Global and glucocorticoid receptor gene-specific (NR3C1) DNA methylation analysis in patients with cannabinoid or synthetic cannabinoid use disorder

Study on the mechanism of ischemic stroke treatment based on network pharmacology and Raman spectroscopy in the larval zebrafish model, Calculus Bovis as a case

Calculus Bovis (C. bovis) is a precious traditional Chinese medicine of animal origin, and it is one of the traditional medicines for treating cerebral inflammatory diseases such as stroke. However, the pharmacological action of C. bovis on ischemic stroke (IS) and its mechanism are still unclear. The purpose of this study was to investigate the potential mechanism to treat IS. Chemical constituents of different varieties of C. bovis were analyzed and confirmed by HPLC-MS/MS technique. We constructed a component and corresponding target network and drug-disease target protein-protein interaction (PPI) network. GO and KEGG enrichment analysis were performed. The molecular docking of the main compound with the target protein. Subsequently, the potential mechanism of therapy for IS was verified in vivo by zebrafish model. We introduced Raman spectroscopy to detect changes in the biochemical composition of zebrafish. 13 active chemical constituents and 129 potential targets were selected. 122 KEGG signaling pathways were obtained. The binding energy of the main compounds is less than -4.5. The results of animal experiments showed that C. bovis could significantly improve Ponatinib-induced IS, decrease the aggregation degree of brain macrophages, reduce the number of macrophage migrations, and significantly increase the expression level of NR3C1. Raman information indicated that the biochemical composition in the brain of the Ponatinib-induced group shifted to the control group. The mechanism may be related to anti-inflammatory process and regulation of lipid metabolism. This study demonstrates that Raman spectroscopy has great potential as a drug evaluation tool in living larval zebrafish.

The relationship of the methylation status and polymorphism of glucocorticoid receptor gene (NR3C1) with attempted suicide or non-suicidal self-injury patients in schizophrenia

We aim to investigate the methylation of NR3C1 gene promotor and NR3C1 BclI polymorphism in schizophrenia (SCZ) patients with attempted suicide or non-suicidal self-injury (NSSI). A sample of 112 patients with SCZ was included in the study. Structured Clinical Interview for Diagnostic and Statistical Manual-Fourth Edition Axis I Disorders was used to confirm the diagnosis according to The Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders, fourth edition, text revision criteria. The patients were evaluated by data forms that had sociodemographic, suicidal behavior, and NSSI information. Methylation-specific polymerase chain reaction (PCR) was used to identify the methylation of the NR3C1 gene. The analysis of the BclI polymorphism of the NR3C1 gene was evaluated by using the PCR restriction fragment length polymorphism. Our results revealed that although the NR3C1 gene methylation was not statistically significantly different, there was a significant difference in NR3C1 genotype distribution among the SCZ groups with and without attempted suicide. SCZ patients carrying the CC genotype had a lower risk of attempted suicide (Odds Ratio [OR]: 0.421; 95% Confidence Interval [CI]: 0.183-0.970; p = 0.040), while having the GG genotype in SCZ patients was associated with a higher risk of attempted suicide (OR: 3.785; 95% Cl: 1.107-12.945; p = 0.042). Additionally, due to NSSI in SCZ patients, there were no significant differences in NR3C1 gene methylation and NR3C1 genotype distribution among the groups. We propose that the NR3C1 BclI polymorphism may be associated with attempted suicide in Turkish patients diagnosed with SCZ.

DNA Methylation Pattern of Gene Promoters of MB-COMT, DRD2, and NR3C1 in Turkish Patients Diagnosed with Schizophrenia

OBJECTIVE

We aim to evaluate the methylation status of membrane-bound catechol-O-methyltransferase (MB-COMT) promotor, dopamine receptor D2 (DRD2), and nuclear receptor subfamily 3 group C member 1 (NR3C1) gene in pa- tients with SCZ by comparing healthy controls.

METHODS

A sample of 110 patients with SCZ and 100 age- and sex-matched healthy volunteers was included in the study. The interview was started by filling out data forms that included sociodemographic and clinical information. The Structured Clinical Interview for DSM-IV Axis I Disorders was used to confirming the diagnosis according to DSM-IV-TR criteria. Then the patients were evaluated with the Positive and Negative Symptoms Scale in terms of symp- tom severity. Methylation-specific polymerase chain reaction was used to determine the methylation status of MB-COMT promotor, DRD2 , and NR3C1 gene from DNA material.

RESULTS

When we compared the percentages of MB-COMT promotor, DRD2, and NR3C1 gene methylation status in SCZ patients with the healthy control group, the percentages of MB-COMT promotor (OR: 0.466; 95% CI: 0.268- 0.809; p = 0.006), DRD2 (OR: 0.439; 95% CI: 0.375-0.514; p < 0.001), and NR3C1 (OR: 0.003; 95% CI: 0.001- 0.011; p < 0.001) gene methylation status of SCZ was found to be significantly different from the control group. Whereas unmethylation of MB-COMT promotor and NR3C1 genes were associated with SCZ, the partial methylation of the DRD2 gene was related to the SCZ.

CONCLUSION

The MB-COMT promotor, DRD2, and NR3C1 gene methylation status may be associated with the SCZ in the Turkish population.

Quantitative detection of methylated SOCS-1 in schizophrenia and bipolar disorder considering SOCS-1 -1478CA/del polymorphism and clinical parameters

BACKGROUND

We aimed to investigate the quantitative detection of methylated suppressor of cytokine signaling-1 (SOCS-1) in schizophrenia (SCZ) and bipolar disorder (BD), considering SOCS-1 -1478CA/del polymorphism and clinical parameters.

METHODS

Our research is a case-control study in which 114 patients with SCZ, 86 patients with BD, and 80 volunteers as a healthy group participated. Bisulfite-converted DNA samples were analyzed using the real-time quantitative methylation-specific PCR (qMS-PCR) method to measure the methylation level of the SOCS-1 gene. In addition, SOCS-1 -1478CA/del gene polymorphism was analyzed with the polymerase chain reaction-restriction fragment length polymorphism (PCR-RFLP).

RESULTS

When the SOCS-1 promoter methylation levels of SCZ and BD patients were compared with the control group, the methylation levels of SCZ and BD were significantly lower than the control group. An earlier age of illness onset was significantly related to the SOCS-1 promoter hypermethylation in DNA samples of SCZ patients. Again, SOCS-1 promoter hypermethylation was significantly associated with the higher Young Mania Rating Scale (YMRS) score in BD patients. While the SOCS-1 CA/CA genotype frequency was significantly higher in the control group than in the BD group, the del/del genotype was significantly related to a higher frequency of rapid cycling and a lower frequency of family history in the BD patient group.

CONCLUSION

In summary, the methylated SOCS-1 quantity in DNA samples of SCZ and BD patients were significantly lower than in control samples. Whereas the SOCS-1 -1478CA/del polymorphism was not related to SCZ, it may be associated with the BD.

Analysis of Relationships between DAT1 Polymorphism Variants, Personality Dimensions, and Anxiety in New Psychoactive Substance (Designer Drug) (NPS) Users

The use of ‘new psychoactive substances’ appears to be increasingly common. The aim of this study was to examine biological and personality determinants in individuals who choose to use these substances, which may help in the prevention and treatment of psychoactive substance use disorders. The study group consisted of 374 male volunteers; all were users of ‘new psychoactive substances’ (NPS). The NPS users were recruited after they had abstained—for at least 3 months—from any substance of abuse in addiction treatment facilities. The NPS patients and the control subjects were examined by a psychiatrist using the Mini-International Neuropsychiatric Interview (M.I.N.I.), the NEO Five-Factor Personality Inventory (NEO-FFI), and the State-Trait Anxiety Inventory (STAI) scales. The real-time PCR method was used for genotyping. When we compared the controls with the study group, statistically significant interactions were found between DAT1 polymorphism, neuroticism, and NPS use. NPS use and DAT1 polymorphism were associated with a higher level of neuroticism on the NEO-FFI scale. The study group of NPS users showed a higher severity of anxiety symptoms, both in terms of trait and state, compared to the control group. The results may support the idea that neuroticism and anxiety correlate strongly with coping motives for using NPS.

DNA methylation of the glucocorticoid receptor gene predicts substance use in adolescence: longitudinal data from over 1000 young individuals

Early life stress has been linked to increased methylation of the Nuclear Receptor Subfamily 3 Group C Member 1 (NR3C1) gene, which codes for the glucocorticoid receptor. Moreover, early life stress has been associated with substance use initiation at a younger age, a risk factor for developing substance use disorders. However, no studies to date have investigated whether NR3C1 methylation can predict substance use in young individuals. This study included adolescents 13-14 years of age that reported no history of substance use at baseline, (N = 1041; males = 46%). Participants contributed saliva DNA samples and were followed in middle adolescence as part of KUPOL, a prospective cohort study of 7th-grade students in Sweden. Outcome variables were self-reports of (i) recent use, (ii) lifetime use, and (iii) use duration of (a) alcohol, (b) tobacco products, (c) cannabis, or (d) any substance. Outcomes were measured annually for three consecutive years. The predictor variable was DNA methylation at the exon 1 F locus of NR3C1. Risk and rate ratios were calculated as measures of association, with or without adjustment for internalizing symptoms and parental psychiatric disorders. For a subset of individuals (N = 320), there were also morning and afternoon salivary cortisol measurements available that were analyzed in relation to NR3C1 methylation levels. Baseline NR3C1 hypermethylation associated with future self-reports of recent use and use duration of any substance, before and after adjustment for potential confounders. The overall estimates were attenuated when considering lifetime use. Sex-stratified analyses revealed the strongest association for cigarette use in males. Cortisol analyses revealed associations between NR3C1 methylation and morning cortisol levels. Findings from this study suggest that saliva NR3C1 hypermethylation can predict substance use in middle adolescence. Additional longitudinal studies are warranted to confirm these findings.

Detection of altered methylation of MB-COMT promotor and DRD2 gene in cannabinoid or synthetic cannabinoid use disorder regarding gene variants and clinical parameters

This study aims to investigate the association between cannabinoid use disorder (CUD) or synthetic cannabinoid use disorder (SCUD) and methylation status of MB-COMT (membrane-bound catechol-O-methyltransferase) promotor or DRD2 gene considering gene variants and clinical parameters. Based on the DSM-5 criteria, 218 CUD/SCUD patients' diagnoses were confirmed with a positive urine test, and a control group consisting of 102 participants without substance use disorders was included. Methylation-specific PCR was used to identify the methylation of the MB-COMT promotor and DRD2 gene. DRD2-141C Ins/Del and COMT Val158Met gene variants were evaluated by using PCR-RFLP. When the DRD2 and MB-COMT promoter methylation of CUD/SCUD patients were compared with the control group, there was a significant difference between the MB-COMT promoter methylation status of the two groups. When comparing DRD2 gene methylation due to clinical parameters and DRD2 genotype distribution in patients, the methylation status was significantly different between the groups due to the family history. Again, comparing the MB-COMT promotor methylation due to the COMT Val158Met genotype distribution and clinical parameters in patients, the MB-COMT promoter methylation status was significantly different between the groups due to the presence of alcohol usage. In summary, whereas the MB-COMT promoter methylation may be associated with the CUD/SCUD, the methylation of the DRD2 gene was not related to CUD/SCUD.