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Corrê MDS, de Freitas BS, Machado GDB, Pires VN, Bromberg E, Hallak JEC, Zuardi AW, Crippa JAS, Schröder N. Cannabidiol reverses memory impairments and activates components of the Akt/GSK3β pathway in an experimental model of estrogen depletion. Behav Brain Res 2022; 417:113555. [PMID: 34450240 DOI: 10.1016/j.bbr.2021.113555] [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: 05/31/2021] [Revised: 08/16/2021] [Accepted: 08/23/2021] [Indexed: 11/28/2022]
Abstract
Clinical and preclinical evidence has indicated that estrogen depletion leads to memory impairments and increases the susceptibility to neural damage. Here, we have sought to investigate the effects of Cannabidiol (CBD) a non-psychotomimetic compound from Cannabis sativa, on memory deficits induced by estrogen depletion in rats, and its underlying mechanisms. Adult rats were subjected to bilateral ovariectomy, an established estrogen depletion model in rodents, or sham surgery and allowed to recover for three weeks. After that, they received daily injections of CBD (10 mg/kg) for fourteen days. Rats were tested in the inhibitory avoidance task, a type of emotionally-motivated memory. After behavioral testing they were euthanized, and their hippocampi were isolated for analysis of components of the Akt/GSK3β survival pathway and the antiapoptotic protein Bcl2. Results revealed that ovariectomy impaired avoidance memory, and CBD was able to completely reverse estrogen depletion-induced memory impairment. Ovariectomy also reduced Akt/GSK3β pathway's activation by decreasing the phosphorylation levels of Akt and GSK3β and Bcl2 levels, which were ameliorated by CBD. The present results indicate that CBD leads to a functional recovery accompanied by the Akt/GSK3β survival pathway's activation, supporting its potential as a treatment for estrogen decline-induced deterioration of neural functioning and maintenance.
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Affiliation(s)
- Márcio da Silveira Corrê
- Neurobiology and Developmental Biology Laboratory, School of Health and Life Sciences, Pontifical Catholic University of Rio Grande do Sul, Porto Alegre, Brazil; Faculty of Medicine, Department of Health, Integrated Regional University of Upper Uruguay and Missions, Erechim, Brazil
| | - Betânia Souza de Freitas
- Neurobiology and Developmental Biology Laboratory, School of Health and Life Sciences, Pontifical Catholic University of Rio Grande do Sul, Porto Alegre, Brazil
| | - Gustavo Dalto Barroso Machado
- Neurobiology and Developmental Biology Laboratory, School of Health and Life Sciences, Pontifical Catholic University of Rio Grande do Sul, Porto Alegre, Brazil
| | - Vivian Naziaseno Pires
- Neurobiology and Developmental Biology Laboratory, School of Health and Life Sciences, Pontifical Catholic University of Rio Grande do Sul, Porto Alegre, Brazil
| | - Elke Bromberg
- Neurobiology and Developmental Biology Laboratory, School of Health and Life Sciences, Pontifical Catholic University of Rio Grande do Sul, Porto Alegre, Brazil; National Institute of Science and Technology for Translational Medicine (INCT-TM), Conselho Nacional de Desenvolvimento Cientifico e Tecnologico (CNPq), Brasília, Brazil
| | - Jaime E C Hallak
- National Institute of Science and Technology for Translational Medicine (INCT-TM), Conselho Nacional de Desenvolvimento Cientifico e Tecnologico (CNPq), Brasília, Brazil; Department of Neuroscience and Behavioral Sciences, Ribeirão Preto Medical School, University of São Paulo, São Paulo, Brazil
| | - Antônio Waldo Zuardi
- National Institute of Science and Technology for Translational Medicine (INCT-TM), Conselho Nacional de Desenvolvimento Cientifico e Tecnologico (CNPq), Brasília, Brazil; Department of Neuroscience and Behavioral Sciences, Ribeirão Preto Medical School, University of São Paulo, São Paulo, Brazil
| | - José Alexandre S Crippa
- National Institute of Science and Technology for Translational Medicine (INCT-TM), Conselho Nacional de Desenvolvimento Cientifico e Tecnologico (CNPq), Brasília, Brazil; Department of Neuroscience and Behavioral Sciences, Ribeirão Preto Medical School, University of São Paulo, São Paulo, Brazil
| | - Nadja Schröder
- National Institute of Science and Technology for Translational Medicine (INCT-TM), Conselho Nacional de Desenvolvimento Cientifico e Tecnologico (CNPq), Brasília, Brazil; Department of Physiology, Institute for Basic Health Sciences, Federal University of Rio Grande do Sul, Porto Alegre, Brazil.
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Knouse MC, Briand LA. Behavioral sex differences in cocaine and opioid use disorders: The role of gonadal hormones. Neurosci Biobehav Rev 2021; 128:358-366. [PMID: 34214512 DOI: 10.1016/j.neubiorev.2021.06.038] [Citation(s) in RCA: 28] [Impact Index Per Article: 9.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/21/2020] [Revised: 05/20/2021] [Accepted: 06/27/2021] [Indexed: 11/20/2022]
Abstract
Females are more vulnerable than males to many aspects of cocaine use disorder. This vulnerability also translates to opioid use disorder, with females exhibiting stronger behavioral responses than males to drugs such as heroin and morphine. While there is evidence for many overlapping neural mechanisms underlying cocaine and opioid abuse, there is also a breadth of evidence indicating divergent effects of the drugs on synaptic plasticity. This makes it unclear whether the behavioral sex differences seen in substance use disorder across different drugs of abuse rely on the same mechanisms. Ovarian hormones have consistently been implicated as drivers of the behavioral sex differences in cocaine taking and seeking. While there are far fewer studies on the role of ovarian hormones in opioid use disorder, the existing data suggest that ovarian hormones may not drive these behavioral effects in the same manner as in cocaine use disorder. This review highlights evidence that behavioral sex differences in substance use disorder might be driven by different mechanisms depending on drug class.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Lisa A Briand
- Department of Psychology, Temple University, United States; Neuroscience Program, Temple University, United States.
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Priyanka HP, Nair RS. Neuroimmunomodulation by estrogen in health and disease. AIMS Neurosci 2020; 7:401-417. [PMID: 33263078 PMCID: PMC7701372 DOI: 10.3934/neuroscience.2020025] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/28/2020] [Accepted: 10/27/2020] [Indexed: 12/18/2022] Open
Abstract
Systemic homeostasis is maintained by the robust bidirectional regulation of the neuroendocrine-immune network by the active involvement of neural, endocrine and immune mediators. Throughout female reproductive life, gonadal hormones undergo cyclic variations and mediate concomitant modulations of the neuroendocrine-immune network. Dysregulation of the neuroendocrine-immune network occurs during aging as a cumulative effect of declining neural, endocrine and immune functions and loss of compensatory mechanisms including antioxidant enzymes, growth factors and co-factors. This leads to disruption of homeostasis and sets the stage for the development of female-specific age-associated diseases such as autoimmunity, osteoporosis, cardiovascular diseases and hormone-dependent cancers. Ovarian hormones especially estrogen, play a key role in the maintenance of health and homeostasis by modulating the nervous, endocrine and immune functions and thereby altering neuroendocrine-immune homeostasis. Immunologically estrogen's role in the modulation of Th1/Th2 immune functions and contributing to pro-inflammatory conditions and autoimmunity has been widely studied. Centrally, hypothalamic and pituitary hormones influence gonadal hormone secretion in murine models during onset of estrous cycles and are implicated in reproductive aging-associated acyclicity. Loss of estrogen affects neuronal plasticity and the ensuing decline in cognitive functions during reproductive aging in females implicates estrogen in the incidence and progression of neurodegenerative diseases. Peripherally, sympathetic noradrenergic (NA) innervations of lymphoid organs and the presence of both adrenergic (AR) and estrogen receptors (ER) on lymphocytes poise estrogen as a potent neuroimmunomodulator during health and disease. Cyclic variations in estrogen levels throughout reproductive life, perimenopausal surge in estrogen levels followed by its precipitous decline, concomitant with decline in central hypothalamic catecholaminergic activity, peripheral sympathetic NA innervation and associated immunosuppression present an interesting study to explore female-specific age-associated diseases in a new light.
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Affiliation(s)
- Hannah P Priyanka
- Inspire Laboratory, Institute of Advanced Research in Health Sciences, Tamil Nadu Government Multi Super Speciality Hospital, Omandurar Government Estate, Chennai-600002, India
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Çakici N, van Beveren NJM, Judge-Hundal G, Koola MM, Sommer IEC. An update on the efficacy of anti-inflammatory agents for patients with schizophrenia: a meta-analysis. Psychol Med 2019; 49:2307-2319. [PMID: 31439071 PMCID: PMC6763537 DOI: 10.1017/s0033291719001995] [Citation(s) in RCA: 112] [Impact Index Per Article: 22.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/13/2019] [Revised: 07/04/2019] [Accepted: 07/16/2019] [Indexed: 12/12/2022]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Accumulating evidence shows that a propensity towards a pro-inflammatory status in the brain plays an important role in schizophrenia. Anti-inflammatory drugs might compensate this propensity. This study provides an update regarding the efficacy of agents with some anti-inflammatory actions for schizophrenia symptoms tested in randomized controlled trials (RCTs). METHODS PubMed, Embase, the National Institutes of Health website (http://www.clinicaltrials.gov), and the Cochrane Database of Systematic Reviews were systematically searched for RCTs that investigated clinical outcomes. RESULTS Our search yielded 56 studies that provided information on the efficacy of the following components on symptom severity: aspirin, bexarotene, celecoxib, davunetide, dextromethorphan, estrogens, fatty acids, melatonin, minocycline, N-acetylcysteine (NAC), pioglitazone, piracetam, pregnenolone, statins, varenicline, and withania somnifera extract. The results of aspirin [mean weighted effect size (ES): 0.30; n = 270; 95% CI (CI) 0.06-0.54], estrogens (ES: 0.78; n = 723; CI 0.36-1.19), minocycline (ES: 0.40; n = 946; CI 0.11-0.68), and NAC (ES: 1.00; n = 442; CI 0.60-1.41) were significant in meta-analysis of at least two studies. Subgroup analysis yielded larger positive effects for first-episode psychosis (FEP) or early-phase schizophrenia studies. Bexarotene, celecoxib, davunetide, dextromethorphan, fatty acids, pregnenolone, statins, and varenicline showed no significant effect. CONCLUSIONS Some, but not all agents with anti-inflammatory properties showed efficacy. Effective agents were aspirin, estrogens, minocycline, and NAC. We observed greater beneficial results on symptom severity in FEP or early-phase schizophrenia.
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Affiliation(s)
- N. Çakici
- Department of Psychiatry and Amsterdam Neuroscience, Academic Medical Center, Meibergdreef 9, 1105 AZ Amsterdam, the Netherlands
- Antes Center for Mental Health Care, Albrandswaardsedijk 74, 3172 AA, Poortugaal, the Netherlands
| | - N. J. M. van Beveren
- Antes Center for Mental Health Care, Albrandswaardsedijk 74, 3172 AA, Poortugaal, the Netherlands
- Department of Psychiatry, Erasmus Medical Center, Doctor Molewaterplein 40, 3015 GD Rotterdam, the Netherlands
- Department of Neuroscience, Erasmus Medical Center, Doctor Molewaterplein 40, 3015 GD Rotterdam, the Netherlands
| | - G. Judge-Hundal
- Antes Center for Mental Health Care, Albrandswaardsedijk 74, 3172 AA, Poortugaal, the Netherlands
- Department of Psychiatry and Biomedical Sciences of Cells and Systems, University Medical Center Groningen, Deusinglaan 2, 9713AW Groningen, the Netherlands
| | - M. M. Koola
- Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences, George Washington University School of Medicine and Health Sciences, 2300I St NW, Washington, DC 20052, USA
| | - I. E. C. Sommer
- Department of Psychiatry and Biomedical Sciences of Cells and Systems, University Medical Center Groningen, Deusinglaan 2, 9713AW Groningen, the Netherlands
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Increased Neural Activity in Mesostriatal Regions after Prefrontal Transcranial Direct Current Stimulation and l-DOPA Administration. J Neurosci 2019; 39:5326-5335. [PMID: 31043485 DOI: 10.1523/jneurosci.3128-18.2019] [Citation(s) in RCA: 25] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/10/2018] [Revised: 04/10/2019] [Accepted: 04/10/2019] [Indexed: 12/20/2022] Open
Abstract
Dopamine dysfunction is associated with a wide range of neuropsychiatric disorders commonly treated pharmacologically or invasively. Recent studies provide evidence for a nonpharmacological and noninvasive alternative that allows similar manipulation of the dopaminergic system: transcranial direct current stimulation (tDCS). In rodents, tDCS has been shown to increase neural activity in subcortical parts of the dopaminergic system, and recent studies in humans provide evidence that tDCS over prefrontal regions induces striatal dopamine release and affects reward-related behavior. Based on these findings, we used fMRI in healthy human participants and measured the fractional amplitude of low-frequency fluctuations to assess spontaneous neural activity strength in regions of the mesostriatal dopamine system before and after tDCS over prefrontal regions (n = 40, 22 females). In a second study, we examined the effect of a single dose of the dopamine precursor levodopa (l-DOPA) on mesostriatal fractional amplitude of low-frequency fluctuation values in male humans (n = 22) and compared the results between both studies. We found that prefrontal tDCS and l-DOPA both enhance neural activity in core regions of the dopaminergic system and show similar subcortical activation patterns. We furthermore assessed the spatial similarity of whole-brain statistical parametric maps, indicating tDCS- and l-DOPA-induced activation, and >100 neuronal receptor gene expression maps based on transcriptional data from the Allen Institute for Brain Science. In line with a specific activation of the dopaminergic system, we found that both interventions predominantly activated regions with high expression levels of the dopamine receptors D2 and D3.SIGNIFICANCE STATEMENT Studies in animals and humans provide evidence that transcranial direct current stimulation (tDCS) allows a manipulation of the dopaminergic system. Based on these findings, we used fMRI to assess changes in spontaneous neural activity strength in the human dopaminergic system after prefrontal tDCS compared with the administration of the dopamine precursor and standard anti-Parkinson drug levodopa (l-DOPA). We found that prefrontal tDCS and l-DOPA both enhance neural activity in core regions of the dopaminergic system and show similar subcortical activation patterns. Using whole-brain transcriptional data of >100 neuronal receptor genes, we found that both interventions specifically activated regions with high expression levels of the dopamine receptors D2 and D3.
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Madularu D, Kulkarni P, Yee JR, Kenkel WM, Shams WM, Ferris CF, Brake WG. High estrogen and chronic haloperidol lead to greater amphetamine-induced BOLD activation in awake, amphetamine-sensitized female rats. Horm Behav 2016; 82:56-63. [PMID: 27154458 DOI: 10.1016/j.yhbeh.2016.04.007] [Citation(s) in RCA: 14] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/01/2015] [Revised: 03/24/2016] [Accepted: 04/15/2016] [Indexed: 11/27/2022]
Abstract
The ovarian hormone estrogen has been implicated in schizophrenia symptomatology. Low levels of estrogen are associated with an increase in symptom severity, while exogenous estrogen increases the efficacy of antipsychotic medication, pointing at a possible interaction between estrogen and the dopaminergic system. The aim of this study is to further investigate this interaction in an animal model of some aspects of schizophrenia using awake functional magnetic resonance imaging. Animals receiving 17β-estradiol and haloperidol were scanned and BOLD activity was assessed in response to amphetamine. High 17β-estradiol replacement and chronic haloperidol treatment showed increased BOLD activity in regions of interest and neural networks associated with schizophrenia (hippocampal formations, habenula, amygdala, hypothalamus etc.), compared with low, or no 17β-estradiol. These data show that chronic haloperidol treatment has a sensitizing effect, possibly on the dopaminergic system, and this effect is dependent on hormonal status, with high 17β-estradiol showing the greatest BOLD increase. Furthermore, these experiments further support the use of imaging techniques in studying schizophrenia, as modeled in the rat, but can be extended to addiction and other disorders.
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Affiliation(s)
- Dan Madularu
- Concordia University, Department of Psychology, Center for Studies in Behavioural Neurobiology, 7141 Sherbrooke St. West, Montreal, QC, Canada, H4B 1R6.
| | - Praveen Kulkarni
- Northeastern University, Department of Psychology, Center for Translational Neuroimaging, 360 Huntington Ave, Boston, MA, USA, 02115
| | - Jason R Yee
- Northeastern University, Department of Psychology, Center for Translational Neuroimaging, 360 Huntington Ave, Boston, MA, USA, 02115
| | - William M Kenkel
- Northeastern University, Department of Psychology, Center for Translational Neuroimaging, 360 Huntington Ave, Boston, MA, USA, 02115
| | - Waqqas M Shams
- Concordia University, Department of Psychology, Center for Studies in Behavioural Neurobiology, 7141 Sherbrooke St. West, Montreal, QC, Canada, H4B 1R6
| | - Craig F Ferris
- Northeastern University, Department of Psychology, Center for Translational Neuroimaging, 360 Huntington Ave, Boston, MA, USA, 02115
| | - Wayne G Brake
- Concordia University, Department of Psychology, Center for Studies in Behavioural Neurobiology, 7141 Sherbrooke St. West, Montreal, QC, Canada, H4B 1R6
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Pratap UP, Patil A, Sharma HR, Hima L, Chockalingam R, Hariharan MM, Shitoot S, Priyanka HP, ThyagaRajan S. Estrogen-induced neuroprotective and anti-inflammatory effects are dependent on the brain areas of middle-aged female rats. Brain Res Bull 2016; 124:238-53. [PMID: 27242078 DOI: 10.1016/j.brainresbull.2016.05.015] [Citation(s) in RCA: 21] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/28/2015] [Revised: 05/24/2016] [Accepted: 05/26/2016] [Indexed: 12/23/2022]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Reproductive aging in females is characterized by fluctuations and precipitous decline in estrogen levels, which may lead to reduction in cognitive function and age-associated neurodegenerative disorders. The nature of estrogen-mediated neuronal plasticity is unknown during reproductive aging. We hypothesize that estrogen treatment of early middle-aged ovariectomized rats may exert specific effects in the brain by modulating signaling pathways regulating metabolic enzymes, inflammatory markers, antioxidant status, cholinergic function and survival signals. PURPOSE To investigate the mechanisms of estrogen-induced effects on neuroprotection and neuroinflammation through the involvement of intracellular signaling pathways in brain areas of ovariectomized (OVX) middle-aged (MA) female rats. METHODS Ovariectomized early MA female Sprague-Dawley rats (n=8/group) were implanted with 17β-estradiol (E2) 30-day release pellets (0.6μg and 300μg). At the end of the treatment period, frontal cortex (FC), striatum (STR), medial basal hypothalamus (MBH), and hippocampus (HP) were isolated and examined for the expression of tyrosine hydroxylase (p-TH), nerve growth factor (NGF), p-NF-κB (p50 and p65)and p-ERK, p-CREB, p-Akt, and activities of cholinesterases and antioxidant enzymes, key regulatory enzymes of metabolic pathways, and nitric oxide production. RESULTS E2 enhanced p-TH expression in FC and HP, reduced NGF expression in HP, and suppressed p-NF-κB expression in FC and STR. It also increased the expression of molecular markers (p-ERK, p-CREB and p-Akt), and nitric oxide production in various brain areas, while differentially regulating the activities of metabolic enzymes and cholinesterases. CONCLUSION Estrogen modulates the neural and inflammatory factors, and intracellular markers depending on the brain areas that may influence differential remodeling of neuronal circuitry which can be used to develop therapeutic strategies in cognitive impairment and neurodegenerative disorders in aging.
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Affiliation(s)
- Uday P Pratap
- Integrative Medicine Laboratory, Department of Biotechnology, School of Bioengineering, SRM University, Kattankulathur 603203, Tamil Nadu, India
| | - Anushree Patil
- Integrative Medicine Laboratory, Department of Biotechnology, School of Bioengineering, SRM University, Kattankulathur 603203, Tamil Nadu, India
| | - Himanshu R Sharma
- Integrative Medicine Laboratory, Department of Biotechnology, School of Bioengineering, SRM University, Kattankulathur 603203, Tamil Nadu, India
| | - Lalgi Hima
- Integrative Medicine Laboratory, Department of Biotechnology, School of Bioengineering, SRM University, Kattankulathur 603203, Tamil Nadu, India
| | - Ramanathan Chockalingam
- Integrative Medicine Laboratory, Department of Biotechnology, School of Bioengineering, SRM University, Kattankulathur 603203, Tamil Nadu, India
| | - Murali M Hariharan
- Integrative Medicine Laboratory, Department of Biotechnology, School of Bioengineering, SRM University, Kattankulathur 603203, Tamil Nadu, India
| | - Sushrut Shitoot
- Integrative Medicine Laboratory, Department of Biotechnology, School of Bioengineering, SRM University, Kattankulathur 603203, Tamil Nadu, India
| | - Hannah P Priyanka
- Integrative Medicine Laboratory, Department of Biotechnology, School of Bioengineering, SRM University, Kattankulathur 603203, Tamil Nadu, India
| | - Srinivasan ThyagaRajan
- Integrative Medicine Laboratory, Department of Biotechnology, School of Bioengineering, SRM University, Kattankulathur 603203, Tamil Nadu, India.
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Gupta R, Dhyani M, Kendzerska T, Pandi-Perumal SR, BaHammam AS, Srivanitchapoom P, Pandey S, Hallett M. Restless legs syndrome and pregnancy: prevalence, possible pathophysiological mechanisms and treatment. Acta Neurol Scand 2016; 133:320-9. [PMID: 26482928 DOI: 10.1111/ane.12520] [Citation(s) in RCA: 50] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Accepted: 09/25/2015] [Indexed: 02/01/2023]
Abstract
Restless legs syndrome (RLS) is a common sleep disorder that may be associated with pregnancy. Studies have found that the prevalence of RLS among pregnant women ranged from 10 to 34%. Typically, there is complete remission of symptoms soon after parturition; however, in some patients, they may continue postpartum. RLS has been shown to be associated with a number of complications in pregnancy including preeclampsia and increased incidence of Cesarean sections. Although multiple hypotheses have been proposed to explain this association, each individual hypothesis cannot completely explain the whole pathogenesis. Present understanding suggests that a strong family history, low serum iron and ferritin level, and high estrogen level during pregnancy might play important roles. Vitamin D deficiency and calcium metabolism may also play a role. Medical treatment of RLS during pregnancy is difficult and challenging considering the risks to mother and fetus. However, in some cases, the disease may be severe enough to require treatment.
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Affiliation(s)
- R. Gupta
- Department of Psychiatry and Sleep Clinic; Himalayan Institute of Medical Sciences; Dehradun India
| | - M. Dhyani
- Department of Psychiatry and Sleep Clinic; Himalayan Institute of Medical Sciences; Dehradun India
| | - T. Kendzerska
- Institute for Clinical Evaluative Sciences; Sunnybrook Health Sciences Center; Toronto ON Canada
| | | | - A. S. BaHammam
- Department of Medicine; The University Sleep Disorders Center; College of Medicine; King Saud University; Riyadh Saudi Arabia
- Strategic Technologies Program of the National Plan for Sciences, Technology and Innovation Riyadh; Riyadh Saudi Arabia
| | - P. Srivanitchapoom
- Human Motor Control Section; National Institute of Neurological Disorders and Stroke; National Institutes of Health; Bethesda MD USA
- Department of Medicine; Faculty of Medicine; Siriraj Hospital Mahidol University; Bangkok Thailand
| | - S. Pandey
- Govind Ballabh Pant Institute of Postgraduate Medical Education & Research; New Delhi India
| | - M. Hallett
- Human Motor Control Section; National Institute of Neurological Disorders and Stroke; National Institutes of Health; Bethesda MD USA
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9
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Gogos A, Sbisa AM, Sun J, Gibbons A, Udawela M, Dean B. A Role for Estrogen in Schizophrenia: Clinical and Preclinical Findings. Int J Endocrinol 2015; 2015:615356. [PMID: 26491441 PMCID: PMC4600562 DOI: 10.1155/2015/615356] [Citation(s) in RCA: 119] [Impact Index Per Article: 13.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/01/2015] [Revised: 08/21/2015] [Accepted: 08/23/2015] [Indexed: 12/30/2022] Open
Abstract
Gender differences in schizophrenia have been extensively researched and it is being increasingly accepted that gonadal steroids are strongly attributed to this phenomenon. Of the various hormones implicated, the estrogen hypothesis has been the most widely researched one and it postulates that estrogen exerts a protective effect by buffering females against the development and severity of the illness. In this review, we comprehensively analyse studies that have investigated the effects of estrogen, in particular 17β-estradiol, in clinical, animal, and molecular research with relevance to schizophrenia. Specifically, we discuss the current evidence on estrogen dysfunction in schizophrenia patients and review the clinical findings on the use of estradiol as an adjunctive treatment in schizophrenia patients. Preclinical research that has used animal models and molecular probes to investigate estradiol's underlying protective mechanisms is also substantially discussed, with particular focus on estradiol's impact on the major neurotransmitter systems implicated in schizophrenia, namely, the dopamine, serotonin, and glutamate systems.
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Affiliation(s)
- Andrea Gogos
- Florey Institute of Neuroscience and Mental Health, University of Melbourne, Parkville, VIC 3010, Australia
| | - Alyssa M. Sbisa
- Florey Institute of Neuroscience and Mental Health, University of Melbourne, Parkville, VIC 3010, Australia
- School of Psychology and Public Health, La Trobe University, Bundoora, VIC 3086, Australia
| | - Jeehae Sun
- Florey Institute of Neuroscience and Mental Health, University of Melbourne, Parkville, VIC 3010, Australia
- School of Psychology and Public Health, La Trobe University, Bundoora, VIC 3086, Australia
| | - Andrew Gibbons
- Florey Institute of Neuroscience and Mental Health, University of Melbourne, Parkville, VIC 3010, Australia
| | - Madhara Udawela
- Florey Institute of Neuroscience and Mental Health, University of Melbourne, Parkville, VIC 3010, Australia
| | - Brian Dean
- Florey Institute of Neuroscience and Mental Health, University of Melbourne, Parkville, VIC 3010, Australia
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10
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Moncayo VM, Aarsvold JN, Alazraki NP. Nuclear medicine imaging and therapy: gender biases in disease. Semin Nucl Med 2015; 44:413-22. [PMID: 25362232 DOI: 10.1053/j.semnuclmed.2014.06.004] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/08/2023]
Abstract
Gender-based medicine is medical research and care conducted with conscious consideration of the sex and gender differences of subjects and patients. This issue of Seminars is focused on diseases for which nuclear medicine is part of routine management and for which the diseases have sex- or gender-based differences that affect incidence or pathophysiology and that thus have differences that can potentially affect the results of the relevant nuclear medicine studies. In this first article, we discuss neurologic diseases, certain gastrointestinal conditions, and thyroid conditions. The discussion is in the context of those sex- or gender-based aspects of these diseases that should be considered in the performance, interpretation, and reporting of the relevant nuclear medicine studies. Cardiovascular diseases, gynecologic diseases, bone conditions such as osteoporosis, pediatric occurrences of some diseases, human immunodeficiency virus-related conditions, and the radiation dose considerations of nuclear medicine studies are discussed in the other articles in this issue.
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Affiliation(s)
- Valeria M Moncayo
- Division of Nuclear Medicine and Molecular Imaging, Department of Radiology and Imaging Sciences, Emory University School of Medicine, Atlanta, GA.
| | - John N Aarsvold
- Division of Nuclear Medicine and Molecular Imaging, Department of Radiology and Imaging Sciences, Emory University School of Medicine, Atlanta, GA; Atlanta Veterans Affairs Medical Center, Nuclear Medicine Service, Decatur, GA
| | - Naomi P Alazraki
- Division of Nuclear Medicine and Molecular Imaging, Department of Radiology and Imaging Sciences, Emory University School of Medicine, Atlanta, GA; Atlanta Veterans Affairs Medical Center, Nuclear Medicine Service, Decatur, GA
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11
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Abstract
Molecular profiling studies have helped increase the understanding of the immune processes thought to be involved in the etiology and pathophysiology of psychiatric disorders such as schizophrenia. Current therapeutic interventions with first- and second-generation antipsychotics are suboptimal. Poor response rates and debilitating side effects often lead to poor treatment compliance. This highlights the pressing need to identify more effective treatments as well as objective biomarker based tests, which can help predict treatment response and identify diagnostic subpopulations. Such tests could enable early detection of patients who will benefit from particular therapeutic interventions. In this review, we discuss studies relating to dysfunctions of the immune system in patients with schizophrenia and the effects of antipsychotic medication on the molecular components of these systems. Immune system dysfunction may in part be related to genetic risk factors for schizophrenia, but there is substantial evidence that a wide range of environmental factors ranging from exposure to infectious agents such as influenza and Toxoplasma gondii to HPA axis dysfunction play an important role in the etiopathogenesis of schizophrenia. Ongoing research efforts, testing therapeutic efficacy of anti-inflammatory agents used as add-on medications are also discussed. From a therapeutic perspective, these represent the initial steps toward novel treatment approaches and more effective patient care in the field of mental health.
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12
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Segarra AC, Torres-Díaz YM, Silva RD, Puig-Ramos A, Menéndez-Delmestre R, Rivera-Bermúdez JG, Amadeo W, Agosto-Rivera JL. Estrogen receptors mediate estradiol's effect on sensitization and CPP to cocaine in female rats: role of contextual cues. Horm Behav 2014; 65:77-87. [PMID: 24355096 PMCID: PMC3963412 DOI: 10.1016/j.yhbeh.2013.12.007] [Citation(s) in RCA: 14] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/02/2013] [Revised: 12/06/2013] [Accepted: 12/10/2013] [Indexed: 10/25/2022]
Abstract
Preclinical studies show that estradiol enhances sensitization to cocaine in females by mechanisms not fully understood. These studies consistently show that ovariectomized (OVX) rats exhibit little or no sensitization to cocaine compared to OVX rats administered estradiol. In this study we varied the dose of cocaine (10, 15, and 30mg/kg), the length of cocaine treatment (from 5 to 10days) and the context of cocaine injections to determine if these factors play a role on estradiol's effects on cocaine sensitization. Because OVX rats are hormonally compromised, they are not representative of the natural state of the animal, and thus the physiological context of these studies remains unclear. To address this issue, we blocked ERs in gonadally intact females by icv administration of the antiestrogen ICI-182,780. Varying the dose or length of exposure to cocaine does not alter estradiol's effect on cocaine sensitization. In contrast, a highly context-dependent sensitization protocol results in robust sensitization even in OVX rats. Interestingly, using this protocol, sensitization in OVX rats diminished with time, suggesting that estradiol is necessary for the maintenance of cocaine sensitization. Blocking brain ERs with ICI completely abolishes the development and expression of cocaine sensitization in gonadally intact female rats, even when tested in a highly context-dependent sensitization protocol. Given these findings, we propose that activation of brain ERs is required for the development and maintenance of sensitization and CPP.
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Affiliation(s)
- Annabell C Segarra
- University of Puerto Rico, Physiology Department, Medical Sciences Campus, P.O. Box 365067, San Juan 00936-5067, Puerto Rico.
| | - Yvonne M Torres-Díaz
- University of Puerto Rico, Physiology Department, Medical Sciences Campus, P.O. Box 365067, San Juan 00936-5067, Puerto Rico
| | - Richard D Silva
- Biology Department, Rio Piedras Campus, P.O. Box 23360, San Juan 00931, Puerto Rico
| | - Anabel Puig-Ramos
- University of Puerto Rico, Physiology Department, Medical Sciences Campus, P.O. Box 365067, San Juan 00936-5067, Puerto Rico
| | - Raissa Menéndez-Delmestre
- University of Puerto Rico, Physiology Department, Medical Sciences Campus, P.O. Box 365067, San Juan 00936-5067, Puerto Rico
| | | | - Waldo Amadeo
- University of Puerto Rico, Physiology Department, Medical Sciences Campus, P.O. Box 365067, San Juan 00936-5067, Puerto Rico
| | - José L Agosto-Rivera
- Biology Department, Rio Piedras Campus, P.O. Box 23360, San Juan 00931, Puerto Rico
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13
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Sommer IE, van Westrhenen R, Begemann MJH, de Witte LD, Leucht S, Kahn RS. Efficacy of anti-inflammatory agents to improve symptoms in patients with schizophrenia: an update. Schizophr Bull 2014; 40:181-91. [PMID: 24106335 PMCID: PMC3885306 DOI: 10.1093/schbul/sbt139] [Citation(s) in RCA: 239] [Impact Index Per Article: 23.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/13/2022]
Abstract
BACKGROUND The inflammatory hypothesis of schizophrenia is not new, but recently it has regained interest because more data suggest a role of the immune system in the pathogenesis of schizophrenia. If increased inflammation of the brain contributes to the symptoms of schizophrenia, reduction of the inflammatory status could improve the clinical picture. Lately, several trials have been conducted investigating the potential of anti-inflammatory agents to improve symptoms of schizophrenia. This study provides an update regarding the efficacy of anti-inflammatory agents on schizophrenic symptoms in clinical studies performed so far. METHODS An electronic search was performed using PubMed, Embase, the National Institutes of Health web site http://www.clinicaltrials.gov, Cochrane Schizophrenia Group entries in PsiTri, and the Cochrane Database of Systematic Reviews. Only randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled studies that investigated clinical outcome were included. RESULTS Our search yielded 26 double-blind randomized controlled trials that provided information on the efficacy on symptom severity of the following components: aspirin, celecoxib, davunetide, fatty acids such as eicosapentaenoic acids and docosahexaenoic acids, estrogens, minocycline, and N-acetylcysteine (NAC). Of these components, aspirin (mean weighted effect size [ES]: 0.3, n = 270, 95% CI: 0.06-0.537, I(2) = 0), estrogens (ES: 0.51, n = 262, 95% CI: 0.043-0.972, I(2) = 69%), and NAC (ES: 0.45, n = 140, 95% CI: 0.112-0.779) showed significant effects. Celecoxib, minocycline, davunetide, and fatty acids showed no significant effect. CONCLUSION The results of aspirin addition to antipsychotic treatment seem promising, as does the addition of NAC and estrogens. These 3 agents are all very broadly active substances, and it has to be investigated if the beneficial effects on symptom severity are indeed mediated by their anti-inflammatory aspects.
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Affiliation(s)
- Iris E. Sommer
- Department of Psychiatry, Brain Center Rudolf Magnus, University Medical Center Utrecht, Utrecht, The Netherlands;,*To whom correspondence should be addressed; Department of Psychiatry, University Medical Centre Utrecht, Room A01.161/A01.126, Heidelberglaan 100, 3508GA Utrecht, The Netherlands; tel: +31-887556365, fax: +31-887556543, e-mail:
| | - Roos van Westrhenen
- Department of Psychiatry, Brain Center Rudolf Magnus, University Medical Center Utrecht, Utrecht, The Netherlands
| | - Marieke J. H. Begemann
- Department of Psychiatry, Brain Center Rudolf Magnus, University Medical Center Utrecht, Utrecht, The Netherlands
| | - Lot D. de Witte
- Department of Psychiatry, Brain Center Rudolf Magnus, University Medical Center Utrecht, Utrecht, The Netherlands
| | - Stefan Leucht
- Department of Psychiatry and Psychotherapy, Technische Universität München, München, Germany
| | - René S. Kahn
- Department of Psychiatry, Brain Center Rudolf Magnus, University Medical Center Utrecht, Utrecht, The Netherlands
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14
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Haaker J, Gaburro S, Sah A, Gartmann N, Lonsdorf TB, Meier K, Singewald N, Pape HC, Morellini F, Kalisch R. Single dose of L-dopa makes extinction memories context-independent and prevents the return of fear. Proc Natl Acad Sci U S A 2013; 110:E2428-36. [PMID: 23754384 PMCID: PMC3696794 DOI: 10.1073/pnas.1303061110] [Citation(s) in RCA: 112] [Impact Index Per Article: 10.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/22/2023] Open
Abstract
Traumatic events can engender persistent excessive fear responses to trauma reminders that may return even after successful treatment. Extinction, the laboratory analog of behavior therapy, does not erase conditioned fear memories but generates competing, fear-inhibitory "extinction memories" that, however, are tied to the context in which extinction occurred. Accordingly, a dominance of fear over extinction memory expression--and, thus, return of fear--is often observed if extinguished fear stimuli are encountered outside the extinction (therapy) context. We show that postextinction administration of the dopamine precursor L-dopa makes extinction memories context-independent, thus strongly reducing the return of fear in both mice and humans. Reduced fear is accompanied by decreased amygdala and enhanced ventromedial prefrontal cortex activation in both species. In humans, ventromedial prefrontal cortex activity is predicted by enhanced resting-state functional coupling of the area with the dopaminergic midbrain during the postextinction consolidation phase. Our data suggest that dopamine-dependent boosting of extinction memory consolidation is a promising avenue to improving anxiety therapy.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jan Haaker
- Institute for Systems Neuroscience, University Medical Center Hamburg-Eppendorf (UKE), 20246 Hamburg, Germany
| | - Stefano Gaburro
- Institute of Physiology I (Neurophysiology), Westfaelische Wilhems-University Münster, 48149 Münster, Germany
| | - Anupam Sah
- Deparment of Pharmacology and Toxicology, Institute of Pharmacy and Center for Molecular Biosciences (CMBI) Innsbruck, University of Innsbruck, 6020 Innsbruck, Austria
| | - Nina Gartmann
- Institute for Systems Neuroscience, University Medical Center Hamburg-Eppendorf (UKE), 20246 Hamburg, Germany
| | - Tina B. Lonsdorf
- Institute for Systems Neuroscience, University Medical Center Hamburg-Eppendorf (UKE), 20246 Hamburg, Germany
| | - Kolja Meier
- Experimental Neuropediatrics, Center for Molecular Neurobiology Hamburg (ZNMH), University Medical Center Hamburg-Eppendorf, 20251 Hamburg, Germany; and
| | - Nicolas Singewald
- Deparment of Pharmacology and Toxicology, Institute of Pharmacy and Center for Molecular Biosciences (CMBI) Innsbruck, University of Innsbruck, 6020 Innsbruck, Austria
| | - Hans-Christian Pape
- Institute of Physiology I (Neurophysiology), Westfaelische Wilhems-University Münster, 48149 Münster, Germany
| | - Fabio Morellini
- Experimental Neuropediatrics, Center for Molecular Neurobiology Hamburg (ZNMH), University Medical Center Hamburg-Eppendorf, 20251 Hamburg, Germany; and
| | - Raffael Kalisch
- Institute for Systems Neuroscience, University Medical Center Hamburg-Eppendorf (UKE), 20246 Hamburg, Germany
- Neuroimaging Center Mainz (NIC), Focus Program Translational Neuroscience, Johannes Gutenberg University Medical Center, 55131 Mainz, Germany
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15
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Sánchez MG, Morissette M, Di Paolo T. Oestradiol modulation of serotonin reuptake transporter and serotonin metabolism in the brain of monkeys. J Neuroendocrinol 2013; 25:560-9. [PMID: 23414342 DOI: 10.1111/jne.12034] [Citation(s) in RCA: 33] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/13/2012] [Revised: 02/08/2013] [Accepted: 02/11/2013] [Indexed: 02/04/2023]
Abstract
Serotonin (5-hydroxytryptamine; 5-HT) is an important brain neurotransmitter that is implicated in mental and neurodegenerative diseases and is modulated by ovarian hormones. Nevertheless, the effect of oestrogens on 5-HT neurotransmission in the primate caudate nucleus, putamen and nucleus accumbens, which are major components of the basal ganglia, and the anterior cerebral cortex, mainly the frontal and cingulate gyrus, is not well documented. The present study evaluated 5-HT reuptake transporter (SERT) and 5-HT metabolism in these brain regions in response to 1-month treatment with 17β-oestradiol in short-term (1 month) ovariectomised (OVX) monkeys (Macaca fascicularis). SERT-specific binding was measured by autoradiography using the radioligand [³H]citalopram. Biogenic amine concentrations were quantified by high-performance liquid chromatography. 17β-Oestradiol increased SERT in the superior frontal cortex and in the anterior cingulate cortex, in the nucleus accumbens, and in subregions of the caudate nucleus of OVX monkeys. 17β-Oestradiol left [³H]citalopram-specific binding unchanged in the putamen, as well as the dorsal and medial raphe nucleus. 17β-Oestradiol treatment decreased striatal concentrations of the precursor of 5-HT, 5-hydroxytryptophan, and increased 5-HT, dopamine and 3-methoxytyramine concentrations in the nucleus accumbens, caudate nucleus and putamen, whereas the concentrations of the metabolites 5-hydroxyindoleacetic acid, 3,4-dihydroxyphenylacetic acid and homovanillic acid remained unchanged. No effect of 17β-oestradiol treatment was observed for biogenic amine concentrations in the cortical regions. A significant positive correlation was observed between [³H]citalopram-specific binding and 5-HT concentrations in the caudate nucleus, putamen and nucleus accumbens, suggesting their link. These results have translational value for women with low oestrogen, such as those in surgical menopause or perimenopause.
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Affiliation(s)
- M G Sánchez
- Neuroscience Research Unit, Centre hospitalier universitaire de Québec, Quebec City, Quebec, Canada
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16
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Al Sweidi S, Morissette M, Rouillard C, Di Paolo T. Estrogen receptors and lesion-induced response of striatal dopamine receptors. Neuroscience 2013; 236:99-109. [PMID: 23357113 DOI: 10.1016/j.neuroscience.2012.12.058] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/03/2012] [Revised: 11/26/2012] [Accepted: 12/17/2012] [Indexed: 12/15/2022]
Abstract
Neuroprotection by 17β-estradiol and an estrogen receptor (ER) agonist against 1-methyl-4-phenyl-1,2,3,6-tetrahydropyridine (MPTP) lesion were shown to implicate protein kinase B (Akt) signaling in mice. In order to evaluate the associated mechanisms, this study compared estrogen receptor alpha (ERα) and estrogen receptor beta (ERβ) intact or knockout (KO) and wild-type (WT) C57Bl/6 male mice following MPTP treatment of 7, 9, 11mg/kg and/or 17β-estradiol. Striatal D1 and D2 dopamine (DA) receptors were measured by autoradiography with the specific ligands [(3)H]-SCH 23390 and [(3)H]-raclopride, respectively and signaling by Western blot for Akt, glycogen synthase kinase 3β (GSK3β) and extracellular-regulated signal kinases (ERK1 and ERK2). Control ERKOβ mice had lower striatal [(3)H]-SCH 23390 specific binding than WT and ERKOα mice; both KO mice had lower [(3)H]-raclopride specific binding. Striatal D1 receptors decreased with increasing doses of MPTP in correlation with striatal DA concentrations in ERKOα mice and remained unchanged in WT and ERKOβ mice. Striatal D2 receptors decreased with increasing doses of MPTP in correlation with striatal DA concentrations in WT and ERKOα mice and increased in ERKOβ mice. In MPTP-lesioned mice, 17β-estradiol treatment increased D1 receptors in ERKOα and ERKOβ mice and D2 receptors in WT and ERKOβ mice. MPTP did not affect striatal pAkt/Akt and pGSK3β/GSK3β levels in WT and ERKOα mice, while in vehicle-treated ERKOβ mice these levels were higher and increased with MPTP lesioning. Striatal pERK1/ERK1 and pERK2/ERK2 levels showed to a lesser extent a similar pattern. In conclusion, ERs affected the response of striatal DA receptors to a MPTP lesion and post receptor signaling.
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Affiliation(s)
- S Al Sweidi
- Faculty of Pharmacy, Laval University, Quebec City, QC, Canada G1K 7P4
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17
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Varrone A, Dickson JC, Tossici-Bolt L, Sera T, Asenbaum S, Booij J, Kapucu OL, Kluge A, Knudsen GM, Koulibaly PM, Nobili F, Pagani M, Sabri O, Vander Borght T, Van Laere K, Tatsch K. European multicentre database of healthy controls for [123I]FP-CIT SPECT (ENC-DAT): age-related effects, gender differences and evaluation of different methods of analysis. Eur J Nucl Med Mol Imaging 2012; 40:213-27. [DOI: 10.1007/s00259-012-2276-8] [Citation(s) in RCA: 165] [Impact Index Per Article: 13.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/03/2012] [Accepted: 10/04/2012] [Indexed: 11/24/2022]
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18
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Bourque M, Dluzen DE, Di Paolo T. Signaling pathways mediating the neuroprotective effects of sex steroids and SERMs in Parkinson's disease. Front Neuroendocrinol 2012; 33:169-78. [PMID: 22387674 DOI: 10.1016/j.yfrne.2012.02.003] [Citation(s) in RCA: 50] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/31/2011] [Revised: 02/15/2012] [Accepted: 02/21/2012] [Indexed: 11/27/2022]
Abstract
Studies with the 1-methyl-4-phenyl-1,2,3,6-tetrahydropyridine (MPTP) animal model of Parkinson's disease have shown the ability of 17β-estradiol to protect the nigrostriatal dopaminergic system. This paper reviews the signaling pathways mediating the neuroprotective effect of 17β-estradiol against MPTP-induced toxicity. The mechanisms of 17β-estradiol action implicate activation of signaling pathways such as the phosphatidylinositol-3 kinase/Akt and the mitogen-activated protein kinase pathways. 17β-estradiol signaling is complex and integrates multiple interactions with signaling molecules that act to potentiate a protective effect. 17β-estradiol signaling is mediated via estrogen receptors, including GPER1, but others receptors, such as the IGF-1 receptor, are implicated in the neuroprotective effect. Glial and neuronal crosstalk is a critical factor in the maintenance of dopamine neuronal survival and in the neuroprotective action of 17β-estradiol. Compounds that stimulate GPER1 such as selective estrogen receptor modulators and phytoestrogens show neuroprotective activity and are alternatives to 17β-estradiol.
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Affiliation(s)
- Mélanie Bourque
- Molecular Endocrinology and Genomic Research Center, Centre de recherche du CHUQ (CHUL), Quebec City, QC, Canada G1V 4G2
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