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Saha P, Panda S, Holkar A, Vashishth R, Rana SS, Arumugam M, Ashraf GM, Haque S, Ahmad F. Neuroprotection by agmatine: Possible involvement of the gut microbiome? Ageing Res Rev 2023; 91:102056. [PMID: 37673131 DOI: 10.1016/j.arr.2023.102056] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/05/2023] [Revised: 08/09/2023] [Accepted: 08/31/2023] [Indexed: 09/08/2023]
Abstract
Agmatine, an endogenous polyamine derived from L-arginine, elicits tremendous multimodal neuromodulant properties. Alterations in agmatinergic signalling are closely linked to the pathogeneses of several brain disorders. Importantly, exogenous agmatine has been shown to act as a potent neuroprotectant in varied pathologies, including brain ageing and associated comorbidities. The antioxidant, anxiolytic, analgesic, antidepressant and memory-enhancing activities of agmatine may derive from its ability to regulate several cellular pathways; including cell metabolism, survival and differentiation, nitric oxide signalling, protein translation, oxidative homeostasis and neurotransmitter signalling. This review briefly discusses mammalian metabolism of agmatine and then proceeds to summarize our current understanding of neuromodulation and neuroprotection mediated by agmatine. Further, the emerging exciting bidirectional links between agmatine and the resident gut microbiome and their implications for brain pathophysiology and ageing are also discussed.
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Affiliation(s)
- Priyanka Saha
- Department of Biotechnology, School of Bio Sciences and Technology, Vellore Institute of Technology, Vellore, India
| | - Subhrajita Panda
- Department of Biotechnology, School of Bio Sciences and Technology, Vellore Institute of Technology, Vellore, India
| | - Aayusha Holkar
- Department of Integrative Biology, School of Bio Sciences and Technology, Vellore Institute of Technology, Vellore, India
| | - Rahul Vashishth
- Department of Biosciences, School of Bio Sciences and Technology, Vellore Institute of Technology, Vellore, India
| | - Sandeep Singh Rana
- Department of Biosciences, School of Bio Sciences and Technology, Vellore Institute of Technology, Vellore, India
| | - Mohanapriya Arumugam
- Department of Biotechnology, School of Bio Sciences and Technology, Vellore Institute of Technology, Vellore, India
| | - Ghulam Md Ashraf
- University of Sharjah, College of Health Sciences, and Research Institute for Medical and Health Sciences, Department of Medical Laboratory Sciences, Sharjah 27272, United Arab Emirates.
| | - Shafiul Haque
- Research and Scientific Studies Unit, College of Nursing and Allied Health Sciences, Jazan University, Jazan 45142, Saudi Arabia; Gilbert and Rose-Marie Chagoury School of Medicine, Lebanese American University, Beirut, Lebanon; Centre of Medical and Bio-Allied Health Sciences Research, Ajman University, Ajman, United Arab Emirates
| | - Faraz Ahmad
- Department of Biotechnology, School of Bio Sciences and Technology, Vellore Institute of Technology, Vellore, India.
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Sari SA, Ulger D, Ersan S, Bakir D, Uzun Cicek A, Ismailoglu F. Effects of agmatine, glutamate, arginine, and nitric oxide on executive functions in children with attention deficit hyperactivity disorder. J Neural Transm (Vienna) 2020; 127:1675-1684. [PMID: 33026491 DOI: 10.1007/s00702-020-02261-4] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/14/2020] [Accepted: 09/28/2020] [Indexed: 12/25/2022]
Abstract
In this study, we aimed to investigate the effects of agmatine, nitric oxide (NO), arginine, and glutamate, which are the metabolites in the polyamine pathway, on the performance of executive functions (EF) in attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD). The ADHD group included 35 treatment-naive children (6-14 years old) who were ewly diagnosed with ADHD. The control group consisted of 35 healthy children with the same age and sex, having no previous psychiatric disorders. In the study groups, Stroop test (ST) and trail making test (TMT) were used to monitor EF, and blood samples were collected to measure agmatine with ultra-high-performance liquid chromatography and NO, glutamate, and arginine with enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA). The EFs were significantly impaired in the ADHD group. The agmatine and arginine levels of the ADHD group were significantly higher than their peers. The NO and glutamate levels were also higher in the ADHD group compared to the control group, but these differences did not reach statistical significance. Children with ADHD had more difficulties during EF tasks compared to healthy children. The elevated NO and glutamate levels may be related with the impairment during EF tasks. Therefore, agmatine and arginine may increase to improve EF tasks through its inhibitory effect on the synthesis of NO and glutamate. Further studies are needed about polyamine pathway molecules to shed light on the pathophysiology of ADHD.
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Affiliation(s)
- Seda Aybuke Sari
- Department of Child and Adolescent Psychiatry, Faculty of Medicine, Sivas Cumhuriyet University, Imaret Village, 58140, Sivas, Turkey.
| | - Dilara Ulger
- Department of Biochemistry, Faculty of Medicine, Sivas Cumhuriyet University, Sivas, Turkey
| | - Serpil Ersan
- Department of Biochemistry, Faculty of Medicine, Nigde Omer Halis University, Nigde, Turkey
| | - Deniz Bakir
- Department of Biochemistry, Faculty of Medicine, Sivas Cumhuriyet University, Sivas, Turkey
| | - Ayla Uzun Cicek
- Department of Child and Adolescent Psychiatry, Faculty of Medicine, Sivas Cumhuriyet University, Imaret Village, 58140, Sivas, Turkey
| | - Firat Ismailoglu
- Department of Computer Engineering, Faculty of Engineering, Sivas Cumhuriyet University, Sivas, Turkey
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Rafi H, Ahmad F, Anis J, Khan R, Rafiq H, Farhan M. Comparative Effectiveness of Agmatine and Choline Treatment in Rats with Cognitive Impairment Induced by AlCl 3 and Forced Swim Stress. ACTA ACUST UNITED AC 2019; 15:251-264. [PMID: 31622210 DOI: 10.2174/1574884714666191016152143] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/21/2019] [Revised: 05/03/2019] [Accepted: 06/21/2019] [Indexed: 11/22/2022]
Abstract
AIM Endogenous agmatine has a significant role in learning and memory processes as a neurotransmitter. Various studies described the physiological role of endogenous agmatine in learning and memory of multiple cognitive tasks suggesting elevated levels of agmatine during the learning process in the rat brain. Dietary intake of choline showed correlation with cognitive functions in human subjects and treatment with choline supplements validated the ability to diminish learning and cognitive impairment dementias. METHODS 36 Albino rats were equally divided into three groups previously: a) control-water, b) Test I - AlCl3 (100 mg/Kg body weight), and c) Test II - Forced swim stress (FSS) for 14 days. On the next day of AlCl3 and FSS last administration, animals were allocated into further three groups and received the following treatments: a. water was given orally to the control group, b. Agmatine (100 mg/Kg Body Weight) group, and c. Choline (100 mg/Kg Body Weight) group for the next 14 days. Behaviors were assessed in Light/Dark Box, Open Field, Novel Object Recognition Test (NOR), T Maze Test, and Morris Water Maze Test. RESULTS Animals administered with agmatine demonstrated increased time spent in bright areas of light/dark box and square crossed while improved spatial memory in Morris water maze and T maze test and enhanced discrimination of novel object in NOR were observed in learning and memory paradigms along with choline. CONCLUSION The present study determines that agmatine at the dose of (100 mg/kg body weight) attenuates memory and cognitive impairment in comparison with choline supplements.
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Affiliation(s)
- Hira Rafi
- Neurochemistry and Biochemical Neuropharmacology Research Unit, Department of Biochemistry, University of Karachi, Karachi, Pakistan
| | - Fahad Ahmad
- Neurochemistry and Biochemical Neuropharmacology Research Unit, Department of Biochemistry, University of Karachi, Karachi, Pakistan
| | - Javaria Anis
- Neurochemistry and Biochemical Neuropharmacology Research Unit, Department of Biochemistry, University of Karachi, Karachi, Pakistan
| | - Ruba Khan
- Neurochemistry and Biochemical Neuropharmacology Research Unit, Department of Biochemistry, University of Karachi, Karachi, Pakistan
| | - Hamna Rafiq
- Neurochemistry and Biochemical Neuropharmacology Research Unit, Department of Biochemistry, University of Karachi, Karachi, Pakistan
| | - Muhammad Farhan
- Neurochemistry and Biochemical Neuropharmacology Research Unit, Department of Biochemistry, University of Karachi, Karachi, Pakistan
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Bergin DH, Jing Y, Williams G, Mockett BG, Zhang H, Abraham WC, Liu P. Safety and neurochemical profiles of acute and sub-chronic oral treatment with agmatine sulfate. Sci Rep 2019; 9:12669. [PMID: 31481723 PMCID: PMC6722093 DOI: 10.1038/s41598-019-49078-0] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/11/2019] [Accepted: 08/19/2019] [Indexed: 01/25/2023] Open
Abstract
Agmatine (decarboxylated arginine) exerts numerous central nervous system (CNS) dependent pharmacological effects and may potentially modulate altered neurochemistry seen in neurological disorders. In preclinical studies, injection has been the predominant route of systemic administration. However, a significant translational step would be the use of oral agmatine treatment at therapeutic doses and better understanding of L-arginine metabolic profiles in the CNS post-treatment. The present study systematically investigated the tolerability, safety and brain-plasma neurochemistry following daily oral agmatine sulfate treatment (via gavage) to wild-type (WT) mice up to 900 mg/kg for one week (Experiment 1) or WT and APPswe/PS1ΔE9 transgenic (Tg) mice at 300 mg/kg for fifteen weeks (Experiment 2). Agmatine treatment in both experiments was well tolerated with no marked behavioural impairments, and gross necropsy and organ histology revealed no pathological alterations after 15-week dosing. Moreover, oral treatment increased agmatine levels in the hippocampus and plasma of WT mice (Experiment 1), and in 6 brain regions examined (but not plasma) of WT and Tg mice (Experiment 2), at 30 minutes or 24 hours post-treatment respectively. This study provides fundamental pre-clinical evidence that daily oral delivery of agmatine sulfate to both WT and Tg mice is safe and well tolerated. Exogenous agmatine passes through the blood brain barrier and accumulates in the brain to a greater extent in Tg mice. Furthermore exogenous agmatine has differential actions in the brain and periphery, and its effect on brain putrescine appears to be dependent on the time post-treatment.
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Affiliation(s)
- David H Bergin
- Department of Anatomy, School of Biomedical Sciences, Brain Health Research Centre, Brain Research New Zealand, University of Otago, Dunedin, New Zealand.,School of Pharmacy, Brain Health Research Centre, Brain Research New Zealand, University of Otago, Dunedin, New Zealand
| | - Yu Jing
- Department of Anatomy, School of Biomedical Sciences, Brain Health Research Centre, Brain Research New Zealand, University of Otago, Dunedin, New Zealand
| | - Gail Williams
- Department of Pathology, University of Otago, Dunedin, New Zealand
| | - Bruce G Mockett
- Department of Psychology, Brain Health Research Centre, Brain Research New Zealand, University of Otago, Dunedin, New Zealand
| | - Hu Zhang
- School of Pharmacy, Brain Health Research Centre, Brain Research New Zealand, University of Otago, Dunedin, New Zealand
| | - Wickliffe C Abraham
- Department of Psychology, Brain Health Research Centre, Brain Research New Zealand, University of Otago, Dunedin, New Zealand
| | - Ping Liu
- Department of Anatomy, School of Biomedical Sciences, Brain Health Research Centre, Brain Research New Zealand, University of Otago, Dunedin, New Zealand.
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Knox LT, Jing Y, Bawazier-Edgecombe J, Collie ND, Zhang H, Liu P. Effects of withdrawal from repeated phencyclidine administration on behavioural function and brain arginine metabolism in rats. Pharmacol Biochem Behav 2016; 153:45-59. [PMID: 27986516 DOI: 10.1016/j.pbb.2016.12.006] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/10/2016] [Revised: 07/20/2016] [Accepted: 12/12/2016] [Indexed: 12/13/2022]
Abstract
Phencyclidine (PCP) induces behavioural changes in humans and laboratory animals that resemble positive and negative symptoms, and cognitive impairments in schizophrenia. It has been shown repeated treatment of PCP leading to persistent symptoms even after the drug discontinuation, and there is a growing body of evidence implicating altered arginine metabolism in the pathogenesis of schizophrenia. The present study investigated the effects of withdrawal from repeated daily injection of PCP (2mg/kg) for 12 consecutive days on animals'behavioural performance and arginine metabolism in the hippocampus and prefrontal cortex in male young adult rats. Repeated PCP treatment reduced spontaneous alternations in the Y-maze and exploratory and locomotor activities in the open field under the condition of a washout period of 24h, but not 4days. Interestingly, the PCP treated rats also displayed spatial working memory deficits when tested 8-10days after withdrawal from PCP and showed altered levels of arginase activities and eight out of ten l-arginine metabolites in neurochemical- and region-specific manner. Cluster analyses showed altered relationships among l-arginine and its three main metabolites as a function of withdrawal from repeated PCP treatment in a duration-specific manner. Multiple regression analysis revealed significant neurochemical-behavioural correlations. Collectively, the results suggest both the residual and long-term effects of withdrawal from repeated PCP treatment on behavioural function and brain arginine metabolism. These findings demonstrate, for the first time, the influence of the withdrawal duration on animals' behaviour and brain arginine metabolism.
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Affiliation(s)
- Logan T Knox
- Department of Anatomy, School of Biomedical Sciences, University of Otago, Dunedin, New Zealand; Brain Health Research Centre, University of Otago, Dunedin, New Zealand
| | - Yu Jing
- Department of Anatomy, School of Biomedical Sciences, University of Otago, Dunedin, New Zealand; Brain Health Research Centre, University of Otago, Dunedin, New Zealand
| | - Jamal Bawazier-Edgecombe
- Department of Anatomy, School of Biomedical Sciences, University of Otago, Dunedin, New Zealand; Brain Health Research Centre, University of Otago, Dunedin, New Zealand
| | - Nicola D Collie
- Department of Anatomy, School of Biomedical Sciences, University of Otago, Dunedin, New Zealand; Brain Health Research Centre, University of Otago, Dunedin, New Zealand
| | - Hu Zhang
- School of Pharmacy, University of Otago, Dunedin, New Zealand; Brain Health Research Centre, University of Otago, Dunedin, New Zealand
| | - Ping Liu
- Department of Anatomy, School of Biomedical Sciences, University of Otago, Dunedin, New Zealand; Brain Health Research Centre, University of Otago, Dunedin, New Zealand.
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Shelkar GP, Gakare SG, Chakraborty S, Dravid SM, Ugale RR. Interactions of nitric oxide with α2 -adrenoceptors within the locus coeruleus underlie the facilitation of inhibitory avoidance memory by agmatine. Br J Pharmacol 2016; 173:2589-99. [PMID: 27273730 PMCID: PMC4978159 DOI: 10.1111/bph.13531] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/20/2015] [Revised: 05/20/2016] [Accepted: 05/27/2016] [Indexed: 01/23/2023] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND AND PURPOSE Agmatine, a putative neurotransmitter, plays a vital role in learning and memory. Although it is considered an endogenous ligand of imidazoline receptors, agmatine exhibits high affinity for α-adrenoceptors, NOS and NMDA receptors. These substrates within the locus coeruleus (LC) are critically involved in learning and memory processes. EXPERIMENTAL APPROACH The hippocampus and LC of male Wistar rat were stereotaxically cannulated for injection. Effects of agmatine, given i.p. or intra-LC, on acquisition, consolidation and retrieval of inhibitory avoidance (IA) memory were measured. The NO donor S-nitrosoglutathione, non-specific (L-NAME) and specific NOS inhibitors (L-NIL, 7-NI, L-NIO), the α2 -adrenoceptor antagonist (yohimbine) or the corresponding agonist (clonidine) were injected intra-LC before agmatine. Intra-hippocampal injections of the NMDA antagonist, MK-801 (dizocilpine), were used to modify the memory enhancing effects of agmatine, SNG and yohimbine. Expression of tyrosine hydroxylase (TH) and eNOS in the LC was assessed immunohistochemically. KEY RESULTS Agmatine (intra-LC or i.p.) facilitated memory retrieval in the IA test. S-nitrosoglutathione potentiated, while L-NAME and L-NIO decreased, these effects of agmatine. L-NIL and 7-NI did not alter the effects of agmatine. Yohimbine potentiated, whereas clonidine attenuated, effects of agmatine within the LC. The effects of agmatine, S-nitrosoglutathione and yohimbine were blocked by intra-hippocampal MK-801. Agmatine increased the population of TH- and eNOS-immunoreactive elements in the LC. CONCLUSIONS AND IMPLICATIONS The facilitation of memory retrieval in the IA test by agmatine is probably mediated by interactions between eNOS, NO and noradrenergic pathways in the LC.
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Affiliation(s)
- Gajanan P Shelkar
- Division of Neuroscience, Department of Pharmacology, Shrimati Kishoritai Bhoyar College of Pharmacy, Nagpur, Maharashtra, India
- Department of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Rashtrasant Tukadoji Maharaj Nagpur University, Nagpur, India
| | - Sukanya G Gakare
- Department of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Rashtrasant Tukadoji Maharaj Nagpur University, Nagpur, India
| | - Suwarna Chakraborty
- Division of Neuroscience, Department of Pharmacology, Shrimati Kishoritai Bhoyar College of Pharmacy, Nagpur, Maharashtra, India
| | | | - Rajesh R Ugale
- Division of Neuroscience, Department of Pharmacology, Shrimati Kishoritai Bhoyar College of Pharmacy, Nagpur, Maharashtra, India
- Department of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Rashtrasant Tukadoji Maharaj Nagpur University, Nagpur, India
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Effects of acute phencyclidine administration on arginine metabolism in the hippocampus and prefrontal cortex in rats. Neuropharmacology 2014; 81:195-205. [DOI: 10.1016/j.neuropharm.2014.02.004] [Citation(s) in RCA: 12] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/08/2013] [Revised: 01/03/2014] [Accepted: 02/05/2014] [Indexed: 12/19/2022]
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Song J, Hur BE, Bokara KK, Yang W, Cho HJ, Park KA, Lee WT, Lee KM, Lee JE. Agmatine improves cognitive dysfunction and prevents cell death in a streptozotocin-induced Alzheimer rat model. Yonsei Med J 2014; 55:689-99. [PMID: 24719136 PMCID: PMC3990080 DOI: 10.3349/ymj.2014.55.3.689] [Citation(s) in RCA: 58] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/18/2013] [Revised: 02/18/2014] [Accepted: 02/18/2014] [Indexed: 12/03/2022] Open
Abstract
PURPOSE Alzheimer's disease (AD) results in memory impairment and neuronal cell death in the brain. Previous studies demonstrated that intracerebroventricular administration of streptozotocin (STZ) induces pathological and behavioral alterations similar to those observed in AD. Agmatine (Agm) has been shown to exert neuroprotective effects in central nervous system disorders. In this study, we investigated whether Agm treatment could attenuate apoptosis and improve cognitive decline in a STZ-induced Alzheimer rat model. MATERIALS AND METHODS We studied the effect of Agm on AD pathology using a STZ-induced Alzheimer rat model. For each experiment, rats were given anesthesia (chloral hydrate 300 mg/kg, ip), followed by a single injection of STZ (1.5 mg/kg) bilaterally into each lateral ventricle (5 μL/ventricle). Rats were injected with Agm (100 mg/kg) daily up to two weeks from the surgery day. RESULTS Agm suppressed the accumulation of amyloid beta and enhanced insulin signal transduction in STZ-induced Alzheimer rats [experimetal control (EC) group]. Upon evaluation of cognitive function by Morris water maze testing, significant improvement of learning and memory dysfunction in the STZ-Agm group was observed compared with the EC group. Western blot results revealed significant attenuation of the protein expressions of cleaved caspase-3 and Bax, as well as increases in the protein expressions of Bcl2, PI3K, Nrf2, and γ-glutamyl cysteine synthetase, in the STZ-Agm group. CONCLUSION Our results showed that Agm is involved in the activation of antioxidant signaling pathways and activation of insulin signal transduction. Accordingly, Agm may be a promising therapeutic agent for improving cognitive decline and attenuating apoptosis in AD.
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Affiliation(s)
- Juhyun Song
- Department of Anatomy, Yonsei University College of Medicine, Seoul, Korea
| | - Bo Eun Hur
- Department of Anatomy, Yonsei University College of Medicine, Seoul, Korea
- Brain Korea 21 Plus Project for Medical Science, Brain Research Institute, Yonsei University College of Medicine, Seoul, Korea
| | - Kiran Kumar Bokara
- Department of Anatomy, Yonsei University College of Medicine, Seoul, Korea
| | - Wonsuk Yang
- Department of Anatomy, Yonsei University College of Medicine, Seoul, Korea
| | - Hyun Jin Cho
- Department of Anatomy, Yonsei University College of Medicine, Seoul, Korea
| | - Kyung Ah Park
- Department of Anatomy, Yonsei University College of Medicine, Seoul, Korea
| | - Won Taek Lee
- Department of Anatomy, Yonsei University College of Medicine, Seoul, Korea
| | - Kyoung Min Lee
- Department of Neurology, Seoul National University College of Medicine, Seoul, Korea
| | - Jong Eun Lee
- Department of Anatomy, Yonsei University College of Medicine, Seoul, Korea
- Brain Korea 21 Plus Project for Medical Science, Brain Research Institute, Yonsei University College of Medicine, Seoul, Korea
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Effects of prolonged agmatine treatment in aged male Sprague-Dawley rats. Neuroscience 2013; 234:116-24. [PMID: 23318245 DOI: 10.1016/j.neuroscience.2013.01.004] [Citation(s) in RCA: 28] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/20/2012] [Revised: 12/29/2012] [Accepted: 01/05/2013] [Indexed: 11/22/2022]
Abstract
Increasing evidence suggests that altered arginine metabolism contributes to cognitive decline during ageing. Agmatine, decarboxylated arginine, has a variety of pharmacological effects, including the modulation of behavioural function. A recent study demonstrated the beneficial effects of short-term agmatine treatment in aged rats. The present study investigated how intraperitoneal administration of agmatine (40mg/kg, once daily) over 4-6weeks affected behavioural function and neurochemistry in aged Sprague-Dawley rats. Aged rats treated with saline displayed significantly reduced exploratory activity in the open field, impaired spatial learning and memory in the water maze and object recognition memory relative to young rats. Prolonged agmatine treatment improved animals' performance in the reversal test of the water maze and object recognition memory test, and significantly suppressed age-related elevation in nitric oxide synthase activity in the dentate gyrus of the hippocampus and prefrontal cortex. However, this prolonged supplementation was unable to improve exploratory activity and spatial reference learning and memory in aged rats. These findings further demonstrate that exogenous agmatine selectively improves behavioural function in aged rats.
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THANAPREEDAWAT P, KOBAYASHI H, INUI N, SAKAMOTO K, KIM M, YOTO A, YOKOGOSHI H. GABA Affects Novel Object Recognition Memory and Working Memory in Rats. J Nutr Sci Vitaminol (Tokyo) 2013; 59:152-7. [DOI: 10.3177/jnsv.59.152] [Citation(s) in RCA: 22] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/27/2022]
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Rushaidhi M, Jing Y, Zhang H, Liu P. Participation of hippocampal agmatine in spatial learning: an in vivo microdialysis study. Neuropharmacology 2012; 65:200-5. [PMID: 23116777 DOI: 10.1016/j.neuropharm.2012.10.007] [Citation(s) in RCA: 31] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/22/2012] [Revised: 10/07/2012] [Accepted: 10/09/2012] [Indexed: 01/11/2023]
Abstract
Agmatine, decarboxylated arginine, is widely distributed in mammalian brains and is considered as a novel putative neurotransmitter. Recent research demonstrates spatial learning-induced increases in agmatine in memory-related structures at the tissue and presynaptic terminal levels. By using the in vivo microdialysis technique coupled with highly sensitive liquid chromatography/mass spectrometry assay, we investigated dynamic changes of extracellular agmatine in the rat dorsal hippocampus before, during and after water maze training to find a fixed hidden platform on the first and forth day of testing. It was firstly noted that the basal level of extracellular agmatine was significantly elevated on day 4. While swimming per se had no effect, a rapid rise (2-6 folds) in extracellular agmatine was observed during water maze training regardless of testing day. Such learning-induced rise was found to successively lessen across the multiple blocks of training on day 1. However, this pattern was reversed on day 4 when the platform was removed during the final training trial. The present study, for the first time, demonstrates water maze training-induced increase of extracellular agmatine in the dorsal hippocampus. The results suggest a role of endogenous agmatine in the encoding and retrieval of spatial information.
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Affiliation(s)
- Madihah Rushaidhi
- Department of Anatomy, Brain Health Research Centre, University of Otago, Dunedin 9016, New Zealand
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Gupta N, Jing Y, Collie ND, Zhang H, Liu P. Ageing alters behavioural function and brain arginine metabolism in male Sprague-Dawley rats. Neuroscience 2012; 226:178-96. [PMID: 22989918 DOI: 10.1016/j.neuroscience.2012.09.013] [Citation(s) in RCA: 34] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/24/2012] [Revised: 08/18/2012] [Accepted: 09/07/2012] [Indexed: 01/29/2023]
Abstract
A growing body of evidence suggests the involvement of L-arginine and its metabolites in the ageing and neurodegenerative processes. The present study assessed behavioural performance in 4- (young), 12- (middle-aged) and 24- (aged) month-old male Sprague-Dawley rats, and investigated age-related changes in the activity of two key arginine metabolic enzymes, nitric oxide synthase (NOS) and arginase, and the levels of L-arginine and its downstream metabolites in a number of memory-related brain structures. Aged rats were less anxious and performed poorly in the water maze task relative to the young and middle-aged rats, and both middle-aged and aged rats displayed reduced exploratory activity relative to the young ones. There were significant age-related changes in NOS and arginase activities, and the levels of L-arginine, L-citrulline, L-ornithine, agmatine, putrescine, spermidine, spermine and glutamate, but not γ-aminobutyric acid, in the CA1, CA2/3 and dentate gyrus sub-regions of the hippocampus and the prefrontal, entorhinal, perirhinal, postrhinal and temporal (an auditory cortex) cortices in a region-specific manner. Cluster analyses revealed that the nine related neurochemical variables formed distinct groups, which changed as a function of ageing. Multiple regression analyses revealed a number of significant correlations between the neurochemical and behavioural variables. The present study further supports the involvement of arginine metabolism in the ageing process, and provides further evidence of the effects of animals' behavioural experience on arginine metabolism.
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Affiliation(s)
- N Gupta
- Department of Anatomy, Brain Health Research Centre, University of Otago, P.O. Box 913, Dunedin 9054, New Zealand
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Rushaidhi M, Collie N, Zhang H, Liu P. Agmatine selectively improves behavioural function in aged male Sprague–Dawley rats. Neuroscience 2012; 218:206-15. [DOI: 10.1016/j.neuroscience.2012.05.015] [Citation(s) in RCA: 16] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/14/2012] [Revised: 04/11/2012] [Accepted: 05/04/2012] [Indexed: 10/28/2022]
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Utkan T, Gocmez SS, Regunathan S, Aricioglu F. Agmatine, a metabolite of L-arginine, reverses scopolamine-induced learning and memory impairment in rats. Pharmacol Biochem Behav 2012; 102:578-84. [PMID: 22796489 DOI: 10.1016/j.pbb.2012.07.003] [Citation(s) in RCA: 25] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/07/2011] [Revised: 06/26/2012] [Accepted: 07/07/2012] [Indexed: 01/28/2023]
Abstract
Agmatine (l-amino-4-guanidino-butane), a metabolite of L-arginine through the action of arginine decarboxylase, is a novel neurotransmitter. In the present study, effects of agmatine on cognitive functions have been evaluated by using one trial step-down passive avoidance and three panel runway task. Agmatine (20, 40, 80 mg/kg i.p.) was administered either in the presence or absence of a cholinergic antagonist, scopolamine (1 mg/kg i.p.). Scopolamine significantly impaired learning and memory in both passive avoidance and three panel runway test. Agmatine did not affect emotional learning, working and reference memory but significantly improved scopolamine-induced impairment of learning and memory in a dose dependent manner. Our results indicate that agmatine, as an endogenous substance, may have an important role in modulation of learning and memory functions.
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Affiliation(s)
- Tijen Utkan
- Kocaeli University Medical Faculty, Pharmacology Department and Experimental Medical Research and Application Unit, 41380 Kocaeli, Turkey.
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15
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Bhutada P, Mundhada Y, Humane V, Rahigude A, Deshmukh P, Latad S, Jain K. Agmatine, an endogenous ligand of imidazoline receptor protects against memory impairment and biochemical alterations in streptozotocin-induced diabetic rats. Prog Neuropsychopharmacol Biol Psychiatry 2012; 37:96-105. [PMID: 22300747 DOI: 10.1016/j.pnpbp.2012.01.009] [Citation(s) in RCA: 35] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/06/2011] [Revised: 01/19/2012] [Accepted: 01/19/2012] [Indexed: 12/27/2022]
Abstract
Agmatine, a polycationic amine synthesized via decarboxylation of l-arginine by arginine decarboxylase is reported to exhibit anti-hyperglycemic, antioxidant and memory enhancing effects. Therefore, we tested its influence against cognitive dysfunction in streptozotocin-induced diabetic rats using Morris water maze and object recognition paradigm. Lipid peroxidation and glutathione levels as parameters of oxidative stress and choline esterase (ChE) activity as a marker of cholinergic function were assessed in the cerebral cortex and hippocampus. Thirty days after diabetes induction rats showed a severe deficit in learning and memory associated with increased lipid peroxidation, decreased reduced glutathione, and elevated ChE activity. In contrast, chronic treatment with agmatine (5-10mg/kg, i.p. for 30 days) improved cognitive performance, lowered hyperglycemia, oxidative stress, and ChE activity in diabetic rats. Further, memory improving effects of agmatine were independent of adrenal I(2) imidazoline receptors. In a separate set, agmatine treatment for an initial 15 days after diabetes confirmation also significantly reduced memory impairment during training trials after 30 days of diabetes confirmation. Moreover, treatment during training trials (30 days after diabetes) also significantly reduced memory impairment in diabetic rats. In conclusion, the present study demonstrates that treatment with agmatine prevents changes in oxidative stress and ChE activity, and probably consequent memory impairment in diabetic rats.
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Affiliation(s)
- Pravinkumar Bhutada
- Sinhgad College of Pharmacy, Post-Graduate Research Department, Off Sinhgad road, Vadgaon (Bk), Pune 41, Maharashtra, India.
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16
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Moosavi M, Khales GY, Abbasi L, Zarifkar A, Rastegar K. Agmatine protects against scopolamine-induced water maze performance impairment and hippocampal ERK and Akt inactivation. Neuropharmacology 2012; 62:2018-23. [PMID: 22248637 DOI: 10.1016/j.neuropharm.2011.12.031] [Citation(s) in RCA: 56] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/06/2011] [Revised: 12/27/2011] [Accepted: 12/29/2011] [Indexed: 02/08/2023]
Abstract
Cholinergic brain activity plays a significant role in memory. Scopolamine a muscarinic cholinergic antagonist is known to induce impairment in Morris water maze performance, the task which is mainly dependent on the hippocampus. It is suggested that hippocampal ERK and Akt activation play roles in synaptic plasticity and some types of learning and memory. Agmatine, a polyamine derived from l-arginine decarboxylation, is recently shown to exert some neuroprotective effects. This study was aimed to investigate if agmatine could reverse scopolamine-induced memory impairment and possible hippocampal ERK and Akt activity alteration. Adult male Sprague-Dawley rats weighing 200-250 g were randomly assigned into 5 groups. The animals were trained for 3 days in Morris water maze and in day 4 their memory retention was assessed in probe trial which was consisted of a 60 s trial with no platform. Scopolamine (1 mg/kg/ip) or saline were injected 30 min and agmatine (20 or 40 mg/kg/ip) was administered 60 min before each session. The hippocampi were isolated after behavioral studies and western blotting studies on hippocampal lysates were done to determine the levels of activated ERK and Akt. Scopolamine treatment not only impaired water maze learning and memory, but also decreased the amount of phosphorylated (activated) ERK and Akt. Agmatine pre-treatment prevented both the learning impairment and hippocampal ERK and Akt inactivation induced by scopolamine. It seems that agmatine may act as a candidate substance against amnesia.
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Affiliation(s)
- Maryam Moosavi
- Shiraz Neuroscience Research Center and department of Physiology, Shiraz University of Medical Sciences, Zand Street, Shiraz, Iran.
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17
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Knox LT, Jing Y, Fleete MS, Collie ND, Zhang H, Liu P. Scopolamine impairs behavioural function and arginine metabolism in the rat dentate gyrus. Neuropharmacology 2011; 61:1452-62. [DOI: 10.1016/j.neuropharm.2011.08.042] [Citation(s) in RCA: 24] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/12/2011] [Revised: 08/24/2011] [Accepted: 08/26/2011] [Indexed: 01/06/2023]
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18
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Gupta N, Zhang H, Liu P. Chronic difluoromethylornithine treatment impairs spatial learning and memory in rats. Pharmacol Biochem Behav 2011; 100:464-73. [PMID: 22024160 DOI: 10.1016/j.pbb.2011.10.011] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/31/2011] [Revised: 09/21/2011] [Accepted: 10/09/2011] [Indexed: 01/08/2023]
Abstract
Recent evidence suggests that polyamines putrescine, spermidine and spermine are essential in maintaining normal cellular function. The present study investigated the effects of chronic treatment of difluoromethylornithine (DFMO, 3% in drinking water), a potent inhibitor of putrescine synthesis, for 54 consecutive days on animals'behavior and neurochemical levels in the CA1, CA2/3 and dentate gyrus sub-regions of the hippocampus and the prefrontal cortex. The DFMO group showed performance impairments in the place navigation and the probe test conducted 24 h after the training in the reference memory version of the water maze task, but not in the elevated plus maze, open field, object recognition, cued navigation and the working memory version of the water maze task when compared to the control group (drinking water only). DFMO treatment resulted in approximately 80-90% and 20% of reductions in the putrescine and spermidine levels, respectively, in the four brain regions examined, and a small reduction in agmatine level in the CA2/3, with no effects on spermine, glutamate and γ-aminobutyrate. The DFMO group showed decreased body weight relative to the control one. However, there were no significant differences between groups in the normalized brain, kidney and liver weights. The present study demonstrates that chronic treatment of DFMO depletes putrescine and decreases spermidine levels in the brain, inhibits growth, and impairs spatial learning and memory in the reference memory version of the water maze specifically. These findings merit further investigation to fully understand the functional role of endogenous polyamines in learning and memory.
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Affiliation(s)
- Neeraj Gupta
- Department of Anatomy, University of Otago, Dunedin, New Zealand
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19
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Liu P, Jing Y, Collie ND, Campbell SA, Zhang H. Pre-aggregated Aβ25–35 alters arginine metabolism in the rat hippocampus and prefrontal cortex. Neuroscience 2011; 193:269-82. [DOI: 10.1016/j.neuroscience.2011.07.054] [Citation(s) in RCA: 32] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/29/2011] [Revised: 07/19/2011] [Accepted: 07/22/2011] [Indexed: 10/17/2022]
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20
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Rastegar K, Roosta H, Zarifkar A, Rafati A, Moosavi M. The Effect of Intra-CA1 Agmatine Microinjection on Water Maze Learning and Memory in Rat. IRANIAN RED CRESCENT MEDICAL JOURNAL 2011; 13:316-22. [PMID: 22737487 PMCID: PMC3371968] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/10/2010] [Revised: 09/19/2010] [Accepted: 09/27/2010] [Indexed: 10/31/2022]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Reports on agmatine are controversial showing that it may improve memory, it can deteriorate memory and some did not notice any interference with learning and memory. In the present study, the effect of directly intra-CA1 agmatine microinjection on water maze learning and memory has been assessed. METHODS The cannuls were implanted in hippocampal CA1 regions of rats in a sterotaxic frame after general anesthesia. After one week recovery period, the animals were assessed in the reference memory version of water maze. Agmatine (1, 10, 100 or 200 μg/0.5 μl) or saline were infused 20 minutes before or immediately after training. RESULTS Agmatine-treated rats did not show any significant difference neither in water maze acquisition nor in consolidation task in comparison with control and sham groups. CONCLUSION Agmatine does not affect water maze learning and memory.
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Affiliation(s)
- K Rastegar
- Shiraz Neuroscience Research Center and Department of Physiology, Shiraz University of Medical Sciences, Shiraz, Iran
| | - H Roosta
- Shiraz Neuroscience Research Center and Department of Physiology, Shiraz University of Medical Sciences, Shiraz, Iran
| | - A Zarifkar
- Shiraz Neuroscience Research Center and Department of Physiology, Shiraz University of Medical Sciences, Shiraz, Iran,Correspondence: Asadollah Zarifkar, PhD, Department of Physiology, Shiraz University of Medical sciences, Shiraz, Iran. Tel.: +98-711-2302026, Fax: +98-711-2302026, E-mail:
| | - A Rafati
- Shiraz Neuroscience Research Center and Department of Physiology, Shiraz University of Medical Sciences, Shiraz, Iran
| | - M Moosavi
- Shiraz Neuroscience Research Center and Department of Physiology, Shiraz University of Medical Sciences, Shiraz, Iran
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Leitch B, Shevtsova O, Reusch K, Bergin DH, Liu P. Spatial learning-induced increase in agmatine levels at hippocampal CA1 synapses. Synapse 2011; 65:146-53. [PMID: 20572157 DOI: 10.1002/syn.20828] [Citation(s) in RCA: 44] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/08/2022]
Abstract
Agmatine, a metabolite of L-arginine, is considered as a novel putative neurotransmitter. It has been detected in axon terminals that synapse with pyramidal cells in the hippocampus, a brain region that is critically involved in spatial learning and memory. However, the role of agmatine in learning and memory is poorly understood. Recently, we demonstrated water maze training-induced increases in tissue levels of agmatine in the CA1 subregion of the hippocampus. This finding has raised an issue whether an endogenous agmatine could directly participate in learning and memory processes as a neurotransmitter. In the present study, quantitative immunogold-labeling and electron-microscopical techniques were used to analyze the levels of agmatine in CA1 stratum radiatum (SR) terminals (n = 600) of male Sprague-Dawley rats that had been trained to find a hidden escape platform in the water maze (WM) task or forced to swim (SW) in the pool with no platform presented. Agmatine levels were significantly increased by ∼85% in the synaptic terminals of SR of trained WM group compared with the SW control group (all P < 0.001). These results, for the first time, demonstrate spatial learning-induced elevation in agmatine levels at synapses in the hippocampus and provide evidence of its participation in learning and memory processing as a novel neurotransmitter.
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Affiliation(s)
- Beulah Leitch
- Department of Anatomy and Structural Biology, University of Otago, Dunedin, New Zealand.
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22
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Bergin D, Liu P. Agmatine protects against β-amyloid25-35-induced memory impairments in the rat. Neuroscience 2010; 169:794-811. [DOI: 10.1016/j.neuroscience.2010.05.004] [Citation(s) in RCA: 41] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/17/2009] [Revised: 04/13/2010] [Accepted: 05/02/2010] [Indexed: 11/30/2022]
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