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A Comparative Study of the Impact of NO-Related Agents on MK-801- or Scopolamine-Induced Cognitive Impairments in the Morris Water Maze. Brain Sci 2023; 13:brainsci13030410. [PMID: 36979220 PMCID: PMC10046674 DOI: 10.3390/brainsci13030410] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/29/2023] [Revised: 02/21/2023] [Accepted: 02/22/2023] [Indexed: 03/02/2023] Open
Abstract
Learning and memory deficits accompany numerous brain dysfunctions, including schizophrenia and Alzheimer’s disease (AD), and many studies point to the role of nitric oxide (NO) in these processes. The present investigations constitute the follow-up of our previous research, in which we investigated the activity of NO releasers and a selective inhibitor of neuronal NO synthase (nNOS) to prevent short-term memory deficits in novel object recognition and T-maze. Here, the ability of the compounds to prevent the induction of long-term memory deficits by MK-801 or scopolamine administration was investigated. The Morris Water Maze test, a reliable and valid test of spatial learning and memory, was used, in which escape latency in the acquisition phase and nine different parameters in the retention phase were measured. A fast NO releaser (spermine NONOate), a slow NO releaser (DETA NONOate), and a nNOS inhibitor, N(ω)-propyl-L-arginine (NPLA), were used. The compounds were administered i.p. at a dose range of 0.05–0.5 mg/kg. All compounds prevented learning deficits in the acquisition phase and reversed reference memory deficits in the retention phase of the scopolamine-treated mice. Spermine NONOate was the least effective. In contrast, the drugs poorly antagonised MK-801-induced deficits, and only the administration of DETA NONOate induced some improvements in the retention trial.
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Upregulation of the endogenous peptide antisecretory factor enhances hippocampal long-term potentiation and promotes learning in wistar rats. Neuroscience 2022; 490:120-130. [PMID: 35276306 DOI: 10.1016/j.neuroscience.2022.03.002] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/29/2021] [Revised: 02/01/2022] [Accepted: 03/03/2022] [Indexed: 01/18/2023]
Abstract
Antisecretory Factor (AF) is an endogenous peptide known for its powerful antisecretory and anti-inflammatory properties. We have previously shown that AF also acts as a neuromodulator of GABAergic synaptic transmission in rat hippocampus in a way that results in disinhibition of CA1 pyramidal neurons. Disinhibition is expected to facilitate the induction of long-term potentiation (LTP), and LTP is known to play a crucial role in learning and memory acquisition. In the present study we investigated the effect of AF on LTP in CA3-CA1 synapses in rat hippocampus. In addition, endogenous AF plasma activity was upregulated by feeding the rats with specially processed cereals (SPC) and spatial learning and memory was studied in the Morris Water Maze (MWM). We found that LTP was significantly enhanced in the presence of AF, both when added exogenously in vitro as well as when upregulated endogenously by SPC-feeding. In the presence of the GABAA-receptor antagonist picrotoxin (PTX) there was however no significant enhancement of LTP. Moreover, rats fed with SPC demonstrated enhanced spatial learning and short-term memory, compared with control animals. These results show that the disinhibition of GABAergic transmission in the hippocampus by the endogenous peptide AF enhances LTP as well as spatial learning and memory.
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Cieślik P, Kalinowski L, Wierońska JM. Procognitive activity of nitric oxide inhibitors and donors in animal models. Nitric Oxide 2021; 119:29-40. [PMID: 34896554 DOI: 10.1016/j.niox.2021.12.003] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/23/2021] [Revised: 10/17/2021] [Accepted: 12/08/2021] [Indexed: 01/09/2023]
Abstract
Nitric oxide is a small gaseous molecule that plays important roles in the majority of biological functions. Impairments of NO-related pathways contribute to the majority of neurological disorders, such as Alzheimer's disease (AD), and mental disorders, such as schizophrenia. Cognitive decline is one of the most serious impairments accompanying both AD and schizophrenia. In the present study, the activities of NO donors, slow (spermine NONOate) or fast (DETANONOate) releasers, and selective inhibitor of neuronal nitric oxide synthase N(ω)-propyl-l-arginine (NPLA) were investigated in pharmacological models of schizophrenia and AD. Cognitive impairments were induced by administration of MK-801 or scopolamine and were measured in novel object recognition (NOR) and Y-maze tests. The compounds were investigated at doses of 0.05-0.5 mg/kg. The dose-dependent effectiveness of all the compounds was observed in the NOR test, while only the highest doses of spermine NONOate and NPLA were active in the Y-maze test. DETANONOate was not active in the Y-maze test. The impact of the investigated compounds on motor coordination was tested at doses of 0.5 and 1 mg/kg. Only NPLA at a dose of 1 mg/kg slightly disturbed motor coordination in animals.
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Affiliation(s)
- Paulina Cieślik
- Maj Institute of Pharmacology, Polish Academy of Sciences, Department of Neurobiology, 12 Smętna Street, 31-343, Kraków, Poland
| | - Leszek Kalinowski
- Department of Medical Laboratory Diagnostics - Fahrenheit Biobank BBMRI.pl, Medical University of Gdańsk, 7 Dębinki Street, 80-211, Gdańsk, Poland; Biobanking and Biomolecular Resources Research Infrastructure Consortium Poland (BBMRI.pl), Poland; BioTechMed Centre, Department of Mechanics of Materials and Structures, Gdansk University of Technology, Gdansk, Poland
| | - Joanna M Wierońska
- Maj Institute of Pharmacology, Polish Academy of Sciences, Department of Neurobiology, 12 Smętna Street, 31-343, Kraków, Poland.
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Chellappa SA, Pathak AK, Sinha P, Jainarayanan ASHWINK, Jain S, Brahmachari SK. Meta-analysis of genomic variants and gene expression data in schizophrenia suggests the potential need for adjunctive therapeutic interventions for neuropsychiatric disorders. J Genet 2019. [DOI: 10.1007/s12041-019-1101-6] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/28/2022]
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Nesil T, Kanit L, Pogun S. Nicotine intake and problem solving strategies are modified during a cognitively demanding water maze task in rats. Pharmacol Biochem Behav 2015; 138:156-63. [DOI: 10.1016/j.pbb.2015.10.001] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/29/2015] [Revised: 09/14/2015] [Accepted: 10/01/2015] [Indexed: 11/26/2022]
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Nasyrova RF, Ivashchenko DV, Ivanov MV, Neznanov NG. Role of nitric oxide and related molecules in schizophrenia pathogenesis: biochemical, genetic and clinical aspects. Front Physiol 2015; 6:139. [PMID: 26029110 PMCID: PMC4426711 DOI: 10.3389/fphys.2015.00139] [Citation(s) in RCA: 54] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/01/2014] [Accepted: 04/18/2015] [Indexed: 12/14/2022] Open
Abstract
Currently, schizophrenia is considered a multifactorial disease. Over the past 50 years, many investigators have considered the role of toxic free radicals in the etiology of schizophrenia. This is an area of active research which is still evolving. Here, we review the recent data and current concepts on the roles of nitric oxide (NO) and related molecules in the pathogenesis of schizophrenia. NO is involved in storage, uptake and release of mediators and neurotransmitters, including glutamate, acetylcholine, noradrenaline, GABA, taurine and glycine. In addition, NO diffuses across cell membranes and activates its own extrasynaptic receptors. Further, NO is involved in peroxidation and reactive oxidative stress. Investigations reveal significant disturbances in NO levels in the brain structures (cerebellum, hypothalamus, hippocampus, striatum) and fluids of subjects with schizophrenia. Given the roles of NO in central nervous system development, these changes may result in neurodevelopmental changes associated with schizophrenia. We describe here the recent literature on NOS gene polymorphisms on schizophrenia, which all point to consistent results. We also discuss how NO may be a new target for the therapy of mental disorders. Currently there have been 2 randomized double-blind placebo-controlled trials of L-lysine as an NOS inhibitor in the CNS.
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Affiliation(s)
- Regina F Nasyrova
- V.M. Bekhterev Saint Petersburg Psychoneurological Research Institute Saint Petersburg, Russia
| | - Dmitriy V Ivashchenko
- V.M. Bekhterev Saint Petersburg Psychoneurological Research Institute Saint Petersburg, Russia
| | - Mikhail V Ivanov
- V.M. Bekhterev Saint Petersburg Psychoneurological Research Institute Saint Petersburg, Russia
| | - Nikolay G Neznanov
- V.M. Bekhterev Saint Petersburg Psychoneurological Research Institute Saint Petersburg, Russia
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Minutolo G, Petralia A, Dipasquale S, Aguglia E. Nitric oxide in patients with schizophrenia: the relationship with the severity of illness and the antipsychotic treatment. Expert Opin Pharmacother 2012; 13:1989-97. [DOI: 10.1517/14656566.2012.713346] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/05/2022]
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Roenker NL, Gudelsky GA, Ahlbrand R, Horn PS, Richtand NM. Evidence for involvement of nitric oxide and GABA(B) receptors in MK-801- stimulated release of glutamate in rat prefrontal cortex. Neuropharmacology 2012; 63:575-81. [PMID: 22579658 DOI: 10.1016/j.neuropharm.2012.04.032] [Citation(s) in RCA: 34] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/19/2011] [Revised: 03/23/2012] [Accepted: 04/30/2012] [Indexed: 01/18/2023]
Abstract
Systemic administration of NMDA receptor antagonists elevates extracellular glutamate within prefrontal cortex. The cognitive and behavioral effects of NMDA receptor blockade have direct relevance to symptoms of schizophrenia, and recent studies demonstrate an important role for nitric oxide and GABA(B) receptors in mediating the effects of NMDA receptor blockade on these behaviors. We sought to extend those observations by directly measuring the effects of nitric oxide and GABA(B) receptor mechanisms on MK-801-induced glutamate release in the prefrontal cortex. Systemic MK-801 injection (0.3 mg/kg) to male Sprague-Dawley rats significantly increased extracellular glutamate levels in prefrontal cortex, as determined by microdialysis. This effect was blocked by pre-treatment with the nitric oxide synthase inhibitor L-NAME (60 mg/kg). Reverse dialysis of the nitric oxide donor SNAP (0.5-5 mM) directly into prefrontal cortex mimicked the effect of systemic MK-801, dose-dependently elevating cortical extracellular glutamate. The effect of MK-801 was also blocked by systemic treatment with the GABA(B) receptor agonist baclofen (5 mg/kg). In combination, these data suggest increased nitric oxide formation is necessary for NMDA antagonist-induced elevations of extracellular glutamate in the prefrontal cortex. Additionally, the data suggest GABA(B) receptor activation can modulate the NMDA antagonist-induced increase in cortical glutamate release.
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Affiliation(s)
- Nicole L Roenker
- James Winkle College of Pharmacy, University of Cincinnati, Cincinnati, OH 45267, USA.
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Okochi T, Kishi T, Ikeda M, Kitajima T, Kinoshita Y, Kawashima K, Okumura T, Tsunoka T, Fukuo Y, Inada T, Yamada M, Uchimura N, Iyo M, Sora I, Ozaki N, Ujike H, Iwata N. Genetic Association Analysis of NOS3 and Methamphetamine-Induced Psychosis Among Japanese. Curr Neuropharmacol 2011; 9:151-4. [PMID: 21886581 PMCID: PMC3137171 DOI: 10.2174/157015911795017119] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/01/2009] [Revised: 04/17/2010] [Accepted: 05/26/2010] [Indexed: 11/28/2022] Open
Abstract
Endothelial nitric oxide synthase (NOS3) is one of the enzymes influencing nitric oxide (NO) function in the human brain. NO is a gaseous neurotransmitter that is involved in a variety of mechanisms in the central nervous system, such as N-methyl-D-aspartate receptor activation and oxidative stress. The evidence from animal pharmacological studies and postmortem studies supports an association between NO and psychotic disorders. Methamphetamine (METH) use disorder is a known psychotic disorder, and we therefore conducted a gene-based case-control study between tagging single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) (rs2070744, rs1799983) in NOS3 and METH-induced psychosis in Japanese subjects (183 with METH-induced psychosis and 267 controls). Written informed consent was obtained from each subject. No significant association was found between any tagging SNP in NOS3 and METH-induced psychosis in the allele/genotype-wise or haplotype-wise analyses. In conclusion, we suggest that NOS3 might not contribute to the risk of METH-induced psychosis in the Japanese population.
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Affiliation(s)
- T Okochi
- Department of Psychiatry, Fujita Health University School of Medicine, Toyoake, Japan
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Möller M, Du Preez JL, Emsley R, Harvey BH. Isolation rearing-induced deficits in sensorimotor gating and social interaction in rats are related to cortico-striatal oxidative stress, and reversed by sub-chronic clozapine administration. Eur Neuropsychopharmacol 2011; 21:471-83. [PMID: 20965701 DOI: 10.1016/j.euroneuro.2010.09.006] [Citation(s) in RCA: 87] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/23/2010] [Revised: 08/16/2010] [Accepted: 09/09/2010] [Indexed: 11/15/2022]
Abstract
Social isolation rearing (SIR) in rats induces behavioral and glutamatergic changes akin to schizophrenia. We studied the effects of 8 weeks SIR on cortico-striatal redox and social and cognitive behaviors in rats. SIR increased superoxide dismutase activity, decreased oxidized:reduced glutathione ratio and increased lipid peroxidation in both brain regions, and induced deficits in prepulse inhibition and social and self-directed interactive behaviors. Both behavioral and cortico-striatal redox disturbances were corrected by clozapine (5 mg/kg/day×11days). Behavioral changes evoked by SIR are associated with cortico-striatal oxidative stress that is reversed by clozapine treatment, providing novel insight into the neurobiology and treatment of schizophrenia.
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Affiliation(s)
- Marisa Möller
- Unit for Drug Research and Development, Division of Pharmacology, School of Pharmacy, North West University, Potchefstroom, South Africa
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Xiao X, Dawson N, MacIntyre L, Morris BJ, Pratt JA, Watson DG, Higham DJ. Exploring metabolic pathway disruption in the subchronic phencyclidine model of schizophrenia with the Generalized Singular Value Decomposition. BMC SYSTEMS BIOLOGY 2011; 5:72. [PMID: 21575198 PMCID: PMC3239845 DOI: 10.1186/1752-0509-5-72] [Citation(s) in RCA: 17] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/29/2010] [Accepted: 05/16/2011] [Indexed: 02/04/2023]
Abstract
BACKGROUND The quantification of experimentally-induced alterations in biological pathways remains a major challenge in systems biology. One example of this is the quantitative characterization of alterations in defined, established metabolic pathways from complex metabolomic data. At present, the disruption of a given metabolic pathway is inferred from metabolomic data by observing an alteration in the level of one or more individual metabolites present within that pathway. Not only is this approach open to subjectivity, as metabolites participate in multiple pathways, but it also ignores useful information available through the pairwise correlations between metabolites. This extra information may be incorporated using a higher-level approach that looks for alterations between a pair of correlation networks. In this way experimentally-induced alterations in metabolic pathways can be quantitatively defined by characterizing group differences in metabolite clustering. Taking this approach increases the objectivity of interpreting alterations in metabolic pathways from metabolomic data. RESULTS We present and justify a new technique for comparing pairs of networks--in our case these networks are based on the same set of nodes and there are two distinct types of weighted edges. The algorithm is based on the Generalized Singular Value Decomposition (GSVD), which may be regarded as an extension of Principle Components Analysis to the case of two data sets. We show how the GSVD can be interpreted as a technique for reordering the two networks in order to reveal clusters that are exclusive to only one. Here we apply this algorithm to a new set of metabolomic data from the prefrontal cortex (PFC) of a translational model relevant to schizophrenia, rats treated subchronically with the N-methyl-D-Aspartic acid (NMDA) receptor antagonist phencyclidine (PCP). This provides us with a means to quantify which predefined metabolic pathways (Kyoto Encyclopedia of Genes and Genomes (KEGG) metabolite pathway database) were altered in the PFC of PCP-treated rats. Several significant changes were discovered, notably: 1) neuroactive ligands active at glutamate and GABA receptors are disrupted in the PFC of PCP-treated animals, 2) glutamate dysfunction in these animals was not limited to compromised glutamatergic neurotransmission but also involves the disruption of metabolic pathways linked to glutamate; and 3) a specific series of purine reactions Xanthine ← Hypoxyanthine ↔ Inosine ← IMP → adenylosuccinate is also disrupted in the PFC of PCP-treated animals. CONCLUSIONS Network reordering via the GSVD provides a means to discover statistically validated differences in clustering between a pair of networks. In practice this analytical approach, when applied to metabolomic data, allows us to quantify the alterations in metabolic pathways between two experimental groups. With this new computational technique we identified metabolic pathway alterations that are consistent with known results. Furthermore, we discovered disruption in a novel series of purine reactions that may contribute to the PFC dysfunction and cognitive deficits seen in schizophrenia.
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Affiliation(s)
- Xiaolin Xiao
- Department of Mathematics and Statistics, University of Strathclyde, Glasgow, G1 1XH, Scotland, UK
| | - Neil Dawson
- Psychiatric Research Institute of Neuroscience in Glasgow (PsyRING), Universities of Glasgow and Strathclyde, G12 8QQ, UK
- Strathclyde Institute of Pharmacy and Biomedical Sciences (SIPBS), University of Strathclyde, Glasgow, G4 0NR, UK
- Center for Neuroscience, University of Strathclyde (CeNsUS), Glasgow, G4 0NR, UK
| | - Lynsey MacIntyre
- Strathclyde Institute of Pharmacy and Biomedical Sciences (SIPBS), University of Strathclyde, Glasgow, G4 0NR, UK
| | - Brian J Morris
- Psychiatric Research Institute of Neuroscience in Glasgow (PsyRING), Universities of Glasgow and Strathclyde, G12 8QQ, UK
- Institute of Neuroscience and Psychology, College of Medical, Veterinary and Life Sciences, University of Glasgow, Glasgow, G12 8QQ, UK
| | - Judith A Pratt
- Psychiatric Research Institute of Neuroscience in Glasgow (PsyRING), Universities of Glasgow and Strathclyde, G12 8QQ, UK
- Strathclyde Institute of Pharmacy and Biomedical Sciences (SIPBS), University of Strathclyde, Glasgow, G4 0NR, UK
- Center for Neuroscience, University of Strathclyde (CeNsUS), Glasgow, G4 0NR, UK
| | - David G Watson
- Strathclyde Institute of Pharmacy and Biomedical Sciences (SIPBS), University of Strathclyde, Glasgow, G4 0NR, UK
- Center for Neuroscience, University of Strathclyde (CeNsUS), Glasgow, G4 0NR, UK
| | - Desmond J Higham
- Department of Mathematics and Statistics, University of Strathclyde, Glasgow, G1 1XH, Scotland, UK
- Center for Neuroscience, University of Strathclyde (CeNsUS), Glasgow, G4 0NR, UK
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Wass C, Klamer D, Katsarogiannis E, Pålsson E, Svensson L, Fejgin K, Bogren IB, Engel JA, Rembeck B. L-lysine as adjunctive treatment in patients with schizophrenia: a single-blinded, randomized, cross-over pilot study. BMC Med 2011; 9:40. [PMID: 21501494 PMCID: PMC3094237 DOI: 10.1186/1741-7015-9-40] [Citation(s) in RCA: 17] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/17/2011] [Accepted: 04/18/2011] [Indexed: 01/17/2023] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Accumulating evidence suggests that the brain's nitric oxide (NO) signalling system may be involved in the pathophysiology of schizophrenia and could thus constitute a novel treatment target. The study was designed to investigate the benefit of L-lysine, an amino acid that interferes with NO production, as an add-on treatment for schizophrenia. METHODS L-lysine, 6 g/day, was administered to 10 patients with schizophrenia as an adjunctive to their conventional antipsychotic medication. The study was designed as a single-blinded, cross-over study where patients were randomly assigned to initial treatment with either L-lysine or placebo and screened at baseline, after four weeks when treatment was crossed over, and after eight weeks. RESULTS L-lysine treatment caused a significant increase in blood concentration of L-lysine and was well tolerated. A significant decrease in positive symptom severity, measured by the Positive And Negative Syndrome Scale (PANSS), was detected. A certain decrease in score was also observed during placebo treatment and the effects on PANSS could not unequivocally be assigned to the L-lysine treatment. Furthermore, performance on the Wisconsin Card Sorting Test was significantly improved compared to baseline, an effect probably biased by training. Subjective reports from three of the patients indicated decreased symptom severity and enhanced cognitive functioning. CONCLUSIONS Four-week L-lysine treatment of 6 g/day caused a significant increase in blood concentration of L-lysine that was well tolerated. Patients showed a significant decrease in positive symptoms as assessed by PANSS in addition to self-reported symptom improvement by three patients. The NO-signalling pathway is an interesting, potentially new treatment target for schizophrenia; however, the effects of L-lysine need further evaluation to decide the amino acid's potentially beneficial effects on symptom severity in schizophrenia.
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Affiliation(s)
- Caroline Wass
- Schizophrenia Program, Centre for Addiction and Mental Health, Toronto, Canada.
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Shehata GA, Elsayh KI, Rafet NH, Mohamed AO, Rageh TA. Study of β-thalassemia biomarkers and their relationship to cognition among children. J Child Neurol 2010; 25:1473-9. [PMID: 20519673 DOI: 10.1177/0883073810368996] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/17/2022]
Abstract
The current study is to detect some biomarkers of beta-thalassemia (ferritin, serum transferrin receptors, and nitric oxide levels) and to examine the relation between these markers and cognition in children with beta-thalassemia. Thirty children with beta-thalassemia were selected from the Pediatric Department at Assiut University hospital. Another 40 healthy children of the same age, sex, years of schooling, body mass index (BMI), and social scale were chosen as the control group. Assessment of clinical, laboratory, cognitive functions, and event related potential was done for patients and control groups. Significantly higher levels of ferritin and serum transferrin receptors with decreased nitric oxide were detected among children with beta-thalassemia. There were significant correlations between serum transferrin receptors and nitric oxide levels with event related potential latencies and with some cognitive function tests and P300-N2 amplitude. Frequent blood transfusion was associated with increased serum transferrin receptors and decreased nitric oxide levels.
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Bitanihirwe BKY, Woo TUW. Oxidative stress in schizophrenia: an integrated approach. Neurosci Biobehav Rev 2010; 35:878-93. [PMID: 20974172 DOI: 10.1016/j.neubiorev.2010.10.008] [Citation(s) in RCA: 317] [Impact Index Per Article: 22.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/18/2010] [Revised: 09/18/2010] [Accepted: 10/17/2010] [Indexed: 01/17/2023]
Abstract
Oxidative stress has been suggested to contribute to the pathophysiology of schizophrenia. In particular, oxidative damage to lipids, proteins, and DNA as observed in schizophrenia is known to impair cell viability and function, which may subsequently account for the deteriorating course of the illness. Currently available evidence points towards an alteration in the activities of enzymatic and nonenzymatic antioxidant systems in schizophrenia. In fact, experimental models have demonstrated that oxidative stress induces behavioral and molecular anomalies strikingly similar to those observed in schizophrenia. These findings suggest that oxidative stress is intimately linked to a variety of pathophysiological processes, such as inflammation, oligodendrocyte abnormalities, mitochondrial dysfunction, hypoactive N-methyl-d-aspartate receptors and the impairment of fast-spiking gamma-aminobutyric acid interneurons. Such self-sustaining mechanisms may progressively worsen producing the functional and structural consequences associated with schizophrenia. Recent clinical studies have shown antioxidant treatment to be effective in ameliorating schizophrenic symptoms. Hence, identifying viable therapeutic strategies to tackle oxidative stress and the resulting physiological disturbances provide an exciting opportunity for the treatment and ultimately prevention of schizophrenia.
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Affiliation(s)
- Byron K Y Bitanihirwe
- Laboratory of Behavioural Neurobiology, Swiss Federal Institute of Technology, Zurich, Schorenstrasse 16, Schwerzenbach CH 8603, Switzerland.
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Prefrontal GABA(B) receptor activation attenuates phencyclidine-induced impairments of prepulse inhibition: involvement of nitric oxide. Neuropsychopharmacology 2009; 34:1673-84. [PMID: 19145229 DOI: 10.1038/npp.2008.225] [Citation(s) in RCA: 26] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/23/2023]
Abstract
Recent theories propose that both GABA and glutamate signaling are compromised in patients with schizophrenia. These deficits can be observed in several brain regions including the prefrontal cortex (PFC), an area extensively linked to the cognitive dysfunction in this disease and notably affected by NMDA receptor antagonists such as phencyclidine (PCP). We have previously demonstrated that inhibition of the nitric oxide (NO) pathways in the brain, particularly in the PFC, prevents a wide range of PCP-induced behavioral deficits including disruption of prepulse inhibition (PPI). This study investigated the role of GABA(B) receptor signaling and NO in the effects of PCP on PPI. Mice received systemic or prefrontal injections of the GABA(B) receptor agonist baclofen (2.5-5 mg/kg and 1 mM) before PCP treatment (5 mg/kg) and were thereafter tested for PPI. GABA/NO interactions were studied by combining baclofen and the NO synthase inhibitor L-NAME (20 mg/kg) in subthreshold doses. The role of GABA(B) receptors for NO production in vivo was assessed using NO-sensors implanted into the rat PFC. PCP-induced PPI deficits were attenuated in an additive manner by systemic baclofen treatment, whereas prefrontal microinjections of baclofen completely blocked the effects of PCP, without affecting PPI per se. The combination of baclofen and L-NAME was more effective in preventing the effects of PCP than any compound by itself. Additionally, baclofen decreased NO release in the PFC in a dose-related manner. This study proposes a role for GABA(B) receptor signaling in the effects of PCP, with altered NO levels as a downstream consequence. Thus, prefrontal NO signaling mirrors an altered level of cortical inhibition that may be of importance for information processing deficits in schizophrenia.
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Labrie V, Duffy S, Wang W, Barger SW, Baker GB, Roder JC. Genetic inactivation of D-amino acid oxidase enhances extinction and reversal learning in mice. Learn Mem 2008; 16:28-37. [PMID: 19117914 DOI: 10.1101/lm.1112209] [Citation(s) in RCA: 76] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/25/2022]
Abstract
Activation of the N-methyl-D-aspartate receptor (NMDAR) glycine site has been shown to accelerate adaptive forms of learning that may benefit psychopathologies involving cognitive and perseverative disturbances. In this study, the effects of increasing the brain levels of the endogenous NMDAR glycine site agonist D-serine, through the genetic inactivation of its catabolic enzyme D-amino acid oxidase (DAO), were examined in behavioral tests of learning and memory. In the Morris water maze task (MWM), mice carrying the hypofunctional Dao1(G181R) mutation demonstrated normal acquisition of a single platform location but had substantially improved memory for a new target location in the subsequent reversal phase. Furthermore, Dao1(G181R) mutant animals exhibited an increased rate of extinction in the MWM that was similarly observed following pharmacological administration of D-serine (600 mg/kg) in wild-type C57BL/6J mice. In contextual and cued fear conditioning, no alterations were found in initial associative memory recall; however, extinction of the contextual fear memory was facilitated in mutant animals. Thus, an augmented level of D-serine resulting from reduced DAO activity promotes adaptive learning in response to changing conditions. The NMDAR glycine site and DAO may be promising therapeutic targets to improve cognitive flexibility and inhibitory learning in psychiatric disorders such as schizophrenia and anxiety syndromes.
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Affiliation(s)
- Viviane Labrie
- Samuel Lunenfeld Research Institute, Mount Sinai Hospital, Toronto M5G 1X5, Canada.
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Hua Y, Huang XY, Zhou L, Zhou QG, Hu Y, Luo CX, Li F, Zhu DY. DETA/NONOate, a nitric oxide donor, produces antidepressant effects by promoting hippocampal neurogenesis. Psychopharmacology (Berl) 2008; 200:231-42. [PMID: 18512047 DOI: 10.1007/s00213-008-1200-1] [Citation(s) in RCA: 25] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/20/2007] [Accepted: 05/06/2008] [Indexed: 01/01/2023]
Abstract
RATIONALE Increasing evidence suggests that depression may be associated with a lack of hippocampal neurogenesis. Our recent study shows that endogenous nitric oxide (NO) contributes to chronic mild stress (CMS)-induced depression by suppressing hippocampal neurogenesis. OBJECTIVES The aim of this study was to investigate the effects of exogenous NO in CMS-induced depression in young adult mice. RESULTS In normal mice, administration of a pure NO donor (Z)-1-[N-(2-aminoethyl)-N-(2-ammonioethyl) aminio] diazen-1-ium-1,2-diolate (DETA/NONOate; 0.4 mg/kg, i.p., for 7 days) produced an antidepressant-like effect and significantly increased hippocampal neurogenesis. The mice exposed to CMS exhibited behavioral changes typical of depression and impaired neurogenesis in the hippocampus. Treatment with DETA/NONOate (0.4 mg/kg, i.p., for 7 days) reversed CMS-induced behavioral despair and hippocampal neurogenesis impairment. We treated mice with a telomerase inhibitor 3'-azido-deoxythymidine (AZT; 100 mg/kg, i.p., for 14 days) to disrupt neurogenesis. From day 4 to day 11 of AZT treatment, mice were injected with DETA/NONOate (0.4 mg/kg, i.p., for 7 days). Disrupting hippocampal neurogenesis blocked the antidepressant effect of DETA/NONOate. CONCLUSIONS Our findings suggest that exogenous NO benefits chronic stress-induced depression by stimulating hippocampal neurogenesis and may represent a novel approach for the treatment of depressive disorders.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yao Hua
- Department of Pharmacology, School of Pharmacy, Nanjing Medical University, Nanjing, 210029, China
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