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Fedotcheva TA, Uspenskaya ME, Ulchenko DN, Shimanovsky NL. Dehydroepiandrosterone and Its Metabolite 5-Androstenediol: New Therapeutic Targets and Possibilities for Clinical Application. Pharmaceuticals (Basel) 2024; 17:1186. [PMID: 39338348 PMCID: PMC11435263 DOI: 10.3390/ph17091186] [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: 08/11/2024] [Revised: 09/02/2024] [Accepted: 09/06/2024] [Indexed: 09/30/2024] Open
Abstract
Dehydroepiandrosterone and its sulfate are the most abundant steroids in humans. The metabolism of dehydroepiandrosterone can differ significantly depending on the organ or tissue and the subtype of steroid receptors expressed in it. For dehydroepiandrosterone, as a precursor of all steroid hormones, intracrine hormonal activity is inherent. This unique feature could be beneficial for the medicinal application, especially for the local treatment of various pathologies. At present, the clinical use of dehydroepiandrosterone is limited by its Intrarosa® (Quebec city, QC, Canada) prasterone) 6.5 mg vaginal suppositories for the treatment of vaginal atrophy and dyspareunia, while the dehydroepiandrosterone synthetic derivatives Triplex, BNN 27, and Fluasterone have the investigational status for the treatment of various diseases. Here, we discuss the molecular targets of dehydroepiandrosterone, which open future prospects to expand its indications for use. Dehydroepiandrosterone, as an oral drug, is surmised to have promise in the treatment of osteoporosis, cachexia, and sarcopenia, as does 10% unguent for skin and muscle regeneration. Also, 5-androstenediol, a metabolite of dehydroepiandrosterone, is a promising candidate for the treatment of acute radiation syndrome and as an immunostimulating agent during radiopharmaceutical therapy. The design and synthesis of new 5-androstenediol derivatives with increased bioavailability may lead to the appearance of highly effective cytoprotectors on the pharmaceutical market. The argumentations for new clinical applications of these steroids and novel insights into their mechanisms of action are discussed.
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Affiliation(s)
- Tatiana A Fedotcheva
- Laboratory of Molecular Pharmacology, Pirogov Russian National Research Medical University, 1 Ostrovityanova St., Moscow 117997, Russia
| | - Maria E Uspenskaya
- Laboratory of Molecular Pharmacology, Pirogov Russian National Research Medical University, 1 Ostrovityanova St., Moscow 117997, Russia
| | - Darya N Ulchenko
- Laboratory of Molecular Pharmacology, Pirogov Russian National Research Medical University, 1 Ostrovityanova St., Moscow 117997, Russia
| | - Nikolay L Shimanovsky
- Laboratory of Molecular Pharmacology, Pirogov Russian National Research Medical University, 1 Ostrovityanova St., Moscow 117997, Russia
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Vartzoka F, Parlantza MA, Tarantilis PA, Pitsikas N. Co-administration of sub-effective doses of the constituents of Crocus sativus L. crocins with those of the antipsychotics clozapine and risperidone counteract memory deficits caused by blockade of the NMDA receptor in rats. Phytother Res 2024; 38:4140-4150. [PMID: 39031890 DOI: 10.1002/ptr.8266] [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: 11/23/2023] [Revised: 04/03/2024] [Accepted: 05/25/2024] [Indexed: 07/22/2024]
Abstract
Experimental evidence indicates that the noncompetitive N-methyl-D-aspartate (NMDA) receptor antagonists ketamine and MK-801 induce schizophrenia-like symptoms in rodents, including cognitive deficits. Crocins are among the active components of the plant Crocus sativus L. and were found to be effective in different models of psychiatric disorders comprising schizophrenia. The present study was designed to evaluate the efficacy of the joint administration of sub-effective doses of crocins with those of the atypical antipsychotics clozapine and risperidone in alleviating nonspatial recognition and emotional memory deficits induced either by ketamine (3 mg/kg) or MK-801 (0.1 mg/kg) in the rat. To this end, the object recognition and the step-through passive avoidance tests were used. Co-administration of sub-effective doses of crocins (5 mg/kg) with those of clozapine (0.1 mg/kg) or risperidone (0.03 mg/kg) counteracted nonspatial recognition and emotional memory deficits induced by NMDA receptor antagonists. The current findings suggest that this combinatorial treatment was efficacious in attenuating cognitive impairments related to the blockade of the NMDA receptor. In addition, the present results support the potential of crocins as an adjunctive drug for the therapy of schizophrenia.
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Affiliation(s)
- Foteini Vartzoka
- Department of Pharmacology, Faculty of Medicine, School of Health Sciences, University of Thessaly, Larissa, Greece
| | - Maria Anastasia Parlantza
- Department of Pharmacology, Faculty of Medicine, School of Health Sciences, University of Thessaly, Larissa, Greece
| | - Petros A Tarantilis
- Laboratory of Chemistry, Department of Food Science and Human Nutrition, School of Food and Nutritional Sciences, Agricultural University of Athens, Athens, Greece
| | - Nikolaos Pitsikas
- Department of Pharmacology, Faculty of Medicine, School of Health Sciences, University of Thessaly, Larissa, Greece
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Sikiric P, Boban Blagaic A, Strbe S, Beketic Oreskovic L, Oreskovic I, Sikiric S, Staresinic M, Sever M, Kokot A, Jurjevic I, Matek D, Coric L, Krezic I, Tvrdeic A, Luetic K, Batelja Vuletic L, Pavic P, Mestrovic T, Sjekavica I, Skrtic A, Seiwerth S. The Stable Gastric Pentadecapeptide BPC 157 Pleiotropic Beneficial Activity and Its Possible Relations with Neurotransmitter Activity. Pharmaceuticals (Basel) 2024; 17:461. [PMID: 38675421 PMCID: PMC11053547 DOI: 10.3390/ph17040461] [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: 02/15/2024] [Revised: 03/24/2024] [Accepted: 03/28/2024] [Indexed: 04/28/2024] Open
Abstract
We highlight the particular aspects of the stable gastric pentadecapeptide BPC 157 pleiotropic beneficial activity (not destroyed in human gastric juice, native and stable in human gastric juice, as a cytoprotection mediator holds a response specifically related to preventing or recovering damage as such) and its possible relations with neurotransmitter activity. We attempt to resolve the shortage of the pleiotropic beneficial effects of BPC 157, given the general standard neurotransmitter criteria, in classic terms. We substitute the lack of direct conclusive evidence (i.e., production within the neuron or present in it as a precursor molecule, released eliciting a response on the receptor on the target cells on neurons and being removed from the site of action once its signaling role is complete). This can be a network of interconnected evidence, previously envisaged in the implementation of the cytoprotection effects, consistent beneficial particular evidence that BPC 157 therapy counteracts dopamine, serotonin, glutamate, GABA, adrenalin/noradrenalin, acetylcholine, and NO-system disturbances. This specifically includes counteraction of those disturbances related to their receptors, both blockade and over-activity, destruction, depletion, tolerance, sensitization, and channel disturbances counteraction. Likewise, BPC 157 activates particular receptors (i.e., VGEF and growth hormone). Furthermore, close BPC 157/NO-system relations with the gasotransmitters crossing the cell membrane and acting directly on molecules inside the cell may envisage particular interactions with receptors on the plasma membrane of their target cells. Finally, there is nerve-muscle relation in various muscle disturbance counteractions, and nerve-nerve relation in various encephalopathies counteraction, which is also exemplified specifically by the BPC 157 therapy application.
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Affiliation(s)
- Predrag Sikiric
- Department of Pharmacology, School of Medicine, University of Zagreb, 10000 Zagreb, Croatia; (A.B.B.); (S.S.); (L.B.O.); (I.O.); (S.S.); (M.S.); (M.S.); (A.K.); (I.J.); (D.M.); (L.C.); (I.K.); (A.T.); (K.L.); (L.B.V.); (P.P.); (T.M.); (I.S.); (S.S.)
| | - Alenka Boban Blagaic
- Department of Pharmacology, School of Medicine, University of Zagreb, 10000 Zagreb, Croatia; (A.B.B.); (S.S.); (L.B.O.); (I.O.); (S.S.); (M.S.); (M.S.); (A.K.); (I.J.); (D.M.); (L.C.); (I.K.); (A.T.); (K.L.); (L.B.V.); (P.P.); (T.M.); (I.S.); (S.S.)
| | - Sanja Strbe
- Department of Pharmacology, School of Medicine, University of Zagreb, 10000 Zagreb, Croatia; (A.B.B.); (S.S.); (L.B.O.); (I.O.); (S.S.); (M.S.); (M.S.); (A.K.); (I.J.); (D.M.); (L.C.); (I.K.); (A.T.); (K.L.); (L.B.V.); (P.P.); (T.M.); (I.S.); (S.S.)
| | - Lidija Beketic Oreskovic
- Department of Pharmacology, School of Medicine, University of Zagreb, 10000 Zagreb, Croatia; (A.B.B.); (S.S.); (L.B.O.); (I.O.); (S.S.); (M.S.); (M.S.); (A.K.); (I.J.); (D.M.); (L.C.); (I.K.); (A.T.); (K.L.); (L.B.V.); (P.P.); (T.M.); (I.S.); (S.S.)
| | - Ivana Oreskovic
- Department of Pharmacology, School of Medicine, University of Zagreb, 10000 Zagreb, Croatia; (A.B.B.); (S.S.); (L.B.O.); (I.O.); (S.S.); (M.S.); (M.S.); (A.K.); (I.J.); (D.M.); (L.C.); (I.K.); (A.T.); (K.L.); (L.B.V.); (P.P.); (T.M.); (I.S.); (S.S.)
| | - Suncana Sikiric
- Department of Pharmacology, School of Medicine, University of Zagreb, 10000 Zagreb, Croatia; (A.B.B.); (S.S.); (L.B.O.); (I.O.); (S.S.); (M.S.); (M.S.); (A.K.); (I.J.); (D.M.); (L.C.); (I.K.); (A.T.); (K.L.); (L.B.V.); (P.P.); (T.M.); (I.S.); (S.S.)
- Department of Pathology, School of Medicine, University of Zagreb, 10000 Zagreb, Croatia
| | - Mario Staresinic
- Department of Pharmacology, School of Medicine, University of Zagreb, 10000 Zagreb, Croatia; (A.B.B.); (S.S.); (L.B.O.); (I.O.); (S.S.); (M.S.); (M.S.); (A.K.); (I.J.); (D.M.); (L.C.); (I.K.); (A.T.); (K.L.); (L.B.V.); (P.P.); (T.M.); (I.S.); (S.S.)
- Department of Surgery, School of Medicine, University of Zagreb, 10000 Zagreb, Croatia
| | - Marko Sever
- Department of Pharmacology, School of Medicine, University of Zagreb, 10000 Zagreb, Croatia; (A.B.B.); (S.S.); (L.B.O.); (I.O.); (S.S.); (M.S.); (M.S.); (A.K.); (I.J.); (D.M.); (L.C.); (I.K.); (A.T.); (K.L.); (L.B.V.); (P.P.); (T.M.); (I.S.); (S.S.)
- Department of Surgery, School of Medicine, University of Zagreb, 10000 Zagreb, Croatia
| | - Antonio Kokot
- Department of Pharmacology, School of Medicine, University of Zagreb, 10000 Zagreb, Croatia; (A.B.B.); (S.S.); (L.B.O.); (I.O.); (S.S.); (M.S.); (M.S.); (A.K.); (I.J.); (D.M.); (L.C.); (I.K.); (A.T.); (K.L.); (L.B.V.); (P.P.); (T.M.); (I.S.); (S.S.)
- Department of Anatomy and Neuroscience, School of Medicine, J.J. Strossmayer University of Osijek, 31000 Osijek, Croatia
| | - Ivana Jurjevic
- Department of Pharmacology, School of Medicine, University of Zagreb, 10000 Zagreb, Croatia; (A.B.B.); (S.S.); (L.B.O.); (I.O.); (S.S.); (M.S.); (M.S.); (A.K.); (I.J.); (D.M.); (L.C.); (I.K.); (A.T.); (K.L.); (L.B.V.); (P.P.); (T.M.); (I.S.); (S.S.)
| | - Danijel Matek
- Department of Pharmacology, School of Medicine, University of Zagreb, 10000 Zagreb, Croatia; (A.B.B.); (S.S.); (L.B.O.); (I.O.); (S.S.); (M.S.); (M.S.); (A.K.); (I.J.); (D.M.); (L.C.); (I.K.); (A.T.); (K.L.); (L.B.V.); (P.P.); (T.M.); (I.S.); (S.S.)
| | - Luka Coric
- Department of Pharmacology, School of Medicine, University of Zagreb, 10000 Zagreb, Croatia; (A.B.B.); (S.S.); (L.B.O.); (I.O.); (S.S.); (M.S.); (M.S.); (A.K.); (I.J.); (D.M.); (L.C.); (I.K.); (A.T.); (K.L.); (L.B.V.); (P.P.); (T.M.); (I.S.); (S.S.)
| | - Ivan Krezic
- Department of Pharmacology, School of Medicine, University of Zagreb, 10000 Zagreb, Croatia; (A.B.B.); (S.S.); (L.B.O.); (I.O.); (S.S.); (M.S.); (M.S.); (A.K.); (I.J.); (D.M.); (L.C.); (I.K.); (A.T.); (K.L.); (L.B.V.); (P.P.); (T.M.); (I.S.); (S.S.)
| | - Ante Tvrdeic
- Department of Pharmacology, School of Medicine, University of Zagreb, 10000 Zagreb, Croatia; (A.B.B.); (S.S.); (L.B.O.); (I.O.); (S.S.); (M.S.); (M.S.); (A.K.); (I.J.); (D.M.); (L.C.); (I.K.); (A.T.); (K.L.); (L.B.V.); (P.P.); (T.M.); (I.S.); (S.S.)
| | - Kresimir Luetic
- Department of Pharmacology, School of Medicine, University of Zagreb, 10000 Zagreb, Croatia; (A.B.B.); (S.S.); (L.B.O.); (I.O.); (S.S.); (M.S.); (M.S.); (A.K.); (I.J.); (D.M.); (L.C.); (I.K.); (A.T.); (K.L.); (L.B.V.); (P.P.); (T.M.); (I.S.); (S.S.)
| | - Lovorka Batelja Vuletic
- Department of Pharmacology, School of Medicine, University of Zagreb, 10000 Zagreb, Croatia; (A.B.B.); (S.S.); (L.B.O.); (I.O.); (S.S.); (M.S.); (M.S.); (A.K.); (I.J.); (D.M.); (L.C.); (I.K.); (A.T.); (K.L.); (L.B.V.); (P.P.); (T.M.); (I.S.); (S.S.)
- Department of Pathology, School of Medicine, University of Zagreb, 10000 Zagreb, Croatia
| | - Predrag Pavic
- Department of Pharmacology, School of Medicine, University of Zagreb, 10000 Zagreb, Croatia; (A.B.B.); (S.S.); (L.B.O.); (I.O.); (S.S.); (M.S.); (M.S.); (A.K.); (I.J.); (D.M.); (L.C.); (I.K.); (A.T.); (K.L.); (L.B.V.); (P.P.); (T.M.); (I.S.); (S.S.)
- Department of Surgery, School of Medicine, University of Zagreb, 10000 Zagreb, Croatia
| | - Tomislav Mestrovic
- Department of Pharmacology, School of Medicine, University of Zagreb, 10000 Zagreb, Croatia; (A.B.B.); (S.S.); (L.B.O.); (I.O.); (S.S.); (M.S.); (M.S.); (A.K.); (I.J.); (D.M.); (L.C.); (I.K.); (A.T.); (K.L.); (L.B.V.); (P.P.); (T.M.); (I.S.); (S.S.)
- Department of Anatomy and Neuroscience, School of Medicine, J.J. Strossmayer University of Osijek, 31000 Osijek, Croatia
| | - Ivica Sjekavica
- Department of Pharmacology, School of Medicine, University of Zagreb, 10000 Zagreb, Croatia; (A.B.B.); (S.S.); (L.B.O.); (I.O.); (S.S.); (M.S.); (M.S.); (A.K.); (I.J.); (D.M.); (L.C.); (I.K.); (A.T.); (K.L.); (L.B.V.); (P.P.); (T.M.); (I.S.); (S.S.)
- Department of Diagnostic and Interventional Radiology, Sestre Milosrdnice University Hospital Center, 10000 Zagreb, Croatia
| | - Anita Skrtic
- Department of Pharmacology, School of Medicine, University of Zagreb, 10000 Zagreb, Croatia; (A.B.B.); (S.S.); (L.B.O.); (I.O.); (S.S.); (M.S.); (M.S.); (A.K.); (I.J.); (D.M.); (L.C.); (I.K.); (A.T.); (K.L.); (L.B.V.); (P.P.); (T.M.); (I.S.); (S.S.)
- Department of Pathology, School of Medicine, University of Zagreb, 10000 Zagreb, Croatia
| | - Sven Seiwerth
- Department of Pharmacology, School of Medicine, University of Zagreb, 10000 Zagreb, Croatia; (A.B.B.); (S.S.); (L.B.O.); (I.O.); (S.S.); (M.S.); (M.S.); (A.K.); (I.J.); (D.M.); (L.C.); (I.K.); (A.T.); (K.L.); (L.B.V.); (P.P.); (T.M.); (I.S.); (S.S.)
- Department of Pathology, School of Medicine, University of Zagreb, 10000 Zagreb, Croatia
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Fragkiadaki E, Katsanou L, Vartzoka F, Gravanis A, Pitsikas N. Effects of low doses of the novel dehydroepiandrosterone (DHEA) derivative BNN27 in rat models of anxiety. Psychopharmacology (Berl) 2024; 241:341-350. [PMID: 37917180 PMCID: PMC10806005 DOI: 10.1007/s00213-023-06490-9] [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: 06/14/2023] [Accepted: 10/23/2023] [Indexed: 11/04/2023]
Abstract
RATIONALE Several lines of evidence indicate that the neurosteroid dehydroepiandrosterone (DHEA) is involved in anxiety. BNN27 is a new DHEA derivative lacking steroidogenic effects. The beneficial effects exerted by BNN27 in preclinical models of schizophrenia and memory disorders have been recently reported. OBJECTIVES The present study was designed to investigate the effects of this DHEA novel analog on anxiety-like behavior in rats. METHODS To this end, the light/dark box, the open field, the contextual fear conditioning, and the excessive self-grooming induced by the serotonin 5-HT2c receptor agonist mCPP tests were utilized. RESULTS Animals treated acutely with BNN27 (1, 3, and 6 mg/kg) dose dependently spent more time in the bright compartment of the light/dark box and in the central zone of the open field with respect to their vehicle-treated cohorts. Further, BNN27 reduced freezing behavior and weakened the mCPP-induced excessive self-grooming. CONCLUSIONS Our data indicate that BNN27 is a highly potent anxiolytic agent, as in all studied paradigms it showed anxiolytic-like effects in male rats.
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Affiliation(s)
- Evangelia Fragkiadaki
- Department of Pharmacology, Faculty of Medicine, School of Health Sciences, University of Thessaly, Biopolis, Panepistimiou 3, 415-00, Larissa, Greece
| | - Lamprini Katsanou
- Department of Pharmacology, Faculty of Medicine, School of Health Sciences, University of Thessaly, Biopolis, Panepistimiou 3, 415-00, Larissa, Greece
| | - Foteini Vartzoka
- Department of Pharmacology, Faculty of Medicine, School of Health Sciences, University of Thessaly, Biopolis, Panepistimiou 3, 415-00, Larissa, Greece
| | - Achille Gravanis
- Department of Pharmacology, School of Medicine, University of Crete, Heraklion, Greece
| | - Nikolaos Pitsikas
- Department of Pharmacology, Faculty of Medicine, School of Health Sciences, University of Thessaly, Biopolis, Panepistimiou 3, 415-00, Larissa, Greece.
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Spark DL, Ma S, Nowell CJ, Langmead CJ, Stewart GD, Nithianantharajah J. Sex-Dependent Attentional Impairments in a Subchronic Ketamine Mouse Model for Schizophrenia. BIOLOGICAL PSYCHIATRY GLOBAL OPEN SCIENCE 2024; 4:229-239. [PMID: 38298794 PMCID: PMC10829638 DOI: 10.1016/j.bpsgos.2023.05.003] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/06/2022] [Revised: 05/16/2023] [Accepted: 05/18/2023] [Indexed: 02/02/2024] Open
Abstract
Background The development of more effective treatments for schizophrenia targeting cognitive and negative symptoms has been limited, partly due to a disconnect between rodent models and human illness. Ketamine administration is widely used to model symptoms of schizophrenia in both humans and rodents. In mice, subchronic ketamine treatment reproduces key dopamine and glutamate dysfunction; however, it is unclear how this translates into behavioral changes reflecting positive, negative, and cognitive symptoms. Methods In male and female mice treated with either subchronic ketamine or saline, we assessed spontaneous and amphetamine-induced locomotor activity to measure behaviors relevant to positive symptoms, and used a touchscreen-based progressive ratio task of motivation and the rodent continuous performance test of attention to capture specific negative and cognitive symptoms, respectively. To explore neuronal changes underlying the behavioral effects of subchronic ketamine treatment, we quantified expression of the immediate early gene product, c-Fos, in key corticostriatal regions using immunofluorescence. Results We showed that spontaneous locomotor activity was unchanged in male and female subchronic ketamine-treated animals, and amphetamine-induced locomotor response was reduced. Subchronic ketamine treatment did not alter motivation in either male or female mice. In contrast, we identified a sex-specific effect of subchronic ketamine on attentional processing wherein female mice performed worse than control mice due to increased nonselective responding. Finally, we showed that subchronic ketamine treatment increased c-Fos expression in prefrontal cortical and striatal regions, consistent with a mechanism of widespread disinhibition of neuronal activity. Conclusions Our results highlight that the subchronic ketamine mouse model reproduces a subset of behavioral symptoms that are relevant for schizophrenia.
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Affiliation(s)
- Daisy L. Spark
- Drug Discovery Biology Monash Institute of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Monash University, Parkville, Victoria, Australia
- Neuroscience & Mental Health Therapeutic Program Area, Monash Institute of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Monash University, Parkville, Victoria, Australia
- Neuromedicines Discovery Centre, Monash Institute of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Monash University, Parkville, Victoria, Australia
| | - Sherie Ma
- Drug Discovery Biology Monash Institute of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Monash University, Parkville, Victoria, Australia
| | - Cameron J. Nowell
- Drug Discovery Biology Monash Institute of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Monash University, Parkville, Victoria, Australia
| | - Christopher J. Langmead
- Drug Discovery Biology Monash Institute of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Monash University, Parkville, Victoria, Australia
- Neuroscience & Mental Health Therapeutic Program Area, Monash Institute of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Monash University, Parkville, Victoria, Australia
- Neuromedicines Discovery Centre, Monash Institute of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Monash University, Parkville, Victoria, Australia
| | - Gregory D. Stewart
- Drug Discovery Biology Monash Institute of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Monash University, Parkville, Victoria, Australia
- Neuroscience & Mental Health Therapeutic Program Area, Monash Institute of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Monash University, Parkville, Victoria, Australia
- Neuromedicines Discovery Centre, Monash Institute of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Monash University, Parkville, Victoria, Australia
| | - Jess Nithianantharajah
- Florey Institute of Neuroscience and Mental Health, University of Melbourne, Parkville, Victoria, Australia
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Sikiric P, Gojkovic S, Krezic I, Smoday IM, Kalogjera L, Zizek H, Oroz K, Vranes H, Vukovic V, Labidi M, Strbe S, Baketic Oreskovic L, Sever M, Tepes M, Knezevic M, Barisic I, Blagaic V, Vlainic J, Dobric I, Staresinic M, Skrtic A, Jurjevic I, Boban Blagaic A, Seiwerth S. Stable Gastric Pentadecapeptide BPC 157 May Recover Brain-Gut Axis and Gut-Brain Axis Function. Pharmaceuticals (Basel) 2023; 16:ph16050676. [PMID: 37242459 DOI: 10.3390/ph16050676] [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: 03/09/2023] [Revised: 04/12/2023] [Accepted: 04/25/2023] [Indexed: 05/28/2023] Open
Abstract
Conceptually, a wide beneficial effect, both peripherally and centrally, might have been essential for the harmony of brain-gut and gut-brain axes' function. Seen from the original viewpoint of the gut peptides' significance and brain relation, the favorable stable gastric pentadecapeptide BPC 157 evidence in the brain-gut and gut-brain axes' function might have been presented as a particular interconnected network. These were the behavioral findings (interaction with main systems, anxiolytic, anticonvulsive, antidepressant effect, counteracted catalepsy, and positive and negative schizophrenia symptoms models). Muscle healing and function recovery appeared as the therapeutic effects of BPC 157 on the various muscle disabilities of a multitude of causes, both peripheral and central. Heart failure was counteracted (including arrhythmias and thrombosis), and smooth muscle function recovered. These existed as a multimodal muscle axis impact on muscle function and healing as a function of the brain-gut axis and gut-brain axis as whole. Finally, encephalopathies, acting simultaneously in both the periphery and central nervous system, BPC 157 counteracted stomach and liver lesions and various encephalopathies in NSAIDs and insulin rats. BPC 157 therapy by rapidly activated collateral pathways counteracted the vascular and multiorgan failure concomitant to major vessel occlusion and, similar to noxious procedures, reversed initiated multicausal noxious circuit of the occlusion/occlusion-like syndrome. Severe intracranial (superior sagittal sinus) hypertension, portal and caval hypertensions, and aortal hypotension were attenuated/eliminated. Counteracted were the severe lesions in the brain, lungs, liver, kidney, and gastrointestinal tract. In particular, progressing thrombosis, both peripherally and centrally, and heart arrhythmias and infarction that would consistently occur were fully counteracted and/or almost annihilated. To conclude, we suggest further BPC 157 therapy applications.
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Affiliation(s)
- Predrag Sikiric
- Department of Pharmacology, School of Medicine, University of Zagreb, 10000 Zagreb, Croatia
| | - Slaven Gojkovic
- Department of Pharmacology, School of Medicine, University of Zagreb, 10000 Zagreb, Croatia
| | - Ivan Krezic
- Department of Pharmacology, School of Medicine, University of Zagreb, 10000 Zagreb, Croatia
| | - Ivan Maria Smoday
- Department of Pharmacology, School of Medicine, University of Zagreb, 10000 Zagreb, Croatia
| | - Luka Kalogjera
- Department of Pharmacology, School of Medicine, University of Zagreb, 10000 Zagreb, Croatia
| | - Helena Zizek
- Department of Pharmacology, School of Medicine, University of Zagreb, 10000 Zagreb, Croatia
| | - Katarina Oroz
- Department of Pharmacology, School of Medicine, University of Zagreb, 10000 Zagreb, Croatia
| | - Hrvoje Vranes
- Department of Pharmacology, School of Medicine, University of Zagreb, 10000 Zagreb, Croatia
| | - Vlasta Vukovic
- Department of Pharmacology, School of Medicine, University of Zagreb, 10000 Zagreb, Croatia
| | - May Labidi
- Department of Pharmacology, School of Medicine, University of Zagreb, 10000 Zagreb, Croatia
| | - Sanja Strbe
- Department of Pharmacology, School of Medicine, University of Zagreb, 10000 Zagreb, Croatia
| | | | - Marko Sever
- Department of Surgery, School of Medicine, University of Zagreb, 10000 Zagreb, Croatia
| | - Marijan Tepes
- Department of Clinical Medicine, Faculty of Dental Medicine and Health, University of Osijek, 31000 Osijek, Croatia
| | - Mario Knezevic
- Department of Pharmacology, School of Medicine, University of Zagreb, 10000 Zagreb, Croatia
| | - Ivan Barisic
- Department of Pharmacology, School of Medicine, University of Zagreb, 10000 Zagreb, Croatia
| | - Vladimir Blagaic
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Clinical Hospital Sveti Duh, 10000 Zagreb, Croatia
| | - Josipa Vlainic
- Laboratory for Advanced Genomics, Division of Molecular Medicine, lnstitute Ruder Boskovic, 10000 Zagreb, Croatia
| | - Ivan Dobric
- Department of Surgery, School of Medicine, University of Zagreb, 10000 Zagreb, Croatia
| | - Mario Staresinic
- Department of Surgery, School of Medicine, University of Zagreb, 10000 Zagreb, Croatia
| | - Anita Skrtic
- Department of Pathology, School of Medicine, University of Zagreb, 10000 Zagreb, Croatia
| | - Ivana Jurjevic
- Department of Pharmacology, School of Medicine, University of Zagreb, 10000 Zagreb, Croatia
| | - Alenka Boban Blagaic
- Department of Pharmacology, School of Medicine, University of Zagreb, 10000 Zagreb, Croatia
| | - Sven Seiwerth
- Department of Pathology, School of Medicine, University of Zagreb, 10000 Zagreb, Croatia
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7
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Katsanou L, Fragkiadaki E, Kampouris S, Konstanta A, Vontzou A, Pitsikas N. The Nitric Oxide (NO) Donor Molsidomine Counteract Social Withdrawal and Cognition Deficits Induced by Blockade of the NMDA Receptor in the Rat. Int J Mol Sci 2023; 24:ijms24076866. [PMID: 37047839 PMCID: PMC10095209 DOI: 10.3390/ijms24076866] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/15/2023] [Revised: 04/01/2023] [Accepted: 04/06/2023] [Indexed: 04/14/2023] Open
Abstract
The deficiency of the gaseous molecule nitric oxide (NO) seems to be critically involved in the pathogenesis of schizophrenia. Thus, molecules that can normalize NO levels, as are NO donors, might be of utility for the medication of this psychiatric disease. The aim of the present study was to detect the ability of the NO donor molsidomine to reduce schizophrenia-like impairments produced by the blockade of the N-methyl-D-aspartate (NMDA) receptor in rats. Molsidomine's ability to attenuate social withdrawal and spatial recognition memory deficits induced by the NMDA receptor antagonist ketamine were assessed using the social interaction and the object location test, respectively. Further, the efficacy of the combination of sub-effective doses of molsidomine with sub-effective doses of the atypical antipsychotic clozapine in alleviating non-spatial recognition memory deficits was evaluated utilizing the object recognition task. Molsidomine (2 and 4 mg/kg) attenuated social withdrawal and spatial recognition memory deficits induced by ketamine. Co-administration of inactive doses of molsidomine (1 mg/kg) and clozapine (0.1 mg/kg) counteracted delay-dependent and ketamine-induced non-spatial recognition memory deficits. The current findings suggest that molsidomine is sensitive to glutamate hypofunction since it attenuated behavioral impairments in animal models mimicking the negative symptoms and cognitive deficits of schizophrenia. Additionally, the present results support the potential of molsidomine as an adjunctive drug for the therapy of schizophrenia.
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Affiliation(s)
- Lamprini Katsanou
- Department of Pharmacology, Faculty of Medicine, School of Health Sciences, University of Thessaly, Biopolis, Panepistimiou 3, 415-00 Larissa, Greece
| | - Evangelia Fragkiadaki
- Department of Pharmacology, Faculty of Medicine, School of Health Sciences, University of Thessaly, Biopolis, Panepistimiou 3, 415-00 Larissa, Greece
| | - Sotirios Kampouris
- Department of Pharmacology, Faculty of Medicine, School of Health Sciences, University of Thessaly, Biopolis, Panepistimiou 3, 415-00 Larissa, Greece
| | - Anastasia Konstanta
- Department of Pharmacology, Faculty of Medicine, School of Health Sciences, University of Thessaly, Biopolis, Panepistimiou 3, 415-00 Larissa, Greece
| | - Aikaterini Vontzou
- Department of Pharmacology, Faculty of Medicine, School of Health Sciences, University of Thessaly, Biopolis, Panepistimiou 3, 415-00 Larissa, Greece
| | - Nikolaos Pitsikas
- Department of Pharmacology, Faculty of Medicine, School of Health Sciences, University of Thessaly, Biopolis, Panepistimiou 3, 415-00 Larissa, Greece
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8
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Zemba Cilic A, Zemba M, Cilic M, Strbe S, Ilic S, Vukojevic J, Zoricic Z, Filipcic I, Kokot A, Smoday IM, Rukavina I, Boban Blagaic A, Tvrdeic A, Duplancic B, Stambolija V, Marcinko D, Skrtic A, Seiwerth S, Sikiric P. BPC 157, L-NAME, L-Arginine, NO-Relation, in the Suited Rat Ketamine Models Resembling “Negative-Like” Symptoms of Schizophrenia. Biomedicines 2022; 10:biomedicines10071462. [PMID: 35884767 PMCID: PMC9313087 DOI: 10.3390/biomedicines10071462] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/02/2022] [Revised: 06/13/2022] [Accepted: 06/19/2022] [Indexed: 12/30/2022] Open
Abstract
We attempted throughout the NO-system to achieve the particular counteraction of the ketamine-induced resembling “negative-like” schizophrenia symptoms in rats using pentadecapeptide BPC 157, and NO-agents, NG-nitro-L-arginine methylester (L-NAME), and/or L-arginine, triple application. This might be the find out the NO-system organized therapy (i.e., simultaneously implied NO-system blockade (L-NAME) vs. NO-system over-stimulation (L-arginine) vs. NO-system immobilization (L-NAME+L-arginine)). The ketamine regimen (intraperitoneally/kg) included: 3 mg (cognitive dysfunction, novel object recognition test), 30 mg (anxiogenic effect (open field test) and anhedonia (sucrose test)), and 8 mg/3 days (social withdrawal). Medication (mg/kg intraperitoneally) was L-NAME (5), L-arginine (100), and BPC 157 (0.01), alone and/or together, given immediately before ketamine (L-NAME, L-arginine, and combination) or given immediately after (BPC 157 and combinations). BPC 157 counteracted ketamine-cognition dysfunction, social withdrawal, and anhedonia, and exerted additional anxiolytic effect. L-NAME (antagonization, social withdrawal) and L-arginine (antagonization, cognitive dysfunction, anhedonia) both included worsening cognitive dysfunction, anhedonia, and anxiogenic effect (L-NAME), social withdrawal, and anxiogenic effect (L-arginine). Thus, ketamine-induced resembling “negative-like” schizophrenia symptoms were “L-NAME non-responsive, L-arginine responsive” (cognition dysfunction), “L-NAME responsive, L-arginine non-responsive” (social withdrawal), “L-NAME responsive, L-arginine responsive, opposite effect” (anhedonia) and “L-NAME responsive, L-arginine responsive, parallel effect” (both anxiogening). In cognition dysfunction, BPC 157 overwhelmed NO-agents effects. The mRNA expression studies in brain tissue evidenced considerable overlapping of gene overexpression in healthy rats treated with ketamine or BPC 157. With the BPC 157 therapy applied immediately after ketamine, the effect on Nos1, Nos2, Plcg1, Prkcg, and Ptgs2 (increased or decreased expression), appeared as a timely specific BPC 157 effect on ketamine-specific targets.
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Affiliation(s)
- Andrea Zemba Cilic
- Department of Pharmacology, School of Medicine, University of Zagreb, 10000 Zagreb, Croatia; (A.Z.C.); (M.Z.); (M.C.); (S.I.); (J.V.); (I.M.S.); (I.R.); (A.B.B.); (A.T.)
| | - Mladen Zemba
- Department of Pharmacology, School of Medicine, University of Zagreb, 10000 Zagreb, Croatia; (A.Z.C.); (M.Z.); (M.C.); (S.I.); (J.V.); (I.M.S.); (I.R.); (A.B.B.); (A.T.)
| | - Matija Cilic
- Department of Pharmacology, School of Medicine, University of Zagreb, 10000 Zagreb, Croatia; (A.Z.C.); (M.Z.); (M.C.); (S.I.); (J.V.); (I.M.S.); (I.R.); (A.B.B.); (A.T.)
| | - Sanja Strbe
- Department of Psychiatry, University of Zagreb School of Medicine, University Clinical Centre Zagreb, 10000 Zagreb, Croatia; (S.S.); (I.F.); (D.M.)
| | - Spomenko Ilic
- Department of Pharmacology, School of Medicine, University of Zagreb, 10000 Zagreb, Croatia; (A.Z.C.); (M.Z.); (M.C.); (S.I.); (J.V.); (I.M.S.); (I.R.); (A.B.B.); (A.T.)
| | - Jaksa Vukojevic
- Department of Pharmacology, School of Medicine, University of Zagreb, 10000 Zagreb, Croatia; (A.Z.C.); (M.Z.); (M.C.); (S.I.); (J.V.); (I.M.S.); (I.R.); (A.B.B.); (A.T.)
| | - Zoran Zoricic
- University Department of Psychiatry, University Hospital Sestre Milosrdnice, 10000 Zagreb, Croatia;
| | - Igor Filipcic
- Department of Psychiatry, University of Zagreb School of Medicine, University Clinical Centre Zagreb, 10000 Zagreb, Croatia; (S.S.); (I.F.); (D.M.)
| | - Antonio Kokot
- Department of Anatomy and Neuroscience, Faculty of Medicine, J.J. Strossmayer University of Osijek, 31000 Osijek, Croatia;
| | - Ivan Maria Smoday
- Department of Pharmacology, School of Medicine, University of Zagreb, 10000 Zagreb, Croatia; (A.Z.C.); (M.Z.); (M.C.); (S.I.); (J.V.); (I.M.S.); (I.R.); (A.B.B.); (A.T.)
| | - Iva Rukavina
- Department of Pharmacology, School of Medicine, University of Zagreb, 10000 Zagreb, Croatia; (A.Z.C.); (M.Z.); (M.C.); (S.I.); (J.V.); (I.M.S.); (I.R.); (A.B.B.); (A.T.)
| | - Alenka Boban Blagaic
- Department of Pharmacology, School of Medicine, University of Zagreb, 10000 Zagreb, Croatia; (A.Z.C.); (M.Z.); (M.C.); (S.I.); (J.V.); (I.M.S.); (I.R.); (A.B.B.); (A.T.)
| | - Ante Tvrdeic
- Department of Pharmacology, School of Medicine, University of Zagreb, 10000 Zagreb, Croatia; (A.Z.C.); (M.Z.); (M.C.); (S.I.); (J.V.); (I.M.S.); (I.R.); (A.B.B.); (A.T.)
| | | | - Vasilije Stambolija
- Department of Anesthesiology, Resuscitation and Intensive Care, University Hospital Centre Zagreb, 10000 Zagreb, Croatia;
| | - Darko Marcinko
- Department of Psychiatry, University of Zagreb School of Medicine, University Clinical Centre Zagreb, 10000 Zagreb, Croatia; (S.S.); (I.F.); (D.M.)
| | - Anita Skrtic
- Department of Pathology, School of Medicine, University of Zagreb, 10000 Zagreb, Croatia;
- Correspondence: (A.S.); (P.S.); Tel.: +385-1-4566-980 (A.S.); +385-1-4566-833 (P.S.); Fax: +385-1-4920-050 (A.S. & P.S.)
| | - Sven Seiwerth
- Department of Pathology, School of Medicine, University of Zagreb, 10000 Zagreb, Croatia;
| | - Predrag Sikiric
- Department of Pharmacology, School of Medicine, University of Zagreb, 10000 Zagreb, Croatia; (A.Z.C.); (M.Z.); (M.C.); (S.I.); (J.V.); (I.M.S.); (I.R.); (A.B.B.); (A.T.)
- Correspondence: (A.S.); (P.S.); Tel.: +385-1-4566-980 (A.S.); +385-1-4566-833 (P.S.); Fax: +385-1-4920-050 (A.S. & P.S.)
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Białoń M, Wąsik A. Advantages and Limitations of Animal Schizophrenia Models. Int J Mol Sci 2022; 23:5968. [PMID: 35682647 PMCID: PMC9181262 DOI: 10.3390/ijms23115968] [Citation(s) in RCA: 50] [Impact Index Per Article: 16.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/21/2022] [Revised: 05/17/2022] [Accepted: 05/23/2022] [Indexed: 12/16/2022] Open
Abstract
Mental illness modeling is still a major challenge for scientists. Animal models of schizophrenia are essential to gain a better understanding of the disease etiopathology and mechanism of action of currently used antipsychotic drugs and help in the search for new and more effective therapies. We can distinguish among pharmacological, genetic, and neurodevelopmental models offering various neuroanatomical disorders and a different spectrum of symptoms of schizophrenia. Modeling schizophrenia is based on inducing damage or changes in the activity of relevant regions in the rodent brain (mainly the prefrontal cortex and hippocampus). Such artificially induced dysfunctions approximately correspond to the lesions found in patients with schizophrenia. However, notably, animal models of mental illness have numerous limitations and never fully reflect the disease state observed in humans.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Agnieszka Wąsik
- Department of Neurochemistry, Maj Institute of Pharmacology, Polish Academy of Sciences, 31-343 Cracow, Poland;
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10
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The Novel Dehydroepiandrosterone Derivative Bnn27 Counteracts The Impairing Effects Of Anesthetic Ketamine On Rats’ Non-Spatial And Spatial Recognition Memory. Behav Brain Res 2022; 430:113937. [DOI: 10.1016/j.bbr.2022.113937] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/09/2022] [Revised: 05/17/2022] [Accepted: 05/20/2022] [Indexed: 11/19/2022]
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11
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The 5-HT6R agonist E-6837 and the antagonist SB-271046 reverse the psychotic-like behaviors induced by ketamine. Behav Pharmacol 2022; 33:249-254. [DOI: 10.1097/fbp.0000000000000669] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/25/2022]
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12
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Zhang X, Zhao Y, Du Y, Sun H, Zhang W, Wang A, Li Q, Li C, Wang Y, Du Z, Sun H, Sun L. Effect of ketamine on mood dysfunction and spatial cognition deficits in PTSD mouse models via HCN1-BDNF signaling. J Affect Disord 2021; 286:248-258. [PMID: 33752039 DOI: 10.1016/j.jad.2021.02.058] [Citation(s) in RCA: 13] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/06/2020] [Revised: 01/15/2021] [Accepted: 02/27/2021] [Indexed: 11/19/2022]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) is a debilitating mental disease with high morbidity and major social and economic relevance. No efficient treatment for PTSD has thus far been identified. Clinical research has shown that ketamine can rapidly alleviate symptoms in patients with chronic PTSD; however, its pharmacological mechanism has yet to be determined. METHODS This study aimed to identify a model of single prolonged stress (SPS), which induced PTSD-like features in adult mice. Once the model was established, stress-related behavioral changes in the mouse model were evaluated after intraperitoneal injection of ketamine (10 mg/kg). Alterations in certain proteins (HCN1, BDNF, and PSD95) and synaptic ultrastructure in the prefrontal cortex (PFC) and hippocampus (HIP) were measured. RESULTS The mice under the SPS model exhibited anxiety- and depression-like behaviors and induced spatial cognitive deficits, accompanied by elevated HCN1 protein expression in the PFC and HIP, reduced brain-derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF) and PSD95 proteins, and alterations in synaptic morphology. After ketamine administration, the SPS-treated mice restored their protein levels and synaptic ultrastructure in the PFC, and their PTSD-like behaviors improved. However, learning and memory in the SPS-treated mice did not improve in the water maze test, and no significant changes in protein level and synaptic ultrastructure in the HIP were shown. LIMITATIONS The electrophysiological mechanism of the HCN1 ion channel after ketamine administration was not explored. CONCLUSION Ketamine could generally improve SPS-induced mood dysfunction in mice but exerted no effect on the spatial cognitive function, which could be related to the alterations in synaptic morphology and function mediated by HCN1-related BDNF signaling in the PFC and HIP.
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Affiliation(s)
- Xianqiang Zhang
- School of Psychology, Weifang Medical University, 7166# Baotong West Street, Weifang, Shandong 261053, China; National Clinical Research Center for Mental Disorders, Peking University Sixth Hospital/Institute of Mental Health and the Key Laboratory of Mental Health, Ministry of Health (Peking University), Beijing, China
| | - Yanan Zhao
- Student affairs office, Silicon Lake College, 168 Greenland Avenue, Huaqiao International Business Zone, Kunshan, Jiangsu 215332, China
| | - Yalin Du
- Department of Clinical Medicine, Weifang Medical University, 7166# Baotong West Street, Weifang, Shandong 261053, China
| | - Haoran Sun
- Department of Clinical Medicine, Weifang Medical University, 7166# Baotong West Street, Weifang, Shandong 261053, China
| | - Wenlei Zhang
- Department of Clinical Medicine, Weifang Medical University, 7166# Baotong West Street, Weifang, Shandong 261053, China
| | - Aihong Wang
- Department of Hematology, Affiliated Hospital of Weifang Medical University, Weifang, Shandong Province 261031, P. R. China
| | - Qi Li
- Department of Psychiatry and Centre for Reproduction Growth and Development, University of Hong Kong, China
| | - Changjiang Li
- School of Psychology, Weifang Medical University, 7166# Baotong West Street, Weifang, Shandong 261053, China
| | - Yanyu Wang
- School of Psychology, Weifang Medical University, 7166# Baotong West Street, Weifang, Shandong 261053, China
| | - Zhongde Du
- Department of Neurology, Sunshine Union Hospital, 9000# Yingqian Street, Weifang, Shandong 261000, China
| | - Hongwei Sun
- School of Psychology, Weifang Medical University, 7166# Baotong West Street, Weifang, Shandong 261053, China
| | - Lin Sun
- School of Psychology, Weifang Medical University, 7166# Baotong West Street, Weifang, Shandong 261053, China.
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13
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Tsika C, Tzatzarakis MN, Antimisiaris SG, Tsoka P, Efstathopoulos P, Charalampopoulos I, Gravanis A, Tsilimbaris MK. Quantification of BNN27, a novel neuroprotective 17-spiroepoxy dehydroepiandrosterone derivative in the blood and retina of rodents, after single intraperitoneal administration. Pharmacol Res Perspect 2021; 9:e00724. [PMID: 33638308 PMCID: PMC7911036 DOI: 10.1002/prp2.724] [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: 11/24/2020] [Revised: 01/11/2021] [Accepted: 01/12/2021] [Indexed: 12/21/2022] Open
Abstract
BNN27 is a novel 17‐spiroepoxy derivative of the neurosteroid Dehydroepiandrosterone with neuroprotective properties. The purpose of this study was the detection and quantification of BNN27 after single intraperitoneal administration, in the serum and retina of normal rodents. Forty‐two C57BL/6 mice and 48 Sprague–Dawley rats were used for the quantification of BNN27 in the blood serum and retina, respectively. BNN27 was injected intraperitoneally (i.p.) at concentrations of 100 and 30 mg/kg of body weight (b.w.), respectively. The blood was collected with retro‐orbital bleeding and the retina was isolated after enucleation at various time points. The molecule concentrations were measured with Liquid chromatography‐mass spectrometry (LC‐MS). Non‐compartmental analysis was used to determine pharmacokinetic parameters. BNN27 was found to have an elimination constant kel = 0.465 h−1 and mean residence time (MRT) 2.154 h in the mouse serum. The maximum concentration (Cmax) in the retina was detected at 2 h (tCmax) after intraperitoneal administration and was equal to 1100 ng/g. BNN27 is rapidly eliminated from both blood and retina. In the retina specifically, it is undetectable 6 h after injection. BNN27 shows a rapid systemic elimination as anticipated by its small size and lipophilicity. It is measurable in small peripheral tissues such as the rat retina, after one single i.p. injection, using a simple method such as LC‐MS. Its detection in the retina corroborates the existing biological data that the molecule crosses the blood–retinal barrier, highlighting it as a potential neuroprotective agent for retinal disease.
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Affiliation(s)
- Chrysanthi Tsika
- Laboratory of Vision and Optics, Ophthalmology, Medical School, University of Crete, Voutes, Heraklion, Greece
| | | | - Sophia G Antimisiaris
- Laboratory of Pharmaceutical Technology, Department of Pharmacy, University of Patras, Rio, Greece.,Foundation for Research and Technology Hellas, Institute of Chemical Engineering Sciences, FORTH/ICE-HT, Rio, Greece
| | - Pavlina Tsoka
- Laboratory of Vision and Optics, Ophthalmology, Medical School, University of Crete, Voutes, Heraklion, Greece
| | | | - Ioannis Charalampopoulos
- Laboratory of Pharmacology, Medical School, University of Crete, Heraklion, Greece.,Institute of Molecular Biology and Biotechnology, Foundation of Research and Technology Hellas (FORTH), Heraklion, Greece
| | - Achille Gravanis
- Laboratory of Pharmacology, Medical School, University of Crete, Heraklion, Greece.,Institute of Molecular Biology and Biotechnology, Foundation of Research and Technology Hellas (FORTH), Heraklion, Greece
| | - Miltiadis K Tsilimbaris
- Laboratory of Vision and Optics, Ophthalmology, Medical School, University of Crete, Voutes, Heraklion, Greece
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14
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Kalafatakis I, Patellis A, Charalampopoulos I, Gravanis A, Karagogeos D. The beneficial role of the synthetic microneurotrophin BNN20 in a focal demyelination model. J Neurosci Res 2021; 99:1474-1495. [PMID: 33583101 DOI: 10.1002/jnr.24809] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/08/2020] [Revised: 01/27/2021] [Accepted: 01/28/2021] [Indexed: 11/08/2022]
Abstract
BNN20, a C17-spiroepoxy derivative of the neurosteroid dehydroepiandrosterone, has been shown to exhibit strong neuroprotective properties but its role in glial populations has not been assessed. Our aim was to investigate the effect of BNN20 on glial populations by using in vitro and in vivo approaches, taking advantage of the well-established lysophosphatidylcholine (LPC)-induced focal demyelination mouse model. Our in vivo studies, performed in male mice, showed that BNN20 treatment leads to an increased number of mature oligodendrocytes (OLs) in this model. It diminishes astrocytic accumulation during the demyelination phase leading to a faster remyelination process, while it does not affect oligodendrocyte precursor cell recruitment or microglia/macrophage accumulation. Additionally, our in vitro studies showed that BNN20 acts directly to OLs and enhances their maturation even after they were treated with LPC. This beneficial effect of BNN20 is mediated, primarily, through the neurotrophin receptor TrkA. In addition, BNN20 reduces microglial activation and their transition to their pro-inflammatory state upon lipopolysaccharides stimulation in vitro. Taken together our results suggest that BNN20 could serve as an important molecule to develop blood-brain barrier-permeable synthetic agonists of neurotrophin receptors that could reduce inflammation, protect and increase the number of functional OLs by promoting their differentiation/maturation.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ilias Kalafatakis
- Department of Basic Science, Faculty of Medicine, University of Crete, Crete, Greece.,Institute of Molecular Biology & Biotechnology - FoRTH, Heraklion, Crete, Greece
| | | | - Ioannis Charalampopoulos
- Institute of Molecular Biology & Biotechnology - FoRTH, Heraklion, Crete, Greece.,Department of Pharmacology, Faculty of Medicine, University of Crete, Crete, Greece
| | - Achille Gravanis
- Institute of Molecular Biology & Biotechnology - FoRTH, Heraklion, Crete, Greece.,Department of Pharmacology, Faculty of Medicine, University of Crete, Crete, Greece
| | - Domna Karagogeos
- Department of Basic Science, Faculty of Medicine, University of Crete, Crete, Greece.,Institute of Molecular Biology & Biotechnology - FoRTH, Heraklion, Crete, Greece
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15
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Pitsikas N, Zoupa E, Gravanis A. The novel dehydroepiandrosterone (DHEA) derivative BNN27 counteracts cognitive deficits induced by the D1/D2 dopaminergic receptor agonist apomorphine in rats. Psychopharmacology (Berl) 2021; 238:227-237. [PMID: 33005973 DOI: 10.1007/s00213-020-05672-z] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/02/2020] [Accepted: 09/28/2020] [Indexed: 01/07/2023]
Abstract
RATIONALE Schizophrenia is a devastating mental disease that affects nearly 1% of the population worldwide. It is well documented that the dopaminergic (DAergic) system is compromised in schizophrenia. It is of note that the mixed dopamine (DA) D1/D2 receptor agonist apomorphine induces schizophrenia-like symptoms in rodents, including disruption of memory abilities. Neuroactive steroids, comprising dehydroepiandrosterone (DHEA) and dehydroepiandrosterone sulphate (DHEAS), were shown to affect brain DAergic system and to be involved in schizophrenia. BNN27 is a novel DHEA derivative, which is devoid of steroidogenic activity. It has recently been reported that BNN27 counteracted schizophrenia-like behavioural deficits produced by glutamate hypofunction in rats. OBJECTIVES The aim of the present study was to investigate the ability of BNN27 to attenuate non-spatial, spatial recognition and discrete memory deficits induced by apomorphine in rats. METHODS To this end, the object recognition task (ORT), the object location task (OLT) and the step-through passive avoidance test (STPAT) were used. RESULTS BNN27 (3 and 6 mg/kg, i.p.) attenuated apomorphine (0.5 mg/kg, i.p.)-induced non-spatial, spatial recognition and discrete memory deficits. Interestingly, the effects of compounds on memory cannot be ascribed to changes in locomotor activity. CONCLUSIONS Our findings suggest that BNN27 is effective to DA dysfunction caused by apomorphine, attenuating cognitive impairments induced by this D1/D2 receptor agonist in rats. Additionally, our findings illustrate a functional interaction between BNN27 and the DAergic system that may be of relevance for schizophrenia-like behavioural symptoms.
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Affiliation(s)
- Nikolaos Pitsikas
- Department of Pharmacology, Faculty of Medicine, School of Health Sciences, University of Thessaly, Biopolis, Panepistimiou 3, 415-00, Larissa, Greece.
| | - Elli Zoupa
- Department of Pharmacology, Faculty of Medicine, School of Health Sciences, University of Thessaly, Biopolis, Panepistimiou 3, 415-00, Larissa, Greece
| | - Achille Gravanis
- Department of Pharmacology, School of Medicine, and Institute of Molecular Biology & Biotechnology, Foundation of Research & Technology-Hellas, University of Crete, Heraklion, Greece
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16
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Wegman-Points L, Pope B, Zobel-Mask A, Winter L, Wauson E, Duric V, Yuan LL. Corticosterone as a Potential Confounding Factor in Delineating Mechanisms Underlying Ketamine's Rapid Antidepressant Actions. Front Pharmacol 2020; 11:590221. [PMID: 33328997 PMCID: PMC7734413 DOI: 10.3389/fphar.2020.590221] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/31/2020] [Accepted: 10/23/2020] [Indexed: 11/19/2022] Open
Abstract
Recent research into the rapid antidepressant effect of subanesthetic doses of ketamine have identified a series of relevant protein cascades activated within hours of administration. Prior to, or concurrent with, these activation cascades, ketamine treatment generates dissociative and psychotomimetic side effects along with an increase in circulating glucocorticoids. In rats, we observed an over 3-fold increase in corticosterone levels in both serum and brain tissue, within an hour of administration of low dose ketamine (10 mg/kg), but not with (2R, 6R)-hydroxynorketamine (HNK) (10 mg/kg), a ketamine metabolite shown to produce antidepressant-like action in rodents without inducing immediate side-effects. Hippocampal tissue from ketamine, but not HNK, injected animals displayed a significant increase in the expression of sgk1, a downstream effector of glucocorticoid receptor signaling. To examine the role conscious sensation of ketamine's side effects plays in the release of corticosterone, we assessed serum corticosterone levels after ketamine administration while under isoflurane anesthesia. Under anesthesia, ketamine failed to increase circulating corticosterone levels relative to saline controls. Concurrent with its antidepressant effects, ketamine generates a release of glucocorticoids potentially linked to disturbing cognitive side effects and the activation of distinct molecular pathways which should be considered when attempting to delineate the molecular mechanisms of its antidepressant function.
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Affiliation(s)
| | | | | | | | | | | | - Li-Lian Yuan
- Department of Physiology and Pharmacology, Des Moines University, Des Moines, IA, United States
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Pérez-Neri I, Parra D, Aquino-Miranda G, Coffeen U, Ríos C. Dehydroepiandrosterone increases tonic and phasic dopamine release in the striatum. Neurosci Lett 2020; 734:135095. [PMID: 32473195 DOI: 10.1016/j.neulet.2020.135095] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/12/2019] [Revised: 05/16/2020] [Accepted: 05/22/2020] [Indexed: 11/25/2022]
Abstract
Dehydroepiandrosterone (DHEA) modulates dopaminergic neurotransmission. It takes part in neurologic and psychiatric diseases involving monoamine neurotransmitters. Earlier results show that DHEA (120-min treatment) reduced striatal dopamine (DA) turnover in rats, suggesting a reduced DA release. Some investigations report that DHEA increases DA release but inhibits motor activity, which seems contradictory. This research examines the effect of DHEA on striatal DA release, its metabolism and motor activity. Male Wistar rats were implanted in the striatum with a cannula for in vivo microdialysis. DHEA was administered (120 mg/kg) and dialysates were collected for 280 min. A depolarizing stimulus was applied at 120 min. Samples were analyzed by HPLC-ED to determine the concentration of DA and its metabolites. The effect of DHEA on motor activity was also evaluated during 120 min. Extracellular DA concentration was greater in treated animals both before and after depolarization. In contrast, DHEA reduced the areas below the curves for DA metabolites and DA/metabolite ratios. DHEA also reduced motor activity, remarkably in the first 20 min after treatment. In summary, DHEA yielded a stimulatory effect on striatal DA release that was not reflected in neither DA metabolism nor motor activity. Thus, DHEA resembles the effect of typical antipsychotics, increasing DA release but reducing behavioral activation.
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Affiliation(s)
- Iván Pérez-Neri
- Department of Neurochemistry, National Institute of Neurology and Neurosurgery, Insurgentes sur 3877, La Fama, Tlalpan, 14269 Mexico City, Mexico.
| | - Doris Parra
- National Polytechnic Institute, Salvador Díaz Mirón esq, Plan de San Luis S/N, Miguel Hidalgo, Casco de Santo Tomas, 11340 Mexico City, Mexico.
| | - Guillermo Aquino-Miranda
- Department of Neurochemistry, National Institute of Neurology and Neurosurgery, Insurgentes sur 3877, La Fama, Tlalpan, 14269 Mexico City, Mexico.
| | - Ulises Coffeen
- Laboratorio de Neurofisiología Integrativa, Dirección de Investigaciones en Neurociencias, Instituto Nacional de Psiquiatría Ramón de la Fuente Muñiz, Calz México-Xochimilco 101, Huipulco, 14370 Mexico City, Mexico.
| | - Camilo Ríos
- Department of Neurochemistry, National Institute of Neurology and Neurosurgery, Insurgentes sur 3877, La Fama, Tlalpan, 14269 Mexico City, Mexico.
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Kokras N, Dioli C, Paravatou R, Sotiropoulos MG, Delis F, Antoniou K, Calogeropoulou T, Charalampopoulos I, Gravanis A, Dalla C. Psychoactive properties of BNN27, a novel neurosteroid derivate, in male and female rats. Psychopharmacology (Berl) 2020; 237:2435-2449. [PMID: 32506234 DOI: 10.1007/s00213-020-05545-5] [Citation(s) in RCA: 11] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/07/2020] [Accepted: 04/30/2020] [Indexed: 12/18/2022]
Abstract
RATIONALE Νeurosteroids, like dehydroepiandrosterone (DHEA), play an important role in neurodegeneration and neural protection, but they are metabolized in androgens, estrogens, or other active metabolites. A newly developed synthetic DHEA analog, BNN27 ((20R)-3β,21-dihydroxy-17R,20-epoxy-5-pregnene), exerts neurotrophic and neuroprotective actions without estrogenic or androgenic effects. OBJECTIVES This study aimed to investigate potential anxiolytic or antidepressant properties of BNN27. METHODS Male and female adult Wistar rats were treated with BNN27 (10, 30, or 90 mg/kg, i.p.) and subjected to behavioral tests measuring locomotion, exploration, and "depressive-like" behavior (open field, light/dark box, hole-board, and forced swim tests). The hippocampus and prefrontal cortex were collected for glutamate and GABA measurements, and trunk blood was collected for gonadal hormone analysis. RESULTS Acute high-dose BNN27 reduced locomotion and exploratory behavior in both sexes. Intermediate acute doses (30 mg/kg) of BNN27 reduced exploration and testosterone levels only in males, and enhanced progesterone levels in both sexes. Notably, with the present design, BNN27 had neither anxiolytic nor antidepressant effects and did not affect estrogen levels. Interestingly, acute administration of a low BNN27 dose (10 mg/kg) increased glutamate turnover, GABA, and glutamine levels in the hippocampus. The same dose also enhanced glutamate levels in the prefrontal cortex of males only. Sex differences were apparent in the basal levels of behavioral, hormonal, and neurochemical parameters, as expected. CONCLUSIONS BNN27 affects locomotion, progesterone, and testosterone levels, as well as the glutamatergic and GABAergic systems of the hippocampus and prefrontal cortex in a sex-dependent way.
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Affiliation(s)
- Nikolaos Kokras
- Department of Pharmacology, Medical School, National and Kapodistrian University of Athens, 75 Mikras Asias Street, 11527, Athens, Greece.,First Department of Psychiatry, Eginition Hospital, Medical School, National and Kapodistrian University of Athens, Athens, Greece
| | - Chrysoula Dioli
- Department of Pharmacology, Medical School, National and Kapodistrian University of Athens, 75 Mikras Asias Street, 11527, Athens, Greece
| | - Rafaella Paravatou
- Department of Pharmacology, Medical School, National and Kapodistrian University of Athens, 75 Mikras Asias Street, 11527, Athens, Greece
| | - Marinos G Sotiropoulos
- Department of Pharmacology, Medical School, National and Kapodistrian University of Athens, 75 Mikras Asias Street, 11527, Athens, Greece.,Department of Neurology, Brigham and Women's Hospital, Harvard Medical School, Hale ΒΤΜ 9002AA, 60 Fenwood Road, Boston, MA, 02115, USA
| | - Foteini Delis
- Department of Pharmacology, Faculty of Medicine, School of Health Sciences, University of Ioannina, 45110, Ioannina, Greece
| | - Katerina Antoniou
- Department of Pharmacology, Faculty of Medicine, School of Health Sciences, University of Ioannina, 45110, Ioannina, Greece
| | - Theodora Calogeropoulou
- Institute of Chemical Biology, National Hellenic Research Foundation, 48 Vassileos Constantinou Ave, 11635, Athens, Greece
| | - Ioannis Charalampopoulos
- Department of Pharmacology, School of Medicine, University of Crete, 71110, Heraklion, Greece.,Institute of Molecular Biology and Biotechnology, Foundation of Research and Technology Hellas (FORTH), Heraklion, Greece
| | - Achille Gravanis
- Department of Pharmacology, School of Medicine, University of Crete, 71110, Heraklion, Greece.,Institute of Molecular Biology and Biotechnology, Foundation of Research and Technology Hellas (FORTH), Heraklion, Greece
| | - Christina Dalla
- Department of Pharmacology, Medical School, National and Kapodistrian University of Athens, 75 Mikras Asias Street, 11527, Athens, Greece.
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Repeated ketamine administration induces recognition memory impairment together with morphological changes in neurons from ventromedial prefrontal cortex, dorsal striatum, and hippocampus. Behav Pharmacol 2020; 31:633-640. [DOI: 10.1097/fbp.0000000000000571] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/11/2023]
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Nowacki J, Wingenfeld K, Kaczmarczyk M, Chae WR, Salchow P, Abu-Tir I, Piber D, Hellmann-Regen J, Otte C. Steroid hormone secretion after stimulation of mineralocorticoid and NMDA receptors and cardiovascular risk in patients with depression. Transl Psychiatry 2020; 10:109. [PMID: 32313032 PMCID: PMC7171120 DOI: 10.1038/s41398-020-0789-7] [Citation(s) in RCA: 18] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/08/2019] [Revised: 03/12/2020] [Accepted: 03/25/2020] [Indexed: 12/14/2022] Open
Abstract
Major depressive disorder (MDD) is associated with altered mineralocorticoid receptor (MR) and glucocorticoid receptor function, and disturbed glutamatergic signaling. Both systems are closely intertwined and likely contribute not only to the pathophysiology of MDD, but also to the increased cardiovascular risk in MDD patients. Less is known about other steroid hormones, such as aldosterone and DHEA-S, and how they affect the glutamatergic system and cardiovascular disease risk in MDD. We examined salivary cortisol, aldosterone, and DHEA-S secretion after stimulation of MR and glutamatergic NMDA receptors in 116 unmedicated depressed patients, and 116 age- and sex-matched healthy controls. Patients (mean age = 34.7 years, SD = ±13.3; 78% women) and controls were randomized to four conditions: (a) control condition (placebo), (b) MR stimulation (0.4 mg fludrocortisone), (c) NMDA stimulation (250 mg D-cycloserine (DCS)), and (d) combined MR/NMDA stimulation (fludrocortisone + DCS). We additionally determined the cardiovascular risk profile in both groups. DCS had no effect on steroid hormone secretion, while cortisol secretion decreased in both fludrocortisone conditions across groups. Independent of condition, MDD patients showed (1) increased cortisol, increased aldosterone, and decreased DHEA-S concentrations, and (2) increased glucose levels and decreased high-density lipoprotein cholesterol levels compared with controls. Depressed patients show profound alterations in several steroid hormone systems that are associated both with MDD pathophysiology and increased cardiovascular risk. Prospective studies should examine whether modulating steroid hormone levels might reduce psychopathology and cardiovascular risk in depressed patients.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jan Nowacki
- Charité - Universitätsmedizin Berlin, corporate member of Freie Universität Berlin, Humboldt-Universität zu Berlin, and Berlin Institute of Health, Hindenburgdamm 30, 12203, Berlin, Germany.
| | - Katja Wingenfeld
- Charité - Universitätsmedizin Berlin, corporate member of Freie Universität Berlin, Humboldt-Universität zu Berlin, and Berlin Institute of Health, Hindenburgdamm 30, 12203, Berlin, Germany
| | - Michael Kaczmarczyk
- Charité - Universitätsmedizin Berlin, corporate member of Freie Universität Berlin, Humboldt-Universität zu Berlin, and Berlin Institute of Health, Hindenburgdamm 30, 12203, Berlin, Germany
| | - Woo Ri Chae
- Charité - Universitätsmedizin Berlin, corporate member of Freie Universität Berlin, Humboldt-Universität zu Berlin, and Berlin Institute of Health, Hindenburgdamm 30, 12203, Berlin, Germany
| | - Paula Salchow
- Charité - Universitätsmedizin Berlin, corporate member of Freie Universität Berlin, Humboldt-Universität zu Berlin, and Berlin Institute of Health, Hindenburgdamm 30, 12203, Berlin, Germany
| | - Ikram Abu-Tir
- Charité - Universitätsmedizin Berlin, corporate member of Freie Universität Berlin, Humboldt-Universität zu Berlin, and Berlin Institute of Health, Hindenburgdamm 30, 12203, Berlin, Germany
| | - Dominique Piber
- Charité - Universitätsmedizin Berlin, corporate member of Freie Universität Berlin, Humboldt-Universität zu Berlin, and Berlin Institute of Health, Hindenburgdamm 30, 12203, Berlin, Germany
| | - Julian Hellmann-Regen
- Charité - Universitätsmedizin Berlin, corporate member of Freie Universität Berlin, Humboldt-Universität zu Berlin, and Berlin Institute of Health, Hindenburgdamm 30, 12203, Berlin, Germany
| | - Christian Otte
- Charité - Universitätsmedizin Berlin, corporate member of Freie Universität Berlin, Humboldt-Universität zu Berlin, and Berlin Institute of Health, Hindenburgdamm 30, 12203, Berlin, Germany
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The Role of the N-Methyl-D-Aspartate Receptors in Social Behavior in Rodents. Int J Mol Sci 2019; 20:ijms20225599. [PMID: 31717513 PMCID: PMC6887971 DOI: 10.3390/ijms20225599] [Citation(s) in RCA: 13] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/08/2019] [Revised: 10/31/2019] [Accepted: 11/05/2019] [Indexed: 01/09/2023] Open
Abstract
The appropriate display of social behaviors is essential for the well-being, reproductive success and survival of an individual. Deficits in social behavior are associated with impaired N-methyl-D-aspartate (NMDA) receptor-mediated neurotransmission. In this review, we describe recent studies using genetically modified mice and pharmacological approaches which link the impaired functioning of the NMDA receptors, especially of the receptor subunits GluN1, GluN2A and GluN2B, to abnormal social behavior. This abnormal social behavior is expressed as impaired social interaction and communication, deficits in social memory, deficits in sexual and maternal behavior, as well as abnormal or heightened aggression. We also describe the positive effects of pharmacological stimulation of the NMDA receptors on these social deficits. Indeed, pharmacological stimulation of the glycine-binding site either by direct stimulation or by elevating the synaptic glycine levels represents a promising strategy for the normalization of genetically-induced, pharmacologically-induced or innate deficits in social behavior. We emphasize on the importance of future studies investigating the role of subunit-selective NMDA receptor ligands on different types of social behavior to provide a better understanding of the underlying mechanisms, which might support the development of selective tools for the optimized treatment of disorders associated with social deficits.
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