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Abdelkawy YS, Elharoun M, Sheta E, Abdel-Raheem IT, Nematalla HA. Liraglutide and Naringenin relieve depressive symptoms in mice by enhancing Neurogenesis and reducing inflammation. Eur J Pharmacol 2024; 971:176525. [PMID: 38561101 DOI: 10.1016/j.ejphar.2024.176525] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/30/2023] [Revised: 03/11/2024] [Accepted: 03/21/2024] [Indexed: 04/04/2024]
Abstract
Depression is a debilitating mental disease that negatively impacts individuals' lives and society. Novel hypotheses have been recently proposed to improve our understanding of depression pathogenesis. Impaired neuroplasticity and upregulated neuro-inflammation add-on to the disturbance in monoamine neurotransmitters and therefore require novel anti-depressants to target them simultaneously. Recent reports demonstrate the antidepressant effect of the anti-diabetic drug liraglutide. Similarly, the natural flavonoid naringenin has shown both anti-diabetic and anti-depressant effects. However, the neuro-pharmacological mechanisms underlying their actions remain understudied. The study aims to evaluate the antidepressant effects and neuroprotective mechanisms of liraglutide, naringenin or a combination of both. Depression was induced in mice by administering dexamethasone (32 mcg/kg) for seven consecutive days. Liraglutide (200 mcg/kg), naringenin (50 mg/kg) and a combination of both were administered either simultaneously or after induction of depression for twenty-eight days. Behavioral and molecular assays were used to assess the progression of depressive symptoms and biomarkers. Liraglutide and naringenin alone or in combination alleviated the depressive behavior in mice, manifested by decrease in anxiety, anhedonia, and despair. Mechanistically, liraglutide and naringenin improved neurogenesis, decreased neuroinflammation and comparably restored the monoamines levels to that of the reference drug escitalopram. The drugs protected mice from developing depression when given simultaneously with dexamethasone. Collectively, the results highlight the usability of liraglutide and naringenin in the treatment of depression in mice and emphasize the different pathways that contribute to the pathogenesis of depression.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yara S Abdelkawy
- Department of Pharmacology and Toxicology, Faculty of Pharmacy, Damanhour University, Damanhour 22514, Egypt
| | - Mona Elharoun
- Department of Pharmacology and Toxicology, Faculty of Pharmacy, Damanhour University, Damanhour 22514, Egypt
| | - Eman Sheta
- Department of Pathology, Faculty of Medicine, Alexandria University, Alexandria 21131, Egypt
| | - Ihab Talat Abdel-Raheem
- Department of Pharmacology and Toxicology, Faculty of Pharmacy, Damanhour University, Damanhour 22514, Egypt
| | - Hisham A Nematalla
- Department of Pharmacology and Toxicology, Faculty of Pharmacy, Damanhour University, Damanhour 22514, Egypt.
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Elberling F, Spulber S, Bose R, Keung HY, Ahola V, Zheng Z, Ceccatelli S. Sex Differences in Long-term Outcome of Prenatal Exposure to Excess Glucocorticoids-Implications for Development of Psychiatric Disorders. Mol Neurobiol 2023; 60:7346-7361. [PMID: 37561236 PMCID: PMC10657788 DOI: 10.1007/s12035-023-03522-5] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/03/2023] [Accepted: 07/18/2023] [Indexed: 08/11/2023]
Abstract
Exposure to prenatal insults, such as excess glucocorticoids (GC), may lead to pathological outcomes, including neuropsychiatric disorders. The aim of the present study was to investigate the long-term effects of in utero exposure to the synthetic GC analog dexamethasone (Dex) in adult female offspring. We monitored spontaneous activity in the home cage under a constant 12 h/12 h light/dark cycle, as well as the changes following a 6-h advance of dark onset (phase shift). For comparison, we re-analysed data previously recorded in males. Dex-exposed females were spontaneously more active, and the activity onset re-entrained slower than in controls. In contrast, Dex-exposed males were less active, and the activity onset re-entrained faster than in controls. Following the phase shift, control females displayed a transient reorganisation of behaviour in light and virtually no change in dark, while Dex-exposed females showed limited variations from baseline in both light and dark, suggesting weaker photic entrainment. Next, we ran bulk RNA-sequencing in the suprachiasmatic nucleus (SCN) of Dex and control females. SPIA pathway analysis of ~ 2300 differentially expressed genes identified significantly downregulated dopamine signalling, and upregulated glutamate and GABA signalling. We selected a set of candidate genes matching the behaviour alterations and found consistent differential regulation for ~ 73% of tested genes in SCN and hippocampus tissue samples. Taken together, our data highlight sex differences in the outcome of prenatal exposure to excess GC in adult mice: in contrast to depression-like behaviour in males, the phenotype in females, defined by behaviour and differential gene expression, is consistent with ADHD models.
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Affiliation(s)
- Frederik Elberling
- Department of Neuroscience, Karolinska Institutet, Biomedicum, Solnavägen 9, 171 77, Stockholm, Sweden
| | - Stefan Spulber
- Department of Neuroscience, Karolinska Institutet, Biomedicum, Solnavägen 9, 171 77, Stockholm, Sweden.
| | - Raj Bose
- Department of Neuroscience, Karolinska Institutet, Biomedicum, Solnavägen 9, 171 77, Stockholm, Sweden
| | - Hoi Yee Keung
- Ming Wai Lau Centre for Reparative Medicine, Karolinska Institutet, 15W Science and Technology W Ave, Sha Tin, Hong Kong Special Administrative Region, People's Republic of China
| | - Virpi Ahola
- Ming Wai Lau Centre for Reparative Medicine, Karolinska Institutet, 15W Science and Technology W Ave, Sha Tin, Hong Kong Special Administrative Region, People's Republic of China
| | - Zongli Zheng
- Ming Wai Lau Centre for Reparative Medicine, Karolinska Institutet, 15W Science and Technology W Ave, Sha Tin, Hong Kong Special Administrative Region, People's Republic of China
| | - Sandra Ceccatelli
- Department of Neuroscience, Karolinska Institutet, Biomedicum, Solnavägen 9, 171 77, Stockholm, Sweden
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Dósa Z, Nieto-Gonzalez JL, Elfving B, Hougaard KS, Holm MM, Wegener G, Jensen K. Reduction in hippocampal GABAergic transmission in a low birth weight rat model of depression. Acta Neuropsychiatr 2023; 35:315-327. [PMID: 36896595 DOI: 10.1017/neu.2023.18] [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] [Indexed: 03/11/2023]
Abstract
Prenatal stress is believed to increase the risk of developing neuropsychiatric disorders, including major depression. Adverse genetic and environmental impacts during early development, such as glucocorticoid hyper-exposure, can lead to changes in the foetal brain, linked to mental illnesses developed in later life. Dysfunction in the GABAergic inhibitory system is associated with depressive disorders. However, the pathophysiology of GABAergic signalling is poorly understood in mood disorders. Here, we investigated GABAergic neurotransmission in the low birth weight (LBW) rat model of depression. Pregnant rats, exposed to dexamethasone, a synthetic glucocorticoid, during the last week of gestation, yielded LBW offspring showing anxiety- and depressive-like behaviour in adulthood. Patch-clamp recordings from dentate gyrus granule cells in brain slices were used to examine phasic and tonic GABAA receptor-mediated currents. The transcriptional levels of selected genes associated with synaptic vesicle proteins and GABAergic neurotransmission were investigated. The frequency of spontaneous inhibitory postsynaptic currents (sIPSC) was similar in control and LBW rats. Using a paired-pulse protocol to stimulate GABAergic fibres impinging onto granule cells, we found indications of decreased probability of GABA release in LBW rats. However, tonic GABAergic currents and miniature IPSCs, reflecting quantal vesicle release, appeared normal. Additionally, we found elevated expression levels of two presynaptic proteins, Snap-25 and Scamp2, components of the vesicle release machinery. The results suggest that altered GABA release may be an essential feature in the depressive-like phenotype of LBW rats.
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Affiliation(s)
- Zita Dósa
- Department of Biomedicine, Aarhus University, Aarhus, Denmark
| | | | - Betina Elfving
- Translational Neuropsychiatry Unit, Department of Clinical Medicine, Aarhus University, Aarhus, Denmark
| | - Karin Sørig Hougaard
- National Research Centre for the Working Environment, Copenhagen, Denmark
- Department of Public Health, University of Copenhagen, Copenhagen, Denmark
| | - Mai Marie Holm
- Department of Biomedicine, Aarhus University, Aarhus, Denmark
| | - Gregers Wegener
- Translational Neuropsychiatry Unit, Department of Clinical Medicine, Aarhus University, Aarhus, Denmark
- Pharmaceutical Research Center of Excellence, North-West University, Potchefstroom, South Africa
| | - Kimmo Jensen
- Department of Biomedicine, Aarhus University, Aarhus, Denmark
- Department of Neurology, Aalborg University Hospital, Aalborg, Denmark
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Oliveira MCN, Cavalcante IL, de Araújo AN, Ferreira dos Santos AM, de Menezes RPB, Herrera-Acevedo C, Ferreira de Sousa N, de Souza Aquino J, Barbosa-Filho JM, de Castro RD, Almeida RN, Scotti L, Scotti MT, Da Silva Stiebbe Salvadori MG. Methyleugenol Has an Antidepressant Effect in a Neuroendocrine Model: In Silico and In Vivo Evidence. Pharmaceuticals (Basel) 2023; 16:1408. [PMID: 37895879 PMCID: PMC10610402 DOI: 10.3390/ph16101408] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/01/2023] [Revised: 08/18/2023] [Accepted: 08/21/2023] [Indexed: 10/29/2023] Open
Abstract
Major depressive disorder is a severe mood disorder characterized by different emotions and feelings. This study investigated the antidepressant activity of the phenylpropanoid methyleugenol (ME) in adult female mice exposed to a stress model induced by dexamethasone. The animals were randomly divided into groups containing eight animals and were pre-administered with dexamethasone (64 μg/kg subcutaneously). After 165 and 180 min, they were treated with ME (25, 50 and 100 mg/kg intraperitoneally) or imipramine (10 mg/kg intraperitoneally) after 45 min and 30 min, respectively; they were then submitted to tests which were filmed. The videos were analyzed blindly. In the tail suspension test, ME (50 mg/kg) increased latency and reduced immobility time. In the splash test, ME (50 mg/kg) decreased grooming latency and increased grooming time. In the open field, there was no statistical difference for the ME groups regarding the number of crosses, and ME (50 mg/kg) increased the number of rearing and time spent in the center. Regarding in silico studies, ME interacted with dopaminergic D1 and α1 adrenergic pathway receptors and with tryptophan hydroxylase inhibitor. In the in vivo evaluation of the pathways of action, the antidepressant potential of ME (50 mg/kg) was reversed by SCH23390 (4 mg/kg intraperitoneally) dopaminergic D1 receptor, Prazosin (1 mg/kg intraperitoneally) α1 adrenergic receptor, and PCPA (4 mg/kg intraperitoneally) tryptophan hydroxylase inhibitor. Our findings indicate that ME did not alter with the locomotor activity of the animals and shows antidepressant activity in female mice with the participation of the D1, α1 and serotonergic systems.
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Affiliation(s)
- Mayara Cecile Nascimento Oliveira
- Laboratory of Psychopharmacology, Institute for Research in Drugs and Medicines, Federal University of Paraíba, João Pessoa 58051-900, PB, Brazil (A.M.F.d.S.); (R.D.d.C.)
| | - Ikla Lima Cavalcante
- Laboratory of Psychopharmacology, Institute for Research in Drugs and Medicines, Federal University of Paraíba, João Pessoa 58051-900, PB, Brazil (A.M.F.d.S.); (R.D.d.C.)
| | - Alana Natalícia de Araújo
- Laboratory of Psychopharmacology, Institute for Research in Drugs and Medicines, Federal University of Paraíba, João Pessoa 58051-900, PB, Brazil (A.M.F.d.S.); (R.D.d.C.)
| | - Aline Matilde Ferreira dos Santos
- Laboratory of Psychopharmacology, Institute for Research in Drugs and Medicines, Federal University of Paraíba, João Pessoa 58051-900, PB, Brazil (A.M.F.d.S.); (R.D.d.C.)
| | - Renata Priscila Barros de Menezes
- Laboratory of Cheminformatics, Institute for Research in Drugs and Medicines, Federal University of Paraíba, João Pessoa 58051-900, PB, Brazil
| | - Chonny Herrera-Acevedo
- Laboratory of Cheminformatics, Institute for Research in Drugs and Medicines, Federal University of Paraíba, João Pessoa 58051-900, PB, Brazil
| | - Natália Ferreira de Sousa
- Laboratory of Cheminformatics, Institute for Research in Drugs and Medicines, Federal University of Paraíba, João Pessoa 58051-900, PB, Brazil
| | - Jailane de Souza Aquino
- Laboratory of Experimental Nutrition, Department of Nutrition, Federal University of Paraíba, João Pessoa 58051-900, PB, Brazil
| | - José Maria Barbosa-Filho
- Department of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Institute for Research in Drugs and Medicines, Federal University of Paraíba, João Pessoa 58051-900, PB, Brazil
| | - Ricardo Dias de Castro
- Laboratory of Psychopharmacology, Institute for Research in Drugs and Medicines, Federal University of Paraíba, João Pessoa 58051-900, PB, Brazil (A.M.F.d.S.); (R.D.d.C.)
| | - Reinaldo Nóbrega Almeida
- Laboratory of Psychopharmacology, Institute for Research in Drugs and Medicines, Federal University of Paraíba, João Pessoa 58051-900, PB, Brazil (A.M.F.d.S.); (R.D.d.C.)
| | - Luciana Scotti
- Laboratory of Cheminformatics, Institute for Research in Drugs and Medicines, Federal University of Paraíba, João Pessoa 58051-900, PB, Brazil
| | - Marcus Tullius Scotti
- Laboratory of Cheminformatics, Institute for Research in Drugs and Medicines, Federal University of Paraíba, João Pessoa 58051-900, PB, Brazil
| | - Mirian Graciela Da Silva Stiebbe Salvadori
- Laboratory of Psychopharmacology, Institute for Research in Drugs and Medicines, Federal University of Paraíba, João Pessoa 58051-900, PB, Brazil (A.M.F.d.S.); (R.D.d.C.)
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The Effects of Prenatal Dexamethasone Exposure on Brain Metabolic Homeostasis in Adulthood: Implications for Depression. Int J Mol Sci 2023; 24:ijms24021156. [PMID: 36674678 PMCID: PMC9866429 DOI: 10.3390/ijms24021156] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/27/2022] [Revised: 12/09/2022] [Accepted: 12/29/2022] [Indexed: 01/10/2023] Open
Abstract
Since depression produces a long-term negative impact on quality of life, understanding the pathophysiological changes implicated in this disorder is urgent. There is growing evidence that demonstrates a key role for dysfunctional energy metabolism in driving the onset of depression; thus, bioenergetic alterations should be extensively studied. Brain metabolism is known to be a glucocorticoid-sensitive process, but the long-lasting consequences in adulthood following high levels of glucocorticoids at the early stages of life are unclear. We examined a possible association between brain energetic changes induced by synthetic glucocorticoid-dexamethasone treatment in the prenatal period and depressive-like behavior. The results show a reduction in the oxidative phosphorylation process, Krebs cycle impairment, and a weakening of the connection between the Krebs cycle and glycolysis in the frontal cortex of animals receiving dexamethasone, which leads to ATP reduction. These changes appear to be mainly due to decreased expression of pyruvate dehydrogenase, impairment of lactate transport to neurons, and pyruvate to the mitochondria. Acute stress in adulthood only slightly modified the observed alterations in the frontal cortex, while in the case of the hippocampus, prenatal exposure to dexamethasone made this structure more sensitive to future adverse factors.
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Wang YB, Song NN, Ding YQ, Zhang L. Neural Plasticity and Depression Treatment. IBRO Neurosci Rep 2022. [DOI: 10.1016/j.ibneur.2022.09.001] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/08/2022] Open
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Liu L, Li B, Li Q, Han H, Zhou S, Wu Z, Gao H, Zhu J, Gu H, Chen L, Wang H. Transforming growth factor-β receptor 1: An intervention target for genetic poor cartilage quality induced by prenatal dexamethasone exposure. J Adv Res 2022; 47:123-135. [PMID: 35953031 PMCID: PMC10173161 DOI: 10.1016/j.jare.2022.08.002] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/01/2022] [Revised: 08/02/2022] [Accepted: 08/04/2022] [Indexed: 10/15/2022] Open
Abstract
INTRODUCTION Fetal-originated osteoarthritis is relative to poor cartilage quality and may exhibit transgenerational genetic effects. Previous findings revealed prenatal dexamethasone exposure (PDE) induced poor cartilage quality in offspring. OBJECTIVES This study focused on further exploring molecular mechanism, heritability, and early intervention of fetal-originated osteoarthritis. METHODS Pregnant rats (F0) were segregated into control and PDE groups depending upon whether dexamethasone was administered on gestational days (GDs) 9-20. Some female offspring were bred with healthy males during postnatal week (PW) 8 to attain the F2 and F3 generations. The F3-generation rats were administrated with glucosamine intragastrically at PW12 for 6 weeks. The knee cartilages of male and female rats at different time points were harvested to assay their morphologies and functions. Furthermore, primary chondrocytes from the F3-generation rats were isolated to confirm the mechanism and intervention target of glucosamine. RESULTS Compared with the control, female and male rats in each generation of PDE group showed thinner cartilage thicknesses; shallower and uneven staining; fewer chondrocytes; higher Osteoarthritis Research Society International scores; and lower mRNA and protein expression of SP1, TGFβR1, Smad2, SOX9, ACAN and COL2A1. After F3-generation rats were treated with glucosamine, all of the above changes could be reversed. In primary chondrocytes isolated from the F3-generation rats of PDE group, glucosamine promoted SP1 expression and binding to TGFβR1 promoter to increase the expression of TGFβR1, p-Smad2, SOX9, ACAN and COL2A1, but these were prevented by SB431542 (a potent and selective inhibitor of TGFβR1). CONCLUSIONS PDE induced chondrodysplasia in offspring and stably inherited in F3-generation rats, which was related to decreased expression of SP1/TGFβR1/Smad2/SOX9 pathway to reduce the cartilage matrix synthesis, without major sex-based variations. Glucosamine could alleviate the poor genetic cartilage quality in offspring induced by PDE by up-regulating SP1/TGFβR1 signaling, which was prevented by a TGFβR1 inhibitor. This study elucidated the molecular mechanism and therapeutic target (TGFβR1) of genetic chondrodysplasia caused by PDE, which provides a research basis for precisely treating fetal-originated osteoarthritis.
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Affiliation(s)
- Liang Liu
- Department of Orthopedic Surgery, Zhongnan Hospital of Wuhan University, Wuhan 430071, China
| | - Bin Li
- Department of Orthopedic Surgery, Zhongnan Hospital of Wuhan University, Wuhan 430071, China
| | - Qingxian Li
- Department of Orthopedic Surgery, Zhongnan Hospital of Wuhan University, Wuhan 430071, China
| | - Hui Han
- Department of Orthopedic Surgery, Zhongnan Hospital of Wuhan University, Wuhan 430071, China
| | - Siqi Zhou
- Department of Orthopedic Surgery, Zhongnan Hospital of Wuhan University, Wuhan 430071, China
| | - Zhixin Wu
- Department of Orthopedic Surgery, Zhongnan Hospital of Wuhan University, Wuhan 430071, China
| | - Hui Gao
- Department of Orthopedic Surgery, Zhongnan Hospital of Wuhan University, Wuhan 430071, China
| | - Jiayong Zhu
- Department of Orthopedic Surgery, Zhongnan Hospital of Wuhan University, Wuhan 430071, China
| | - Hanwen Gu
- Department of Orthopedic Surgery, Zhongnan Hospital of Wuhan University, Wuhan 430071, China
| | - Liaobin Chen
- Department of Orthopedic Surgery, Zhongnan Hospital of Wuhan University, Wuhan 430071, China; Hubei Provincial Key Laboratory of Developmentally Originated Disease, Wuhan 430071, China.
| | - Hui Wang
- Department of Pharmacology, Wuhan University TaiKang Medical School (School of Basic Medical Sciences), Wuhan 430071, China; Hubei Provincial Key Laboratory of Developmentally Originated Disease, Wuhan 430071, China.
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Khalil R, Kallel S, Farhat A, Dlotko P. Topological Sholl descriptors for neuronal clustering and classification. PLoS Comput Biol 2022; 18:e1010229. [PMID: 35731804 PMCID: PMC9255741 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pcbi.1010229] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/26/2021] [Revised: 07/05/2022] [Accepted: 05/19/2022] [Indexed: 11/18/2022] Open
Abstract
Neuronal morphology is a fundamental factor influencing information processing within neurons and networks. Dendritic morphology in particular can widely vary among cell classes, brain regions, and animal species. Thus, accurate quantitative descriptions allowing classification of large sets of neurons is essential for their structural and functional characterization. Current robust and unbiased computational methods that characterize groups of neurons are scarce. In this work, we introduce a novel technique to study dendritic morphology, complementing and advancing many of the existing techniques. Our approach is to conceptualize the notion of a Sholl descriptor and associate, for each morphological feature, and to each neuron, a function of the radial distance from the soma, taking values in a metric space. Functional distances give rise to pseudo-metrics on sets of neurons which are then used to perform the two distinct tasks of clustering and classification. To illustrate the use of Sholl descriptors, four datasets were retrieved from the large public repository https://neuromorpho.org/ comprising neuronal reconstructions from different species and brain regions. Sholl descriptors were subsequently computed, and standard clustering methods enhanced with detection and metric learning algorithms were then used to objectively cluster and classify each dataset. Importantly, our descriptors outperformed conventional morphometric techniques (L-Measure metrics) in several of the tested datasets. Therefore, we offer a novel and effective approach to the analysis of diverse neuronal cell types, and provide a toolkit for researchers to cluster and classify neurons.
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Affiliation(s)
- Reem Khalil
- American University of Sharjah, Department of Biology Chemistry and Environmental Sciences, Sharjah, United Arab Emirates
- * E-mail:
| | - Sadok Kallel
- American University of Sharjah, Department of Mathematics, Sharjah, United Arab Emirates
| | - Ahmad Farhat
- Dioscuri Centre in Topological Data Analysis, Mathematical Institute, Polish Academy of Sciences, Warsaw, Poland
| | - Pawel Dlotko
- Dioscuri Centre in Topological Data Analysis, Mathematical Institute, Polish Academy of Sciences, Warsaw, Poland
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Costa G, Spulber S, Paci E, Casu MA, Ceccatelli S, Simola N, Morelli M. In utero exposure to dexamethasone causes a persistent and age-dependent exacerbation of the neurotoxic effects and glia activation induced by MDMA in dopaminergic brain regions of C57BL/6J mice. Neurotoxicology 2021; 83:1-13. [PMID: 33338551 DOI: 10.1016/j.neuro.2020.12.005] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/06/2020] [Revised: 11/03/2020] [Accepted: 12/04/2020] [Indexed: 12/22/2022]
Abstract
Clinical and preclinical evidence indicates that prenatal exposure to glucocorticoids may induce detrimental effects in the offspring, including reduction in fetal growth and alterations in the CNS. On this basis, the present study investigated whether in utero exposure to high levels of glucocorticoids is a risk factor that may lead to an exacerbation of the central noxious effects induced by psychoactive drugs consumed later in life. To this end, pregnant C57BL6/J dams were treated with dexamethasone (DEX, 0.05 mg/kg per day) from gestational day 14 until delivery. Thereafter, the male offspring were evaluated to ascertain the magnitude of dopaminergic damage, astrogliosis and microgliosis elicited in the nigrostriatal tract by the amphetamine-related drug 3,4--methylenedioxymethamphetamine (MDMA, 4 × 20 mg/kg, 2 h apart, sacrificed 48 h later) administered at either adolescence or adulthood. Immunohistochemistry was performed in the substantia nigra pars compacta (SNc) and striatum, to evaluate dopaminergic degeneration by measuring tyrosine hydroxylase (TH), as well as astrogliosis and microgliosis by measuring glial fibrillary acidic protein (GFAP) and ionized calcium-binding adapter molecule 1 (IBA-1), respectively. Moreover, immunohistochemistry was used to ascertain the co-localization of IBA-1 with either the pro-inflammatory interleukin (IL) IL-1β or the anti-inflammatory IL IL-10, in order to determine the microglial phenotype. In utero administration of DEX induced dopaminergic damage by decreasing the density of TH-positive fibers in the striatum, although only in adult mice. MDMA administration induced dopaminergic damage and glia activation in the nigrostriatal tract of adolescent and adult mice. Mice exposed to DEX in utero and treated with MDMA later in life showed a more pronounced loss of dopaminergic neurons (adolescent mice) and astrogliosis (adolescent and adult mice) in the SNc, compared with control mice. These results suggest that prenatal exposure to glucocorticoids may induce an age-dependent and persistent increase in the susceptibility to central toxicity of amphetamine-related drugs used later in life.
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Affiliation(s)
- Giulia Costa
- Department of Biomedical Sciences, Section of Neuroscience, University of Cagliari, Cagliari, Italy.
| | - Stefan Spulber
- Department of Neuroscience, Karolinska Institutet, Stockholm, Sweden
| | - Elena Paci
- School of Physiology, Pharmacology and Neuroscience, University of Bristol, Bristol, United Kingdom
| | - Maria Antonietta Casu
- National Research Council of Italy, Institute of Translational Pharmacology, UOS of Cagliari, Scientific and Technological Park of Sardinia POLARIS, Pula, Italy
| | - Sandra Ceccatelli
- Department of Neuroscience, Karolinska Institutet, Stockholm, Sweden
| | - Nicola Simola
- Department of Biomedical Sciences, Section of Neuroscience, University of Cagliari, Cagliari, Italy
| | - Micaela Morelli
- Department of Biomedical Sciences, Section of Neuroscience, University of Cagliari, Cagliari, Italy; National Research Council of Italy, Neuroscience Institute, Cagliari, Italy
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Liu L, Han H, Li Q, Chen M, Zhou S, Wang H, Chen L. Selection and Validation of the Optimal Panel of Reference Genes for RT-qPCR Analysis in the Developing Rat Cartilage. Front Genet 2020; 11:590124. [PMID: 33391345 PMCID: PMC7772434 DOI: 10.3389/fgene.2020.590124] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/03/2020] [Accepted: 11/24/2020] [Indexed: 11/20/2022] Open
Abstract
Real-time fluorescence quantitative PCR (RT-qPCR) is widely used to detect gene expression levels, and selection of reference genes is crucial to the accuracy of RT-qPCR results. Minimum Information for Publication of RT-qPCR Experiments (MIQE) proposes that using the panel of reference genes for RT-qPCR is conducive to obtaining accurate experimental results. However, the selection of the panel of reference genes for RT-qPCR in rat developing cartilage has not been well documented. In this study, we selected eight reference genes commonly used in rat cartilage from literature (GAPDH, ACTB, 18S, GUSB, HPRT1, RPL4, RPL5, and SDHA) as candidates. Then, we screened out the optimal panel of reference genes in female and male rat cartilage of fetus (GD20), juvenile (PW6), and puberty (PW12) in physiology with stability analysis software of genes expression. Finally, we verified the reliability of the selected panel of reference genes with the rat model of intrauterine growth retardation (IUGR) induced by prenatal dexamethasone exposure (PDE). The results showed that the optimal panel of reference genes in cartilage at GD20, PW6, and PW12 in physiology was RPL4 + RPL5, which was consistent with the IUGR model, and there was no significant gender difference. Further, the results of standardizing the target genes showed that RPL4 + RPL5 performed smaller intragroup differences than other panels of reference genes or single reference genes. In conclusion, we found that the optimal panel of reference genes in female and male rat developing cartilage was RPL4 + RPL5, and there was no noticeable difference before and after birth.
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Affiliation(s)
- Liang Liu
- Department of Orthopedic Surgery, Zhongnan Hospital of Wuhan University, Wuhan, China
| | - Hui Han
- Department of Orthopedic Surgery, Zhongnan Hospital of Wuhan University, Wuhan, China
| | - Qingxian Li
- Department of Orthopedic Surgery, Zhongnan Hospital of Wuhan University, Wuhan, China
| | - Ming Chen
- Department of Orthopedic Surgery, Zhongnan Hospital of Wuhan University, Wuhan, China
| | - Siqi Zhou
- Department of Orthopedic Surgery, Zhongnan Hospital of Wuhan University, Wuhan, China
| | - Hui Wang
- Department of Pharmacology, Wuhan University School of Basic Medical Sciences, Wuhan, China.,Hubei Provincial Key Laboratory of Developmentally Originated Disease, Wuhan, China
| | - Liaobin Chen
- Department of Orthopedic Surgery, Zhongnan Hospital of Wuhan University, Wuhan, China.,Hubei Provincial Key Laboratory of Developmentally Originated Disease, Wuhan, China
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Delanogare E, de Souza RM, Rosa GK, Guanabara FG, Rafacho A, Moreira ELG. Enriched environment ameliorates dexamethasone effects on emotional reactivity and metabolic parameters in mice. Stress 2020; 23:466-473. [PMID: 32107952 DOI: 10.1080/10253890.2020.1735344] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/14/2022] Open
Abstract
Convincing evidence shows that stress is associated with the development and course of psychiatric and metabolic disorders. The hypothalamic-pituitary-adrenal (HPA) axis mediates the stress response, a cascade of events that culminate in the release of glucocorticoids from the adrenal cortex. Chronic hypercortisolism typically characterizes stress-related illnesses, such as depression, anxiety, and metabolic syndrome. Considering previous studies pointing that environmental enrichment (EE) mitigates the deleterious effects of stress on neurobiological systems, we hypothesized that EE can confer resiliency against prolonged glucocorticoid administration-induced behavioral and metabolic alterations in mice. In this regard, three-month-old male Swiss mice were exposed to a four-week period of standard environment (SE) or EE. After this period, still in the respective environments, dexamethasone was administered intraperitoneally (i.p.) at a dose of 4 mg/kg, for 21 consecutive days, in order to generate the emotional-related behavioral outcomes, as previously described. It is demonstrated herein that EE prevents the dexamethasone-induced anxiety-like and passive stress-coping behaviors, as observed in the open field and tail suspension tests. Moreover, EE mitigated the hyperproteinemia and body weight loss induced by excess dexamethasone and decreased basal glucose levels. Taken together, these results support the hypothesis that EE attenuates the effects of chronic administration of synthetic glucocorticoids in mice, a strategy that may be translated to the clinical perspective.
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Affiliation(s)
- Eslen Delanogare
- Programa de Pós-Graduação em Neurociências, Universidade Federal de Santa Catarina, Florianopolis, Brazil
| | - Raul Marin de Souza
- Programa de Pós-Graduação em Neurociências, Universidade Federal de Santa Catarina, Florianopolis, Brazil
| | - Giovana Karoline Rosa
- Departamento de Ciências Fisiológicas, Universidade Federal de Santa Catarina, Florianopolis, Brazil
| | - Fernando Garcia Guanabara
- Hospital Universitário Polydoro Ernani de São Thiago, Universidade Federal de Santa Catarina, Florianópolis, Brasil
| | - Alex Rafacho
- Departamento de Ciências Fisiológicas, Universidade Federal de Santa Catarina, Florianopolis, Brazil
| | - Eduardo Luiz Gasnhar Moreira
- Programa de Pós-Graduação em Neurociências, Universidade Federal de Santa Catarina, Florianopolis, Brazil
- Departamento de Ciências Fisiológicas, Universidade Federal de Santa Catarina, Florianopolis, Brazil
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12
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van der Merwe JL, Sacco A, Toelen J, Deprest J. Long-term neuropathological and/or neurobehavioral effects of antenatal corticosteroid therapy in animal models: a systematic review. Pediatr Res 2020; 87:1157-1170. [PMID: 31822018 DOI: 10.1038/s41390-019-0712-1] [Citation(s) in RCA: 11] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/09/2019] [Revised: 11/12/2019] [Accepted: 11/23/2019] [Indexed: 01/14/2023]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Antenatal corticosteroids (ACSs) are recommended to all women at risk for preterm delivery; currently, there is controversy about the subsequent long-term neurocognitive sequelae. This systematic review summarizes the long-term neurodevelopmental outcomes after ACS therapy in animal models. METHODS An electronic search strategy incorporating MeSH and keywords was performed using all known literature databases and in accordance with PRISMA guidance (PROSPERO CRD42019119663). RESULTS Of the 669 studies identified, eventually 64 were included. The majority of studies utilized dexamethasone at relative high dosages and primarily involved rodents. There was a high risk of bias, mostly due to lack of randomization, allocation concealment, and blinding. The main outcomes reported on was neuropathological, particularly glucocorticoid receptor expression and neuron densities, and neurobehavior. Overall there was an upregulation of glucocorticoid receptors with lower neuron densities and a dysregulation of the dopaminergic and serotonergic systems. This coincided with various adverse neurobehavioral outcomes. CONCLUSIONS In animal models, ACSs consistently lead to deleterious long-term neurocognitive effects. This may be due to the specific agents, i.e., dexamethasone, or the repetitive/higher total dosing used. ACS administration varied significantly between studies and there was a high risk of bias. Future research should be standardized in well-characterized models.
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Affiliation(s)
- Johannes L van der Merwe
- Department of Development and Regeneration, Cluster Woman and Child, Faculty of Medicine, KU Leuven, Leuven, Belgium. .,Department of Obstetrics and Gynaecology, Fetal Medicine Unit, UZ Leuven, Leuven, Belgium.
| | - Adalina Sacco
- Institute for Women's Health, University College London, London, UK
| | - Jaan Toelen
- Department of Development and Regeneration, Cluster Woman and Child, Faculty of Medicine, KU Leuven, Leuven, Belgium.,Department of Pediatrics, Division Woman and Child, University Hospitals Leuven, Leuven, Belgium
| | - Jan Deprest
- Department of Development and Regeneration, Cluster Woman and Child, Faculty of Medicine, KU Leuven, Leuven, Belgium.,Department of Obstetrics and Gynaecology, Fetal Medicine Unit, UZ Leuven, Leuven, Belgium.,Institute for Women's Health, University College London, London, UK
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13
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Xin N, Jiang Y, Liu S, Zhou Y, Cheng Y. Effects of prednisolone on behavior and hypothalamic-pituitary-interrenal axis activity in zebrafish. ENVIRONMENTAL TOXICOLOGY AND PHARMACOLOGY 2020; 75:103325. [PMID: 31924570 DOI: 10.1016/j.etap.2020.103325] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/25/2018] [Revised: 03/17/2019] [Accepted: 01/02/2020] [Indexed: 06/10/2023]
Abstract
Prednisolone is a synthetic glucocorticoid used clinically for treating allergies, inflammation, and autoimmune diseases. Long-term prednisolone use has been shown to have negative effects on physiology and mood. We aimed to study the pharmacology and toxicology of glucocorticoid-like drugs by investigating behavioral and hypothalamic-pituitary-interrenal (HPI) axis effects in a zebrafish model. Zebrafish embryos 24 h post fertilization were exposed to 25 μM prednisolone. Their behavior was investigated 5 days post fertilization (dpf), and their HPI axis-related activity and related neurotransmitter levels were investigated 3, 4, 5, and 6 dpf. The behavior results showed that exposure to prednisolone resulted in decreased autonomic activity and low sensitivity to light. qRT-PCR and ELISA results showed decreased activity of the HPI axis and increased secretion of dopamine and serotonin after exposure to prednisolone. This study provides us with new insights into understanding the effects of glucocorticoids on the HPI axis.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ning Xin
- Department of Neurology, The Affiliated Hospital of Xuzhou Medical University, Xuzhou, Jiangsu, 221000, China
| | - Yu Jiang
- Department of Orthopedics, The Affiliated Wuxi No. 2, People's Hospital of Nanjing Medical University, Wuxi, Jiangsu, 214000, China
| | - Sha Liu
- Department of Neurology, The Affiliated Hospital of Xuzhou Medical University, Xuzhou, Jiangsu, 221000, China
| | - Yanlong Zhou
- Department of Neurology, The Affiliated Hospital of Xuzhou Medical University, Xuzhou, Jiangsu, 221000, China
| | - Yanbo Cheng
- Department of Neurology, The Affiliated Hospital of Xuzhou Medical University, Xuzhou, Jiangsu, 221000, China.
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14
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Adult hippocampal neurogenesis and antidepressants effects. Curr Opin Pharmacol 2020; 50:88-95. [DOI: 10.1016/j.coph.2019.11.009] [Citation(s) in RCA: 33] [Impact Index Per Article: 8.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/06/2019] [Accepted: 11/21/2019] [Indexed: 12/11/2022]
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15
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Planchez B, Surget A, Belzung C. WITHDRAWN: Adult hippocampal neurogenesis and antidepressants effects. Curr Opin Pharmacol 2020; 50:17-24. [DOI: 10.1016/j.coph.2019.10.006] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/17/2019] [Revised: 09/27/2019] [Accepted: 10/18/2019] [Indexed: 12/22/2022]
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16
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Pro-neurogenic effect of fluoxetine in the olfactory bulb is concomitant to improvements in social memory and depressive-like behavior of socially isolated mice. Transl Psychiatry 2020; 10:33. [PMID: 32066672 PMCID: PMC7026434 DOI: 10.1038/s41398-020-0701-5] [Citation(s) in RCA: 11] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/01/2019] [Revised: 12/18/2019] [Accepted: 01/02/2020] [Indexed: 02/06/2023] Open
Abstract
Although loneliness is a human experience, it can be estimated in laboratory animals deprived from physical contact with conspecifics. Rodents under social isolation (SI) tend to develop emotional distress and cognitive impairment. However, it is still to be determined whether those conditions present a common neural mechanism. Here, we conducted a series of behavioral, morphological, and neurochemical analyses in adult mice that underwent to 1 week of SI. We observed that SI mice display a depressive-like state that can be prevented by enriched environment, and the antidepressants fluoxetine (FLX) and desipramine (DES). Interestingly, chronic administration of FLX, but not DES, was able to counteract the deleterious effect of SI on social memory. We also analyzed cell proliferation, neurogenesis, and astrogenesis after the treatment with antidepressants. Our results showed that the olfactory bulb (OB) was the neurogenic niche with the highest increase in neurogenesis after the treatment with FLX. Considering that after FLX treatment social memory was rescued and depressive-like behavior decreased, we propose neurogenesis in the OB as a possible mechanism to unify the FLX ability to counteract the deleterious effect of SI.
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17
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Seo MK, Hien LT, Park MK, Choi AJ, Seog DH, Kim SH, Park SW, Lee JG. AMPA receptor-mTORC1 signaling activation is required for neuroplastic effects of LY341495 in rat hippocampal neurons. Sci Rep 2020; 10:993. [PMID: 31969673 PMCID: PMC6976560 DOI: 10.1038/s41598-020-58017-3] [Citation(s) in RCA: 13] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/02/2019] [Accepted: 01/09/2020] [Indexed: 12/14/2022] Open
Abstract
The group II metabotropic glutamate 2/3 (mGlu2/3) receptor antagonist LY341495 produces antidepressant-like effects by acting on mammalian target of rapamycin complex 1 (mTORC1) signaling and α-amino-3-hydroxy-5-methylisoxazole-4-propionate (AMPA) receptors in rodent. We investigated whether LY341495 affects neuroplasticity via these mechanisms in rat primary hippocampal cultures under conditions of dexamethasone (DEX)-induced neurotoxicity. Ketamine was used for comparison. Hippocampal cultures were treated with LY341495 under conditions of DEX-induced toxicity. Changes in mTORC1-mediated proteins were determined by Western blotting analyses. Changes in dendritic outgrowth and spine density were evaluated via immunostaining. LY341495 significantly prevented DEX-induced decreases in the levels of mTORC1, 4E-BP1, and p70S6K phosphorylation as well as the levels of the synaptic proteins. These effects were blocked by pretreatment with the AMPA receptor inhibitor 2,3-dihydroxy-6-nitro-7sulfamoyl-benzo(f)quinoxaline (NBQX) and the mTORC1 inhibitor rapamycin. LY341495 significantly attenuated DEX-induced decreases in dendritic outgrowth and spine density. Pretreatment with rapamycin and NBQX blocked these effects of LY341495. Further analyses indicted that induction of BDNF expression produced by LY341495 was blocked by pretreatment with NBQX and rapamycin. LY341495 has neuroplastic effects by acting on AMPA receptor-mTORC1 signaling under neurotoxic conditions. Therefore, activation of AMPA receptor and mTORC1 signaling, which enhance neuroplasticity, may be novel targets for new antidepressants.
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Affiliation(s)
- Mi Kyoung Seo
- Paik Institute for Clinical Research, Inje University, Busan, 47392, Republic of Korea
| | - Le Thi Hien
- Department of Health Science and Technology, Graduate School, Inje University, Busan, 47392, Republic of Korea
| | - Min Kyung Park
- Departement of Psychiatry, Dong-eui Hospital, Dongeui University, Busan, 47227, Republic of Korea
| | - Ah Jeong Choi
- Paik Institute for Clinical Research, Inje University, Busan, 47392, Republic of Korea
| | - Dae-Hyun Seog
- Department of Biochemistry, College of Medicine, Inje University, Busan, 47392, Republic of Korea
| | - Seong-Ho Kim
- Paik Institute for Clinical Research, Inje University, Busan, 47392, Republic of Korea.,Department of Internal Medicine, College of Medicine, Haeundae Paik Hospital, Inje University, Busan, 48108, Republic of Korea
| | - Sung Woo Park
- Paik Institute for Clinical Research, Inje University, Busan, 47392, Republic of Korea. .,Department of Health Science and Technology, Graduate School, Inje University, Busan, 47392, Republic of Korea. .,Department of Convergence Biomedical Science, College of Medicine, Inje University, Busan, 47392, Republic of Korea.
| | - Jung Goo Lee
- Paik Institute for Clinical Research, Inje University, Busan, 47392, Republic of Korea. .,Department of Health Science and Technology, Graduate School, Inje University, Busan, 47392, Republic of Korea. .,Department of Psychiatry, College of Medicine, Haeundae Paik Hospital, Inje University, Busan, 48108, Republic of Korea.
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18
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Spulber S, Conti M, Elberling F, Raciti M, Borroto-Escuela DO, Fuxe K, Ceccatelli S. Desipramine restores the alterations in circadian entrainment induced by prenatal exposure to glucocorticoids. Transl Psychiatry 2019; 9:263. [PMID: 31624238 PMCID: PMC6797805 DOI: 10.1038/s41398-019-0594-3] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/09/2019] [Revised: 09/09/2019] [Accepted: 09/24/2019] [Indexed: 11/16/2022] Open
Abstract
Alterations in circadian rhythms are closely linked to depression, and we have shown earlier that progressive alterations in circadian entrainment precede the onset of depression in mice exposed in utero to excess glucocorticoids. The aim of this study was to investigate whether treatment with the noradrenaline reuptake inhibitor desipramine (DMI) could restore the alterations in circadian entrainment and prevent the onset of depression-like behavior. C57Bl/6 mice were exposed to dexamethasone (DEX-synthetic glucocorticoid analog, 0.05 mg/kg/day) between gestational day 14 and delivery. Male offspring aged 6 months (mo) were treated with DMI (10 mg/kg/day in drinking water) for at least 21 days before behavioral testing. We recorded spontaneous activity using the TraffiCage™ system and found that DEX mice re-entrained faster than controls after an abrupt advance in light-dark cycle by 6 h, while DMI treatment significantly delayed re-entrainment. Next we assessed the synchronization of peripheral oscillators with the central clock (located in the suprachiasmatic nucleus-SCN), as well as the mechanisms required for entrainment. We found that photic entrainment of the SCN was apparently preserved in DEX mice, but the expression of clock genes in the hippocampus was not synchronized with the light-dark cycle. This was associated with downregulated mRNA expression for arginine vasopressin (AVP; the main molecular output entraining peripheral clocks) in the SCN, and for glucocorticoid receptor (GR; required for the negative feedback loop regulating glucocorticoid secretion) in the hippocampus. DMI treatment restored the mRNA expression of AVP in the SCN and enhanced GR-mediated signaling by upregulating GR expression and nuclear translocation in the hippocampus. Furthermore, DMI treatment at 6 mo prevented the onset of depression-like behavior and the associated alterations in neurogenesis in 12-mo-old DEX mice. Taken together, our data indicate that DMI treatment enhances GR-mediated signaling and restores the synchronization of peripheral clocks with the SCN and support the hypothesis that altered circadian entrainment is a modifiable risk factor for depression.
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Affiliation(s)
- Stefan Spulber
- Department of Neuroscience, Karolinska Institutet, Stockholm, Sweden.
| | - Mirko Conti
- Department of Neuroscience, Karolinska Institutet, Stockholm, Sweden
| | | | - Marilena Raciti
- Department of Neuroscience, Karolinska Institutet, Stockholm, Sweden
| | | | - Kjell Fuxe
- Department of Neuroscience, Karolinska Institutet, Stockholm, Sweden
| | - Sandra Ceccatelli
- Department of Neuroscience, Karolinska Institutet, Stockholm, Sweden
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19
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Huang S, Dong W, Jiao Z, Liu J, Li K, Wang H, Xu D. Prenatal Dexamethasone Exposure Induced Alterations in Neurobehavior and Hippocampal Glutamatergic System Balance in Female Rat Offspring. Toxicol Sci 2019; 171:369-384. [PMID: 31518422 DOI: 10.1093/toxsci/kfz163] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/17/2022] Open
Abstract
Epidemiological investigations have suggested that periodic use of dexamethasone during pregnancy is a risk factor for abnormal behavior in offspring, but the potential mechanism remains unclear. In this study, we investigated the changes in the glutamatergic system and neurobehavior in female offspring with prenatal dexamethasone exposure (PDE) to explore intrauterine programing mechanisms. Compared with the control group, rat offspring with PDE exhibited spatial memory deficits and anxiety-like behavior. The expression of hippocampal glucocorticoid receptors (GR) and histone deacetylase 2 (HDAC2) increased, whereas histone H3 lysine 14 acetylation (H3K14ac) of brain-derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF) exon IV (BDNF IV) and expression of BDNF decreased. The glutamatergic system also changed. We further observed that changes in the fetal hippocampus were consistent with those in adult offspring. In vitro, the administration of 0.5 μM dexamethasone to the H19-7 fetal hippocampal neuron cells directly led to a cascade of changes in the GR/HDAC2/BDNF pathway, whereas the GR antagonist RU486 and the HDAC2 inhibitor romidepsin (Rom) reversed changes caused by dexamethasone to the H3K14ac level of BDNF IV and to the expression of BDNF. The increase in HDAC2 can be reversed by RU486, and the changes in the glutamatergic system can be partially reversed after supplementation with BDNF. It is suggested that PDE increases the expression of HDAC2 by activating GR, reducing the H3K14ac level of BDNF IV, inducing alterations in neurobehavior and hippocampal glutamatergic system balance. The findings suggest that BDNF supplementation and glutamatergic system improvement are potential therapeutic targets for the fetal origins of abnormal neurobehavior.
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Affiliation(s)
- Songqiang Huang
- *Department of Pharmacology, School of Basic Medical Sciences
| | - Wanting Dong
- *Department of Pharmacology, School of Basic Medical Sciences
| | - Zhexiao Jiao
- *Department of Pharmacology, School of Basic Medical Sciences
| | - Jie Liu
- *Department of Pharmacology, School of Basic Medical Sciences
| | - Ke Li
- Hubei Provincial Key Laboratory of Developmentally Originated Disease, Wuhan 430071, Hubei Province, China
| | - Hui Wang
- *Department of Pharmacology, School of Basic Medical Sciences
- Demonstration Center for Experimental Basic Medicine Education, Wuhan University
| | - Dan Xu
- *Department of Pharmacology, School of Basic Medical Sciences
- Demonstration Center for Experimental Basic Medicine Education, Wuhan University
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20
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Wu T, Huang Y, Gong Y, Xu Y, Lu J, Sheng H, Ni X. Treadmill Exercise Ameliorates Depression-Like Behavior in the Rats With Prenatal Dexamethasone Exposure: The Role of Hippocampal Mitochondria. Front Neurosci 2019; 13:264. [PMID: 30971882 PMCID: PMC6443890 DOI: 10.3389/fnins.2019.00264] [Citation(s) in RCA: 24] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/06/2019] [Accepted: 03/06/2019] [Indexed: 12/11/2022] Open
Abstract
Prenatal exposure to synthetic glucocorticoids (sGCs) can increase the risk of affective disorders, such as depression, in adulthood. Given that exercise training can ameliorate depression and improve mitochondrial function, we sought to investigate whether exercise can ameliorate depression-like behavior induced by prenatal sGC exposure and mitochondria function contributes to that behavior. At first, we confirmed that prenatal dexamethasone (Dex) administration in late pregnancy resulted in depression-like behavior and elevated level of circulatory corticosterone in adult offspring. We then found that mRNA and protein expression of a number of mitochondrial genes was changed in the hippocampus of Dex offspring. Mitochondria in the hippocampus showed abnormal morphology, oxidative stress and dysfunction in Dex offspring. Intracerebroventricular (ICV) injection of the mitochondrial superoxide scavenger mitoTEMPO significantly alleviated depression-like behavior but did not significantly affect circulatory corticosterone level in Dex offspring. The adult Dex offspring treated with treadmill exercise starting at four-weeks of age showed ameliorated depressive-like behavior, improved mitochondrial morphology and function and reduced circulatory corticosterone level. Our data suggest mitochondria dysfunction contributes to depression-like behavior caused by prenatal sGC exposure. Intervention with exercise training in early life can reverse depression caused by prenatal Dex exposure, which is associated with improvement of mitochondrial function in the hippocampus.
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Affiliation(s)
- Tianwen Wu
- Department of Physiology, Second Military Medical University, Shanghai, China
| | - Yan Huang
- Department of Physiology, Second Military Medical University, Shanghai, China
| | - Yuxiang Gong
- School of Kinesiology, Shanghai University of Sport, Shanghai, China
| | - Yongjun Xu
- Department of Physiology, Second Military Medical University, Shanghai, China.,Department of Clinical Genetics and Experimental Medicine, Fuzhou General Hospital, School of Medicine, Xiamen University, Fuzhou, China
| | - Jianqiang Lu
- School of Kinesiology, Shanghai University of Sport, Shanghai, China
| | - Hui Sheng
- Department of Physiology, Second Military Medical University, Shanghai, China
| | - Xin Ni
- Department of Physiology, Second Military Medical University, Shanghai, China.,Research Center of Molecular Metabolomics, Xiangya Hospital, Central South University, Changsha, China
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21
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Abstract
Stress is an adaptive response to environment aversive stimuli and a common life experience of one's daily life. Chronic or excessive stress especially that happened in early life is found to be deleterious to individual's physical and mental health, which is highly related to depressive disorders onset. Stressful life events are consistently considered to be the high-risk factors of environment for predisposing depressive disorders. In linking stressful life events with depressive disorder onset, dysregulated HPA axis activity is supposed to play an important role in mediating aversive impacts of life stress on brain structure and function. Increasing evidence have indicated the strong association of stress, especially the chronic stress and early life stress, with depressive disorders development, while the association of stress with depression is moderated by genetic risk factors, including polymorphism of SERT, BDNF, GR, FKBP5, MR, and CRHR1. Meanwhile, stressful life experience particularly early life stress will exert epigenetic modification in these risk genes via DNA methylation and miRNA regulation to generate long-lasting effects on these genes expression, which in turn cause brain structural and functional alteration, and finally increase the vulnerability to depressive disorders. Therefore, the interaction of environment with gene, in which stressful life exposure interplay with genetic risk factors and epigenetic modification, is essential in predicting depressive disorders development. As the mediator of environmental risk factors, stress will function together with genetic and epigenetic mechanism to influence brain structure and function, physiology and psychology, and finally the vulnerability to depressive disorders.
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