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Zhao P, Chen X, Han X, Wang Y, Shi Y, Ji J, Lei Y, Liu Y, Kong Q, Mu L, Wang J, Zhao W, Wang G, Liu X, Zhang T, Zhang Y, Sun B, Liu Y, Li H. Involvement of microRNA-155 in the mechanism of electroacupuncture treatment effects on experimental autoimmune encephalomyelitis. Int Immunopharmacol 2021; 97:107811. [PMID: 34091117 DOI: 10.1016/j.intimp.2021.107811] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/10/2021] [Revised: 05/17/2021] [Accepted: 05/21/2021] [Indexed: 11/18/2022]
Abstract
Multiple sclerosis (MS) is a neurodegenerative and demyelinating autoimmune disease mediated by autoreactive T cells that affects the central nervous system (CNS). Electroacupuncture (EA) has emerged as an alternative or supplemental treatment for MS, but the mechanism by which EA may alleviate MS symptoms is unresolved. Here, we examined the effects of EA at the Zusanli (ST36) acupoint on mice with experimental autoimmune encephalomyelitis (EAE), the predominant animal model of MS. The effects of EA on EAE emergence, inflammatory cell levels, proinflammatory cytokines, and spinal cord pathology were examined. EA treatment attenuated the EAE clinical score and associated spinal cord demyelination, while reducing the presence of proinflammatory cytokines in mononuclear cells (MNCs), downregulating microRNA (miR)-155, and upregulating the opioid peptide precursor proopiomelanocortin (POMC) in the CNS. Experiments in which cultured neurons were transfected with a miR-155 mimic or a miR-155 inhibitor further showed that the direct modulation of miR-155 levels could regulate POMC levels in neurons. In conclusion, the alleviation of EAE by EA is characterized by reduced proportions of Th1/Th17 cells and increased proportions of Th2 cells, POMC upregulation, and miR-155 downregulation, while miR-155 itself can suppress POMC expression. These results, support the hypothesis that the effects of EA on EAE may involve the downregulation of miR-155.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ping Zhao
- Department of Neurobiology, Harbin Medical University, No. 194 Xuefu Road, Harbin, Heilongjiang 150081, China
| | - Xin Chen
- Department of Neurobiology, Harbin Medical University, No. 194 Xuefu Road, Harbin, Heilongjiang 150081, China
| | - Xudong Han
- Department of Neurobiology, Harbin Medical University, No. 194 Xuefu Road, Harbin, Heilongjiang 150081, China
| | - Yanping Wang
- Department of Neurobiology, Harbin Medical University, No. 194 Xuefu Road, Harbin, Heilongjiang 150081, China
| | - Yu Shi
- Department of Neurobiology, Harbin Medical University, No. 194 Xuefu Road, Harbin, Heilongjiang 150081, China
| | - Jiayu Ji
- Department of Neurobiology, Harbin Medical University, No. 194 Xuefu Road, Harbin, Heilongjiang 150081, China
| | - Yanting Lei
- Department of Neurobiology, Harbin Medical University, No. 194 Xuefu Road, Harbin, Heilongjiang 150081, China
| | - Ying Liu
- Institute of Transfusion Medicine, Harbin Blood Center, Harbin, Heilongjiang 150081, China
| | - Qingfei Kong
- Department of Neurobiology, Harbin Medical University, No. 194 Xuefu Road, Harbin, Heilongjiang 150081, China
| | - Lili Mu
- Department of Neurobiology, Harbin Medical University, No. 194 Xuefu Road, Harbin, Heilongjiang 150081, China
| | - Jinghua Wang
- Department of Neurobiology, Harbin Medical University, No. 194 Xuefu Road, Harbin, Heilongjiang 150081, China
| | - Wei Zhao
- Department of Neurobiology, Harbin Medical University, No. 194 Xuefu Road, Harbin, Heilongjiang 150081, China
| | - Guangyou Wang
- Department of Neurobiology, Harbin Medical University, No. 194 Xuefu Road, Harbin, Heilongjiang 150081, China
| | - Xijun Liu
- Department of Neurobiology, Harbin Medical University, No. 194 Xuefu Road, Harbin, Heilongjiang 150081, China
| | - Tongshuai Zhang
- Department of Neurobiology, Harbin Medical University, No. 194 Xuefu Road, Harbin, Heilongjiang 150081, China
| | - Yao Zhang
- Department of Neurobiology, Harbin Medical University, No. 194 Xuefu Road, Harbin, Heilongjiang 150081, China
| | - Bo Sun
- Department of Neurobiology, Harbin Medical University, No. 194 Xuefu Road, Harbin, Heilongjiang 150081, China
| | - Yumei Liu
- Department of Neurobiology, Harbin Medical University, No. 194 Xuefu Road, Harbin, Heilongjiang 150081, China.
| | - Hulun Li
- Department of Neurobiology, Harbin Medical University, No. 194 Xuefu Road, Harbin, Heilongjiang 150081, China; The Key Laboratory of Myocardial Ischemia, Harbin Medical University, Ministry of Education, Harbin, Heilongjiang 150081, China.
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Xu P, Li M, Bai Y, Lu W, Ling X, Li W. The effects of piracetam on heroin-induced CPP and neuronal apoptosis in rats. Drug Alcohol Depend 2015; 150:141-6. [PMID: 25801591 DOI: 10.1016/j.drugalcdep.2015.02.026] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/18/2014] [Revised: 01/27/2015] [Accepted: 02/22/2015] [Indexed: 12/30/2022]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Piracetam is a positive allosteric modulator of the AMPA receptor that has been used in the treatment of cognitive disorders for decades. Recent surveys and drug analyses have demonstrated that a heroin mixture adulterated with piracetam has spread rapidly in heroin addicts in China, but its addictive properties and the damage it causes to the central neural system are currently unknown. METHODS The effect of piracetam on the reward properties of heroin was assessed by conditioned place preference (CPP). Electron microscopy and radioimmunoassay were used to compare the effects of heroin mixed with equivalent piracetam (HP) and heroin alone on neuronal apoptosis and the levels of beta-endorphin (β-EP) in different brain subregions within the corticolimbic system, respectively. RESULTS Piracetam significantly enhanced heroin-induced CPP expression while piracetam itself didn't induce CPP. Morphological observations showed that HP-treated rats had less neuronal apoptosis than heroin-treated group. Interestingly, HP normalized the levels of β-EP in the medial prefrontal cortex (mPFC) and core of the nucleus accumbens (AcbC) subregions, in where heroin-treated rats showed decreased levels of β-EP. CONCLUSIONS These results indicate that piracetam potentiate the heroin-induced CPP and protect neurons from heroin-induced apoptosis. The protective role of HP might be related to the restoration of β-EP levels by piracetam. Our findings may provide a potential interpretation for the growing trend of HP abuse in addicts in China.
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Affiliation(s)
- Peng Xu
- School of Pharmaceutical Science, Peking University, Beijing 100191, PR China; Drug Intelligence and Forensic Center, Ministry of Public Security, Beijing 100193, PR China
| | - Min Li
- School of Basic Medical Sciences, Peking University, Beijing 100191, PR China
| | - Yanping Bai
- Drug Intelligence and Forensic Center, Ministry of Public Security, Beijing 100193, PR China
| | - Wei Lu
- School of Pharmaceutical Science, Peking University, Beijing 100191, PR China
| | - Xiaomei Ling
- School of Pharmaceutical Science, Peking University, Beijing 100191, PR China.
| | - Weidong Li
- School of Basic Medical Sciences, Peking University, Beijing 100191, PR China.
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Bhalla S, Rapolaviciute V, Gulati A. Determination of α(2)-adrenoceptor and imidazoline receptor involvement in augmentation of morphine and oxycodone analgesia by agmatine and BMS182874. Eur J Pharmacol 2010; 651:109-21. [PMID: 21114998 DOI: 10.1016/j.ejphar.2010.10.090] [Citation(s) in RCA: 19] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/23/2010] [Revised: 10/18/2010] [Accepted: 10/22/2010] [Indexed: 11/15/2022]
Abstract
Studies have demonstrated that clonidine (α(2)-adrenoceptor and imidazoline receptor agonist) and BMS182874 (endothelin ET(A) receptor antagonist) potentiate morphine and oxycodone analgesia. Agmatine, an endogenous clonidine-like substance, enhances morphine analgesia. However, its effect on oxycodone analgesia and its interaction with endothelin ET(A) receptor antagonists are not known. The present study was performed to determine the effect of agmatine on morphine and oxycodone analgesia and the involvement of α(2)-adrenoceptors, imidazoline receptors, opioid receptors, and endothelin receptors. Antinociception at various time intervals was determined by the tail-flick latency method in mice. Agmatine produced dose-dependent increase in tail-flick latency, while BMS182874 did not produce any change over the 360-min observation period. Agmatine significantly potentiated morphine as well as oxycodone analgesia which was not altered by BMS182874. BMS182874 pretreatment did not increase the analgesic effect produced by agmatine alone. Agmatine-induced potentiation of morphine and oxycodone analgesia was blocked by idazoxan (imidazoline receptor/α(2)-adrenoceptor antagonist) and yohimbine (α(2)-adrenoceptor antagonist). BMS182874-induced potentiation of morphine or oxycodone analgesia was not affected by yohimbine. However, idazoxan blocked BMS182874-induced potentiation of oxycodone but not morphine analgesia. This is the first report demonstrating that agmatine potentiates not only morphine but also oxycodone analgesia in mice. Potentiation of morphine and oxycodone analgesia by agmatine appears to involve α(2)-adrenoceptors, imidazoline receptors, and opioid receptors. In addition, imidazoline receptors may be involved in BMS182874-induced potentiation of oxycodone but not morphine analgesia. It is concluded that agmatine may be used as an adjuvant in opiate analgesia.
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Affiliation(s)
- Shaifali Bhalla
- Department of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Chicago College of Pharmacy, Midwestern University, Downers Grove, IL 60515, USA.
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Nickel T, Deutschmann A, Hanssen H, Summo C, Wilbert-Lampen U. Modification of endothelial biology by acute and chronic stress hormones. Microvasc Res 2009; 78:364-9. [PMID: 19664643 DOI: 10.1016/j.mvr.2009.07.008] [Citation(s) in RCA: 23] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/09/2009] [Revised: 07/02/2009] [Accepted: 07/31/2009] [Indexed: 01/07/2023]
Abstract
OBJECTIVE An increasing number of studies have examined the role of emotional stress and coronary heart disease; the underlying pathophysiology is still poorly understood. The present study was designed to evaluate the relationship between acute (epi- and norepinephrine) and chronic stress hormones (dexamethasone, beta-endorphin, corticotropin releasing hormone) and endothelial dysfunction. METHODS Human microvascular endothelial cells were incubated with stress hormones for 6 and 24 h. ET-1 release and ADMA were quantified via ELISA, NO release by using cell permeable 4.5-diaminofluorescein diacetate (DAF2-DA), oxidative stress fluometrically by the ROS-sensitive carboxy-H2-DCFDA method, mitochondrial metabolic activity by using the colorimetric assay WST-1, ET-1 receptor type A (ET(A)R) protein expression by Western blot, and cell proliferation activity was assessed by the colorimetric assay BrdU. RESULTS With respect to analysed acute and chronic stress hormones, ET-1 release was significantly increased. Likewise, protein expression was enhanced after long term incubation (24 h) with norepinephrine and dexamethasone. In contrast, endothelial NO-levels were only influenced by short term stimulation of dexamethasone (upregulation of NO release) and norepinephrine (downregulation of NO release), whereas modified NO concentration mimics altered mitochondrial metabolic activity. Unexpectedly, both oxidative stress and cell proliferation were not modified by stress hormones. CONCLUSION Results suggest that acute and chronic stress hormones induce a significant ET-1 release whereas NO release remained mainly unchanged. The imbalance of pro- and antiatherosclerotic factors may play a pivotal role in the initiation of stress-related endothelial dysfunction up to myocardial infarction.
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Affiliation(s)
- T Nickel
- Medizinische Klinik und Poliklinik I, Campus Grosshadern, Ludwig-Maximilians-Universität, München, Germany.
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Yang J, Yang Y, Wang CH, Wang G, Xu H, Liu WY, Lin BC. Effect of arginine vasopressin on acupuncture analgesia in the rat. Peptides 2009; 30:241-7. [PMID: 19022309 DOI: 10.1016/j.peptides.2008.10.013] [Citation(s) in RCA: 25] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/26/2008] [Revised: 09/13/2008] [Accepted: 10/20/2008] [Indexed: 11/16/2022]
Abstract
Arginine vasopressin (AVP) has been proven to be involved in the process of pain regulation. This communication was designed to investigate the effect of AVP on acupuncture analgesia in the rat model. The results showed that intraventricular injection (icv) of AVP could enhance acupuncture analgesia in a dose-dependent manner, whereas icv of anti-AVP serum decreased acupuncture analgesia. However, neither intrathecal (ith) nor intravenous injection (iv) of AVP or anti-AVP serum could influence acupuncture analgesia. Electrical acupuncture of "Zusanli" points (St. 36) decreased AVP concentration in the hypothalamic paraventricular nucleus (PVN), and increased AVP concentration in the hypothalamic supraoptic nucleus (SON), periaqueductial gray (PAG), caudate nucleus (CdN) and raphe magnus nucleus (RMN), but did not change AVP concentration in the pituitary, spinal cord and plasma. The effect of AVP on acupuncture analgesia was partly reversed by pretreatment with naloxone, an opiate receptor antagonist. These data suggested that AVP in the brain played a role in the process of acupuncture analgesia in combination with the endogenous opiate peptide system.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jun Yang
- Jiangsu Institute (Taizhou) for New Medicines, Yangtze River Pharmaceutical Group, Taizhou, Jiangsu, China.
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Hans G, Deseure K, Adriaensen H. Endothelin-1-induced pain and hyperalgesia: a review of pathophysiology, clinical manifestations and future therapeutic options. Neuropeptides 2008; 42:119-32. [PMID: 18194815 DOI: 10.1016/j.npep.2007.12.001] [Citation(s) in RCA: 44] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/19/2007] [Revised: 11/28/2007] [Accepted: 12/05/2007] [Indexed: 01/23/2023]
Abstract
Pain in patients with metastatic cancer contributes to increased suffering in those already burdened by their advancing illness. The causes of this pain are unknown, but are likely to involve the action of tumour-associated mediators and their receptors. In recent years, several chemical mediators have increasingly come to the forefront in the pathophysiology of cancer pain. One such mediator, endothelin-1 (ET-1), is a peptide of 21 amino acids that was initially shown to be a potent vasoconstrictor. Extensive research has revealed that members of the ET family are indeed produced by several epithelial cancerous tumours, in which they act as autocrine and/or paracrine growth factors. Several preclinical and clinical studies of various malignancies have suggested that the ET axis may represent an interesting contributor to tumour progression. In addition, evidence is accumulating to suggest that ET-1 may contribute to pain states both in humans and in other animals. ET-1 both stimulates nociceptors and sensitises them to painful stimuli. Selective stimulation of ET receptors has been implicated as a cause of inflammatory, neuropathic and tumoural pain. ET-1-induced pain-related behaviour seems to be mediated either solely by one receptor type or via both endothelin-A receptors (ETAR) and endothelin-B receptors (ETBR). Whereas stimulation of ETAR on nociceptors always elicits a pain response, stimulation of ETBR may cause analgesia or elicit a pain response, depending on the conditions. The administration of ETAR antagonists in the receptive fields of these nociceptors has been shown to ameliorate pain-related behaviours in animals, as well as in some patients with advanced metastatic prostate cancer. The identification of tumour-associated mediators that might directly or indirectly cause pain in patients with metastatic disease, such as ET-1, should lead to improved, targeted analgesia for patients with advanced cancer. In this review, we will describe the current status of the role of ET-1 in different types of painful syndromes, with special emphasis on its role in the pathophysiology of cancer pain. Finally, potential new treatment options that are based on the role of the ET axis in the pathophysiology of cancer are elaborated.
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Affiliation(s)
- Guy Hans
- Multidisciplinary Pain Centre, Department of Anaesthesiology, Antwerp University Hospital (UZA), Edegem, Belgium.
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Wilbert-Lampen U, Trapp A, Barth S, Plasse A, Leistner D. Effects of beta-endorphin on endothelial/monocytic endothelin-1 and nitric oxide release mediated by mu1-opioid receptors: a potential link between stress and endothelial dysfunction? ACTA ACUST UNITED AC 2007; 14:65-71. [PMID: 17497362 DOI: 10.1080/10623320701346585] [Citation(s) in RCA: 12] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 02/02/2023]
Abstract
Observations have been made linking the presence of psychosocial factors associated with elevated beta-endorphin concentrations with atherosclerosis. In this study, the authors assume an important role of the stress hormone beta-endorphin in several mechanisms that contribute to a dysbalance of human endothelial and monocytic endothelin (ET)-1 and nitric oxide (NO) release, mediated by mu1-opioid receptors. ET-1 and NO release were quantified via enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) or fluorometrically. mu1-Opioid receptors were identified by polymerase chain reaction (PCR) after stimulation with beta-endorphin. beta-Endorphin significantly increased endothelial and monocytic ET-1 release. The effect was mediated by mu1-opioid receptors and abolished by naloxonazine, a selective mu1-opioid receptor antagonist. In contrast, NO release was decreased under the influence of beta-endorphin. mu1-Opioid receptors on human monocytes and endothelial cells mediated a beta-endorphin-induced stimulation of ET-1 release, whereas NO release was decreased. Thus, the authors hypothesize a role of beta-Endorphin in the pathogenesis of stress-induced endothelial dysfunction through peripherally circulating beta-endorphin, which may offset the balance of vasoactive mediators, leading to an unopposed vasoconstriction. The data may also provide a new concept of mu1-opioid receptor antagonists, preventing beta-endorphin-induced disorders of vascular biology.
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Affiliation(s)
- U Wilbert-Lampen
- Medizinische Klinik und Poliklinik I, Klinikum Grosshadern, Ludwig-Maximilians-Universität, Marchioninistrasse 15, 81377 Munich, Germany.
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