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Kale MB, Chandurkar PA, Taksande BG, Aglawe MM, Rahangdale SR, Upaganlawar AB, Kopalli SR, Umekar MJ, Wankhede NL. Agmatine alleviates ethanol withdrawal-associated cognitive impairment and neurochemical imbalance in rats. Neurosci Lett 2024; 832:137804. [PMID: 38692559 DOI: 10.1016/j.neulet.2024.137804] [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: 03/15/2024] [Revised: 04/25/2024] [Accepted: 04/28/2024] [Indexed: 05/03/2024]
Abstract
The present study aimed to investigate the role of agmatine in the neurobiology underlying memory impairment during ethanol withdrawal in rats. Sprague-Dawley rats were subjected to a 21-day chronic ethanol exposure regimen (2.4 % w/v ethanol for 3 days, 4.8 % w/v for the next 4 days, and 7.2 % w/v for the following 14 days), followed by a withdrawal period. Memory impairment was assessed using the passive avoidance test (PAT) at 24, 48, and 72 h post-withdrawal. The ethanol-withdrawn rats displayed a significant decrease in step-through latency in the PAT, indicative of memory impairment at 72 h post-withdrawal. However, administration of agmatine (40 µg/rat) and its modulators (L-arginine, arcaine, and amino-guanidine) significantly increases the latency time in the ethanol-withdrawn rats, demonstrating the attenuation of memory impairment. Further, pretreatment with imidazoline receptor agonists enhances agmatine's effects, while antagonists block them, implicating imidazoline receptors in agmatine's actions. Neurochemical analysis in ethanol-withdrawn rats reveals dysregulated glutamate and GABA levels, which was attenuated by agmatine and its modulators. By examining the effects of agmatine administration and modulators of endogenous agmatine, the study aimed to shed light on the potential therapeutic implications of agmatinergic signaling in alcohol addiction and related cognitive deficits. Thus, the present findings suggest that agmatine administration and modulation of endogenous agmatine levels hold potential as therapeutic strategies for managing alcohol addiction and associated cognitive deficits. Understanding the neurobiology underlying these effects paves the way for the development of novel interventions targeting agmatinergic signaling in addiction treatment.
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Affiliation(s)
- Mayur B Kale
- Division of Neuroscience, Smt. Kishoritai Bhoyar College of Pharmacy, Kamptee, Nagpur, Maharashtra 441002, India; SNJB's Shriman Sureshdada Jain College of Pharmacy, Neminagar, Chandwad, Nashik, Maharashtra 423101, India.
| | - Pranali A Chandurkar
- Division of Neuroscience, Smt. Kishoritai Bhoyar College of Pharmacy, Kamptee, Nagpur, Maharashtra 441002, India.
| | - Brijesh G Taksande
- Division of Neuroscience, Smt. Kishoritai Bhoyar College of Pharmacy, Kamptee, Nagpur, Maharashtra 441002, India.
| | - Manish M Aglawe
- Division of Neuroscience, Smt. Kishoritai Bhoyar College of Pharmacy, Kamptee, Nagpur, Maharashtra 441002, India.
| | - Sandip R Rahangdale
- Division of Neuroscience, Smt. Kishoritai Bhoyar College of Pharmacy, Kamptee, Nagpur, Maharashtra 441002, India.
| | - Aman B Upaganlawar
- SNJB's Shriman Sureshdada Jain College of Pharmacy, Neminagar, Chandwad, Nashik, Maharashtra 423101, India.
| | - Spandana R Kopalli
- Department of Integrated Bioscience and Biotechnology, Sejong University, Gwangjin-gu, Seoul 05006, Republic of Korea.
| | - Milind J Umekar
- Division of Neuroscience, Smt. Kishoritai Bhoyar College of Pharmacy, Kamptee, Nagpur, Maharashtra 441002, India.
| | - Nitu L Wankhede
- Division of Neuroscience, Smt. Kishoritai Bhoyar College of Pharmacy, Kamptee, Nagpur, Maharashtra 441002, India; SNJB's Shriman Sureshdada Jain College of Pharmacy, Neminagar, Chandwad, Nashik, Maharashtra 423101, India.
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2
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Saha P, Panda S, Holkar A, Vashishth R, Rana SS, Arumugam M, Ashraf GM, Haque S, Ahmad F. Neuroprotection by agmatine: Possible involvement of the gut microbiome? Ageing Res Rev 2023; 91:102056. [PMID: 37673131 DOI: 10.1016/j.arr.2023.102056] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/05/2023] [Revised: 08/09/2023] [Accepted: 08/31/2023] [Indexed: 09/08/2023]
Abstract
Agmatine, an endogenous polyamine derived from L-arginine, elicits tremendous multimodal neuromodulant properties. Alterations in agmatinergic signalling are closely linked to the pathogeneses of several brain disorders. Importantly, exogenous agmatine has been shown to act as a potent neuroprotectant in varied pathologies, including brain ageing and associated comorbidities. The antioxidant, anxiolytic, analgesic, antidepressant and memory-enhancing activities of agmatine may derive from its ability to regulate several cellular pathways; including cell metabolism, survival and differentiation, nitric oxide signalling, protein translation, oxidative homeostasis and neurotransmitter signalling. This review briefly discusses mammalian metabolism of agmatine and then proceeds to summarize our current understanding of neuromodulation and neuroprotection mediated by agmatine. Further, the emerging exciting bidirectional links between agmatine and the resident gut microbiome and their implications for brain pathophysiology and ageing are also discussed.
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Affiliation(s)
- Priyanka Saha
- Department of Biotechnology, School of Bio Sciences and Technology, Vellore Institute of Technology, Vellore, India
| | - Subhrajita Panda
- Department of Biotechnology, School of Bio Sciences and Technology, Vellore Institute of Technology, Vellore, India
| | - Aayusha Holkar
- Department of Integrative Biology, School of Bio Sciences and Technology, Vellore Institute of Technology, Vellore, India
| | - Rahul Vashishth
- Department of Biosciences, School of Bio Sciences and Technology, Vellore Institute of Technology, Vellore, India
| | - Sandeep Singh Rana
- Department of Biosciences, School of Bio Sciences and Technology, Vellore Institute of Technology, Vellore, India
| | - Mohanapriya Arumugam
- Department of Biotechnology, School of Bio Sciences and Technology, Vellore Institute of Technology, Vellore, India
| | - Ghulam Md Ashraf
- University of Sharjah, College of Health Sciences, and Research Institute for Medical and Health Sciences, Department of Medical Laboratory Sciences, Sharjah 27272, United Arab Emirates.
| | - Shafiul Haque
- Research and Scientific Studies Unit, College of Nursing and Allied Health Sciences, Jazan University, Jazan 45142, Saudi Arabia; Gilbert and Rose-Marie Chagoury School of Medicine, Lebanese American University, Beirut, Lebanon; Centre of Medical and Bio-Allied Health Sciences Research, Ajman University, Ajman, United Arab Emirates
| | - Faraz Ahmad
- Department of Biotechnology, School of Bio Sciences and Technology, Vellore Institute of Technology, Vellore, India.
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Yan S, Xu C, Yang M, Zhang H, Cheng Y, Xue Z, He Z, Wang T, Bai S, Wang G, Wu J, Tong Z, Cai X. The expression of agmatinase manipulates the affective state of rats subjected to chronic restraint stress. Neuropharmacology 2023; 229:109476. [PMID: 36849038 DOI: 10.1016/j.neuropharm.2023.109476] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/26/2022] [Revised: 02/10/2023] [Accepted: 02/21/2023] [Indexed: 02/27/2023]
Abstract
Agmatine is an endogenous polyamine produced from l-arginine and degraded by agmatinase (AGMAT). Studies in humans and animals have shown that agmatine has neuroprotective, anxiolytic, and antidepressant-like actions. However, little is known about the role of AGMAT in the action of agmatine or in the pathophysiology of psychiatric disorders. Therefore, this study aimed to investigate the role of AGMAT in the pathophysiology of MDD. In this study, we observed that AGMAT expression increased in the ventral hippocampus rather than in the medial prefrontal cortex in the chronic restraint stress (CRS) animal model of depression. Furthermore, we found that AGMAT overexpression in the ventral hippocampus elicited depressive- and anxiety-like behaviors, whereas knockdown of AGMAT exhibited antidepressant and anxiolytic effects in CRS animals. Field and whole-cell recordings of hippocampal CA1 revealed that AGMAT blockage increased Schaffer collateral-CA1 excitatory synaptic transmission, which was expressed both pre- and post-synaptically and was probably due to the inhibition of AGMAT-expressing local interneurons. Therefore, our results suggest that dysregulation of AGMAT is involved in the pathophysiology of depression and is a potential target for designing more effective antidepressants with fewer adverse effects to offer a better therapy for depression.
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Affiliation(s)
- Shi Yan
- Beijing Institute of Brain Disorders, Laboratory of Brain Disorder, Ministry of Science and Technology, Collaborative Innovation Center for Brain Disorders, Capital Medical University, Beijing 100069, China
| | - Chang Xu
- College of Life Science, Shaanxi Normal University, 620 West Chang'an Street, Xi'an, Shaanxi 710119, China
| | - Mengli Yang
- Beijing Institute of Brain Disorders, Laboratory of Brain Disorder, Ministry of Science and Technology, Collaborative Innovation Center for Brain Disorders, Capital Medical University, Beijing 100069, China
| | - Huiqiang Zhang
- Beijing Institute of Brain Disorders, Laboratory of Brain Disorder, Ministry of Science and Technology, Collaborative Innovation Center for Brain Disorders, Capital Medical University, Beijing 100069, China
| | - Ye Cheng
- Beijing Institute of Brain Disorders, Laboratory of Brain Disorder, Ministry of Science and Technology, Collaborative Innovation Center for Brain Disorders, Capital Medical University, Beijing 100069, China
| | - Zeping Xue
- Beijing Institute of Brain Disorders, Laboratory of Brain Disorder, Ministry of Science and Technology, Collaborative Innovation Center for Brain Disorders, Capital Medical University, Beijing 100069, China
| | - Zecong He
- Beijing Institute of Brain Disorders, Laboratory of Brain Disorder, Ministry of Science and Technology, Collaborative Innovation Center for Brain Disorders, Capital Medical University, Beijing 100069, China
| | - Tiantian Wang
- Beijing Institute of Brain Disorders, Laboratory of Brain Disorder, Ministry of Science and Technology, Collaborative Innovation Center for Brain Disorders, Capital Medical University, Beijing 100069, China
| | - Shangying Bai
- Beijing Institute of Brain Disorders, Laboratory of Brain Disorder, Ministry of Science and Technology, Collaborative Innovation Center for Brain Disorders, Capital Medical University, Beijing 100069, China
| | - Gang Wang
- Beijing Institute of Brain Disorders, Laboratory of Brain Disorder, Ministry of Science and Technology, Collaborative Innovation Center for Brain Disorders, Capital Medical University, Beijing 100069, China; The National Clinical Research Center for Mental Disorders & Beijing Key Laboratory of Mental Disorders Beijing Anding Hospital Capital Medical University, Beijing 100088, China
| | - Jianping Wu
- School of Chemistry, Chemical Engineering and Life Sciences, Wuhan University of Technology, Wuhan, Hubei 430070, China; Advanced Innovation Center for Human Brain Protection, Collaborative Innovation Center for Brain Disorders, Capital Medical University, Beijing 100069, China
| | - Zhiqian Tong
- Oujiang Laboratory, Key Laboratory of Alzheimer's Disease of Zhejiang Province, Institute of Aging, School of Mental Health, Wenzhou Medical University, Wenzhou, Zhejiang 325035, China
| | - Xiang Cai
- Oujiang Laboratory, Key Laboratory of Alzheimer's Disease of Zhejiang Province, Institute of Aging, School of Mental Health, Wenzhou Medical University, Wenzhou, Zhejiang 325035, China; Beijing Institute of Brain Disorders, Advanced Innovation Center for Human Brain Protection, Collaborative Innovation Center for Brain Disorders, Capital Medical University, Beijing 100069, China.
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4
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Viktorov M, Wilkinson MP, Elston VCE, Stone M, Robinson ESJ. A systematic review of studies investigating the acute effects of N-methyl- D-aspartate receptor antagonists on behavioural despair in normal animals suggests poor predictive validity. Brain Neurosci Adv 2022; 6:23982128221081645. [PMID: 35299619 PMCID: PMC8922211 DOI: 10.1177/23982128221081645] [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: 08/24/2021] [Accepted: 02/02/2022] [Indexed: 12/16/2022] Open
Abstract
The ability of the N-methyl-D-aspartate receptor antagonist ketamine to induce a rapid and sustained antidepressant effect has led to a surge in pre-clinical studies investigating underlying mechanisms and seeking novel treatments. Animal models are key to this research as they can provide a behavioural readout linking underlying mechanisms to clinical benefits. However, quantifying depression-related behaviours in rodents represents a major challenge with the validity of traditional methods such as models of behavioural despair (forced swim test and tail suspension test) a topic of debate. While there is good evidence to support the value of using these behavioural readouts to study the effects of stress, these approaches have largely failed to detect reliable phenotypic effects in other disease models. In this systematic review, we identified publications which had tested N-methyl-D-aspartate receptor antagonists in normal animals using either the forced swim test or tail suspension test. We compared findings for different doses and time points and also drugs with different clinical profiles to investigate how well the outcomes in the rodent model predicted their effects in the clinic. Despite clear evidence that N-methyl-D-aspartate receptor antagonists reduce immobility time and hence exhibit an antidepressant profile in these tasks, we found similar effects with both clinically effective drugs as well as those which have failed to show efficacy in clinical trials. These findings suggest that behavioural despair tests in normal animals do not provide a good method to predict clinical efficacy of N-methyl-D-aspartate receptor antagonists.
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Affiliation(s)
- Martin Viktorov
- School of Physiology, Pharmacology & Neuroscience, University of Bristol, Bristol, UK
| | - Matthew P. Wilkinson
- School of Physiology, Pharmacology & Neuroscience, University of Bristol, Bristol, UK
| | - Victoria C. E. Elston
- School of Physiology, Pharmacology & Neuroscience, University of Bristol, Bristol, UK
| | - Medi Stone
- School of Physiology, Pharmacology & Neuroscience, University of Bristol, Bristol, UK
| | - Emma S. J. Robinson
- School of Physiology, Pharmacology & Neuroscience, University of Bristol, Bristol, UK
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Li Y, Su P, Chen Y, Nie J, Yuan TF, Wong AH, Liu F. The Eph receptor A4 plays a role in demyelination and depression-related behavior. J Clin Invest 2022; 132:152187. [PMID: 35271507 PMCID: PMC9012277 DOI: 10.1172/jci152187] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/11/2021] [Accepted: 03/08/2022] [Indexed: 11/22/2022] Open
Abstract
Proper myelination of axons is crucial for normal sensory, motor, and cognitive function. Abnormal myelination is seen in brain disorders such as major depressive disorder (MDD), but the molecular mechanisms connecting demyelination with the pathobiology remain largely unknown. We observed demyelination and synaptic deficits in mice exposed to either chronic, unpredictable mild stress (CUMS) or LPS, 2 paradigms for inducing depression-like states. Pharmacological restoration of myelination normalized both synaptic deficits and depression-related behaviors. Furthermore, we found increased ephrin A4 receptor (EphA4) expression in the excitatory neurons of mice subjected to CUMS, and shRNA knockdown of EphA4 prevented demyelination and depression-like behaviors. These animal data are consistent with the decrease in myelin basic protein and the increase in EphA4 levels we observed in postmortem brain samples from patients with MDD. Our results provide insights into the etiology of depressive symptoms in some patients and suggest that inhibition of EphA4 or the promotion of myelination could be a promising strategy for treating depression.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yuan Li
- Shanghai Mental Health Center, Shanghai Jiaotong University, School of Medicine, Shanghai, China
| | - Ping Su
- Campbell Family Mental Health Research Institute, Centre for Addiction and Mental Health, University of Toronto, Toronto, Canada
| | - Yuxiang Chen
- Shanghai Mental Health Center, Shanghai Jiaotong University, School of Medicine, Shanghai, China
| | - Jing Nie
- Shanghai Mental Health Center, Shanghai Jiaotong University, School of Medicine, Shanghai, China
| | - Ti-Fei Yuan
- Shanghai Mental Health Center, Shanghai Jiaotong University, School of Medicine, Shanghai, China
| | - Albert Hc Wong
- Campbell Family Mental Health Research Institute, Centre for Addiction and Mental Health, University of Toronto, Toronto, Canada
| | - Fang Liu
- Campbell Family Mental Health Research Institute, Centre for Addiction and Mental Health, University of Toronto, Toronto, Canada
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6
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Valverde AP, Camargo A, Rodrigues ALS. Agmatine as a novel candidate for rapid-onset antidepressant response. World J Psychiatry 2021; 11:981-996. [PMID: 34888168 PMCID: PMC8613765 DOI: 10.5498/wjp.v11.i11.981] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/02/2021] [Revised: 06/09/2021] [Accepted: 08/23/2021] [Indexed: 02/06/2023] Open
Abstract
Major depressive disorder (MDD) is a disabling and highly prevalent mood disorder as well as a common cause of suicide. Chronic stress, inflammation, and intestinal dysbiosis have all been shown to play crucial roles in the pathophysiology of MDD. Although conventional antidepressants are widely used in the clinic, they can take weeks to months to produce therapeutic effects. The discovery that ketamine promotes fast and sustaining antidepressant responses is one of the most important breakthroughs in the pharmacotherapy of MDD. However, the adverse psychomimetic/dissociative and neurotoxic effects of ketamine discourage its chronic use. Therefore, agmatine, an endogenous glutamatergic modulator, has been postulated to elicit fast behavioral and synaptogenic effects by stimulating the mechanistic target of rapamycin complex 1 signaling pathway, similar to ketamine. However, recent evidence has demonstrated that the modulation of the NLR family pyrin domain containing 3 inflammasome and gut microbiota, which have been shown to play a crucial role in the pathophysiology of MDD, may also participate in the antidepressant-like effects of both ketamine and agmatine. This review seeks to provide evidence about the mechanisms that may underlie the fast antidepressant-like responses of agmatine in preclinical studies. Considering the anti-inflammatory properties of agmatine, it may also be further investigated as a useful compound for the management of MDD associated with a pro-inflammatory state. Moreover, the fast antidepressant-like response of agmatine noted in animal models should be investigated in clinical studies.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ana Paula Valverde
- Department of Biochemistry, Campus Universitário, Center for Biological Sciences, Universidade Federal de Santa Catarina, Florianópolis, SC 88040900, Brazil
| | - Anderson Camargo
- Department of Biochemistry, Campus Universitário, Center for Biological Sciences, Universidade Federal de Santa Catarina, Florianópolis, SC 88040900, Brazil
| | - Ana Lúcia S Rodrigues
- Department of Biochemistry, Campus Universitário, Center for Biological Sciences, Universidade Federal de Santa Catarina, Florianópolis, SC 88040900, Brazil
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7
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Budni J, Moretti M, Freitas AE, Neis VB, Ribeiro CM, de Oliveira Balen G, Rieger DK, Leal RB, Rodrigues ALS. Behavioral and neurochemical effects of folic acid in a mouse model of depression induced by TNF-α. Behav Brain Res 2021; 414:113512. [PMID: 34358572 DOI: 10.1016/j.bbr.2021.113512] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/20/2021] [Revised: 07/06/2021] [Accepted: 07/31/2021] [Indexed: 02/03/2023]
Abstract
Folic acid has been reported to exert antidepressant effects, but its ability to abrogate the depressive-like behavior and signaling pathways alterations elicited by an inflammatory model of depression remains to be established. This study examined: a) the efficacy of folic acid in a mouse model of depression induced by tumor necrosis factor (TNF-α); b) whether the administration of subthreshold doses of folic acid and antidepressants (fluoxetine, imipramine, and bupropion), MK-801, or 7-nitroindazole cause antidepressant-like effects; c) the effects of TNF-α and/or folic acid on hippocampal p38MAPK, Akt, ERK, and JNK phosphorylation. Folic acid reduced the immobility time in the tail suspension test (TST) in control mice (10-50 mg/kg, p.o) and abolished the depressive-like behavior elicited by TNF-α (0.001 fg/site, i.c.v.) in this test (1-50 mg/kg, p.o). Coadministration of subthreshold doses of folic acid (1 mg/kg, p.o.) and fluoxetine, imipramine, bupropion, MK-801, or 7-nitroindazole produced an antidepressant-like effect in mice exposed or not to TNF-α. TNF-α-treated mice presented increased p38MAPK phosphorylation and decreased Akt phosphorylation, and the later effect was prevented by folic acid (10 mg/kg, p.o.). Additionally, ERK1 phosphorylation was increased in mice treated with TNF-α + folic acid (1 mg/kg), but no effects on ERK2 or JNK1/2/3 phosphorylation were found in any group. The results indicate the efficacy of folic acid to counteract the depressive-like behavior induced by a pro-inflammatory cytokine, an effect that might be associated with the activation of monoaminergic systems, inhibition of N-methyl-d-aspartate (NMDA) receptors and nitric oxide (NO) synthesis, as well as Akt modulation.
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Affiliation(s)
- Josiane Budni
- Department of Biochemistry, Center of Biological Sciences, Universidade Federal de Santa Catarina, Florianópolis, 88040-900, SC, Brazil
| | - Morgana Moretti
- Department of Biochemistry, Center of Biological Sciences, Universidade Federal de Santa Catarina, Florianópolis, 88040-900, SC, Brazil
| | - Andiara E Freitas
- Department of Biochemistry, Center of Biological Sciences, Universidade Federal de Santa Catarina, Florianópolis, 88040-900, SC, Brazil
| | - Vivian B Neis
- Department of Biochemistry, Center of Biological Sciences, Universidade Federal de Santa Catarina, Florianópolis, 88040-900, SC, Brazil
| | - Camille M Ribeiro
- Department of Biochemistry, Center of Biological Sciences, Universidade Federal de Santa Catarina, Florianópolis, 88040-900, SC, Brazil
| | - Grasiela de Oliveira Balen
- Department of Biochemistry, Center of Biological Sciences, Universidade Federal de Santa Catarina, Florianópolis, 88040-900, SC, Brazil
| | - Débora K Rieger
- Department of Biochemistry, Center of Biological Sciences, Universidade Federal de Santa Catarina, Florianópolis, 88040-900, SC, Brazil
| | - Rodrigo B Leal
- Department of Biochemistry, Center of Biological Sciences, Universidade Federal de Santa Catarina, Florianópolis, 88040-900, SC, Brazil
| | - Ana Lúcia S Rodrigues
- Department of Biochemistry, Center of Biological Sciences, Universidade Federal de Santa Catarina, Florianópolis, 88040-900, SC, Brazil.
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8
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Rosado AF, Rosa PB, Platt N, Pierone BC, Neis VB, Severo Rodrigues AL, Kaster MP, Kaufmann FN. Glibenclamide treatment prevents depressive-like behavior and memory impairment induced by chronic unpredictable stress in female mice. Behav Pharmacol 2021; 32:170-181. [PMID: 33079735 DOI: 10.1097/fbp.0000000000000599] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/28/2022]
Abstract
Glibenclamide is a second-generation sulfonylurea used in the treatment of Type 2 Diabetes Mellitus. The primary target of glibenclamide is ATP-sensitive potassium channels inhibition; however, other possible targets include the control of inflammation and blood-brain barrier permeability, which makes this compound potentially interesting for the management of brain-related disorders. Here, we showed that systemic treatment with glibenclamide (5 mg/kg, p.o., for 21 days) could prevent the behavioral despair and the cognitive dysfunction induced by chronic unpredictable stress (CUS) in mice. In nonhypoglycemic doses, glibenclamide attenuated the stress-induced weight loss, decreased adrenal weight, and prevented the increase in glucocorticoid receptors in the prefrontal cortex, suggesting an impact in hypothalamic-pituitary-adrenal (HPA) axis function. Additionally, we did not observe changes in Iba-1, NLRP3 and caspase-1 levels in the prefrontal cortex or hippocampus after CUS or glibenclamide treatment. Thus, this study suggests that chronic treatment with glibenclamide prevents the emotional and cognitive effects of chronic stress in female mice. On the other hand, the control of neuroinflammation and NLRP3 inflammasome pathway is not the major mechanism mediating these effects. The behavioral effects might be mediated, in part, by the normalization of glucocorticoid receptors and HPA axis.
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Affiliation(s)
- Axel Fogaça Rosado
- Department of Biochemistry, Federal University of Santa Catarina, Florianópolis, Santa Catarina, Brazil
| | - Priscila Batista Rosa
- Department of Biochemistry, Federal University of Santa Catarina, Florianópolis, Santa Catarina, Brazil
| | - Nicolle Platt
- Department of Biochemistry, Federal University of Santa Catarina, Florianópolis, Santa Catarina, Brazil
| | - Bruna Caroline Pierone
- Department of Biochemistry, Federal University of Santa Catarina, Florianópolis, Santa Catarina, Brazil
| | - Vivian Binder Neis
- Department of Biochemistry, Federal University of Santa Catarina, Florianópolis, Santa Catarina, Brazil
| | | | - Manuella Pinto Kaster
- Department of Biochemistry, Federal University of Santa Catarina, Florianópolis, Santa Catarina, Brazil
| | - Fernanda Neutzling Kaufmann
- Department of Biochemistry, Federal University of Santa Catarina, Florianópolis, Santa Catarina, Brazil
- Department of Psychiatry and Neuroscience, Faculty of Medicine and CERVO Brain Research Center, Université Laval, Quebec City, Canada
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9
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Olescowicz G, Sampaio TB, de Paula Nascimento-Castro C, Brocardo PS, Gil-Mohapel J, Rodrigues ALS. Protective Effects of Agmatine Against Corticosterone-Induced Impairment on Hippocampal mTOR Signaling and Cell Death. Neurotox Res 2020; 38:319-329. [DOI: 10.1007/s12640-020-00212-1] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/07/2019] [Revised: 04/06/2020] [Accepted: 04/22/2020] [Indexed: 12/23/2022]
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10
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Chimthanawala N, Patil S, Agrawal R, Kotagale NR, Umekar MJ, Taksande BG. Inhibitory influence of agmatine in ethanol withdrawal-induced depression in rats: Behavioral and neurochemical evidence. Alcohol 2020; 83:67-74. [PMID: 31520686 DOI: 10.1016/j.alcohol.2019.09.002] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/02/2019] [Revised: 08/20/2019] [Accepted: 09/05/2019] [Indexed: 01/06/2023]
Abstract
Although ethanol withdrawal depression is one of the prominent reasons for ethanol consumption reinstatement and ethanol dependence, its neurochemical basis is not clearly understood. The present study investigated the role of the agmatinergic system in ethanol withdrawal-induced depression using the forced swim test (FST) in rats. Chronic exposure of animals to ethanol for 21 days and its abrupt withdrawal produced depression-like behavior, as evidenced by increased immobility time in the FST, compared to the pair-fed control animals. The ethanol withdrawal-induced depression was significantly attenuated by agmatine (20-40 μg/rat, i.c.v. [intracerebroventricularly]), moxonidine (50 μg/rat, i.c.v.), 2-BFI (20 μg/rat, i.c.v.), L-arginine (80 μg/rat, i.c.v.), amino-guanidine (25 μg/rat, i.c.v.), and arcaine (50 μg/rat, i.c.v.) by their once-daily administration during the withdrawal phase (Days 21, 22, and 23). The antidepressant effect of agmatine in ethanol-withdrawn rats was potentiated by the imidazoline receptor I1 agonist moxonidine (25 μg/rat, i.c.v.) and the imidazoline receptor I2 agonist, 2-BFI (10 μg/rat, i.c.v.) at their sub-effective doses. On the other hand, it was completely blocked by the imidazoline receptor I1 antagonist, efaroxan (10 μg/rat, i.c.v.) and the imidazoline receptor I2 antagonist, idazoxan (4 μg/rat, i.c.v.). In addition, agmatine levels were significantly reduced in brain samples of ethanol-withdrawn rats as compared to the pair-fed control animals. In conclusion, the present study suggests the importance of the endogenous agmatinergic system and the imidazoline receptors system in ethanol withdrawal-induced depression. The data project agmatine as a potential therapeutic target for the alcohol withdrawal-induced depression.
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Affiliation(s)
- Niyamat Chimthanawala
- Division of Neuroscience, Department of Pharmacology, Smt. Kishoritai Bhoyar, College of Pharmacy, New Kamptee, Nagpur (M.S.), 441 002, India
| | - Shruti Patil
- Division of Neuroscience, Department of Pharmacology, Smt. Kishoritai Bhoyar, College of Pharmacy, New Kamptee, Nagpur (M.S.), 441 002, India
| | - Rishabh Agrawal
- Division of Neuroscience, Department of Pharmacology, Smt. Kishoritai Bhoyar, College of Pharmacy, New Kamptee, Nagpur (M.S.), 441 002, India
| | - Nandkishor R Kotagale
- Division of Neuroscience, Department of Pharmacology, Smt. Kishoritai Bhoyar, College of Pharmacy, New Kamptee, Nagpur (M.S.), 441 002, India; Government College of Pharmacy, Amravati (M.S.), 444 604, India
| | - Milind J Umekar
- Division of Neuroscience, Department of Pharmacology, Smt. Kishoritai Bhoyar, College of Pharmacy, New Kamptee, Nagpur (M.S.), 441 002, India
| | - Brijesh G Taksande
- Division of Neuroscience, Department of Pharmacology, Smt. Kishoritai Bhoyar, College of Pharmacy, New Kamptee, Nagpur (M.S.), 441 002, India.
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11
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Bergin DH, Jing Y, Williams G, Mockett BG, Zhang H, Abraham WC, Liu P. Safety and neurochemical profiles of acute and sub-chronic oral treatment with agmatine sulfate. Sci Rep 2019; 9:12669. [PMID: 31481723 PMCID: PMC6722093 DOI: 10.1038/s41598-019-49078-0] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/11/2019] [Accepted: 08/19/2019] [Indexed: 01/25/2023] Open
Abstract
Agmatine (decarboxylated arginine) exerts numerous central nervous system (CNS) dependent pharmacological effects and may potentially modulate altered neurochemistry seen in neurological disorders. In preclinical studies, injection has been the predominant route of systemic administration. However, a significant translational step would be the use of oral agmatine treatment at therapeutic doses and better understanding of L-arginine metabolic profiles in the CNS post-treatment. The present study systematically investigated the tolerability, safety and brain-plasma neurochemistry following daily oral agmatine sulfate treatment (via gavage) to wild-type (WT) mice up to 900 mg/kg for one week (Experiment 1) or WT and APPswe/PS1ΔE9 transgenic (Tg) mice at 300 mg/kg for fifteen weeks (Experiment 2). Agmatine treatment in both experiments was well tolerated with no marked behavioural impairments, and gross necropsy and organ histology revealed no pathological alterations after 15-week dosing. Moreover, oral treatment increased agmatine levels in the hippocampus and plasma of WT mice (Experiment 1), and in 6 brain regions examined (but not plasma) of WT and Tg mice (Experiment 2), at 30 minutes or 24 hours post-treatment respectively. This study provides fundamental pre-clinical evidence that daily oral delivery of agmatine sulfate to both WT and Tg mice is safe and well tolerated. Exogenous agmatine passes through the blood brain barrier and accumulates in the brain to a greater extent in Tg mice. Furthermore exogenous agmatine has differential actions in the brain and periphery, and its effect on brain putrescine appears to be dependent on the time post-treatment.
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Affiliation(s)
- David H Bergin
- Department of Anatomy, School of Biomedical Sciences, Brain Health Research Centre, Brain Research New Zealand, University of Otago, Dunedin, New Zealand.,School of Pharmacy, Brain Health Research Centre, Brain Research New Zealand, University of Otago, Dunedin, New Zealand
| | - Yu Jing
- Department of Anatomy, School of Biomedical Sciences, Brain Health Research Centre, Brain Research New Zealand, University of Otago, Dunedin, New Zealand
| | - Gail Williams
- Department of Pathology, University of Otago, Dunedin, New Zealand
| | - Bruce G Mockett
- Department of Psychology, Brain Health Research Centre, Brain Research New Zealand, University of Otago, Dunedin, New Zealand
| | - Hu Zhang
- School of Pharmacy, Brain Health Research Centre, Brain Research New Zealand, University of Otago, Dunedin, New Zealand
| | - Wickliffe C Abraham
- Department of Psychology, Brain Health Research Centre, Brain Research New Zealand, University of Otago, Dunedin, New Zealand
| | - Ping Liu
- Department of Anatomy, School of Biomedical Sciences, Brain Health Research Centre, Brain Research New Zealand, University of Otago, Dunedin, New Zealand.
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Watts D, Pfaffenseller B, Wollenhaupt-Aguiar B, Paul Géa L, Cardoso TDA, Kapczinski F. Agmatine as a potential therapeutic intervention in bipolar depression: the preclinical landscape. Expert Opin Ther Targets 2019; 23:327-339. [DOI: 10.1080/14728222.2019.1581764] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/17/2022]
Affiliation(s)
- Devon Watts
- Neuroscience Graduate Program, McMaster University, Hamilton, ON, Canada
| | - Bianca Pfaffenseller
- Department of Psychiatry and Behavioural Neurosciences, McMaster University, Hamilton, ON, Canada
| | | | - Luiza Paul Géa
- Graduate Program in Biological Sciences, Pharmacology and Therapeutics, Federal University of Rio Grande do Sul, UFRGS, Porto Alegre, Brazil
- Laboratory of Molecular Psychiatry, Hospital de Clínicas de Porto Alegre (HCPA), Porto Alegre, Brazil
| | | | - Flavio Kapczinski
- Neuroscience Graduate Program, McMaster University, Hamilton, ON, Canada
- Department of Psychiatry and Behavioural Neurosciences, McMaster University, Hamilton, ON, Canada
- Graduate Program in Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences, Federal University of Rio Grande do Sul, UFRGS, Porto Alegre, Brazil
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Camargo A, Rodrigues ALS. Novel Targets for Fast Antidepressant Responses: Possible Role of Endogenous Neuromodulators. CHRONIC STRESS (THOUSAND OAKS, CALIF.) 2019; 3:2470547019858083. [PMID: 32440595 PMCID: PMC7219953 DOI: 10.1177/2470547019858083] [Citation(s) in RCA: 14] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/16/2019] [Accepted: 05/28/2019] [Indexed: 12/13/2022]
Abstract
The available medications for the treatment of major depressive disorder have limitations, particularly their limited efficacy, delayed therapeutic effects, and the side effects associated with treatment. These issues highlight the need for better therapeutic agents that provide more efficacious and faster effects for the management of this disorder. Ketamine, an N-methyl-D-aspartate receptor antagonist, is the prototype for novel glutamate-based antidepressants that has been shown to cause a rapid and sustained antidepressant effect even in severe refractory depressive patients. Considering the importance of these findings, several studies have been conducted to elucidate the molecular targets for ketamine's effect. In addition, efforts are under way to characterize ketamine-like drugs. This review focuses particularly on evidence that endogenous glutamatergic neuromodulators may be able to modulate mood and to elicit fast antidepressant responses. Among these molecules, agmatine and creatine stand out as those with more published evidence of similarities with ketamine, but guanosine and ascorbic acid have also provided promising results. The possibility that these neuromodulators and ketamine have common neurobiological mechanisms, mainly the ability to activate mechanistic target of rapamycin and brain-derived neurotrophic factor signaling, and synthesis of synaptic proteins in the prefrontal cortex and/or hippocampus is presented and discussed.
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Affiliation(s)
- Anderson Camargo
- Neuroscience Postgraduate Program,
Center of Biological Sciences, Universidade Federal de Santa Catarina,
Florianópolis, Brazil
| | - Ana Lúcia S. Rodrigues
- Department of Biochemistry, Center of
Biological Sciences, Universidade Federal de Santa Catarina, Florianópolis,
Brazil
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14
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Guerra de Souza AC, Gonçalves CL, de Souza V, Hartwig JM, Farina M, Prediger RD. Agmatine attenuates depressive-like behavior and hippocampal oxidative stress following amyloid β (Aβ1-40) administration in mice. Behav Brain Res 2018; 353:51-56. [DOI: 10.1016/j.bbr.2018.06.032] [Citation(s) in RCA: 18] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/12/2018] [Revised: 06/18/2018] [Accepted: 06/27/2018] [Indexed: 01/16/2023]
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15
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Neis VB, Bettio LB, Moretti M, Rosa PB, Olescowicz G, Fraga DB, Gonçalves FM, Freitas AE, Heinrich IA, Lopes MW, Leal RB, Rodrigues ALS. Single administration of agmatine reverses the depressive-like behavior induced by corticosterone in mice: Comparison with ketamine and fluoxetine. Pharmacol Biochem Behav 2018; 173:44-50. [DOI: 10.1016/j.pbb.2018.08.005] [Citation(s) in RCA: 18] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/22/2018] [Revised: 08/11/2018] [Accepted: 08/15/2018] [Indexed: 12/12/2022]
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16
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Chen ZD, Chen WQ, Wang ZY, Cao DN, Wu N, Li J. Antidepressant-like action of agmatine in the acute and sub-acute mouse models of depression: a receptor mechanism study. Metab Brain Dis 2018; 33:1721-1731. [PMID: 30019267 DOI: 10.1007/s11011-018-0280-9] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/28/2018] [Accepted: 06/22/2018] [Indexed: 01/28/2023]
Abstract
Previous studies have shown that agmatine, a potential neuromodulator or co-transmitter, exhibited antidepressant-like action in animal models, yet its mechanism, especially the receptor mechanism, remains unclear. In the present study, using efaroxan, a preferential antagonist of I1 imidazoline receptor (I1R) and yohimbine, an antagonist of α2 adrenergic receptor (α2AR), we investigated the roles of I1R and α2AR in agmatine's antidepressant-like effect in acute and sub-acute depression models in mice. We found that in the tail-suspension test (TST) and the forced swimming test (FST), acute administration of agmatine (20 and 40 mg/kg, p.o.) significantly shortened the immobility time. Concurrent administration of efaroxan (1 mg/kg, i.p.) completely abolished the antidepressant-like effects of agmatine (40 mg/kg, p.o.) whereas yohimbine (5 mg/kg, i.p.) failed to exert similar effects, suggesting that the acute antidepressant-like effects of agmatine was mainly mediated by I1R but not α2AR. Additionally, in the learned helplessness (LH) test, repeated administration of agmatine (20 mg/kg, p.o., q.d.) for 5 days significantly decreased the escape latency and the number of escape failure, and these effects were respectively abolished by concurrent administration of efaroxan (0.5 mg/kg,i.p., q.d.) and yohimbine (3 mg/kg, i.p., q.d.) for 5 days, suggesting that the antidepressant-like action of agmatine in the LH test was achieved via the activation of both I1R and α2AR. In summary, we found that the antidepressant-like effects of agmatine in the TST and the FST were mediated by activating I1R and in the sub-acute LH test were mediated by activating both I1R and α2AR.
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Affiliation(s)
- Zhao-Di Chen
- Beijing Key Laboratory of Neuropsychopharmacology, State Key Laboratory of Toxicology and Medical Countermeasures, Beijing Institute of Pharmacology and Toxicology, 27th Taiping Road, Beijing, 100850, China
| | - Wen-Qiang Chen
- Beijing Key Laboratory of Neuropsychopharmacology, State Key Laboratory of Toxicology and Medical Countermeasures, Beijing Institute of Pharmacology and Toxicology, 27th Taiping Road, Beijing, 100850, China
- Program in Cellular and Molecular Medicine, Boston Children's Hospital, Harvard Medical School, 200 Longwood Avenue, Boston, MA, 02115, USA
| | - Zhi-Yuan Wang
- Beijing Key Laboratory of Neuropsychopharmacology, State Key Laboratory of Toxicology and Medical Countermeasures, Beijing Institute of Pharmacology and Toxicology, 27th Taiping Road, Beijing, 100850, China
| | - Dan-Ni Cao
- Beijing Key Laboratory of Neuropsychopharmacology, State Key Laboratory of Toxicology and Medical Countermeasures, Beijing Institute of Pharmacology and Toxicology, 27th Taiping Road, Beijing, 100850, China
| | - Ning Wu
- Beijing Key Laboratory of Neuropsychopharmacology, State Key Laboratory of Toxicology and Medical Countermeasures, Beijing Institute of Pharmacology and Toxicology, 27th Taiping Road, Beijing, 100850, China.
| | - Jin Li
- Beijing Key Laboratory of Neuropsychopharmacology, State Key Laboratory of Toxicology and Medical Countermeasures, Beijing Institute of Pharmacology and Toxicology, 27th Taiping Road, Beijing, 100850, China.
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17
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Tavares MK, dos Reis S, Platt N, Heinrich IA, Wolin IA, Leal RB, Kaster MP, Rodrigues ALS, Freitas AE. Agmatine potentiates neuroprotective effects of subthreshold concentrations of ketamine via mTOR/S6 kinase signaling pathway. Neurochem Int 2018; 118:275-285. [DOI: 10.1016/j.neuint.2018.05.006] [Citation(s) in RCA: 13] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/08/2018] [Revised: 05/08/2018] [Accepted: 05/11/2018] [Indexed: 12/24/2022]
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18
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Benítez J, García D, Romero N, González A, Martínez-Oyanedel J, Figueroa M, Salas M, López V, García-Robles M, Dodd PR, Schenk G, Carvajal N, Uribe E. Metabolic strategies for the degradation of the neuromodulator agmatine in mammals. Metabolism 2018; 81:35-44. [PMID: 29162499 DOI: 10.1016/j.metabol.2017.11.005] [Citation(s) in RCA: 18] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/01/2017] [Revised: 10/23/2017] [Accepted: 11/08/2017] [Indexed: 01/08/2023]
Abstract
Agmatine (1-amino-4-guanidinobutane), a precursor for polyamine biosynthesis, has been identified as an important neuromodulator with anticonvulsant, antineurotoxic and antidepressant actions in the brain. In this context it has emerged as an important mediator of addiction/satiety pathways associated with alcohol misuse. Consequently, the regulation of the activity of key enzymes in agmatine metabolism is an attractive strategy to combat alcoholism and related addiction disorders. Agmatine results from the decarboxylation of L-arginine in a reaction catalyzed by arginine decarboxylase (ADC), and can be converted to either guanidine butyraldehyde by diamine oxidase (DAO) or putrescine and urea by the enzyme agmatinase (AGM) or the more recently identified AGM-like protein (ALP). In rat brain, agmatine, AGM and ALP are predominantly localised in areas associated with roles in appetitive and craving (drug-reinstatement) behaviors. Thus, inhibitors of AGM or ALP are promising agents for the treatment of addictions. In this review, the properties of DAO, AGM and ALP are discussed with a view to their role in the agmatine metabolism in mammals.
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Affiliation(s)
- José Benítez
- Departamento de Bioquímica y Biología Molecular, Facultad de Ciencias Biológicas, Universidad de Concepción, Casilla 160-C, Concepción, Chile
| | - David García
- Departamento de Bioquímica y Biología Molecular, Facultad de Ciencias Biológicas, Universidad de Concepción, Casilla 160-C, Concepción, Chile
| | - Nicol Romero
- Departamento de Bioquímica y Biología Molecular, Facultad de Ciencias Biológicas, Universidad de Concepción, Casilla 160-C, Concepción, Chile
| | - Arlette González
- Departamento de Bioquímica y Biología Molecular, Facultad de Ciencias Biológicas, Universidad de Concepción, Casilla 160-C, Concepción, Chile
| | - José Martínez-Oyanedel
- Departamento de Bioquímica y Biología Molecular, Facultad de Ciencias Biológicas, Universidad de Concepción, Casilla 160-C, Concepción, Chile
| | - Maximiliano Figueroa
- Departamento de Bioquímica y Biología Molecular, Facultad de Ciencias Biológicas, Universidad de Concepción, Casilla 160-C, Concepción, Chile
| | - Mónica Salas
- Instituto de Bioquímica y Microbiología, Universidad Austral de Chile, Valdivia, Chile
| | - Vasthi López
- Departamento de Ciencias Biomédicas, Universidad Católica del Norte, Coquimbo, Chile
| | - María García-Robles
- Departamento de Biología Celular, Facultad de Ciencias Biológicas, Universidad de Concepción, Casilla 160-C, Concepción, Chile
| | - Peter R Dodd
- School of Chemistry and Molecular Biosciences, The University of Queensland, Brisbane, QLD 4072, Australia
| | - Gerhard Schenk
- School of Chemistry and Molecular Biosciences, The University of Queensland, Brisbane, QLD 4072, Australia
| | - Nelson Carvajal
- Departamento de Bioquímica y Biología Molecular, Facultad de Ciencias Biológicas, Universidad de Concepción, Casilla 160-C, Concepción, Chile
| | - Elena Uribe
- Departamento de Bioquímica y Biología Molecular, Facultad de Ciencias Biológicas, Universidad de Concepción, Casilla 160-C, Concepción, Chile.
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19
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Evidence for the involvement of opioid system in the antidepressant-like effect of ascorbic acid. Naunyn Schmiedebergs Arch Pharmacol 2017; 391:169-176. [PMID: 29222646 DOI: 10.1007/s00210-017-1446-4] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/04/2017] [Accepted: 11/28/2017] [Indexed: 02/07/2023]
Abstract
Considering the involvement of the opioid system in major depressive disorder (MDD), mainly concerning refractory MDD, and the evidence that ascorbic acid may exert a beneficial effect for the treatment of this disorder, this study investigated the involvement of the opioid system in the antidepressant-like effect of ascorbic acid in the tail suspension test (TST). Treatment of Swiss mice with the non-selective opioid receptor antagonist naloxone (1 mg/kg, i.p.) prevented the reduced immobility time caused by ascorbic acid (1 mg/kg, p.o.) in the TST. Additionally, administration of the selective μ1-opioid receptor antagonist, naloxonazine (10 mg/kg, i.p.), also abolished the antidepressant-like action of the same dose of ascorbic acid in the TST. We also investigated the possible relationship between the opioid system and NMDA receptors in the mechanism of action of ascorbic acid or ketamine (0.1 mg/kg, i.p.) in the TST. Treatment of mice with naloxone (1 mg/kg, i.p.) blocked the synergistic antidepressant-like effect of ascorbic acid (0.1 mg/kg. p.o.) and MK-801 (0.001 mg/kg, p.o., a non-competitive NMDA receptor antagonist) in the TST. Combined administration of ketamine and MK-801 induced a synergistic antidepressant-like action, and naloxone partially abolished this effect. Our results indicate that the antidepressant-like effect of ascorbic acid in the TST appears to be dependent on the activation of the opioid system, especially μ1-opioid receptors, which might be an indirect consequence of NMDA receptor inhibition elicited by ascorbic acid administration.
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20
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Computational and biological evidences on the serotonergic involvement of SeTACN antidepressant-like effect in mice. PLoS One 2017; 12:e0187445. [PMID: 29091968 PMCID: PMC5665604 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0187445] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/18/2017] [Accepted: 10/19/2017] [Indexed: 02/07/2023] Open
Abstract
A series of phenylselanyl-1H-1,2,3-triazole-4-carbonitriles with different substituents were screened for their binding affinity with serotonin transporter (SERT) and dopamine transporter (DAT) by docking molecular. 5-(4methoxyphenyl)-1-(2-(phenylselanyl)phenyl)-1H-1,2,3-triazole-4-carbonitrile (SeTACN) exhibited the best conformation with SERT even higher than fluoxetine and serotonin, suggesting a competitive inhibition. SeTACN demonstrated additional affinity to other serotonergic receptors involved in antidepressant effects: 5HT1a, 5HT2a and 5HT3. In another set of experiments, SeTACN led to significant reductions in the immobility time of mice submitted to forced swimming test (FST) in the dose range of 0.1- 20mg/kg, suggesting an antidepressant-like effect. The possible mechanism of action was investigated using serotonergic and dopaminergic antagonists. The antidepressant-like effect of SeTACN (0.1mg/kg i.g.) was prevented by the pretreatment with WAY100635 (a selective 5HT1a antagonist), ketanserin (a 5HT2a/c antagonist) and ondansetron (a selective 5ht3 antagonist), PCPA (an inhibitor of serotonin synthesis) but not with SCH23390 (dopaminergic D1 antagonist) and sulpiride (D2 antagonist). Sub-effective dose of fluoxetine was able to potentiate the effects of a sub-effective dose of SeTACN in FST. None of the treatments affected locomotor activity in open field test (OFT). These results together, suggest that the SeTACN antidepressant-like effect is mediate, at least in parts, by serotonergic system.
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21
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Lutz PE, Mechawar N, Turecki G. Neuropathology of suicide: recent findings and future directions. Mol Psychiatry 2017; 22:1395-1412. [PMID: 28696430 DOI: 10.1038/mp.2017.141] [Citation(s) in RCA: 95] [Impact Index Per Article: 13.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/14/2016] [Revised: 05/21/2017] [Accepted: 05/26/2017] [Indexed: 12/11/2022]
Abstract
Suicide is a major public health concern and a leading cause of death in most societies. Suicidal behaviour is complex and heterogeneous, likely resulting from several causes. It associates with multiple factors, including psychopathology, personality traits, early-life adversity and stressful life events, among others. Over the past decades, studies in fields ranging from neuroanatomy, genetics and molecular psychiatry have led to a model whereby behavioural dysregulation, including suicidal behaviour (SB), develops as a function of biological adaptations in key brain systems. More recently, the unravelling of the unique epigenetic processes that occur in the brain has opened promising avenues in suicide research. The present review explores the various facets of the current knowledge on suicidality and discusses how the rapidly evolving field of neurobehavioural epigenetics may fuel our ability to understand, and potentially prevent, SB.
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Affiliation(s)
- P-E Lutz
- McGill Group for Suicide Studies, McGill University, Douglas Mental Health University Institute, Montreal, QC, Canada
| | - N Mechawar
- McGill Group for Suicide Studies, McGill University, Douglas Mental Health University Institute, Montreal, QC, Canada.,Department of Psychiatry, McGill University, Douglas Mental Health University Institute, Montreal, QC, Canada
| | - G Turecki
- McGill Group for Suicide Studies, McGill University, Douglas Mental Health University Institute, Montreal, QC, Canada.,Department of Psychiatry, McGill University, Douglas Mental Health University Institute, Montreal, QC, Canada
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22
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Neis VB, Rosa PB, Olescowicz G, Rodrigues ALS. Therapeutic potential of agmatine for CNS disorders. Neurochem Int 2017; 108:318-331. [DOI: 10.1016/j.neuint.2017.05.006] [Citation(s) in RCA: 27] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/23/2017] [Revised: 05/06/2017] [Accepted: 05/12/2017] [Indexed: 12/14/2022]
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Glutamatergic system and mTOR-signaling pathway participate in the antidepressant-like effect of inosine in the tail suspension test. J Neural Transm (Vienna) 2017; 124:1227-1237. [DOI: 10.1007/s00702-017-1753-4] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/17/2017] [Accepted: 07/01/2017] [Indexed: 12/20/2022]
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Plasma Metabolites Predict Severity of Depression and Suicidal Ideation in Psychiatric Patients-A Multicenter Pilot Analysis. PLoS One 2016; 11:e0165267. [PMID: 27984586 PMCID: PMC5161310 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0165267] [Citation(s) in RCA: 81] [Impact Index Per Article: 10.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/22/2016] [Accepted: 10/07/2016] [Indexed: 12/27/2022] Open
Abstract
Evaluating the severity of depression (SOD), especially suicidal ideation (SI), is crucial in the treatment of not only patients with mood disorders but also psychiatric patients in general. SOD has been assessed on interviews such as the Hamilton Rating Scale for Depression (HAMD)-17, and/or self-administered questionnaires such as the Patient Health Questionnaire (PHQ)-9. However, these evaluation systems have relied on a person's subjective information, which sometimes lead to difficulties in clinical settings. To resolve this limitation, a more objective SOD evaluation system is needed. Herein, we collected clinical data including HAMD-17/PHQ-9 and blood plasma of psychiatric patients from three independent clinical centers. We performed metabolome analysis of blood plasma using liquid chromatography mass spectrometry (LC-MS), and 123 metabolites were detected. Interestingly, five plasma metabolites (3-hydroxybutyrate (3HB), betaine, citrate, creatinine, and gamma-aminobutyric acid (GABA)) are commonly associated with SOD in all three independent cohort sets regardless of the presence or absence of medication and diagnostic difference. In addition, we have shown several metabolites are independently associated with sub-symptoms of depression including SI. We successfully created a classification model to discriminate depressive patients with or without SI by machine learning technique. Finally, we produced a pilot algorithm to predict a grade of SI with citrate and kynurenine. The above metabolites may have strongly been associated with the underlying novel biological pathophysiology of SOD. We should explore the biological impact of these metabolites on depressive symptoms by utilizing a cross species study model with human and rodents. The present multicenter pilot study offers a potential utility for measuring blood metabolites as a novel objective tool for not only assessing SOD but also evaluating therapeutic efficacy in clinical practice. In addition, modification of these metabolites by diet and/or medications may be a novel therapeutic target for depression. To clarify these aspects, clinical trials measuring metabolites before/after interventions should be conducted. Larger cohort studies including non-clinical subjects are also warranted to clarify our pilot findings.
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25
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Signaling pathways underlying the antidepressant-like effect of inosine in mice. Purinergic Signal 2016; 13:203-214. [PMID: 27966087 DOI: 10.1007/s11302-016-9551-2] [Citation(s) in RCA: 27] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/02/2016] [Accepted: 12/01/2016] [Indexed: 12/15/2022] Open
Abstract
Inosine is a purine nucleoside formed by the breakdown of adenosine that elicits an antidepressant-like effect in mice through activation of adenosine A1 and A2A receptors. However, the signaling pathways underlying this effect are largely unknown. To address this issue, the present study investigated the influence of extracellular-regulated protein kinase (ERK)1/2, Ca2+/calmoduline-dependent protein kinase (CaMKII), protein kinase A (PKA), phosphoinositide 3-kinase (PI3K)/Akt, and glycogen synthase kinase 3beta (GSK-3β) modulation in the antiimmobility effect of inosine in the tail suspension test (TST) in mice. In addition, we attempted to verify if inosine treatment was capable of altering the immunocontent and phosphorylation of the transcription factor cyclic adenosine monophosphatate (cAMP) response-binding element protein (CREB) in mouse prefrontal cortex and hippocampus. Intracerebroventricular administration of U0126 (5 μg/mouse, MEK1/2 inhibitor), KN-62 (1 μg/mouse, CaMKII inhibitor), H-89 (1 μg/mouse, PKA inhibitor), and wortmannin (0.1 μg/mouse, PI3K inhibitor) prevented the antiimmobility effect of inosine (10 mg/kg, intraperitoneal (i.p.)) in the TST. Also, administration of a sub-effective dose of inosine (0.1 mg/kg, i.p.) in combination with a sub-effective dose of AR-A014418 (0.001 μg/mouse, GSK-3β inhibitor) induced a synergic antidepressant-like effect. None of the treatments altered locomotor activity of mice. Moreover, 24 h after a single administration of inosine (10 mg/kg, i.p.), CREB phosphorylation was increased in the hippocampus. Our findings provided new evidence that the antidepressant-like effect of inosine in the TST involves the activation of PKA, PI3K/Akt, ERK1/2, and CaMKII and the inhibition of GSK-3β. These results contribute to the comprehension of the mechanisms underlying the purinergic system modulation and indicate the intracellular signaling pathways involved in the antidepressant-like effect of inosine in a preclinical test of depression.
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26
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Freitas AE, Neis VB, Rodrigues ALS. Agmatine, a potential novel therapeutic strategy for depression. Eur Neuropsychopharmacol 2016; 26:1885-1899. [PMID: 27836390 DOI: 10.1016/j.euroneuro.2016.10.013] [Citation(s) in RCA: 34] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/22/2016] [Revised: 10/12/2016] [Accepted: 10/29/2016] [Indexed: 12/19/2022]
Abstract
Major depressive disorder is the most common psychiatric disorder with lifetime prevalence of up to 20% worldwide. It is responsible for more years lost to disability than any other disorder. Despite the fact that current available antidepressant drugs are safe and effective, they are far from ideal. In addition to the need to administer the drugs for weeks or months to obtain clinical benefit, side effects are still a serious problem. Agmatine is an endogenous polyamine synthesized by the enzyme arginine decarboxylase. It modulates several receptors and is considered as a neuromodulator in the brain. In this review, studies demonstrating the antidepressant effects of agmatine are presented and discussed, as well as, the mechanisms of action related to these effects. Also, the potential beneficial effects of agmatine for the treatment of other neurological disorders are presented. In particular, we provide evidence to encourage future clinical studies investigating agmatine as a novel antidepressant drug.
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Affiliation(s)
- Andiara E Freitas
- Department of Psychiatry, University of California, San Francisco, San Francisco, CA 94158, USA; Department of Biochemistry, Center of Biological Sciences, Universidade Federal de Santa Catarina, Campus Universitário, Trindade, 88040-900 Florianópolis, SC, Brazil.
| | - Vivian B Neis
- Department of Biochemistry, Center of Biological Sciences, Universidade Federal de Santa Catarina, Campus Universitário, Trindade, 88040-900 Florianópolis, SC, Brazil
| | - Ana Lúcia S Rodrigues
- Department of Biochemistry, Center of Biological Sciences, Universidade Federal de Santa Catarina, Campus Universitário, Trindade, 88040-900 Florianópolis, SC, Brazil
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Neis VB, Bettio LEB, Moretti M, Rosa PB, Ribeiro CM, Freitas AE, Gonçalves FM, Leal RB, Rodrigues ALS. Acute agmatine administration, similar to ketamine, reverses depressive-like behavior induced by chronic unpredictable stress in mice. Pharmacol Biochem Behav 2016; 150-151:108-114. [PMID: 27743829 DOI: 10.1016/j.pbb.2016.10.004] [Citation(s) in RCA: 33] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/13/2016] [Revised: 10/06/2016] [Accepted: 10/10/2016] [Indexed: 01/06/2023]
Abstract
Agmatine is an endogenous neuromodulator that has been shown to have antidepressant-like properties. We have previously demonstrated that it can induce a rapid increase in BDNF levels after acute administration, suggesting that agmatine may be a fast-acting antidepressant. To investigate this hypothesis, the present study evaluated the effects of a single administration of agmatine in mice subjected to chronic unpredictable stress (CUS), a model of depression responsive only to chronic treatment with conventional antidepressants. The ability of agmatine to reverse CUS-induced behavioral and biochemical alterations was evaluated and compared with those elicited by the fast-acting antidepressant (ketamine) and the conventional antidepressant (fluoxetine). After exposed to CUS for 14days, mice received a single oral dose of agmatine (0.1mg/kg), ketamine (1mg/kg) or fluoxetine (10mg/kg), and were submitted to behavioral evaluation after 24h. The exposure to CUS caused an increased immobility time in the tail suspension test (TST) but did not change anhedonic-related parameters in the splash test. Our findings provided evidence that, similarly to ketamine, agmatine is able to reverse CUS-induced depressive-like behavior in the TST. Western blot analyses of prefrontal cortex (PFC) demonstrated that mice exposed to CUS and/or treated with agmatine, fluoxetine or ketamine did not present alterations in the immunocontent of synaptic proteins [i.e. GluA1, postsynaptic density protein 95 (PSD-95) and synapsin]. Altogether, our findings indicate that a single administration of agmatine is able to reverse behavioral alterations induced by CUS in the TST, suggesting that this compound may have fast-acting antidepressant-like properties. However, there was no alteration in the levels of synaptic proteins in the PFC, a result that need to be further investigated in other time points.
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Affiliation(s)
- Vivian B Neis
- Department of Biochemistry, Center of Biological Sciences, Universidade Federal de Santa Catarina, Campus Universitário, Trindade, 88040-900 Florianópolis, SC, Brazil
| | - Luis E B Bettio
- Department of Biochemistry, Center of Biological Sciences, Universidade Federal de Santa Catarina, Campus Universitário, Trindade, 88040-900 Florianópolis, SC, Brazil
| | - Morgana Moretti
- Department of Biochemistry, Center of Biological Sciences, Universidade Federal de Santa Catarina, Campus Universitário, Trindade, 88040-900 Florianópolis, SC, Brazil; Post-Graduate Nutrition Program, Center of Health Sciences, Universidade Federal de Santa Catarina, Campus Universitário, Trindade, 88040-900 Florianópolis, SC, Brazil
| | - Priscila B Rosa
- Department of Biochemistry, Center of Biological Sciences, Universidade Federal de Santa Catarina, Campus Universitário, Trindade, 88040-900 Florianópolis, SC, Brazil
| | - Camille M Ribeiro
- Department of Biochemistry, Center of Biological Sciences, Universidade Federal de Santa Catarina, Campus Universitário, Trindade, 88040-900 Florianópolis, SC, Brazil
| | - Andiara E Freitas
- Department of Biochemistry, Center of Biological Sciences, Universidade Federal de Santa Catarina, Campus Universitário, Trindade, 88040-900 Florianópolis, SC, Brazil
| | - Filipe M Gonçalves
- Department of Biochemistry, Center of Biological Sciences, Universidade Federal de Santa Catarina, Campus Universitário, Trindade, 88040-900 Florianópolis, SC, Brazil
| | - Rodrigo B Leal
- Department of Biochemistry, Center of Biological Sciences, Universidade Federal de Santa Catarina, Campus Universitário, Trindade, 88040-900 Florianópolis, SC, Brazil
| | - Ana Lúcia S Rodrigues
- Department of Biochemistry, Center of Biological Sciences, Universidade Federal de Santa Catarina, Campus Universitário, Trindade, 88040-900 Florianópolis, SC, Brazil.
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Rosa PB, Neis VB, Ribeiro CM, Moretti M, Rodrigues ALS. Antidepressant-like effects of ascorbic acid and ketamine involve modulation of GABAA and GABAB receptors. Pharmacol Rep 2016; 68:996-1001. [PMID: 27423525 DOI: 10.1016/j.pharep.2016.05.010] [Citation(s) in RCA: 47] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/04/2016] [Revised: 05/22/2016] [Accepted: 05/23/2016] [Indexed: 01/13/2023]
Abstract
BACKGROUND It has been suggested that dysregulation of γ-aminobutyric acid (GABA)-mediated neurotransmission is involved in the etiology of major depressive disorder and in the action of the fast-acting antidepressant ketamine. Considering that recent evidence has suggested that ascorbic acid may exert an antidepressant-like effect through mechanisms similar to ketamine, this study evaluated the involvement of GABAA and GABAB receptors in the antidepressant-like effect of ascorbic acid, comparing the results with those obtained with ketamine. METHODS To investigate the involvement of GABAA in the antidepressant-like effect of ascorbic acid and ketamine in the tail suspension test (TST), mice were treated with a sub-effective dose of ascorbic acid (0.1mg/kg, po), ketamine (0.1mg/kg, ip) or vehicle and 30minutes later, a sub-effective dose of muscimol (0.1mg/kg, ip, GABAA receptor agonist) or vehicle was administered. In another set of experiments, mice were treated with ascorbic acid (1mg/kg, po, active dose in the TST) or vehicle and 30minutes later, baclofen (1mg/kg, ip, GABAB receptor agonist) was administered. A similar experimental protocol was performed with ketamine (1mg/kg, ip). RESULTS The administration of muscimol combined with ascorbic acid or ketamine produced a synergistic antidepressant-like effect in the TST. Moreover, the antidepressant-like effects of ascorbic acid and ketamine were abolished by baclofen. There was no alteration in spontaneous locomotion in any experimental group. CONCLUSIONS Results indicate that the anti-immobility effect of ascorbic acid and ketamine in TST may involve an activation of GABAA receptors and a possible inhibition of GABAB receptors.
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Affiliation(s)
- Priscila B Rosa
- Department of Biochemistry, Center of Biological Sciences, Universidade Federal de Santa Catarina, Florianópolis, 88040-900, SC, Brazil
| | - Vivian B Neis
- Department of Biochemistry, Center of Biological Sciences, Universidade Federal de Santa Catarina, Florianópolis, 88040-900, SC, Brazil
| | - Camille M Ribeiro
- Department of Biochemistry, Center of Biological Sciences, Universidade Federal de Santa Catarina, Florianópolis, 88040-900, SC, Brazil
| | - Morgana Moretti
- Post-Graduate Nutrition Program, Center of Health Sciences, Universidade Federal de Santa Catarina, Florianópolis, 88040-900, SC, Brazil
| | - Ana Lúcia S Rodrigues
- Department of Biochemistry, Center of Biological Sciences, Universidade Federal de Santa Catarina, Florianópolis, 88040-900, SC, Brazil.
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Involvement of the agmatinergic system in the depressive-like phenotype of the Crtc1 knockout mouse model of depression. Transl Psychiatry 2016; 6:e852. [PMID: 27404284 PMCID: PMC5545706 DOI: 10.1038/tp.2016.116] [Citation(s) in RCA: 43] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/17/2015] [Revised: 04/27/2016] [Accepted: 04/29/2016] [Indexed: 12/15/2022] Open
Abstract
Recent studies implicate the arginine-decarboxylation product agmatine in mood regulation. Agmatine has antidepressant properties in rodent models of depression, and agmatinase (Agmat), the agmatine-degrading enzyme, is upregulated in the brains of mood disorder patients. We have previously shown that mice lacking CREB-regulated transcription coactivator 1 (CRTC1) associate behavioral and molecular depressive-like endophenotypes, as well as blunted responses to classical antidepressants. Here, the molecular basis of the behavioral phenotype of Crtc1(-/-) mice was further examined using microarray gene expression profiling that revealed an upregulation of Agmat in the cortex of Crtc1(-/-) mice. Quantitative polymerase chain reaction and western blot analyses confirmed Agmat upregulation in the Crtc1(-/-) prefrontal cortex (PFC) and hippocampus, which were further demonstrated by confocal immunofluorescence microscopy to comprise an increased number of Agmat-expressing cells, notably parvalbumin- and somatostatin-positive interneurons. Acute agmatine and ketamine treatments comparably improved the depressive-like behavior of male and female Crtc1(-/-) mice in the forced swim test, suggesting that exogenous agmatine has a rapid antidepressant effect through the compensation of agmatine deficit because of upregulated Agmat. Agmatine rapidly increased brain-derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF) levels only in the PFC of wild-type (WT) females, and decreased eukaryotic elongation factor 2 (eEF2) phosphorylation in the PFC of male and female WT mice, indicating that agmatine might be a fast-acting antidepressant with N-methyl-D-aspartate (NMDA) receptor antagonist properties. Collectively, these findings implicate Agmat in the depressive-like phenotype of Crtc1(-/-) mice, refine current understanding of the agmatinergic system in the brain and highlight its putative role in major depression.
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Neis VB, Moretti M, Bettio LEB, Ribeiro CM, Rosa PB, Gonçalves FM, Lopes MW, Leal RB, Rodrigues ALS. Agmatine produces antidepressant-like effects by activating AMPA receptors and mTOR signaling. Eur Neuropsychopharmacol 2016; 26:959-71. [PMID: 27061850 DOI: 10.1016/j.euroneuro.2016.03.009] [Citation(s) in RCA: 38] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/23/2015] [Revised: 02/19/2016] [Accepted: 03/18/2016] [Indexed: 12/16/2022]
Abstract
The activation of AMPA receptors and mTOR signaling has been reported as mechanisms underlying the antidepressant effects of fast-acting agents, specially the NMDA receptor antagonist ketamine. In the present study, oral administration of agmatine (0.1mg/kg), a neuromodulator that has been reported to modulate NMDA receptors, caused a significant reduction in the immobility time of mice submitted to the tail suspension test (TST), an effect prevented by the administration of DNQX (AMPA receptor antagonist, 2.5μg/site, i.c.v.), BDNF antibody (1μg/site, i.c.v.), K-252a (TrkB receptor antagonist, 1μg/site, i.c.v.), LY294002 (PI3K inhibitor, 10nmol/site, i.c.v.) or rapamycin (selective mTOR inhibitor, 0.2nmol/site, i.c.v.). Moreover, the administration of lithium chloride (non-selective GSK-3β inhibitor, 10mg/kg, p.o.) or AR-A014418 (selective GSK-3β inhibitor, 0.01μg/site, i.c.v.) in combination with a sub-effective dose of agmatine (0.0001mg/kg, p.o.) reduced the immobility time in the TST when compared with either drug alone. Furthermore, increased immunocontents of BDNF, PSD-95 and GluA1 were found in the prefrontal cortex of mice just 1h after agmatine administration. These results indicate that the antidepressant-like effect of agmatine in the TST may be dependent on the activation of AMPA and TrkB receptors, PI3K and mTOR signaling as well as inhibition of GSK-3β, and increase in synaptic proteins. The results contribute to elucidate the complex signaling pathways involved in the antidepressant effect of agmatine and reinforce the pivotal role of these molecular targets for antidepressant responses.
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Affiliation(s)
- Vivian Binder Neis
- Department of Biochemistry, Center of Biological Sciences, Universidade Federal de Santa Catarina, Campus Universitário, Trindade, 88040-900 Florianópolis, SC, Brazil
| | - Morgana Moretti
- Post-Graduate Nutrition Program, Center of Health Sciences, Universidade Federal de Santa Catarina, Campus Universitário, Trindade, 88040-900 Florianópolis, SC, Brazil
| | - Luis Eduardo B Bettio
- Department of Biochemistry, Center of Biological Sciences, Universidade Federal de Santa Catarina, Campus Universitário, Trindade, 88040-900 Florianópolis, SC, Brazil
| | - Camille M Ribeiro
- Department of Biochemistry, Center of Biological Sciences, Universidade Federal de Santa Catarina, Campus Universitário, Trindade, 88040-900 Florianópolis, SC, Brazil
| | - Priscila Batista Rosa
- Department of Biochemistry, Center of Biological Sciences, Universidade Federal de Santa Catarina, Campus Universitário, Trindade, 88040-900 Florianópolis, SC, Brazil
| | - Filipe Marques Gonçalves
- Department of Biochemistry, Center of Biological Sciences, Universidade Federal de Santa Catarina, Campus Universitário, Trindade, 88040-900 Florianópolis, SC, Brazil
| | - Mark William Lopes
- Department of Biochemistry, Center of Biological Sciences, Universidade Federal de Santa Catarina, Campus Universitário, Trindade, 88040-900 Florianópolis, SC, Brazil
| | - Rodrigo Bainy Leal
- Department of Biochemistry, Center of Biological Sciences, Universidade Federal de Santa Catarina, Campus Universitário, Trindade, 88040-900 Florianópolis, SC, Brazil
| | - Ana Lúcia S Rodrigues
- Department of Biochemistry, Center of Biological Sciences, Universidade Federal de Santa Catarina, Campus Universitário, Trindade, 88040-900 Florianópolis, SC, Brazil.
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Bettio LEB, Neis VB, Pazini FL, Brocardo PS, Patten AR, Gil-Mohapel J, Christie BR, Rodrigues ALS. The antidepressant-like effect of chronic guanosine treatment is associated with increased hippocampal neuronal differentiation. Eur J Neurosci 2016; 43:1006-15. [PMID: 26779605 DOI: 10.1111/ejn.13172] [Citation(s) in RCA: 26] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/08/2015] [Accepted: 01/07/2016] [Indexed: 12/17/2022]
Abstract
Guanosine is a purine nucleoside that occurs naturally in the central nervous system, exerting trophic effects. Given its neuroprotective properties, the potential of guanosine as an antidepressant has been recently examined. Within this context, the present study sought to investigate the effects of chronic treatment with guanosine on the tail suspension test (TST), open field test and adult hippocampal neurogenesis. Swiss mice were administered guanosine for 21 days (5 mg/kg/day, p.o.) and subsequently submitted to the TST and open-field test. Following behavioural testing, animals were killed and the brains were processed for immunohistochemical analyses of hippocampal cell proliferation and neuronal differentiation. Animals treated with guanosine showed a reduction in immobility time in the TST without alterations in locomotor activity, confirming the antidepressant-like effect of this compound. Quantitative microscopic analysis did not reveal significant alterations in the numbers of Ki-67- and proliferating cell nuclear antigen (PCNA)-positive cells in the hippocampal dentate gyrus (DG) of guanosine-treated mice. However, guanosine treatment resulted in a significant increase in the number of immature neurons, as assessed by immunohistochemistry for the neurogenic differentiation protein. Interestingly, this effect was localized to the ventral hippocampal DG, a functionally distinct region of this structure known to regulate emotional and motivational behaviours. Taken together, our results suggest that the antidepressant-like effect of chronic guanosine treatment is associated with an increase in neuronal differentiation, reinforcing the notion that this nucleoside may be an endogenous mood modulator.
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Affiliation(s)
- Luis E B Bettio
- Department of Biochemistry, Center of Biological Sciences, Universidade Federal de Santa Catarina, 88040-900, Florianópolis-SC, Brazil.,Division of Medical Sciences and UBC Island Medical Program, University of Victoria, Victoria, BC, V8W 2Y2, Canada
| | - Vivian B Neis
- Department of Biochemistry, Center of Biological Sciences, Universidade Federal de Santa Catarina, 88040-900, Florianópolis-SC, Brazil
| | - Francis L Pazini
- Department of Biochemistry, Center of Biological Sciences, Universidade Federal de Santa Catarina, 88040-900, Florianópolis-SC, Brazil
| | - Patricia S Brocardo
- Department of Morphological Sciences, Center of Biological Sciences, Universidade Federal de Santa Catarina, 88040-900, Florianópolis-SC, Brazil
| | - Anna R Patten
- Division of Medical Sciences and UBC Island Medical Program, University of Victoria, Victoria, BC, V8W 2Y2, Canada
| | - Joana Gil-Mohapel
- Division of Medical Sciences and UBC Island Medical Program, University of Victoria, Victoria, BC, V8W 2Y2, Canada
| | - Brian R Christie
- Division of Medical Sciences and UBC Island Medical Program, University of Victoria, Victoria, BC, V8W 2Y2, Canada
| | - Ana Lúcia S Rodrigues
- Department of Biochemistry, Center of Biological Sciences, Universidade Federal de Santa Catarina, 88040-900, Florianópolis-SC, Brazil
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Timosaponin derivative YY-23 acts as a non-competitive NMDA receptor antagonist and exerts a rapid antidepressant-like effect in mice. Acta Pharmacol Sin 2016; 37:166-76. [PMID: 26687936 DOI: 10.1038/aps.2015.111] [Citation(s) in RCA: 11] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/08/2015] [Accepted: 10/28/2015] [Indexed: 12/20/2022] Open
Abstract
AIM N-methyl-D-aspartic acid (NMDA) receptor modulators have shown promising results as potential antidepressant agents, whereas timosaponins extracted from the Chinese herb Rhizoma Anemarrhenae exhibit antidepressant activities. In the present study we examined whether YY-23, a modified metabolite of timosaponin B-III, could affect NMDA receptors in rat hippocampal neurons in vitro, and evaluated its antidepressant-like effects in stressed mice. METHODS NMDA-induced currents were recorded in acutely dissociated rat hippocampal CA1 neurons using a whole-cell recording technique. C57BL/6 mice were exposed to a 6-week chronic mild stress (CMS) or a 10-d chronic social defeat stress (CSDS). The stressed mice were treated with YY-23 (20 mg·kg(-1)·d(-1)) or a positive-control drug, fluoxetine (10 mg·kg(-1)·d(-1)) for 3 weeks. Behavioral assessments were carried out every week. RESULTS In acutely dissociated rat hippocampal CA1 neurons, YY-23 selectively and reversibly inhibited NMDA-induced currents with an EC50 value of 2.8 μmol/L. This inhibition of NMDA-induced currents by YY-23 was non-competitive, and had no features of voltage-dependency or use-dependency. Treatment of the stressed mice with YY-23 not only reversed CMS-induced deficiency of sucrose preference and immobility time, and CSDS-induced reduction of social interaction, but also had faster onset as compared to fluoxetine. CONCLUSION YY-23 is a novel non-competitive antagonist of NMDA receptors with promising rapid antidepressant-like effects in mouse models of CMS and CSDS depression.
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Kaster MP, Moretti M, Cunha MP, Rodrigues ALS. Novel approaches for the management of depressive disorders. Eur J Pharmacol 2016; 771:236-40. [DOI: 10.1016/j.ejphar.2015.12.029] [Citation(s) in RCA: 23] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/22/2015] [Revised: 11/14/2015] [Accepted: 12/14/2015] [Indexed: 12/13/2022]
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Moretti M, Neis VB, Matheus FC, Cunha MP, Rosa PB, Ribeiro CM, Rodrigues ALS, Prediger RD. Effects of Agmatine on Depressive-Like Behavior Induced by Intracerebroventricular Administration of 1-Methyl-4-phenylpyridinium (MPP(+)). Neurotox Res 2015; 28:222-31. [PMID: 26156429 DOI: 10.1007/s12640-015-9540-1] [Citation(s) in RCA: 39] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/18/2015] [Revised: 06/26/2015] [Accepted: 07/01/2015] [Indexed: 12/21/2022]
Abstract
Considering that depression is a common non-motor comorbidity of Parkinson's disease and that agmatine is an endogenous neuromodulator that emerges as a potential agent to manage diverse central nervous system disorders, this study investigated the antidepressant-like effect of agmatine in mice intracerebroventricularly (i.c.v.) injected with the dopaminergic neurotoxin 1-methyl-4-phenylpyridinium (MPP(+)). Male C57BL6 mice were treated with agmatine (0.0001, 0.1 or 1 mg/kg) and 60 min later the animals received an i.c.v. injection of MPP(+) (1.8 µg/site). Twenty-four hours after MPP(+) administration, immobility time, anhedonic behavior, and locomotor activity were evaluated in the tail suspension test (TST), splash test, and open field test, respectively. Using Western blot analysis, we investigated the putative modulation of MPP(+) and agmatine on striatal and frontal cortex levels of tyrosine hydroxylase (TH) and brain-derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF). MPP(+) increased the immobility time of mice in the TST, as well as induced an anhedonic-like behavior in the splash test, effects which were prevented by pre-treatment with agmatine at the three tested doses. Neither drug, alone or in combination, altered the locomotor activity of mice. I.c.v. administration of MPP(+) increased the striatal immunocontent of TH, an effect prevented by the three tested doses of agmatine. MPP(+) and agmatine did not alter the immunocontent of BDNF in striatum and frontal cortex. These results demonstrate for the first time the antidepressant-like effects of agmatine in an animal model of depressive-like behavior induced by the dopaminergic neurotoxin MPP(+).
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Affiliation(s)
- Morgana Moretti
- Department of Pharmacology, Center of Biological Sciences, Universidade Federal de Santa Catarina, Florianópolis, SC, 88049-900, Brazil,
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