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Markov DD, Novosadova EV. Chronic Unpredictable Mild Stress Model of Depression: Possible Sources of Poor Reproducibility and Latent Variables. BIOLOGY 2022; 11:1621. [PMID: 36358321 PMCID: PMC9687170 DOI: 10.3390/biology11111621] [Citation(s) in RCA: 16] [Impact Index Per Article: 8.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/03/2022] [Revised: 10/29/2022] [Accepted: 11/04/2022] [Indexed: 08/10/2023]
Abstract
Major depressive disorder (MDD) is one of the most common mood disorders worldwide. A lack of understanding of the exact neurobiological mechanisms of depression complicates the search for new effective drugs. Animal models are an important tool in the search for new approaches to the treatment of this disorder. All animal models of depression have certain advantages and disadvantages. We often hear that the main drawback of the chronic unpredictable mild stress (CUMS) model of depression is its poor reproducibility, but rarely does anyone try to find the real causes and sources of such poor reproducibility. Analyzing the articles available in the PubMed database, we tried to identify the factors that may be the sources of the poor reproducibility of CUMS. Among such factors, there may be chronic sleep deprivation, painful stressors, social stress, the difference in sex and age of animals, different stress susceptibility of different animal strains, handling quality, habituation to stressful factors, various combinations of physical and psychological stressors in the CUMS protocol, the influence of olfactory and auditory stimuli on animals, as well as the possible influence of various other factors that are rarely taken into account by researchers. We assume that careful inspection of these factors will increase the reproducibility of the CUMS model between laboratories and allow to make the interpretation of the obtained results and their comparison between laboratories to be more adequate.
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2
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Goldman DH, Dykstra T, Smirnov I, Blackburn SM, Da Mesquita S, Kipnis J, Herz J. Age-associated suppression of exploratory activity during sickness is linked to meningeal lymphatic dysfunction and microglia activation. NATURE AGING 2022; 2:704-713. [PMID: 37065770 PMCID: PMC10103743 DOI: 10.1038/s43587-022-00268-y] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/09/2022]
Abstract
Peripheral inflammation triggers a transient, well-defined set of behavioral changes known as sickness behavior1-3, but the mechanisms by which inflammatory signals originating in the periphery alter activity in the brain remain obscure. Emerging evidence has established meningeal lymphatic vasculature as an important interface between the central nervous system (CNS) and the immune system, responsible for facilitating brain solute clearance and perfusion by cerebrospinal fluid (CSF)4,5. Here, we demonstrate that meningeal lymphatics both assist microglial activation and support the behavioral response to peripheral inflammation. Ablation of meningeal lymphatics results in a heightened behavioral response to IL-1β-induced inflammation and a dampened transcriptional and morphological microglial phenotype. Moreover, our findings support a role for microglia in tempering the severity of sickness behavior with specific relevance to aging-related meningeal lymphatic dysfunction. Transcriptional profiling of brain myeloid cells shed light on the impact of meningeal lymphatic dysfunction on microglial activation. Furthermore, we demonstrate that experimental enhancement of meningeal lymphatic function in aged mice is sufficient to reduce the severity of exploratory abnormalities but not pleasurable consummatory behavior. Finally, we identify dysregulated genes and biological pathways, common to both experimental meningeal lymphatic ablation and aging, in microglia responding to peripheral inflammation that may result from age-related meningeal lymphatic dysfunction.
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3
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Hernández-Hernández E, García-Fuster MJ. Dose-Dependent Antidepressant-Like Effects of Cannabidiol in Aged Rats. Front Pharmacol 2022; 13:891842. [PMID: 35847003 PMCID: PMC9283859 DOI: 10.3389/fphar.2022.891842] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/08/2022] [Accepted: 05/20/2022] [Indexed: 11/13/2022] Open
Abstract
Aging predisposes to late-life depression and since antidepressants are known to change their efficacy with age, novel treatment options are needed for our increased aged population. In this context, the goal of the present study was to evaluate the potential antidepressant-like effect of cannabidiol in aged rats. For this purpose, 19–21-month-old Sprague–Dawley rats were treated for 7 days with cannabidiol (dose range: 3–30 mg/kg) and scored under the stress of the forced-swim test. Hippocampal cannabinoid receptors and cell proliferation were evaluated as potential molecular markers underlying cannabidiol’s actions. The main results of the present study demonstrated that cannabidiol exerted a dose-dependent antidepressant-like effect in aged rats (U-shaped, effective at the intermediate dose of 10 mg/kg as compared to the other doses tested), without affecting body weight. None of the molecular markers analyzed in the hippocampus were altered by cannabidiol’s treatment. Overall, this study demonstrated a dose-dependent antidepressant-like response for cannabidiol at this age-window (aged rats up to 21 months old) and in line with other studies suggesting a beneficial role for this drug in age-related behavioral deficits.
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Affiliation(s)
- Elena Hernández-Hernández
- IUNICS, University of the Balearic Islands, Palma, Spain
- Health Research Institute of Balearic Islands (IdISBa), Palma, Spain
| | - M. Julia García-Fuster
- IUNICS, University of the Balearic Islands, Palma, Spain
- Health Research Institute of Balearic Islands (IdISBa), Palma, Spain
- *Correspondence: M. Julia García-Fuster,
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Ghaffari-Nasab A, Badalzadeh R, Mohaddes G, Javani G, Ebrahimi-Kalan A, Alipour MR. Young Plasma Induces Antidepressant-Like Effects in Aged Rats Subjected to Chronic Mild Stress by Suppressing Indoleamine 2,3-Dioxygenase Enzyme and Kynurenine Pathway in the Prefrontal Cortex. Neurochem Res 2021; 47:358-371. [PMID: 34626305 DOI: 10.1007/s11064-021-03440-9] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/08/2021] [Revised: 08/06/2021] [Accepted: 08/27/2021] [Indexed: 12/11/2022]
Abstract
Pathophysiology of depression in elderlies is linked to aging-associated increase in indoleamine 2,3-dioxygenase (IDO) levels and activity and kynurenine (Kyn) metabolites. Moreover, these aging-induced changes may alter the brain's responses to stress. Growing evidence suggested that young plasma can positively affect brain dysfunctions in old age. The present study aimed to investigate whether the antidepressant effects of young plasma administration in aged rats subjected to chronic unpredictable mild stress (CUMS) and underlying mechanisms, focusing on the prefrontal cortex (PFC). Young (3 months old) and aged (22 months old) male rats were divided into five groups; young control, aged control, aged rats subjected to CUMS (A + CUMS), aged rats subjected to CUMS and treated with young plasma (A + CUMS + YP), and aged rats subjected to CUMS and treated with old plasma (A + CUMS + OP). Plasma was injected (1 ml, intravenously) three times per week for four weeks. Young plasma significantly improved CUMS-induced depressive-like behaviors, evidenced by the increased sucrose consumption ratio in the sucrose preference test and the reduced immobility time in the forced swimming test. Furthermore, young plasma markedly reduced the levels of interferon-gamma (IFN-γ), IDO, Kyn, and Kyn to tryptophan (Kyn/Trp) ratio in PFC tissue. Expression levels of the serotonin transporter and growth-associated protein (GAP)-43 were also significantly increased after chronic administration of young plasma. These findings provide evidence for the antidepressant effect of young plasma in old age; however, whether it improves depressive behaviors or faster recovery from stress-induced deficits is required to be elucidated.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Reza Badalzadeh
- Aging Research Institute, Tabriz University of Medical Sciences, Tabriz, Iran
- Molecular Medicine Research Center, Tabriz University of Medical Sciences, Tabriz, Iran
| | - Gisou Mohaddes
- Aging Research Institute, Tabriz University of Medical Sciences, Tabriz, Iran
| | - Gonja Javani
- Drug Applied Research Center, Tabriz University of Medical Sciences, Tabriz, Iran
- Department of Physiology, Faculty of Medicine, Tabriz University of Medical Sciences, Tabriz, Iran
| | - Abbas Ebrahimi-Kalan
- Department of Neurosciences and Cognition, Faculty of Advanced Medical Sciences, Tabriz University of Medical Sciences, Tabriz, Iran
| | - Mohammad Reza Alipour
- Aging Research Institute, Tabriz University of Medical Sciences, Tabriz, Iran.
- Department of Physiology, Faculty of Medicine, Tabriz University of Medical Sciences, Tabriz, Iran.
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5
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Wang W, Qin X, Wang R, Xu J, Wu H, Khalid A, Jiang H, Liu D, Pan F. EZH2 is involved in vulnerability to neuroinflammation and depression-like behaviors induced by chronic stress in different aged mice. J Affect Disord 2020; 272:452-464. [PMID: 32553389 DOI: 10.1016/j.jad.2020.03.154] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/30/2019] [Revised: 02/15/2020] [Accepted: 03/29/2020] [Indexed: 12/22/2022]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Microglial activation and pro-inflammatory cytokines expression is closely related to pathogenesis of depression. Aging is a known risk factor for neuroinflammation in the central nervous system and subsequent behavioral impairment. Enhancer of zeste homolog 2 (EZH2), a methyltransferase of histone H3 lysine 27 which regulates microglial activation, plays a crucial role in proinflammatory cytokines expression. However, whether the EZH2 is involved in susceptibility to depression in different ages remains elusive. METHODS Young and aged C57BL/6 mice were exposed to chronic unpredictable mild stress for three weeks. Depression- and anxiety-like behaviors, spatial memory impairment, and the expression of pro-inflammatory cytokines, P-p65, EZH2, H3K27me3 and SOCS3 in the prefrontal cortex and hippocampus were measured using an established behavioral battery, ELISA, immunohistochemistry and western blotting techniques. Moreover, EPZ-6438, an inhibitor of EZH2, was utilized to detect the role of EZH2 in neuroinflammation and behavioral abnormalities. RESULTS CUMS induced depression-like behaviors and spatial memory impairment, elevated levels of proinflammatory cytokines and P-p65, enhanced M1 microglia activation, and increased levels of EZH2, H3K27me3 and SOCS3 in the prefrontal cortex and hippocampus in young and aged mice. Both unstressed and stressed aged mice displayed attention-deficit behavioral outcomes, alteration of protein levels compared with young mice. However, inhibition of EZH2 could relieve most of behavioral and molecular alterations. LIMITATIONS A relative small sample size is a limitation. CONCLUSIONS EZH2 might be involved in susceptibility to neuroinflammation and depression-like behaviors in different aged mice.
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Affiliation(s)
- Wei Wang
- Department of Medical Psychology and Ethics, School of Basic Medical Sciences, Cheeloo College of Medicine, Shandong University, Jinan, Shandong, 250012, China
| | - Xiaqing Qin
- Department of Medical Psychology and Ethics, School of Basic Medical Sciences, Cheeloo College of Medicine, Shandong University, Jinan, Shandong, 250012, China
| | - Rui Wang
- Department of Medical Psychology and Ethics, School of Basic Medical Sciences, Cheeloo College of Medicine, Shandong University, Jinan, Shandong, 250012, China
| | - Jingjing Xu
- Department of Medical Psychology and Ethics, School of Basic Medical Sciences, Cheeloo College of Medicine, Shandong University, Jinan, Shandong, 250012, China
| | - Huiran Wu
- Department of Medical Psychology and Ethics, School of Basic Medical Sciences, Cheeloo College of Medicine, Shandong University, Jinan, Shandong, 250012, China
| | - Arslan Khalid
- Department of Medical Psychology and Ethics, School of Basic Medical Sciences, Cheeloo College of Medicine, Shandong University, Jinan, Shandong, 250012, China
| | - Hong Jiang
- Department of Medical Psychology and Ethics, School of Basic Medical Sciences, Cheeloo College of Medicine, Shandong University, Jinan, Shandong, 250012, China
| | - Dexiang Liu
- Department of Medical Psychology and Ethics, School of Basic Medical Sciences, Cheeloo College of Medicine, Shandong University, Jinan, Shandong, 250012, China
| | - Fang Pan
- Department of Medical Psychology and Ethics, School of Basic Medical Sciences, Cheeloo College of Medicine, Shandong University, Jinan, Shandong, 250012, China.
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Alshammari TK, Alghamdi H, Alkhader LF, Alqahtani Q, Alrasheed NM, Yacoub H, Alnaem N, AlNakiyah M, Alshammari MA. Analysis of the molecular and behavioral effects of acute social isolation on rats. Behav Brain Res 2020; 377:112191. [DOI: 10.1016/j.bbr.2019.112191] [Citation(s) in RCA: 17] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/22/2019] [Revised: 08/23/2019] [Accepted: 08/28/2019] [Indexed: 01/07/2023]
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7
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Deficiency in Androgen Receptor Aggravates the Depressive-Like Behaviors in Chronic Mild Stress Model of Depression. Cells 2019; 8:cells8091021. [PMID: 31480771 PMCID: PMC6769639 DOI: 10.3390/cells8091021] [Citation(s) in RCA: 17] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/11/2019] [Revised: 08/22/2019] [Accepted: 08/28/2019] [Indexed: 02/06/2023] Open
Abstract
While androgen receptor (AR) and stress may influence the development of the major depressive disorder (MDD), the detailed relationship, however, remains unclear. Here we found loss of AR accelerated development of depressive-like behaviors in mice under chronic mild stress (CMS). Mechanism dissection indicated that AR might function via altering the expression of miR-204-5p to modulate the brain-derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF) expression to influence the depressive-like behaviors in the mice under the CMS. Adding the antiandrogen flutamide with the stress hormone corticosterone can additively decrease BDNF mRNA in mouse hippocampus mHippoE-14 cells, which can then be reversed via down-regulating the miR-204-5p expression. Importantly, targeting this newly identified AR-mediated miR-204-5p/BDNF/AKT/MAPK signaling with small molecules including 7,8-DHF and fluoxetine, all led to alter the depressive-like behavior in AR knockout mice under CMS exposure. Together, results from these preclinical studies conclude that decreased AR may accelerate the stress-induced MDD via altering miR-204-5p/BDNF/AKT/MAPK signaling, and targeting this newly identified signaling may help in the development of better therapeutic approaches to reduce the development of MDD.
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8
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Pritchard R, Chen H, Romoli B, Spitzer NC, Dulcis D. Photoperiod-induced neurotransmitter plasticity declines with aging: An epigenetic regulation? J Comp Neurol 2019; 528:199-210. [PMID: 31343079 DOI: 10.1002/cne.24747] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/14/2019] [Revised: 07/15/2019] [Accepted: 07/16/2019] [Indexed: 12/22/2022]
Abstract
Neuroplasticity has classically been understood to arise through changes in synaptic strength or synaptic connectivity. A newly discovered form of neuroplasticity, neurotransmitter switching, involves changes in neurotransmitter identity. Chronic exposure to different photoperiods alters the number of dopamine (tyrosine hydroxylase, TH+) and somatostatin (SST+) neurons in the paraventricular nucleus (PaVN) of the hypothalamus of adult rats and results in discrete behavioral changes. Here, we investigate whether photoperiod-induced neurotransmitter switching persists during aging and whether epigenetic mechanisms of histone acetylation and DNA methylation may contribute to this neurotransmitter plasticity. We show that this plasticity in rats is robust at 1 and at 3 months but reduced in TH+ neurons at 12 months and completely abolished in both TH+ and SST+ neurons by 18 months. De novo expression of DNMT3a catalyzing DNA methylation and anti-AcetylH3 assessing histone 3 acetylation were observed following short-day photoperiod exposure in both TH+ and SST+ neurons at 1 and 3 months while an overall increase in DNMT3a in SST+ neurons paralleled neuroplasticity reduction at 12 and 18 months. Histone acetylation increased in TH+ neurons and decreased in SST+ neurons following short-day exposure at 3 months while the total number of anti-AcetylH3+ PaVN neurons remained constant. Reciprocal histone acetylation in TH+ and SST+ neurons indicates the importance of studying epigenetic regulation at the circuit level for identified cell phenotypes. The findings may be useful for developing approaches for noninvasive treatment of disorders characterized by neurotransmitter dysfunction.
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Affiliation(s)
- Rory Pritchard
- Department of Psychiatry, School of Medicine, University of California San Diego, La Jolla, California.,Neurobiology Section, Division of Biological Sciences and Center for Neural Circuits and Behavior, Kavli Institute for Brain and Mind, University of California San Diego, La Jolla, California
| | - Helene Chen
- Department of Psychiatry, School of Medicine, University of California San Diego, La Jolla, California
| | - Ben Romoli
- Department of Psychiatry, School of Medicine, University of California San Diego, La Jolla, California
| | - Nicholas C Spitzer
- Neurobiology Section, Division of Biological Sciences and Center for Neural Circuits and Behavior, Kavli Institute for Brain and Mind, University of California San Diego, La Jolla, California
| | - Davide Dulcis
- Department of Psychiatry, School of Medicine, University of California San Diego, La Jolla, California
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Korcsok B, Konok V, Persa G, Faragó T, Niitsuma M, Miklósi Á, Korondi P, Baranyi P, Gácsi M. Biologically Inspired Emotional Expressions for Artificial Agents. Front Psychol 2018; 9:1191. [PMID: 30057561 PMCID: PMC6053641 DOI: 10.3389/fpsyg.2018.01191] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/24/2018] [Accepted: 06/20/2018] [Indexed: 11/22/2022] Open
Abstract
A special area of human-machine interaction, the expression of emotions gains importance with the continuous development of artificial agents such as social robots or interactive mobile applications. We developed a prototype version of an abstract emotion visualization agent to express five basic emotions and a neutral state. In contrast to well-known symbolic characters (e.g., smileys) these displays follow general biological and ethological rules. We conducted a multiple questionnaire study on the assessment of the displays with Hungarian and Japanese subjects. In most cases participants were successful in recognizing the displayed emotions. Fear and sadness were most easily confused with each other while both the Hungarian and Japanese participants recognized the anger display most correctly. We suggest that the implemented biological approach can be a viable complement to the emotion expressions of some artificial agents, for example mobile devices.
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Affiliation(s)
- Beáta Korcsok
- Department of Mechatronics, Optics and Engineering Informatics, Budapest University of Technology and Economics, Budapest, Hungary
| | - Veronika Konok
- Department of Ethology, Eötvös Loránd University, Budapest, Hungary
| | - György Persa
- Institute for Computer Science and Control, Hungarian Academy of Sciences, Budapest, Hungary
| | - Tamás Faragó
- Department of Ethology, Eötvös Loránd University, Budapest, Hungary
| | - Mihoko Niitsuma
- Department of Precision Mechanics, Chuo University, Tokyo, Japan
| | - Ádám Miklósi
- Department of Ethology, Eötvös Loránd University, Budapest, Hungary.,MTA-ELTE Comparative Ethology Research Group, Budapest, Hungary
| | - Péter Korondi
- Department of Mechatronics, Optics and Engineering Informatics, Budapest University of Technology and Economics, Budapest, Hungary
| | - Péter Baranyi
- Department of Telecommunications and Media Informatics, Budapest University of Technology and Economics, Budapest, Hungary
| | - Márta Gácsi
- Department of Ethology, Eötvös Loránd University, Budapest, Hungary.,MTA-ELTE Comparative Ethology Research Group, Budapest, Hungary
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Borbélyová V, Domonkos E, Bábíčková J, Tóthová Ľ, Bosý M, Hodosy J, Celec P. No effect of testosterone on behavior in aged Wistar rats. Aging (Albany NY) 2017; 8:2848-2861. [PMID: 27852981 PMCID: PMC5191874 DOI: 10.18632/aging.101096] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/24/2016] [Accepted: 10/28/2016] [Indexed: 11/25/2022]
Abstract
In men, aging is accompanied by a gradual decline in androgen secretion. Studies suggest beneficial effects of endogenous and exogenous testosterone on affective behavior and cognitive functions. The aim of this study was to describe behavioral and cognitive sex differences and to analyze the effects of long-term androgen deficiency in aged male rats. Thirty-months old rats divided into three groups (males, females and males gonadectomized as young adults) underwent a battery of behavioral tests assessing locomotor activity, anxiety, memory, anhedonia, sociability and depression-like behavior. No major effect of gonadectomy was found in any of the analyzed behavioral measures in male rats. The only consistent sex difference was confirmed in depression-like behavior with longer immobility time observed in males. In an interventional experiment, a single dose of testosterone had no effect on gonadectomized male and female rats in the forced swim test. In contrast to previous studies this comprehensive behavioral phenotyping of aged rats revealed no major role of endogenous testosterone. Based on our results long-term hypogonadism does not alter the behavior of aged male rats, neither does acute testosterone treatment. Whether these findings have any consequences on androgen replacement therapy in aged men remains to be elucidated.
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Affiliation(s)
- Veronika Borbélyová
- Institute of Molecular Biomedicine, Faculty of Medicine, Comenius University, 811 08 Bratislava, Slovakia
| | - Emese Domonkos
- Institute of Molecular Biomedicine, Faculty of Medicine, Comenius University, 811 08 Bratislava, Slovakia
| | - Janka Bábíčková
- Institute of Molecular Biomedicine, Faculty of Medicine, Comenius University, 811 08 Bratislava, Slovakia.,Biomedical Research Center, Slovak Academy of Sciences, 831 01 Bratislava, Slovakia
| | - Ľubomíra Tóthová
- Institute of Molecular Biomedicine, Faculty of Medicine, Comenius University, 811 08 Bratislava, Slovakia.,Biomedical Research Center, Slovak Academy of Sciences, 831 01 Bratislava, Slovakia
| | - Martin Bosý
- Department of Animal Physiology and Ethology, Faculty of Natural Sciences, Comenius University, 842 15 Bratislava, Slovakia
| | - Július Hodosy
- Institute of Molecular Biomedicine, Faculty of Medicine, Comenius University, 811 08 Bratislava, Slovakia.,Institute of Physiology, Faculty of Medicine, Comenius University, 813 72 Bratislava, Slovakia.,Biomedical Research Center, Slovak Academy of Sciences, 831 01 Bratislava, Slovakia
| | - Peter Celec
- Institute of Molecular Biomedicine, Faculty of Medicine, Comenius University, 811 08 Bratislava, Slovakia.,Institute of Pathophysiology, Faculty of Medicine, Comenius University, 811 08 Bratislava, Slovakia.,Department of Molecular Biology, Faculty of Natural Sciences, Comenius University, 842 15 Bratislava, Slovakia.,Biomedical Research Center, Slovak Academy of Sciences, 831 01 Bratislava, Slovakia
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11
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Nutsch VL, Will RG, Tobiansky DJ, Reilly MP, Gore AC, Dominguez JM. Age-related changes in sexual function and steroid-hormone receptors in the medial preoptic area of male rats. Horm Behav 2017; 96:4-12. [PMID: 28882473 PMCID: PMC5722693 DOI: 10.1016/j.yhbeh.2017.08.008] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/07/2017] [Revised: 08/07/2017] [Accepted: 08/31/2017] [Indexed: 12/15/2022]
Abstract
Testosterone is the main circulating steroid hormone in males, and acts to facilitate sexual behavior via both reduction to dihydrotestosterone (DHT) and aromatization to estradiol. The mPOA is a key site involved in mediating actions of androgens and estrogens in the control of masculine sexual behavior, but the respective roles of these hormones is not fully understood. As males age they show impairments in sexual function, and a decreased facilitation of behavior by steroid hormones compared to younger animals. We hypothesized that an anatomical substrate for these behavioral changes is a decline in expression and/or activation of hormone receptor-sensitive cells in the mPOA. We tested this by quantifying and comparing numbers of AR- and ERα-containing cells, and Fos as a marker of activated neurons, in the mPOA of mature (4-5months) and aged (12-13months) male rats, assessed one hour after copulation to one ejaculation. Numbers of AR- and ERα cells did not change with age or after sex, but the percentage of AR- and ERα-cells that co-expressed Fos were significantly up-regulated by sex, independent of age. Age effects were found for the percentage of Fos cells that co-expressed ERα (up-regulated in the central mPOA) and the percentage of Fos cells co-expressing AR in the posterior mPOA. Interestingly, serum estradiol concentrations positively correlated with intromission latency in aged but not mature animals. These data show that the aging male brain continues to have high expression and activation of both AR and ERα in the mPOA with copulation, raising the possibility that differences in relationships between hormones, behavior, and neural activation may underlie some age-related impairments.
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Affiliation(s)
- Victoria L Nutsch
- Institute for Neuroscience, The University of Texas at Austin, Austin, TX, USA
| | - Ryan G Will
- Department of Psychology, The University of Texas at Austin, Austin, TX, USA
| | - Daniel J Tobiansky
- Department of Psychology, The University of Texas at Austin, Austin, TX, USA
| | - Michael P Reilly
- Division of Pharmacology and Toxicology, The University of Texas at Austin, Austin, TX, USA
| | - Andrea C Gore
- Institute for Neuroscience, The University of Texas at Austin, Austin, TX, USA; Department of Psychology, The University of Texas at Austin, Austin, TX, USA; Division of Pharmacology and Toxicology, The University of Texas at Austin, Austin, TX, USA.
| | - Juan M Dominguez
- Institute for Neuroscience, The University of Texas at Austin, Austin, TX, USA; Department of Psychology, The University of Texas at Austin, Austin, TX, USA; Division of Pharmacology and Toxicology, The University of Texas at Austin, Austin, TX, USA.
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12
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Vázquez-León P, Martínez-Mota L, Quevedo-Corona L, Miranda-Páez A. Isolation stress and chronic mild stress induced immobility in the defensive burying behavior and a transient increased ethanol intake in Wistar rats. Alcohol 2017; 63:43-51. [PMID: 28847381 DOI: 10.1016/j.alcohol.2017.03.005] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/10/2016] [Revised: 01/31/2017] [Accepted: 03/20/2017] [Indexed: 12/11/2022]
Abstract
Stress can be experienced with or without adverse effects, of which anxiety and depression are two of the most important due to the frequent comorbidity with alcohol abuse in humans. Historically, stress has been considered a cause of drug use, particularly alcohol abuse due to its anxiolytic effects. In the present work we exposed male Wistar rats to two different stress conditions: single housing (social isolation, SI), and chronic mild stress (CMS). We compared both stressed groups to group-housed rats and rats without CMS (GH) to allow the determination of a clear behavioral response profile related to their respective endocrine stress response and alcohol intake pattern. We found that SI and CMS, to a greater extent, induced short-lasting increased sucrose consumption, a transient increase in serum corticosterone level, high latency/immobility, and low burying behavior in the defensive burying behavior (DBB) test, and a transient increase in alcohol intake. Thus, the main conclusion was that stress caused by both SI and CMS induced immobility in the DBB test and, subsequently, induced a transient increased voluntary ethanol intake in Wistar rats with a free-choice home-cage drinking paradigm.
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Affiliation(s)
- Priscila Vázquez-León
- Departamento de Fisiología, Escuela Nacional de Ciencias Biológicas, Instituto Politécnico Nacional, Wilfrido Massieu esq. Manuel Stampa s/n Col. Nueva Industrial Vallejo Del, CP: 07738, Gustavo A. Madero, Mexico City, Mexico
| | - Lucía Martínez-Mota
- Laboratorio de Farmacología Conductual, Dirección de Investigaciones en Neurociencias, Instituto Nacional de Psiquiatría "Ramón de la Fuente Muñiz", Calzada México-Xochimilco 101 Col. San Lorenzo Huipulco, Tlalpan, CP: 14370, Mexico City, Mexico
| | - Lucía Quevedo-Corona
- Departamento de Fisiología, Escuela Nacional de Ciencias Biológicas, Instituto Politécnico Nacional, Wilfrido Massieu esq. Manuel Stampa s/n Col. Nueva Industrial Vallejo Del, CP: 07738, Gustavo A. Madero, Mexico City, Mexico
| | - Abraham Miranda-Páez
- Departamento de Fisiología, Escuela Nacional de Ciencias Biológicas, Instituto Politécnico Nacional, Wilfrido Massieu esq. Manuel Stampa s/n Col. Nueva Industrial Vallejo Del, CP: 07738, Gustavo A. Madero, Mexico City, Mexico.
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Duda W, Kubera M, Kreiner G, Curzytek K, Detka J, Głombik K, Ślusarczyk J, Basta-Kaim A, Budziszewska B, Lasoń W, Regulska M, Leśkiewicz M, Roman A, Zelek-Molik A, Nalepa I. Suppression of pro-inflammatory cytokine expression and lack of anti-depressant-like effect of fluoxetine in lipopolysaccharide-treated old female mice. Int Immunopharmacol 2017; 48:35-42. [DOI: 10.1016/j.intimp.2017.04.021] [Citation(s) in RCA: 14] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/08/2016] [Revised: 03/24/2017] [Accepted: 04/20/2017] [Indexed: 01/06/2023]
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Dehydroepiandrosterone increases the number and dendrite maturation of doublecortin cells in the dentate gyrus of middle age male Wistar rats exposed to chronic mild stress. Behav Brain Res 2017; 321:137-147. [DOI: 10.1016/j.bbr.2017.01.007] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/21/2016] [Revised: 12/30/2016] [Accepted: 01/02/2017] [Indexed: 01/11/2023]
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Willner P. Reliability of the chronic mild stress model of depression: A user survey. Neurobiol Stress 2017; 6:68-77. [PMID: 28229110 PMCID: PMC5314419 DOI: 10.1016/j.ynstr.2016.08.001] [Citation(s) in RCA: 122] [Impact Index Per Article: 17.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/03/2016] [Revised: 08/19/2016] [Accepted: 08/20/2016] [Indexed: 11/30/2022] Open
Abstract
The chronic mild stress (CMS) model of depression is considered by many to be the animal model of depression that has the greatest validity and translational potential, but it has often been criticized for a perceived lack of reliability. The aims of this study were to establish the extent to which the procedure is reproducible, and to identify experimental variables relevant to its reliability. Because failures to replicate frequently remain unpublished, a survey methodology was used. A questionnaire was circulated to 170 labs identified from a PubMed search as having published a CMS study in the years 2010 or 2015 (with no selection in respect of the results reported). Responses were returned by 71 (42%) of the recipients, followed by further correspondence with some of them. Most of the respondents (n = 53: 75%) reported that the CMS procedure worked reliably in their hands. Of the others, 15 (21%) reported that the procedure was usually reliable, but not always (n = 9: 13%) or not for all measures (n = 6: 8%). Only three respondents (4%) reported being unable to reproduce the characteristic effects, two of whom may be using an insufficient duration of CMS exposure. A series of analyses compared the 75% of 'reliable' labs with the 25% of 'less reliable' labs on a range of experimenter, subject, stress and outcome variables. Few if any significant differences between these two samples were identified, possibly because of the small size and diversity of the 'less reliable' sample. Two other limitations of the study include the (unavoidable) omission of labs that may have worked with the model but not published their data, and the use of ad hoc measures to compare the severity of different stress regimes. The results are discussed in relation to relevant published observations. It is concluded that CMS is in fact a rather robust model, but the factors that result in a less effective implementation in a minority of laboratories remain to be firmly established.
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Fernández-Guasti A, Olivares-Nazario M, Reyes R, Martínez-Mota L. Sex and age differences in the antidepressant-like effect of fluoxetine in the forced swim test. Pharmacol Biochem Behav 2017; 152:81-89. [DOI: 10.1016/j.pbb.2016.01.011] [Citation(s) in RCA: 26] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/05/2015] [Revised: 01/19/2016] [Accepted: 01/21/2016] [Indexed: 12/27/2022]
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Young-Adult Male Rats' Vulnerability to Chronic Mild Stress Is Reflected by Anxious-Like instead of Depressive-Like Behaviors. NEUROSCIENCE JOURNAL 2016; 2016:5317242. [PMID: 27433469 PMCID: PMC4940564 DOI: 10.1155/2016/5317242] [Citation(s) in RCA: 13] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/11/2016] [Accepted: 06/01/2016] [Indexed: 11/20/2022]
Abstract
In a previous study, we found that chronic mild stress (CMS) paradigm did not induce anhedonia in young-adult male rats but it reduced their body weight gain. These contrasting results encouraged us to explore other indicators of animal's vulnerability to stress such as anxious-like behaviors, since stress is an etiologic factor also for anxiety. Thus, in this study, we evaluated the vulnerability of these animals to CMS using behavioral tests of depression or anxiety and measuring serum corticosterone. Male Wistar rats were exposed to four weeks of CMS; the animals' body weight and sucrose preference (indicator of anhedonia) were assessed after three weeks, and, after the fourth week, some animals were evaluated in a behavioral battery (elevated plus maze, defensive burying behavior, and forced swimming tests); meanwhile, others were used to measure serum corticosterone. We found that CMS (1) did not affect sucrose preference, immobility behavior in the forced swimming test, or serum corticosterone; (2) decreased body weight gain; and (3) increased the rat's entries into closed arms of the plus maze and the cumulative burying behavior. These data indicate that young male rats' vulnerability to CMS is reflected as poor body weight gain and anxious-like instead of depressive-like behaviors.
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Yao Y, Huang HY, Yang YX, Guo JY. Cinnamic aldehyde treatment alleviates chronic unexpected stress-induced depressive-like behaviors via targeting cyclooxygenase-2 in mid-aged rats. JOURNAL OF ETHNOPHARMACOLOGY 2015; 162:97-103. [PMID: 25556926 DOI: 10.1016/j.jep.2014.12.047] [Citation(s) in RCA: 22] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/06/2014] [Revised: 12/21/2014] [Accepted: 12/23/2014] [Indexed: 06/04/2023]
Abstract
ETHNOPHARMACOLOGICAL RELEVANCE COX-2 has been considered as a potent molecular target for prevention and therapy of depression. However, a recent study showed that COX-2 inhibitor does not improve depressive symptoms in persons aged 70 and over. Therefore, whether treatments targeting COX-2 have a clinical efficacy in depression, especially elderly individuals, remains unclear. Cinnamic aldehyde is a major constituent of Cinnamomum cassia, which has exhibited excellent anti-inflammatory activities as a COX-2 inhibitor. To investigate the potential antidepressant effect of cinnamic aldehyde in mid-aged rats. MATERIALS AND METHODS The depressive-like behaviors were measured after the rats exposed to chronic unexpected mild stress (CUMS). Cinnamic aldehyde was administrated by oral gavage to stressed rats (22.5, 45, 90 mg/kg, respectively) for 21 days. The mRNA, protein expression and activity of cyclooxygenase-2 (COX-2), as well as prostaglandin E2 (PGE2) levels were measured in the frontal cortex and hippocampus of stressed animals. RESULTS We found that CUMS procedure not only decreased the sucrose preference, but also elevated the COX-2 activity, mRNA and protein levels, and increased PGE2 concentration in rat brain regions. Treatment with high doses of cinnamic aldehyde (45, 90 mg/kg) reversed the behavioral abnormalities, and decreased the COX-2 protein and activity (but not COX-2 mRNA expression) and PGE2 concentration in frontal cortex and hippocampus of stressed rats. CONCLUSION Cinnamic aldehyde exerted antidepressant-like effects in stressed mid-aged rats, and its mechanism of action appears to decrease COX-2 protein and activity. The current findings suggest that targeting COX-2 system might be benefit to the depression, especially elderly individuals and cinnamic aldehyde might be a promising medicine to treat the subjects in the depression.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ying Yao
- Pharmacy Department, Zhejiang Medical College, Hangzhou 310053, China
| | - Hai-Ying Huang
- School of Pharmacy, Henan University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Zhengzhou 450046, China
| | - Yuan-Xiao Yang
- School of Pharmaceutical Science, Zhejiang Chinese Medical University, Hangzhou 310053, China
| | - Jian-You Guo
- Key Laboratory of Mental Health, Institute of Psychology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, 16# Lincui Road, Chaoyang District, Beijing 100101, China.
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Forced swim and chronic variable stress reduced hippocampal cell survival in OVX female rats. Behav Brain Res 2014; 270:248-55. [DOI: 10.1016/j.bbr.2014.05.033] [Citation(s) in RCA: 16] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/13/2014] [Revised: 05/13/2014] [Accepted: 05/16/2014] [Indexed: 12/13/2022]
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Ulloa RE, Díaz-Valderrama A, Herrera-Pérez J, León-Olea M, Martínez-Mota L. Age differences in the impact of forced swimming test on serotonin transporter levels in lateral septum and dorsal raphe. BEHAVIORAL AND BRAIN FUNCTIONS : BBF 2014; 10:3. [PMID: 24490994 PMCID: PMC3922148 DOI: 10.1186/1744-9081-10-3] [Citation(s) in RCA: 11] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/08/2013] [Accepted: 01/28/2014] [Indexed: 12/19/2022]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Forced swimming test (FST) is an animal model which evaluates behavioral despair and the effect of antidepressants such as the selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors; the FST modifies the expression of some receptors related to antidepressant response, but it is not known whether serotonin transporter (SERT), their main target, is affected by this test in animals of different ages. Antidepressant response has shown age-dependent variations which could be associated with SERT expression. The aim of the present study was to analyze changes in the SERT immunoreactivity (SERT-IR) in dorsal raphe and lateral septum of male rats from different age groups with or without behavioral despair induced by their exposure to the FST, since these two structures are related to the expression of this behavior. METHODS Prepubertal (24 PN), pubertal (40 PN), young adult (3-5 months) and middle-aged (12 months) male rats were assigned to a control group (non-FST) or depressed group (FST, two sessions separated by 24 h). Changes in SERT-IR in dorsal raphe and lateral septum were determined with immunofluorescence. RESULTS Pubertal and middle-aged rats showed higher levels of immobility behavior compared to prepubertal rats on the FST. SERT-IR showed an age-dependent increase followed by a moderate decrease in middle-aged rats in both structures; a decreased in SERT-IR in lateral septum and dorsal raphe of pubertal rats was observed after the FST. CONCLUSIONS Age differences were observed in the SERT-IR of structures related to behavioral despair; SERT expression was modified by the FST in lateral septum and dorsal raphe of pubertal rats.
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Affiliation(s)
- Rosa-Elena Ulloa
- Hospital Psiquiátrico Infantil “Dr. Juan N Navarro”, San Buenaventura 86, Col. Belisario Domínguez, Delegación Tlalpan, Mexico City 14080, Mexico
| | - Aliyeri Díaz-Valderrama
- Instituto Nacional de Psiquiatría Ramón de la Fuente Muñiz, Calzada México-Xochimilco 101, Col. San Lorenzo Huipulco, Delegación Tlalpan, Mexico City 14370, Mexico
| | - Jaime Herrera-Pérez
- Instituto Nacional de Psiquiatría Ramón de la Fuente Muñiz, Calzada México-Xochimilco 101, Col. San Lorenzo Huipulco, Delegación Tlalpan, Mexico City 14370, Mexico
| | - Martha León-Olea
- Instituto Nacional de Psiquiatría Ramón de la Fuente Muñiz, Calzada México-Xochimilco 101, Col. San Lorenzo Huipulco, Delegación Tlalpan, Mexico City 14370, Mexico
| | - Lucía Martínez-Mota
- Instituto Nacional de Psiquiatría Ramón de la Fuente Muñiz, Calzada México-Xochimilco 101, Col. San Lorenzo Huipulco, Delegación Tlalpan, Mexico City 14370, Mexico
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Brain SERT Expression of Male Rats Is Reduced by Aging and Increased by Testosterone Restitution. NEUROSCIENCE JOURNAL 2013; 2013:201909. [PMID: 26317087 PMCID: PMC4437264 DOI: 10.1155/2013/201909] [Citation(s) in RCA: 11] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/26/2013] [Accepted: 11/23/2013] [Indexed: 11/28/2022]
Abstract
In preclinical and clinical studies aging has been associated with a deteriorated response to antidepressant treatment. We hypothesize that such impairment is explained by an age-related decrease in brain serotonin transporter (SERT) expression associated with low testosterone (T) levels. The objectives of this study were to establish (1) if brain SERT expression is reduced by aging and (2) if the SERT expression in middle-aged rats is increased by T-restitution. Intact young rats (3–5 months) and gonad-intact middle-aged rats with or without T-restitution were used. The identification of the brain SERT expression was done by immunofluorescence in prefrontal cortex, lateral septum, hippocampus, and raphe nuclei. An age-dependent reduction of SERT expression was observed in all brain regions examined, while T-restitution recovered the SERT expression only in the dorsal raphe of middle-aged rats. This last action seems relevant since dorsal raphe plays an important role in the antidepressant action of selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors. All data suggest that this mechanism accounts for the T-replacement usefulness to improve the response to antidepressants in the aged population.
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Olvera-Hernández S, Chavira R, Fernández-Guasti A. Sex- and endocrine-stage-differences in middle-aged rats in an animal model of OCD. Prog Neuropsychopharmacol Biol Psychiatry 2013; 44:81-7. [PMID: 23395768 DOI: 10.1016/j.pnpbp.2013.01.021] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/22/2012] [Revised: 01/28/2013] [Accepted: 01/31/2013] [Indexed: 01/12/2023]
Abstract
Various clinical studies suggest that many features of OCD are influenced by sex, age and fluctuations in hormonal levels. Animal models have confirmed these differences, and suggest they are mediated by the serotonergic system. We compared the perseveration behavior in a T-maze after the administration of the 5-HT1A agonist, 8-OH-DPAT (2.0 mg/kg) and the preventive action of subchronic fluoxetine (10 mg/kg, 3 times) in middle-aged (11-14 months) males and female rats in two endocrine states: irregular cycles (tested in diestrus) or persistent diestrus. After 8-OH-DPAT, females with persistent diestrus presented higher perseveration scores than males and females with irregular cycles. Fluoxetine produced an anticompulsive-like effect only in females with persistent diestrus. Females in persistent diestrus showed higher estradiol levels than those in irregular cycles or males. In all groups 8-OH-DPAT increased ambulation and fluoxetine did not modify this action. In males, the combined administration of fluoxetine and 8-OH-DPAT impaired motor coordination. Data are discussed on the basis of estradiol levels and sex differences.
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Malatynska E, Steinbusch HW, Redkozubova O, Bolkunov A, Kubatiev A, Yeritsyan NB, Vignisse J, Bachurin S, Strekalova T. Anhedonic-like traits and lack of affective deficits in 18-month-old C57BL/6 mice: Implications for modeling elderly depression. Exp Gerontol 2012; 47:552-64. [DOI: 10.1016/j.exger.2012.04.010] [Citation(s) in RCA: 76] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/12/2011] [Revised: 04/19/2012] [Accepted: 04/20/2012] [Indexed: 12/11/2022]
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Récamier-Carballo S, Estrada-Camarena E, Reyes R, Fernández-Guasti A. Synergistic effect of estradiol and fluoxetine in young adult and middle-aged female rats in two models of experimental depression. Behav Brain Res 2012; 233:351-8. [DOI: 10.1016/j.bbr.2012.05.034] [Citation(s) in RCA: 29] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/24/2012] [Revised: 05/15/2012] [Accepted: 05/21/2012] [Indexed: 10/28/2022]
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Herrera-Pérez JJ, Martínez-Mota L, Chavira R, Fernández-Guasti A. Testosterone prevents but not reverses anhedonia in middle-aged males and lacks an effect on stress vulnerability in young adults. Horm Behav 2012; 61:623-30. [PMID: 22373497 DOI: 10.1016/j.yhbeh.2012.02.015] [Citation(s) in RCA: 17] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/04/2011] [Revised: 02/07/2012] [Accepted: 02/11/2012] [Indexed: 11/26/2022]
Abstract
Middle-aged male rats are more vulnerable than young adult ones to develop anhedonia when exposed to chronic mild stress (CMS). Clinical studies support the idea that in aged subjects the low testosterone (T) levels are related with their higher stress vulnerability and that this hormone possesses antidepressant-like actions. In this study we evaluated the role of gonadal hormones--mainly T--on the depressive-like behavior of middle-aged and young adult male rats submitted to CMS. In middle-aged rats we analyzed the effect of T restitution (at the levels of young adult animals) given 3 weeks before (experiment 1) or 3 weeks after (experiment 2) anhedonia development (indicated by a reduction in sucrose solution intake). T restitution before CMS effectively prevented anhedonia but failed to reverse it once installed. In young adult rats we studied if orchidectomy increased stress vulnerability and found that it failed to modify sucrose intake. These results indicate a stress-dependent differential effect of T in middle-aged rats an age differential role of gonadal hormones on the vulnerability to develop anhedonia. The results suggest that T is a resilience factor in middle-aged but not in young adult males.
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Affiliation(s)
- José Jaime Herrera-Pérez
- Laboratorio de Farmacología Conductual, Dirección de Investigaciones en Neurociencias, Instituto Nacional de Psiquiatría Ramón de la Fuente Muñíz, México City, Mexico
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Olvera-Hernández S, Fernández-Guasti A. Sex differences in the burying behavior test in middle-aged rats: effects of diazepam. Pharmacol Biochem Behav 2011; 99:532-9. [PMID: 21672548 DOI: 10.1016/j.pbb.2011.05.030] [Citation(s) in RCA: 16] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/24/2011] [Revised: 05/25/2011] [Accepted: 05/29/2011] [Indexed: 11/28/2022]
Abstract
The full behavioral profile displayed during the burying behavior test was studied in middle aged (11-14 months) males, females with irregular estrous cycles, and females in persistent diestrus, with and without diazepam (0.5-2.0mg/kg). Ambulation and motor coordination were also tested to discern behavioral changes from general motor alterations. Without diazepam treatment, middle-aged males showed longer burying behavior latencies, more prod explorations and less freezing than both groups of females. Untreated middle aged males also showed less cumulative burying and more immobility compared to females with irregular cycles. None of the parameters showed any difference between the female groups. Diazepam (0.5 and 1.0mg/kg) increased burying behavior latency in females, but had no effect on any parameter in middle aged males. However, a higher dose (2.0mg/kg) of diazepam increased immobility, freezing and the number of prod shocks and decreased prod explorations and groomings, but impaired motor coordination in males. In contrast with young males and females, diazepam at any dose reduced cumulative burying. Data are discussed on the bases of (1) sex and age differences in burying behavior and on (2) the anxiolytic-like action of diazepam and its side effects.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sandra Olvera-Hernández
- Centro de Investigación y Estudios Avanzados, Departamento de Farmacobiología, Calzada de los Tenorios 235, Colonia Granjas Coapa, México 14330 D.F., Mexico
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Involvement of oxidative stress in age-related bone loss. J Surg Res 2011; 169:e37-42. [PMID: 21529826 DOI: 10.1016/j.jss.2011.02.033] [Citation(s) in RCA: 75] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/07/2011] [Revised: 02/06/2011] [Accepted: 02/17/2011] [Indexed: 01/01/2023]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Age-related bone loss is a primary factor in osteoporosis and osteoporotic fractures in the elderly. Although oxidative stress was reported to play an important role in aging and postmenopausal bone loss, data on relating oxidative stress to age-related bone loss were scanty. This study aimed to investigate whether oxidative stress is involved in age-related bone loss. MATERIALS AND METHODS Young, adult, and old male Wistar rats were used in this study. Each group consisted of 26 animals. Oxidative stress parameters, such as advanced oxidation protein products (AOPP), malondialdehyde (MDA), and superoxide dismutase (SOD), were measured in the plasma and right femur homogenates. Bone mineral density (BMD) of left femurs and histomorphometry of tibias were investigated. RESULTS In the plasma and femurs, the levels of AOPP and MDA were increased and the SOD activity was decreased with aging. Femur BMD decreased significantly in old rats. Bone histomorphometry indicated decreases in cancellous bone volume, trabecular thickness, percent labeled perimeter, mineral apposition rate, and bone formation rate with aging. The AOPP levels in plasma and femur, and MDA levels in the plasma were negatively correlated with the femur BMD. The SOD activity in plasma and femur was positively correlated with the femur BMD. CONCLUSIONS Increase of oxidative stress and bone loss appear with aging. Oxidative stress is involved in age-related bone loss and might play an important role in the pathology of age-related bone loss.
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Tilly SLC, Dallaire J, Mason GJ. Middle-aged mice with enrichment-resistant stereotypic behaviour show reduced motivation for enrichment. Anim Behav 2010. [DOI: 10.1016/j.anbehav.2010.06.008] [Citation(s) in RCA: 49] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/29/2022]
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Wu D, Gore AC. Changes in androgen receptor, estrogen receptor alpha, and sexual behavior with aging and testosterone in male rats. Horm Behav 2010; 58:306-16. [PMID: 20223236 PMCID: PMC2879440 DOI: 10.1016/j.yhbeh.2010.03.001] [Citation(s) in RCA: 41] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/30/2009] [Revised: 02/26/2010] [Accepted: 03/01/2010] [Indexed: 11/16/2022]
Abstract
Reproductive aging in males is characterized by a diminution in sexual behavior beginning in middle age. We investigated the relationships among testosterone, androgen receptor (AR) and estrogen receptor alpha (ERalpha) cell numbers in the hypothalamus, and their relationship to sexual performance in male rats. Young (3months) and middle-aged (12months) rats were given sexual behavior tests, then castrated and implanted with vehicle or testosterone capsules. Rats were tested again for sexual behavior. Numbers of AR and ERalpha immunoreactive cells were counted in the anteroventral periventricular nucleus and the medial preoptic nucleus, and serum hormones were measured. Middle-aged intact rats had significant impairments of all sexual behavior measures compared to young males. After castration and testosterone implantation, sexual behaviors in middle-aged males were largely comparable to those in the young males. In the hypothalamus, AR cell density was significantly (5-fold) higher, and ERalpha cell density significantly (6-fold) lower, in testosterone- than vehicle-treated males, with no age differences. Thus, restoration of serum testosterone to comparable levels in young and middle-aged rats resulted in similar preoptic AR and ERalpha cell density concomitant with a reinstatement of most behaviors. These data suggest that age-related differences in sexual behavior cannot be due to absolute levels of testosterone, and further, the middle-aged brain retains the capacity to respond to exogenous testosterone with changes in hypothalamic AR and ERalpha expression. Our finding that testosterone replacement in aging males has profound effects on hypothalamic receptors and behavior has potential medical implications for the treatment of age-related hypogonadism in men.
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Affiliation(s)
- Di Wu
- Division of Pharmacology & Toxicology, College of Pharmacy; The University of Texas at Austin, Austin, TX, 78712, USA
| | - Andrea C. Gore
- Division of Pharmacology & Toxicology, College of Pharmacy; The University of Texas at Austin, Austin, TX, 78712, USA
- Institute for Neuroscience; The University of Texas at Austin, Austin, TX, 78712, USA
- Institute for Cellular & Molecular Biology; The University of Texas at Austin, Austin, TX, 78712, USA
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Romano-Torres M, Fernández-Guasti A. Estradiol valerate elicits antidepressant-like effects in middle-aged female rats under chronic mild stress. Behav Pharmacol 2010; 21:104-11. [PMID: 20168212 DOI: 10.1097/fbp.0b013e328337bdfc] [Citation(s) in RCA: 27] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/25/2022]
Abstract
The purpose of this study was to analyze the antidepressant-like actions of estradiol valerate (1 or 2 mg/rat, single injection) or citalopram (5 or 10 mg/kg, chronically administered for 21 days) given independently or combined at low doses, to middle-aged ovariectomized female rats, as a model of human menopause. Animals were exposed to chronic mild stress, a model of depression that mimics anhedonia as revealed by diminished sucrose solution intake. Stressed rats decreased their sucrose preference 1 week after chronic stress and treatment with vehicle did not reverse this reduction. A single injection of estradiol valerate (2 mg/rat) produced an antidepressant-like action, evidenced as an increase in sucrose preference specific to stressed rats. Chronic citalopram (10 mg/kg) produced an antidepressant-like effect after 1 week. A single low-dose of estradiol valerate (1 mg/rat) did not potentiate or shorten the latency of action of chronic citalopram (5 mg/kg). These results reveal the antidepressant-like action of estrogens in middle-aged rats exposed to chronic stress. These data may be of importance for clinical depression in menopausal women.
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Affiliation(s)
- Mónica Romano-Torres
- Departamento de Farmacobiología, Centro de Investigación y de Estudios, Avanzados del IPN. Calzada de los Tenorios, Col. Granjas Coapa, Tlalpan, México City, México
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Herrera-Pérez JJ, Martínez-Mota L, Fernández-Guasti A. Aging impairs the antidepressant-like response to citalopram in male rats. Eur J Pharmacol 2010; 633:39-43. [PMID: 20123098 DOI: 10.1016/j.ejphar.2010.01.022] [Citation(s) in RCA: 19] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/04/2009] [Revised: 12/17/2009] [Accepted: 01/20/2010] [Indexed: 11/17/2022]
Abstract
It has been suggested that old depressed patients require longer antidepressant treatments than their young counterparts. The objective of this study was to establish if aging impairs the response to an antidepressant by using an animal model. For this purpose, young and middle-aged male Wistar rats (of around 4 and 14months, respectively) were exposed to a chronic mild stress schedule for 3weeks. After this period, the animals that developed anhedonia, reflected as a reduction in sucrose solution (1%) intake, were treated with citalopram (10mg/kg/day) during 21days while still maintained under the chronic mild stress schedule. Non-stressed animals were included as controls. In young rats citalopram reversed the reduction in sucrose consumption induced by chronic mild stress after one week of treatment, while in middle-aged animals a similar reversion occurred after three weeks. Citalopram did not importantly modify simple water intake in stressed animals or sucrose consumption in non-stressed rats of both ages. The results imply that young rats have a lower latency of onset to the antidepressant-like effect of citalopram than middle-aged animals. The lower sensitivity of middle-aged animals to citalopram could be underlied by their lower levels of gonadal hormones.
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Affiliation(s)
- José Jaime Herrera-Pérez
- Farmacología Conductual, Dirección de Investigaciones en Neurociencias, Instituto Nacional de Psiquiatría Ramón de la Fuente Muñiz, México City, Mexico
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Wu D, Gore AC. Sexual experience changes sex hormones but not hypothalamic steroid hormone receptor expression in young and middle-aged male rats. Horm Behav 2009; 56:299-308. [PMID: 19559704 PMCID: PMC2739266 DOI: 10.1016/j.yhbeh.2009.06.007] [Citation(s) in RCA: 28] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/28/2009] [Revised: 06/13/2009] [Accepted: 06/17/2009] [Indexed: 11/22/2022]
Abstract
Testosterone is well known to regulate sexual behavior in males, but this is dependent upon prior sexual experience. Aging is associated with decreased libido and changes in testosterone, but the role of experience in these age-related processes has not been systematically studied. We examined effects of age and sexual experience on serum hormones (total testosterone, free testosterone, estradiol, LH) and on numbers of androgen receptor (AR) and estrogen receptor alpha (ERalpha) immunoreactive cells in the hypothalamus. Extensive sexual experience was given to male rats at 4 months of age. Rats were euthanized at either 4 months (young) or 12 months (middle-aged (MA)). Comparable sexually naïve male rats were handled and placed into the testing arena but did not receive any sexual experience. Thus, we had four groups: young-naïve, young-experienced, MA-naïve and MA-experienced. Serum hormone levels were assayed, and numbers of AR and ERalpha cells were quantified stereologically in the medial preoptic nucleus (MPN) and the anteroventral periventricular nucleus (AVPV). Sexually experienced males had significantly elevated serum testosterone and free testosterone in both age groups. Both total and free testosterone were higher, and estradiol lower, in middle-aged than young rats. Experience did not alter either AR or ERalpha expression in the preoptic brain regions studied. Aging was associated with increased expression of AR, but no change in ERalpha. These results show that sexual experience can induce short-term and long-term alterations in serum hormones but these effects are not manifested upon their receptors in the hypothalamus.
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Affiliation(s)
- Di Wu
- Division of Pharmacology & Toxicology, College of Pharmacy; The University of Texas at Austin, Austin, TX, 78712, USA
| | - Andrea C. Gore
- Division of Pharmacology & Toxicology, College of Pharmacy; The University of Texas at Austin, Austin, TX, 78712, USA
- Institute for Neuroscience; The University of Texas at Austin, Austin, TX, 78712, USA
- Institute for Cellular & Molecular Biology; The University of Texas at Austin, Austin, TX, 78712, USA
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