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Luo G, Wang S, Gou L, Li C, Yao C, Jing Y, Xuekelaiti Z, Li J, Zhang XY. Sex differences and risk factors of self-reported suicide attempts in middle-aged Chinese Han patients with first-episode drug-naïve anxious depression: a large-scale cross-sectional study. J Neural Transm (Vienna) 2024:10.1007/s00702-024-02779-x. [PMID: 38743092 DOI: 10.1007/s00702-024-02779-x] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/02/2023] [Accepted: 04/08/2024] [Indexed: 05/16/2024]
Abstract
This study aims to investigate sex differences and risk factors for self-reported suicide attempts among Chinese Han middle-aged patients with first-episode drug-naïve (FEDN) anxious depression (AD). A total of 1796 patients with FEDN major depressive disorder were enrolled in this study, including 341 middle-aged patients with AD. We compared the prevalence, demographics, and clinical characteristics of suicide attempts between male and female patients with FEDN middle-aged AD. We also explored the risk factors for self-reported suicide attempts in this population using binary logistic regression analysis. The male/female ratio was 91/250 and the age of onset was 51.50 ± 4.13. Our results showed that there were no significant sex differences in the prevalence of self-reported suicide attempts in middle-aged patients with FEDN AD. However, we did find significant differences in several demographic and clinical characteristics between self-reported suicide attempters and non-suicide attempters. Moreover, severe anxiety, measured by the Hamilton Anxiety Rating Scale score, was identified as a risk factor for self-reported suicide attempts in female middle-aged AD patients. Additionally, elevated thyroid peroxidase antibody (TPOAb) levels were linked to self-reported suicide attempts in male AD patients. Our findings suggest that there are no significant sex differences in the prevalence of self-reported suicide attempts in this population, but there may be sex-specific risk factors for self-reported suicide attempts in middle-aged AD. Clinical psychiatrists need to pay attention to thyroid hormone levels in middle-aged anxious depression.
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Affiliation(s)
- Guoshuai Luo
- Laboratory of Biological Psychiatry, Institute of Mental Health, Tianjin Anding Hospital, Mental Health Center of Tianjin Medical University, Tianjin, 300222, China
| | - Shuo Wang
- Laboratory of Biological Psychiatry, Institute of Mental Health, Tianjin Anding Hospital, Mental Health Center of Tianjin Medical University, Tianjin, 300222, China
| | - Lei Gou
- Laboratory of Biological Psychiatry, Institute of Mental Health, Tianjin Anding Hospital, Mental Health Center of Tianjin Medical University, Tianjin, 300222, China
| | - Cui Li
- Department of Civil Engineering, Nanjing Technical Vocational College, 58 Huangshan Rd, Nanjing, 210019, China
| | - Cong Yao
- Laboratory of Biological Psychiatry, Institute of Mental Health, Tianjin Anding Hospital, Mental Health Center of Tianjin Medical University, Tianjin, 300222, China
| | - Yifan Jing
- Laboratory of Biological Psychiatry, Institute of Mental Health, Tianjin Anding Hospital, Mental Health Center of Tianjin Medical University, Tianjin, 300222, China
| | - Zaimina Xuekelaiti
- Laboratory of Biological Psychiatry, Institute of Mental Health, Tianjin Anding Hospital, Mental Health Center of Tianjin Medical University, Tianjin, 300222, China
| | - Jie Li
- Laboratory of Biological Psychiatry, Institute of Mental Health, Tianjin Anding Hospital, Mental Health Center of Tianjin Medical University, Tianjin, 300222, China.
| | - Xiang-Yang Zhang
- Key Laboratory of Mental Health, Institute of Psychology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, 16 Lincui Road, Beijing, 100101, China.
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2
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Wartalski K, Wiater J, Maciak P, Pastuła A, Lis GJ, Samiec M, Trzcińska M, Duda M. Anabolic Steroids Activate the NF-κB Pathway in Porcine Ovarian Putative Stem Cells Independently of the ZIP-9 Receptor. Int J Mol Sci 2024; 25:2833. [PMID: 38474077 DOI: 10.3390/ijms25052833] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/18/2024] [Revised: 02/13/2024] [Accepted: 02/27/2024] [Indexed: 03/14/2024] Open
Abstract
Boldenone (Bdn) and nandrolone (Ndn) are anabolic androgenic steroids (AASs) that, as our previous studies have shown, may increase the risk of neoplastic transformation of porcine ovarian putative stem cells (poPSCs). The NF-κB pathway may be important in the processes of carcinogenesis and tumour progression. Therefore, in this work, we decided to test the hypothesis of whether Bdn and Ndn can activate the NF-κB pathway by acting through the membrane androgen receptor ZIP-9. For this purpose, the expression profiles of both genes involved in the NF-κB pathway and the gene coding for the ZIP-9 receptor were checked. The expression and localization of proteins of this pathway in poPSCs were also examined. Additionally, the expression of the ZIP-9 receptor and the concentration of the NF-κB1 and 2 protein complex were determined. Activation of the NF-κB pathway was primarily confirmed by an increase in the relative abundances of phosphorylated forms of RelA protein and IκBα inhibitor. Reduced quantitative profiles pinpointed not only for genes representing this pathway but also for unphosphorylated proteins, and, simultaneously, decreased concentration of the NF-κB1 and 2 complex may indicate post-activation silencing by negative feedback. However, the remarkably and sustainably diminished expression levels noticed for the SLC39A9 gene and ZIP-9 protein suggest that this receptor does not play an important role in the regulation of the NF-κB pathway.
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Affiliation(s)
- Kamil Wartalski
- Department of Histology, Jagiellonian University Medical College, Kopernika 7 Street, 31-034 Krakow, Poland
| | - Jerzy Wiater
- Department of Histology, Jagiellonian University Medical College, Kopernika 7 Street, 31-034 Krakow, Poland
| | - Patrycja Maciak
- Department of Endocrinology, Institute of Zoology and Biomedical Research, Faculty of Biology, Jagiellonian University in Krakow, Gronostajowa 9 Street, 30-387 Krakow, Poland
| | - Agnieszka Pastuła
- Department of Genetics and Evolutionism, Institute of Zoology and Biomedical Research, Faculty of Biology, Jagiellonian University in Krakow, Gronostajowa 9 Street, 30-387 Krakow, Poland
| | - Grzegorz J Lis
- Department of Histology, Jagiellonian University Medical College, Kopernika 7 Street, 31-034 Krakow, Poland
| | - Marcin Samiec
- Department of Reproductive Biotechnology and Cryoconservation, National Research Institute of Animal Production, Krakowska 1 Street, 32-083 Balice, Poland
| | - Monika Trzcińska
- Department of Reproductive Biotechnology and Cryoconservation, National Research Institute of Animal Production, Krakowska 1 Street, 32-083 Balice, Poland
| | - Małgorzata Duda
- Department of Endocrinology, Institute of Zoology and Biomedical Research, Faculty of Biology, Jagiellonian University in Krakow, Gronostajowa 9 Street, 30-387 Krakow, Poland
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Payamipour S, Peeri M, Azarbayjani MA, Masrour FF. Voluntary wheel running from early adolescence reduces disease progression, and anxiety- and depression-related symptoms in an adult male mouse model of rheumatoid arthritis. J Neuroimmunol 2023; 385:578247. [PMID: 38000323 DOI: 10.1016/j.jneuroim.2023.578247] [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: 09/04/2023] [Revised: 11/07/2023] [Accepted: 11/13/2023] [Indexed: 11/26/2023]
Abstract
Rheumatoid arthritis (RA) is a multifactorial autoimmune disease that progressively destroys synovial joints and leads to chronic systemic inflammation. This autoimmune disorder is associated with increased anxiety- and depression-related symptoms, which reduces quality of life. Clinical and experimental evidence suggests that higher physical activity from early adolescence may prevent chronic diseases and reduce the risk of mental health problems in adulthood. This study aimed to assess whether voluntary wheel running from early adolescence can decrease clinical symptoms, anxiety- and depression-related behaviors in adult mice with rheumatoid arthritis. Adolescent male mice were exposed to voluntary wheel running until adulthood and got collagen-induced arthritis. We measured body weight, the thickness of the hind paw and knee joint (clinical signs), anxiety- and depression-related behaviors, serum testosterone, and cytokines (IFN-γ IL-1β, IL-6, TNF-α, IL-10). The findings showed that collagen-induced arthritis resulted in anxious-like behavior, increased anhedonia, elevated IL-6, IL-1β, TNF-α, and IFN-γ, and decreased testosterone levels in the serum of mice. However, no change was observed in behavioral despair. We found that higher physical activity from early adolescence significantly reduced the severity of clinical signs, anxiety- and anhedonia-like behaviors, and decreased behavioral despair in RA-induced mice. In addition, the running wheel exposure normalized RA-induced abnormalities in testosterone and inflammatory cytokines in mice. Altogether, this study suggests that higher physical activity from early adolescence may make mice less vulnerable or resistant to RA-induced clinical symptoms and anxiety- and depression-related behaviors by changing testosterone and inflammatory cytokines productions in adulthood.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sheida Payamipour
- Department of Exercise Physiology, Central Tehran Branch, Islamic Azad University, Tehran, Iran
| | - Maghsoud Peeri
- Department of Exercise Physiology, Central Tehran Branch, Islamic Azad University, Tehran, Iran.
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Raise-Abdullahi P, Meamar M, Vafaei AA, Alizadeh M, Dadkhah M, Shafia S, Ghalandari-Shamami M, Naderian R, Afshin Samaei S, Rashidy-Pour A. Hypothalamus and Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder: A Review. Brain Sci 2023; 13:1010. [PMID: 37508942 PMCID: PMC10377115 DOI: 10.3390/brainsci13071010] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/02/2023] [Revised: 06/25/2023] [Accepted: 06/28/2023] [Indexed: 07/30/2023] Open
Abstract
Humans have lived in a dynamic environment fraught with potential dangers for thousands of years. While fear and stress were crucial for the survival of our ancestors, today, they are mostly considered harmful factors, threatening both our physical and mental health. Trauma is a highly stressful, often life-threatening event or a series of events, such as sexual assault, war, natural disasters, burns, and car accidents. Trauma can cause pathological metaplasticity, leading to long-lasting behavioral changes and impairing an individual's ability to cope with future challenges. If an individual is vulnerable, a tremendously traumatic event may result in post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD). The hypothalamus is critical in initiating hormonal responses to stressful stimuli via the hypothalamic-pituitary-adrenal (HPA) axis. Linked to the prefrontal cortex and limbic structures, especially the amygdala and hippocampus, the hypothalamus acts as a central hub, integrating physiological aspects of the stress response. Consequently, the hypothalamic functions have been attributed to the pathophysiology of PTSD. However, apart from the well-known role of the HPA axis, the hypothalamus may also play different roles in the development of PTSD through other pathways, including the hypothalamic-pituitary-thyroid (HPT) and hypothalamic-pituitary-gonadal (HPG) axes, as well as by secreting growth hormone, prolactin, dopamine, and oxytocin. This review aims to summarize the current evidence regarding the neuroendocrine functions of the hypothalamus, which are correlated with the development of PTSD. A better understanding of the role of the hypothalamus in PTSD could help develop better treatments for this debilitating condition.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Morvarid Meamar
- Research Center of Physiology, Semnan University of Medical Sciences, Semnan, Iran
| | - Abbas Ali Vafaei
- Research Center of Physiology, Semnan University of Medical Sciences, Semnan, Iran
- Department of Physiology, School of Medicine, Semnan University of Medical Sciences, Semnan, Iran
| | - Maryam Alizadeh
- Department of Basic Medical Sciences, Faculty of Medicine, Qom Medical Sciences, Islamic Azad University, Qom, Iran
| | - Masoomeh Dadkhah
- Pharmaceutical Sciences Research Center, Ardabil University of Medical Sciences, Ardabil, Iran
| | - Sakineh Shafia
- Immunogenetics Research Center, Department of Physiology, Mazandaran University of Medical Sciences, Sari, Iran
| | | | - Ramtin Naderian
- Student Research Committee, Semnan University of Medical Sciences, Semnan, Iran
| | - Seyed Afshin Samaei
- Department of Neurology, School of Medicine, Semnan University of Medical Sciences, Semnan, Iran
| | - Ali Rashidy-Pour
- Research Center of Physiology, Semnan University of Medical Sciences, Semnan, Iran
- Department of Physiology, School of Medicine, Semnan University of Medical Sciences, Semnan, Iran
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5
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KIMURA M, SHODA A, MURATA M, HARA Y, YONOICHI S, ISHIDA Y, MANTANI Y, YOKOYAMA T, HIRANO T, IKENAKA Y, HOSHI N. Neurotoxicity and behavioral disorders induced in mice by acute exposure to the diamide insecticide chlorantraniliprole. J Vet Med Sci 2023; 85:497-506. [PMID: 36858584 PMCID: PMC10139785 DOI: 10.1292/jvms.23-0041] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/21/2023] [Accepted: 02/14/2023] [Indexed: 03/03/2023] Open
Abstract
Diamide insecticides activate ryanodine receptors expressed in lepidopteran skeletal muscle and promote Ca2+ release in the sarcoplasmic reticulum, causing abnormal contractions and paralysis, leading to death of the pest. Although they had been thought not to act on nontarget organisms, including mammals, adverse effects on vertebrates were recently reported, raising concerns about their safety in humans. We investigated the neurotoxicity of the acute no-observed-adverse-effect level of chlorantraniliprole (CAP), a diamide insecticide, in mice using clothianidin (CLO), a neonicotinoid insecticide, as a positive control. The CLO-administered group showed decreased locomotor activities, increased anxiety-like behaviors, and abnormal human-audible vocalizations, while the CAP-administered group showed anxiety-like behaviors but no change in locomotor activities. The CAP-administered group had greater numbers of c-fos-immunoreactive cells in the hippocampal dentate gyrus, and similar to the results in a CLO-administered group in our previous study. Blood corticosterone levels increased in the CLO-administered group but did not change in the CAP-administered group. Additionally, CAP was found to decreased 3-Methoxytyramine and histamine in mice at the time to maximum concentration. These results suggest that CAP-administered mice are less vulnerable to stress than CLO-administered mice, and the first evidence that CAP exposure increases neuronal activity and induces anxiety-like behavior as well as neurotransmitter disturbances in mammals.
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Affiliation(s)
- Mako KIMURA
- Laboratory of Animal Molecular Morphology, Department of
Animal Science, Graduate School of Agricultural Science, Kobe University, Hyogo,
Japan
| | - Asuka SHODA
- Laboratory of Animal Molecular Morphology, Department of
Animal Science, Graduate School of Agricultural Science, Kobe University, Hyogo,
Japan
| | - Midori MURATA
- Laboratory of Animal Molecular Morphology, Department of
Animal Science, Graduate School of Agricultural Science, Kobe University, Hyogo,
Japan
| | - Yukako HARA
- Laboratory of Animal Molecular Morphology, Department of
Animal Science, Graduate School of Agricultural Science, Kobe University, Hyogo,
Japan
| | - Sakura YONOICHI
- Laboratory of Animal Molecular Morphology, Department of
Animal Science, Graduate School of Agricultural Science, Kobe University, Hyogo,
Japan
| | - Yuya ISHIDA
- Laboratory of Animal Molecular Morphology, Department of
Animal Science, Graduate School of Agricultural Science, Kobe University, Hyogo,
Japan
| | - Youhei MANTANI
- Laboratory of Histophysiology, Department of Animal Science,
Graduate School of Agricultural Science, Kobe University, Hyogo, Japan
| | - Toshifumi YOKOYAMA
- Laboratory of Animal Molecular Morphology, Department of
Animal Science, Graduate School of Agricultural Science, Kobe University, Hyogo,
Japan
| | - Tetsushi HIRANO
- Life Science Research Center, University of Toyama, Toyama,
Japan
| | - Yoshinori IKENAKA
- Laboratory of Toxicology, Department of Environmental
Veterinary Sciences, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Hokkaido University, Hokkaido,
Japan
- Water Research Group, Unit for Environmental Sciences and
Management, North-West University, Potchefstroom, South Africa
| | - Nobuhiko HOSHI
- Laboratory of Animal Molecular Morphology, Department of
Animal Science, Graduate School of Agricultural Science, Kobe University, Hyogo,
Japan
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Abstract
Depression and anxiety disorders carry a tremendous worldwide burden and emerge as a significant cause of disability among western societies. Both disorders are known to disproportionally affect women, as they are twice more likely to be diagnosed and moreover, they are also prone to suffer from female-specific mood disorders. Importantly, the prevalence of these affective disorders has notably risen after the COVID pandemic, especially in women. In this chapter, we describe factors that are possibly contributing to the expression of such sex differences in depression and anxiety. For this, we overview the effect of transcriptomic and genetic factors, the immune system, neuroendocrine aspects, and cognition. Furthermore, we also provide evidence of sex differences in antidepressant response and their causes. Finally, we emphasize the importance to consider sex as a biological variable in preclinical and clinical research, which may facilitate the discovery and development of new and more efficacious antidepressant and anxiolytic pharmacotherapies for both women and men.
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Affiliation(s)
- Pavlina Pavlidi
- Department of Pharmacology, Medical School, National and Kapodistrian University of Athens, Athens, Greece
| | - Nikolaos Kokras
- Department of Pharmacology, Medical School, National and Kapodistrian University of Athens, Athens, Greece
- First Department of Psychiatry, Eginition Hospital, Medical School, National and Kapodistrian University of Athens, Athens, Greece
| | - Christina Dalla
- Department of Pharmacology, Medical School, National and Kapodistrian University of Athens, Athens, Greece.
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7
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Lagunas N, Fernández-García JM, Blanco N, Ballesta A, Carrillo B, Arevalo MA, Collado P, Pinos H, Grassi D. Organizational Effects of Estrogens and Androgens on Estrogen and Androgen Receptor Expression in Pituitary and Adrenal Glands in Adult Male and Female Rats. Front Neuroanat 2022; 16:902218. [PMID: 35815333 PMCID: PMC9261283 DOI: 10.3389/fnana.2022.902218] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/22/2022] [Accepted: 05/11/2022] [Indexed: 01/15/2023] Open
Abstract
Sex steroid hormones, such as androgens and estrogens, are known to exert organizational action at perinatal periods and activational effects during adulthood on the brain and peripheral tissues. These organizational effects are essential for the establishment of biological axes responsible for regulating behaviors, such as reproduction, stress, and emotional responses. Estradiol (E2), testosterone, and their metabolites exert their biological action through genomic and non-genomic mechanisms, bounding to canonical receptors, such as estrogen receptor (ER)α, ERβ, and androgen receptor (AR) or membrane receptors, such as the G protein-coupled estrogen receptor (GPER), respectively. Expression of ERs and AR was found to be different between males and females both in the brain and peripheral tissues, suggesting a sex-dependent regulation of their expression and function. Therefore, studying the ERs and AR distribution and expression levels is key to understand the central and peripheral role of sex steroids in the establishment of sex-specific behaviors in males and females. We investigated the organizational effects of estrogens and androgens in the pituitary and adrenal glands of adult male and female rats. For this, selective blockade of AR with flutamide or 5α-reductase with finasteride or aromatase with letrozole during the first 5 days of life has been performed in male and female pups and then quantification of ERs and AR expression in both glands has been carried out in adulthood. Data show that inhibition of dihydrotestosterone (DHT) and E2 production during the first five postnatal days mainly decreases the ER expression in male to female values and AR expression in female to male levels in the pituitary gland and increases AR expression in female to male levels in the adrenal gland. In contrast, blocking the action of androgens differentially modulates the ERs in males and females and decreases AR in both males and females in both glands. Altogether, the results suggest that neonatal modifications of the androgen and estrogen pathways can potentially lead to permanent modifications of the neuroendocrine functions of the pituitary and adrenal glands in the adulthood of both sexes.
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Affiliation(s)
- Natalia Lagunas
- Department of Legal Medicine, Psychiatry and Pathology, School of Medicine, Complutense University of Madrid, Madrid, Spain
| | - José Manuel Fernández-García
- Department of Psychobiology, National University of Distance Education, Madrid, Spain
- Department of Psychology, Universidad Villanueva, Madrid, Spain
| | - Noemí Blanco
- Department of Psychobiology, National University of Distance Education, Madrid, Spain
| | - Antonio Ballesta
- Department of Psychobiology, National University of Distance Education, Madrid, Spain
- Department of Psychology, Faculty of Biomedical Science and Health, European University of Madrid, Madrid, Spain
| | - Beatriz Carrillo
- Department of Psychobiology, National University of Distance Education, Madrid, Spain
- University Institute of Research-UNED-Institute of Health Carlos III (IMIENS), Madrid, Spain
| | - Maria-Angeles Arevalo
- Neuroactive Steroids Lab, Cajal Institute, CSIC, Madrid, Spain
- Centro de Investigación Biomédica en Red de Fragilidad y Envejecimiento Saludable (CIBERFES), Instituto de Salud Carlos III, Madrid, Spain
| | - Paloma Collado
- Department of Psychobiology, National University of Distance Education, Madrid, Spain
- University Institute of Research-UNED-Institute of Health Carlos III (IMIENS), Madrid, Spain
| | - Helena Pinos
- Department of Psychobiology, National University of Distance Education, Madrid, Spain
- University Institute of Research-UNED-Institute of Health Carlos III (IMIENS), Madrid, Spain
| | - Daniela Grassi
- Department of Psychobiology, National University of Distance Education, Madrid, Spain
- Neuroactive Steroids Lab, Cajal Institute, CSIC, Madrid, Spain
- Centro de Investigación Biomédica en Red de Fragilidad y Envejecimiento Saludable (CIBERFES), Instituto de Salud Carlos III, Madrid, Spain
- Department of Anatomy, Histology and Neuroscience, Autonomous University of Madrid, Madrid, Spain
- *Correspondence: Daniela Grassi
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8
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Panichi R, Dieni CV, Sullivan JA, Biscarini A, Contemori S, Faralli M, Pettorossi VE. Inhibition of androgenic pathway impairs encoding of cerebellar‐dependent motor learning in male rats. J Comp Neurol 2022; 530:2014-2032. [DOI: 10.1002/cne.25318] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/04/2021] [Revised: 02/24/2022] [Accepted: 02/26/2022] [Indexed: 11/10/2022]
Affiliation(s)
- Roberto Panichi
- Department of Medicine and Surgery University of Perugia Perugia Italy
| | - Cristina V. Dieni
- Department of Neurobiology and Evelyn McKnight Brain Institute University of Alabama at Birmingham Birmingham Alabama USA
| | | | - Andrea Biscarini
- Department of Medicine and Surgery University of Perugia Perugia Italy
| | - Samuele Contemori
- Center for Sensorimotor Performance, School of Human Movement and Nutrition Sciences The University of Queensland Brisbane Queensland Australia
| | - Mario Faralli
- Department of Medical‐Surgical Specialization, Otolaryngology and Cervicofacial Surgery Division University of Perugia Perugia Italy
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Sheng JA, Tan SML, Hale TM, Handa RJ. Androgens and Their Role in Regulating Sex Differences in the Hypothalamic/Pituitary/Adrenal Axis Stress Response and Stress-Related Behaviors. ANDROGENS: CLINICAL RESEARCH AND THERAPEUTICS 2022; 2:261-274. [PMID: 35024695 PMCID: PMC8744007 DOI: 10.1089/andro.2021.0021] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Accepted: 11/24/2021] [Indexed: 02/06/2023]
Abstract
Androgens play a pivotal role during development. These gonadal hormones and their receptors exert organizational actions that shape brain morphology in regions controlling the stress regulatory systems in a male-specific manner. Specifically, androgens drive sex differences in the hypothalamic/pituitary/adrenal (HPA) axis and corresponding hypothalamic neuropeptides. While studies have examined the role of estradiol and its receptors in sex differences in the HPA axis and associated behaviors, the role of androgens remains far less studied. Androgens are generally thought to modulate the HPA axis through the activation of androgen receptors (ARs). They can also impact the HPA axis through reduction to estrogenic metabolites that can bind estrogen receptors in the brain and periphery. Such regulation of the HPA axis stress response by androgens can often result in sex-biased risk factors for stress-related disorders, such as anxiety and depression. This review focuses on the biosynthesis pathways and molecular actions of androgens and their nuclear receptors. The impact of androgens on hypothalamic neuropeptide systems (corticotropin-releasing hormone, arginine vasopressin, oxytocin, dopamine, and serotonin) that control the stress response and stress-related disorders is discussed. Finally, this review discusses potential therapeutics involving androgens (androgen replacement therapies, selective AR modulator therapies) and ongoing clinical trials.
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Affiliation(s)
- Julietta A Sheng
- Department of Biomedical Sciences, Colorado State University, Fort Collins, Colorado, USA
| | - Sarah M L Tan
- Department of Biomedical Sciences, Colorado State University, Fort Collins, Colorado, USA
| | - Taben M Hale
- Department of Basic Medical Science, University of Arizona College of Medicine - Phoenix, Arizona, USA
| | - Robert J Handa
- Department of Biomedical Sciences, Colorado State University, Fort Collins, Colorado, USA
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10
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Using Translational Models of Fear Conditioning to Uncover Sex-Linked Factors Related to PTSD Risk. JOURNAL OF PSYCHIATRY AND BRAIN SCIENCE 2022; 7:e220010. [PMID: 36506701 PMCID: PMC9731144 DOI: 10.20900/jpbs.20220010] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/09/2022]
Abstract
Post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) is a debilitating neuropsychiatric disorder that follows exposure to a traumatic event; however, not every person who experiences trauma will develop PTSD. Women are more likely to be diagnosed with PTSD than men even when controlling for type and amount of trauma exposure. Circulating levels of gonadal hormones such as estradiol, progesterone, and testosterone may contribute to differential risk for developing PTSD. In this review, we briefly consider the influence of gonadal hormones on fear conditioning processes including fear acquisition, fear inhibition, extinction learning, and extinction recall within translational neuroscience models. We discuss findings from human studies incorporating samples from both community and traumatized clinical populations to further understand how these hormones might interact with exposure to trauma. Additionally, we propose that special attention should be paid to the specific measure used to examine fear conditioning processes as there is evidence that common psychophysiological indices such as skin conductance response and fear-potentiated startle can reveal quite different results and thus necessitate nuanced interpretations. Continued research to understand the influence of gonadal hormones in fear learning and extinction processes will provide further insight into the increased risk women have of developing PTSD and provide new targets for the treatment and prevention of this disorder.
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11
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Pillerová M, Borbélyová V, Pastorek M, Riljak V, Hodosy J, Frick KM, Tóthová L. Molecular actions of sex hormones in the brain and their potential treatment use in anxiety disorders. Front Psychiatry 2022; 13:972158. [PMID: 36159923 PMCID: PMC9492942 DOI: 10.3389/fpsyt.2022.972158] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/21/2022] [Accepted: 08/17/2022] [Indexed: 11/13/2022] Open
Abstract
Anxiety disorders are one of the most prevalent mood disorders that can lead to impaired quality of life. Current treatment of anxiety disorders has various adverse effects, safety concerns, or restricted efficacy; therefore, novel therapeutic targets need to be studied. Sex steroid hormones (SSHs) play a crucial role in the formation of brain structures, including regions of the limbic system and prefrontal cortex during perinatal development. In the brain, SSHs have activational and organizational effects mediated by either intracellular or transmembrane G-protein coupled receptors. During perinatal developmental periods, the physiological concentrations of SSHs lead to the normal development of the brain; however, the early hormonal dysregulation could result in various anxiety diorders later in life. Sex differences in the prevalence of anxiety disorders suggest that SSHs might be implicated in their development. In this review, we discuss preclinical and clinical studies regarding the role of dysregulated SSHs signaling during early brain development that modifies the risk for anxiety disorders in a sex-specific manner in adulthood. Moreover, our aim is to summarize potential molecular mechanisms by which the SSHs may affect anxiety disorders in preclinical research. Finally, the potential effects of SSHs in the treatment of anxiety disorders are discussed.
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Affiliation(s)
- Miriam Pillerová
- Faculty of Medicine, Institute of Molecular Biomedicine, Comenius University in Bratislava, Bratislava, Slovakia
| | - Veronika Borbélyová
- Faculty of Medicine, Institute of Molecular Biomedicine, Comenius University in Bratislava, Bratislava, Slovakia
| | - Michal Pastorek
- Faculty of Medicine, Institute of Molecular Biomedicine, Comenius University in Bratislava, Bratislava, Slovakia
| | - Vladimír Riljak
- First Faculty of Medicine, Institute of Physiology, Charles University, Prague, Czechia
| | - Július Hodosy
- Faculty of Medicine, Institute of Molecular Biomedicine, Comenius University in Bratislava, Bratislava, Slovakia
| | - Karyn M Frick
- Department of Psychology, University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee, Milwaukee, WI, United States
| | - L'ubomíra Tóthová
- Faculty of Medicine, Institute of Molecular Biomedicine, Comenius University in Bratislava, Bratislava, Slovakia
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12
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Ellis SN, Honeycutt JA. Sex Differences in Affective Dysfunction and Alterations in Parvalbumin in Rodent Models of Early Life Adversity. Front Behav Neurosci 2021; 15:741454. [PMID: 34803622 PMCID: PMC8600234 DOI: 10.3389/fnbeh.2021.741454] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/14/2021] [Accepted: 10/13/2021] [Indexed: 01/08/2023] Open
Abstract
The early life environment markedly influences brain and behavioral development, with adverse experiences associated with increased risk of anxiety and depressive phenotypes, particularly in females. Indeed, early life adversity (ELA) in humans (i.e., caregiver deprivation, maltreatment) and rodents (i.e., maternal separation, resource scarcity) is associated with sex-specific emergence of anxious and depressive behaviors. Although these disorders show clear sex differences in humans, little attention has been paid toward evaluating sex as a biological variable in models of affective dysfunction; however, recent rodent work suggests sex-specific effects. Two widely used rodent models of ELA approximate caregiver deprivation (i.e., maternal separation) and resource scarcity (i.e., limited bedding). While these approaches model aspects of ELA experienced in humans, they span different portions of the pre-weaning developmental period and may therefore differentially contribute to underlying mechanistic risk. This is borne out in the literature, where evidence suggests differences in trajectories of behavior depending on the type of ELA and/or sex; however, the neural underpinning of these differences is not well understood. Because anxiety and depression are thought to involve dysregulation in the balance of excitatory and inhibitory signaling in ELA-vulnerable brain regions (e.g., prefrontal cortex, amygdala, hippocampus), outcomes are likely driven by alterations in local and/or circuit-specific inhibitory activity. The most abundant GABAergic subtypes in the brain, accounting for approximately 40% of inhibitory neurons, contain the calcium-binding protein Parvalbumin (PV). As PV-expressing neurons have perisomatic and proximal dendritic targets on pyramidal neurons, they are well-positioned to regulate excitatory/inhibitory balance. Recent evidence suggests that PV outcomes following ELA are sex, age, and region-specific and may be influenced by the type and timing of ELA. Here, we suggest the possibility of a combined role of PV and sex hormones driving differences in behavioral outcomes associated with affective dysfunction following ELA. This review evaluates the literature across models of ELA to characterize neural (PV) and behavioral (anxiety- and depressive-like) outcomes as a function of sex and age. Additionally, we detail a putative mechanistic role of PV on ELA-related outcomes and discuss evidence suggesting hormone influences on PV expression/function which may help to explain sex differences in ELA outcomes.
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Affiliation(s)
- Seneca N Ellis
- Program in Neuroscience, Bowdoin College, Brunswick, ME, United States
| | - Jennifer A Honeycutt
- Program in Neuroscience, Bowdoin College, Brunswick, ME, United States.,Department of Psychology, Bowdoin College, Brunswick, ME, United States
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13
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Faria M, Prats E, Rosas Ramírez JR, Bellot M, Bedrossiantz J, Pagano M, Valls A, Gomez-Canela C, Porta JM, Mestres J, Garcia-Reyero N, Faggio C, Gómez Oliván LM, Raldua D. Androgenic activation, impairment of the monoaminergic system and altered behavior in zebrafish larvae exposed to environmental concentrations of fenitrothion. THE SCIENCE OF THE TOTAL ENVIRONMENT 2021; 775:145671. [PMID: 33621872 DOI: 10.1016/j.scitotenv.2021.145671] [Citation(s) in RCA: 43] [Impact Index Per Article: 14.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/15/2020] [Revised: 01/11/2021] [Accepted: 02/01/2021] [Indexed: 06/12/2023]
Abstract
Fenitrothion is an organophosphorus insecticide usually found in aquatic ecosystems at concentrations in the range of low ng/L. In this manuscript we show that 24 h exposure to environmental concentrations of fenitrothion, from ng/L to low μg/L, altered basal locomotor activity, visual-motor response and acoustic/vibrational escape response of zebrafish larvae. Furthermore, fenitrothion and expression of gap43a, gfap, atp2b1a, and mbp exhibited a significant non-monotonic concentration-response relationship. Once determined that environmental concentrations of fenitrothion were neurotoxic for zebrafish larvae, a computational analysis identified potential protein targets of this compound. Some of the predictions, including interactions with acetylcholinesterase, monoamine-oxidases and androgen receptor (AR), were experimentally validated. Binding to AR was the most suitable candidate for molecular initiating event, as indicated by both the up-regulation of cyp19a1b and sult2st3 and the non-monotonic relationship found between fenitrothion and the observed responses. Finally, when the integrity of the monoaminergic system was evaluated, altered levels of L-DOPA, DOPAC, HVA and 5-HIAA were found, as well as a significant up-regulation of slc18a2 expression at the lowest concentrations of fenitrothion. These data strongly suggest that concentrations of fenitrothion commonly found in aquatic ecosystems present a significant environmental risk for fish communities.
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Affiliation(s)
- Melissa Faria
- Institute for Environmental Assessment and Water Research (IDAEA-CSIC), Jordi Girona, 18, 08034 Barcelona, Spain
| | - Eva Prats
- Research and Development Center (CID-CSIC), Jordi Girona 18, 08034 Barcelona, Spain
| | - Jonathan Ricardo Rosas Ramírez
- Laboratorio de Toxicología Ambiental, Facultad de Química, Universidad Autónoma del Estado de México, Paseo Colón intersección Paseo Tollocan s/n. Col. Residencial Colón, 50120 Toluca, Estado de México, Mexico
| | - Marina Bellot
- Department of Analytical Chemistry and Applied (Chromatography section), School of Engineering, Institut Químic de Sarrià-Universitat Ramon Llull, Via Augusta 390, 08017 Barcelona, Spain
| | - Juliette Bedrossiantz
- Institute for Environmental Assessment and Water Research (IDAEA-CSIC), Jordi Girona, 18, 08034 Barcelona, Spain
| | - Maria Pagano
- Department of Chemical, Biological, Pharmaceutical and Environmental Sciences, University of Messina, Viale Ferdinando Stagno d'Alcontres, 31, 98166 Agata-Messina, Italy
| | - Arnau Valls
- Institut de Robòtica i Informàtica Industrial, CSIC-UPC, Barcelona, Spain
| | - Cristian Gomez-Canela
- Department of Analytical Chemistry and Applied (Chromatography section), School of Engineering, Institut Químic de Sarrià-Universitat Ramon Llull, Via Augusta 390, 08017 Barcelona, Spain
| | - Josep M Porta
- Institut de Robòtica i Informàtica Industrial, CSIC-UPC, Barcelona, Spain
| | - Jordi Mestres
- Systems Pharmacology, Research Group on Biomedical Informatics (GRIB), IMIM Hospital del Mar Medical Research Institute and Universitat Pompeu Fabra, Parc de Recerca Biomèdica, Chemotargets SL, Parc Científic de Barcelona, Barcelona, Spain
| | - Natalia Garcia-Reyero
- Environmental Laboratory, US Army Engineer Research and Development Center, Vicksburg, MS, USA
| | - Caterina Faggio
- Department of Chemical, Biological, Pharmaceutical and Environmental Sciences, University of Messina, Viale Ferdinando Stagno d'Alcontres, 31, 98166 Agata-Messina, Italy
| | - Leobardo Manuel Gómez Oliván
- Laboratorio de Toxicología Ambiental, Facultad de Química, Universidad Autónoma del Estado de México, Paseo Colón intersección Paseo Tollocan s/n. Col. Residencial Colón, 50120 Toluca, Estado de México, Mexico
| | - Demetrio Raldua
- Institute for Environmental Assessment and Water Research (IDAEA-CSIC), Jordi Girona, 18, 08034 Barcelona, Spain.
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14
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Aono K, Matsumoto J, Nakagawa S, Matsumoto T, Koga M, Migita K, Tominaga K, Sakai Y, Yamauchi A. Testosterone deficiency promotes the development of pulmonary emphysema in orchiectomized mice exposed to elastase. Biochem Biophys Res Commun 2021; 558:94-101. [PMID: 33906112 DOI: 10.1016/j.bbrc.2021.04.051] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/25/2021] [Accepted: 04/14/2021] [Indexed: 01/31/2023]
Abstract
Testosterone deficiency is commonly observed in male patients with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD), which is characterized by chronic inflammation of the airways and pulmonary emphysema. Although clinical trials have indicated that testosterone replacement therapy can improve respiratory function in patients with COPD, the role of testosterone in the pathogenesis of COPD remains unclear. The aim of this study was to explore the effect of testosterone deficiency on the development of pulmonary emphysema in orchiectomized (ORX) mice exposed to porcine pancreatic elastase (PPE). ORX mice developed more severe emphysematous changes 21 d after PPE inhalation than non-ORX mice. Testosterone propionate supplementation significantly reduced PPE-induced emphysematous changes in ORX mice. PPE exposure also increased the number of neutrophils and T cells in bronchoalveolar lavage fluid (BALF) of mice that had undergone ORX and sham surgery. T cell counts were significantly higher in the BALF of ORX mice than of sham mice. Testosterone supplementation reduced the infiltration of T cells into BALF and alleviated emphysematous changes in the lungs of ORX mice. Our findings suggest that testosterone, a male-specific hormone, may suppress the development of pulmonary emphysema through the regulation of T cell-mediated immunity.
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Affiliation(s)
- Kentaro Aono
- Department of Pharmaceutical Care and Health Sciences, Faculty of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Fukuoka University, 8-19-1 Nanakuma, Jonan-ku, Fukuoka, 814-0180, Japan.
| | - Junichi Matsumoto
- Department of Pharmaceutical Care and Health Sciences, Faculty of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Fukuoka University, 8-19-1 Nanakuma, Jonan-ku, Fukuoka, 814-0180, Japan.
| | - Shinsuke Nakagawa
- Department of Pharmaceutical Care and Health Sciences, Faculty of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Fukuoka University, 8-19-1 Nanakuma, Jonan-ku, Fukuoka, 814-0180, Japan.
| | - Taichi Matsumoto
- Department of Drug Informatics, Faculty of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Fukuoka University, 8-19-1 Nanakuma, Jonan-ku, Fukuoka, 814-0180, Japan.
| | - Mitsuhisa Koga
- Laboratory of Drug Design and Drug Delivery, Faculty of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Fukuoka University, 8-19-1 Nanakuma, Jonan-ku, Fukuoka, 814-0180, Japan.
| | - Keisuke Migita
- Department of Drug Informatics, Faculty of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Fukuoka University, 8-19-1 Nanakuma, Jonan-ku, Fukuoka, 814-0180, Japan.
| | - Koji Tominaga
- Department of Pharmaceutical and Health Care Management, Faculty of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Fukuoka University, 8-19-1 Nanakuma, Jonan-ku, Fukuoka, 814-0180, Japan.
| | - Yuna Sakai
- Department of Pharmaceutical Care and Health Sciences, Faculty of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Fukuoka University, 8-19-1 Nanakuma, Jonan-ku, Fukuoka, 814-0180, Japan.
| | - Atsushi Yamauchi
- Department of Pharmaceutical Care and Health Sciences, Faculty of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Fukuoka University, 8-19-1 Nanakuma, Jonan-ku, Fukuoka, 814-0180, Japan.
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15
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OSTATNÍKOVÁ D, LAKATOŠOVÁ S, BABKOVÁ J, HODOSY J, CELEC P. Testosterone and the Brain: From Cognition to Autism. Physiol Res 2021. [DOI: 10.33549/10.33549/physiolres.934592] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/20/2022] Open
Abstract
Sex and gender matter in all aspects of life. Humans exhibit sexual dimorphism in anatomy, physiology, but also pathology. Many of the differences are due to sex chromosomes and, thus, genetics, other due to endocrine factors such as sex hormones, some are of social origin. Over the past decades, huge number of scientific studies have revealed striking sex differences of the human brain with remarkable behavioral and cognitive consequences. Prenatal and postnatal testosterone influence brain structures and functions, respectively. Cognitive sex differences include especially certain spatial and language tasks, but they also affect many other aspects of the neurotypical brain. Sex differences of the brain are also relevant for the pathogenesis of neuropsychiatric disorders such as autism spectrum disorders, which are much more prevalent in the male population. Structural dimorphism in the human brain was well-described, but recent controversies now question its importance. On the other hand, solid evidence exists regarding gender differences in several brain functions. This review tries to summarize the current understanding of the complexity of the effects of testosterone on brain with special focus on their role in the known sex differences in healthy individuals and people in the autism spectrum.
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Affiliation(s)
- D OSTATNÍKOVÁ
- Institute of Physiology, Academic Research Centre for Autism, Faculty of Medicine, Comenius University, Bratislava, Slovak Republic
| | - S LAKATOŠOVÁ
- Institute of Physiology, Academic Research Centre for Autism, Faculty of Medicine, Comenius University, Bratislava, Slovak Republic
| | - J BABKOVÁ
- Institute of Physiology, Academic Research Centre for Autism, Faculty of Medicine, Comenius University, Bratislava, Slovak Republic
| | - J HODOSY
- Institute of Physiology, Academic Research Centre for Autism, Faculty of Medicine, Comenius University, Bratislava, Slovak Republic
| | - P CELEC
- Institute of Physiology, Academic Research Centre for Autism, Faculty of Medicine, Comenius University, Bratislava, Slovak Republic
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16
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Abstract
The testosterone decline is one of the potential causes of oxidative stress-induced anxiety and depressive behaviors, and cognitive impairment induces irreversible neuronal damage, which is not clearly understood. The orchidectomized rat model was used; the hippocampal neurons and anxiety behavior were analyzed. Adult male albino rats were divided into control and orchidectomy (ORX) groups, orchidectomy (ORX + T), and normal (Cont + T) groups. Testosterone propionate was used as a testosterone supplement. The anxiety and depressive-like behavior observed in ORX animals in the open field (OF) and elevated plus-maze experiments were effectively overturned in the ORX + T group. Studies on isolated hippocampus showed reduced antioxidant enzymes (SOD, CAT, and glutathione (GSH) compounds), increased lipid peroxidation (LPO), elevated caspase3, and reduced anti-apoptotic protein Bcl-2, and increased apoptotic nuclei in TUNEL staining of the hippocampus in the ORX rats. These observations indicate free radical-mediated neural damage. Testosterone presence promoted the antioxidant defense system and restored normal pyramidal neuron morphology in ORX + T. This study confirms that testosterone is indispensable in the normal adult hippocampus and deficiency seems to be a potential risk factor for neurodegenerative disorders. Besides, androgen appears to be a possible therapeutic strategy for treating depression/neurodegenerative diseases in aging men.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sakthi Jothi Muthu
- Department of Anatomy, Dr. Arcot Lakshmanasamy Mudaliar Postgraduate Institute of Basic Medical Sciences, University of Madras, Chennai, India
| | - Prakash Seppan
- Department of Anatomy, Dr. Arcot Lakshmanasamy Mudaliar Postgraduate Institute of Basic Medical Sciences, University of Madras, Chennai, India
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17
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Chang KF, Huang XF, Chang JT, Huang YC, Weng JC, Tsai NM. Cedrol suppresses glioblastoma progression by triggering DNA damage and blocking nuclear translocation of the androgen receptor. Cancer Lett 2020; 495:180-190. [DOI: 10.1016/j.canlet.2020.09.007] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/01/2020] [Revised: 08/19/2020] [Accepted: 09/06/2020] [Indexed: 12/20/2022]
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18
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Renczés E, Borbélyová V, Keresztesová L, Ostatníková D, Celec P, Hodosy J. The age-dependent effect of pre-pubertal castration on anxiety-like behaviour in male rats. Andrologia 2020; 52:e13649. [PMID: 32436231 DOI: 10.1111/and.13649] [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: 03/24/2020] [Accepted: 04/28/2020] [Indexed: 11/28/2022] Open
Abstract
Adolescence is considered to be a critical period of sex hormone action (re)organising the brain and determining the behavioural phenotype. Such organisational effects in the brain might be the cause of sex differences in some behavioural features. In this experiment, we aimed to examine the role of pubertal sex hormones in development of anxiety in male rats. Male rats underwent gonadectomy prior to puberty onset, and were tested for explorative and anxiety-like behaviour in adolescence as well as in young adulthood. In adolescence, but not in adulthood, gonadectomised rats spend by 50% more time (p < .05) in the centre zone of the open-field than sham-operated counterparts. Young adult gonadectomised rats showed approximately 1.5-fold greater exploratory activity, in both open field (p < .001) and elevated plus maze (p < .01), in comparison with young adult control rats. Our results indicate that pre-pubertal castration may have test-specific anxiolytic effect in adolescent male rats, and it may attenuate the decline in explorative behaviour in young adult males. These differences in short- and long-term effects of gonadectomy could explain some contradictory results of previous studies on the role of testosterone in anxiety-like behaviour of male rodents. Thus, the age-specific consequences of pre-pubertal hormone deprivation should be considered.
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Affiliation(s)
- Emese Renczés
- Institute of Molecular Biomedicine, Faculty of Medicine, Comenius University in Bratislava, Bratislava, Slovakia
| | - Veronika Borbélyová
- Institute of Molecular Biomedicine, Faculty of Medicine, Comenius University in Bratislava, Bratislava, Slovakia
| | - Lenka Keresztesová
- Institute of Molecular Biomedicine, Faculty of Medicine, Comenius University in Bratislava, Bratislava, Slovakia
| | - Daniela Ostatníková
- Institute of Physiology, Faculty of Medicine, Comenius University in Bratislava, Bratislava, Slovakia
| | - Peter Celec
- Institute of Molecular Biomedicine, Faculty of Medicine, Comenius University in Bratislava, Bratislava, Slovakia.,Institute of Pathophysiology, Faculty of Medicine, Comenius University in Bratislava, Bratislava, Slovakia.,Department of Molecular Biology, Faculty of Natural Sciences, Comenius University in Bratislava, Bratislava, Slovakia
| | - Július Hodosy
- Institute of Molecular Biomedicine, Faculty of Medicine, Comenius University in Bratislava, Bratislava, Slovakia.,Institute of Physiology, Faculty of Medicine, Comenius University in Bratislava, Bratislava, Slovakia
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19
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Khakpay R, Khakpai F. Modulation of anxiety behavior in gonadectomized animals. Acta Neurobiol Exp (Wars) 2020. [DOI: 10.21307/ane-2020-019] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/11/2022]
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20
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Hillerer KM, Slattery DA, Pletzer B. Neurobiological mechanisms underlying sex-related differences in stress-related disorders: Effects of neuroactive steroids on the hippocampus. Front Neuroendocrinol 2019; 55:100796. [PMID: 31580837 PMCID: PMC7115954 DOI: 10.1016/j.yfrne.2019.100796] [Citation(s) in RCA: 26] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/08/2018] [Revised: 09/26/2019] [Accepted: 09/27/2019] [Indexed: 12/19/2022]
Abstract
Men and women differ in their vulnerability to a variety of stress-related illnesses, but the underlying neurobiological mechanisms are not well understood. This is likely due to a comparative dearth of neurobiological studies that assess male and female rodents at the same time, while human neuroimaging studies often don't model sex as a variable of interest. These sex differences are often attributed to the actions of sex hormones, i.e. estrogens, progestogens and androgens. In this review, we summarize the results on sex hormone actions in the hippocampus and seek to bridge the gap between animal models and findings in humans. However, while effects of sex hormones on the hippocampus are largely consistent in animals and humans, methodological differences challenge the comparability of animal and human studies on stress effects. We summarise our current understanding of the neurobiological mechanisms that underlie sex-related differences in behavior and discuss implications for stress-related illnesses.
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Affiliation(s)
- Katharina M Hillerer
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynaecology, Salzburger Landeskrankenhaus (SALK), Paracelsus Medical University (PMU), Clinical Research Center Salzburg (CRCS), Salzburg, Austria.
| | - David A Slattery
- Department of Psychiatry, Psychosomatic Medicine and Psychotherapy, University Hospital, Goethe University, Frankfurt, Germany
| | - Belinda Pletzer
- Department of Psychology, University of Salzburg, Salzburg, Austria; Centre for Cognitive Neuroscience, University of Salzburg, Salzburg, Austria
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21
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Kyne RF, Barrett AR, Brown LM, Paul MJ. Prepubertal ovarian inhibition of Light/Dark Box exploration and novel object investigation in juvenile Siberian hamsters. Horm Behav 2019; 115:104559. [PMID: 31310759 DOI: 10.1016/j.yhbeh.2019.07.007] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/22/2019] [Revised: 07/01/2019] [Accepted: 07/12/2019] [Indexed: 11/24/2022]
Abstract
The overwhelming majority of research on the role of gonadal hormones in behavioral development has focused on perinatal, pubertal, or adult life stages. The juvenile period has been overlooked because it is thought to be a time of gonadal quiescence. In the present study, we tested whether prepubertal gonadectomy impacts the behavior of male and female juvenile hamsters on the Light/Dark Box, Novel Object, and Social Approach tests (Experiment 1) and compared these findings to those obtained after adult gonadectomy (Experiment 2). Prepubertal ovariectomy increased exploration (i.e. time spent in the light zone of the Light/Dark Box) and novel object investigation of juveniles indicating an inhibitory role for the juvenile ovary; social approach was unaffected. In contrast, adult ovariectomy and castration (both prepubertal and adult) had no effect on any behavioral measure. Experiment 3 tested whether rearing hamsters in a short day length (SD), which delays puberty in this species, extends the interval of juvenile ovarian inhibition on exploration and novelty seeking. We also tested whether provision of estradiol reverses the effects of prepubertal ovariectomy. Hormonal manipulations and behavioral tests of Experiment 3 were conducted at ages when long day-reared hamsters are adult (as in Experiment 2), but SD-reared hamsters remain reproductively immature. Ovariectomy again increased exploration in the SD-reared juveniles despite the older age of surgery and testing. Estradiol treatment had no effect. These findings reveal a novel role for the juvenile ovary in exploration and novelty seeking that is unlikely to be mediated exclusively by estradiol.
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Affiliation(s)
- R F Kyne
- Department of Psychology, University at Buffalo SUNY, Buffalo, NY, USA; Neuroscience Program, University at Buffalo SUNY, Buffalo, NY, USA.
| | - A R Barrett
- Department of Psychology, University at Buffalo SUNY, Buffalo, NY, USA.
| | - L M Brown
- Department of Psychology, University at Buffalo SUNY, Buffalo, NY, USA.
| | - M J Paul
- Department of Psychology, University at Buffalo SUNY, Buffalo, NY, USA; Neuroscience Program, University at Buffalo SUNY, Buffalo, NY, USA; Evolution, Ecology, and Behavior Program, University at Buffalo SUNY, Buffalo, NY, USA.
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22
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Zhang K, Yao L. Anxiolytic Effect of Cedrol on Behavior and Brain Neurotransmitter Levels of Female Mice. Biol Pharm Bull 2019; 42:1575-1580. [DOI: 10.1248/bpb.b19-00380] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/22/2022]
Affiliation(s)
- Kai Zhang
- School of Agriculture and Biology, Shanghai Jiao Tong University
| | - Lei Yao
- School of Agriculture and Biology, Shanghai Jiao Tong University
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23
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Stanikova D, Luck T, Pabst A, Bae YJ, Hinz A, Glaesmer H, Stanik J, Sacher J, Engel C, Enzenbach C, Wirkner K, Ceglarek U, Thiery J, Kratzsch J, Riedel-Heller SG. Associations Between Anxiety, Body Mass Index, and Sex Hormones in Women. Front Psychiatry 2019; 10:479. [PMID: 31333520 PMCID: PMC6620895 DOI: 10.3389/fpsyt.2019.00479] [Citation(s) in RCA: 13] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/19/2019] [Accepted: 06/18/2019] [Indexed: 01/16/2023] Open
Abstract
Background: Several studies have shown a positive association between anxiety and obesity, particularly in women. We aimed to study whether sex hormone alterations related to obesity might play a role in this association. Patients and methods: Data for this study were obtained from a population-based cohort study (the LIFE-Adult-Study). A total of 3,124 adult women (970 premenopausal and 2,154 postmenopausal) were included into the analyses. The anxiety symptomatology was assessed using the GAD-7 questionnaire (cut-off ≥ 10 points). Sex hormones were measured from fasting serum samples. Results: We did not find significant differences in anxiety prevalence in premenopausal obese women compared with normal-weight controls (4.8% vs. 5.5%). Both obesity and anxiety symptomatology were separately associated with the same sex hormone alteration in premenopausal women: higher total testosterone level (0.97 ± 0.50 in obese vs. 0.86 ± 0.49 nmol/L in normal-weight women, p = 0.026 and 1.04 ± 0.59 in women with vs. 0.88 ± 0.49 nmol/L in women without anxiety symptomatology, p = 0.023). However, women with anxiety symptomatology had non-significantly higher estradiol levels than women without anxiety symptomatology (548.0 ± 507.6 vs. 426.2 ± 474.0 pmol/L), whereas obesity was associated with lower estradiol levels compared with those in normal-weight group (332.7 ± 386.5 vs. 470.8 ± 616.0 pmol/L). Women with anxiety symptomatology had also significantly higher testosterone and estradiol composition (p = 0.006). No associations of sex hormone levels and BMI with anxiety symptomatology in postmenopausal women were found. Conclusions: Although both obesity and anxiety symptomatology were separately associated with higher testosterone level, there was an opposite impact of anxiety and obesity on estradiol levels in premenopausal women. We did not find an evidence that the sex hormone alterations related to obesity are playing a significant role in anxiety symptomatology in premenopausal women. This could be the explanation why we did not find an association between obesity and anxiety. In postmenopausal women, other mechanisms seem to work than in the premenopausal group.
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Affiliation(s)
- Daniela Stanikova
- Institute of Social Medicine, Occupational Health and Public Health, University of Leipzig, Leipzig, Germany.,Institute of Experimental Endocrinology, Biomedical Research Center, Slovak Academy of Sciences, Bratislava, Slovakia.,Department of Pediatrics, Medical Faculty, Comenius University and National Institute of Children's Health, Bratislava, Slovakia
| | - Tobias Luck
- Department of Economic and Social Sciences & Institute of Social Medicine, Rehabilitation Sciences and Healthcare Research (ISRV), University of Applied Sciences Nordhausen, Nordhausen, Germany.,LIFE-Leipzig Research Center for Civilization Diseases, University of Leipzig, Leipzig, Germany
| | - Alexander Pabst
- Institute of Social Medicine, Occupational Health and Public Health, University of Leipzig, Leipzig, Germany
| | - Yoon Ju Bae
- Institute of Laboratory Medicine, Clinical Chemistry and Molecular Diagnostics, University of Leipzig, Leipzig, Germany
| | - Andreas Hinz
- Department of Medical Psychology and Medical Sociology, University of Leipzig, Leipzig, Germany
| | - Heide Glaesmer
- Department of Medical Psychology and Medical Sociology, University of Leipzig, Leipzig, Germany
| | - Juraj Stanik
- Institute of Experimental Endocrinology, Biomedical Research Center, Slovak Academy of Sciences, Bratislava, Slovakia.,Department of Pediatrics, Medical Faculty, Comenius University and National Institute of Children's Health, Bratislava, Slovakia.,Center for Pediatric Research Leipzig, University Hospital for Children & Adolescents, University of Leipzig, Leipzig, Germany
| | - Julia Sacher
- Department of Neurology, Max Planck Institute for Human Cognitive and Brain Sciences, Leipzig, Germany.,Emotion & NeuroimaGinG (EGG) Lab, Max Planck Institute for Human Cognitive and Brain Sciences, Leipzig, Germany.,Clinic of Cognitive Neurology, University of Leipzig, Leipzig, Germany
| | - Christoph Engel
- LIFE-Leipzig Research Center for Civilization Diseases, University of Leipzig, Leipzig, Germany.,Institute for Medical Informatics, Statistics and Epidemiology, University of Leipzig, Leipzig, Germany
| | - Cornelia Enzenbach
- LIFE-Leipzig Research Center for Civilization Diseases, University of Leipzig, Leipzig, Germany.,Institute for Medical Informatics, Statistics and Epidemiology, University of Leipzig, Leipzig, Germany
| | - Kerstin Wirkner
- LIFE-Leipzig Research Center for Civilization Diseases, University of Leipzig, Leipzig, Germany
| | - Uta Ceglarek
- LIFE-Leipzig Research Center for Civilization Diseases, University of Leipzig, Leipzig, Germany.,Institute of Laboratory Medicine, Clinical Chemistry and Molecular Diagnostics, University of Leipzig, Leipzig, Germany
| | - Joachim Thiery
- LIFE-Leipzig Research Center for Civilization Diseases, University of Leipzig, Leipzig, Germany.,Institute of Laboratory Medicine, Clinical Chemistry and Molecular Diagnostics, University of Leipzig, Leipzig, Germany
| | - Juergen Kratzsch
- Institute of Laboratory Medicine, Clinical Chemistry and Molecular Diagnostics, University of Leipzig, Leipzig, Germany
| | - Steffi G Riedel-Heller
- Institute of Social Medicine, Occupational Health and Public Health, University of Leipzig, Leipzig, Germany
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Pinares-Garcia P, Stratikopoulos M, Zagato A, Loke H, Lee J. Sex: A Significant Risk Factor for Neurodevelopmental and Neurodegenerative Disorders. Brain Sci 2018; 8:E154. [PMID: 30104506 PMCID: PMC6120011 DOI: 10.3390/brainsci8080154] [Citation(s) in RCA: 108] [Impact Index Per Article: 18.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/26/2018] [Revised: 08/08/2018] [Accepted: 08/10/2018] [Indexed: 12/11/2022] Open
Abstract
Males and females sometimes significantly differ in their propensity to develop neurological disorders. Females suffer more from mood disorders such as depression and anxiety, whereas males are more susceptible to deficits in the dopamine system including Parkinson's disease (PD), attention-deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) and autism. Despite this, biological sex is rarely considered when making treatment decisions in neurological disorders. A better understanding of the molecular mechanism(s) underlying sex differences in the healthy and diseased brain will help to devise diagnostic and therapeutic strategies optimal for each sex. Thus, the aim of this review is to discuss the available evidence on sex differences in neuropsychiatric and neurodegenerative disorders regarding prevalence, progression, symptoms and response to therapy. We also discuss the sex-related factors such as gonadal sex hormones and sex chromosome genes and how these might help to explain some of the clinically observed sex differences in these disorders. In particular, we highlight the emerging role of the Y-chromosome gene, SRY, in the male brain and its potential role as a male-specific risk factor for disorders such as PD, autism, and ADHD in many individuals.
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Affiliation(s)
- Paulo Pinares-Garcia
- Brain and Gender laboratory, Centre for Endocrinology and Metabolism, Hudson Institute of Medical Research, Clayton, Victoria 3168, Australia.
- Department of Anatomy and Developmental Biology, Monash University, Clayton, Victoria 3168, Australia.
| | - Marielle Stratikopoulos
- Brain and Gender laboratory, Centre for Endocrinology and Metabolism, Hudson Institute of Medical Research, Clayton, Victoria 3168, Australia.
- Department of Anatomy and Developmental Biology, Monash University, Clayton, Victoria 3168, Australia.
| | - Alice Zagato
- Brain and Gender laboratory, Centre for Endocrinology and Metabolism, Hudson Institute of Medical Research, Clayton, Victoria 3168, Australia.
- School of Life and Environmental Sciences, Deakin University, Burwood, Victoria 3125, Australia.
| | - Hannah Loke
- Brain and Gender laboratory, Centre for Endocrinology and Metabolism, Hudson Institute of Medical Research, Clayton, Victoria 3168, Australia.
| | - Joohyung Lee
- Brain and Gender laboratory, Centre for Endocrinology and Metabolism, Hudson Institute of Medical Research, Clayton, Victoria 3168, Australia.
- Department of Anatomy and Developmental Biology, Monash University, Clayton, Victoria 3168, Australia.
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Domonkos E, Hodosy J, Ostatníková D, Celec P. On the Role of Testosterone in Anxiety-Like Behavior Across Life in Experimental Rodents. Front Endocrinol (Lausanne) 2018; 9:441. [PMID: 30127767 PMCID: PMC6088149 DOI: 10.3389/fendo.2018.00441] [Citation(s) in RCA: 27] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/31/2018] [Accepted: 07/17/2018] [Indexed: 11/13/2022] Open
Abstract
Testosterone affects brain functions and might explain some of the observed behavioral sex differences. Animal models may help in elucidating the possible involvement of sex hormones in these sex differences. The effects of testosterone have been intensively investigated, especially in anxiety models. Numerous experiments have brought inconsistent results with either anxiolytic or anxiogenic effects. Besides methodological variations, contradictory findings might be explained by the divergent metabolism of testosterone and its recognition by neurons during prenatal and postnatal development. Gonadectomy and subsequent supplementation have been used to study the role of sex hormones. However, the variable duration of hypogonadism might affect the outcomes and the effect of long-term androgen deficiency is understudied. Testosterone can be metabolized to dihydrotestosterone strengthening the androgen signaling, but also to estradiol converting the androgen to estrogen activity. Moreover, some metabolites of testosterone can modulate γ-aminobutyric acid and serotonergic neurotransmission. Here we review the currently available experimental data in experimental rodents on the effects of testosterone on anxiety during development. Based on the experimental results, females are generally less anxious than males from puberty to middle-age. The anxiety-like behavior of females and males is likely influenced by early organizational effects, but might be modified by activational effects of testosterone and its metabolites. The effects of sex hormones leading to anxiogenesis or anxiolysis depend on factors affecting hormonal status including age. The biological and several technical issues make the study of effects of testosterone on anxiety very complex and should be taken into account when interpreting experimental results.
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Affiliation(s)
- Emese Domonkos
- Faculty of Medicine, Institute of Molecular Biomedicine, Comenius University, Bratislava, Slovakia
| | - Július Hodosy
- Faculty of Medicine, Institute of Molecular Biomedicine, Comenius University, Bratislava, Slovakia
- Faculty of Medicine, Institute of Physiology, Comenius University, Bratislava, Slovakia
| | - Daniela Ostatníková
- Faculty of Medicine, Institute of Physiology, Comenius University, Bratislava, Slovakia
| | - Peter Celec
- Faculty of Medicine, Institute of Molecular Biomedicine, Comenius University, Bratislava, Slovakia
- Faculty of Medicine, Institute of Pathophysiology, Comenius University, Bratislava, Slovakia
- Department of Molecular Biology, Faculty of Natural Sciences, Comenius University, Bratislava, Slovakia
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Liang Y, Li J, Jin T, Gu T, Zhu Q, Hu Y, Yang Y, Li J, Wu D, Jiang K, Xu X. Bisphenol-A inhibits improvement of testosterone in anxiety- and depression-like behaviors in gonadectomied male mice. Horm Behav 2018; 102:129-138. [PMID: 29778459 DOI: 10.1016/j.yhbeh.2018.05.012] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/04/2018] [Revised: 04/20/2018] [Accepted: 05/15/2018] [Indexed: 11/30/2022]
Abstract
Bisphenol-A (BPA) is a well-known environmental endocrine disruptor. Developmental exposure to BPA affected a variety of behaviors in multiple model organisms. Our recent study found that exposure to BPA during adulthood aggravated anxiety- and depression-like states in male mice but not in females. In this study, 11-w-old gonadectomied (GDX) male mice daily received subcutaneous injections of testosterone propionate (TP, 0.5 mg/kg), TP and BPA (0.04, 0.4, or 4 mg/kg), or vehicle for 45 days. BPA (0.4 or 4 mg/kg) did not affect the elevated plus maze task of GDX mice but shortened the time on open arms and decreased the frequency of head dips of sham and TP-GDX mice. In forced swim task, BPA prolonged the total time of immobility of both sham and TP-GDX mice but not GDX mice. In addition, BPA reduced the levels of T in the serum and the brain of sham and TP-GDX mice. Western blot analysis further showed that BPA reduced the levels of androgen receptor (AR) and GABA(A)α2 receptor of the hippocampus and the amygdala in sham and inhibited the rescue of TP in these proteins levels of GDX mice. Meanwhile, BPA decreased the level of phospho-ERK1/2 in these two brain regions of sham and TP-GDX mice. These results suggest that long-term exposure to BPA inhibited TP-improved anxiety- and depression-like behaviors in GDX male mice. The down-regulated levels of GABA(A)α2 receptor and AR and an inhibited activity of ERK1/2 pathway in the hippocampus and the amygdala may be involved in these process.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yvfeng Liang
- Chemistry and Life Sciences College, Key Laboratory of Wildlife Biotechnology and Conservation and Utilization of Zhejiang Province, Zhejiang Normal University, PR China
| | - Jiahong Li
- Chemistry and Life Sciences College, Key Laboratory of Wildlife Biotechnology and Conservation and Utilization of Zhejiang Province, Zhejiang Normal University, PR China
| | - Tao Jin
- Chemistry and Life Sciences College, Key Laboratory of Wildlife Biotechnology and Conservation and Utilization of Zhejiang Province, Zhejiang Normal University, PR China
| | - Ting Gu
- Chemistry and Life Sciences College, Key Laboratory of Wildlife Biotechnology and Conservation and Utilization of Zhejiang Province, Zhejiang Normal University, PR China
| | - Qingjie Zhu
- Chemistry and Life Sciences College, Key Laboratory of Wildlife Biotechnology and Conservation and Utilization of Zhejiang Province, Zhejiang Normal University, PR China
| | - Yizhong Hu
- Chemistry and Life Sciences College, Key Laboratory of Wildlife Biotechnology and Conservation and Utilization of Zhejiang Province, Zhejiang Normal University, PR China
| | - Yang Yang
- Chemistry and Life Sciences College, Key Laboratory of Wildlife Biotechnology and Conservation and Utilization of Zhejiang Province, Zhejiang Normal University, PR China
| | - Jisui Li
- Chemistry and Life Sciences College, Key Laboratory of Wildlife Biotechnology and Conservation and Utilization of Zhejiang Province, Zhejiang Normal University, PR China
| | - Donghong Wu
- Chemistry and Life Sciences College, Key Laboratory of Wildlife Biotechnology and Conservation and Utilization of Zhejiang Province, Zhejiang Normal University, PR China
| | - Kesheng Jiang
- Chemistry and Life Sciences College, Key Laboratory of Wildlife Biotechnology and Conservation and Utilization of Zhejiang Province, Zhejiang Normal University, PR China
| | - Xiaohong Xu
- Chemistry and Life Sciences College, Key Laboratory of Wildlife Biotechnology and Conservation and Utilization of Zhejiang Province, Zhejiang Normal University, PR China; Zhejiang Provincial Key Laboratory of Ecology, Zhejiang Normal University, PR China.
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Huber SE, Zoicas I, Reichel M, Mühle C, Büttner C, Ekici AB, Eulenburg V, Lenz B, Kornhuber J, Müller CP. Prenatal androgen receptor activation determines adult alcohol and water drinking in a sex-specific way. Addict Biol 2018; 23:904-920. [PMID: 28776866 DOI: 10.1111/adb.12540] [Citation(s) in RCA: 24] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/07/2017] [Revised: 06/23/2017] [Accepted: 06/27/2017] [Indexed: 01/16/2023]
Abstract
Alcohol use disorders are major psychiatric disorders. Correlational studies in humans suggested organizational hormonal effects during embryonic development as a risk factor for adult alcohol dependence. Permanent changes can be induced by the activity of sex hormones, like testosterone. Here, we demonstrate a relationship between prenatal androgen receptor (AR)-activation and adult alcohol as well as water drinking in mice in a sex-dependent fashion. Prenatal AR inhibition using the antagonist flutamide decreased adult male alcohol consumption. In contrast, prenatal AR activation by dihydrotestosterone (DHT) led to an increase in adult alcohol consumption in females. These effects were different in adult water drinking, flutamide increased water consumption in females and DHT increased water consumption in males. Prenatal flutamide reduced locomotion and anxiety in adult males but was ineffective in females. We found that prenatal AR activation controls adult levels of monoaminergic modulatory transmitters in the brain and blood hormone levels in a sex-specific way. RNA-Seq analysis confirmed a prenatal AR mediated control of adult expression of alcohol drinking-related genes like Bdnf and Per2. These findings demonstrate that prenatal androgen activity is a risk factor for the establishment of alcohol consumption in adults by its organizational effects.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sabine E. Huber
- Department of Psychiatry and Psychotherapy; University Clinic, Friedrich-Alexander-University Erlangen-Nuremberg; Germany
| | - Iulia Zoicas
- Department of Psychiatry and Psychotherapy; University Clinic, Friedrich-Alexander-University Erlangen-Nuremberg; Germany
| | - Martin Reichel
- Department of Psychiatry and Psychotherapy; University Clinic, Friedrich-Alexander-University Erlangen-Nuremberg; Germany
- Department of Nephrology and Hypertension; Friedrich-Alexander-University Erlangen-Nuremberg; Germany
| | - Christiane Mühle
- Department of Psychiatry and Psychotherapy; University Clinic, Friedrich-Alexander-University Erlangen-Nuremberg; Germany
| | - Christian Büttner
- Institute of Human Genetics; Friedrich-Alexander-University Erlangen-Nuremberg; Germany
| | - Arif B. Ekici
- Institute of Human Genetics; Friedrich-Alexander-University Erlangen-Nuremberg; Germany
| | - Volker Eulenburg
- Institute of Biochemistry; Friedrich-Alexander-University Erlangen-Nuremberg; Germany
| | - Bernd Lenz
- Department of Psychiatry and Psychotherapy; University Clinic, Friedrich-Alexander-University Erlangen-Nuremberg; Germany
| | - Johannes Kornhuber
- Department of Psychiatry and Psychotherapy; University Clinic, Friedrich-Alexander-University Erlangen-Nuremberg; Germany
| | - Christian P. Müller
- Department of Psychiatry and Psychotherapy; University Clinic, Friedrich-Alexander-University Erlangen-Nuremberg; Germany
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Fedotova J, Hritcu L. Testosterone promotes anxiolytic-like behavior in gonadectomized male rats via blockade of the 5-HT 1A receptors. Gen Comp Endocrinol 2017; 254:14-21. [PMID: 28919453 DOI: 10.1016/j.ygcen.2017.09.006] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/19/2017] [Revised: 08/26/2017] [Accepted: 09/13/2017] [Indexed: 10/18/2022]
Abstract
This study was designed to examine an anxiety-like behavior in the adult gonadectomized (GDX) male rats subjected to testosterone propionate (TP) treatment alone or in combination with 8-OH-DPAT, a 5-HT1A receptor agonist, or with NAN-190, 5-HT1A receptor antagonist. Two weeks after gonadectomy, GDX rats were subjected by treatments with the solvent, TP (0.5mg/kg, s.c.), 8-OH-DPAT (0.05mg/kg, s.c.), NAN-190 (0.1mg/kg, i.p.), TP in combination with 8-OH-DPAT or NAN-190 during 14days. Anxiety behavior was assessed in the elevated plus maze (EPM) and the open field test (OFT). 8-OH-DPAT treatment failed to modify the anxiety-like behavior of GDX rats in the EPM as compared to the GDX rats given with oil solvent. NAN-190 injected alone or in combination with TP to GDX rats resulted in a significant anxiolytic-like effect as compared to the GDX given with oil solvent or TP application. Our data indicate that the combination of NAN-190 and TP is more effective than TP alone in GDX rats inducing a more profound anxiolytic-like effect in the EPM. Thus, the results of this study suggest that effects of 5-HT1A receptor agonist/antagonist can modify anxiety level in opposite direction in male rats after gonadectomy.
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Affiliation(s)
- Julia Fedotova
- Laboratory of Neuroendocrinology, I.P. Pavlov Institute of Physiology of the Russian Academy of Sciences, 6 Emb. Makarova, St. Petersburg 199034, Russia; Department of Chemistry and Molecular Biology, ITMO University, 49 Kronverksky pr., St. Petersburg 197101, Russia
| | - Lucian Hritcu
- Department of Biology, Alexandru Ioan Cuza University of Iasi, Bd. Carol I, No. 11, 700506, Romania.
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Huber SE, Lenz B, Kornhuber J, Müller CP. Prenatal androgen-receptor activity has organizational morphological effects in mice. PLoS One 2017; 12:e0188752. [PMID: 29176856 PMCID: PMC5703447 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0188752] [Citation(s) in RCA: 25] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/31/2017] [Accepted: 11/12/2017] [Indexed: 11/19/2022] Open
Abstract
Prenatal sex hormones exert organizational effects. It has been suggested that prenatal sex hormones affect adult morphological parameters, such as the finger length. Especially the second-to-fourth finger length (2D:4D) ratio has been implicated to be modified when exposed to higher androgen levels in utero. Here we show in a mouse model that experimental manipulation of the prenatal androgen level, by blocking the androgen receptor with flutamide or activating the androgen receptor with dihydrotestosterone (DHT), leads to changes in the length of the fingers of all paws in males and females. In addition to that, also total paw length and the 2D:4D ratio was affected. In males treated with DHT, the 2D:4D ratio was increased, while flutamide-treatment in females led to a reduced 2D:4D ratio. We also measured other parameters, such as head size, body length and tail length and demonstrate that body morphology is affected by prenatal androgen exposure with more prominent effects in females. Another factor that is thought to be influenced by early androgens is handedness. We tested mice for handedness, but did not find a significant effect of the prenatal treatment. These findings demonstrate that prenatal androgen activity is involved in the development of body morphology and might be a useful marker for prenatal androgen exposure.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sabine E. Huber
- Department of Psychiatry and Psychotherapy, University Clinic, Friedrich-Alexander University Erlangen-Nürnberg (FAU), Erlangen, Germany
| | - Bernd Lenz
- Department of Psychiatry and Psychotherapy, University Clinic, Friedrich-Alexander University Erlangen-Nürnberg (FAU), Erlangen, Germany
| | - Johannes Kornhuber
- Department of Psychiatry and Psychotherapy, University Clinic, Friedrich-Alexander University Erlangen-Nürnberg (FAU), Erlangen, Germany
| | - Christian P. Müller
- Department of Psychiatry and Psychotherapy, University Clinic, Friedrich-Alexander University Erlangen-Nürnberg (FAU), Erlangen, Germany
- * E-mail:
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Gonadal hormones affect alcohol drinking, but not cue+yohimbine-induced alcohol seeking, in male and female rats. Physiol Behav 2017; 203:70-80. [PMID: 29106989 DOI: 10.1016/j.physbeh.2017.10.025] [Citation(s) in RCA: 23] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/31/2017] [Revised: 08/18/2017] [Accepted: 10/23/2017] [Indexed: 11/22/2022]
Abstract
Alcohol use disorder (AUD) is a chronic, relapsing disease characterized by maladaptive patterns of alcohol drinking and seeking. Though sex differences exist in the etiology of AUD, much remains to be elucidated concerning the mechanisms underlying sex-related vulnerability to developing excessive alcohol-motivated behavior. While a large body of evidence points to an important role of circulating gonadal hormones in mediating cocaine reinforcement, findings are less consistent with respect to ethanol. Critically, the effects of gonadal hormones on the reinstatement of ethanol seeking, a model of "craving"-like behavior that reveals pronounced sex differences, has not yet been examined. Thus, the goal of the present experiment was to directly compare manipulations of gonadal hormones in male and female rats on ethanol-motivated behavior. Rats received sham or gonadectomy surgery with or without hormone replacement prior to and throughout three weeks of operant ethanol self-administration to determine the effects of chronically high or low gonadal hormone levels on ethanol drinking. Hormone treatment ceased during extinction training, and the effects of an acute injection of either testosterone (in males) or estradiol (in females) on cue+yohimbine-induced reinstatement of ethanol seeking was determined. Separate groups of gonadally-intact female rats went through similar training, but the effects of either the antiestrogen, fulvestrant, the selective estrogen receptor modulator, clomiphene, or the estrogen receptor β antagonist, PHTPP, on the reinstatement of ethanol seeking were determined. Chronic estradiol replacement produced significant increases in ethanol drinking in female rats, while chronic testosterone significantly decreased ethanol drinking in male rats. Gonadectomy alone only produced modest shifts in drinking towards the opposite-sex pattern, and did not eliminate the robust sex differences that persisted regardless of hormone manipulations. Neither prior chronic nor acute hormone manipulations altered cue+yohimbine-induced reinstatement of ethanol seeking, though blockade of estrogen receptors tended to reduce reinstatement in gonadally-intact females. Overall, our findings indicate that gonadal hormones at least partially mediate, but do not totally account for the sex differences evident in ethanol self-administration, and circulating gonadal hormones have little effect on the reinstatement of ethanol seeking. These results provide a foundation for future studies examining the neuronal mechanisms underlying sex differences in ethanol drinking and seeking.
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Borbélyová V, Domonkos E, Csongová M, Kačmárová M, Ostatníková D, Celec P, Hodosy J. Sex-dependent effects of letrozole on anxiety in middle-aged rats. Clin Exp Pharmacol Physiol 2017; 44 Suppl 1:93-98. [DOI: 10.1111/1440-1681.12731] [Citation(s) in RCA: 11] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/01/2016] [Revised: 01/04/2017] [Accepted: 01/07/2017] [Indexed: 12/24/2022]
Affiliation(s)
- Veronika Borbélyová
- Institute of Molecular Biomedicine; Faculty of Medicine; Comenius University; Bratislava Slovakia
| | - Emese Domonkos
- Institute of Molecular Biomedicine; Faculty of Medicine; Comenius University; Bratislava Slovakia
| | - Melinda Csongová
- Institute of Molecular Biomedicine; Faculty of Medicine; Comenius University; Bratislava Slovakia
| | - Mária Kačmárová
- Department of Animal Physiology and Ethology; Faculty of Natural Sciences; Comenius University; Bratislava Slovakia
| | - Daniela Ostatníková
- Institute of Physiology; Faculty of Medicine; Comenius University; Bratislava Slovakia
| | - Peter Celec
- Institute of Molecular Biomedicine; Faculty of Medicine; Comenius University; Bratislava Slovakia
- Institute of Pathophysiology; Faculty of Medicine; Comenius University; Bratislava Slovakia
- Department of Molecular Biology; Faculty of Natural Sciences; Comenius University; Bratislava Slovakia
| | - Július Hodosy
- Institute of Molecular Biomedicine; Faculty of Medicine; Comenius University; Bratislava Slovakia
- Institute of Physiology; Faculty of Medicine; Comenius University; Bratislava Slovakia
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32
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Ramikie TS, Ressler KJ. Stress-related disorders, pituitary adenylate cyclase-activating peptide (PACAP)ergic system, and sex differences. DIALOGUES IN CLINICAL NEUROSCIENCE 2017. [PMID: 28179812 PMCID: PMC5286726 DOI: 10.31887/dcns.2016.18.4/kressler] [Citation(s) in RCA: 28] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/26/2022]
Abstract
Trauma-related disorders, such as posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD) are remarkably common and debilitating, and are often characterized by dysregulated threat responses. Across numerous epidemiological studies, females have been found to have an approximately twofold increased risk for PTSD and other stress-related disorders. Understanding the biological mechanisms of this differential risk is of critical importance. Recent data suggest that the pituitary adenylate cyclase-activating polypeptide (PACAP) pathway is a critical regulator of the stress response across species. Moreover, increasing evidence suggests that this pathway is regulated by both stress and estrogen modulation and may provide an important window into understanding mechanisms of sex differences in the stress response. We have recently shown that PACAP and its receptor (PAC1R) are critical mediators of abnormal processes after psychological trauma. Notably, in heavily traumatized human subjects, there appears to be a robust sex-specific association of PACAP blood levels and PAC1R gene variants with fear physiology, PTSD diagnosis, and symptoms, specifically in females. The sex-specific association occurs within a single-nucleotide polymorphism (rs2267735) that resides in a putative estrogen response element involved in PAC1R gene regulation. Complementing these human data, the PAC1R messenger RNA is induced with fear conditioning or estrogen replacement in rodent models. These data suggest that perturbations in the PACAP-PAC1R pathway are regulated by estrogen and are involved in abnormal fear responses underlying PTSD.
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Affiliation(s)
- Teniel S Ramikie
- Department of Psychiatry, McClean Hospital, Harvard Medical School, Belmont, Massachusetts, USA
| | - Kerry J Ressler
- Department of Psychiatry, McClean Hospital, Harvard Medical School, Belmont, Massachusetts, USA
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Meraz-Medina T, Hernández-González M, Bonilla-Jaime H, Guevara MA, Flores-Mancilla L, Vigueras-Villaseñor RM, Arteaga-Silva M. Changes in hormonal levels associated with enforced interval copulation and anxiety in sexually inexperienced and experienced male rats. Physiol Behav 2017; 177:74-81. [PMID: 28385557 DOI: 10.1016/j.physbeh.2017.03.031] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/29/2016] [Revised: 02/19/2017] [Accepted: 03/17/2017] [Indexed: 01/12/2023]
Abstract
This study evaluated the effect of sexual experience on anxiety and hormonal levels associated with the performance of sexual behavior. Two groups of male rats, one with, the second without, sexual experience, were exposed to four different copulatory conditions: ad libitum copulation until ejaculation (ADC-E); enforced interval copulation until ejaculation (EIC-E); ad libitum copulation up to 3 intromissions (ADC-3I); and enforced interval copulation up to 3 intromissions (EIC-E3I). At the end of each condition the animals were subjected to an open-field test to measure anxiety, before being sacrificed to measure corticosterone (CORT) and testosterone (T) levels. The sexually-inexperienced males showed less hyperactivity, lower sexual motivation, and higher anxiety levels. Only in the ADC-E and EIC-E conditions did both the inexperienced and experienced rats have a higher number of entries to the central squares of the open-field test. Both the sexually-inexperienced and experienced male rats showed an increase in CORT levels, but only the latter had increased T levels under all copulatory conditions. These findings reveal that the anxiolytic effect of mating is dependent on previous sexual experience and the degree of control that the male rats had during sexual interaction. The changes in the levels of both hormones could be part of the physiological process necessary to satisfy the demands involved in sexual performance and open filed. These data provide further insight into the role of sexual experience in mediating the release of CORT and T, as well as the anxiolytic effects of ejaculation.
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Affiliation(s)
- Tzintli Meraz-Medina
- Coordinación Lic. en Medicina Veterinaria y Zootecnia, Universidad de Guadalajara, Centro Universitario del Sur, Enrique Arreola 883, Ciudad Guzmán, CP 4900 Guadalajara, Jalisco, Mexico
| | - Marisela Hernández-González
- Instituto de Neurociencias, Universidad de Guadalajara, Francisco de Quevedo 180, Col. Arcos Vallarta, CP 44130 Guadalajara, Jalisco, Mexico
| | - Herlinda Bonilla-Jaime
- Departamento de Biología de la Reproducción, Universidad Autónoma Metropolitana, Iztapalapa, P.O. Box 55 535, CP 09340 Ciudad de México, Mexico
| | - Miguel Angel Guevara
- Instituto de Neurociencias, Universidad de Guadalajara, Francisco de Quevedo 180, Col. Arcos Vallarta, CP 44130 Guadalajara, Jalisco, Mexico
| | - Leopoldo Flores-Mancilla
- Unidad Académica de Medicina Humana y Ciencias de la Salud, Universidad Autónoma de Zacatecasa, Ejido la Escondid, CP 98160 Zacatecas, Mexico
| | | | - Marcela Arteaga-Silva
- Departamento de Biología de la Reproducción, Universidad Autónoma Metropolitana, Iztapalapa, P.O. Box 55 535, CP 09340 Ciudad de México, Mexico.
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Acute gonadotropin-releasing hormone agonist treatment enhances extinction memory in male rats. Psychoneuroendocrinology 2017; 82:164-172. [PMID: 28550793 PMCID: PMC5596662 DOI: 10.1016/j.psyneuen.2017.05.015] [Citation(s) in RCA: 15] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/08/2017] [Revised: 04/13/2017] [Accepted: 05/15/2017] [Indexed: 11/21/2022]
Abstract
Leuprolide acetate (LEU), also known as Lupron, is commonly used to treat prostate cancer in men. As a gonadotropin-releasing hormone (GnRH) receptor agonist, it initially stimulates the release of gonadal hormones, testosterone (T) and estradiol. This surge eventually suppresses these hormones, preventing the further growth and spread of cancer cells. Individuals receiving this treatment often report anxiety and cognitive changes, but LEU's effects on the neural mechanisms that are involved in anxiety during the trajectory of treatment are not well known. In this study, we examined the acute effects of LEU on fear extinction, hypothesizing that increased T levels following a single administration of LEU will facilitate extinction recall by altering neuronal activity within the fear extinction circuitry. Two groups of naïve adult male rats underwent a 3-day fear conditioning, extinction, and recall experiment. The delayed group (n=15) received a single injection of vehicle or LEU (1.2mg/kg) 3weeks before behavioral testing. The acute group (n=25) received an injection one day after fear conditioning, 30min prior to extinction training. Following recall, the brains for all animals were collected for c-fos immunohistochemistry. Blood samples were also collected and assayed for T levels. Acute administration of LEU increased serum T levels during extinction training and enhanced extinction recall 24h later. This enhanced extinction memory was correlated with increased c-fos activity within the infralimbic cortex and amygdala, which was not observed in the delayed group. These results suggest that the elevation in T induced by acute administration of LEU can influence extinction memory consolidation, perhaps through modification of neuronal activity within the infralimbic cortex and amygdala. This may be an important consideration in clinical applications of LEU and its effects on anxiety and cognition.
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Domonkos E, Borbélyová V, Csongová M, Bosý M, Kačmárová M, Ostatníková D, Hodosy J, Celec P. Sex differences and sex hormones in anxiety-like behavior of aging rats. Horm Behav 2017; 93:159-165. [PMID: 28576648 DOI: 10.1016/j.yhbeh.2017.05.019] [Citation(s) in RCA: 56] [Impact Index Per Article: 8.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/21/2016] [Revised: 05/17/2017] [Accepted: 05/28/2017] [Indexed: 01/21/2023]
Abstract
Sex differences in the prevalence of affective disorders might be attributable to different sex hormone milieu. The effects of short-term sex hormone deficiency on behavior, especially on anxiety have been studied in numerous animal experiments, mainly on young adult rats and mice. However, sex differences in aged animals and the effects of long-term hypogonadism are understudied. The aim of our study was to analyze sex differences in anxiety-like behavior in aged rats and to prove whether they can be attributed to endogenous sex hormone production in males. A battery of tests was performed to assess anxiety-like behavior in aged female, male and gonadectomized male rats castrated before puberty. In addition, the aged gonadectomized male rats were treated with a single injection of estradiol or testosterone or supplemented with estradiol for two-weeks. Female rats displayed a less anxious behavior than male rats in most of the conducted behavioral tests except the light-dark box. Long-term androgen deficiency decreased the sex difference in anxiety either partially (open field, PhenoTyper cage) or completely (elevated plus maze). Neither single injection of sex hormones, nor two-week supplementation of estradiol in gonadectomized aged male rats significantly affected their anxiety-like behavior in the elevated plus maze. In conclusion, our results confirm sex differences in anxiety in aged rats likely mediated by endogenous testosterone production in males. Whether long-term supplementation with exogenous sex hormones could affect anxiety-like behavior in elderly individuals remains to be elucidated.
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Affiliation(s)
- Emese Domonkos
- Institute of Molecular Biomedicine, Faculty of Medicine, Comenius University, Bratislava, Slovakia
| | - Veronika Borbélyová
- Institute of Molecular Biomedicine, Faculty of Medicine, Comenius University, Bratislava, Slovakia
| | - Melinda Csongová
- Institute of Molecular Biomedicine, Faculty of Medicine, Comenius University, Bratislava, Slovakia
| | - Martin Bosý
- Institute of Molecular Biomedicine, Faculty of Medicine, Comenius University, Bratislava, Slovakia
| | - Mária Kačmárová
- Institute of Molecular Biomedicine, Faculty of Medicine, Comenius University, Bratislava, Slovakia
| | - Daniela Ostatníková
- Institute of Physiology, Faculty of Medicine, Comenius University, Bratislava, Slovakia.
| | - Július Hodosy
- Institute of Molecular Biomedicine, Faculty of Medicine, Comenius University, Bratislava, Slovakia; Institute of Physiology, Faculty of Medicine, Comenius University, Bratislava, Slovakia
| | - Peter Celec
- Institute of Molecular Biomedicine, Faculty of Medicine, Comenius University, Bratislava, Slovakia; Institute of Pathophysiology, Faculty of Medicine, Comenius University, Bratislava, Slovakia; Department of Molecular Biology, Faculty of Natural Sciences, Comenius University, Bratislava, Slovakia.
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Braem M, Asher L, Furrer S, Lechner I, Würbel H, Melotti L. Development of the "Highly Sensitive Dog" questionnaire to evaluate the personality dimension "Sensory Processing Sensitivity" in dogs. PLoS One 2017; 12:e0177616. [PMID: 28520773 PMCID: PMC5433715 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0177616] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/22/2016] [Accepted: 04/28/2017] [Indexed: 12/22/2022] Open
Abstract
In humans, the personality dimension 'sensory processing sensitivity (SPS)', also referred to as "high sensitivity", involves deeper processing of sensory information, which can be associated with physiological and behavioral overarousal. However, it has not been studied up to now whether this dimension also exists in other species. SPS can influence how people perceive the environment and how this affects them, thus a similar dimension in animals would be highly relevant with respect to animal welfare. We therefore explored whether SPS translates to dogs, one of the primary model species in personality research. A 32-item questionnaire to assess the "highly sensitive dog score" (HSD-s) was developed based on the "highly sensitive person" (HSP) questionnaire. A large-scale, international online survey was conducted, including the HSD questionnaire, as well as questions on fearfulness, neuroticism, "demographic" (e.g. dog sex, age, weight; age at adoption, etc.) and "human" factors (e.g. owner age, sex, profession, communication style, etc.), and the HSP questionnaire. Data were analyzed using linear mixed effect models with forward stepwise selection to test prediction of HSD-s by the above-mentioned factors, with country of residence and dog breed treated as random effects. A total of 3647 questionnaires were fully completed. HSD-, fearfulness, neuroticism and HSP-scores showed good internal consistencies, and HSD-s only moderately correlated with fearfulness and neuroticism scores, paralleling previous findings in humans. Intra- (N = 447) and inter-rater (N = 120) reliabilities were good. Demographic and human factors, including HSP score, explained only a small amount of the variance of HSD-s. A PCA analysis identified three subtraits of SPS, comparable to human findings. Overall, the measured personality dimension in dogs showed good internal consistency, partial independence from fearfulness and neuroticism, and good intra- and inter-rater reliability, indicating good construct validity of the HSD questionnaire. Human and demographic factors only marginally affected the HSD-s suggesting that, as hypothesized for human SPS, a genetic basis may underlie this dimension within the dog species.
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Affiliation(s)
- Maya Braem
- Division of Animal Welfare, Veterinary Public Health Institute, Vetsuisse Faculty, University of Berne, Berne, Switzerland
- * E-mail:
| | - Lucy Asher
- Centre for Behaviour and Evolution, Institute of Neuroscience, Newcastle University, Newcastle, United Kingdom
| | - Sibylle Furrer
- Division of Animal Welfare, Veterinary Public Health Institute, Vetsuisse Faculty, University of Berne, Berne, Switzerland
| | - Isabel Lechner
- Veterinary Public Health Institute, Vetsuisse Faculty, University of Berne, Berne, Switzerland
| | - Hanno Würbel
- Division of Animal Welfare, Veterinary Public Health Institute, Vetsuisse Faculty, University of Berne, Berne, Switzerland
| | - Luca Melotti
- Division of Animal Welfare, Veterinary Public Health Institute, Vetsuisse Faculty, University of Berne, Berne, Switzerland
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Muller MN. Testosterone and reproductive effort in male primates. Horm Behav 2017; 91:36-51. [PMID: 27616559 PMCID: PMC5342957 DOI: 10.1016/j.yhbeh.2016.09.001] [Citation(s) in RCA: 93] [Impact Index Per Article: 13.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/28/2016] [Revised: 09/06/2016] [Accepted: 09/07/2016] [Indexed: 10/21/2022]
Abstract
Considerable evidence suggests that the steroid hormone testosterone mediates major life-history trade-offs in vertebrates, promoting mating effort at the expense of parenting effort or survival. Observations from a range of wild primates support the "Challenge Hypothesis," which posits that variation in male testosterone is more closely associated with aggressive mating competition than with reproductive physiology. In both seasonally and non-seasonally breeding species, males increase testosterone production primarily when competing for fecund females. In species where males compete to maintain long-term access to females, testosterone increases when males are threatened with losing access to females, rather than during mating periods. And when male status is linked to mating success, and dependent on aggression, high-ranking males normally maintain higher testosterone levels than subordinates, particularly when dominance hierarchies are unstable. Trade-offs between parenting effort and mating effort appear to be weak in most primates, because direct investment in the form of infant transport and provisioning is rare. Instead, infant protection is the primary form of paternal investment in the order. Testosterone does not inhibit this form of investment, which relies on male aggression. Testosterone has a wide range of effects in primates that plausibly function to support male competitive behavior. These include psychological effects related to dominance striving, analgesic effects, and effects on the development and maintenance of the armaments and adornments that males employ in mating competition.
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Affiliation(s)
- Martin N Muller
- Department of Anthropology, University of New Mexico, United States.
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Lynch JJ, Van Vleet TR, Mittelstadt SW, Blomme EAG. Potential functional and pathological side effects related to off-target pharmacological activity. J Pharmacol Toxicol Methods 2017; 87:108-126. [PMID: 28216264 DOI: 10.1016/j.vascn.2017.02.020] [Citation(s) in RCA: 48] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/01/2016] [Revised: 01/24/2017] [Accepted: 02/15/2017] [Indexed: 12/22/2022]
Abstract
Most pharmaceutical companies test their discovery-stage proprietary molecules in a battery of in vitro pharmacology assays to try to determine off-target interactions. During all phases of drug discovery and development, various questions arise regarding potential side effects associated with such off-target pharmacological activity. Here we present a scientific literature curation effort undertaken to determine and summarize the most likely functional and pathological outcomes associated with interactions at 70 receptors, enzymes, ion channels and transporters with established links to adverse effects. To that end, the scientific literature was reviewed using an on-line database, and the most commonly reported effects were summarized in tabular format. The resultant table should serve as a practical guide for research scientists and clinical investigators for the prediction and interpretation of adverse side effects associated with molecules interacting with components of this screening battery.
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Affiliation(s)
- James J Lynch
- AbbVie Inc., 1 North Waukegan Road, North Chicago, IL 60064, USA.
| | | | | | - Eric A G Blomme
- AbbVie Inc., 1 North Waukegan Road, North Chicago, IL 60064, USA
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Nikmahzar E, Jahanshahi M, Ghaemi A, Naseri GR, Moharreri AR, Lotfinia AA. Hippocampal serotonin-2A receptor-immunoreactive neurons density increases after testosterone therapy in the gonadectomized male mice. Anat Cell Biol 2016; 49:259-272. [PMID: 28127501 PMCID: PMC5266105 DOI: 10.5115/acb.2016.49.4.259] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/17/2016] [Revised: 10/06/2016] [Accepted: 12/09/2016] [Indexed: 12/15/2022] Open
Abstract
The change of steroid levels may also exert different modulatory effects on the number and class of serotonin receptors present in the plasma membrane. The effects of chronic treatment of testosterone for anxiety were examined and expression of 5-HT2A serotonergic receptor, neuron, astrocyte, and dark neuron density in the hippocampus of gonadectomized male mice was determined. Thirty-six adult male NMRI mice were randomly divided into six groups: intact-no testosterone treatment (No T), gonadectomy (GDX)-No T, GDX-Vehicle, GDX-6.25 mg/kg testosterone (T), GDX-12.5 mg/kg T, and GDX-25 mg/kg T. Anxiety-related behavior was evaluated using elevated plus maze apparatus. The animals were anesthetized after 48 hours after behavioral testing, and decapitated and micron slices were prepared for immunohistochemical as well as histopathological assessment. Subcutaneous injection of testosterone (25 mg/kg) may induce anxiogenic-like behavior in male mice. In addition, immunohistochemical data reveal reduced expression of 5-HT2A serotonergic receptor after gonadectomy in all areas of the hippocampus. However, treatment with testosterone could increase the mean number of dark neurons as well as immunoreactive neurons in CA1 and CA3 area, dose dependently. The density of 5-HT2A receptor-immunoreactive neurons may play a crucial role in the induction of anxiety like behavior. As reduction in such receptor expression have shown to significantly enhance anxiety behaviors. However, replacement of testosterone dose dependently enhances the number of 5-HT2A receptor-immunoreactive neurons and interestingly also reduced anxiety like behaviors.
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Affiliation(s)
- Emsehgol Nikmahzar
- Neuroscience Research Center, Faculty of Medicine, Golestan University of Medical Sciences, Gorgan, Iran
| | - Mehrdad Jahanshahi
- Department of Anatomy, Neuroscience Research Center, Faculty of Medicine, Golestan University of Medical Sciences, Gorgan, Iran
| | - Amir Ghaemi
- Shefa Neuroscience Research Center, Tehran, Iran
| | - Gholam Reza Naseri
- Department of Anatomy, Faculty of Medicine, Golestan University of Medical Sciences, Gorgan, Iran
| | - Ali Reza Moharreri
- Department of Anatomy, Faculty of Medicine, Golestan University of Medical Sciences, Gorgan, Iran
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Fedotova J, Soultanov V, Nikitina T, Roschin V, Ordyan N, Hritcu L. Ropren® treatment reverses anxiety-like behavior and monoamines levels in gonadectomized rat model of Alzheimer’s disease. Biomed Pharmacother 2016; 83:1444-1455. [DOI: 10.1016/j.biopha.2016.08.065] [Citation(s) in RCA: 11] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/19/2016] [Revised: 08/19/2016] [Accepted: 08/28/2016] [Indexed: 12/12/2022] Open
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Onaolapo OJ, Onaolapo AY, Omololu TA, Oludimu AT, Segun-Busari T, Omoleke T. Exogenous Testosterone, Aging, and Changes in Behavioral Response of Gonadally Intact Male Mice. J Exp Neurosci 2016; 10:59-70. [PMID: 27158222 PMCID: PMC4854217 DOI: 10.4137/jen.s39042] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/28/2016] [Revised: 03/06/2016] [Accepted: 03/18/2016] [Indexed: 01/23/2023] Open
Abstract
This study tested the hypothesis that aging significantly affects the influence of exogenous testosterone on neurobehavior in gonadally intact male mice. Groups of prepubertal and aged male mice received daily vehicle or testosterone propionate (TP; 2.5 or 5.0 mg/kg intraperitoneal [i.p.]) for 21 days. Behaviors were assessed on days 1 and 21. Weight gain was significant in prepubertal mice. Locomotion and rearing increased in prepubertal mice after first dose and decreased after last dose of TP. Rearing was suppressed in aged mice throughout. Suppression of grooming occurred in both age groups at day 21. Significant increase in working memory in both age groups was seen in the radial-arm maze (at specific doses) and in prepubertal mice in the Y-maze. Elevated plus maze test showed mixed anxiolytic/anxiogenic effects. Aged mice had higher serum testosterone. In conclusion, age is an important determinant for the influence of exogenous testosterone on behavior in gonadally intact male mice.
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Affiliation(s)
- Olakunle J Onaolapo
- Department of Pharmacology, Faculty of Basic Medical Sciences, College of Health Sciences, Ladoke Akintola University of Technology, Oshogbo, Osun State, Nigeria
| | - Adejoke Y Onaolapo
- Department of Human Anatomy, Faculty of Basic Medical Sciences, College of Health Sciences, Ladoke Akintola University of Technology, Ogbomosho, Oyo State, Nigeria
| | - Tope A Omololu
- Department of Human Anatomy, Faculty of Basic Medical Sciences, College of Health Sciences, Ladoke Akintola University of Technology, Ogbomosho, Oyo State, Nigeria
| | - Adedunke T Oludimu
- Department of Human Anatomy, Faculty of Basic Medical Sciences, College of Health Sciences, Ladoke Akintola University of Technology, Ogbomosho, Oyo State, Nigeria
| | - Toluwalase Segun-Busari
- Department of Human Anatomy, Faculty of Basic Medical Sciences, College of Health Sciences, Ladoke Akintola University of Technology, Ogbomosho, Oyo State, Nigeria
| | - Taofeeq Omoleke
- Department of Human Anatomy, Faculty of Basic Medical Sciences, College of Health Sciences, Ladoke Akintola University of Technology, Ogbomosho, Oyo State, Nigeria
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42
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Näslund J, Studer E, Johansson E, Eriksson E. Effects of gonadectomy and serotonin depletion on inter-individual differences in anxiety-like behaviour in male Wistar rats. Behav Brain Res 2016; 308:160-5. [PMID: 27083304 DOI: 10.1016/j.bbr.2016.04.015] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/26/2016] [Revised: 03/31/2016] [Accepted: 04/10/2016] [Indexed: 10/21/2022]
Abstract
Previous studies in Wistar rats suggest inter-individual differences in anxiety-like behaviour as assessed using the elevated plus maze (EPM), both between sexes and among males, to be abolished by serotonin depletion. To shed further light on the influence of sex steroids and serotonin - and on the interplay between the two - on proneness for EPM-assessed anxiety in males, outbred Wistar rats were divided into those with high and low anxiety, respectively, and exposed to gonadectomy or sham operation followed by administration of a serotonin synthesis inhibitor, para-chlorophenylalanine, or saline. Whereas gonadectomy enhanced anxiety-like behaviour in low anxiety rats so that these no longer differed in this regard from the high anxiety group, serotonin depletion reversed this effect, and also reduced anxiety in the low anxiety group regardless of gonadal state. A previously observed association between high anxiety-like behaviour and high expression of the serotonin-synthesizing enzyme tryptophan hydroxylase 2 (Tph2) in the raphe was confirmed in sham-operated animals but absent in gonadectomised rats, an ANCOVA revealing a significant interactive effect of baseline anxiety and gonadal state on Tph2 expression. It is suggested that androgens may contribute to upholding inter-individual differences in anxiety-like behaviour in male rats by interacting with serotonergic neurotransmission.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jakob Näslund
- Department of Pharmacology, Institute of Neuroscience and Physiology at the Sahlgrenska Academy, University of Gothenburg, POB 431, SE 405 30 Gothenburg, Sweden.
| | - Erik Studer
- Department of Pharmacology, Institute of Neuroscience and Physiology at the Sahlgrenska Academy, University of Gothenburg, POB 431, SE 405 30 Gothenburg, Sweden
| | - Elin Johansson
- Department of Pharmacology, Institute of Neuroscience and Physiology at the Sahlgrenska Academy, University of Gothenburg, POB 431, SE 405 30 Gothenburg, Sweden
| | - Elias Eriksson
- Department of Pharmacology, Institute of Neuroscience and Physiology at the Sahlgrenska Academy, University of Gothenburg, POB 431, SE 405 30 Gothenburg, Sweden
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43
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Mahmoud R, Wainwright SR, Galea LAM. Sex hormones and adult hippocampal neurogenesis: Regulation, implications, and potential mechanisms. Front Neuroendocrinol 2016; 41:129-52. [PMID: 26988999 DOI: 10.1016/j.yfrne.2016.03.002] [Citation(s) in RCA: 127] [Impact Index Per Article: 15.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/18/2015] [Revised: 03/12/2016] [Accepted: 03/14/2016] [Indexed: 11/16/2022]
Abstract
Neurogenesis within the adult hippocampus is modulated by endogenous and exogenous factors. Here, we review the role of sex hormones in the regulation of adult hippocampal neurogenesis in males and females. The review is framed around the potential functional implications of sex hormone regulation of adult hippocampal neurogenesis, with a focus on cognitive function and mood regulation, which may be related to sex differences in incidence and severity of dementia and depression. We present findings from preclinical studies of endogenous fluctuations in sex hormones relating to reproductive function and ageing, and from studies of exogenous hormone manipulations. In addition, we discuss the modulating roles of sex, age, and reproductive history on the relationship between sex hormones and neurogenesis. Because sex hormones have diverse targets in the central nervous system, we overview potential mechanisms through which sex hormones may influence hippocampal neurogenesis. Lastly, we advocate for a more systematic consideration of sex and sex hormones in studying the functional implications of adult hippocampal neurogenesis.
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Affiliation(s)
- Rand Mahmoud
- Graduate Program in Neuroscience, University of British Columbia, Vancouver, Canada
| | - Steven R Wainwright
- Graduate Program in Neuroscience, University of British Columbia, Vancouver, Canada
| | - Liisa A M Galea
- Department of Psychology, University of British Columbia, Vancouver, Canada; Centre for Brain Health, University of British Columbia, Vancouver, Canada.
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Cognitive-enhancing activities of the polyprenol preparation Ropren® in gonadectomized β-amyloid (25–35) rat model of Alzheimer's disease. Physiol Behav 2016; 157:55-62. [DOI: 10.1016/j.physbeh.2016.01.035] [Citation(s) in RCA: 19] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/07/2016] [Revised: 01/22/2016] [Accepted: 01/24/2016] [Indexed: 11/23/2022]
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45
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Wainwright SR, Workman JL, Tehrani A, Hamson DK, Chow C, Lieblich SE, Galea LAM. Testosterone has antidepressant-like efficacy and facilitates imipramine-induced neuroplasticity in male rats exposed to chronic unpredictable stress. Horm Behav 2016; 79:58-69. [PMID: 26774465 DOI: 10.1016/j.yhbeh.2016.01.001] [Citation(s) in RCA: 34] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/13/2015] [Revised: 01/04/2016] [Accepted: 01/11/2016] [Indexed: 12/29/2022]
Abstract
Hypogonadal men are more likely to develop depression, while testosterone supplementation shows antidepressant-like effects in hypogonadal men and facilitates antidepressant efficacy. Depression is associated with hypothalamic-pituitary-adrenal (HPA) axis hyperactivity and testosterone exerts suppressive effects on the HPA axis. The hippocampus also plays a role in the feedback regulation of the HPA axis, and depressed patients show reduced hippocampal neuroplasticity. We assessed the antidepressant-like effects of testosterone with, or without, imipramine on behavioral and neural endophenotypes of depression in a chronic unpredictable stress (CUS) model of depression. A 21-day CUS protocol was used on gonadectomized male Sprague-Dawley rats treated with vehicle, 1mg of testosterone propionate, 10mg/kg of imipramine, or testosterone and imipramine in tandem. Testosterone treatment reduced novelty-induced hypophagia following CUS exposure, but not under non-stress conditions, representing state-dependent effects. Further, testosterone increased the latency to immobility in the forced swim test (FST), reduced basal corticosterone, and reduced adrenal mass in CUS-exposed rats. Testosterone also facilitated the effects of imipramine by reducing the latency to immobility in the FST and increasing sucrose preference. Testosterone treatment had no significant effect on neurogenesis, though the combination of testosterone and imipramine increased PSA-NCAM expression in the ventral dentate gyrus. These findings demonstrate the antidepressant- and anxiolytic-like effects of testosterone within a CUS model of depression, and provide insight into the mechanism of action, which appears to be independent of enhanced hippocampal neurogenesis.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Joanna L Workman
- Department of Psychology, University of British Columbia, Canada
| | - Amir Tehrani
- Department of Psychology, University of British Columbia, Canada
| | - Dwayne K Hamson
- Department of Psychology, University of British Columbia, Canada
| | - Carmen Chow
- Department of Psychology, University of British Columbia, Canada; Centre for Brain Health, University of British Columbia, Canada
| | - Stephanie E Lieblich
- Department of Psychology, University of British Columbia, Canada; Centre for Brain Health, University of British Columbia, Canada
| | - Liisa A M Galea
- Graduate Program in Neuroscience, University of British Columbia, Canada; Department of Psychology, University of British Columbia, Canada; Centre for Brain Health, University of British Columbia, Canada.
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46
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Maeng LY, Milad MR. Sex differences in anxiety disorders: Interactions between fear, stress, and gonadal hormones. Horm Behav 2015; 76:106-17. [PMID: 25888456 PMCID: PMC4823998 DOI: 10.1016/j.yhbeh.2015.04.002] [Citation(s) in RCA: 228] [Impact Index Per Article: 25.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/21/2014] [Revised: 03/26/2015] [Accepted: 04/06/2015] [Indexed: 12/22/2022]
Abstract
This article is part of a Special Issue "SBN 2014". Women are more vulnerable to stress- and fear-based disorders, such as anxiety and post-traumatic stress disorder. Despite the growing literature on this topic, the neural basis of these sex differences remains unclear, and the findings appear inconsistent. The neurobiological mechanisms of fear and stress in learning and memory processes have been extensively studied, and the crosstalk between these systems is beginning to explain the disproportionate incidence and differences in symptomatology and remission within these psychopathologies. In this review, we discuss the intersect between stress and fear mechanisms and their modulation by gonadal hormones and discuss the relevance of this information to sex differences in anxiety and fear-based disorders. Understanding these converging influences is imperative to the development of more effective, individualized treatments that take sex and hormones into account.
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Affiliation(s)
- Lisa Y Maeng
- Department of Psychiatry, Massachusetts General Hospital, Harvard Medical School, 149 13th Street, Charlestown, MA 02129, USA.
| | - Mohammed R Milad
- Department of Psychiatry, Massachusetts General Hospital, Harvard Medical School, 149 13th Street, Charlestown, MA 02129, USA.
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47
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Fenchel D, Levkovitz Y, Vainer E, Kaplan Z, Zohar J, Cohen H. Beyond the HPA-axis: The role of the gonadal steroid hormone receptors in modulating stress-related responses in an animal model of PTSD. Eur Neuropsychopharmacol 2015; 25:944-57. [PMID: 25771251 DOI: 10.1016/j.euroneuro.2015.02.004] [Citation(s) in RCA: 28] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/24/2014] [Revised: 02/08/2015] [Accepted: 02/20/2015] [Indexed: 11/18/2022]
Abstract
The hypothalamic-pituitary-adrenal (HPA) axis, which plays a major role in the response to stress, and the hypothalamic-pituitary-gonadal (HPG) axis are closely linked with the ability to inhibit the other. Testosterone, a product of the HPG, has many beneficial effects beyond its functions as a sex hormone including anti-anxiety properties. In this study we examined the effect of stress exposure on gonadal hormones, and their efficacy in modulating anxiety-like response in an animal model of PTSD. Male rats were exposed to predator scent stress, followed by analysis of brain expression of androgen receptor (AR) receptor and estrogen receptor α (ERα). The behavioral effects of immediate treatment with testosterone, testosterone receptor antagonist (flutamide) or vehicle were evaluated using the elevated plus-maze, acoustic startle response and trauma-cue response. Levels of circulating corticosterone and testosterone were also measured after treatment. The behavioral effects of delayed testosterone treatment were explored in the same manner. We report that animals whose behavior was extremely disrupted (EBR) selectively displayed significant down-regulation of AR and ERα in the hippocampus. Immediate treatment with flutamide or delayed treatment with testosterone significantly increased prevalence rates of minimal behavioral response (MBR) and decreased prevalence of EBR with favorable behavioral results. Testosterone levels were higher in control un-exposed animals, while corticosterone was higher in control exposed animals. This study suggests that gonadal steroid hormones are involved in the neurobiological response to predator scent stress and thus warrant further study as a potential therapeutic avenue for the treatment of anxiety-related disorders.
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Affiliation(s)
- Daphna Fenchel
- Beer-Yaakov Mental Health Center, Ministry of Health, Sackler Faculty of Medicine, Tel Aviv University, Beer-Yaakov, Israel
| | - Yechiel Levkovitz
- Beer-Yaakov Mental Health Center, Ministry of Health, Sackler Faculty of Medicine, Tel Aviv University, Beer-Yaakov, Israel.
| | - Ella Vainer
- Faculty of Health Sciences, Ben-Gurion University of the Negev, Beer-Sheva, Israel
| | - Zeev Kaplan
- Beer-Sheva Mental Health Center, Ministry of Health, Anxiety and Stress Research Unit, Faculty of Health Sciences, Ben-Gurion University of the Negev, Beer-Sheva, Israel
| | - Joseph Zohar
- Division of Psychiatry, The Chaim Sheba Medical Center, Sackler Faculty of Medicine, Tel Aviv University, Ramat-Gan, Israel
| | - Hagit Cohen
- Beer-Sheva Mental Health Center, Ministry of Health, Anxiety and Stress Research Unit, Faculty of Health Sciences, Ben-Gurion University of the Negev, Beer-Sheva, Israel
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48
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Xu X, Yang Y, Wang R, Wang Y, Ruan Q, Lu Y. Perinatal exposure to di-(2-ethylhexyl) phthalate affects anxiety- and depression-like behaviors in mice. CHEMOSPHERE 2015; 124:22-31. [PMID: 25441928 DOI: 10.1016/j.chemosphere.2014.10.056] [Citation(s) in RCA: 91] [Impact Index Per Article: 10.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/20/2014] [Revised: 10/11/2014] [Accepted: 10/14/2014] [Indexed: 05/22/2023]
Abstract
Di-(2-ethylhexyl) phthalate (DEHP) is an environmental endocrine disrupter. The present study investigated the effect of DEHP on emotional behavior of mice following perinatal exposure (10, 50, and 200 mg kg(-1) d(-1)) from gestation day 7 through postnatal day 21. The results showed that, in pubertal males (6-w-old), DEHP decreased the time spent in the open arms and the number of entries into them in elevated plus maze and decreased the time in the mirrored chamber and in the light-box; in pubertal females, DEHP decreased the time spent in the open arms and the number of entries into them, suggesting that DEHP exposure made a anxiogenic effect in pubertal offspring regardless of sex. While DEHP effect on anxiety of adult (12-w-old) displayed sex differences, with decreased time spent in the open arms in the adult females. Perinatal exposure to DEPH significantly extended the time of immobility in forced swim task of pubertal offspring and adulthood regardless of sex. Furthermore, DEHP down-regulated the expressions of androgen receptor (AR) in pubertal male hippocampus and of estrogen receptor (ER) β in pubertal female and adult hippocampus of both sexes and inhibited the phosphorylation of ERK1/2 of hippocampus in pubertal mice and adult males. These results suggest that exposure to DEHP early in life affected the anxiety- and depressive-like behaviors of pubertal offspring and even adult. The disruption of gonadal hormones' modulation of behaviors due to down-regulation of AR or ERβ in the hippocampus may be associated with the aggravated anxiety- and depression-like status induced by DEHP.
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Affiliation(s)
- Xiaohong Xu
- Institute of Ecology, Chemistry and Life Sciences College, Zhejiang Normal University, PR China.
| | - Yanling Yang
- Institute of Ecology, Chemistry and Life Sciences College, Zhejiang Normal University, PR China
| | - Ran Wang
- Institute of Ecology, Chemistry and Life Sciences College, Zhejiang Normal University, PR China
| | - Yu Wang
- Institute of Ecology, Chemistry and Life Sciences College, Zhejiang Normal University, PR China
| | - Qin Ruan
- Institute of Ecology, Chemistry and Life Sciences College, Zhejiang Normal University, PR China
| | - Yang Lu
- Institute of Ecology, Chemistry and Life Sciences College, Zhejiang Normal University, PR China
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Filova B, Malinova M, Babickova J, Tothova L, Ostatnikova D, Celec P, Hodosy J. Effects of testosterone and estradiol on anxiety and depressive-like behavior via a non-genomic pathway. Neurosci Bull 2015; 31:288-96. [PMID: 25754146 DOI: 10.1007/s12264-014-1510-8] [Citation(s) in RCA: 32] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/24/2014] [Accepted: 10/01/2014] [Indexed: 12/25/2022] Open
Abstract
Besides their known slow genomic effects, testosterone and estradiol have rapid effects in the brain. However, their impact on mood-related behavior is not clear. The aim of this study was to investigate the non-genomic pathway of testosterone and estradiol in the amygdala in relation to anxiety and depressive-like behavior. Sham-operated and gonadectomized male rats (GDX) supplemented with testosterone propionate, estradiol, or olive oil were used. Five minutes after administration, anxiety and depression-like behavior were tested. Estradiol increased anxiolytic behavior in the open-field test compared to the GDX group, but administration of testosterone had no significant effect. Besides, c-Fos expression in the medial nucleus of the amygdala significantly increased after testosterone treatment compared to the GDX group, while no significant difference was observed in the central and the basolateral nuclei of the amygdala in the testosterone-treated group compared to the GDX group. In conclusion, estradiol had an anxiolytic effect via a rapid pathway, but no rapid effect of testosterone on anxiety was found. Further studies elucidating whether the rapid effect is mediated by a non-genomic pathway are needed.
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Affiliation(s)
- Barbora Filova
- Institute of Molecular Biomedicine, Faculty of Medicine, Comenius University, Bratislava, Slovakia
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Celec P, Ostatníková D, Hodosy J. On the effects of testosterone on brain behavioral functions. Front Neurosci 2015; 9:12. [PMID: 25741229 PMCID: PMC4330791 DOI: 10.3389/fnins.2015.00012] [Citation(s) in RCA: 104] [Impact Index Per Article: 11.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/25/2014] [Accepted: 01/12/2015] [Indexed: 01/01/2023] Open
Abstract
Testosterone influences the brain via organizational and activational effects. Numerous relevant studies on rodents and a few on humans focusing on specific behavioral and cognitive parameters have been published. The results are, unfortunately, controversial and puzzling. Dosing, timing, even the application route seem to considerably affect the outcomes. In addition, the methods used for the assessment of psychometric parameters are a bit less than ideal regarding their validity and reproducibility. Metabolism of testosterone contributes to the complexity of its actions. Reduction to dihydrotestosterone by 5-alpha reductase increases the androgen activity; conversion to estradiol by aromatase converts the androgen to estrogen activity. Recently, the non-genomic effects of testosterone on behavior bypassing the nuclear receptors have attracted the interest of researchers. This review tries to summarize the current understanding of the complexity of the effects of testosterone on brain with special focus on their role in the known sex differences.
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Affiliation(s)
- Peter Celec
- Institute of Molecular Biomedicine, Faculty of Medicine, Comenius University Bratislava, Slovakia ; Center for Molecular Medicine, Slovak Academy of Sciences Bratislava, Slovakia ; Institute of Pathophysiology, Faculty of Medicine, Comenius University Bratislava, Slovakia ; Department of Molecular Biology, Faculty of Natural Sciences, Comenius University Bratislava, Slovakia
| | - Daniela Ostatníková
- Institute of Molecular Biomedicine, Faculty of Medicine, Comenius University Bratislava, Slovakia ; Institute of Physiology, Faculty of Medicine, Comenius University Bratislava, Slovakia
| | - Július Hodosy
- Institute of Molecular Biomedicine, Faculty of Medicine, Comenius University Bratislava, Slovakia ; Center for Molecular Medicine, Slovak Academy of Sciences Bratislava, Slovakia ; Institute of Physiology, Faculty of Medicine, Comenius University Bratislava, Slovakia
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