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Kusumo LE, Gilley-Connor KR, Johnson MG, Hall GM, Gillett AE, McCready RG, Vichaya EG. Hyperglycemia sensitizes female mice to stress-induced depressive-like behavior in an inflammation-independent manner. Psychoneuroendocrinology 2024; 169:107151. [PMID: 39098101 DOI: 10.1016/j.psyneuen.2024.107151] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/30/2024] [Revised: 07/23/2024] [Accepted: 07/27/2024] [Indexed: 08/06/2024]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Depression is a multifaceted disorder that represents one of the most common causes of disability. The risk for developing depression is increased in women and among individuals with chronic diseases. For example, individuals in the United States with diabetes mellitus (DM) are at a twofold increased risk of developing depression compared to the general population and approximately one-quarter of women with diabetes have comorbid depression. The neurobiological mechanisms underlying this association between diabetes and depression is not fully understood and is particularly under-investigated in female models. We sought to explore the role of neuroinflammation in diabetes-induced depression in a female mouse model of hyperglycemia. METHODS To this end, we utilized female C57BL/6 J mice to (1) characterize the depressive-like symptoms in response to 75 mg/kg/day dose of streptozotocin (STZ) over 5 days, a dose reported to induce hyperglycemia in female mice (n=20), (2) determine if female hyperglycemic mice are sensitized to unpredictable chronic mild stress (UCMS)-induced depressive-like behavior and neuroinflammation (n=28), and (3) investigate if female hyperglycemic mice are primed to respond to a subthreshold dose of lipopolysaccharide (LPS), an acute inflammatory challenge (n=21). RESULTS Our results demonstrate that female mice exhibit robust hyperglycemia but limited evidence of depressive-like behavior in response to 75 mg/kg STZ. Additionally, we observe that healthy female mice have limited response to our stress protocol; however, hyperglycemic mice display increased stress-sensitivity as indicated by increased immobility in the forced swim test. While STZ mice show evidence of mild neuroinflammation, this effect was blunted by stress. Further, STZ mice failed to display a sensitization to inflammation-induced depressive-like behavior. CONCLUSION We interpret this data to indicate that while STZ-induced hyperglycemia does increase vulnerability to stress-induced depressive-like behavior, this effect is not a consequence of neuroinflammatory priming. Future studies will seek to better understand the mechanisms underlying this sensitization.
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Affiliation(s)
- Laura E Kusumo
- Department of Psychology & Neuroscience, Baylor University, Waco, TX 76798, United States
| | - Kayla R Gilley-Connor
- Department of Psychology & Neuroscience, Baylor University, Waco, TX 76798, United States
| | - Madilyn G Johnson
- Department of Psychology & Neuroscience, Baylor University, Waco, TX 76798, United States
| | - Grace M Hall
- Department of Psychology & Neuroscience, Baylor University, Waco, TX 76798, United States
| | - Avery E Gillett
- Department of Psychology & Neuroscience, Baylor University, Waco, TX 76798, United States
| | - Riley G McCready
- Department of Psychology & Neuroscience, Baylor University, Waco, TX 76798, United States
| | - Elisabeth G Vichaya
- Department of Psychology & Neuroscience, Baylor University, Waco, TX 76798, United States.
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Anversa RG, Barron ML, Walker LC, Lawrence AJ. Emerging GPCR targets for AUD: Insights from preclinical studies. Curr Opin Neurobiol 2024; 87:102896. [PMID: 38971113 DOI: 10.1016/j.conb.2024.102896] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/27/2024] [Revised: 06/13/2024] [Accepted: 06/13/2024] [Indexed: 07/08/2024]
Abstract
G protein-coupled receptors (GPCRs) are the largest group of membrane receptors in the central nervous system and one of the key proteins for signal transduction between cells. Currently, many drugs available on the market act via GPCRs and these receptors remain attractive targets for the treatment of brain disorders, including alcohol use disorder (AUD). Here, we describe the most recent literature, with a primary focus on the past 5 years, on GPCR targets with the potential for reducing behaviours associated with excessive alcohol intake. Specifically, we focus on preclinical evidence of compounds with attractive pharmacological profiles and potential for future clinical investigation for the treatment of AUD.
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Affiliation(s)
- Roberta Goncalves Anversa
- Florey Institute of Neuroscience and Mental Health, Melbourne 3052, Australia; Florey Department of Neuroscience and Mental Health, University of Melbourne, Melbourne 3052, Australia
| | - Maiya L Barron
- Florey Institute of Neuroscience and Mental Health, Melbourne 3052, Australia; School of Biomedical Sciences, University of Leeds, Leeds LS2 9JT, United Kingdom
| | - Leigh C Walker
- Florey Institute of Neuroscience and Mental Health, Melbourne 3052, Australia; Florey Department of Neuroscience and Mental Health, University of Melbourne, Melbourne 3052, Australia
| | - Andrew J Lawrence
- Florey Institute of Neuroscience and Mental Health, Melbourne 3052, Australia; Florey Department of Neuroscience and Mental Health, University of Melbourne, Melbourne 3052, Australia.
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Maddern XJ, Ursich LT, Bailey G, Pearl A, Anversa RG, Lawrence AJ, Walker LC. Sex Differences in Alcohol Use: Is It All About Hormones? Endocrinology 2024; 165:bqae088. [PMID: 39018449 DOI: 10.1210/endocr/bqae088] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/02/2024] [Revised: 07/10/2024] [Accepted: 07/15/2024] [Indexed: 07/19/2024]
Abstract
Risky alcohol use and alcohol use disorders (AUD) are a rising problem in women, yet a major disparity in our understanding of what drives alcohol consumption in women remains. Historically biomedical research has focused on male subjects; however, recent increases in reporting of females, have highlighted major differences between the sexes. Here we review the current literature of the effect of gonadal steroid hormones (estrogens, androgens, and progestins), neurosteriods, and neurobiological factors on alcohol use in clinical and preclinical studies of both sexes. Further, we briefly discuss how fundamental sex differences in genetics, metabolism, neuroimmune, and stress responses may influence sex differences in alcohol intake. Comparing the sexes could aid in the discovery of novel therapeutics to treat AUD, and implementation of current treatment options in women.
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Affiliation(s)
- Xavier J Maddern
- Florey Institute of Neuroscience and Mental Health, Melbourne, VIC 3052, Australia
- Florey Department of Neuroscience and Mental Health, University of Melbourne, Melbourne, VIC 3052, Australia
| | - Lauren T Ursich
- Florey Institute of Neuroscience and Mental Health, Melbourne, VIC 3052, Australia
- Florey Department of Neuroscience and Mental Health, University of Melbourne, Melbourne, VIC 3052, Australia
| | - Grace Bailey
- Florey Institute of Neuroscience and Mental Health, Melbourne, VIC 3052, Australia
- Florey Department of Neuroscience and Mental Health, University of Melbourne, Melbourne, VIC 3052, Australia
| | - Amy Pearl
- Florey Institute of Neuroscience and Mental Health, Melbourne, VIC 3052, Australia
| | - Roberta G Anversa
- Florey Institute of Neuroscience and Mental Health, Melbourne, VIC 3052, Australia
- Florey Department of Neuroscience and Mental Health, University of Melbourne, Melbourne, VIC 3052, Australia
| | - Andrew J Lawrence
- Florey Institute of Neuroscience and Mental Health, Melbourne, VIC 3052, Australia
- Florey Department of Neuroscience and Mental Health, University of Melbourne, Melbourne, VIC 3052, Australia
| | - Leigh C Walker
- Florey Institute of Neuroscience and Mental Health, Melbourne, VIC 3052, Australia
- Florey Department of Neuroscience and Mental Health, University of Melbourne, Melbourne, VIC 3052, Australia
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Decker Ramirez EB, Arnold ME, Schank JR. Vicarious defeat stress induces increased alcohol consumption in female mice: Role of neurokinin-1 receptor and interleukin-6. Addict Biol 2024; 29:e13357. [PMID: 38221805 PMCID: PMC10794032 DOI: 10.1111/adb.13357] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/02/2023] [Revised: 10/20/2023] [Accepted: 10/24/2023] [Indexed: 01/16/2024]
Abstract
There is a high frequency of comorbidity of alcohol use disorder (AUD) and depression in human populations. We have studied this relationship in our lab using the social defeat stress (SDS) model, which results in both depression-like behaviours and increased alcohol consumption in male mice. However, standard SDS procedures are difficult to use in female mice due to a lack of territorial aggression. In the experiments presented here, we used vicarious defeat stress (VDS) to assess social withdrawal and alcohol consumption in female C57BL6/J mice. We also assessed the expression of interleukin-6 (IL6), which is a proinflammatory cytokine that is associated with depression in humans and sensitivity to SDS in mice. In these experiments, C57BL/6 female mice underwent 10 days of VDS where they witnessed the physical defeat of a male conspecific by an aggressive CD1 mouse. After the end of VDS, mice were either given access to alcohol or sacrificed for the measurement of IL6 expression. We found that VDS increased alcohol consumption and IL6 expression in the frontal cortex and hippocampus. Given that the neurokinin-1 receptor (NK1R) can mediate both stress-induced alcohol consumption and IL6 expression, we tested the ability of NK1R antagonism to reduce VDS-induced alcohol consumption and found that this treatment reduced alcohol intake in both VDS-exposed mice and in unstressed controls. The observed increase in alcohol consumption suggests that VDS is a model that can be utilized to study stress-induced alcohol consumption in female mice, and that this is sensitive to NK1R antagonism.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ellie B. Decker Ramirez
- Department of Physiology and Pharmacology, College of Veterinary MedicineUniversity of GeorgiaAthensGeorgiaUSA
| | - Miranda E. Arnold
- Department of Physiology and Pharmacology, College of Veterinary MedicineUniversity of GeorgiaAthensGeorgiaUSA
| | - Jesse R. Schank
- Department of Physiology and Pharmacology, College of Veterinary MedicineUniversity of GeorgiaAthensGeorgiaUSA
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Cruz B, Borgonetti V, Bajo M, Roberto M. Sex-dependent factors of alcohol and neuroimmune mechanisms. Neurobiol Stress 2023; 26:100562. [PMID: 37601537 PMCID: PMC10432974 DOI: 10.1016/j.ynstr.2023.100562] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/12/2023] [Revised: 07/25/2023] [Accepted: 08/02/2023] [Indexed: 08/22/2023] Open
Abstract
Excessive alcohol use disrupts neuroimmune signaling across various cell types, including neurons, microglia, and astrocytes. The present review focuses on recent, albeit limited, evidence of sex differences in biological factors that mediate neuroimmune responses to alcohol and underlying neuroimmune systems that may influence alcohol drinking behaviors. Females are more vulnerable than males to the neurotoxic and negative consequences of chronic alcohol drinking, reflected by elevations of pro-inflammatory cytokines and inflammatory mediators. Differences in cytokine, microglial, astrocytic, genomic, and transcriptomic evidence suggest females are more reactive than males to neuroinflammatory changes after chronic alcohol exposure. The growing body of evidence supports that innate immune factors modulate synaptic transmission, providing a mechanistic framework to examine sex differences across neurocircuitry. Targeting neuroimmune signaling may be a viable strategy for treating AUD, but more research is needed to understand sex-specific differences in alcohol drinking and neuroimmune mechanisms.
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Affiliation(s)
- Bryan Cruz
- Department of Molecular Medicine, The Scripps Research Institute, La Jolla, CA, USA, 92073
| | - Vittoria Borgonetti
- Department of Molecular Medicine, The Scripps Research Institute, La Jolla, CA, USA, 92073
| | - Michal Bajo
- Department of Molecular Medicine, The Scripps Research Institute, La Jolla, CA, USA, 92073
| | - Marisa Roberto
- Department of Molecular Medicine, The Scripps Research Institute, La Jolla, CA, USA, 92073
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Carvajal F, Sánchez-Gil A, Cardona D, Rincón-Cervera MA, Lerma-Cabrera JM. The Effect of Very-Long-Chain n-3 Polyunsaturated Fatty Acids in the Central Nervous System and Their Potential Benefits for Treating Alcohol Use Disorder: Reviewing Pre-Clinical and Clinical Data. Nutrients 2023; 15:2993. [PMID: 37447319 DOI: 10.3390/nu15132993] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/07/2023] [Revised: 06/28/2023] [Accepted: 06/28/2023] [Indexed: 07/15/2023] Open
Abstract
Alcohol use poses a significant global health concern, leading to serious physical and socioeconomic issues worldwide. The current treatment options for problematic alcohol consumption are limited, leading to the exploration of alternative approaches, such as nutraceuticals. One promising target is very-long-chain n-3 polyunsaturated fatty acids (VLC n-3 PUFAs). This review aims to compile the most relevant pre-clinical and clinical evidence on the effect of VLC n-3 PUFAs on alcohol use disorders and related outcomes. The findings suggest that VLC n-3 PUFAs may alleviate the physiological changes induced by alcohol consumption, including neuroinflammation and neurotransmitter dysregulation. Additionally, they can reduce withdrawal symptoms, improve mood, and reduce stress level, all of which are closely associated with problematic alcohol consumption. However, more research is required to fully understand the precise mechanisms by which VLC n-3 PUFAs exert their function. Furthermore, PUFAs should not be considered a standalone solution, but as a complement to other therapeutic approaches. Although preliminary evidence supports the potential therapeutic effect of VLC n-3 PUFAs on problematic alcohol consumption, additional research is needed to validate these findings and determine the optimal use of PUFAs as part of a comprehensive approach to the treatment of alcohol use disorders.
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Affiliation(s)
- Francisca Carvajal
- Department of Psychology, University of Almeria, 04120 Almeria, Spain
- Health Research Center, University of Almeria, 04120 Almeria, Spain
| | - Ainhoa Sánchez-Gil
- Department of Psychology, University of Almeria, 04120 Almeria, Spain
- Health Research Center, University of Almeria, 04120 Almeria, Spain
| | - Diana Cardona
- Health Research Center, University of Almeria, 04120 Almeria, Spain
- Department of Nursing, Physiotherapy and Medicine, University of Almeria, 04120 Almeria, Spain
| | - Miguel Angel Rincón-Cervera
- Food Technology Division, ceiA3, CIAMBITAL, University of Almeria, 04120 Almeria, Spain
- Institute of Nutrition and Food Technology, University of Chile, Santiago 830490, Chile
| | - Jose Manuel Lerma-Cabrera
- Department of Psychology, University of Almeria, 04120 Almeria, Spain
- Health Research Center, University of Almeria, 04120 Almeria, Spain
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