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Belén Poretti M, Bianconi S, Luque E, Martini AC, Vincenti L, Cantarelli V, Torres P, Ponzio M, Schiöth HB, Carlini VP. Role of the hypothalamus in ghrelin effects on reproduction: sperm function and sexual behavior in male mice. Reproduction 2023; 165:123-134. [PMID: 36322468 DOI: 10.1530/rep-22-0098] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/15/2022] [Accepted: 11/02/2022] [Indexed: 11/07/2022]
Abstract
In brief Ghrelin signals to the hypothalamus inhibit reproduction during times of food scarcity. In this study, we demonstrate that ghrelin impairs sperm quality in male mice. Abstract Ghrelin (GHRL) is an orexigenic peptide that has been investigated as one of the signals responsible for the reproductive performance of mammals under fluctuating metabolic conditions. Central GHRL administration impairs spermatogenesis in mice by regulating the hypothalamic-pituitary-gonadal axis function. In the present study, the hypothalamus role as a mediator of GHRL effects on sperm fertilizing capacity and male sexual behavior was evaluated. After 42 days of hypothalamic GHRL infusion or artificial cerebrospinal fluid, in vitro and in vivo sperm fertilizing capacity, testicular α-tubulin, speriolin gene expression and spermatic α-tubulin protein were evaluated. Hypothalamic expression of genes Kiss1, Gpr54 and Gnrh was also studied. The second group of animals was infused with one time only GHRL or artificial cerebrospinal fluid into the hypothalamus to evaluate the effects on sexual behavior. Results demonstrated that chronic GHRL administration to male mice significantly increased the percentages of pre-implantation embryo loss and the number of post-implantation embryo loss. In relation to the gene expression, our results show a relative decrease of Kiss1, Gpr54 and Spatc1. Although no significant differences were observed in the quantitative expression of α-tubulin protein, qualitative changes in its expression pattern were observed. In addition, a dual effect on sexual behavior was observed: 40% of the treated animals showed a significant reduction in the number of mounts and intromissions, while a 60% showed a significant decrease in ejaculation latency vs control animals. In conclusion, our results provide evidence that central GHRL administration possibly induces failure in embryo development and/or implantation in the females mated with treated males, possibly because of a negative effect in the α-tubulin pattern.
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Affiliation(s)
- María Belén Poretti
- Instituto de Investigaciones en Ciencias de la Salud (INICSA, CONICET- UNC), CONICET and Facultad de Ciencias Médicas, Universidad Nacional de Córdoba, Argentina.,Functional Pharmacology, Department of Neuroscience, Uppsala University, Uppsala, Sweden
| | - Santiago Bianconi
- Instituto de Investigaciones en Ciencias de la Salud (INICSA, CONICET- UNC), CONICET and Facultad de Ciencias Médicas, Universidad Nacional de Córdoba, Argentina.,Functional Pharmacology, Department of Neuroscience, Uppsala University, Uppsala, Sweden
| | - Eugenia Luque
- Instituto de Investigaciones en Ciencias de la Salud (INICSA, CONICET- UNC), CONICET and Facultad de Ciencias Médicas, Universidad Nacional de Córdoba, Argentina
| | - Ana Carolina Martini
- Instituto de Investigaciones en Ciencias de la Salud (INICSA, CONICET- UNC), CONICET and Facultad de Ciencias Médicas, Universidad Nacional de Córdoba, Argentina
| | - Laura Vincenti
- Instituto de Investigaciones en Ciencias de la Salud (INICSA, CONICET- UNC), CONICET and Facultad de Ciencias Médicas, Universidad Nacional de Córdoba, Argentina
| | - Veronica Cantarelli
- Instituto de Investigaciones en Ciencias de la Salud (INICSA, CONICET- UNC), CONICET and Facultad de Ciencias Médicas, Universidad Nacional de Córdoba, Argentina
| | - Pedro Torres
- Instituto de Investigaciones en Ciencias de la Salud (INICSA, CONICET- UNC), CONICET and Facultad de Ciencias Médicas, Universidad Nacional de Córdoba, Argentina
| | - Marina Ponzio
- Instituto de Investigaciones en Ciencias de la Salud (INICSA, CONICET- UNC), CONICET and Facultad de Ciencias Médicas, Universidad Nacional de Córdoba, Argentina
| | - Helgi B Schiöth
- Functional Pharmacology, Department of Neuroscience, Uppsala University, Uppsala, Sweden
| | - Valeria Paola Carlini
- Instituto de Investigaciones en Ciencias de la Salud (INICSA, CONICET- UNC), CONICET and Facultad de Ciencias Médicas, Universidad Nacional de Córdoba, Argentina.,Functional Pharmacology, Department of Neuroscience, Uppsala University, Uppsala, Sweden
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Muhammad JS, Siddiqui R, Khan NA. COVID-19 and alcohol use disorder: putative differential gene expression patterns that might be associated with neurological complications. Hosp Pract (1995) 2022; 50:189-195. [PMID: 35686663 DOI: 10.1080/21548331.2022.2088183] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 10/18/2022]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Several lines of evidence suggest that SARS-CoV-2 invasion of the central nervous system leads to meningitis and encephalopathy syndromes. Additionally, chronic alcoholics were found to be at a higher risk of developing mental health problems and serious neurological manifestations, if exposed to SARS-CoV-2 infection. METHODS Herein, we studied RNA seq data from alcoholics' brain tissue and COVID-19 patient's brain tissue to identify the common differentially expressed genes. RESULTS Overlap analysis depicted the expression of seven genes (GHRL, SLN, VGF, IL1RL1, NPTX2, PDYN, and RPRML) that were significantly upregulated in both groups. Along with these, protein-protein interaction analysis revealed 10 other key molecules with strong interactions with the aforementioned genes. CONCLUSIONS Taken together with the functional effect of these genes, we suggest a strong molecular link between COVID-19-induced severities and neurological impairment in patients suffering from alcohol abuse disorder. These findings emphasize the importance of identifying chronic alcoholism as a risk factor for developing cognitive and memory impairment in COVID-19 patients.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jibran Sualeh Muhammad
- Department of Basic Medical Sciences, College of Medicine, University of Sharjah, Sharjah, UAE
| | - Ruqaiyyah Siddiqui
- College of Arts and Sciences, American University of Sharjah, Sharjah, UAE
| | - Naveed Ahmed Khan
- Department of Clinical Sciences, College of Medicine, University of Sharjah, Sharjah, UAE
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Expression of ghrelin or growth hormone secretagogue receptor in the brain of postpartum stress mice. Neuroreport 2021; 32:678-685. [PMID: 33913930 DOI: 10.1097/wnr.0000000000001633] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/25/2022]
Abstract
Postpartum depression is one of the most common mental diseases that occur in women after childbirth; this disorder is extremely painful for women and represents a major burden on the society. Therefore, we designed this study to explore the possible material basis of the disease, and provide potential novel antidepressants therapy using a mouse model. We established a postpartum immobilization stress model. Maternal body weight changes and food intake were recorded for half a month after delivery, and levels of ghrelin and its receptor, growth hormone secretagogue receptor (GHSR) were measured. The mice in the immobilization stress group showed stress activity as well as low body weight and low feeding status. Ghrelin expression was elevated in blood whereas ghrelin or GHSR expression decreased in the hippocampus and prefrontal cortex of the immobilization stress mice, and the number of ghrelin-active and GHSR cells reduced.
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Ghrelin restores memory impairment following olfactory bulbectomy in mice by activating hippocampal NMDA1 and MAPK1 gene expression. Behav Brain Res 2021; 410:113341. [PMID: 33964353 DOI: 10.1016/j.bbr.2021.113341] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/06/2020] [Revised: 04/28/2021] [Accepted: 04/29/2021] [Indexed: 12/21/2022]
Abstract
Ghrelin (Ghrl) is an orexigenic peptide with potential roles in the modulation of anxiety- and depressive-like symptoms induced by bilateral olfactory bulbectomy (OB) in rodents. In the present work, we assessed whether intrahippocampal Ghrl could reverse OB-induced depressive-like and amnesic effects by regulating molecular mechanisms related to neuroplasticity. Adult female albino Swiss mice were divided into sham and OB groups, and infused with saline (S) or Ghrl 0.03 nmol/μl, 0.3 nmol/μl, or 3 nmol/μl into the hippocampus before exposition to open-field test (OFT) and tail suspension test (TST) or immediately after training in the object recognition test (ORT). After test phase in ORT, animals were euthanized and their hippocampi were dissected to study the expression of genes related to memory. The OB-S animals presented hyperlocomotion in OFT, increased immobility in TST and memory impairment compared to sham-S (p < 0.05), but acute intrahippocampal infusion of Ghrl 0.3 nmol/μl produced an improvement on these parameters in OB animals (p < 0.05). In addition, this dose of Ghrl reversed OB-induced low expression of NMDA1 and MAPK1 iso1 and up-regulated the expression of CaMKIIa iso1 and iso2, and MAPK1 iso2 (p < 0.05). These results extend the existing literature regarding OB-induced behavioral and neurochemical changes, and provide mechanisms that could underlie the antidepressant effect of Ghrl in this model.
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Transcriptome Changes in Three Brain Regions during Chronic Lithium Administration in the Rat Models of Mania and Depression. Int J Mol Sci 2021; 22:ijms22031148. [PMID: 33498969 PMCID: PMC7865310 DOI: 10.3390/ijms22031148] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/20/2020] [Revised: 01/20/2021] [Accepted: 01/22/2021] [Indexed: 02/06/2023] Open
Abstract
Lithium has been the most important mood stabilizer used for the treatment of bipolar disorder and prophylaxis of manic and depressive episodes. Despite long use in clinical practice, the exact molecular mechanisms of lithium are still not well identified. Previous experimental studies produced inconsistent results due to different duration of lithium treatment and using animals without manic-like or depressive-like symptoms. Therefore, we aimed to analyze the gene expression profile in three brain regions (amygdala, frontal cortex and hippocampus) in the rat model of mania and depression during chronic lithium administration (2 and 4 weeks). Behavioral changes were verified by the forced swim test, open field test and elevated maze test. After the experiment, nucleic acid was extracted from the frontal cortex, hippocampus and amygdala. Gene expression profile was done using SurePrint G3 Rat Gene Expression whole transcriptome microarrays. Data were analyzed using Gene Spring 14.9 software. We found that chronic lithium treatment significantly influenced gene expression profile in both mania and depression models. In manic rats, chronic lithium treatment significantly influenced the expression of the genes enriched in olfactory and taste transduction pathway and long non-coding RNAs in all three brain regions. We report here for the first time that genes regulating olfactory and taste receptor pathways and long non-coding RNAs may be targeted by chronic lithium treatment in the animal model of mania.
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Sang YM, Wang LJ, Mao HX, Lou XY, Zhu YJ, Zhu YH. Correlation of lower 2 h C-peptide and elevated evening cortisol with high levels of depression in type 2 diabetes mellitus. BMC Psychiatry 2020; 20:490. [PMID: 33023555 PMCID: PMC7539383 DOI: 10.1186/s12888-020-02901-9] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/02/2020] [Accepted: 09/28/2020] [Indexed: 12/20/2022] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND A number of studies have explored the association between depression and ghrelin, leptin, and cortisol; further, postprandial C-peptide levels have a therapeutic effect on type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM). However, the relationship between C-peptide and depression in patients with diabetes, remains unclear. The aim of this study was to explore the association between depression and ghrelin, leptin, cortisol, and C-peptide in patients with diabetes. METHODS We enrolled 50 adults without T2DM, 77 non-depressed adults with T2DM (free of Axis-I psychiatric disorders as assessed using the Mental Illness Needs Index (MINI), Patient Health Questionnaire (PHQ-9 score ≤ 4)) and 59 patients with T2DM and depression (PHQ-9 ≥ 7 and positive by the Structured Clinical Interview for DSM-5). The age range of the participants was 45-59 years of age. We compared the above three groups and explored the association between ghrelin, leptin, cortisol, C-peptide, and depression in patients with diabetes. A post-hoc power-analysis was finished. RESULTS Compared with the non-depression T2DM group, the depression T2DM group had significantly higher blood glucose fluctuations. Further, compared with the non-depression T2DM and non-diabetic groups, the depression T2DM group had significantly lower levels of post-meal 2-h C-peptide and elevated evening cortisol (p < 0.01). Regression analysis revealed a significant negative correlation between depression severity and 2-h postprandial C-peptide in patients with diabetes (p < 0.01) and a significant positive correlation with midnight cortisol levels (p < 0.01). A post hoc power analysis showed that we had an adequate sample size and met the minimum requirement to attain 80% power. A post hoc power calculation also demonstrated that this study basically achieved power of 80% at 5% alpha level. CONCLUSIONS Our findings indicate a correlation of low fasting levels of 2-h C-peptide as well as higher midnight cortisol levels with higher depression severity in middle-aged patients with T2DM.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yu Ming Sang
- grid.452555.60000 0004 1758 3222Department of Endocrinology, Jinhua Central Hospital, 351 Mingyue Street, Jinhua City, 321000 Zhejiang Province China
| | - Li Jun Wang
- Department of Psychology, Zhejiang Normal University, 688 Yingbin Road, Jinhua, 321004, Zhejiang Province, China.
| | - Hong Xian Mao
- grid.452555.60000 0004 1758 3222Department of Endocrinology, Jinhua Central Hospital, 351 Mingyue Street, Jinhua City, 321000 Zhejiang Province China
| | - Xue Yong Lou
- grid.452555.60000 0004 1758 3222Department of Endocrinology, Jinhua Central Hospital, 351 Mingyue Street, Jinhua City, 321000 Zhejiang Province China
| | - Yi Jun Zhu
- The Central Laboratory, Jinhua Central Hospital, 351 Mingyue Street, Jinhua City, 321000 Zhejiang Province China
| | - Yue Hua Zhu
- grid.452555.60000 0004 1758 3222Department of Psychiatry, Jinhua Central Hospital, 351 Mingyue Street, Jinhua City, 321000 Zhejiang Province China
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de Almeida RF, Pocharski CB, Rodrigues ALS, Elisabetsky E, Souza DO. Guanosine fast onset antidepressant-like effects in the olfactory bulbectomy mice model. Sci Rep 2020; 10:8429. [PMID: 32439951 PMCID: PMC7242421 DOI: 10.1038/s41598-020-65300-w] [Citation(s) in RCA: 16] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/24/2019] [Accepted: 04/28/2020] [Indexed: 12/14/2022] Open
Abstract
The treatment of major depressive disorder (MDD) is still a challenge. In the search for novel antidepressants, glutamatergic neuromodulators have been investigated as possible fast-acting antidepressants. Innovative studies suggest that the purine cycle and/or the purinergic signaling can be dysregulated in MDD, and the endogenous nucleoside guanosine has gained attention due to its extracellular effects. This study aimed to verify if guanosine produces fast-onset effects in the well-validated, reliable and sensitive olfactory bulbectomy (OBX) model of depression. The involvement of the mTOR pathway, a key target for the fast-onset effect of ketamine, was also investigated. Results show that a single i.p. injection of guanosine, or ketamine, completely reversed the OBX-induced anhedonic-like behavior 24 or 48 h post treatment, as well as the short-term recognition memory impairment 48 h post treatment. The antidepressant-like effects of guanosine and ketamine were completely abolished by rapamycin. This study shows, for the first time, that guanosine, in a way similar to ketamine, is able to elicit a fast antidepressant response in the OBX model in mice. The results support the notion that guanosine represents a new road for therapeutic improvement in MDD.
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Affiliation(s)
- Roberto Farina de Almeida
- Departamento de Ciências Biológicas, Programa de Pós-Graduação em Ciências Biológicas, Universidade Federal de Ouro Preto (UFOP), Ouro Preto, Brazil.
- Programa de Pós-Graduação em Ciências Biológicas: Bioquímica, Universidade Federal do Rio Grande do Sul (UFRGS), Porto Alegre, Brazil.
| | - Camila Barbosa Pocharski
- Programa de Pós-Graduação em Ciências Biológicas: Bioquímica, Universidade Federal do Rio Grande do Sul (UFRGS), Porto Alegre, Brazil
| | - Ana Lúcia S Rodrigues
- Departamento de Bioquímica, Centro de Ciências Biológicas, Universidade Federal de Santa Catarina (UFSC), Florianópolis, Brazil
| | - Elaine Elisabetsky
- Programa de Pós-Graduação em Ciências Biológicas: Bioquímica, Universidade Federal do Rio Grande do Sul (UFRGS), Porto Alegre, Brazil
| | - Diogo O Souza
- Programa de Pós-Graduação em Ciências Biológicas: Bioquímica, Universidade Federal do Rio Grande do Sul (UFRGS), Porto Alegre, Brazil
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Wu R, Xiao D, Shan X, Dong Y, Tao WW. Rapid and Prolonged Antidepressant-like Effect of Crocin Is Associated with GHSR-Mediated Hippocampal Plasticity-related Proteins in Mice Exposed to Prenatal Stress. ACS Chem Neurosci 2020; 11:1159-1170. [PMID: 32203651 DOI: 10.1021/acschemneuro.0c00022] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/28/2022] Open
Abstract
Prenatal stress (PNS) has a prolonged and adverse effect on offspring, leading to a significantly increased vulnerability to developing depression in their later life. Traditional therapies have delayed onset and limited efficacy; thus, it remains an urgent need to find novel medications with fast-onset and high-efficacy potentials. Crocin, with its structure clearly examined, has shown antidepressant-like effects. However, few studies extensively investigated its effect especially in mice exposed to PNS. Using an established PNS model, we tested whether crocin could have a rapid and persistent antidepressant-like effect in PNS mice. Growth hormone secretagogue receptor (GHSR) and phosphoinositide 3-kinase (PI3K) inhibitors were used to test their effects in antidepressant-like effect of crocin. Hippocampal GHSR-PI3K signaling was examined both in PNS mice treated with a single dose of crocin and in combination of GHSR inhibitor. PNS mice showed depression-like behaviors at juvenile and adulthood, and crocin induced an instant and persistent antidepressant-like response in PNS mice in a dose-dependent manner. Moreover, crocin increased the expression of hippocampal synaptic plasticity-associated proteins through the restoration of GHSR-PI3K signaling. Inhibitions of both GHSR and PI3K abolished the effect of crocin in alleviating depressive-like behaviors. More importantly, GHSR inhibitor JMV2959 blocked the enhanced expression of hippocampal plasticity-related proteins induced by crocin. The present study demonstrated that crocin induced a fast-onset and prolonged antidepressant effect in PNS mice and suggested that GHSR-PI3K signaling may play a key role in crocin's effect at least partially by a restoration of hippocampal synaptic plasticity-associated proteins.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ruyan Wu
- School of Medicine, Yangzhou University, Yangzhou 225000, China
- Department of Pharmacology and Toxicology, University at Buffalo, Buffalo 14203, New York, United States
| | - Dong Xiao
- Key Laboratory of Integrative Biomedicine for Brain Diseases, School of Basic Biomedical Science, Nanjing University of Chinese Medicine, Nanjing 210023, China
| | - Xin Shan
- Key Laboratory of Integrative Biomedicine for Brain Diseases, School of Basic Biomedical Science, Nanjing University of Chinese Medicine, Nanjing 210023, China
| | - Yu Dong
- Key Laboratory of Integrative Biomedicine for Brain Diseases, School of Basic Biomedical Science, Nanjing University of Chinese Medicine, Nanjing 210023, China
| | - Wei-Wei Tao
- Key Laboratory of Integrative Biomedicine for Brain Diseases, School of Basic Biomedical Science, Nanjing University of Chinese Medicine, Nanjing 210023, China
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Pharmacological NOS-1 Inhibition Within the Hippocampus Prevented Expression of Cocaine Sensitization: Correlation with Reduced Synaptic Transmission. Mol Neurobiol 2019; 57:450-460. [PMID: 31378002 DOI: 10.1007/s12035-019-01725-3] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/07/2019] [Accepted: 07/29/2019] [Indexed: 10/26/2022]
Abstract
Behavioral sensitization to psychostimulants hyperlocomotor effect is a useful model of addiction and craving. Particularly, cocaine sensitization in rats enhanced synaptic plasticity within the hippocampus, an important brain region for the associative learning processes underlying drug addiction. Nitric oxide (NO) is a neurotransmitter involved in both, hippocampal synaptic plasticity and cocaine sensitization. It has been previously demonstrated a key role of NOS-1/NO/sGC/cGMP signaling pathway in the development of cocaine sensitization and in the associated enhancement of hippocampal synaptic plasticity. The aim of the present investigation was to determine whether NOS-1 inhibition after development of cocaine sensitization was able to reverse it, and to characterize the involvement of the hippocampus in this phenomenon. Male Wistar rats were administered only with cocaine (15 mg/kg/day i.p.) for 5 days. Then, animals received 7-nitroindazole (NOS-1 inhibitor) either systemically for the next 5 days or a single intra-hippocampal administration. Development of sensitization and its expression after withdrawal were tested, as well as threshold for long-term potentiation in hippocampus, NOS-1, and CREB protein levels and gene expression. The results showed that NOS-1 protein levels and gene expression were increased only in sensitized animals as well as CREB gene expression. NOS-1 inhibition after sensitization reversed behavioral expression and the highest level of hippocampal synaptic plasticity. In conclusion, NO signaling within the hippocampus is critical for the development and expression of cocaine sensitization. Therefore, NOS-1 inhibition or NO signaling pathways interferences during short-term withdrawal after repeated cocaine administration may represent plausible pharmacological targets to prevent or reduce susceptibility to relapse.
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Han QQ, Huang HJ, Wang YL, Yang L, Pilot A, Zhu XC, Yu R, Wang J, Chen XR, Liu Q, Li B, Wu GC, Yu J. Ghrelin exhibited antidepressant and anxiolytic effect via the p38-MAPK signaling pathway in hippocampus. Prog Neuropsychopharmacol Biol Psychiatry 2019; 93:11-20. [PMID: 30853341 DOI: 10.1016/j.pnpbp.2019.02.013] [Citation(s) in RCA: 31] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/08/2018] [Revised: 02/02/2019] [Accepted: 02/24/2019] [Indexed: 11/25/2022]
Abstract
Ghrelin, a peptide derived from stomach, is an endogenous ligand for growth hormone secretagogue receptor (GHSR). So far, the exact role of ghrelin in depression and anxiety is still being debated. The p38 mitogen-activated protein kinase (p38-MAPK) is known to be activated in response to various stress stimuli. Thus, we hypothesize that ghrelin has an antidepressant effect, to which the p38-MAPK signaling pathway significantly contributes. To test this hypothesis, chronic social defeat stress (CSDS) was used as a model of depression. We employed the adeno-associated virus-mediated siRNA approach to down-regulate GHSR expression in the hippocampus of mice in vivo. Both ghrelin and the p38 inhibitor, SB203580, were administered to identify the effect of ghrelin on depressive-like behavior of stressed mice and to better assess the role of the p38-MAPK signaling pathway in this process. We found that CSDS activated the endogenous ghrelin-GHSR in hippocampal neurons, which possibly resulted in opposing the formation of depression- and anxiety-like behaviors in mice. Furthermore, the p38-MAPK signaling pathway had an important role in the antidepressant effect of ghrelin. Therefore, we conclude that ghrelin may reduce CSDS-induced depression- and anxiety-like behaviors via inhibiting the p38-MAPK signaling pathway in hippocampal neurons of mice.
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Affiliation(s)
- Qiu-Qin Han
- Shanghai Key Laboratory of Molecular Imaging, Shanghai University of Medicine and Health Sciences, Shanghai 201318, China; Department of Integrative Medicine and Neurobiology, State Key Laboratory of Medical Neurobiology, School of Basic Medical Sciences, Institutes of Brain Science, Brain Science Collaborative Innovation Center, Shanghai Medical College, Fudan University, Shanghai 200032, China
| | - Hui-Jie Huang
- Department of Integrative Medicine and Neurobiology, State Key Laboratory of Medical Neurobiology, School of Basic Medical Sciences, Institutes of Brain Science, Brain Science Collaborative Innovation Center, Shanghai Medical College, Fudan University, Shanghai 200032, China
| | - Ya-Lin Wang
- Department of Integrative Medicine and Neurobiology, State Key Laboratory of Medical Neurobiology, School of Basic Medical Sciences, Institutes of Brain Science, Brain Science Collaborative Innovation Center, Shanghai Medical College, Fudan University, Shanghai 200032, China
| | - Liu Yang
- Department of Integrative Medicine and Neurobiology, State Key Laboratory of Medical Neurobiology, School of Basic Medical Sciences, Institutes of Brain Science, Brain Science Collaborative Innovation Center, Shanghai Medical College, Fudan University, Shanghai 200032, China
| | - Adam Pilot
- Sino-Danish College, University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing 100049, China
| | - Xiao-Cang Zhu
- Department of Integrative Medicine and Neurobiology, State Key Laboratory of Medical Neurobiology, School of Basic Medical Sciences, Institutes of Brain Science, Brain Science Collaborative Innovation Center, Shanghai Medical College, Fudan University, Shanghai 200032, China
| | - Rui Yu
- Department of Integrative Medicine and Neurobiology, State Key Laboratory of Medical Neurobiology, School of Basic Medical Sciences, Institutes of Brain Science, Brain Science Collaborative Innovation Center, Shanghai Medical College, Fudan University, Shanghai 200032, China
| | - Jing Wang
- Department of Integrative Medicine and Neurobiology, State Key Laboratory of Medical Neurobiology, School of Basic Medical Sciences, Institutes of Brain Science, Brain Science Collaborative Innovation Center, Shanghai Medical College, Fudan University, Shanghai 200032, China
| | - Xiao-Rong Chen
- Department of Integrative Medicine and Neurobiology, State Key Laboratory of Medical Neurobiology, School of Basic Medical Sciences, Institutes of Brain Science, Brain Science Collaborative Innovation Center, Shanghai Medical College, Fudan University, Shanghai 200032, China
| | - Qiong Liu
- Department of Anatomy, Histology and Embryology, School of Basic Medical Sciences, Shanghai Medical College, Fudan University, Shanghai 200032, China; Key Laboratory of Medical Imaging Computing and Computer Assisted Intervention of Shanghai, Shanghai 200032, China
| | - Bing Li
- Center Laboratories, Jinshan Hospital of Fudan University, Shanghai 201508, China
| | - Gen-Cheng Wu
- Department of Integrative Medicine and Neurobiology, State Key Laboratory of Medical Neurobiology, School of Basic Medical Sciences, Institutes of Brain Science, Brain Science Collaborative Innovation Center, Shanghai Medical College, Fudan University, Shanghai 200032, China
| | - Jin Yu
- Department of Integrative Medicine and Neurobiology, State Key Laboratory of Medical Neurobiology, School of Basic Medical Sciences, Institutes of Brain Science, Brain Science Collaborative Innovation Center, Shanghai Medical College, Fudan University, Shanghai 200032, China.
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Jiang J, Peng Y, Liang X, Li S, Chang X, Li L, Chang M. Centrally Administered Cortistation-14 Induces Antidepressant-Like Effects in Mice via Mediating Ghrelin and GABA A Receptor Signaling Pathway. Front Pharmacol 2018; 9:767. [PMID: 30072893 PMCID: PMC6060333 DOI: 10.3389/fphar.2018.00767] [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: 03/13/2018] [Accepted: 06/25/2018] [Indexed: 12/22/2022] Open
Abstract
Cortistatin-14 (CST-14), a recently discovered cyclic neuropeptide, can bind to all five cloned somatostatin receptors (SSTRs) and ghrelin receptor to exert its biological activities and co-exists with GABA within the cortex and hippocampus. However, the role of CST-14 in the control of depression processes is not still clarified. Here, we tested the behavioral effects of CST-14 in the in a variety of classical rodent models of depression [forced swimming test (FST), tail suspension test (TST) and novelty-suppressed feeding test]. In the models of depression, CST-14 produced antidepressant-like effects, and does not altered locomotor activity levels. And, we found that CST-14 mRNA and BDNF mRNA were significantly decreased in the hippocampus and cortex after mice exposed to stress. Further data show that i.c.v. administration of CST-14 produce rapid antidepressant effects, and does not altered locomotor activity levels. Then these antidepressant-like effects were significantly reversed by [D-Lys3]GHRP-6 (ghrelin receptor antagonist), but not c-SOM (SSTRs antagonist). Meanwhile, the effects of some neurotransmitter blockers indicates that only GABAA system, but not CRF1 receptor, α/β-adrenergic receptor, is involved in the antidepressant effect of CST-14. The effects of the mTOR inhibitor (rapamycin), the PI3K inhibitor (LY294002) and the p-ERK1/2 inhibitor (U0126) suggesting that the ERK/mTOR or PI3K/Akt/mTOR signaling pathway is not involved in the antidepressant effects of CST-14. Interestingly, intranasal administration of CST-14 led to reducing depressive-like behavior, and near-infrared fluorescent experiments showed the real-time in vivo bio-distribution in brain after intranasal infusion of Cy7.5-CST-14. Taken all together, the results of present study point to a role for CST-14 in the modulation of depression processes via the ghrelin and GABAA receptor, and suggest cortistation may represent a novel strategy for the treatment of depression disorders. Highlights:CST-14 and BDNF mRNA are decreased in hippocampus and cortex once mice exposed to stress. i.c.v. or intranasal administration of CST-14 produce rapid antidepressant effects. NIR fluorescence imaging detected the brain uptake and distribution after intranasal CST-14. Antidepressant effects of CST-14 were only related to ghrelin and GABAA system. Co-injection of CST-14 and NPS produce antidepressant effect, and do not impair memory.
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Affiliation(s)
- JinHong Jiang
- Key Laboratory of Preclinical Study for New Drugs of Gansu Province, School of Life Sciences, Institute of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, Lanzhou University, Lanzhou, China
| | - YaLi Peng
- Key Laboratory of Preclinical Study for New Drugs of Gansu Province, School of Life Sciences, Institute of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, Lanzhou University, Lanzhou, China
| | - XueYa Liang
- Key Laboratory of Preclinical Study for New Drugs of Gansu Province, School of Life Sciences, Institute of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, Lanzhou University, Lanzhou, China
| | - Shu Li
- Key Laboratory of Preclinical Study for New Drugs of Gansu Province, School of Life Sciences, Institute of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, Lanzhou University, Lanzhou, China
| | - Xin Chang
- Key Laboratory of Preclinical Study for New Drugs of Gansu Province, School of Life Sciences, Institute of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, Lanzhou University, Lanzhou, China
| | - LongFei Li
- Key Laboratory of Preclinical Study for New Drugs of Gansu Province, School of Life Sciences, Institute of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, Lanzhou University, Lanzhou, China
| | - Min Chang
- Key Laboratory of Preclinical Study for New Drugs of Gansu Province, School of Life Sciences, Institute of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, Lanzhou University, Lanzhou, China
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12
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Wang B, Chen X, Zhou T, Wang X. Antidepressant-like effects of embelin and its possible mechanisms of action in chronic unpredictable stress-induced mice. Neurol Res 2018; 40:666-676. [PMID: 29681219 DOI: 10.1080/01616412.2018.1460705] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 10/17/2022]
Abstract
Objectives Embelin, a principal active constituent of embelin ribes burm, has good therapeutic effects on various diseases. To explore the effects and underlying mechanisms of embelin on depression, we made a preliminary study to clarify this issue. Methods We first used chronic unpredictable stress (CUS) to construct the model of depression in mice. Then, we determined the effects of embelin on CUS-induced behavioral dysfunction using open field test, sucrose preference test, tail suspension test and forced swimming test. Furthermore, we used the biological experiments to evaluate the changes of brain-derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF), oxidative stress, neuronal inflammation and the hypothalamic pituitary adrenal (HPA) axis after embelin treatment. Results The behavioral tests indicated embelin indeed had efficient antidepressant effects. Moreover, enhanced BDNF expression, decreased oxidative stress markers (TBARS, nitric oxide) activities, elevated antioxidants (total thiol, catalase) expression, decreased pro-inflammatory cytokines (IL-6, TNF-α, IL-1β and COX-2) expression and normalized the HPA axis activity were found after embelin treatment in CUS-induced mice. Hence, the results of biological experiments confirmed the antidepressant-like effects of embelin. Discussion These results indicated that embelin can effectively suppress CUS-induced depressive-like behaviors through increasing BDNF expression, preventing brain from oxidative stress and neuronal inflammation, and normalizing the HPA activity.
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Affiliation(s)
- Bailing Wang
- a Department of Geriatric Psychiatry , Qingdao Mental Health Center , Qingdao , China
| | - Xiaoqin Chen
- b Department of Psychosis VI , Qingdao Mental Health Center , Qingdao , China
| | - Tiantian Zhou
- a Department of Geriatric Psychiatry , Qingdao Mental Health Center , Qingdao , China
| | - Xiaoying Wang
- c Department of Special Inspection , Qingdao Mental Health Center , Qingdao , China
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13
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Horne R, Foster JA. Metabolic and Microbiota Measures as Peripheral Biomarkers in Major Depressive Disorder. Front Psychiatry 2018; 9:513. [PMID: 30405455 PMCID: PMC6204462 DOI: 10.3389/fpsyt.2018.00513] [Citation(s) in RCA: 20] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/07/2018] [Accepted: 09/28/2018] [Indexed: 12/21/2022] Open
Abstract
Advances in understanding the role of the microbiome in physical and mental health are at the forefront of medical research and hold potential to have a direct impact on precision medicine approaches. In the past 7 years, we have studied the role of microbiota-brain communication on behavior in mouse models using germ-free mice, mice exposed to antibiotics, and healthy specific pathogen free mice. Through our work and that of others, we have seen an amazing increase in our knowledge of how bacteria signal to the brain and the implications this has for psychiatry. Gut microbiota composition and function are influenced both by genetics, age, sex, diet, life experiences, and many other factors of psychiatric and bodily disorders and thus may act as potential biomarkers of the gut-brain axis that could be used in psychiatry and co-morbid conditions. There is a particular need in major depressive disorder and other mental illness to identify biomarkers that can stratify patients into more homogeneous groups to provide better treatment and for development of new therapeutic approaches. Peripheral outcome measures of host-microbe bidirectional communication have significant translational value as biomarkers. Enabling stratification of clinical populations, based on individual biological differences, to predict treatment response to pharmacological and non-pharmacological interventions. Here we consider the links between co-morbid metabolic syndrome and depression, focusing on biomarkers including leptin and ghrelin in combination with assessing gut microbiota composition, as a potential tool to help identify individual differences in depressed population.
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Affiliation(s)
- Rachael Horne
- Department of Psychiatry & Behavioural Neurosciences, McMaster University, Hamilton, ON, Canada
| | - Jane A Foster
- Department of Psychiatry & Behavioural Neurosciences, McMaster University, Hamilton, ON, Canada.,Department of Psychiatry, St. Michael's Hospital, Toronto, ON, Canada
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14
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Huang HJ, Zhu XC, Han QQ, Wang YL, Yue N, Wang J, Yu R, Li B, Wu GC, Liu Q, Yu J. Ghrelin alleviates anxiety- and depression-like behaviors induced by chronic unpredictable mild stress in rodents. Behav Brain Res 2017; 326:33-43. [PMID: 28245976 DOI: 10.1016/j.bbr.2017.02.040] [Citation(s) in RCA: 58] [Impact Index Per Article: 8.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/25/2016] [Revised: 02/18/2017] [Accepted: 02/22/2017] [Indexed: 12/31/2022]
Abstract
As a regulator of food intake, ghrelin also plays a key role in mood disorders. Previous studies reported that acute ghrelin administration defends against depressive symptoms of chronic stress. However, the effects of long-term ghrelin on rodents under chronic stress hasn't been revealed. In this study, we found chronic peripheral administration of ghrelin (5nmol/kg/day for 2 weeks, i.p.) could alleviate anxiety- and depression-like behaviors induced by chronic unpredictable mild stress (CUMS). The depression-like behaviors were assessed by the forced swimming test (FST), and anxiety-like behaviors were assessed by the open field test (OFT) and the elevated plus maze test (EPM). Meanwhile, we observed that peripheral acylated ghrelin, together with gastral and hippocampal ghrelin prepropeptide mRNA level, were significantly up-regulated in CUMS mice. Besides, the increased protein level of growth hormone secretagogue receptor (GHSR) in hippocampus were also detected. These results suggested that the endogenous ghrelin/GHSR pathway activated by CUMS plays a role in homeostasis. Further results showed that central treatment of ghrelin (10μg/rat/day for 2 weeks, i.c.v.) or GHRP-6 (the agonist of GHSR, 10μg/rat/day for 2 weeks, i.c.v.) significantly alleviated the depression-like behaviors induced by CUMS in FST and sucrose preference test (SPT). Based on these results, we concluded that central GHSR is involved in the antidepressant-like effect of exogenous ghrelin treatment, and ghrelin/GHSR may have the inherent neuromodulatory properties against depressive symptoms.
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Affiliation(s)
- Hui-Jie Huang
- Department of Integrative Medicine and Neurobiology, State Key Lab of Medical Neurobiology, Institutes of Brain Science, Shanghai Medical College, Fudan University, Shanghai 200032, China
| | - Xiao-Cang Zhu
- Department of Integrative Medicine and Neurobiology, State Key Lab of Medical Neurobiology, Institutes of Brain Science, Shanghai Medical College, Fudan University, Shanghai 200032, China
| | - Qiu-Qin Han
- Department of Integrative Medicine and Neurobiology, State Key Lab of Medical Neurobiology, Institutes of Brain Science, Shanghai Medical College, Fudan University, Shanghai 200032, China
| | - Ya-Lin Wang
- Department of Integrative Medicine and Neurobiology, State Key Lab of Medical Neurobiology, Institutes of Brain Science, Shanghai Medical College, Fudan University, Shanghai 200032, China
| | - Na Yue
- Department of Integrative Medicine and Neurobiology, State Key Lab of Medical Neurobiology, Institutes of Brain Science, Shanghai Medical College, Fudan University, Shanghai 200032, China
| | - Jing Wang
- Department of Integrative Medicine and Neurobiology, State Key Lab of Medical Neurobiology, Institutes of Brain Science, Shanghai Medical College, Fudan University, Shanghai 200032, China
| | - Rui Yu
- Department of Integrative Medicine and Neurobiology, State Key Lab of Medical Neurobiology, Institutes of Brain Science, Shanghai Medical College, Fudan University, Shanghai 200032, China
| | - Bing Li
- Center Laboratory, Jinshan Hospital of Fudan University, Shanghai 201508, China
| | - Gen-Cheng Wu
- Department of Integrative Medicine and Neurobiology, State Key Lab of Medical Neurobiology, Institutes of Brain Science, Shanghai Medical College, Fudan University, Shanghai 200032, China
| | - Qiong Liu
- Department of Anatomy, Histology and Embryology, Shanghai Medical College, Fudan University, Shanghai, China; Key Laboratory of Medical Imaging Computing and Computer Assisted Intervention of Shanghai, Shanghai 200032, China.
| | - Jin Yu
- Department of Integrative Medicine and Neurobiology, State Key Lab of Medical Neurobiology, Institutes of Brain Science, Shanghai Medical College, Fudan University, Shanghai 200032, China.
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Abstract
This paper is the thirty-eighth consecutive installment of the annual review of research concerning the endogenous opioid system. It summarizes papers published during 2015 that studied the behavioral effects of molecular, pharmacological and genetic manipulation of opioid peptides, opioid receptors, opioid agonists and opioid antagonists. The particular topics that continue to be covered include the molecular-biochemical effects and neurochemical localization studies of endogenous opioids and their receptors related to behavior, and the roles of these opioid peptides and receptors in pain and analgesia, stress and social status, tolerance and dependence, learning and memory, eating and drinking, drug abuse and alcohol, sexual activity and hormones, pregnancy, development and endocrinology, mental illness and mood, seizures and neurologic disorders, electrical-related activity and neurophysiology, general activity and locomotion, gastrointestinal, renal and hepatic functions, cardiovascular responses, respiration and thermoregulation, and immunological responses.
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Affiliation(s)
- Richard J Bodnar
- Department of Psychology and Neuropsychology Doctoral Sub-Program, Queens College, City University of New York, Flushing, NY 11367, United States.
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16
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Antunes MS, Jesse CR, Ruff JR, de Oliveira Espinosa D, Gomes NS, Altvater EET, Donato F, Giacomeli R, Boeira SP. Hesperidin reverses cognitive and depressive disturbances induced by olfactory bulbectomy in mice by modulating hippocampal neurotrophins and cytokine levels and acetylcholinesterase activity. Eur J Pharmacol 2016; 789:411-420. [DOI: 10.1016/j.ejphar.2016.07.042] [Citation(s) in RCA: 42] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/09/2016] [Revised: 07/21/2016] [Accepted: 07/22/2016] [Indexed: 12/31/2022]
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17
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Landrigan J, Shawaf F, Dwyer Z, Abizaid A, Hayley S. Interactive effects of ghrelin and ketamine on forced swim performance: Implications for novel antidepressant strategies. Neurosci Lett 2016; 669:55-58. [PMID: 27524676 DOI: 10.1016/j.neulet.2016.08.015] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/22/2016] [Revised: 08/08/2016] [Accepted: 08/10/2016] [Indexed: 02/07/2023]
Abstract
The efficacy of ketamine to alleviate depressive symptoms has promoted a wealth of research exploring alternate therapeutic targets for depression. Given the caveats of ketamine treatment taken together with the increasingly greater emphasis on combinatorial therapeutic approaches to depression, we sought to asses whether the hypothalamic "hunger hormone", ghrelin, would augment the effects of ketamine. Indeed, ghrelin has recently been found to possess antidepressant potential and may be especially effective against the metabolic and feeding deficits observed with depression. Two studies were performed: 1. mice were given an intraperitoneal injection of ghrelin (80μg/kg) or saline, followed by a saline or a low or high dose of ketamine (5 or 10mg/kg) and 2. mice received 10mg/kg of ketamine together with saline or the ghrelin receptor antagonist JMV2959 (3 or 6mg/kg) and Forced Swim Test (FST) performance was assessed. In both studies, ketamine alone reduced FST immobility. Similarly, ghrelin alone reduced swim immobility suggesting an antidepressant-like response. However, ghrelin did not augment the impact of ketamine when co-administered and in fact, it appeared to antagonize its actions at the lower dose. As well, JMV2959 did not significantly influence FST performance. These data confirm the antidepressant-like effects of ketamine and further suggest that ghrelin might have similar properties. Yet, our results caution against combinatorial treatment with these agents, probably owing to unexpected allosteric or other antagonist actions.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jeffrey Landrigan
- Department of Neuroscience, Carleton University, 1125 Colonel By Drive, Ottawa, Ontario, K1S 5B6, Canada
| | - Farah Shawaf
- Department of Neuroscience, Carleton University, 1125 Colonel By Drive, Ottawa, Ontario, K1S 5B6, Canada
| | - Zach Dwyer
- Department of Neuroscience, Carleton University, 1125 Colonel By Drive, Ottawa, Ontario, K1S 5B6, Canada
| | - Alfonso Abizaid
- Department of Neuroscience, Carleton University, 1125 Colonel By Drive, Ottawa, Ontario, K1S 5B6, Canada
| | - Shawn Hayley
- Department of Neuroscience, Carleton University, 1125 Colonel By Drive, Ottawa, Ontario, K1S 5B6, Canada.
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Dwarkasing JT, Marks DL, Witkamp RF, van Norren K. Hypothalamic inflammation and food intake regulation during chronic illness. Peptides 2016; 77:60-6. [PMID: 26158772 DOI: 10.1016/j.peptides.2015.06.011] [Citation(s) in RCA: 23] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/14/2015] [Revised: 05/14/2015] [Accepted: 06/22/2015] [Indexed: 02/08/2023]
Abstract
Anorexia is a common symptom in chronic illness. It contributes to malnutrition and strongly affects survival and quality of life. A common denominator of many chronic diseases is an elevated inflammatory status, which is considered to play a pivotal role in the failure of food-intake regulating systems in the hypothalamus. In this review, we summarize findings on the role of hypothalamic inflammation on food intake regulation involving hypothalamic neuropeptide Y (NPY) and pro-opiomelanocortin (POMC). Furthermore, we outline the role of serotonin in the inability of these peptide based food-intake regulating systems to respond and adapt to changes in energy metabolism during chronic disease.
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Affiliation(s)
- J T Dwarkasing
- Nutrition and Pharmacology Group, Division of Human Nutrition, Wageningen University, Wageningen, The Netherlands.
| | - D L Marks
- Department of Pediatric Endocrinology, Oregon Health & Sciences University, Portland, OR 97201, USA
| | - R F Witkamp
- Nutrition and Pharmacology Group, Division of Human Nutrition, Wageningen University, Wageningen, The Netherlands
| | - K van Norren
- Nutrition and Pharmacology Group, Division of Human Nutrition, Wageningen University, Wageningen, The Netherlands; Nutricia Research, Utrecht, The Netherlands
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19
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Poretti MB, Sawant RS, Rask-Andersen M, de Cuneo MF, Schiöth HB, Perez MF, Carlini VP. Reduced vasopressin receptors activation mediates the anti-depressant effects of fluoxetine and venlafaxine in bulbectomy model of depression. Psychopharmacology (Berl) 2016; 233:1077-86. [PMID: 26700241 DOI: 10.1007/s00213-015-4187-4] [Citation(s) in RCA: 14] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/11/2015] [Accepted: 12/11/2015] [Indexed: 12/16/2022]
Abstract
RATIONALE In response to stress, corticotropin releasing hormone (CRH) and vasopressin (AVP) are released from the hypothalamus, activate their receptors (CRHR1, CRHR2 or AVPr1b), and synergistically act to induce adrenocorticotropic hormone (ACTH) release from the anterior pituitary. Overstimulation of this system has been frequently associated with major depression states. OBJECTIVE The objective of the study is to assess the role of AVP and CRH receptors in fluoxetine and venlafaxine effects on the expression of depression-related behavior. METHODS In an animal model of depression (olfactory bulbectomy in mice, OB), we evaluated the effects of fluoxetine or venlafaxine (both 10 mg/kg/day) chronic administration on depression-related behavior in the tail suspension test. Plasma levels of AVP, CRH, and ACTH were determined as well as participation of their receptors in the expression of depression related-behavior and gene expression of AVP and CRH receptors (AVPr1b, CRHR1, and CRHR2) in the pituitary gland. RESULTS The expression of depressive-like behavior in OB animals was reversed by treatment with both antidepressants. Surprisingly, OB-saline mice exhibited increased AVP and ACTH plasma levels, with no alterations in CRH levels when compared to sham mice. Chronic fluoxetine or venlafaxine reversed these effects. In addition, a significant increase only in AVPr1b gene expression was found in OB-saline. CONCLUSION The antidepressant therapy used seems to be more likely related to a reduced activation of AVP rather than CRH receptors, since a positive correlation between AVP levels and depressive-like behavior was observed in OB animals. Furthermore, a full restoration of depressive behavior was observed in OB-fluoxetine- or venlafaxine-treated mice only when AVP was centrally administered but not CRH.
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Affiliation(s)
- María Belén Poretti
- Instituto de Fisiología, Instituto de Investigaciones en Ciencias de la Salud (INICSA, UNC-CONICET), Facultad de Ciencias Médicas, CONICET and Universidad Nacional de Córdoba, Córdoba, Argentina
| | - Rahul S Sawant
- Department of Neuroscience, Functional Pharmacology, Uppsala University, BMC, Uppsala, SE 75124, Sweden
| | - Mathias Rask-Andersen
- Department of Neuroscience, Functional Pharmacology, Uppsala University, BMC, Uppsala, SE 75124, Sweden
| | - Marta Fiol de Cuneo
- Instituto de Fisiología, Instituto de Investigaciones en Ciencias de la Salud (INICSA, UNC-CONICET), Facultad de Ciencias Médicas, CONICET and Universidad Nacional de Córdoba, Córdoba, Argentina
| | - Helgi B Schiöth
- Department of Neuroscience, Functional Pharmacology, Uppsala University, BMC, Uppsala, SE 75124, Sweden
| | - Mariela F Perez
- Departamento de Farmacología, Instituto de Farmacología Experimental de Córdoba (IFEC-CONICET), Facultad de Ciencias Químicas, Universidad Nacional de Córdoba, Córdoba, Argentina.
| | - Valeria Paola Carlini
- Instituto de Fisiología, Instituto de Investigaciones en Ciencias de la Salud (INICSA, UNC-CONICET), Facultad de Ciencias Médicas, CONICET and Universidad Nacional de Córdoba, Córdoba, Argentina.
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20
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Sestan-Pesa M, Horvath TL. Metabolism and Mental Illness. Trends Mol Med 2016; 22:174-183. [PMID: 26776095 DOI: 10.1016/j.molmed.2015.12.003] [Citation(s) in RCA: 17] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/14/2015] [Revised: 12/14/2015] [Accepted: 12/15/2015] [Indexed: 01/23/2023]
Abstract
Over the past century, overwhelming evidence has emerged pointing to the hypothalamus of the central nervous system (CNS) as a crucial regulator of systemic control of metabolism, including appetite and feeding behavior. Appetite (or hunger) is a fundamental driver of survival, involving complex behaviors governed by various parts of the brain, including the cerebral cortex. Here, we provide an overview of basic metabolic principles affecting the CNS and discuss their relevance to physiological and pathological conditions of higher brain functions. These novel perspectives may well provide new insights into future research strategies to facilitate the development of novel therapies for treating mental illness.
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Affiliation(s)
- Matija Sestan-Pesa
- Program in Integrative Cell Signaling and Neurobiology of Metabolism, Section of Comparative Medicine, Yale University School of Medicine, New Haven, CT 06520, USA
| | - Tamas L Horvath
- Program in Integrative Cell Signaling and Neurobiology of Metabolism, Section of Comparative Medicine, Yale University School of Medicine, New Haven, CT 06520, USA.
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21
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Ge JF, Xu YY, Qin G, Peng YN, Zhang CF, Liu XR, Liang LC, Wang ZZ, Chen FH. Depression-like Behavior Induced by Nesfatin-1 in Rats: Involvement of Increased Immune Activation and Imbalance of Synaptic Vesicle Proteins. Front Neurosci 2015; 9:429. [PMID: 26617482 PMCID: PMC4639614 DOI: 10.3389/fnins.2015.00429] [Citation(s) in RCA: 42] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/03/2015] [Accepted: 10/22/2015] [Indexed: 11/13/2022] Open
Abstract
Depression is a multicausal disorder and has been associated with metabolism regulation and immuno-inflammatory reaction. The anorectic molecule nesfatin-1 has recently been characterized as a potential mood regulator, but its precise effect on depression and the possible mechanisms remain unknown, especially when given peripherally. In the present study, nesfatin-1 was intraperitoneally injected to the rats and the depression-like behavior and activity of the hypothalamic-pituitary-adrenal (HPA) axis were evaluated. The plasma concentrations of nesfatin-1, interleukin 6 (IL-6), and C-reactive protein (CRP); and the hypothalamic expression levels of nesfatin-1, synapsin I, and synaptotagmin I mRNA were evaluated in nesfatin-1 chronically treated rats. The results showed that both acute and chronic administration of nesfatin-1 increased immobility in the forced swimming test (FST), and resulted in the hyperactivity of HPA axis, as indicated by the increase of plasma corticosterone concentration and hypothalamic expression of corticotropin-releasing hormone (CRH) mRNA. Moreover, after chronic nesfatin-1 administration, the rats exhibited decreased activity and exploratory behavior in the open field test (OFT) and increased mRNA expression of synapsin I and synaptotagmin I in the hypothalamus. Furthermore, chronic administration of nesfatin-1 elevated plasma concentrations of IL-6 and CRP, which were positively correlated with despair behavior, plasma corticosterone level, and the hypothalamic mRNA expression of synapsin I and synaptotagmin I. These results indicated that exogenous nesfatin-1 could induce the immune-inflammatory activation, which might be a central hug linking the depression-like behavior and the imbalanced mRNA expression of synaptic vesicle proteins in the hypothalamus.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jin-Fang Ge
- Anhui Key Laboratory of Bioactivity of Natural Products, School of Pharmacy, Anhui Medical University Anhui, China
| | - Ya-Yun Xu
- Anhui Key Laboratory of Bioactivity of Natural Products, School of Pharmacy, Anhui Medical University Anhui, China
| | - Gan Qin
- Anhui Key Laboratory of Bioactivity of Natural Products, School of Pharmacy, Anhui Medical University Anhui, China
| | - Yao-Nan Peng
- Department of Clinical Medicine, The Second Clinical College of Anhui Medical University Anhui, China
| | - Chao-Feng Zhang
- Department of Clinical Medicine, The Second Clinical College of Anhui Medical University Anhui, China
| | - Xing-Rui Liu
- Department of Clinical Medicine, The Second Clinical College of Anhui Medical University Anhui, China
| | - Li-Chuan Liang
- Department of Clinical Medicine, The Second Clinical College of Anhui Medical University Anhui, China
| | - Zhong-Zheng Wang
- Department of Clinical Medicine, The Second Clinical College of Anhui Medical University Anhui, China
| | - Fei-Hu Chen
- Anhui Key Laboratory of Bioactivity of Natural Products, School of Pharmacy, Anhui Medical University Anhui, China
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22
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Murgatroyd CA, Peña CJ, Podda G, Nestler EJ, Nephew BC. Early life social stress induced changes in depression and anxiety associated neural pathways which are correlated with impaired maternal care. Neuropeptides 2015; 52:103-11. [PMID: 26049556 PMCID: PMC4537387 DOI: 10.1016/j.npep.2015.05.002] [Citation(s) in RCA: 45] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/11/2014] [Revised: 05/06/2015] [Accepted: 05/18/2015] [Indexed: 11/26/2022]
Abstract
Exposures to various types of early life stress can be robust predictors of the development of psychiatric disorders, including depression and anxiety. The objective of the current study was to investigate the roles of the translationally relevant targets of central vasopressin, oxytocin, ghrelin, orexin, glucocorticoid, and the brain-derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF) pathway in an early chronic social stress (ECSS) based rodent model of postpartum depression and anxiety. The present study reports novel changes in gene expression and extracellular signal related kinase (ERK) protein levels in the brains of ECSS exposed rat dams that display previously reported depressed maternal care and increased maternal anxiety. Decreases in oxytocin, orexin, and ERK proteins, increases in ghrelin receptor, glucocorticoid and mineralocorticoid receptor mRNA levels, and bidirectional changes in vasopressin underscore related work on the adverse long-term effects of early life stress on neural activity and plasticity, maternal behavior, responses to stress, and depression and anxiety-related behavior. The differences in gene and protein expression and robust correlations between expression and maternal care and anxiety support increased focus on these targets in animal and clinical studies of the adverse effects of early life stress, especially those focusing on depression and anxiety in mothers and the transgenerational effects of these disorders on offspring.
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Affiliation(s)
- Christopher A Murgatroyd
- Manchester Metropolitan University School of Healthcare Science, All Saints Building, Manchester M15 6BH, UK
| | - Catherine J Peña
- Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai, 1425 Madison Avenue, New York, NY 10029, United States
| | - Giovanni Podda
- Manchester Metropolitan University School of Healthcare Science, All Saints Building, Manchester M15 6BH, UK
| | - Eric J Nestler
- Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai, 1425 Madison Avenue, New York, NY 10029, United States
| | - Benjamin C Nephew
- Tufts University Cummings School of Veterinary Medicine, 200 Westboro Road, North Grafton, MA 01536, United States.
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