shizuoka 431-3192, Japan.
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Penrod RD, Taniguchi M, Kearns AM, Hopkins JL, Reichel CM. Differential Roles of Oxytocin Receptors in the Prefrontal Cortex and Nucleus Accumbens on Cocaine Self-Administration and Reinstatement of Cued Cocaine Seeking in Male Rats. Int J Neuropsychopharmacol 2023; 26:817-827. [PMID: 37875346 PMCID: PMC10726405 DOI: 10.1093/ijnp/pyad059] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/06/2023] [Accepted: 10/23/2023] [Indexed: 10/26/2023] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Little is known about the specific roles of cortical and accumbal oxytocin receptors in drug use disorders. To better understand the importance of the endogenous oxytocin system in cocaine relapse behavior, we developed an adeno-associated viral vector-expressing short hairpin (sh) RNAs to selectively degrade the rat oxytocin receptor (OxyR) mRNA in vivo. METHODS Male (Sprague-Dawley) rats received bilateral infusions of the shRNA for the oxytocin receptor (shOxyR) or an shRNA control virus into the prefrontal cortex (PFC) or the nucleus accumbens core (NAc). Rats self-administered cocaine on an escalating FR ratio for 14 days, lever responding was extinguished, and rats were tested for cued and cocaine-primed reinstatement of drug seeking. RESULTS OxyR knockdown in the PFC delayed the acquisition of lever pressing on an fixed ratio 1 schedule of reinforcement. All rats eventually acquired the same level of lever pressing and discrimination, and there were no differences in extinction. OxyR knockdown in the NAc had no effect during acquisition. In both the PFC and NAc, the shOxyR decreased cued reinstatement relative to shRNA control virus but was without effect during drug-primed reinstatement. OxyR knockdown in the PFC increased chamber activity during a social interaction task. CONCLUSIONS This study provides critical new information about how endogenous OxyRs function to affect drug seeking in response to different precipitators of relapse. The tool developed to knockdown OxyRs in rat could provide important new insights that aid development of oxytocin-based therapeutics to reduce return-to-use episodes in people with substance use disorder and other neuropsychiatric disorders.
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Affiliation(s)
- Rachel D Penrod
- Department of Neuroscience, Medical University of South Carolina, Charleston, South Carolina, USA
| | - Makoto Taniguchi
- Department of Neuroscience, Medical University of South Carolina, Charleston, South Carolina, USA
| | - Angela M Kearns
- Department of Neuroscience, Medical University of South Carolina, Charleston, South Carolina, USA
| | - Jordan L Hopkins
- Department of Neuroscience, Medical University of South Carolina, Charleston, South Carolina, USA
| | - Carmela M Reichel
- Department of Neuroscience, Medical University of South Carolina, Charleston, South Carolina, USA
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Liu Y, Pan Y, Curtis TJ, Wang Z. Amphetamine exposure alters behaviors, and neuronal and neurochemical activation in the brain of female prairie voles. Neuroscience 2022; 498:73-84. [PMID: 35798262 PMCID: PMC9420825 DOI: 10.1016/j.neuroscience.2022.06.033] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/13/2022] [Accepted: 06/22/2022] [Indexed: 11/17/2022]
Abstract
Previous studies have shown that 3-day d-amphetamine (AMPH) treatment effectively induced conditioned place preferences (CPP) and impaired pair bonding behaviors in prairie voles (Microtus ochrogaster). Using this established animal model and treatment regimen, we examined the effects of the demonstrated threshold rewarding dose of AMPH on various behaviors and their potential underlying neurochemical systems in the brain of female prairie voles. Our data show that 3-day AMPH injections (0.2 mg/kg/day) impaired social recognition and decreased depressive-like behavior in females without affecting their locomotion and anxiety-like behaviors. AMPH treatment also decreased neuronal activation indicated by the labeling of the early growth response protein 1 (Egr-1) as well as the number of neurons double-labeled for Egr-1 and corticotrophin-releasing hormone (CRH) in the dentate gyrus (DG) of the hippocampus and paraventricular nucleus of the hypothalamus (PVN) in the brain. Further, AMPH treatment decreased the number of neurons double-labeled for Egr-1 and tyrosine hydroxylase (TH) but did not affect oxytocinergic neurons in the PVN or cell proliferation and neurogenesis markers in the DG. These data not only demonstrate potential roles of the brain CRH and dopamine systems in mediating disrupted social recognition and depressive-like behaviors by AMPH in female prairie voles, but also further confirm the utility of the prairie vole model for studying interactions between psychostimulants and social behaviors.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yan Liu
- Department of Psychology and Program in Neuroscience, Florida State University, Tallahassee, FL 32306, USA
| | - Yongliang Pan
- Department of Psychology and Program in Neuroscience, Florida State University, Tallahassee, FL 32306, USA; Key Laboratory of Vector Biology and Pathogen Control of Zhejiang Province, Huzhou Central Hospital, Huzhou University, Huzhou 313000, China
| | - Thomas J Curtis
- Department of Pharmacology and Physiology, Oklahoma State University Center for Health Sciences, Tulsa, OK 74107, USA
| | - Zuoxin Wang
- Department of Psychology and Program in Neuroscience, Florida State University, Tallahassee, FL 32306, USA.
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Effah F, de Gusmão Taveiros Silva NK, Vijayanathan K, Camarini R, Joly F, Taiwo B, Rabot S, Champeil-Potokar G, Bombail V, Bailey A. SEX-DEPENDENT IMPACT OF MICROBIOTA STATUS ON CEREBRAL μ -OPIOID RECEPTOR DENSITY IN FISCHER RATS. Eur J Neurosci 2022; 55:1917-1933. [PMID: 35393704 PMCID: PMC9324823 DOI: 10.1111/ejn.15666] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/13/2021] [Revised: 03/08/2022] [Accepted: 03/29/2022] [Indexed: 11/29/2022]
Abstract
μ‐opioid receptors (MOPr) play a critical role in social play, reward and pain, in a sex‐ and age‐dependent manner. There is evidence to suggest that sex and age differences in brain MOPr density may be responsible for this variability; however, little is known about the factors driving these differences in cerebral MOPr density. Emerging evidence highlights gut microbiota's critical influence and its bidirectional interaction with the brain on neurodevelopment. Therefore, we aimed to determine the impact of gut microbiota on MOPr density in male and female brains at different developmental stages. Quantitative [3H]DAMGO autoradiographic binding was carried out in the forebrain of male and female conventional (CON) and germ‐free (GF) rats at postnatal days (PND) 8, 22 and 116–150. Significant ‘microbiota status X sex’, ‘age X brain region’ interactions and microbiota status‐ and age‐dependent effects on MOPr binding were uncovered. Microbiota status influenced MOPr levels in males but not females, with higher MOPr levels observed in GF versus CON rats overall regions and age groups. In contrast, no overall sex differences were observed in GF or CON rats. Interestingly, within‐age planned comparison analysis conducted in frontal cortical and brain regions associated with reward revealed that this microbiota effect was restricted only to PND22 rats. Thus, this pilot study uncovers the critical sex‐dependent role of gut microbiota in regulating cerebral MOPr density, which is restricted to the sensitive developmental period of weaning. This may have implications in understanding the importance of microbiota during early development on opioid signalling and associated behaviours.
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Affiliation(s)
- Felix Effah
- Pharmacology Section, St George's University of London, Cranmer Terrace, SW17 0RE, London, UK
| | | | - Katie Vijayanathan
- Pharmacology Section, St George's University of London, Cranmer Terrace, SW17 0RE, London, UK
| | - Rosana Camarini
- Pharmacology Department, Universidade de Sao Paulo, São Paulo, Brazil
| | - Fatima Joly
- Université Paris-Saclay, INRAE, AgroParisTech, Micalis Institute, Jouy-en-Josas, France
| | - Benjamin Taiwo
- Pharmacology Section, St George's University of London, Cranmer Terrace, SW17 0RE, London, UK
| | - Sylvie Rabot
- Université Paris-Saclay, INRAE, AgroParisTech, Micalis Institute, Jouy-en-Josas, France
| | | | - Vincent Bombail
- UMR PNCA, AgroParisTech, INRAE, Université Paris-Saclay, Paris, France
| | - Alexis Bailey
- Pharmacology Section, St George's University of London, Cranmer Terrace, SW17 0RE, London, UK
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Hazani HM, Naina Mohamed I, Muzaimi M, Mohamed W, Yahaya MF, Teoh SL, Pakri Mohamed RM, Mohamad Isa MF, Abdulrahman SM, Ramadah R, Kamaluddin MR, Kumar J. Goofballing of Opioid and Methamphetamine: The Science Behind the Deadly Cocktail. Front Pharmacol 2022; 13:859563. [PMID: 35462918 PMCID: PMC9021401 DOI: 10.3389/fphar.2022.859563] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/21/2022] [Accepted: 03/18/2022] [Indexed: 11/23/2022] Open
Abstract
Globally, millions of people suffer from various substance use disorders (SUD), including mono-and polydrug use of opioids and methamphetamine. Brain regions such as the cingulate cortex, infralimbic cortex, dorsal striatum, nucleus accumbens, basolateral and central amygdala have been shown to play important roles in addiction-related behavioral changes. Clinical and pre-clinical studies have characterized these brain regions and their corresponding neurochemical changes in numerous phases of drug dependence such as acute drug use, intoxication, craving, withdrawal, and relapse. At present, many studies have reported the individual effects of opioids and methamphetamine. However, little is known about their combined effects. Co-use of these drugs produces effects greater than either drug alone, where one decreases the side effects of the other, and the combination produces a prolonged intoxication period or a more desirable intoxication effect. An increasing number of studies have associated polydrug abuse with poorer treatment outcomes, drug-related deaths, and more severe psychopathologies. To date, the pharmacological treatment efficacy for polydrug abuse is vague, and still at the experimental stage. This present review discusses the human and animal behavioral, neuroanatomical, and neurochemical changes underlying both morphine and methamphetamine dependence separately, as well as its combination. This narrative review also delineates the recent advances in the pharmacotherapy of mono- and poly drug-use of opioids and methamphetamine at clinical and preclinical stages.
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Affiliation(s)
- Hanis Mohammad Hazani
- Department of Physiology, Faculty of Medicine, The National University of Malaysia, Cheras, Malaysia
| | - Isa Naina Mohamed
- Department of Pharmacology, Faculty of Medicine, The National University of Malaysia, Cheras, Malaysia
| | - Mustapha Muzaimi
- Department of Neurosciences, School of Medical Sciences, Universiti Sains Malaysia, Kota Bharu, Malaysia
| | - Wael Mohamed
- Basic Medical Science Department, Kulliyyah of Medicine, International Islamic University Malaysia, Kuantan, Malaysia
- Faculty of Medicine, Department of Clinical Pharmacology, Menoufia University, Shebin El-Kom, Egypt
| | - Mohamad Fairuz Yahaya
- Department of Anatomy, Faculty of Medicine, National University of Malaysia, Cheras, Malaysia
| | - Seong Lin Teoh
- Department of Anatomy, Faculty of Medicine, National University of Malaysia, Cheras, Malaysia
| | | | | | | | - Ravi Ramadah
- National Anti-Drugs Agency Malaysia, Selangor, Malaysia
| | - Mohammad Rahim Kamaluddin
- Centre for Research in Psychology and Human Well-Being, Faculty of Social Sciences and Humanities, The National University of Malaysia, Bangi, Malaysia
| | - Jaya Kumar
- Department of Physiology, Faculty of Medicine, The National University of Malaysia, Cheras, Malaysia
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Wang L, Zhuang S, Zhou X, Liu J. Effects of Music Therapy Combined with Progressive Muscle Relaxation on Anxiety and Depression Symptoms in Adult Women with Methamphetamine Dependence: Study Protocol for a Randomized Controlled Trail. Int J Ment Health Addict 2022. [DOI: 10.1007/s11469-022-00786-1] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/29/2022] Open
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Che X, Cai J, Liu Y, Xu T, Yang J, Wu C. Oxytocin signaling in the treatment of drug addiction: Therapeutic opportunities and challenges. Pharmacol Ther 2021; 223:107820. [PMID: 33600854 DOI: 10.1016/j.pharmthera.2021.107820] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Accepted: 01/15/2021] [Indexed: 12/13/2022]
Abstract
Drug addiction is one of the leading causes of mortality worldwide. Despite great advances were achieved in understanding the neurobiology of drug addiction, the therapeutic options are severely limited, with poor effectiveness and serious side effects. The neuropeptide oxytocin (OXT) is well known for its effects on uterine contraction, sexual/maternal behaviors, social affiliation, stress and learning/memory by interacting with the OXT receptor and other neuromodulators. Emerging evidence suggests that the acute or chronic exposure to drugs can affect the OXT system. Additionally, OXT administration can ameliorate a wide range of abused drug-induced neurobehavioral changes. Overall, OXT not only suppresses drug reward in the binge stage of drug addiction, but also reduces stress responses and social impairments during the withdrawal stage and, finally, prevents drug/cue/stress-induced reinstatement. More importantly, clinical studies have also shown that OXT can exert beneficial effects on reducing substance use disorders of a series of drugs, such as heroin, cocaine, alcohol, cannabis and nicotine. Thus, the present review focuses on the role of OXT in treating drug addiction, including the preclinical and clinical therapeutic potential of OXT and its analogs on the neurobiological perspectives of drugs, to provide a better insight of the efficacy of OXT as a clinical addiction therapeutic agent.
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Affiliation(s)
- Xiaohang Che
- Department of Pharmacology, Shenyang Pharmaceutical University, Shenyang, PR China; Key Laboratory of New Drug Screening of Liaoning Province, Shenyang Pharmaceutical University, Shenyang, PR China; Key Laboratory of New Drug Pharmacodynamics Evaluation of Liaoning Province, Shenyang Pharmaceutical University, Shenyang, PR China
| | - Jialing Cai
- Department of Pharmacology, Shenyang Pharmaceutical University, Shenyang, PR China
| | - Yueyang Liu
- Department of Pharmacology, Shenyang Pharmaceutical University, Shenyang, PR China; Key Laboratory of New Drug Screening of Liaoning Province, Shenyang Pharmaceutical University, Shenyang, PR China; Key Laboratory of New Drug Pharmacodynamics Evaluation of Liaoning Province, Shenyang Pharmaceutical University, Shenyang, PR China
| | - Tianyu Xu
- Department of Pharmacology, Shenyang Pharmaceutical University, Shenyang, PR China
| | - Jingyu Yang
- Department of Pharmacology, Shenyang Pharmaceutical University, Shenyang, PR China; Key Laboratory of New Drug Screening of Liaoning Province, Shenyang Pharmaceutical University, Shenyang, PR China; Key Laboratory of New Drug Pharmacodynamics Evaluation of Liaoning Province, Shenyang Pharmaceutical University, Shenyang, PR China.
| | - Chunfu Wu
- Department of Pharmacology, Shenyang Pharmaceutical University, Shenyang, PR China; Key Laboratory of New Drug Screening of Liaoning Province, Shenyang Pharmaceutical University, Shenyang, PR China; Key Laboratory of New Drug Pharmacodynamics Evaluation of Liaoning Province, Shenyang Pharmaceutical University, Shenyang, PR China.
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Effah F, de Gusmão Taveiros Silva NK, Camarini R, Joly F, Rabot S, Bombail V, Bailey A. Region-specific sex modulation of central oxytocin receptor by gut microbiota: An ontogenic study. Dev Neurobiol 2021; 81:149-163. [PMID: 33389811 DOI: 10.1002/dneu.22805] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/22/2020] [Revised: 12/24/2020] [Accepted: 12/26/2020] [Indexed: 01/14/2023]
Abstract
Oxytocin (OT) is a developmentally important neuropeptide recognized to play a dominant role in social functioning and stress-related behaviors, in a sex-dependent manner. Nonetheless, the underlining factors driving OT and OT receptor (OTR) early brain development remain unclear. Recent evidence highlight the critical influence of gut microbiota and its bidirectional interaction with the brain on neurodevelopment via the gut microbiota-brain axis. Therefore, we aimed to determine the impact of gut microbiota on the OTR system of the rat brain at different developmental stages in a pilot study. Quantitative OTR [125 I]-OVTA autoradiographic binding was carried out in the forebrain of male and female conventional (CON) and germ-free (GF) rats at postnatal days (PND) 8, 22, and 116-150. OTR binding was also assessed in the eyes of PND 1 and PND 4 GF female rats. Significant "microbiota × sex × region" interaction and age-dependent effects on OTR binding were demonstrated. Microbiota status influenced OTR levels in males but not females with higher levels of OTR observed in GF versus CON rats in the cingulate, prelimbic, and lateral/medial/ventral orbital cortex, and septum across all age groups, while sex differences were observed in GF, but not in CON rats. Interestingly, OTRs present in the eyes of CON rats were abolished in GF rats. This is the first study to uncover a sex-specific role of gut microbiota on the central OTR system, which may have implications in understanding the developmental neuroadaptations critical for behavioral regulation and the etiology of certain neurodevelopmental disorders.
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Affiliation(s)
- Felix Effah
- Pharmacology Section, St George's University of London, London, UK
| | | | - Rosana Camarini
- Pharmacology Department, Universidade de Sao Paulo, São Paulo, Brazil
| | - Fatima Joly
- INRAE, AgroParisTech, Micalis Institute, Université Paris-Saclay, Jouy-en-Josas, France
| | - Sylvie Rabot
- INRAE, AgroParisTech, Micalis Institute, Université Paris-Saclay, Jouy-en-Josas, France
| | - Vincent Bombail
- UMR PNCA, AgroParisTech, INRAE, Université Paris-Saclay, Paris, France
| | - Alexis Bailey
- Pharmacology Section, St George's University of London, London, UK
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The vagus nerve mediates the suppressing effects of peripherally administered oxytocin on methamphetamine self-administration and seeking in rats. Neuropsychopharmacology 2021; 46:297-304. [PMID: 32450570 PMCID: PMC7852687 DOI: 10.1038/s41386-020-0719-7] [Citation(s) in RCA: 24] [Impact Index Per Article: 8.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/05/2020] [Revised: 05/11/2020] [Accepted: 05/14/2020] [Indexed: 02/01/2023]
Abstract
The neuropeptide oxytocin has emerged as a promising pharmacotherapy for methamphetamine (METH) addiction, and clinical trials of intranasal oxytocin are underway. However, there is debate as to how peripherally administered oxytocin alters brain signalling to modulate addiction processes. Interestingly, there is evidence for functional interactions between peripheral oxytocin administration and the vagus nerve. Therefore, this study investigated whether the effects of peripherally administered oxytocin require vagal signalling to reduce METH self-administration and reinstatement of METH-seeking behaviours. Male and female Sprague-Dawley rats underwent surgery for jugular catheterisation and either subdiaphragmatic vagotomy (SDV) or a sham operation. Rats were trained to self-administer METH, and the effect of peripherally administered oxytocin on METH intake was assessed. Rats then underwent extinction, and effects of oxytocin were assessed on cue- and METH-induced reinstatement of METH-seeking. Oxytocin treatment robustly attenuated METH intake in both sexes, and SDV entirely prevented the suppressant effect of oxytocin (0.3 mg/kg) on METH intake, and partially prevented the effects of 1 mg/kg oxytocin in both sexes. After extinction, SDV decreased the suppressing effects of oxytocin on cue- and METH-primed reinstatement in males, but not females. SDV was functionally confirmed by measuring food intake following administration of the vagal dependent peptide, cholecyostokin-8. Our data suggest that vagus nerve signalling is required for the inhibitory effects of peripherally administered oxytocin on METH self-administration and reinstatement, and that this vagal dependency is partially mediated by sex and drug withdrawal. This study has implications for the use of oxytocin as a therapy for METH use disorder for both sexes.
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Daiwile AP, Jayanthi S, Cadet JL. Sex- and Brain Region-specific Changes in Gene Expression in Male and Female Rats as Consequences of Methamphetamine Self-administration and Abstinence. Neuroscience 2020; 452:265-279. [PMID: 33242543 DOI: 10.1016/j.neuroscience.2020.11.025] [Citation(s) in RCA: 18] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/17/2020] [Revised: 11/04/2020] [Accepted: 11/15/2020] [Indexed: 12/14/2022]
Abstract
Sex differences in METH use exist among human METH users and in animal models of METH addiction. Herein, we tried to identify potential differences in gene expression between female and male rats after Methamphetamine self-administration (METH SA). Rats were trained to self-administer METH using two 3-hours daily sessions for 20 days. Cue-induced drug seeking was measured on withdrawal days 3 (WD3) and 30 (WD30). Rats were euthanized twenty-four hours after WD30. Prefrontal cortex (PFC) and hippocampus (HIP) were dissected to measure mRNA expression. Both female and male rats increased their METH intake and showed increased METH seeking during withdrawal. Female had higher basal level expression of hypocretin receptor 1 (Hcrtr1) and prodynorphin (Pdyn) mRNAs in the PFC and HIP. Basal corticotropin releasing hormone receptor 1 (Crhr1), Crh receptor 2 (Crhr2), hypocretin receptor 2 (Hcrtr2) and opioid receptor kappa 1 (Oprk1) mRNA levels were higher in the PFC of females. Male rats had higher basal levels of Crh and Crhr1 in HIP. METH SA was associated with increased Crh and Crhr1 in the HIP of both sexes and Crhr2 only in female HIP. Importantly, increased Crh and Crhr1 mRNA levels correlated positively with incubation of METH craving in both sexes, supporting their potential involvement, in part, in the regulation of this behavioral phenomenon. When taken together, our results identified sexual dimorphic baseline differences in rats. We also detected dimorphic responses in animals that had self-administered METH. These observations highlight the importance of understanding the molecular neurobiology of sex differences when therapeutic interventions are planned against METH addiction.
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Affiliation(s)
- Atul P Daiwile
- Molecular Neuropsychiatry Research Branch, NIDA Intramural Research Program, Baltimore, MD 21224, United States
| | - Subramaniam Jayanthi
- Molecular Neuropsychiatry Research Branch, NIDA Intramural Research Program, Baltimore, MD 21224, United States
| | - Jean Lud Cadet
- Molecular Neuropsychiatry Research Branch, NIDA Intramural Research Program, Baltimore, MD 21224, United States.
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12
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Everett NA, Baracz SJ, Cornish JL. The effect of chronic oxytocin treatment during abstinence from methamphetamine self-administration on incubation of craving, reinstatement, and anxiety. Neuropsychopharmacology 2020; 45:597-605. [PMID: 31715618 PMCID: PMC7021828 DOI: 10.1038/s41386-019-0566-6] [Citation(s) in RCA: 29] [Impact Index Per Article: 7.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/29/2019] [Revised: 10/27/2019] [Accepted: 11/03/2019] [Indexed: 12/22/2022]
Abstract
Methamphetamine (METH) abuse is characterised by chronic relapse and anxiety, for which there are no effective pharmacotherapies. Acute treatment with the neuropeptide oxytocin has shown therapeutic potential for METH addiction and has social and anxiolytic effects in METH-naïve rats. However, the effects of chronic oxytocin treatment in METH-experienced rats are unknown. This study investigated the effects of repeated oxytocin treatment during abstinence from METH self-administration on incubation of cue-induced relapse, yohimbine- and METH-induced reinstatement, trait anxiety, and social interaction. Male and female Sprague-Dawley rats self-administered intravenous METH for 2 h/day (12 days) and then on short-access (2 h/day; ShA) or long-access (6 h/day; LgA) sessions (10 days). Rats underwent 30 days of drug abstinence, during which they received 15 days of intraperitoneal oxytocin (1 mg/kg) or saline (days 6-20) injections. Anxiety and social interaction were tested on days 25-28, and incubation was assessed by testing cue-induced relapse on days 2 and 30. Rats underwent extinction after the final cue-relapse test, followed by yohimbine- and METH-primed reinstatement. LgA, but not ShA rats exhibited incubation of METH-craving and enhanced METH-primed reinstatement in both sexes, and enhanced yohimbine-induced reinstatement in females. Importantly, chronic oxytocin attenuated incubation and METH-primed reinstatement in both sexes, and yohimbine-induced reinstatement in females, although only in LgA rats. LgA produced a heightened anxiety phenotype, which was partially rescued by chronic oxytocin treatment. Using a translatable addiction model, these findings demonstrate the therapeutic efficacy of chronic oxytocin after METH self-administration and supports the clinical utility of oxytocin for METH addiction in both sexes.
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Affiliation(s)
- Nicholas A. Everett
- 0000 0001 2158 5405grid.1004.5Centre for Emotional Health, Department of Psychology, Macquarie University, Balaclava Road, North Ryde, NSW 2109 Australia
| | - Sarah J. Baracz
- 0000 0001 2158 5405grid.1004.5Centre for Emotional Health, Department of Psychology, Macquarie University, Balaclava Road, North Ryde, NSW 2109 Australia
| | - Jennifer L. Cornish
- 0000 0001 2158 5405grid.1004.5Centre for Emotional Health, Department of Psychology, Macquarie University, Balaclava Road, North Ryde, NSW 2109 Australia
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13
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Fan X, Yang J, Dong Y, Hou Y, Liu S, Wu C. Oxytocin inhibits methamphetamine-associated learning and memory alterations by regulating DNA methylation at the Synaptophysin promoter. Addict Biol 2020; 25:e12697. [PMID: 30585381 DOI: 10.1111/adb.12697] [Citation(s) in RCA: 16] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/14/2018] [Revised: 09/26/2018] [Accepted: 10/17/2018] [Indexed: 01/02/2023]
Abstract
Methamphetamine (METH) causes memory changes, but the underlying mechanisms are poorly understood. Epigenetic mechanisms, including DNA methylation, can potentially cause synaptic changes in the brain. Oxytocin (OT) plays a central role in learning and memory, but little is known of the impact of OT on METH-associated memory changes. Here, we explored the role of OT in METH-induced epigenetic alterations that underlie spatial and cognitive memory changes. METH (2.0 mg/kg, i.p.) was administered to male C57BL/6 mice once every other day for 8 days. OT (2.5 μg, i.c.v.) or aCSF was given prior to METH. Spatial and cognitive memory were assessed. In Hip and PFC, synaptic structures and proteins were examined, levels of DNA methyltransferases (DNMTs) and methyl CpG binding protein 2 (MECP2) were determined, and the DNA methylation status at the Synaptophysin (Syn) promoter was assessed. METH enhanced spatial memory, decreased synapse length, downregulated DNMT1, DNMT3A, DNMT3B, and MECP2, and induced DNA hypomethylation at the Syn promoter in Hip. In contrast, METH reduced cognitive memory, increased synapse thickness, upregulated DNMT1, DNMT3A, and MECP2, and induced DNA hypermethylation at the Syn promoter in PFC. OT pretreatment specifically ameliorated METH-induced learning and memory alterations, normalized synapse structures, and regulated DNMTs and MECP2 to reverse the DNA methylation status changes at the Syn promoter in Hip and PFC. DNA methylation is an important gene regulatory mechanism underlying METH-induced learning and memory alterations. OT can potentially be used to specifically manipulate METH-related memory changes.
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Affiliation(s)
- Xin‐Yu Fan
- Department of PharmacologyShenyang Pharmaceutical University Shenyang China
| | - Jing‐Yu Yang
- Department of PharmacologyShenyang Pharmaceutical University Shenyang China
| | - Ying‐Xu Dong
- Department of PharmacologyShenyang Pharmaceutical University Shenyang China
| | - Ying Hou
- Department of PharmacologyShenyang Pharmaceutical University Shenyang China
| | - Shuai Liu
- Department of PharmacologyShenyang Pharmaceutical University Shenyang China
| | - Chun‐Fu Wu
- Department of PharmacologyShenyang Pharmaceutical University Shenyang China
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14
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Liu L, Luo T, Dong H, Zhang C, Liu T, Zhang X, Hao W. Genome-Wide DNA Methylation Analysis in Male Methamphetamine Users With Different Addiction Qualities. Front Psychiatry 2020; 11:588229. [PMID: 33192735 PMCID: PMC7645035 DOI: 10.3389/fpsyt.2020.588229] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/28/2020] [Accepted: 09/24/2020] [Indexed: 12/20/2022] Open
Abstract
This paper aimed to explore the genome-wide DNA methylation status of methamphetamine (MA) abusers with different qualities to addiction and to identify differentially methylated candidate genes. A total of 207 male MA abusers with an MA abuse frequency of ≥10 times and an MA abuse duration of ≥1 year were assigned to the high MA addiction quality group (HMAQ group; 168 subjects who met the diagnostic criteria for MA dependence according to the DSM-IV) or to the low MA addictive quality group (LMAQ group; 39 subjects who did not meet the criteria for MA dependence). In addition 105 healthy controls were recruited. Eight HMAQ subjects, eight LMAQ subjects, and eight healthy controls underwent genome-wide DNA methylation scans with an Infinium Human Methylation 450 array (Illumina). The differentially methylated region (DMR) data were entered into pathway analysis, and the differentially methylated position (DMP) data were screened for candidate genes and verified by MethyLight qPCR with all samples. Seven specific pathways with an abnormal methylation status were identified, including the circadian entrainment, cholinergic synapse, glutamatergic synapse, retrograde endocannabinoid signaling, GABAergic synapse, morphine addiction and PI3K-Akt signaling pathways. SLC1A6, BHLHB9, LYNX1, CAV2, and PCSK9 showed differences in their methylation levels in the three groups. Only the number of methylated copies of CAV2 was significantly higher in the LMAQ group than in the HMAQ group. Our findings suggest that the circadian entrainment pathway and the caveolin-2 gene may play key roles in MA addiction quality. Further studies on their functions and mechanisms will help us to better understand the pathogenesis of MA addiction and to explore new targets for drug intervention.
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Affiliation(s)
- Liang Liu
- Department of Geriatric Psychiatry, Wuxi Mental Health Center, Nanjing Medical University, Wuxi, China.,Hunan Key Laboratory of Psychiatry and Mental Health, Department of Psychiatry and Mental Health Institute of the Second Xiangya Hospital, National Clinical Research Center on Mental Disorders, National Technology Institute on Mental Disorders, Central South University, Changsha, China
| | - Tao Luo
- Hunan Key Laboratory of Psychiatry and Mental Health, Department of Psychiatry and Mental Health Institute of the Second Xiangya Hospital, National Clinical Research Center on Mental Disorders, National Technology Institute on Mental Disorders, Central South University, Changsha, China.,Department of Clinic Psychiatry, Jiangxi Mental Hospital, Nanchang University, Nanchang, China
| | - Huixi Dong
- Hunan Key Laboratory of Psychiatry and Mental Health, Department of Psychiatry and Mental Health Institute of the Second Xiangya Hospital, National Clinical Research Center on Mental Disorders, National Technology Institute on Mental Disorders, Central South University, Changsha, China
| | - Chenxi Zhang
- Hunan Key Laboratory of Psychiatry and Mental Health, Department of Psychiatry and Mental Health Institute of the Second Xiangya Hospital, National Clinical Research Center on Mental Disorders, National Technology Institute on Mental Disorders, Central South University, Changsha, China
| | - Tieqiao Liu
- Hunan Key Laboratory of Psychiatry and Mental Health, Department of Psychiatry and Mental Health Institute of the Second Xiangya Hospital, National Clinical Research Center on Mental Disorders, National Technology Institute on Mental Disorders, Central South University, Changsha, China
| | - Xiangyang Zhang
- Institute of Psychology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing, China
| | - Wei Hao
- Hunan Key Laboratory of Psychiatry and Mental Health, Department of Psychiatry and Mental Health Institute of the Second Xiangya Hospital, National Clinical Research Center on Mental Disorders, National Technology Institute on Mental Disorders, Central South University, Changsha, China
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15
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Fan XY, Shi G, Zhao P. Methylation in Syn and Psd95 genes underlie the inhibitory effect of oxytocin on oxycodone-induced conditioned place preference. Eur Neuropsychopharmacol 2019; 29:1464-1475. [PMID: 31735530 DOI: 10.1016/j.euroneuro.2019.10.010] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/03/2019] [Revised: 10/02/2019] [Accepted: 10/29/2019] [Indexed: 12/12/2022]
Abstract
Oxycodone (Oxy) is one of the most effective analgesics in medicine, but is associated with the development of dependence. Recent studies demonstrating epigenetic changes in the brain after exposure to opiates have provided an insight into possible mechanisms underlying addiction. Oxytocin (OT), an endogenous neuropeptide well known for preventing drug abuse, is a promising pharmacotherapy to counteract addiction. Therefore, we explored the mechanism of Oxy addiction and the role of OT in Oxy-induced epigenetic alterations. In this study, drug-induced changes in conditioned place preference (CPP), i.e. the expression of synaptic proteins and synaptic density in the ventral tegmental area (VTA) were measured. We also sought to identify DNA methyltransferases (DNMTs), ten-eleven translocations (TETs), global 5-methylcytosine (5-mC), and DNA methylation of two genes implicated in plasticity (Synaptophysin, Syn; Post-synaptic density protein 95, Psd95). Oxy (3.0 mg/kg, i.p.) induced CPP acquisition in Sprague-Dawley rats. Oxy down-regulated DNMT1 and up-regulated TET1-3, leading to a decrease in global 5-mC levels and differential demethylation at exon 1 of Syn and exon 2 of Psd95. These changes in DNA methylation of Syn and Psd95 elevated the expression of synaptic proteins (SYN, PSD95) and synaptic density in the VTA. Pretreatment with OT (2.5 µg, i.c.v.) via its receptor specifically blocked Oxy CPP, normalized synaptic density, and regulated DNMT1 and TET2-3 causing reverse of DNA demethylation of Syn and Psd95. DNA methylation is an important gene regulation mechanism underlying Oxy CPP, and OT - via its receptor - could specifically inhibit Oxy addiction.
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Affiliation(s)
- Xin-Yu Fan
- Department of Anesthesiology, Shengjing Hospital of China Medical University, No. 36 Sanhao Street, 110004, Shenyang, China
| | - Guang Shi
- Department of Neurology, Liaoning Provincial People's Hospital, Shenyang, China
| | - Ping Zhao
- Department of Anesthesiology, Shengjing Hospital of China Medical University, No. 36 Sanhao Street, 110004, Shenyang, China.
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16
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Oxytocin treatment in the prelimbic cortex reduces relapse to methamphetamine-seeking and is associated with reduced activity in the rostral nucleus accumbens core. Pharmacol Biochem Behav 2019; 183:64-71. [DOI: 10.1016/j.pbb.2019.06.002] [Citation(s) in RCA: 15] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/31/2019] [Revised: 05/31/2019] [Accepted: 06/12/2019] [Indexed: 12/15/2022]
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17
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Jacobskind JS, Rosinger ZJ, Brooks ML, Zuloaga DG. Stress-induced neural activation is altered during early withdrawal from chronic methamphetamine. Behav Brain Res 2019; 366:67-76. [PMID: 30902659 DOI: 10.1016/j.bbr.2019.03.034] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/03/2018] [Revised: 03/18/2019] [Accepted: 03/18/2019] [Indexed: 12/19/2022]
Abstract
Chronic methamphetamine (MA) use can lead to increased symptoms of depression and anxiety during abstinence. Less is known about the specific brain regions that are altered following repeated MA that may be associated with these behavioral perturbations. Furthermore, MA has been reported to recruit and activate microglia in the brain, which may exacerbate stress-associated behavioral changes. In the present study, male and female mice were injected with MA (5 mg/kg) or saline once daily for 10 days, and during early withdrawal were assessed for alterations in immediate early gene (c-Fos) responses to a forced swim stressor. Chronic MA exposure increased floating and decreased swim time in the forced swim test in male and female mice tested 48 h after the final dose, indicating elevated depressive-like behavior. Furthermore, assessment of nest building, a measure of distress or despair-like behavior, revealed a sex-specific effect with only MA-treated females showing impairments. The c-Fos response to forced swim was attenuated by prior MA exposure in the central amygdala, CA3 hippocampal region, prefrontal cortex, and bed nucleus of the stria terminalis (BST). In the BST this attenuation occurred only in males. Neither the total number of microglia or activated microglia were altered by chronic MA exposure in regions examined. The primary findings indicate that chronic MA exposure attenuates activation of select stress-associated brain regions, a dysregulation that might contribute to alterations in mood-related behaviors.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jason S Jacobskind
- University at Albany, Department of Psychology, Albany, NY 12222, United States
| | - Zachary J Rosinger
- University at Albany, Department of Psychology, Albany, NY 12222, United States
| | - Morgan L Brooks
- University at Albany, Department of Psychology, Albany, NY 12222, United States
| | - Damian G Zuloaga
- University at Albany, Department of Psychology, Albany, NY 12222, United States.
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18
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Holubová A, Poništ S, Jurčovičová J, Šlamberová R. Different Oxytocin Responses to Acute Methamphetamine Treatment in Juvenile Female Rats Perinatally Exposed to Stress and/or Methamphetamine Administration. Front Physiol 2019; 10:305. [PMID: 30984017 PMCID: PMC6447659 DOI: 10.3389/fphys.2019.00305] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/08/2019] [Accepted: 03/07/2019] [Indexed: 01/08/2023] Open
Abstract
Methamphetamine (MA) is an addictive psychostimulant, often abused by drug-addicted women during pregnancy. The offspring of drug-addicted mothers are often exposed to perinatal stressors. The present study examines the effect of perinatal stressors and drug exposure on plasma oxytocin (OXY) levels in female progeny. Rat mothers were divided into three groups according to drug treatment during pregnancy: intact controls (C); saline (SA, s.c., 1 ml/kg); and MA (s.c., 5 mg/kg). Litters were divided into four groups according to postnatal stressors lasting from PD1 to 21: non-stressed controls (N); maternal separation (S); maternal cold-water stress (W); and maternal separation plus cold-water stress (SW). On postnatal day 30, acute MA or SA was administrated 1 h before the rats were sacrificed. Trunk blood was collected and plasma OXY was measured by specific ELISA after extraction. Our results showed that acute MA administration significantly increases plasma OXY levels in juvenile female rats; this effect was observed in prenatally intact rats only. Prenatal exposure of rats to mild stressor of daily SA injection prevented both acute MA-induced OXY stimulation and also stress-induced OXY inhibition. Although postnatal MA and stress exposure exert opposite effects on OXY release in juvenile rats, our data point out the modulatory role of prenatal mild stress in OXY response to postnatal stressors or MA treatment.
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Affiliation(s)
- Anna Holubová
- Department of Physiology, Third Faculty of Medicine, Charles University, Prague, Czechia
| | - Silvester Poništ
- Department of Physiology, Third Faculty of Medicine, Charles University, Prague, Czechia
| | - Jana Jurčovičová
- Department of Physiology, Third Faculty of Medicine, Charles University, Prague, Czechia
| | - Romana Šlamberová
- Department of Physiology, Third Faculty of Medicine, Charles University, Prague, Czechia
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19
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Kliewer A, Schmiedel F, Sianati S, Bailey A, Bateman JT, Levitt ES, Williams JT, Christie MJ, Schulz S. Phosphorylation-deficient G-protein-biased μ-opioid receptors improve analgesia and diminish tolerance but worsen opioid side effects. Nat Commun 2019; 10:367. [PMID: 30664663 PMCID: PMC6341117 DOI: 10.1038/s41467-018-08162-1] [Citation(s) in RCA: 207] [Impact Index Per Article: 41.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/24/2018] [Accepted: 12/18/2018] [Indexed: 12/12/2022] Open
Abstract
Opioid analgesics are powerful pain relievers; however, over time, pain control diminishes as analgesic tolerance develops. The molecular mechanisms initiating tolerance have remained unresolved to date. We have previously shown that desensitization of the μ-opioid receptor and interaction with β-arrestins is controlled by carboxyl-terminal phosphorylation. Here we created knockin mice with a series of serine- and threonine-to-alanine mutations that render the receptor increasingly unable to recruit β-arrestins. Desensitization is inhibited in locus coeruleus neurons of mutant mice. Opioid-induced analgesia is strongly enhanced and analgesic tolerance is greatly diminished. Surprisingly, respiratory depression, constipation, and opioid withdrawal signs are unchanged or exacerbated, indicating that β-arrestin recruitment does not contribute to the severity of opioid side effects and, hence, predicting that G-protein-biased µ-agonists are still likely to elicit severe adverse effects. In conclusion, our findings identify carboxyl-terminal multisite phosphorylation as key step that drives acute μ-opioid receptor desensitization and long-term tolerance.
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Affiliation(s)
- A Kliewer
- Institute of Pharmacology and Toxicology, Jena University Hospital, Friedrich-Schiller-University, 07747, Jena, Germany
| | - F Schmiedel
- Institute of Pharmacology and Toxicology, Jena University Hospital, Friedrich-Schiller-University, 07747, Jena, Germany
| | - S Sianati
- Discipline of Pharmacology, School of Medical Sciences, University of Sydney, NSW, 2006, Australia
| | - A Bailey
- Institute of Medical and Biomedical Education, St George's University of London, London, SW17 ORE, UK
| | - J T Bateman
- Department of Pharmacology and Therapeutics, University of Florida, Gainesville, FL, 32608, USA
| | - E S Levitt
- Department of Pharmacology and Therapeutics, University of Florida, Gainesville, FL, 32608, USA
| | - J T Williams
- The Vollum Institute, Oregon Health and Science University, 3181S.W. Sam Jackson Pk. Rd., Portland, OR, 97239, USA
| | - M J Christie
- Discipline of Pharmacology, School of Medical Sciences, University of Sydney, NSW, 2006, Australia
| | - S Schulz
- Institute of Pharmacology and Toxicology, Jena University Hospital, Friedrich-Schiller-University, 07747, Jena, Germany.
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20
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Georgiou P, Zanos P, Jenne CE, Gould TD. Sex-Specific Involvement of Estrogen Receptors in Behavioral Responses to Stress and Psychomotor Activation. Front Psychiatry 2019; 10:81. [PMID: 30863326 PMCID: PMC6399411 DOI: 10.3389/fpsyt.2019.00081] [Citation(s) in RCA: 13] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/10/2018] [Accepted: 02/06/2019] [Indexed: 12/25/2022] Open
Abstract
Fluctuating hormone levels, such as estradiol might underlie the difference in the prevalence of psychiatric disorders observed in women vs. men. Estradiol exert its effects primarily through binding on the two classical estrogen receptor subtypes, alpha (ERα) and beta (ERβ). Both receptors have been suggested to a have role in the development of psychiatric disorders, however, most of the current literature is limited to their role in females. We investigated the role of estrogen receptors on cognition (novel-object recognition), anxiety (open-field test, elevated-plus maze, and light/dark box), stress-responsive behaviors (forced-swim test, learned helplessness following inescapable shock, and sucrose preference), pre-pulse inhibition (PPI) and amphetamine-induced hyperlocomotion in both male and female mice either lacking the ERα or ERβ receptor. We found that female Esr1 -/- mice have attenuated pre-pulse inhibition, whereas female Esr2 -/- mice manifested enhanced pre-pulse inhibition. No pre-pulse inhibition difference was observed in male Esr1 -/- and Esr2 -/- mice. Moreover, amphetamine-induced hyperlocomotion was decreased in male Esr1 -/-, but not Esr2 -/- mice, while female Esr1 -/- and Esr2 -/- mice showed an enhanced response. Genetic absence of ERα did not alter the escape capability or sucrose preference following inescapable shock in both male and female mice. In contrast, female, but not male Esr2 -/- mice, manifested decreased escape failures compared with controls. Lack of Esr2 gene in male mice was associated with decreased sucrose preference following inescapable shock, suggesting susceptibility for development of anhedonia following stress. No sucrose preference differences were found in female Esr2 -/- mice following inescapable shock stress. Lastly, we demonstrated that lack of Esr1 or Esr2 genes had no effect on memory and anxiety-like behaviors in both male and female mice. Our findings indicate a differential sex-specific involvement of estrogen receptors in the development of stress-mediated maladaptive behaviors as well as psychomotor activation responses suggesting that these receptors might act as potential treatment targets in a sex-specific manner.
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Affiliation(s)
- Polymnia Georgiou
- Department of Psychiatry, School of Medicine, University of Maryland, Baltimore, MD, United States
| | - Panos Zanos
- Department of Psychiatry, School of Medicine, University of Maryland, Baltimore, MD, United States
| | - Carleigh E Jenne
- Department of Psychiatry, School of Medicine, University of Maryland, Baltimore, MD, United States
| | - Todd D Gould
- Department of Psychiatry, School of Medicine, University of Maryland, Baltimore, MD, United States.,Department of Pharmacology, School of Medicine, University of Maryland, Baltimore, MD, United States.,Department of Anatomy & Neurobiology, School of Medicine, University of Maryland, Baltimore, MD, United States.,Veterans Affairs Maryland Health Care System, Baltimore, MD, United States
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21
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mGluR5 upregulation and the effects of repeated methamphetamine administration and withdrawal on the rewarding efficacy of ketamine and social interaction. Toxicol Appl Pharmacol 2018; 360:58-68. [DOI: 10.1016/j.taap.2018.09.035] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/12/2018] [Revised: 09/18/2018] [Accepted: 09/23/2018] [Indexed: 11/17/2022]
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22
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Shabani S, Schmidt B, Ghimire B, Houlton SK, Hellmuth L, Mojica E, Phillips TJ. Depression-like symptoms of withdrawal in a genetic mouse model of binge methamphetamine intake. GENES BRAIN AND BEHAVIOR 2018; 18:e12533. [PMID: 30375183 DOI: 10.1111/gbb.12533] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/16/2018] [Revised: 10/05/2018] [Accepted: 10/27/2018] [Indexed: 12/25/2022]
Abstract
Binge methamphetamine (MA) users have higher MA consumption, relapse rates and depression-like symptoms during early periods of withdrawal, compared with non-binge users. The impact of varying durations of MA abstinence on depression-like symptoms and on subsequent MA intake was examined in mice genetically prone to binge-level MA consumption. Binge-level MA intake was induced using a multiple-bottle choice procedure in which mice were offered one water drinking tube and three tubes containing increasing concentrations of MA in water, or four water tubes (control group). In two studies, depression-like symptoms were measured using a tail-suspension test and a subsequent forced-swim test, after forced abstinence of 6 and 30 hours from a 28-day course of chronic MA intake. An additional study measured the same depression-like symptoms, as well as MA intake, after prolonged abstinence of 1 and 2 weeks. MA high drinking mice and one of their progenitor strains DBA/2J escalated their MA intake with increasing MA concentration; however, MA high drinking mice consumed almost twice as much MA as DBA/2J mice. Depression-like symptoms were significantly higher early after MA access was withdrawn, compared to levels in drug-naïve controls, with more robust effects of MA withdrawal observed in MA high drinking than DBA/2J mice. When depression-like symptoms were examined after 1 or 2 weeks of forced abstinence in MA high drinking mice, depression-like symptoms dissipated, and subsequent MA intake was high. The MA high drinking genetic mouse model has strong face validity for human binge MA use and behavioral sequelae associated with abstinence.
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Affiliation(s)
- Shkelzen Shabani
- Grand Valley State University, Biomedical Sciences, Allendale, Michigan, USA.,Minot State University, Department of Biology, Minot, North Dakota, USA
| | - Bryan Schmidt
- Minot State University, Department of Biology, Minot, North Dakota, USA
| | - Bikalpa Ghimire
- Minot State University, Department of Biology, Minot, North Dakota, USA
| | - Sydney K Houlton
- Minot State University, Department of Biology, Minot, North Dakota, USA
| | - Laura Hellmuth
- Minot State University, Department of Biology, Minot, North Dakota, USA
| | - Erika Mojica
- Minot State University, Department of Biology, Minot, North Dakota, USA
| | - Tamara J Phillips
- Oregon Health and Science University, Department of Behavioral Neuroscience and Methamphetamine Abuse Research Center, Portland, Oregon, USA.,VA Portland Health Care System, Research Division, Portland, Oregon, USA
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23
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Enman NM, Reyes BAS, Shi Y, Valentino RJ, Van Bockstaele EJ. Sex differences in morphine-induced trafficking of mu-opioid and corticotropin-releasing factor receptors in locus coeruleus neurons. Brain Res 2018; 1706:75-85. [PMID: 30391476 DOI: 10.1016/j.brainres.2018.11.001] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/09/2018] [Revised: 10/24/2018] [Accepted: 11/01/2018] [Indexed: 01/18/2023]
Abstract
The locus coeruleus (LC)-norepinephrine (NE) system is a key nucleus in which endogenous opioid and stress systems intersect to regulate the stress response. LC neurons of male rats become sensitized to stress following chronic morphine administration. Whether sex dictates this pattern of opioid-induced plasticity has not been demonstrated. Delineating the neurobiological adaptations produced by chronic opioids will enhance our understanding of stress vulnerability in opioid-dependent individuals, and may reveal how stress negatively impacts addiction recovery. In the present study, the effect of chronic morphine on the subcellular distribution of mu-opioid (MOR) and CRF receptors (CRFR) was investigated in the LC of male and female rats using immunoelectron microscopy. Results showed that placebo-treated females exhibited higher MOR and CRFR cytoplasmic distribution ratio when compared to placebo-treated males. Chronic morphine exposure induced a shift in the distribution of MOR immunogold-silver particles from the plasma membrane to the cytoplasm selectively in male LC neurons. Interestingly, chronic morphine exposure induced CRFR recruitment to the plasma membrane of both male and female LC neurons. These findings provide a potential mechanism by which chronic opioid administration increases stress vulnerability in males and females via an increase in surface availability of CRFR in LC neurons. However, our results also support the notion that cellular adaptations to chronic opioids differ across the sexes as redistribution of MOR following morphine exposure was only observed in male LC neurons.
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Affiliation(s)
- Nicole M Enman
- Department of Pharmacology and Physiology, College of Medicine, Drexel University, Philadelphia, PA 19102, USA.
| | - Beverly A S Reyes
- Department of Pharmacology and Physiology, College of Medicine, Drexel University, Philadelphia, PA 19102, USA.
| | - Yufan Shi
- Department of Pharmacology and Physiology, College of Medicine, Drexel University, Philadelphia, PA 19102, USA
| | - Rita J Valentino
- Department of Anesthesiology and Critical Care, The Children's Hospital of Philadelphia, Philadelphia, PA 19104, USA.
| | - Elisabeth J Van Bockstaele
- Department of Pharmacology and Physiology, College of Medicine, Drexel University, Philadelphia, PA 19102, USA.
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Zanos P, Keyworth H, Georgiou P, Hambsch B, Otte DM, Kitchen I, Zimmer A, Bailey A. Chronic nicotine administration restores brain region specific upregulation of oxytocin receptor binding levels in a G72 mouse model of schizophrenia. Eur J Neurosci 2018; 50:2255-2263. [DOI: 10.1111/ejn.14155] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/31/2018] [Revised: 08/07/2018] [Accepted: 08/26/2018] [Indexed: 12/13/2022]
Affiliation(s)
- Panos Zanos
- Department of Biochemistry and Physiology Faculty of Health and Medical Sciences University of Surrey Guildford Surrey UK
- Department of Psychiatry School of Medicine University of Maryland Baltimore Maryland USA
| | - Helen Keyworth
- Department of Biochemistry and Physiology Faculty of Health and Medical Sciences University of Surrey Guildford Surrey UK
| | - Polymnia Georgiou
- Department of Biochemistry and Physiology Faculty of Health and Medical Sciences University of Surrey Guildford Surrey UK
- Department of Psychiatry School of Medicine University of Maryland Baltimore Maryland USA
| | - Boris Hambsch
- GKM Gesellschaft für Therapieforschung mbH Lessingstraße München Germany
| | - David M. Otte
- Institute for Molecular Psychiatry Medical Faculty University of Bonn Bonn Germany
| | - Ian Kitchen
- Department of Biochemistry and Physiology Faculty of Health and Medical Sciences University of Surrey Guildford Surrey UK
| | - Andreas Zimmer
- Institute for Molecular Psychiatry Medical Faculty University of Bonn Bonn Germany
| | - Alexis Bailey
- Department of Biochemistry and Physiology Faculty of Health and Medical Sciences University of Surrey Guildford Surrey UK
- Institute of Medical and Biomedical Education St George's University of London London SW17 0RE UK
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Zanos P, Georgiou P, Weber C, Robinson F, Kouimtsidis C, Niforooshan R, Bailey A. Oxytocin and opioid addiction revisited: old drug, new applications. Br J Pharmacol 2018; 175:2809-2824. [PMID: 28378414 PMCID: PMC6016632 DOI: 10.1111/bph.13757] [Citation(s) in RCA: 32] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/11/2016] [Revised: 02/01/2017] [Accepted: 02/13/2017] [Indexed: 12/28/2022] Open
Abstract
Opioid addiction has devastating health and socio-economic consequences, and current pharmacotherapy is limited and often accompanied by side effects, thus novel treatment is warranted. Traditionally, the neurohypophyseal peptide oxytocin (OT) is known for its effects on mediating reward, social affiliation and bonding, stress and learning and memory. There is now strong evidence that OT is a possible candidate for the treatment of drug addiction and depression-addiction co-morbidities. This review summarizes and critically discusses the preclinical evidence surrounding the consequences of pharmacological manipulation of the oxytocinergic system on opioid addiction-related processes, as well as the effects of opioids on the OT system at different stages of the addiction cycle. The mechanisms underlying the effects of OT on opioid addiction, including OT' interaction with the monoaminergic, glutamatergic, opioidergic systems and its effect on the amygdala, the hypothalamic-pituitary-adrenal axis and on memory consolidation of traumatic memories, are also reviewed. We also review clinical evidence on the effects of intranasal OT administration on opioid-dependent individuals and discuss the therapeutic potential along with the limitations that accompany OT-based pharmacotherapies. Review of these studies clearly indicates that the OT system is profoundly affected by opioid use and abstinence and points towards the OT system as an important target for developing pharmacotherapies for the treatment of opioid addiction and co-existing affective disorders, thereby preventing relapse. Therefore, there is a clear need for clinical studies assessing the efficacy of OT-based pharmacotherapies in opioid addiction. LINKED ARTICLES This article is part of a themed section on Emerging Areas of Opioid Pharmacology. To view the other articles in this section visit http://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/10.1111/bph.v175.14/issuetoc.
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Affiliation(s)
- Panos Zanos
- School of Biosciences and Medicine, Faculty of Health and Medical SciencesUniversity of SurreyGuildfordSurreyUK
- Department of PsychiatryUniversity of Maryland School of MedicineBaltimoreMDUSA
| | - Polymnia Georgiou
- School of Biosciences and Medicine, Faculty of Health and Medical SciencesUniversity of SurreyGuildfordSurreyUK
- Department of PsychiatryUniversity of Maryland School of MedicineBaltimoreMDUSA
| | - Carol Weber
- School of Biosciences and Medicine, Faculty of Health and Medical SciencesUniversity of SurreyGuildfordSurreyUK
| | - Fiona Robinson
- Surrey and Borders Partnership NHS Foundation TrustChertseySurreyUK
| | | | | | - Alexis Bailey
- School of Biosciences and Medicine, Faculty of Health and Medical SciencesUniversity of SurreyGuildfordSurreyUK
- Institute of Medical and Biomedical EducationSt George's University of LondonLondonUK
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Rae M, Zanos P, Georgiou P, Chivers P, Bailey A, Camarini R. Environmental enrichment enhances conditioned place preference to ethanol via an oxytocinergic-dependent mechanism in male mice. Neuropharmacology 2018; 138:267-274. [PMID: 29908241 DOI: 10.1016/j.neuropharm.2018.06.013] [Citation(s) in RCA: 25] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/09/2018] [Revised: 05/20/2018] [Accepted: 06/10/2018] [Indexed: 02/01/2023]
Abstract
Environmental conditions, such as stress and environmental enrichment (EE), influence predisposition to alcohol use/abuse; however, the underlying mechanisms remain unknown. To assess the effect of environmental conditions on the initial rewarding effects of alcohol, we examined conditioned place-preference (CPP) to alcohol following exposure to EE in mice. Since social context is a major factor contributing to initial alcohol-drinking, we also assessed the impact of EE on the levels of the "social neuropeptide" oxytocin (OT) and its receptor, OTR. Finally, we assessed the effect of pharmacological manipulations of the oxytocinergic system on EE-induced alcohol CPP. While EE increased sociability and reduced anxiety-like behaviors, it caused a ∼3.5-fold increase in alcohol reward compared to controls. EE triggered profound neuroadaptations of the oxytocinergic system; it increased hypothalamic OT levels and decreased OTR binding in the prefrontal cortex and olfactory nuclei of the brain. Repeated administration of the OT analogue carbetocin (6.4 mg/kg/day) mimicked the behavioral effects of EE on ethanol CPP and induced similar brain region-specific alterations of OTR binding as those observed following EE. Conversely, repeated administration of the OTR antagonist L,369-899 (5 mg/kg/day) during EE exposure, but not during the acquisition of alcohol CPP, reversed the pronounced EE-induced ethanol rewarding effect. These results demonstrate for the first time, a stimulatory effect of environmental enrichment exposure on alcohol reward via an oxytocinergic-dependent mechanism, which may predispose to alcohol abuse. This study offers a unique prospective on the neurobiological understanding of the initial stages of alcohol use/misuse driven by complex environmental-social interplay.
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Affiliation(s)
- Mariana Rae
- Departamento de Farmacologia, Universidade de São Paulo, São Paulo, Brazil; Faculty of Health & Medical Sciences, University of Surrey, Guildford, UK
| | - Panos Zanos
- Department of Psychiatry, University of Maryland, Baltimore, School of Medicine, Baltimore, USA; Faculty of Health & Medical Sciences, University of Surrey, Guildford, UK
| | - Polymnia Georgiou
- Department of Psychiatry, University of Maryland, Baltimore, School of Medicine, Baltimore, USA; Faculty of Health & Medical Sciences, University of Surrey, Guildford, UK
| | - Priti Chivers
- Faculty of Health & Medical Sciences, University of Surrey, Guildford, UK
| | - Alexis Bailey
- Faculty of Health & Medical Sciences, University of Surrey, Guildford, UK; Institute of Medical and Biomedical Education, St George's University of London, London, UK
| | - Rosana Camarini
- Departamento de Farmacologia, Universidade de São Paulo, São Paulo, Brazil.
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Keyworth H, Georgiou P, Zanos P, Rueda AV, Chen Y, Kitchen I, Camarini R, Cropley M, Bailey A. Wheel running during chronic nicotine exposure is protective against mecamylamine-precipitated withdrawal and up-regulates hippocampal α7 nACh receptors in mice. Br J Pharmacol 2018; 175:1928-1943. [PMID: 29266170 PMCID: PMC5978981 DOI: 10.1111/bph.14068] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/19/2017] [Revised: 09/17/2017] [Accepted: 09/24/2017] [Indexed: 02/06/2023] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND AND PURPOSE Evidence suggests that exercise decreases nicotine withdrawal symptoms in humans; however, the mechanisms mediating this effect are unclear. We investigated, in a mouse model, the effect of exercise intensity during chronic nicotine exposure on nicotine withdrawal severity, binding of α4β2*, α7 nicotinic acetylcholine (nAChR), μ-opioid (μ receptors) and D2 dopamine receptors and on brain-derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF) and plasma corticosterone levels. EXPERIMENTAL APPROACH Male C57Bl/6J mice treated with nicotine (minipump, 24 mg·kg-1 ·day-1 ) or saline for 14 days underwent one of three concurrent exercise regimes: 24, 2 or 0 h·day-1 voluntary wheel running. Mecamylamine-precipitated withdrawal symptoms were assessed on day 14. Quantitative autoradiography of α4β2*, α7 nAChRs, μ receptors and D2 receptor binding was performed in brain sections of these mice. Plasma corticosterone and brain BDNF levels were also measured. KEY RESULTS Nicotine-treated mice undertaking 2 or 24 h·day-1 wheel running displayed a significant reduction in withdrawal symptom severity compared with the sedentary group. Wheel running induced a significant up-regulation of α7 nAChR binding in the CA2/3 area of the hippocampus of nicotine-treated mice. Neither exercise nor nicotine treatment affected μ or D2 receptor binding or BDNF levels. Nicotine withdrawal increased plasma corticosterone levels and α4β2* nAChR binding, irrespective of exercise regimen. CONCLUSIONS AND IMPLICATIONS We demonstrated for the first time a profound effect of exercise on α7 nAChRs in nicotine-dependent animals, irrespective of exercise intensity. These findings shed light onto the mechanism underlining the protective effect of exercise on the development of nicotine dependence. LINKED ARTICLES This article is part of a themed section on Nicotinic Acetylcholine Receptors. To view the other articles in this section visit http://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/10.1111/bph.v175.11/issuetoc.
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Affiliation(s)
- Helen Keyworth
- School of Biosciences and Medicine, Faculty of Health and Medical SciencesUniversity of SurreyGuildfordSurreyUK
| | - Polymnia Georgiou
- School of Biosciences and Medicine, Faculty of Health and Medical SciencesUniversity of SurreyGuildfordSurreyUK
- Department of PsychiatryUniversity of Maryland School of MedicineBaltimoreMDUSA
| | - Panos Zanos
- School of Biosciences and Medicine, Faculty of Health and Medical SciencesUniversity of SurreyGuildfordSurreyUK
- Department of PsychiatryUniversity of Maryland School of MedicineBaltimoreMDUSA
| | - André Veloso Rueda
- Department of Pharmacology, Institute of Biomedical SciencesUniversity of São PauloSão PauloBrazil
| | - Ying Chen
- School of Biosciences and Medicine, Faculty of Health and Medical SciencesUniversity of SurreyGuildfordSurreyUK
- Institute of Psychiatry, Psychology and Neuroscience, Division of Academic PsychiatryKing's College LondonLondonUK
| | - Ian Kitchen
- School of Biosciences and Medicine, Faculty of Health and Medical SciencesUniversity of SurreyGuildfordSurreyUK
| | - Rosana Camarini
- Department of Pharmacology, Institute of Biomedical SciencesUniversity of São PauloSão PauloBrazil
| | - Mark Cropley
- School of Psychology, Faculty of Health and Medical SciencesUniversity of SurreySurreyUK
| | - Alexis Bailey
- School of Biosciences and Medicine, Faculty of Health and Medical SciencesUniversity of SurreyGuildfordSurreyUK
- Institute of Medical and Biomedical EducationSt George's University of LondonLondonUK
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Jacobskind JS, Rosinger ZJ, Gonzalez T, Zuloaga KL, Zuloaga DG. Chronic Methamphetamine Exposure Attenuates Neural Activation in Hypothalamic-Pituitary-Adrenal Axis-Associated Brain Regions in a Sex-specific Manner. Neuroscience 2018; 380:132-145. [PMID: 29679646 DOI: 10.1016/j.neuroscience.2018.04.010] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/11/2018] [Revised: 03/16/2018] [Accepted: 04/09/2018] [Indexed: 12/15/2022]
Abstract
Sex differences in methamphetamine (MA) abuse and consequences of MA have been reported with females showing an increased addiction phenotype and withdrawal symptoms. One mechanism through which these effects might occur is via sex-specific alterations in the hypothalamic-pituitary-adrenal (HPA) axis and its associated brain regions. In this study, mice were administered MA (5 mg/kg) or saline for 10 consecutive days. During early withdrawal, anxiety-like behaviors were assessed in the open field, light/dark box, and elevated plus maze. At ten days of withdrawal, mice were injected with a final dose of MA (5 mg/kg) or saline. Chronic MA did not alter anxiety-like behaviors or corticosterone responses to a final dose of MA, although females showed elevated corticosterone responses compared to males. Chronic MA attenuated final MA-induced c-Fos in both sexes in the paraventricular hypothalamus (PVH), bed nucleus of the stria terminalis (BNST), cingulate cortex, central and basolateral amygdala. In CA1 and CA3 hippocampal areas, c-Fos attenuation by chronic MA occurred only in females. Within the PVH, final MA injection increased c-Fos to a greater extent in females compared to males regardless of prior MA exposure. Dual-labeling of c-Fos with glucocorticoid receptor revealed a specific attenuation of neural activation within this cell type in the PVH, central and basolateral amygdala, and BNST. Together these findings demonstrate that chronic MA can suppress subsequent activation of HPA axis-associated brain regions and cell phenotypes. Further, in select regions this reduction is sex-specific. These changes may contribute to reported sex differences in MA abuse patterns.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jason S Jacobskind
- University at Albany, Department of Psychology, Albany, NY 12222, United States
| | - Zachary J Rosinger
- University at Albany, Department of Psychology, Albany, NY 12222, United States
| | - Tiffany Gonzalez
- University at Albany, Department of Psychology, Albany, NY 12222, United States
| | - Kristen L Zuloaga
- Albany Medical College, Department of Neuroscience & Experimental Therapeutics, Albany, NY 12208, United States
| | - Damian G Zuloaga
- University at Albany, Department of Psychology, Albany, NY 12222, United States.
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Morisot N, Monier R, Le Moine C, Millan MJ, Contarino A. Corticotropin-releasing factor receptor 2-deficiency eliminates social behaviour deficits and vulnerability induced by cocaine. Br J Pharmacol 2018; 175:1504-1518. [PMID: 29406581 DOI: 10.1111/bph.14159] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/05/2017] [Revised: 01/15/2018] [Accepted: 01/19/2018] [Indexed: 01/04/2023] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND AND PURPOSE Poor social behaviour and vulnerability to stress are major clinical features of stimulant use disorders. The corticotropin-releasing factor (CRF) system mediates stress responses and might underlie substance use disorders; however, its involvement in social impairment induced by stimulant substances remains unknown. CRF signalling is mediated by two receptor types, CRF1 and CRF2 . In the present study we investigated the role of the CRF2 receptor in social behaviour deficits, vulnerability to stress and related brain alterations induced by cocaine administration and withdrawal. EXPERIMENTAL APPROACH CRF2 receptor-deficient (CRF2 -/-) and littermate wild-type mice were repeatedly tested in the three-chamber task for sociability (i.e. preference for an unfamiliar conspecific vs. an object) and social novelty preference (SNP; i.e. preference for a novel vs. a familiar conspecific) before and after chronic cocaine administration. An in situ hybridization assay was used to assess gene expression of the stress-responsive arginine vasopressin (AVP) and oxytocin (OT) neuropeptides in the hypothalamus. KEY RESULTS CRF2 receptor deficiency eliminated the sociability deficit induced by cocaine withdrawal. Moreover, CRF2 -/- mice did not show either the stress-induced sociability deficit or the increased AVP and OT expression associated with long-term cocaine withdrawal, indicating resilience to stress. Throughout, wild-type and CRF2 -/- mice displayed SNP, suggesting that cocaine withdrawal-induced sociability deficits were not due to impaired detection of social stimuli. CONCLUSIONS AND IMPLICATIONS These findings demonstrate a central role for the CRF2 receptor in social behaviour deficits and biomarkers of vulnerability induced by cocaine withdrawal, suggesting new therapeutic strategies for stimulant use disorders.
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Affiliation(s)
- Nadège Morisot
- INCIA, UMR 5287, Univ. Bordeaux, Bordeaux, France.,INCIA, UMR 5287, CNRS, Bordeaux, France
| | - Romain Monier
- INCIA, UMR 5287, Univ. Bordeaux, Bordeaux, France.,INCIA, UMR 5287, CNRS, Bordeaux, France
| | - Catherine Le Moine
- INCIA, UMR 5287, Univ. Bordeaux, Bordeaux, France.,INCIA, UMR 5287, CNRS, Bordeaux, France
| | - Mark J Millan
- Centre for Therapeutic Innovation in Neuropsychiatry, Institut de Recherches Servier, Croissy-sur-Seine, France
| | - Angelo Contarino
- INCIA, UMR 5287, Univ. Bordeaux, Bordeaux, France.,INCIA, UMR 5287, CNRS, Bordeaux, France
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Abstract
This paper is the thirty-ninth consecutive installment of the annual review of research concerning the endogenous opioid system. It summarizes papers published during 2016 that studied the behavioral effects of molecular, pharmacological and genetic manipulation of opioid peptides, opioid receptors, opioid agonists and opioid antagonists. The particular topics that continue to be covered include the molecular-biochemical effects and neurochemical localization studies of endogenous opioids and their receptors related to behavior, and the roles of these opioid peptides and receptors in pain and analgesia, stress and social status, tolerance and dependence, learning and memory, eating and drinking, drug abuse and alcohol, sexual activity and hormones, pregnancy, development and endocrinology, mental illness and mood, seizures and neurologic disorders, electrical-related activity and neurophysiology, general activity and locomotion, gastrointestinal, renal and hepatic functions, cardiovascular responses, respiration and thermoregulation, and immunological responses.
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Affiliation(s)
- Richard J Bodnar
- Department of Psychology and CUNY Neuroscience Collaborative, Queens College, City University of New York, Flushing, NY 11367, United States.
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31
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Methamphetamine withdrawal induces activation of CRF neurons in the brain stress system in parallel with an increased activity of cardiac sympathetic pathways. Naunyn Schmiedebergs Arch Pharmacol 2018; 391:423-434. [PMID: 29383398 DOI: 10.1007/s00210-018-1470-z] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/04/2017] [Accepted: 01/18/2018] [Indexed: 12/24/2022]
Abstract
Methamphetamine (METH) addiction is a major public health problem in some countries. There is evidence to suggest that METH use is associated with increased risk of developing cardiovascular problems. Here, we investigated the effects of chronic METH administration and withdrawal on the activation of the brain stress system and cardiac sympathetic pathways. Mice were treated with METH (2 mg/kg, i.p.) for 10 days and left to spontaneous withdraw for 7 days. The number of corticotrophin-releasing factor (CRF), c-Fos, and CRF/c-Fos neurons was measured by immunohistochemistry in the paraventricular nucleus of the hypothalamus (PVN) and the oval region of the bed nucleus of stria terminalis (ovBNST), two regions associated with cardiac sympathetic control. In parallel, levels of catechol-o-methyl-transferase (COMT), tyrosine hydroxylase (TH), and heat shock protein 27 (Hsp27) were measured in the heart. In the brain, chronic-METH treatment enhanced the number of c-Fos neurons and the CRF neurons with c-Fos signal (CRF+/c-Fos+) in PVN and ovBNST. METH withdrawal increased the number of CRF+ neurons. In the heart, METH administration induced an increase in soluble (S)-COMT and membrane-bound (MB)-COMT without changes in phospho (p)-TH, Hsp27, or pHsp27. Similarly, METH withdrawal increased the expression of S- and MB-COMT. In contrast to chronic treatment, METH withdrawal enhanced levels of (p)TH and (p)Hsp27 in the heart. Overall, our results demonstrate that chronic METH administration and withdrawal activate the brain CRF systems associated with the heart sympathetic control and point towards a METH withdrawal induced activation of sympathetic pathways in the heart. Our findings provide further insight in the mechanism underlining the cardiovascular risk associated with METH use and proposes targets for its treatment.
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Lee KW, Kim K, Kim HC, Lee SY, Jang CG. The role of striatal Gα q/11 protein in methamphetamine-induced behavioral sensitization in mice. Behav Brain Res 2017; 346:66-72. [PMID: 29223637 DOI: 10.1016/j.bbr.2017.12.003] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/08/2017] [Revised: 12/02/2017] [Accepted: 12/04/2017] [Indexed: 11/17/2022]
Abstract
Gαq/11 protein transduces signals from neurotransmitter receptors and has been implicated in several functions of the central nervous system. In this study, the role of Gαq/11 protein in methamphetamine (METH)-induced behavioral sensitization was investigated using neurochemical and behavioral approaches. Repeated treatment with METH (2mg/kg, intraperitoneally) significantly increased behavioral sensitization as well as Gαq/11 protein expression and Gα protein activity in the striata of mice, while a single treatment of METH at the same dose did not affect these parameters. Repeated intrastriatal injections of a Gαq/11 inhibitor, [D-Trp7,9,10]-substance P, significantly reduced behavioral sensitization and striatal dopamine (DA) level in response to METH, with no effect on striatal tyrosine hydroxylase expression. These results suggest that Gαq/11 protein facilitates METH-induced behavioral sensitization by modulating DA release in the mouse striatum.
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Affiliation(s)
- Kwang-Wook Lee
- Department of Pharmacology, School of Pharmacy, Sungkyunkwan University, Suwon 16419, Republic of Korea; Center for Neuroscience Imaging Research, Institute for Basic Science (IBS), Suwon 16419, Republic of Korea
| | - Kyungin Kim
- Department of Pharmacology, School of Pharmacy, Sungkyunkwan University, Suwon 16419, Republic of Korea
| | - Hyoung-Chun Kim
- Neuropsychopharmacology and Toxicology Program, College of Pharmacy, Kangwon National University, Chunchon 24341, Republic of Korea
| | - Seok-Yong Lee
- Department of Pharmacology, School of Pharmacy, Sungkyunkwan University, Suwon 16419, Republic of Korea
| | - Choon-Gon Jang
- Department of Pharmacology, School of Pharmacy, Sungkyunkwan University, Suwon 16419, Republic of Korea.
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Bowen MT, Neumann ID. Rebalancing the Addicted Brain: Oxytocin Interference with the Neural Substrates of Addiction. Trends Neurosci 2017; 40:691-708. [PMID: 29128108 DOI: 10.1016/j.tins.2017.10.003] [Citation(s) in RCA: 63] [Impact Index Per Article: 9.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/17/2017] [Revised: 10/05/2017] [Accepted: 10/06/2017] [Indexed: 12/21/2022]
Abstract
Drugs that act on the brain oxytocin (OXT) system may provide a much-needed treatment breakthrough for substance-use disorders. Targeting the brain OXT system has the potential to treat addiction to all major classes of addictive substance and to intervene across all stages of the addiction cycle. Emerging evidence suggests that OXT is able to interfere with such a wide range of addictive behaviours for such a wide range of addictive substances by rebalancing core neural systems that become dysregulated over the course of addiction. By improving our understanding of these interactions between OXT and the neural substrates of addiction, we will not only improve our understanding of addiction, but also our ability to effectively treat these devastating disorders.
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Affiliation(s)
- Michael T Bowen
- The University of Sydney, Faculty of Science, School of Psychology, Sydney, NSW, Australia; The University of Sydney, Brain and Mind Centre, Sydney, NSW, Australia
| | - Inga D Neumann
- Regensburg Center of Neuroscience, Department of Behavioural and Molecular Neurobiology, University of Regensburg, Regensburg, Germany.
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Jacobskind JS, Rosinger ZJ, Zuloaga DG. Hypothalamic-pituitary-adrenal axis responsiveness to methamphetamine is modulated by gonadectomy in males. Brain Res 2017; 1677:74-85. [PMID: 28941573 DOI: 10.1016/j.brainres.2017.09.020] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/20/2017] [Revised: 08/18/2017] [Accepted: 09/17/2017] [Indexed: 12/14/2022]
Abstract
Sex differences in patterns of methamphetamine (MA) abuse have been reported with females (humans and rodents) showing an elevated addiction phenotype. Previous findings indicate MA-induced hypothalamic-pituitary-adrenal (HPA) axis activation is also sexually dimorphic with females exhibiting an elevated glucocorticoid release and differential neural activation patterns within HPA axis-associated brain regions. These effects may contribute to sex differences in abuse. To determine the role of gonadal hormones in mediating sex differences in MA-induced glucocorticoids, male and female C57BL/6J mice were gonadectomized or sham-operated, and following recovery, injected with MA (5mg/kg) and sacrificed 60min or 120min later. Blood was collected for corticosterone radioimmunoassay, and brains were used to assess c-Fos, and c-Fos co-localization with glucocorticoid receptor (GR). At 120min after MA injection, corticosterone levels were elevated in females compared to males and gonadectomy in males increased corticosterone to female levels. C-Fos was greater in females than males in the medial preoptic area, bed nucleus of the stria terminalis, basolateral amygdala, and central amygdala. Female gonadectomy had little effect on either corticosterone or c-Fos, while male gonadectomy elevated c-Fos in the central amygdala. Relative to sham males, gonadectomized males also showed decreased c-Fos/GR cell number in the CA3 hippocampal area compared to sham males, indicating a central site for attenuated negative feedback. Together, these findings indicate that androgens regulate MA-induced activation of the HPA axis, potentially by enhancing negative feedback. These sex and gonadal hormone effects on the HPA axis may contribute to sex differences in MA abuse patterns.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jason S Jacobskind
- University at Albany, Department of Psychology, Albany, NY 12222, United States
| | - Zachary J Rosinger
- University at Albany, Department of Psychology, Albany, NY 12222, United States
| | - Damian G Zuloaga
- University at Albany, Department of Psychology, Albany, NY 12222, United States.
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35
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Nikolaou K, Kapoukranidou D, Ndungu S, Floros G, Kovatsi L. Severity of Withdrawal Symptoms, Plasma Oxytocin Levels, and Treatment Outcome in Heroin Users Undergoing Acute Withdrawal. J Psychoactive Drugs 2017; 49:233-241. [PMID: 28443705 DOI: 10.1080/02791072.2017.1312644] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 10/19/2022]
Abstract
Pre-clinical studies show that, following chronic opioid exposure, oxytocin neurons exhibit over-excitation upon withdrawal, causing an increase in oxytocin brain and plasma levels. Relevant clinical data on humans are scarce. This study investigates the opioid withdrawal stress effect on oxytocin plasma levels in humans. We evaluated 57 male chronic heroin users in a residential detoxification program. We determined plasma oxytocin levels by ELISA and measured the stress effects of withdrawal using the COWS scale for opioid withdrawal, the VAS scale for craving, and the Hamilton scales for anxiety and depression on the second day of admission. Out of the 57 patients enrolled in the study, 27 completed the 21-day program, while the remaining 30 dropped out prior to completion. Plasma oxytocin levels were significantly higher in those individuals who dropped out than in those who completed the program. Participants who dropped out at some stage scored higher in the COWS, VAS-Craving, and Hamilton-anxiety scales, indicating a higher stress and explaining the higher oxytocin levels. In addition, plasma oxytocin levels correlated positively with the scores achieved in the COWS and Hamilton-anxiety scales. Higher withdrawal stress levels are associated with higher plasma oxytocin levels and early treatment discharge.
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Affiliation(s)
- Kakia Nikolaou
- a Consultant Psychiatrist, Head of the Addictions Department IANOS , Papanikolaou General Hospital of Thessaloniki-Psychiatric Hospital of Thessaloniki , Thessaloniki , Greece
| | - Dorothea Kapoukranidou
- b Associate Professor, Department of Physiology, School of Medicine , Aristotle University of Thessaloniki , Thessaloniki , Greece
| | - Samuel Ndungu
- c Emeritus Professor, Laboratory of Forensic Medicine and Toxicology, School of Medicine , Aristotle University of Thessaloniki , Thessaloniki , Greece
| | - Georgios Floros
- d Scientific Associate, Second Department of Psychiatry, School of Medicine , Aristotle University of Thessaloniki , Thessaloniki , Greece
| | - Leda Kovatsi
- e Assistant Professor, Laboratory of Forensic Medicine and Toxicology, School of Medicine , Aristotle University of Thessaloniki , Thessaloniki , Greece
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Amini-Khoei H, Amiri S, Mohammadi-Asl A, Alijanpour S, Poursaman S, Haj-Mirzaian A, Rastegar M, Mesdaghinia A, Banafshe HR, Sadeghi E, Samiei E, Mehr SE, Dehpour AR. Experiencing neonatal maternal separation increased pain sensitivity in adult male mice: Involvement of oxytocinergic system. Neuropeptides 2017; 61:77-85. [PMID: 27932062 DOI: 10.1016/j.npep.2016.11.005] [Citation(s) in RCA: 22] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/22/2016] [Revised: 11/08/2016] [Accepted: 11/10/2016] [Indexed: 12/17/2022]
Abstract
Early-life stress adversely affects the development of the brain, and alters a variety of behaviors such as pain in later life. In present study, we investigated how early-life stress (maternal separation or MS) can affect the nociceptive response later in life. We particularly focused on the role of oxytocin (OT) in regulating nociception in previously exposed (MS during early postnatal development) mice that were subjected to acute stress (restraint stress or RS). Further, we evaluated whether such modulation of pain sensation in MS mice are regulated by shared mechanisms of the OTergic and opioidergic systems. To do this, we assessed the underlying systems mediating the nociceptive response by administrating different antagonists (for both opioid and OTergic systems) under the different experimental conditions (control vs MS, and control plus RS vs MS plus RS). Our results showed that MS increased pain sensitivity in both tail-flick and hot-plate tests while after administration of OT (1μg/μl/mouse, i.c.v) pain threshold was increased. Atosiban, an OT antagonist (10μg/μl/mouse, i.c.v) abolished the effects of OT. While acute RS increased the pain threshold in control (and not MS) mice, treating MS mice with OT normalized the pain response to RS. This latter effect was reversed by atosiban and/or naltrexone, an opioid antagonist (0.5μg/μl/mouse, i.c.v) suggesting that OT enhances the effect of endogenous opioids. OTergic system is involved in mediating the nociception under acute stress in mice subjected to early-life stress and OTergic and opioidergic systems interact to modulate pain sensitivity in MS mice.
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Affiliation(s)
- Hossein Amini-Khoei
- Medical Plants Research Center, Shahrekord University of Medical Sciences, Shahrekord, Iran; Department of Physiology and Pharmacology, School of Medicine, Shahrekord University of Medical Sciences, Shahrekord, Iran
| | - Shayan Amiri
- Regenerative Medicine Program, Department of Biochemistry and Medical Genetics, Max Rady College of Medicine, Rady Faculty of Health Sciences, University of Manitoba, Winnipeg, MB, Canada
| | - Ali Mohammadi-Asl
- Experimental Medicine Research Center, Tehran University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran
| | - Sakineh Alijanpour
- Department of Biology, Faculty of Sciences, Gonbad Kavous University, Gonbad, Iran
| | - Simin Poursaman
- Experimental Medicine Research Center, Tehran University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran
| | - Arya Haj-Mirzaian
- Experimental Medicine Research Center, Tehran University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran; Department of Pharmacology, School of Medicine, Tehran University of Medical Sciences, P.O. Box: 13145-784, Tehran, Iran
| | - Mojgan Rastegar
- Regenerative Medicine Program, Department of Biochemistry and Medical Genetics, Max Rady College of Medicine, Rady Faculty of Health Sciences, University of Manitoba, Winnipeg, MB, Canada
| | - Azam Mesdaghinia
- Department of Pharmacology, School of Medicine, Kashan University of Medical Sciences, Kashan, Iran
| | - Hamid Reza Banafshe
- Department of Pharmacology, School of Medicine, Kashan University of Medical Sciences, Kashan, Iran; Physiology Research Center, Kashan University of Medical Sciences, Kashan, Iran
| | - Ehsanollah Sadeghi
- Department of Pharmacology, School of Medicine, Shahid Beheshti University of Medical Sciences, P.O. Box: 13145-784, Tehran, Iran
| | - Elika Samiei
- Experimental Medicine Research Center, Tehran University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran
| | - Shahram Ejtemaie Mehr
- Experimental Medicine Research Center, Tehran University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran; Department of Pharmacology, School of Medicine, Tehran University of Medical Sciences, P.O. Box: 13145-784, Tehran, Iran
| | - Ahmad Reza Dehpour
- Experimental Medicine Research Center, Tehran University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran; Department of Pharmacology, School of Medicine, Tehran University of Medical Sciences, P.O. Box: 13145-784, Tehran, Iran.
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Transient anhedonia phenotype and altered circadian timing of behaviour during night-time dim light exposure in Per3 -/- mice, but not wildtype mice. Sci Rep 2017; 7:40399. [PMID: 28071711 PMCID: PMC5223197 DOI: 10.1038/srep40399] [Citation(s) in RCA: 13] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/08/2016] [Accepted: 12/07/2016] [Indexed: 12/02/2022] Open
Abstract
Industrialisation greatly increased human night-time exposure to artificial light, which in animal models is a known cause of depressive phenotypes. Whilst many of these phenotypes are ‘direct’ effects of light on affect, an ‘indirect’ pathway via altered sleep-wake timing has been suggested. We have previously shown that the Period3 gene, which forms part of the biological clock, is associated with altered sleep-wake patterns in response to light. Here, we show that both wild-type and Per3−/− mice showed elevated levels of circulating corticosterone and increased hippocampal Bdnf expression after 3 weeks of exposure to dim light at night, but only mice deficient for the PERIOD3 protein (Per3−/−) exhibited a transient anhedonia-like phenotype, observed as reduced sucrose preference, in weeks 2–3 of dim light at night, whereas WT mice did not. Per3−/− mice also exhibited a significantly smaller delay in behavioural timing than WT mice during weeks 1, 2 and 4 of dim light at night exposure. When treated with imipramine, neither Per3−/− nor WT mice exhibited an anhedonia-like phenotype, and neither genotypes exhibited a delay in behavioural timing in responses to dLAN. While the association between both Per3−/− phenotypes remains unclear, both are alleviated by imipramine treatment during dim night-time light.
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Ponzoni L, Braida D, Bondiolotti G, Sala M. The Non-Peptide Arginine-Vasopressin v 1a Selective Receptor Antagonist, SR49059, Blocks the Rewarding, Prosocial, and Anxiolytic Effects of 3,4-Methylenedioxymethamphetamine and Its Derivatives in Zebra Fish. Front Psychiatry 2017; 8:146. [PMID: 28855876 PMCID: PMC5557732 DOI: 10.3389/fpsyt.2017.00146] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/26/2017] [Accepted: 07/27/2017] [Indexed: 01/23/2023] Open
Abstract
3,4-Methylenedioxymethamphetamine (MDMA) and its derivatives, 2,5-dimethoxy-4-bromo-amphetamine hydrobromide (DOB) and para-methoxyamphetamine (PMA), are recreational drugs whose pharmacological effects have recently been attributed to serotonin 5HT2A/C receptors. However, there is growing evidence that the oxytocin (OT)/vasopressin system can modulate some the effects of MDMA. In this study, MDMA (2.5-10 mg/kg), DOB (0.5 mg/kg), or PMA (0.005, 0.1, or 0.25 mg/kg) were administered intramuscularly to adult zebra fish, alone or in combination with the V1a vasopressin antagonist, SR49059 (0.01-1 ng/kg), before carrying out conditioned place preference (CPP), social preference, novel tank diving, and light-dark tests in order to evaluate subsequent rewarding, social, and emotional-like behavior. The combination of SR49059 and each drug progressively blocked: (1) rewarding behavior as measured by CPP in terms of time spent in drug-paired compartment; (2) prosocial effects measured on the basis of the time spent in the proximity of a nacre fish picture; and (3) anxiolytic effects in terms of the time spent in the upper half of the novel tank and in the white compartment of the tank used for the light-dark test. Antagonism was obtained at SR49059 doses which, when given alone, did not change motor function. In comparison with a control group, receiving vehicle alone, there was a three to five times increase in the brain release of isotocin (the analog of OT in fish) after treatment with the most active doses of MDMA (10 mg/kg), DOB (0.5 mg/kg), and PMA (0.1 mg/kg) as evaluated by means of bioanalytical reversed-phase high-performance liquid chromatography. Taken together, these findings show that the OT/vasopressin system is involved in the rewarding, prosocial, and anxiolytic effects of MDMA, DOB, and PMA in zebra fish and underline the association between this system and the behavioral alterations associated with disorders related to substance abuse.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Daniela Braida
- Department of Medical Biotechnology and Translational Medicine (BIOMETRA), Università degli Studi di Milano, Milan, Italy
| | - Gianpietro Bondiolotti
- Department of Medical Biotechnology and Translational Medicine (BIOMETRA), Università degli Studi di Milano, Milan, Italy
| | - Mariaelvina Sala
- Institute of Neuroscience, Consiglio Nazionale delle Ricerche (CNR), Milan, Italy
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Ballester J, Valentine G, Sofuoglu M. Pharmacological treatments for methamphetamine addiction: current status and future directions. Expert Rev Clin Pharmacol 2016; 10:305-314. [PMID: 27927042 DOI: 10.1080/17512433.2017.1268916] [Citation(s) in RCA: 36] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/15/2023]
Abstract
INTRODUCTION Methamphetamine (MA) abuse remains a global health challenge despite intense research interest in the development of pharmacological treatments. This review provides a summary of clinical trials and human studies on the pharmacotherapy of methamphetamine use disorder (MUD). Areas covered: We summarize published clinical trials that tested candidate medications for MUD and also conducted PubMed and Google Scholar searches to identify recently completed clinical trials using the keywords 'methamphetamine' 'addiction' 'pharmacotherapy' and 'clinical trial.' To determine the status of ongoing clinical trials targeting MUD, we also searched the ClinicalTrials.gov online database. We conclude this review with a discussion of current research gaps and future directions. Expert commentary: Clinical trials examining the potential for pharmacotherapies of MUD have largely been negative. Future studies need to address several limitations to reduce the possibility of Type II errors: small sample sizes, high dropout rates or multiple comorbidities. Additionally, new treatment targets, such as MA-induced disruptions in cognition and in the neuroimmune system, merit trials with agents that selectively modulate these processes.
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Affiliation(s)
- Javier Ballester
- a Department of Psychiatry , Yale School of Medicine , New Haven , CT , USA.,b VA Connecticut Healthcare System , West Haven , CT , USA
| | - Gerald Valentine
- a Department of Psychiatry , Yale School of Medicine , New Haven , CT , USA.,b VA Connecticut Healthcare System , West Haven , CT , USA
| | - Mehmet Sofuoglu
- a Department of Psychiatry , Yale School of Medicine , New Haven , CT , USA.,b VA Connecticut Healthcare System , West Haven , CT , USA
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Cao L, Fu M, Kumar S, Kumar A. Methamphetamine potentiates HIV-1 gp120-mediated autophagy via Beclin-1 and Atg5/7 as a pro-survival response in astrocytes. Cell Death Dis 2016; 7:e2425. [PMID: 27763640 PMCID: PMC5133984 DOI: 10.1038/cddis.2016.317] [Citation(s) in RCA: 31] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/23/2016] [Revised: 08/05/2016] [Accepted: 08/23/2016] [Indexed: 01/02/2023]
Abstract
Methamphetamine (METH), a commonly used controlled substance, is known to exacerbate neuropathological dysfunction in HIV-infected individuals. The neuropathological manifestation results from cell death or dysfunction in the central nervous system (CNS) wherein autophagy is expected to have an important role. Autophagy is generally considered protective during deprivation/stress. However, excessive autophagy can be destructive, leading to autophagic cell death. This study was designed to investigate if METH and HIV-1 gp120 interact to induce autophagy in SVGA astrocytes, and whether autophagy is epiphenomenal or it has a role in METH- and gp120-induced cytotoxicity. We found that METH and gp120 IIIb caused an increase in LC3II level in astrocytes in a dose- and time-dependent manner, and the level of LC3II was further increased when the cells were treated with METH and gp120 IIIb in combination. Next, we sought to explore the mechanism by which METH and gp120 induce the autophagic response. We found that METH induces autophagy via opioid and metabotropic glutamate receptor type 5 (mGluR5) receptors. Other than that, signaling proteins Akt, mammalian target of rapamycin (mTOR), Beclin-1, Atg5 and Atg7 were involved in METH and gp120-mediated autophagy. In addition, long-term treatment of METH and gp120 IIIb resulted in cell death, which was exacerbated by inhibition of autophagy. This suggests that autophagy functions as a protective response against apoptosis caused by METH and gp120. This study is novel and clinically relevant because METH abuse among HIV-infected populations is highly prevalent and is known to cause exacerbated neuroAIDS.
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Affiliation(s)
- Lu Cao
- Division of Pharmacology and Toxicology, School of Pharmacy, University of Missouri-Kansas City, Kansas City, MO, USA
| | - Mingui Fu
- Department of Basic Medical Science, School of Medicine, University of Missouri-Kansas City, Kansas City, MO, USA
| | - Santosh Kumar
- Department of Pharmaceutical Sciences, College of Pharmacy, University of Tennessee Health Science Center, Memphis, TN, USA
| | - Anil Kumar
- Division of Pharmacology and Toxicology, School of Pharmacy, University of Missouri-Kansas City, Kansas City, MO, USA
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Georgiou P, Zanos P, Hourani S, Kitchen I, Bailey A. Cocaine abstinence induces emotional impairment and brain region-specific upregulation of the oxytocin receptor binding. Eur J Neurosci 2016; 44:2446-2454. [PMID: 27453431 DOI: 10.1111/ejn.13348] [Citation(s) in RCA: 28] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/03/2016] [Revised: 07/15/2016] [Accepted: 07/18/2016] [Indexed: 01/01/2023]
Abstract
The key problem in treating cocaine addiction is the maintenance of a drug-free state as negative emotional symptoms during abstinence often trigger relapse. The mechanisms underpinning the emotional dysregulation during abstinence are currently not well-understood. There is evidence suggesting a role of the neuropeptide oxytocin in the modulation of drug addiction processes. However, its involvement during long-term abstinence from cocaine use remains unclear. In this study, we aimed to behaviourally characterize a mouse model of long-term cocaine withdrawal and assess the effect of chronic cocaine administration and long-term cocaine abstinence on the central oxytocinergic system and the hypothalamic-pituitary-adrenal axis. Fourteen-day escalating-dose cocaine administration (3 × 15-30 mg/kg/day) and 14-day withdrawal increased plasma corticosterone levels and oxytocin receptor (OTR) binding in piriform cortex, lateral septum and amygdala. A specific cocaine withdrawal-induced increase in OTR binding was observed in the medial septum. These biochemical alterations occurred concomitantly with the emergence of memory impairment, contextual psychomotor sensitization and an anhedonic and anxiogenic phenotype during withdrawal. Our study established a clear relationship between cocaine abstinence and emotional impairment in a novel translationally relevant model of cocaine withdrawal and demonstrated for the first time brain region-specific neuroadaptations of the oxytocin system, which may contribute to abstinence-induced negative emotional state.
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Affiliation(s)
- Polymnia Georgiou
- School of Biosciences and Medicine, Faculty of Health and Medical Sciences, University of Surrey, Surrey, UK
- Department of Psychiatry, University of Maryland School of Medicine, Baltimore, MD, USA
| | - Panos Zanos
- School of Biosciences and Medicine, Faculty of Health and Medical Sciences, University of Surrey, Surrey, UK
- Department of Psychiatry, University of Maryland School of Medicine, Baltimore, MD, USA
| | - Susanna Hourani
- School of Biosciences and Medicine, Faculty of Health and Medical Sciences, University of Surrey, Surrey, UK
| | - Ian Kitchen
- School of Biosciences and Medicine, Faculty of Health and Medical Sciences, University of Surrey, Surrey, UK
| | - Alexis Bailey
- School of Biosciences and Medicine, Faculty of Health and Medical Sciences, University of Surrey, Surrey, UK.
- Institute of Medical and Biomedical Education, St George's University of London, London, SW17 0R, UK.
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42
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Baracz SJ, Cornish JL. The neurocircuitry involved in oxytocin modulation of methamphetamine addiction. Front Neuroendocrinol 2016; 43:1-18. [PMID: 27546878 DOI: 10.1016/j.yfrne.2016.08.001] [Citation(s) in RCA: 38] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/29/2016] [Revised: 07/14/2016] [Accepted: 08/11/2016] [Indexed: 12/13/2022]
Abstract
The role of oxytocin in attenuating the abuse of licit and illicit drugs, including the psychostimulant methamphetamine, has been examined with increased ferocity in recent years. This is largely driven by the potential application of oxytocin as a pharmacotherapy. However, the neural mechanisms by which oxytocin modulates methamphetamine abuse are not well understood. Recent research identified an important role for the accumbens core and subthalamic nucleus in this process, which likely involves an interaction with dopamine, glutamate, GABA, and vasopressin. In addition to providing an overview of methamphetamine, the endogenous oxytocin system, and the effects of exogenous oxytocin on drug abuse, we propose a neural circuit through which exogenous oxytocin modulates methamphetamine abuse, focusing on its interaction with neurochemicals within the accumbens core and subthalamic nucleus. A growing understanding of exogenous oxytocin effects at a neurochemical and neurobiological level will assist in its evaluation as a pharmacotherapy for drug addiction.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sarah J Baracz
- School of Psychology, University of Sydney, Sydney, NSW 2109, Australia; Department of Psychology, Macquarie University, North Ryde, NSW 2109, Australia.
| | - Jennifer L Cornish
- Department of Psychology, Macquarie University, North Ryde, NSW 2109, Australia.
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