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Rafi H, Rafiq H, Farhan M. Pharmacological profile of agmatine: An in-depth overview. Neuropeptides 2024; 105:102429. [PMID: 38608401 DOI: 10.1016/j.npep.2024.102429] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/12/2023] [Revised: 03/14/2024] [Accepted: 04/01/2024] [Indexed: 04/14/2024]
Abstract
Agmatine, a naturally occurring polyamine derived from arginine via arginine decarboxylase, has been shown to play multifaceted roles in the mammalian body, impacting a wide range of physiological and pathological processes. This comprehensive review delineates the significant insights into agmatine's pharmacological profile, emphasizing its structure and metabolism, neurotransmission and regulation, and pharmacokinetics and function. Agmatine's biosynthesis is highly conserved across species, highlighting its fundamental role in cellular functions. In the brain, comparable to established neurotransmitters, agmatine acts as a neuromodulator, influencing the regulation, metabolism, and reabsorption of neurotransmitters that are key to mood disorders, learning, cognition, and the management of anxiety and depression. Beyond its neuromodulatory functions, agmatine exhibits protective effects across various cellular and systemic contexts, including neuroprotection, nephroprotection, cardioprotection, and cytoprotection, suggesting a broad therapeutic potential. The review explores agmatine's interaction with multiple receptor systems, including NMDA, α2-adrenoceptors, and imidazoline receptors, elucidating its role in enhancing cell viability, neuronal protection, and synaptic plasticity. Such interactions underpin agmatine's potential in treating neurological diseases and mood disorders, among other conditions. Furthermore, agmatine's pharmacokinetics, including its absorption, distribution, metabolism, and excretion, are discussed, underlining the complexity of its action and the potential for therapeutic application. The safety and efficacy of agmatine supplementation, demonstrated through various animal and human studies, affirm its potential as a beneficial therapeutic agent. Conclusively, the diverse physiological and therapeutic effects of agmatine, spanning neurotransmission, protection against cellular damage, and modulation of various receptor pathways, position it as a promising candidate for further research and clinical application. This review underscores the imperative for continued exploration into agmatine's mechanisms of action and its potential in pharmacology and medicine, promising advances in the treatment of numerous conditions.
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Affiliation(s)
- Hira Rafi
- Feinberg School of Medicine, Northwestern University, Chicago, IL, USA; Department of Biochemistry, University of Karachi, Pakistan.
| | - Hamna Rafiq
- Department of Biochemistry, University of Karachi, Pakistan
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2
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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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3
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Gangar K, Bhatt LK. Therapeutic Targets for the Treatment of Comorbidities Associated with Epilepsy. Curr Mol Pharmacol 2021; 13:85-93. [PMID: 31793425 DOI: 10.2174/1874467212666191203101606] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/23/2019] [Revised: 11/03/2019] [Accepted: 11/18/2019] [Indexed: 12/17/2022]
Abstract
One of the most common neurological disorders, which occurs among 1% of the population worldwide, is epilepsy. Therapeutic failure is common with epilepsy and nearly about 30% of patients fall in this category. Seizure suppression should not be the only goal while treating epilepsy but associated comorbidities, which can further worsen the condition, should also be considered. Treatment of such comorbidities such as depression, anxiety, cognition, attention deficit hyperactivity disorder and, various other disorders which co-exist with epilepsy or are caused due to epilepsy should also be treated. Novel targets or the existing targets are needed to be explored for the dual mechanism which can suppress both the disease and the comorbidity. New therapeutic targets such as IDO, nNOS, PAR1, NF-κb are being explored for their role in epilepsy and various comorbidities. This review explores recent therapeutic targets for the treatment of comorbidities associated with epilepsy.
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Affiliation(s)
- Kinjal Gangar
- Department of Pharmacology, SVKM's Dr. Bhanuben Nanavati College of Pharmacy, Vile Parle (West), Mumbai, India
| | - Lokesh Kumar Bhatt
- Department of Pharmacology, SVKM's Dr. Bhanuben Nanavati College of Pharmacy, Vile Parle (West), Mumbai, India
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4
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Dixit MP, Rahmatkar SN, Raut P, Umekar MJ, Taksande BG, Kotagale NR. Evidences for agmatine alterations in Aβ 1-42induced memory impairment in mice. Neurosci Lett 2020; 740:135447. [PMID: 33127446 DOI: 10.1016/j.neulet.2020.135447] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/30/2020] [Revised: 09/14/2020] [Accepted: 10/08/2020] [Indexed: 02/02/2023]
Abstract
Alzheimer's disease is an age related progressive neurodegenerative disorder characterized by decline in cognitive functions, such as memory loss and behavioural abnormalities. The present study sought to assess alterations in agmatine metabolism in the beta-amyloid (Aβ1-42) Alzheimer's disease mouse model. Aβ1-42 injected mice showed impairment of cognitive functioning as evidenced by increased working and reference memory errors in radial arm maze (RAM). This cognitive impairment was associated with a reduction in the agmatine levels and elevation in its degrading enzyme, agmatinase, whereas reduced immunocontent was observed in its synthesizing enzyme arginine decarboxylase expression within hippocampus and prefrontal cortex. Chronic agmatine treatment and its endogenous modulation by l-arginine, or arcaine or aminoguanidine prevented the learning and memory impairment induced by single intracranial Aβ1-42 peptide injection. In conclusion, the present study suggests the importance of the endogenous agmatinergic system in β-amyloid induced memory impairment in mice.
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Affiliation(s)
- Madhura P Dixit
- Division of Neuroscience, Department of Pharmacology, Smt. Kishoritai Bhoyar College of Pharmacy, New Kamptee, Nagpur (M.S.), 441 002, India
| | - Shubham N Rahmatkar
- Division of Neuroscience, Department of Pharmacology, Smt. Kishoritai Bhoyar College of Pharmacy, New Kamptee, Nagpur (M.S.), 441 002, India
| | - Prachi Raut
- Division of Neuroscience, Department of Pharmacology, Smt. Kishoritai Bhoyar College of Pharmacy, New Kamptee, Nagpur (M.S.), 441 002, India
| | - Milind J Umekar
- Division of Neuroscience, Department of Pharmacology, Smt. Kishoritai Bhoyar College of Pharmacy, New Kamptee, Nagpur (M.S.), 441 002, India
| | - Brijesh G Taksande
- Division of Neuroscience, Department of Pharmacology, Smt. Kishoritai Bhoyar College of Pharmacy, New Kamptee, Nagpur (M.S.), 441 002, India
| | - Nandkishor R Kotagale
- Division of Neuroscience, Department of Pharmacology, Smt. Kishoritai Bhoyar College of Pharmacy, New Kamptee, Nagpur (M.S.), 441 002, India; Government College of Pharmacy, Amravati, Maharashtra, 444 604, India.
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5
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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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Kotagale N, Dixit M, Garmelwar H, Bhondekar S, Umekar M, Taksande B. Agmatine reverses memory deficits induced by Aβ1–42 peptide in mice: A key role of imidazoline receptors. Pharmacol Biochem Behav 2020; 196:172976. [DOI: 10.1016/j.pbb.2020.172976] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/25/2020] [Revised: 06/19/2020] [Accepted: 06/21/2020] [Indexed: 12/13/2022]
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7
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Involvement of hippocampal agmatine in β1-42 amyloid induced memory impairment, neuroinflammation and BDNF signaling disruption in mice. Neurotoxicology 2020; 80:1-11. [DOI: 10.1016/j.neuro.2020.06.002] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/17/2019] [Revised: 05/29/2020] [Accepted: 06/04/2020] [Indexed: 01/25/2023]
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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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9
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The therapeutic and nutraceutical potential of agmatine, and its enhanced production using Aspergillus oryzae. Amino Acids 2019; 52:181-197. [DOI: 10.1007/s00726-019-02720-7] [Citation(s) in RCA: 14] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/13/2019] [Accepted: 03/05/2019] [Indexed: 12/30/2022]
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10
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Hariharan A, Jing Y, Collie ND, Zhang H, Liu P. Altered neurovascular coupling and brain arginine metabolism in endothelial nitric oxide synthase deficient mice. Nitric Oxide 2019; 87:60-72. [PMID: 30877024 DOI: 10.1016/j.niox.2019.03.006] [Citation(s) in RCA: 17] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/21/2018] [Revised: 03/06/2019] [Accepted: 03/10/2019] [Indexed: 12/23/2022]
Abstract
Nitric oxide (NO) produced by endothelial NO synthase (eNOS) is a key regulator of cerebral blood flow (CBF) dynamics. Mice with eNOS deficiency (eNOS-/-) display age-related increases in amyloid beta in the brain and memory deficits, implicating eNOS dysfunction in the neuropathogenesis and/or development of Alzheimer's disease (AD). The present study systematically investigated behavioural, CBF and brain arginine metabolic profile changes in male and female wildtype (WT) and eNOS-/- mice at 14 months of age. eNOS-/- mice displayed altered behaviour in the Y-maze and open field tests. A real-time microcirculation imager revealed a significant sex difference in the basal CBF and significantly increased perfusion response to whisker stimulations in the Barrel cortex in both male and female eNOS-/- mice relative to their sex-matched WT controls. The treatment of 7-nitroindazole blocked the increased perfusion response to whisker stimulations in eNOS-/- mice. Neurochemically, the most intriguing changes were markedly reduced glutamine levels in both male and female eNOS-/- mice in the frontal cortex, hippocampus, parahippocampal region and cerebellum. These findings demonstrate altered behavioural function, neurovascular coupling and brain arginine metabolism (glutamine in particular) under the condition of eNOS deficiency, which further supports the role of eNOS dysfunction in the AD neuropathogenesis.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ashwini Hariharan
- Department of Anatomy, School of Biomedical Sciences, Brain Health Research Centre, University of Otago, Brain Research New Zealand, New Zealand
| | - Yu Jing
- Department of Anatomy, School of Biomedical Sciences, Brain Health Research Centre, University of Otago, Brain Research New Zealand, New Zealand
| | - Nicola D Collie
- Department of Anatomy, School of Biomedical Sciences, Brain Health Research Centre, University of Otago, Brain Research New Zealand, New Zealand
| | - Hu Zhang
- School of Pharmacy, Brain Health Research Centre, University of Otago, Brain Research New Zealand, New Zealand
| | - Ping Liu
- Department of Anatomy, School of Biomedical Sciences, Brain Health Research Centre, University of Otago, Brain Research New Zealand, New Zealand.
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Watts D, Pfaffenseller B, Wollenhaupt-Aguiar B, Paul Géa L, Cardoso TDA, Kapczinski F. Agmatine as a potential therapeutic intervention in bipolar depression: the preclinical landscape. Expert Opin Ther Targets 2019; 23:327-339. [DOI: 10.1080/14728222.2019.1581764] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/17/2022]
Affiliation(s)
- Devon Watts
- Neuroscience Graduate Program, McMaster University, Hamilton, ON, Canada
| | - Bianca Pfaffenseller
- Department of Psychiatry and Behavioural Neurosciences, McMaster University, Hamilton, ON, Canada
| | | | - Luiza Paul Géa
- Graduate Program in Biological Sciences, Pharmacology and Therapeutics, Federal University of Rio Grande do Sul, UFRGS, Porto Alegre, Brazil
- Laboratory of Molecular Psychiatry, Hospital de Clínicas de Porto Alegre (HCPA), Porto Alegre, Brazil
| | | | - Flavio Kapczinski
- Neuroscience Graduate Program, McMaster University, Hamilton, ON, Canada
- Department of Psychiatry and Behavioural Neurosciences, McMaster University, Hamilton, ON, Canada
- Graduate Program in Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences, Federal University of Rio Grande do Sul, UFRGS, Porto Alegre, Brazil
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12
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Bergin DH, Jing Y, Mockett BG, Zhang H, Abraham WC, Liu P. Altered plasma arginine metabolome precedes behavioural and brain arginine metabolomic profile changes in the APPswe/PS1ΔE9 mouse model of Alzheimer's disease. Transl Psychiatry 2018; 8:108. [PMID: 29802260 PMCID: PMC5970225 DOI: 10.1038/s41398-018-0149-z] [Citation(s) in RCA: 33] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/03/2017] [Revised: 02/21/2018] [Accepted: 04/04/2018] [Indexed: 11/09/2022] Open
Abstract
While amyloid-beta (Aβ) peptides play a central role in the development of Alzheimer's disease (AD), recent evidence also implicates altered metabolism of L-arginine in the pathogenesis of AD. The present study systematically investigated how behavioural function and the brain and plasma arginine metabolic profiles changed in a chronic Aβ accumulation model using male APPswe/PS1ΔE9 transgenic (Tg) mice at 7 and 13 months of age. As compared to their wild-type (WT) littermates, Tg mice displayed age-related deficits in spatial water maze tasks and alterations in brain arginine metabolism. Interestingly, the plasma arginine metabolic profile was markedly altered in 7-month Tg mice prior to major behavioural impairment. Receiver operating characteristic curve analysis revealed that plasma putrescine and spermine significantly differentiated between Tg and WT mice. These results demonstrate the parallel development of altered brain arginine metabolism and behavioural deficits in Tg mice. The altered plasma arginine metabolic profile that preceded the behavioural and brain profile changes suggests that there may be merit in an arginine-centric set of ante-mortem biomarkers for AD.
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Affiliation(s)
- D H Bergin
- Department of Anatomy, University of Otago, Dunedin, New Zealand
- School of Pharmacy, University of Otago, Dunedin, New Zealand
- Brain Research New Zealand and Brain Health Research Centre, University of Otago, Dunedin, New Zealand
| | - Y Jing
- Department of Anatomy, University of Otago, Dunedin, New Zealand
- Brain Research New Zealand and Brain Health Research Centre, University of Otago, Dunedin, New Zealand
| | - B G Mockett
- Brain Research New Zealand and Brain Health Research Centre, University of Otago, Dunedin, New Zealand
- Department of Psychology, University of Otago, Dunedin, New Zealand
| | - H Zhang
- School of Pharmacy, University of Otago, Dunedin, New Zealand
- Brain Research New Zealand and Brain Health Research Centre, University of Otago, Dunedin, New Zealand
| | - W C Abraham
- Brain Research New Zealand and Brain Health Research Centre, University of Otago, Dunedin, New Zealand
- Department of Psychology, University of Otago, Dunedin, New Zealand
| | - P Liu
- Department of Anatomy, University of Otago, Dunedin, New Zealand.
- Brain Research New Zealand and Brain Health Research Centre, University of Otago, Dunedin, New Zealand.
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13
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Agmatine inhibits nicotine withdrawal induced cognitive deficits in inhibitory avoidance task in rats: Contribution of α 2 -adrenoceptors. Pharmacol Biochem Behav 2018. [DOI: 10.1016/j.pbb.2018.03.002] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/13/2022]
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14
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Ding AJ, Zheng SQ, Huang XB, Xing TK, Wu GS, Sun HY, Qi SH, Luo HR. Current Perspective in the Discovery of Anti-aging Agents from Natural Products. NATURAL PRODUCTS AND BIOPROSPECTING 2017; 7:335-404. [PMID: 28567542 PMCID: PMC5655361 DOI: 10.1007/s13659-017-0135-9] [Citation(s) in RCA: 67] [Impact Index Per Article: 9.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/16/2017] [Accepted: 05/16/2017] [Indexed: 05/18/2023]
Abstract
Aging is a process characterized by accumulating degenerative damages, resulting in the death of an organism ultimately. The main goal of aging research is to develop therapies that delay age-related diseases in human. Since signaling pathways in aging of Caenorhabditis elegans (C. elegans), fruit flies and mice are evolutionarily conserved, compounds extending lifespan of them by intervening pathways of aging may be useful in treating age-related diseases in human. Natural products have special resource advantage and with few side effect. Recently, many compounds or extracts from natural products slowing aging and extending lifespan have been reported. Here we summarized these compounds or extracts and their mechanisms in increasing longevity of C. elegans or other species, and the prospect in developing anti-aging medicine from natural products.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ai-Jun Ding
- State Key Laboratory of Phytochemistry and Plant Resources in West China, Kunming Institute of Botany, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Kunming, 650201, Yunnan, China
- University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing, 100039, China
| | - Shan-Qing Zheng
- State Key Laboratory of Phytochemistry and Plant Resources in West China, Kunming Institute of Botany, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Kunming, 650201, Yunnan, China
- University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing, 100039, China
| | - Xiao-Bing Huang
- State Key Laboratory of Phytochemistry and Plant Resources in West China, Kunming Institute of Botany, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Kunming, 650201, Yunnan, China
- University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing, 100039, China
| | - Ti-Kun Xing
- State Key Laboratory of Phytochemistry and Plant Resources in West China, Kunming Institute of Botany, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Kunming, 650201, Yunnan, China
- University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing, 100039, China
| | - Gui-Sheng Wu
- State Key Laboratory of Phytochemistry and Plant Resources in West China, Kunming Institute of Botany, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Kunming, 650201, Yunnan, China
- Key Laboratory for Aging and Regenerative Medicine, Department of Pharmacology, School of Pharmacy, Southwest Medical University, Luzhou, 646000, Sichuan, China
| | - Hua-Ying Sun
- State Key Laboratory of Phytochemistry and Plant Resources in West China, Kunming Institute of Botany, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Kunming, 650201, Yunnan, China
| | - Shu-Hua Qi
- Guangdong Key Laboratory of Marine Material Medical, South China Sea Institute of Oceanology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Guangzhou, 510301, Guangdong, China
| | - Huai-Rong Luo
- State Key Laboratory of Phytochemistry and Plant Resources in West China, Kunming Institute of Botany, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Kunming, 650201, Yunnan, China.
- Key Laboratory for Aging and Regenerative Medicine, Department of Pharmacology, School of Pharmacy, Southwest Medical University, Luzhou, 646000, Sichuan, China.
- Yunnan Key Laboratory of Natural Medicinal Chemistry, Kunming Institute of Botany, Chinese Academy of Sciences, 134 Lanhei Road, Kunming, 650201, Yunnan, China.
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15
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Behavioral and Neurochemical Consequences of Pentylenetetrazol-Induced Kindling in Young and Middle-Aged Rats. Pharmaceuticals (Basel) 2017; 10:ph10030075. [PMID: 28902172 PMCID: PMC5620619 DOI: 10.3390/ph10030075] [Citation(s) in RCA: 17] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/21/2017] [Revised: 09/07/2017] [Accepted: 09/09/2017] [Indexed: 11/23/2022] Open
Abstract
(1) Objectives: Epilepsy disorder is likely to increase with aging, leading to an increased incidence of comorbidities and mortality. In spite of that, there is a lack of information regarding this issue and little knowledge of cognitive and emotional responses in aging subjects following epileptogenesis. We investigated whether and how aging distress epilepsy-related behavioral and biochemical outcomes are associated with cognition and emotion. (2) Methods: Young and middle-aged Wistar rats (3 or 12 months old) were treated with pentylenetetrazol (PTZ, 35 mg/kg) and injected on alternated days for 20 (young rats) and 32 days (middle-aged rats). Kindling was reached after two consecutive stages 4 plus one stage 5 or 6 in Racine scale. Control and kindled rats were evaluated in the elevated plus-maze (EPM) and object-recognition tests and their hippocampus was collected 24 h later for mitogen-activated protein kinases (MAPK) dosage. (3) Results: Middle-aged rats presented a higher resistance to develop kindling, with a decrease in the seizure severity index observed following the 4th and 9th PTZ injections. Middle-aged rats displayed an increased duration of the first myoclonic seizure and an increased latency to the first generalized seizure when compared to younger rats. The induction of kindling did not impair the animals’ performance (regardless of age) in the object-recognition task and the EPM test as well as it did not alter the hippocampal levels of MAPKs. (4) Significance: Our findings reveal that, despite age-related differences during epileptogenesis, middle-aged rats evaluated after kindling performed similarly during discriminative learning and emotional tasks in comparison to young animals, with no alteration of hippocampal MAPKs. Additional investigation must be carried out to explore the electrophysiological mechanisms underlying these responses, as well as the long-term effects displayed after kindling.
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Uzbay T, Kaya Yertutanol FD, Midi A, Çevreli B. Subcutaneous Toxicity of Agmatine in Rats. Turk J Pharm Sci 2017; 14:127-133. [PMID: 32454603 DOI: 10.4274/tjps.85057] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/17/2016] [Accepted: 02/02/2017] [Indexed: 12/01/2022]
Abstract
Objectives The aim of this study was to investigate the effects of repetitive agmatine administration on sensorimotor gating in rats first but, as unexpected, ulcerative necrotic cutaneous lesions appeared, thus, the study was directed primarily to clarify these results. Materials and Methods In the first set of experiments, we administered agmatine (40, 80 and 160 mg/kg) and saline (control group) subcutaneously to male Wistar albino rats (n=8 for each group) for 14 consecutive days. Ulcerative necrotic cutaneous lesions appeared following the third day of agmatine administration. We decided to explore the potential toxic dermal effects of agmatine and conducted second set of experiments with two groups (n=8) to compare the effects of subcutaneous vs. intraperitoneal agmatine (80 mg/kg) injection to understand if the injection route determines the toxicity. Results Our results showed that prolonged subcutaneous but not intraperitoneal administration of agmatine leads to a delayed dermal reaction in rats. Histopathologic examination of skin samples revealed cutaneous aseptic necrosis at the injection site whereas blood tests were found to be normal. Conclusion This finding is important to point out the risks of prolonged subcutaneous administration of agmatine to rats within the concept of animal welfare. In addition, the results raise questions about the possible risks of over-the-counter use of agmatine among humans although the agent is taken via oral route.
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Affiliation(s)
- Tayfun Uzbay
- Üsküdar University, Neuropsychopharmacology Application and Research Center, (NPARC), İstanbul, Turkey
| | | | - Ahmet Midi
- Bahçeşehir University, Faculty of Medicine, Department of Pathology, İstanbul, Turkey
| | - Burcu Çevreli
- Üsküdar University, Neuropsychopharmacology Application and Research Center, (NPARC), İstanbul, Turkey
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Bağcı B, Utkan T, Yazir Y, Aricioglu F, Öztürk GS, Sarioglu Y. Effects of agmatine on cognitive functions during vascular dementia in biological aging through eNOS and BDNF expression. PSYCHIAT CLIN PSYCH 2017. [DOI: 10.1080/24750573.2017.1309090] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 10/19/2022] Open
Affiliation(s)
| | - Tijen Utkan
- Department of Pharmacology and Experimental Medical Research and Application Unit, Kocaeli University Faculty of Medicine, Kocaeli, Turkey
| | - Yusufhan Yazir
- Department of Histology and Embryology and Stem Cell and Gene Therapy Research and Application Center, Kocaeli University Faculty of Medicine, Kocaeli, Turkey
| | - Feyza Aricioglu
- Faculty of Pharmacy, Department of Pharmacology and Psychopharmacology Research Unit, Marmara University, Istanbul, Turkey
| | - Gökçe Sevim Öztürk
- Department of Medical Pharmacology, Gazi University, Medical School, Ankara, Turkey
| | - Yusuf Sarioglu
- Istinye University Faculty of Medicine, Istanbul, Turkey
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Freitas AE, Neis VB, Rodrigues ALS. Agmatine, a potential novel therapeutic strategy for depression. Eur Neuropsychopharmacol 2016; 26:1885-1899. [PMID: 27836390 DOI: 10.1016/j.euroneuro.2016.10.013] [Citation(s) in RCA: 34] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/22/2016] [Revised: 10/12/2016] [Accepted: 10/29/2016] [Indexed: 12/19/2022]
Abstract
Major depressive disorder is the most common psychiatric disorder with lifetime prevalence of up to 20% worldwide. It is responsible for more years lost to disability than any other disorder. Despite the fact that current available antidepressant drugs are safe and effective, they are far from ideal. In addition to the need to administer the drugs for weeks or months to obtain clinical benefit, side effects are still a serious problem. Agmatine is an endogenous polyamine synthesized by the enzyme arginine decarboxylase. It modulates several receptors and is considered as a neuromodulator in the brain. In this review, studies demonstrating the antidepressant effects of agmatine are presented and discussed, as well as, the mechanisms of action related to these effects. Also, the potential beneficial effects of agmatine for the treatment of other neurological disorders are presented. In particular, we provide evidence to encourage future clinical studies investigating agmatine as a novel antidepressant drug.
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Affiliation(s)
- Andiara E Freitas
- Department of Psychiatry, University of California, San Francisco, San Francisco, CA 94158, USA; Department of Biochemistry, Center of Biological Sciences, Universidade Federal de Santa Catarina, Campus Universitário, Trindade, 88040-900 Florianópolis, SC, Brazil.
| | - Vivian B Neis
- Department of Biochemistry, Center of Biological Sciences, Universidade Federal de Santa Catarina, Campus Universitário, Trindade, 88040-900 Florianópolis, SC, Brazil
| | - Ana Lúcia S Rodrigues
- Department of Biochemistry, Center of Biological Sciences, Universidade Federal de Santa Catarina, Campus Universitário, Trindade, 88040-900 Florianópolis, SC, Brazil
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Bratislav D, Irena L, Milica N, Ivana S, Ana D, Sanda D, Ivana S. Effects of agmatine on chlorpromazine toxicity in the liver of Wistar rats: the possible role of oxidant/antioxidant imbalance. Exp Anim 2016; 66:17-27. [PMID: 27523096 PMCID: PMC5300998 DOI: 10.1538/expanim.16-0010] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/26/2023] Open
Abstract
Chlorpromazine (CPZ) is a member of a widely used class of antipsychotic agents. The
metabolic pathways of CPZ toxicity were examined by monitoring oxidative/nitrosative
stress markers. The aim of the study was to investigate the hypothesis that agmatine (AGM)
prevents oxidative stress in the liver of Wistar rats 48 h after administration of CPZ.
All tested compounds were administered intraperitoneally (i.p.) in one single dose. The
animals were divided into control (C, 0.9% saline solution), CPZ (CPZ, 38.7 mg/kg b.w.),
CPZ+AGM (AGM, 75 mg/kg b.w. immediately after CPZ, 38.7 mg/kg b.w. i.p.), and AGM (AGM, 75
mg/kg b.w.) groups. Rats were sacrificed by decapitation 48 h after treatment. The CPZ and
CPZ+AGM treatments significantly increased thiobarbituric acid reactive substances
(TBARS), the nitrite and nitrate (NO2+NO3) concentration, and
superoxide anion (O2•-) production in rat liver homogenates compared
with C values. CPZ injection decreased the capacity of the antioxidant defense system:
superoxide dismutase (SOD) activity, catalase (CAT) activity, total glutathione (GSH)
content, glutathione peroxidase (GPx) activity, and glutathione reductase (GR) activity
compared with the values of the C group. However, treatment with AGM increased antioxidant
capacity in the rat liver; it increased the CAT activity, GSH concentration, GPx activity,
and GR activity compared with the values of the CPZ rats. Immunohistochemical staining of
ED1 in rats showed an increase in the number of positive cells 48 h after acute CPZ
administration compared with the C group. Our results showed that AGM has no protective
effects on parameters of oxidative and/or nitrosative stress in the liver but that it
absolutely protective effects on the antioxidant defense system and restores the
antioxidant capacity in liver tissue after administration of CPZ.
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Dejanovic B, Stevanovic I, Ninkovic M, Stojanovic I, Lavrnja I, Radicevic T, Pavlovic M. Agmatine protection against chlorpromazine-induced forebrain cortex injury in rats. J Vet Sci 2016; 17:53-61. [PMID: 27051340 PMCID: PMC4808644 DOI: 10.4142/jvs.2016.17.1.53] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/13/2015] [Revised: 04/16/2015] [Accepted: 04/30/2015] [Indexed: 01/18/2023] Open
Abstract
This study was conducted to investigate whether agmatine (AGM) provides protection against oxidative stress induced by treatment with chlorpromazine (CPZ) in Wistar rats. In addition, the role of reactive oxygen species and efficiency of antioxidant protection in the brain homogenates of forebrain cortexes prepared 48 h after treatment were investigated. Chlorpromazine was applied intraperitoneally (i.p.) in single dose of 38.7 mg/kg body weight (BW) The second group was treated with both CPZ and AGM (75 mg/kg BW). The control group was treated with 0.9% saline solution in the same manner. All tested compounds were administered i.p. in a single dose. Rats were sacrificed by decapitation 48 h after treatment Treatment with AGM significantly attenuated the oxidative stress parameters and restored antioxidant capacity in the forebrain cortex. The data indicated that i.p. administered AGM exerted antioxidant action in CPZ-treated animals. Moreover, reactive astrocytes and microglia may contribute to secondary nerve-cell damage and participate in the balance of destructive vs. protective actions involved in the pathogenesis after poisoning.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Ivana Stevanovic
- Institute for Medical Research, Military Medical Academy, 11000 Belgrade, Serbia
| | - Milica Ninkovic
- Institute for Medical Research, Military Medical Academy, 11000 Belgrade, Serbia
| | - Ivana Stojanovic
- Institute for Biochemistry, Faculty of Medicine, University of Nis, 18000 Nis, Serbia
| | - Irena Lavrnja
- Institute for Biological Research "Sinisa Stankovic", University of Belgrade, 11000 Belgrade, Serbia
| | | | - Milos Pavlovic
- Department of Obstetrics, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, 11000 Belgrade, Serbia
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21
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The Use of Agmatine Provides the New Insight in an Experimental Model of Multiple Sclerosis. Neurochem Res 2015; 40:1719-27. [DOI: 10.1007/s11064-015-1655-5] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/15/2015] [Revised: 06/26/2015] [Accepted: 06/28/2015] [Indexed: 10/23/2022]
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A single intracerebroventricular Aβ25–35 infusion leads to prolonged alterations in arginine metabolism in the rat hippocampus and prefrontal cortex. Neuroscience 2015; 298:367-79. [DOI: 10.1016/j.neuroscience.2015.04.034] [Citation(s) in RCA: 12] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/23/2015] [Revised: 04/03/2015] [Accepted: 04/14/2015] [Indexed: 12/21/2022]
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Agmatine attenuates hyperactivity and weight loss associated with activity-based anorexia in female rats. Pharmacol Biochem Behav 2015; 132:136-141. [DOI: 10.1016/j.pbb.2015.03.005] [Citation(s) in RCA: 13] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/27/2014] [Revised: 02/25/2015] [Accepted: 03/06/2015] [Indexed: 12/13/2022]
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Galeano P, Blanco E, Logica Tornatore TMA, Romero JI, Holubiec MI, Rodríguez de Fonseca F, Capani F. Life-long environmental enrichment counteracts spatial learning, reference and working memory deficits in middle-aged rats subjected to perinatal asphyxia. Front Behav Neurosci 2015; 8:406. [PMID: 25601829 PMCID: PMC4283640 DOI: 10.3389/fnbeh.2014.00406] [Citation(s) in RCA: 18] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/19/2014] [Accepted: 11/10/2014] [Indexed: 01/19/2023] Open
Abstract
Continuous environmental stimulation induced by exposure to enriched environment (EE) has yielded cognitive benefits in different models of brain injury. Perinatal asphyxia results from a lack of oxygen supply to the fetus and is associated with long-lasting neurological deficits. However, the effects of EE in middle-aged rats suffering perinatal asphyxia are unknown. Therefore, the aim of the present study was to assess whether life-long exposure to EE could counteract the cognitive and behavioral alterations in middle-aged asphyctic rats. Experimental groups consisted of rats born vaginally (CTL), by cesarean section (C+), or by C+ following 19 min of asphyxia at birth (PA). At weaning, rats were assigned to standard (SE) or enriched environment (EE) for 18 months. During the last month of housing, animals were submitted to a behavioral test battery including Elevated Plus Maze, Open Field, Novel Object Recognition and Morris water maze (MWM). Results showed that middle-aged asphyctic rats, reared in SE, exhibited an impaired performance in the spatial reference and working memory versions of the MWM. EE was able to counteract these cognitive impairments. Moreover, EE improved the spatial learning performance of middle-aged CTL and C+ rats. On the other hand, all groups reared in SE did not differ in locomotor activity and anxiety levels, while EE reduced locomotion and anxiety, regardless of birth condition. Recognition memory was altered neither by birth condition nor by housing environment. These results support the importance of environmental stimulation across the lifespan to prevent cognitive deficits induced by perinatal asphyxia.
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Affiliation(s)
- Pablo Galeano
- Facultad de Medicina, Instituto de Investigaciones Cardiológicas "Prof. Dr. Alberto C. Taquini" (ININCA), Universidad de Buenos Aires (CONICET) Buenos Aires, Argentina ; Instituto de Investigaciones Bioquímicas de Buenos Aires (CONICET), Fundación Instituto Leloir Buenos Aires, Argentina
| | - Eduardo Blanco
- Facultad de Medicina, Instituto de Investigaciones Cardiológicas "Prof. Dr. Alberto C. Taquini" (ININCA), Universidad de Buenos Aires (CONICET) Buenos Aires, Argentina ; Laboratorio de Investigación, Instituto de Investigación Biomédica (IBIMA), Universidad de Málaga - Hospital Regional Universitario de Málaga (UGC Salud Mental) Málaga, Spain ; Departamento de Psicobiología y Metodología de las Ciencias del Comportamiento, Facultad de Psicología, Instituto de Investigación Biomédica (IBIMA), Universidad de Málaga Málaga, Spain
| | - Tamara M A Logica Tornatore
- Facultad de Medicina, Instituto de Investigaciones Cardiológicas "Prof. Dr. Alberto C. Taquini" (ININCA), Universidad de Buenos Aires (CONICET) Buenos Aires, Argentina
| | - Juan I Romero
- Facultad de Medicina, Instituto de Investigaciones Cardiológicas "Prof. Dr. Alberto C. Taquini" (ININCA), Universidad de Buenos Aires (CONICET) Buenos Aires, Argentina
| | - Mariana I Holubiec
- Facultad de Medicina, Instituto de Investigaciones Cardiológicas "Prof. Dr. Alberto C. Taquini" (ININCA), Universidad de Buenos Aires (CONICET) Buenos Aires, Argentina
| | - Fernando Rodríguez de Fonseca
- Laboratorio de Investigación, Instituto de Investigación Biomédica (IBIMA), Universidad de Málaga - Hospital Regional Universitario de Málaga (UGC Salud Mental) Málaga, Spain
| | - Francisco Capani
- Facultad de Medicina, Instituto de Investigaciones Cardiológicas "Prof. Dr. Alberto C. Taquini" (ININCA), Universidad de Buenos Aires (CONICET) Buenos Aires, Argentina
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Abstract
The present study focused on potentially beneficial effects of agmatine on oxidative stress development in the liver during chlorpromazine treatment in rats. We wanted to examine the role of reactive oxygen species and efficiency of antioxidant protection through the determination of malondylaldehyde and total glutathione concentrations in rat liver homogenate, as well as plasma concentrations of malonylaldehyde and sulfhydryl groups after the treatment. Also, liver tissue sections were examined to follow histological changes. Chlorpromazine was applied intraperitoneally at a single dose of 38.7 mg/kg b.w. The second group was treated with both chlorpromazine (at a single dose of 38.7 mg/kg b.w.) and agmatine (at a single dose of 75 mg/kg b.w.). Agmatine was applied immediately after the chlorpromazine. The control group was treated with 0.9% saline solution in the same manner. Rats were sacrificed by decapitation 24 h after the treatment and biochemical and immunohistochemical examinations were performed. Analysis of data showed that treatment with agmatine significantly attenuated the oxidative stress indicators as evidenced by lowering malonylaldehyde concentrations in the liver and in plasma while not affecting liver concentrations of total glutathione and plasma concentration of sulfhydryl groups. Additionally, histological evaluation revealed the improvement of liver damage in this respect. The presented data indicated that intraperitoneally administered agmatine protects against chlorpromazine-induced liver disease in rats.
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Watanabe K, Okada K, Fukabori R, Hayashi Y, Asahi K, Terawaki H, Kobayashi K, Watanabe T, Nakayama M. Methylglyoxal (MG) and cerebro-renal interaction: does long-term orally administered MG cause cognitive impairment in normal Sprague-Dawley rats? Toxins (Basel) 2014; 6:254-69. [PMID: 24402234 PMCID: PMC3920260 DOI: 10.3390/toxins6010254] [Citation(s) in RCA: 15] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/24/2013] [Revised: 12/24/2013] [Accepted: 12/31/2013] [Indexed: 11/23/2022] Open
Abstract
Methylglyoxal (MG), one of the uremic toxins, is a highly reactive alpha-dicarbonyl compound. Recent clinical studies have demonstrated the close associations of cognitive impairment (CI) with plasma MG levels and presence of kidney dysfunction. Therefore, the present study aims to examine whether MG is a direct causative substance for CI development. Eight-week-old male Sprague-Dawley (SD) rats were divided into two groups: control (n = 9) and MG group (n = 10; 0.5% MG in drinking water), and fed a normal diet for 12 months. Cognitive function was evaluated by two behavioral tests (object exploration test and radial-arm maze test) in early (4–6 months of age) and late phase (7–12 months of age). Serum MG was significantly elevated in the MG group (495.8 ± 38.1 vs. 244.8 ± 28.2 nM; p < 0.001) at the end of study. The groups did not differ in cognitive function during the course of study. No time-course differences were found in oxidative stress markers between the two groups, while, antioxidants such as glutathione peroxidase and superoxide dismutase activities were significantly increased in the MG group compared to the control. Long-term MG administration to rats with normal kidney function did not cause CI. A counter-balanced activation of the systemic anti-oxidant system may offset the toxicity of MG in this model. Pathogenetic significance of MG for CI requires further investigation.
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Affiliation(s)
- Kimio Watanabe
- Department of Nephrology, Hypertension, Diabetology, Endocrinology and Metabolism, School of Medicine, Fukushima Medical University, 1 Hikarigaoka, Fukushima 960-1295, Japan.
| | - Kana Okada
- Department of Nephrology, Hypertension, Diabetology, Endocrinology and Metabolism, School of Medicine, Fukushima Medical University, 1 Hikarigaoka, Fukushima 960-1295, Japan.
| | - Ryoji Fukabori
- Department of Nephrology, Hypertension, Diabetology, Endocrinology and Metabolism, School of Medicine, Fukushima Medical University, 1 Hikarigaoka, Fukushima 960-1295, Japan.
| | - Yoshimitsu Hayashi
- Department of Nephrology, Hypertension, Diabetology, Endocrinology and Metabolism, School of Medicine, Fukushima Medical University, 1 Hikarigaoka, Fukushima 960-1295, Japan.
| | - Koichi Asahi
- Department of Nephrology, Hypertension, Diabetology, Endocrinology and Metabolism, School of Medicine, Fukushima Medical University, 1 Hikarigaoka, Fukushima 960-1295, Japan.
| | - Hiroyuki Terawaki
- Department of Nephrology, Hypertension, Diabetology, Endocrinology and Metabolism, School of Medicine, Fukushima Medical University, 1 Hikarigaoka, Fukushima 960-1295, Japan.
| | - Kazuto Kobayashi
- Department of Nephrology, Hypertension, Diabetology, Endocrinology and Metabolism, School of Medicine, Fukushima Medical University, 1 Hikarigaoka, Fukushima 960-1295, Japan.
| | - Tsuyoshi Watanabe
- Department of Nephrology, Hypertension, Diabetology, Endocrinology and Metabolism, School of Medicine, Fukushima Medical University, 1 Hikarigaoka, Fukushima 960-1295, Japan.
| | - Masaaki Nakayama
- Department of Nephrology, Hypertension, Diabetology, Endocrinology and Metabolism, School of Medicine, Fukushima Medical University, 1 Hikarigaoka, Fukushima 960-1295, Japan.
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Gilad GM, Gilad VH. Evidence for oral agmatine sulfate safety – A 95-day high dosage pilot study with rats. Food Chem Toxicol 2013; 62:758-62. [DOI: 10.1016/j.fct.2013.10.005] [Citation(s) in RCA: 12] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/12/2013] [Revised: 09/26/2013] [Accepted: 10/04/2013] [Indexed: 12/29/2022]
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Piletz JE, Aricioglu F, Cheng JT, Fairbanks CA, Gilad VH, Haenisch B, Halaris A, Hong S, Lee JE, Li J, Liu P, Molderings GJ, Rodrigues ALS, Satriano J, Seong GJ, Wilcox G, Wu N, Gilad GM. Agmatine: clinical applications after 100 years in translation. Drug Discov Today 2013; 18:880-93. [PMID: 23769988 DOI: 10.1016/j.drudis.2013.05.017] [Citation(s) in RCA: 172] [Impact Index Per Article: 15.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/20/2013] [Revised: 04/27/2013] [Accepted: 05/22/2013] [Indexed: 12/13/2022]
Abstract
Agmatine (decarboxylated arginine) has been known as a natural product for over 100 years, but its biosynthesis in humans was left unexplored owing to long-standing controversy. Only recently has the demonstration of agmatine biosynthesis in mammals revived research, indicating its exceptional modulatory action at multiple molecular targets, including neurotransmitter systems, nitric oxide (NO) synthesis and polyamine metabolism, thus providing bases for broad therapeutic applications. This timely review, a concerted effort by 16 independent research groups, draws attention to the substantial preclinical and initial clinical evidence, and highlights challenges and opportunities, for the use of agmatine in treating a spectrum of complex diseases with unmet therapeutic needs, including diabetes mellitus, neurotrauma and neurodegenerative diseases, opioid addiction, mood disorders, cognitive disorders and cancer.
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Affiliation(s)
- John E Piletz
- Department of Biology, Mississippi College, Clinton, MS 39058, USA
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