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Scheggi S, Concas L, Corsi S, Carta M, Melis M, Frau R. Expanding the therapeutic potential of neuro(active)steroids: a promising strategy for hyperdopaminergic behavioral phenotypes. Neurosci Biobehav Rev 2024:105842. [PMID: 39103066 DOI: 10.1016/j.neubiorev.2024.105842] [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: 05/23/2024] [Revised: 07/10/2024] [Accepted: 08/01/2024] [Indexed: 08/07/2024]
Abstract
Imbalances in dopamine activity significantly contribute to the pathophysiology of several neuropsychiatric disorders, including addiction, ADHD, schizophrenia, impulse control disorders, and Parkinson's Disease. Neuro(active)steroids, comprising endogenous steroids that finely modulate neuronal activity, are considered crucial regulators of brain function and behavior, with implications in various physiological processes and pathological conditions. Specifically, subclasses of Neuro(active)steroids belonging to the 5α reductase pathway are prominently involved in brain disorders characterized by dopaminergic signaling imbalances. This review highlights the neuromodulatory effects of Neuro(active)steroids on the dopamine system and related aberrant behavioral phenotypes. We critically appraise the role of pregnenolone, progesterone, and allopregnanolone on dopamine signaling. Additionally, we discuss the impact of pharmacological interventions targeting 5α reductase activity in neuropsychiatric conditions characterized by excessive activation of the dopaminergic system, ranging from psychotic (endo)phenotypes and motor complications to decision-making problems and addiction.
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Affiliation(s)
- Simona Scheggi
- Dept. of Molecular and Developmental Medicine, University of Siena, Italy
| | - Luca Concas
- Dept. Of Biomedical Sciences, University of Cagliari, Italy
| | - Sara Corsi
- Dept. of Developmental and Regenerative Neurobiology, Lund University, Sweden
| | - Manolo Carta
- Dept. Of Biomedical Sciences, University of Cagliari, Italy
| | - Miriam Melis
- Dept. Of Biomedical Sciences, University of Cagliari, Italy
| | - Roberto Frau
- Dept. Of Biomedical Sciences, University of Cagliari, Italy; Guy Everett Laboratory, University of Cagliari, Cagliari, Italy.
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Scala M, Martínez Trapote P, Rodriguez-Jimenez R, Pecorino B, Serretti A. Managing a Treatment-Resistant Schizophrenia Spectrum Disorder With a Hormonal Twist in a Female Patient: A Case Report of a Progestin-Only Pill. J Clin Psychopharmacol 2024; 44:323-326. [PMID: 38591793 DOI: 10.1097/jcp.0000000000001836] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 04/10/2024]
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3
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Chai L, Cao Q, Liu K, Zhu R, Li H, Yu Y, Wang J, Niu R, Zhang D, Yang B, Ommati MM, Sun Z. Exercise Alleviates Fluoride-Induced Learning and Memory Impairment in Mice: Role of miR-206-3p and PREG. Biol Trace Elem Res 2024:10.1007/s12011-024-04068-w. [PMID: 38244175 DOI: 10.1007/s12011-024-04068-w] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/25/2023] [Accepted: 01/12/2024] [Indexed: 01/22/2024]
Abstract
Fluorosis decreases the learning and memory ability in humans and animals, while exercise can reduce the risk of cognitive decline. However, the effect of exercise on learning and memory in fluoride-exposed mice is unclear. For this purpose, in this study, mice were randomly allotted into four groups (16 mice per group, half male and half female): control group (group C), fluoride group (group F, 100 mg/L sodium fluoride (NaF)), exercise group (group E, treadmill exercise), and E plus F group (group EF, treadmill exercise, and 100 mg/L NaF). During 6 months of exposure, exercise alleviated the NaF-induced decline in memory and learning. In addition, NaF induced injuries in mitochondria and myelin sheath ultrastructure and reduced the neurons number, while exercise restored them. Metabolomics results showed that phosphatidylethanolamine, pregnenolone (PREG), and lysophosphatidic acid (LysoPA) were altered among groups C, F, and EF. Combined with previous studies, it can be suggested that PREG might be a biomarker in response to exercise-relieving fluorine neurotoxicity. The miRNA sequencing results indicated that in the differently expressed miRNAs (DEmiRNAs), miR-206-3p, miR-96-5p, and miR-144-3p were shared in groups C, F, and EF. After the QRT-PCR validation and in vitro experiments, it was proved that miR-206-3p could reduce cell death and regulate AP-1 transcription factor subunit (JunD) and histone deacetylase 4 (HDAC4) to alleviate fluoride neurotoxicity. To sum up, the current study reveals that exercise could alleviate NaF-induced neurotoxicity by targeting miR-206-3p or PREG, which will contribute to revealing the pathogenesis and therapeutic method of fluoride neurotoxicity.
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Affiliation(s)
- Lei Chai
- College of Veterinary Medicine, Shanxi Agricultural University, Taigu, Jinzhong, 030801, Shanxi, China
| | - Qiqi Cao
- College of Veterinary Medicine, Shanxi Agricultural University, Taigu, Jinzhong, 030801, Shanxi, China
| | - Ke Liu
- College of Veterinary Medicine, Shanxi Agricultural University, Taigu, Jinzhong, 030801, Shanxi, China
| | - Run Zhu
- College of Veterinary Medicine, Shanxi Agricultural University, Taigu, Jinzhong, 030801, Shanxi, China
| | - Hao Li
- College of Veterinary Medicine, Shanxi Agricultural University, Taigu, Jinzhong, 030801, Shanxi, China
| | - Yanghuan Yu
- College of Veterinary Medicine, Shanxi Agricultural University, Taigu, Jinzhong, 030801, Shanxi, China
| | - Jixiang Wang
- College of Veterinary Medicine, Shanxi Agricultural University, Taigu, Jinzhong, 030801, Shanxi, China
| | - Ruiyan Niu
- College of Veterinary Medicine, Shanxi Agricultural University, Taigu, Jinzhong, 030801, Shanxi, China
| | - Ding Zhang
- College of Veterinary Medicine, Shanxi Agricultural University, Taigu, Jinzhong, 030801, Shanxi, China
| | - Bo Yang
- College of Veterinary Medicine, Shanxi Agricultural University, Taigu, Jinzhong, 030801, Shanxi, China
| | - Mohammad Mehdi Ommati
- College of Veterinary Medicine, Shanxi Agricultural University, Taigu, Jinzhong, 030801, Shanxi, China.
- Henan Key Laboratory of Environmental and Animal Product Safety, Henan University of Science and Technology, Luoyang, 471000, Henan, China.
| | - Zilong Sun
- College of Veterinary Medicine, Shanxi Agricultural University, Taigu, Jinzhong, 030801, Shanxi, China.
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Volqvartz T, Andersen HHB, Pedersen LH, Larsen A. Obesity in pregnancy-Long-term effects on offspring hypothalamic-pituitary-adrenal axis and associations with placental cortisol metabolism: A systematic review. Eur J Neurosci 2023; 58:4393-4422. [PMID: 37974556 DOI: 10.1111/ejn.16184] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/21/2022] [Accepted: 10/20/2023] [Indexed: 11/19/2023]
Abstract
Obesity, affecting one in three pregnant women worldwide, is not only a major obstetric risk factor. The resulting low-grade inflammation may have a long-term impact on the offspring's HPA axis through dysregulation of maternal, placental and fetal corticosteroid metabolism, and children born of obese mothers have increased risk of diabetes and cardiovascular disease. The long-term effects of maternal obesity on offspring neurodevelopment are, however, undetermined and could depend on the specific effects on placental and fetal cortisol metabolism. This systematic review evaluates how maternal obesity affects placental cortisol metabolism and the offspring's HPA axis. Pubmed, Embase and Scopus were searched for original studies on maternal BMI, obesity, and cortisol metabolism and transfer. Fifteen studies were included after the screening of 4556 identified records. Studies were small with heterogeneous exposures and outcomes. Two studies found that maternal obesity reduced placental HSD11β2 activity. In one study, umbilical cord blood cortisol levels were affected by maternal BMI. In three studies, an altered cortisol response was consistently seen among offspring in childhood (n = 2) or adulthood (n = 1). Maternal BMI was not associated with placental HSD11β1 or HSD11β2 mRNA expression, or placental HSD11β2 methylation. In conclusion, high maternal BMI is associated with reduced placental HSD11β2 activity and a dampened cortisol level among offspring, but the data is sparse. Further investigations are needed to clarify whether the HPA axis is affected by prenatal factors including maternal obesity and investigate if adverse effects can be ameliorated by optimising the intrauterine environment.
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Affiliation(s)
- Tabia Volqvartz
- Department of Clinical Medicine, Aarhus University, Aarhus, Denmark
| | | | - Lars Henning Pedersen
- Department of Clinical Medicine, Aarhus University, Aarhus, Denmark
- Department of Biomedicine, Pharmacology, Aarhus University, Aarhus, Denmark
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynaecology, Aarhus University Hospital, Aarhus, Denmark
| | - Agnete Larsen
- Department of Biomedicine, Pharmacology, Aarhus University, Aarhus, Denmark
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Hamidovic A, Davis J, Soumare F, Datta A, Naveed A. Trajectories of Allopregnanolone and Allopregnanolone to Progesterone Ratio across the Six Subphases of Menstrual Cycle. Biomolecules 2023; 13:biom13040652. [PMID: 37189398 DOI: 10.3390/biom13040652] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/10/2023] [Revised: 04/03/2023] [Accepted: 04/04/2023] [Indexed: 04/08/2023] Open
Abstract
Background: Allopregnanolone is one of the most studied neuroactive steroids; yet, despite its relevance to neuropsychiatric research, it is not known how it, as well as its ratio to progesterone, varies across all six subphases of the menstrual cycle. Two enzymes—5α-dihydroprogesterone and 5α-reductase—convert progesterone to allopregnanolone, and, based on immunohistochemical studies in rodents, the activity of 5α-reductase is considered the rate-limiting step in the formation of allopregnanolone. It is not clear, however, whether the same phenomenon is observed across to the menstrual cycle, and, if so, at what point this takes place. Methods: Thirty-seven women completed the study during which they attended eight clinic visits across one menstrual cycle. We analyzed their allopregnanolone and progesterone serum concentrations using ultraperformance liquid chromatography–tandem mass spectrometry, and we implemented a validated method to realign the data from the original eight clinic study visits, following which we imputed the missing data. Hence, we characterized allopregnanolone concentrations, and the ratio of allopregnanolone:progesterone at six menstrual cycle subphases: (1) early follicular, (2) mid-follicular, (3) periovulatory, (4) early luteal, (5) mid-luteal, and (6) late luteal. Results: There were significant differences in allopregnanolone levels between (1) early follicular and early luteal, (2) early follicular and mid-luteal, (3) mid-follicular and mid-luteal, (4) periovulatory and mid-luteal, and (5) mid-luteal and late luteal. We detected a sharp drop in allopregnanolone:progesterone ratio in the early luteal subphase. Within the luteal subphase, the ratio was the lowest in the mid-luteal subphase. Conclusions: Allopregnanolone concentrations are the most distinct, relative to the other subphases, in the mid-luteal subphase. The shape of the allopregnanolone trajectory across the cycle is similar to that of progesterone; however, the proportion of the two neuroactive steroid hormones is drastically different due to enzymatic saturation, which takes place at the start of the early luteal subphase, but continuing through, and peaking, in the mid-luteal subphase. Hence, the estimated activity of 5α-reductase decreases, but does not cease, at any point across the menstrual cycle.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ajna Hamidovic
- College of Pharmacy, University of Illinois at Chicago, 833 S. Wood St., Chicago, IL 60612, USA
| | - John Davis
- College of Medicine, University of Illinois at Chicago, 1601 W. Taylor St., Chicago, IL 60612, USA
| | - Fatimata Soumare
- College of Pharmacy, University of Illinois at Chicago, 833 S. Wood St., Chicago, IL 60612, USA
| | - Avisek Datta
- School of Public Health, University of Illinois at Chicago, 1603 W. Taylor St., Chicago, IL 60612, USA
| | - Aamina Naveed
- College of Pharmacy, University of Illinois at Chicago, 833 S. Wood St., Chicago, IL 60612, USA
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Kolas V, Bandonil JSA, Wali N, Hsia KC, Shie JJ, Chung BC. A synthetic pregnenolone analog promotes microtubule dynamics and neural development. Cell Biosci 2022; 12:190. [PMID: 36456994 PMCID: PMC9717551 DOI: 10.1186/s13578-022-00923-2] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/25/2022] [Accepted: 11/03/2022] [Indexed: 12/03/2022] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Pregnenolone (P5) is a neurosteroid that promotes microtubule polymerization. It also reduces stress and negative symptoms of schizophrenia, promotes memory, as well as recovery from spinal cord injury. P5 is the first substance in the steroid-synthetic pathway; it can be further metabolized into other steroids. Therefore, it is difficult to differentiate the roles of P5 versus its metabolites in the brain. To alleviate this problem, we synthesized and screened a series of non-metabolizable P5 derivatives for their ability to polymerize microtubules similar to P5. RESULTS We identified compound #43 (3-beta-pregnenolone acetate), which increased microtubule polymerization. We showed that compound #43 modified microtubule dynamics in live cells, increased neurite outgrowth and changed growth cone morphology in mouse cerebellar granule neuronal culture. Furthermore, compound #43 promoted the formation of stable microtubule tracks in zebrafish developing cerebellar axons. CONCLUSIONS We have developed compound #43, a nonmetabolized P5 analog, that recapitulates P5 functions in vivo and can be a new therapeutic candidate for the treatment of neurodevelopmental diseases.
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Affiliation(s)
- Viktoryia Kolas
- grid.28665.3f0000 0001 2287 1366Institute of Molecular Biology, Academia Sinica, Taipei, Taiwan ,grid.38348.340000 0004 0532 0580Institute of Molecular and Cellular Biology, National Tsing-Hua University, Hsinchu, Taiwan
| | | | - Niaz Wali
- grid.28665.3f0000 0001 2287 1366Institute of Chemistry, Academia Sinica, Taipei, Taiwan ,grid.19188.390000 0004 0546 0241Institute of Biochemical Sciences, National Taiwan University, Taipei, 10617 Taiwan ,grid.28665.3f0000 0001 2287 1366Chemical Biology and Molecular Biophysics, Taiwan International Graduate Program, (TIGP-CBMB) Academia Sinica, Taipei, 11529 Taiwan
| | - Kuo-Chiang Hsia
- grid.28665.3f0000 0001 2287 1366Institute of Molecular Biology, Academia Sinica, Taipei, Taiwan
| | - Jiun-Jie Shie
- grid.28665.3f0000 0001 2287 1366Institute of Chemistry, Academia Sinica, Taipei, Taiwan
| | - Bon-chu Chung
- grid.28665.3f0000 0001 2287 1366Institute of Molecular Biology, Academia Sinica, Taipei, Taiwan ,grid.38348.340000 0004 0532 0580Institute of Molecular and Cellular Biology, National Tsing-Hua University, Hsinchu, Taiwan ,grid.254145.30000 0001 0083 6092Graduate Institute of Biomedical Sciences, Neuroscience and Brain Disease Center, China Medical University, Taichung, 404 Taiwan
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Cai H, Zeng C, Zhang X, Liu Y, Wu R, Guo W, Wang J, Wu H, Tang H, Ge X, Yu Y, Zhang S, Cao T, Li N, Liang X, Yang P, Zhang B. Diminished treatment response in relapsed versus first-episode schizophrenia as revealed by a panel of blood-based biomarkers: A combined cross-sectional and longitudinal study. Psychiatry Res 2022; 316:114762. [PMID: 35940088 DOI: 10.1016/j.psychres.2022.114762] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/28/2022] [Revised: 07/31/2022] [Accepted: 08/02/2022] [Indexed: 12/19/2022]
Abstract
There is a paucity of biomarkers for the prediction of treatment response in schizophrenia. In this study, we aimed to investigate whether diminished antipsychotic treatment response in relapsed versus first-episode schizophrenia can be revealed and predicted by a panel of blood-based biomarkers. A cross-sectional cohort consisting of 655 schizophrenia patients at different episodes and 606 healthy controls, and a longitudinal cohort including 52 first-episode antipsychotic-naïve schizophrenia patients treated with the same antipsychotic drugs during the 5-year follow-up of their first three episodes were enrolled. Plasma biomarker changes and symptom improvement were compared between the drug-free phase of psychosis onset and after 4 weeks of atypical antipsychotic drug (AAPD) treatment. In response to treatment, the extent of changes in the biomarkers of bioenergetic, purinergic, phospholipid and neurosteroid metabolisms dwindled down as number of episode and illness duration increased in relapsed schizophrenia. The changes of creatine, inosine, progesterone, allopregnanolone, cortisol and PE(16:0/22:6) were significantly correlated with the improvement of symptomatology. Inosine and progesterone at baseline were shown to be strong predictive biomarkers of treatment response. The results suggest that AAPD treatment response is diminished in the context of relapse, and our findings open new avenues for understanding the pathophysiology of treatment-resistance schizophrenia.
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Affiliation(s)
- Hualin Cai
- Department of Pharmacy, The Second Xiangya Hospital of Central South University, Institute of Clinical Pharmacy, Central South University, 139# Renmin Road, Changsha, Hunan 410011, China; Institute of Clinical Pharmacy, Central South University, Changsha, China; International Research Center for Precision Medicine, Transformative Technology and Software Services, Hunan, China.
| | - Cuirong Zeng
- Department of Pharmacy, The Second Xiangya Hospital of Central South University, Institute of Clinical Pharmacy, Central South University, 139# Renmin Road, Changsha, Hunan 410011, China; Institute of Clinical Pharmacy, Central South University, Changsha, China
| | - Xiangyang Zhang
- CAS Key Laboratory of Mental Health, Institute of Psychology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Bejing, China; Department of Psychology, University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, Bejing, China
| | - Yong Liu
- Department of Psychiatry, The Second Xiangya Hospital of Central South University, Changsha, China; National Clinical Research Center on Mental Disorders, Changsha, China
| | - Renrong Wu
- Department of Psychiatry, The Second Xiangya Hospital of Central South University, Changsha, China; National Clinical Research Center on Mental Disorders, Changsha, China
| | - Wenbin Guo
- Department of Psychiatry, The Second Xiangya Hospital of Central South University, Changsha, China; National Clinical Research Center on Mental Disorders, Changsha, China
| | - Jianjian Wang
- Department of Psychiatry, The Second Xiangya Hospital of Central South University, Changsha, China; National Clinical Research Center on Mental Disorders, Changsha, China
| | - Haishan Wu
- Department of Psychiatry, The Second Xiangya Hospital of Central South University, Changsha, China; National Clinical Research Center on Mental Disorders, Changsha, China
| | - Hui Tang
- Department of Psychiatry, The Second Xiangya Hospital of Central South University, Changsha, China; National Clinical Research Center on Mental Disorders, Changsha, China
| | - Xiaoping Ge
- Department of Psychiatry, Changsha Psychiatric Hospital, Changsha, China
| | - Yan Yu
- Department of Psychiatry, Changsha Psychiatric Hospital, Changsha, China
| | - Shuangyang Zhang
- Department of Pharmacy, The Second Xiangya Hospital of Central South University, Institute of Clinical Pharmacy, Central South University, 139# Renmin Road, Changsha, Hunan 410011, China; Institute of Clinical Pharmacy, Central South University, Changsha, China
| | - Ting Cao
- Department of Pharmacy, The Second Xiangya Hospital of Central South University, Institute of Clinical Pharmacy, Central South University, 139# Renmin Road, Changsha, Hunan 410011, China; Institute of Clinical Pharmacy, Central South University, Changsha, China
| | - Nana Li
- Department of Pharmacy, The Second Xiangya Hospital of Central South University, Institute of Clinical Pharmacy, Central South University, 139# Renmin Road, Changsha, Hunan 410011, China; Institute of Clinical Pharmacy, Central South University, Changsha, China
| | - Xiaoli Liang
- Department of Psychiatry, Hunan Brain Hospital, 427# Furong Road, Changsha, Hunan 410000, China
| | - Ping Yang
- Department of Psychiatry, Hunan Brain Hospital, 427# Furong Road, Changsha, Hunan 410000, China.
| | - Bikui Zhang
- Department of Pharmacy, The Second Xiangya Hospital of Central South University, Institute of Clinical Pharmacy, Central South University, 139# Renmin Road, Changsha, Hunan 410011, China; Institute of Clinical Pharmacy, Central South University, Changsha, China; International Research Center for Precision Medicine, Transformative Technology and Software Services, Hunan, China.
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8
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Hormone Targets for the Treatment of Sleep Disorders in Postmenopausal Women with Schizophrenia: A Narrative Review. Clocks Sleep 2022; 4:52-65. [PMID: 35225953 PMCID: PMC8883931 DOI: 10.3390/clockssleep4010007] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/08/2022] [Revised: 01/28/2022] [Accepted: 02/04/2022] [Indexed: 01/14/2023] Open
Abstract
While the early identification of insomnia in patients with schizophrenia is of clinical relevance, the use of specific compounds to treat insomnia has been studied less in postmenopausal women with schizophrenia. We aimed to explore the effects of melatonin, sex hormones, and raloxifene for the treatment of insomnia in these populations. Although melatonin treatment improved the quality and efficiency of the sleep of patients with schizophrenia, few studies have explored its use in postmenopausal women with schizophrenia. The estrogen and progesterone pathways are dysregulated in major psychiatric disorders, such as in schizophrenia. While, in the context of menopause, a high testosterone-to-estradiol ratio is associated with higher frequencies of depressive symptoms, the effects of estradiol and other sex hormones on sleep disorders in postmenopausal women with schizophrenia has not been sufficiently investigated. Raloxifene, a selective estrogen receptor modulator, has shown positive effects on sleep disorders in postmenopausal women. Future studies should investigate the effectiveness of hormonal compounds on insomnia in postmenopausal women with schizophrenia.
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Cai H, Jiang P, Zhang X. Editorial: Biomarker Exploration in Neuropsychiatry: Understanding of the Pathophysiology and Therapeutic Implications. Front Neurosci 2021; 15:743276. [PMID: 34658778 PMCID: PMC8511443 DOI: 10.3389/fnins.2021.743276] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/18/2021] [Accepted: 09/03/2021] [Indexed: 11/13/2022] Open
Affiliation(s)
- Hualin Cai
- Department of Pharmacy, Second Xiangya Hospital of Central South University, Changsha, China.,The Institute of Clinical Pharmacy, Central South University, Changsha, China
| | - Pei Jiang
- Institute of Clinical Pharmacology, Jining First People's Hospital, Jining Medical University, Jining, China
| | - Xiangyang Zhang
- CAS Key Laboratory of Mental Health, Institute of Psychology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Bejing, China.,Department of Psychology, University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, Bejing, China
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Misiak B, Pruessner M, Samochowiec J, Wiśniewski M, Reginia A, Stańczykiewicz B. A meta-analysis of blood and salivary cortisol levels in first-episode psychosis and high-risk individuals. Front Neuroendocrinol 2021; 62:100930. [PMID: 34171354 DOI: 10.1016/j.yfrne.2021.100930] [Citation(s) in RCA: 15] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/07/2021] [Revised: 06/10/2021] [Accepted: 06/19/2021] [Indexed: 11/18/2022]
Abstract
Dysregulated cortisol responses and glucose metabolism have been reported in psychosis. We performed a random-effects meta-analysis of cortisol responses in first-episode psychosis (FEP) and psychosis risk states, taking into consideration glucose metabolism. A total of 47 studies were included. Unstimulated blood cortisol levels were significantly higher (g = 0.48, 95 %CI: 0.25-0.70, p < 0.001) in FEP, but not in psychosis risk states (g = 0.39, 95 %CI: -0.42-1.21, p = 0.342), compared to controls. Cortisol awakening response (CAR) was attenuated in FEP (g = -0.40, 95 %CI: -0.68 - -0.12, p = 0.006), but not in psychosis risk states (p = 0.433). Glucose and insulin levels were positively correlated with unstimulated blood cortisol levels in FEP. Our meta-analysis supports previous findings of elevated blood cortisol levels and attenuated CAR in FEP. Future research should focus on identifying the common denominators for alterations in stress hormones and glucose metabolism.
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Affiliation(s)
- Błażej Misiak
- Department of Psychiatry, Division of Consultation Psychiatry and Neuroscience, Wroclaw Medical University, Pasteura 10 Street, 50-367 Wroclaw, Poland.
| | - Marita Pruessner
- Prevention and Early Intervention Program for Psychosis, Douglas Mental Health University Institute, Department of Psychiatry, McGill University, Montreal, Canada; Department of Clinical Psychology, University of Konstanz, Konstanz, Germany
| | - Jerzy Samochowiec
- Department of Psychiatry, Pomeranian Medical University, Broniewskiego 26 Street, 71-457 Szczecin, Poland
| | | | - Artur Reginia
- Department of Psychiatry, Pomeranian Medical University, Broniewskiego 26 Street, 71-457 Szczecin, Poland
| | - Bartłomiej Stańczykiewicz
- Department of Nervous System Diseases, Wroclaw Medical University, Bartla 5 Street, 51-618 Wroclaw, Poland
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Tripathi A, Sato SS, Medini P. Cortico-cortical connectivity behind acoustic information transfer to mouse orbitofrontal cortex is sensitive to neuromodulation and displays local sensory gating: relevance in disorders with auditory hallucinations? J Psychiatry Neurosci 2021; 46:E371-E387. [PMID: 34043305 PMCID: PMC8327972 DOI: 10.1503/jpn.200131] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/25/2022] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Auditory hallucinations (which occur when the distinction between thoughts and perceptions is blurred) are common in psychotic disorders. The orbitofrontal cortex (OFC) may be implicated, because it receives multiple inputs, including sound and affective value via the amygdala, orchestrating complex emotional responses. We aimed to elucidate the circuit and neuromodulatory mechanisms that underlie the processing of emotionally salient auditory stimuli in the OFC — mechanisms that may be involved in auditory hallucinations. METHODS We identified the cortico-cortical connectivity conveying auditory information to the mouse OFC; its sensitivity to neuromodulators involved in psychosis and postpartum depression, such as dopamine and neurosteroids; and its sensitivity to sensory gating (defective in dysexecutive syndromes). RESULTS Retrograde tracers in OFC revealed input cells in all auditory cortices. Acoustic responses were abolished by pharmacological and chemogenetic inactivation of the above-identified pathway. Acoustic responses in the OFC were reduced by local dopaminergic agonists and neurosteroids. Noticeably, apomorphine action lasted longer in the OFC than in auditory areas, and its effect was modality-specific (augmentation for visual responses), whereas neurosteroid action was sex-specific. Finally, acoustic responses in the OFC reverberated to the auditory association cortex via feedback connections and displayed sensory gating, a phenomenon of local origin, given that it was not detectable in input auditory cortices. LIMITATIONS Although our findings were for mice, connectivity and sensitivity to neuromodulation are conserved across mammals. CONCLUSION The corticocortical loop from the auditory association cortex to the OFC is dramatically sensitive to dopamine and neurosteroids. This suggests a clinically testable circuit behind auditory hallucinations. The function of OFC input–output circuits can be studied in mice with targeted and clinically relevant mutations related to their response to emotionally salient sounds.
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Affiliation(s)
- Anushree Tripathi
- Department of Integrative Medical Biology, Umeå University, 90187 Umeå, Sweden (Tripathi, Sato, Medini)
| | - Sebastian Sulis Sato
- Department of Integrative Medical Biology, Umeå University, 90187 Umeå, Sweden (Tripathi, Sato, Medini)
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Cao T, Tang M, Jiang P, Zhang B, Wu X, Chen Q, Zeng C, Li N, Zhang S, Cai H. A Potential Mechanism Underlying the Therapeutic Effects of Progesterone and Allopregnanolone on Ketamine-Induced Cognitive Deficits. Front Pharmacol 2021; 12:612083. [PMID: 33767621 PMCID: PMC7985688 DOI: 10.3389/fphar.2021.612083] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/30/2020] [Accepted: 01/29/2021] [Indexed: 11/13/2022] Open
Abstract
Ketamine exposure can model cognitive deficits associated with schizophrenia. Progesterone (PROG) and its active metabolite allopregnanolone (ALLO) have neuroprotective effects and the pathway involving progesterone receptor membrane component 1 (PGRMC1), epidermal growth factor receptor (EGFR), glucagon-like peptide-1 receptor (GLP-1R), phosphatidylinositol 3 kinase (PI3K), and protein kinase B (Akt) appears to play a key role in their neuroprotection. The present study aimed to investigate the effects of PROG (8,16 mg kg−1) and ALLO (8,16 mg kg−1) on the reversal of cognitive deficits induced by ketamine (30 mg kg−1) via the PGRMC1 pathway in rat brains, including hippocampus and prefrontal cortex (PFC). Cognitive performance was evaluated by Morris water maze (MWM) test. Western blot and real-time quantitative polymerase chain reaction were utilized to assess the expression changes of protein and mRNA. Additionally, concentrations of PROG and ALLO in plasma, hippocampus and PFC were measured by a liquid chromatography-tandem mass spectrometry method. We demonstrated that PROG or ALLO could reverse the impaired spatial learning and memory abilities induced by ketamine, accompanied with the upregulation of PGRMC1/EGFR/GLP-1R/PI3K/Akt pathway. Additionally, the coadministration of AG205 abolished their neuroprotective effects and induced cognitive deficits similar with ketamine. More importantly, PROG concentrations were markedly elevated in PROG-treated groups in hippocampus, PFC and plasma, so as for ALLO concentrations in ALLO-treated groups. Interestingly, ALLO (16 mg kg−1) significantly increased the levels of PROG. These findings suggest that PROG can exert its neuroprotective effects via activating the PGRMC1/EGFR/GLP-1R/PI3K/Akt pathway in the brain, whereas ALLO also restores cognitive deficits partially via increasing the level of PROG in the brain to activate the PGRMC1 pathway.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ting Cao
- Department of Pharmacy, Second Xiangya Hospital, Central South University, Changsha, China.,Institute of Clinical Pharmacy, Second Xiangya Hospital, Central South University, Changsha, China
| | - MiMi Tang
- Department of Pharmacy, Xiangya Hospital of Central South University, Changsha, China.,Institute of Hospital Pharmacy, Xiangya Hospital, Central South University, Changsha, China
| | - Pei Jiang
- Institute of Clinical Pharmacology, Jining First People's Hospital, Jining Medical University, Jining, China
| | - BiKui Zhang
- Department of Pharmacy, Second Xiangya Hospital, Central South University, Changsha, China.,Institute of Clinical Pharmacy, Second Xiangya Hospital, Central South University, Changsha, China
| | - XiangXin Wu
- Department of Pharmacy, Second Xiangya Hospital, Central South University, Changsha, China.,Institute of Clinical Pharmacy, Second Xiangya Hospital, Central South University, Changsha, China
| | - Qian Chen
- Department of Pharmacy, Second Xiangya Hospital, Central South University, Changsha, China.,Institute of Clinical Pharmacy, Second Xiangya Hospital, Central South University, Changsha, China
| | - CuiRong Zeng
- Department of Pharmacy, Second Xiangya Hospital, Central South University, Changsha, China.,Institute of Clinical Pharmacy, Second Xiangya Hospital, Central South University, Changsha, China
| | - NaNa Li
- Department of Pharmacy, Second Xiangya Hospital, Central South University, Changsha, China.,Institute of Clinical Pharmacy, Second Xiangya Hospital, Central South University, Changsha, China
| | - ShuangYang Zhang
- Department of Pharmacy, Second Xiangya Hospital, Central South University, Changsha, China.,Institute of Clinical Pharmacy, Second Xiangya Hospital, Central South University, Changsha, China
| | - HuaLin Cai
- Department of Pharmacy, Second Xiangya Hospital, Central South University, Changsha, China.,Institute of Clinical Pharmacy, Second Xiangya Hospital, Central South University, Changsha, China
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Jorratt P, Hoschl C, Ovsepian SV. Endogenous antagonists of N-methyl-d-aspartate receptor in schizophrenia. Alzheimers Dement 2020; 17:888-905. [PMID: 33336545 DOI: 10.1002/alz.12244] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/04/2020] [Accepted: 10/24/2020] [Indexed: 12/28/2022]
Abstract
Schizophrenia is a chronic neuropsychiatric brain disorder that has devastating personal impact and rising healthcare costs. Dysregulation of glutamatergic neurotransmission has been implicated in the pathobiology of the disease, attributed largely to the hypofunction of the N-methyl-d-aspartate (NMDA) receptor. Currently, there is a major gap in mechanistic analysis as to how endogenous modulators of the NMDA receptors contribute to the onset and progression of the disease. We present a systematic review of the neurobiology and the role of endogenous NMDA receptor antagonists in animal models of schizophrenia, and in patients. We discuss their neurochemical origin, release from neurons and glia with action mechanisms, and functional effects, which might contribute toward the impairment of neuronal processes underlying this complex pathological state. We consider clinical evidence suggesting dysregulations of endogenous NMDA receptor in schizophrenia, and highlight the pressing need in future studies and emerging directions, to restore the NMDA receptor functions for therapeutic benefits.
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Affiliation(s)
- Pascal Jorratt
- Department of Experimental Neurobiology, National Institute of Mental Health, Klecany, Czech Republic.,Department of Psychiatry and Medical Psychology, Third Faculty of Medicine, Charles University, Prague 10, Czech Republic
| | - Cyril Hoschl
- Department of Experimental Neurobiology, National Institute of Mental Health, Klecany, Czech Republic.,Department of Psychiatry and Medical Psychology, Third Faculty of Medicine, Charles University, Prague 10, Czech Republic
| | - Saak V Ovsepian
- Department of Experimental Neurobiology, National Institute of Mental Health, Klecany, Czech Republic.,Department of Psychiatry and Medical Psychology, Third Faculty of Medicine, Charles University, Prague 10, Czech Republic
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14
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Oettel M, Zentel HJ, Nickisch K. A progestin isn't a progestin: dienogest for endometriosis as a blueprint for future research - Review as a contribution for discussion. Horm Mol Biol Clin Investig 2020; 42:133-142. [PMID: 32663169 DOI: 10.1515/hmbci-2020-0013] [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: 02/10/2020] [Accepted: 05/02/2020] [Indexed: 11/15/2022]
Abstract
The different etiopathogenetic mechanisms and the diversity of clinical features of endometriosis has not yet allowed to identify a causal pharmacological monotherapy satisfying the unresolved medical needs in this important female disease. Therefore, despite the search for new therapeutic principles for the indication, the strategy of gradual optimization of established therapeutic principles should not be disregarded.In the case of progestins, the fact that each compound has its own, specific profile may allow to study the therapeutic relevance of the various signal cascades influenced by their receptors.Using the example of the progestin dienogest, the different genomic and non-genomic mechanisms of action are discussed. It is pharmacodynamic profile is unique compared to other progestins.In light of the emerging multitude of pathomechanisms in endometriosis, a monotherapy may not be possible, and then the search for broad spectrum compounds or combination therapies with dual or multiple mode of action in a clinically relevant dose range might be considered. The progestogenic action may greatly benefit from, by way of example, additional anti-inflammatory and/or anti-fibrotic and/or pro-apoptotic activities. Such a strategy could lead to new drug classes.
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15
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Ganji R, Razavi S, Ghasemi N, Mardani M. Improvement of Remyelination in Demyelinated Corpus Callosum Using Human Adipose-Derived Stem Cells (hADSCs) and Pregnenolone in the Cuprizone Rat Model of Multiple Sclerosis. J Mol Neurosci 2020; 70:1088-1099. [PMID: 32314194 DOI: 10.1007/s12031-020-01515-w] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/14/2019] [Accepted: 02/19/2020] [Indexed: 01/24/2023]
Abstract
Adipose-derived stem cells (ASCs) have neuroprotective effects, and their repair ability has been approved in neurodegenerative studies. Pregnenolone as a neurosteroid plays significant roles in neurogenesis. We aimed to consider the effect of ADSCs and pregnenolone injection on the multiple sclerosis (MS) model created by cuprizone. Male Wistar rats (n = 36) were fed with an ordinary diet or a diet with cuprizone (0.6%) for 3 weeks. H-ADSCs were taken from patients with lipoaspirate surgery. The rats were divided into six groups (n = 6): healthy, MS, sham, pregnenolone injection, ADSCs injection, pregnenolone and ADSCs injection. Behavioral test, histological examination and TEM were conducted. The specific markers for myelin and cell differentiation were assessed using immunohistochemistry staining. Additionally, the measure of MBP and MOG gene expression and the amount of related proteins were determined using real-time RT-PCR and ELISA techniques, respectively. Histologic results showed that induced demyelination in corpus callosum fibers. TEM revealed an increased thickness of myelin in fibers in the treated groups (P < 0.05). Injection of hADSC and pregnenolone significantly increased the expression levels of MBP and MOG (P < 0.001). The mean percentage of MOG and MBP markers were significantly increased in the treated groups compared to MS and sham groups (P < 0.05). Moreover, the OD level of MBP and MOG proteins showed that their values in the ADSCs/pregnenolone group were close to those of the control group without a significant difference. Our data indicated the remyelination potency and cell differentiation can improve with ADSCs and pregnenolone treatments in the multiple sclerosis model which created by cuprizone in rats.
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Affiliation(s)
- Rasoul Ganji
- Department of Anatomical Sciences, School of Medicine, Isfahan University of Medical Sciences, Isfahan, 81744-176, Iran
| | - Shahnaz Razavi
- Department of Anatomical Sciences, School of Medicine, Isfahan University of Medical Sciences, Isfahan, 81744-176, Iran.
| | - Nazem Ghasemi
- Department of Anatomical Sciences, School of Medicine, Isfahan University of Medical Sciences, Isfahan, 81744-176, Iran
| | - Mohammad Mardani
- Department of Anatomical Sciences, School of Medicine, Isfahan University of Medical Sciences, Isfahan, 81744-176, Iran.
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16
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The allopregnanolone to progesterone ratio across the menstrual cycle and in menopause. Psychoneuroendocrinology 2020; 112:104512. [PMID: 31780185 PMCID: PMC6935417 DOI: 10.1016/j.psyneuen.2019.104512] [Citation(s) in RCA: 21] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/19/2019] [Revised: 10/01/2019] [Accepted: 11/12/2019] [Indexed: 12/18/2022]
Abstract
The neuroactive steroid 3α-5α-tetrahydroprogesterone (allopregnanolone), a metabolite of progesterone, is a positive allosteric modulator of GABAA receptors, and low levels have been implicated in the etiology of mood disorders. However, it is not known whether metabolism of progesterone to allopregnanolone varies across the menstrual cycle or is low after menopause. We hypothesized that the allopregnanolone/progesterone ratio would decrease from the follicular to luteal phase. We also hypothesized that postmenopausal women would have lower levels of progesterone and allopregnanolone but similar allopregnanolone/progesterone ratios as premenopausal women in the follicular phase. Serum fasting allopregnanolone and progesterone levels were measured by gas chromatography-mass spectrometry in ten premenopausal women at the follicular, mid-cycle, and luteal phases of the menstrual cycle and in twenty-four postmenopausal women. Although allopregnanolone and progesterone levels increased from the follicular to luteal phase, the allopregnanolone/progesterone ratio decreased 8-fold [0.33 ± 0.08 (follicular) vs 0.16 ± 0.09 (mid-cycle) vs 0.04 ± 0.007 (luteal), p = 0.0003]. Mean allopregnanolone and progesterone levels were lower in postmenopausal than premenopausal women at all menstrual cycle phases (p < 0.01). The mean allopregnanolone/progesterone ratio was similar in postmenopausal and premenopausal women in the follicular phase (0.39 ± 0.08 vs 0.33 ± 0.08, p = 0.94) but was significantly lower at mid-cycle and in the luteal phase than in postmenopausal women (p < 0.01). In conclusion, the serum allopregnanolone/progesterone ratio decreases 8-fold from the follicular to luteal phase and is lower at mid-cycle and the luteal phase than in postmenopausal women. Whether these data have implications for luteal phase and other mood disorders merits further study.
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17
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Brzezinski-Sinai NA, Brzezinski A. Schizophrenia and Sex Hormones: What Is the Link? Front Psychiatry 2020; 11:693. [PMID: 32760302 PMCID: PMC7373790 DOI: 10.3389/fpsyt.2020.00693] [Citation(s) in RCA: 32] [Impact Index Per Article: 8.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/22/2020] [Accepted: 07/01/2020] [Indexed: 12/19/2022] Open
Abstract
The involvement of gonadal hormones in the pathogenesis of schizophrenia has long been suspected because the psychosis differs in women and men and the illness first makes its appearance shortly after puberty. Changes in sex hormones have been linked with increased vulnerability to mood disorders in women, while testosterone have been associated with increased sexual drive and aggressiveness in men as well as women. Some studies have found abnormal levels of estrogens and testosterone in schizophrenia patients, but the results have been inconsistent and sometimes attributed to the hyperprolactinemia effect of antipsychotics, which may interfere with sex hormones production. The purpose of this review is to present the current knowledge on the link between blood levels of sex-hormones in women during the various stages of the female reproductive life (i.e. puberty, menstrual cycle, pregnancy, contraception, and menopause) and the course of schizophrenia. We also attempt to optimize the clinical approach to women with schizophrenia at these different stages.
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Affiliation(s)
- Noa A Brzezinski-Sinai
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Rabin Medical Center, Beilinson Hospital, Petah Tikva, Israel
| | - Amnon Brzezinski
- Departments of Obstetrics & Gynecology, Hadassah-Hebrew-University Medical Center, Jerusalem, Israel
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18
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Tomaselli G, Vallée M. Stress and drug abuse-related disorders: The promising therapeutic value of neurosteroids focus on pregnenolone-progesterone-allopregnanolone pathway. Front Neuroendocrinol 2019; 55:100789. [PMID: 31525393 DOI: 10.1016/j.yfrne.2019.100789] [Citation(s) in RCA: 24] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/17/2019] [Revised: 08/14/2019] [Accepted: 09/09/2019] [Indexed: 02/06/2023]
Abstract
The pregnenolone-progesterone-allopregnanolone pathway is receiving increasing attention in research on the role of neurosteroids in pathophysiology, particularly in stress-related and drug use disorders. These disorders involve an allostatic change that may result from deficiencies in allostasis or adaptive responses, and may be downregulated by adjustments in neurotransmission by neurosteroids. The following is an overview of findings that assess how pregnenolone and/or allopregnanolone concentrations are altered in animal models of stress and after consumption of alcohol or cannabis-type drugs, as well as in patients with depression, anxiety, post-traumatic stress disorder or psychosis and/or in those diagnosed with alcohol or cannabis use disorders. Preclinical and clinical evidence shows that pregnenolone and allopregnanolone, operating according to a different or common pharmacological profile involving GABAergic and/or endocannabinoid system, may be relevant biomarkers of psychiatric disorders for therapeutic purposes. Hence, ongoing clinical trials implicate synthetic analogs of pregnenolone or allopregnanolone, and also modulators of neurosteroidogenesis.
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Affiliation(s)
- Giovanni Tomaselli
- INSERM U1215, Neurocentre Magendie, Group "Physiopathology and Therapeutic Approaches of Stress-Related Disease", 146 Rue Léo Saignat, 33000 Bordeaux, France; University of Bordeaux, 33000 Bordeaux, France
| | - Monique Vallée
- INSERM U1215, Neurocentre Magendie, Group "Physiopathology and Therapeutic Approaches of Stress-Related Disease", 146 Rue Léo Saignat, 33000 Bordeaux, France; University of Bordeaux, 33000 Bordeaux, France.
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19
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Cai H, Cao T, Li N, Fang P, Xu P, Wu X, Zhang B, Xiang D. Quantitative monitoring of a panel of stress-induced biomarkers in human plasma by liquid chromatography-tandem mass spectrometry: an application in a comparative study between depressive patients and healthy subjects. Anal Bioanal Chem 2019; 411:5765-5777. [PMID: 31201457 DOI: 10.1007/s00216-019-01956-2] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/23/2019] [Revised: 05/21/2019] [Accepted: 05/29/2019] [Indexed: 02/01/2023]
Abstract
Using a metabolomic approach, we have found that stress can induce oxidative damage by disturbing the creatine/phosphocreatine shuttle system and purinergic pathway, leading to an excessive membrane breakdown. To further validate our findings and to monitor the biological impact of stress in research of clinical psychiatry, a liquid chromatography-tandem mass spectrometry (LC-MS/MS) method was developed to simultaneously determine a panel of biomarkers comprising choline, creatine, purinergic metabolites, neurosteroids, lysophosphatidylcholines, and phosphatidylethanolamines in human plasma. After optimization of the extraction protocol, all the 15 analytes plus 4 internal standards with distinct polarities were extracted into an organic phase using methyl tert-butyl ether/methanol (1:1, v/v). A reversed-phase C8 column under gradient elution consisting of aqueous phase A of 5 mM ammonium acetate buffer solution containing 0.1% formic acid and organic phase B of acetonitrile/2-propanol (3:7, v/v) was utilized for separation. Four sequential periods under positive or negative ion mode were combined for the determination of analytes with specific multiple reaction monitoring transitions. For all analytes, this method exhibited good linearity with coefficients of determination (R2) higher than 0.99. The lower limit of quantification (LLOQ) values ranged from 0.05 to 80.0 ng/mL. Recovery between 70.5 and 97.3% was obtained by spiking standards to plasma samples stripped by powdered activated carbon. The intra- and inter-assay relative standard deviations (RSDs) of the analyses varied between 2.0 and 13.3%. The mean accuracy ranged from 90.6 to 109.0%. The matrix effect ranged from 91.2 to 107.3% with variations less than 9.0%. Stability under different conditions was tested, with mean recoveries varying between 90.4 and 109.7%. Finally, the established method was successfully applied to analyze the plasma samples from a small cohort of 30 patients with major depressive disorder and 30 matched healthy controls. Graphical abstract.
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Affiliation(s)
- HuaLin Cai
- Department of Pharmacy, The Second Xiangya Hospital of Central South University, Changsha, 410011, Hunan, China.
- Institute of Clinical Pharmacy, Central South University, Changsha, 410011, Hunan, China.
| | - Ting Cao
- Department of Pharmacy, The Second Xiangya Hospital of Central South University, Changsha, 410011, Hunan, China
- Institute of Clinical Pharmacy, Central South University, Changsha, 410011, Hunan, China
| | - NaNa Li
- Department of Pharmacy, The Second Xiangya Hospital of Central South University, Changsha, 410011, Hunan, China
- Institute of Clinical Pharmacy, Central South University, Changsha, 410011, Hunan, China
| | - PingFei Fang
- Department of Pharmacy, The Second Xiangya Hospital of Central South University, Changsha, 410011, Hunan, China
- Institute of Clinical Pharmacy, Central South University, Changsha, 410011, Hunan, China
| | - Ping Xu
- Department of Pharmacy, The Second Xiangya Hospital of Central South University, Changsha, 410011, Hunan, China
- Institute of Clinical Pharmacy, Central South University, Changsha, 410011, Hunan, China
| | - XiangXin Wu
- Department of Pharmacy, The Second Xiangya Hospital of Central South University, Changsha, 410011, Hunan, China
- Institute of Clinical Pharmacy, Central South University, Changsha, 410011, Hunan, China
| | - BiKui Zhang
- Department of Pharmacy, The Second Xiangya Hospital of Central South University, Changsha, 410011, Hunan, China
- Institute of Clinical Pharmacy, Central South University, Changsha, 410011, Hunan, China
| | - DaXiong Xiang
- Department of Pharmacy, The Second Xiangya Hospital of Central South University, Changsha, 410011, Hunan, China.
- Institute of Clinical Pharmacy, Central South University, Changsha, 410011, Hunan, China.
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20
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Akhtar-Schäfer I, Wang L, Krohne TU, Xu H, Langmann T. Modulation of three key innate immune pathways for the most common retinal degenerative diseases. EMBO Mol Med 2019; 10:emmm.201708259. [PMID: 30224384 PMCID: PMC6180304 DOI: 10.15252/emmm.201708259] [Citation(s) in RCA: 67] [Impact Index Per Article: 13.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/11/2022] Open
Abstract
This review highlights the role of three key immune pathways in the pathophysiology of major retinal degenerative diseases including diabetic retinopathy, age‐related macular degeneration, and rare retinal dystrophies. We first discuss the mechanisms how loss of retinal homeostasis evokes an unbalanced retinal immune reaction involving responses of local microglia and recruited macrophages, activity of the alternative complement system, and inflammasome assembly in the retinal pigment epithelium. Presenting these key mechanisms as complementary targets, we specifically emphasize the concept of immunomodulation as potential treatment strategy to prevent or delay vision loss. Promising molecules are ligands for phagocyte receptors, specific inhibitors of complement activation products, and inflammasome inhibitors. We comprehensively summarize the scientific evidence for this strategy from preclinical animal models, human ocular tissue analyses, and clinical trials evolving in the last few years.
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Affiliation(s)
- Isha Akhtar-Schäfer
- Laboratory for Experimental Immunology of the Eye, Department of Ophthalmology, University of Cologne, Cologne, Germany
| | - Luping Wang
- Department of Ophthalmology, University of Bonn, Bonn, Germany
| | - Tim U Krohne
- Department of Ophthalmology, University of Bonn, Bonn, Germany
| | - Heping Xu
- Centre for Experimental Medicine, The Wellcome-Wolfson Institute for Experimental Medicine, School of Medicine, Dentistry & Biomedical Sciences, Queen's University Belfast, Belfast, UK
| | - Thomas Langmann
- Laboratory for Experimental Immunology of the Eye, Department of Ophthalmology, University of Cologne, Cologne, Germany .,Center for Molecular Medicine, University of Cologne, Cologne, Germany
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21
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Vlaskamp DRM, Bassett AS, Sullivan JE, Robblee J, Sadleir LG, Scheffer IE, Andrade DM. Schizophrenia is a later-onset feature of PCDH19
Girls Clustering Epilepsy. Epilepsia 2019; 60:429-440. [DOI: 10.1111/epi.14678] [Citation(s) in RCA: 19] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/25/2018] [Revised: 01/29/2019] [Accepted: 01/29/2019] [Indexed: 02/06/2023]
Affiliation(s)
- Danique R. M. Vlaskamp
- Department of Medicine; Epilepsy Research Centre; The University of Melbourne; Austin Health; Melbourne Victoria Australia
- Department of Neurology; University Medical Center Groningen; University of Groningen; Groningen The Netherlands
- Department of Genetics; University Medical Center Groningen; University of Groningen; Groningen The Netherlands
| | - Anne S. Bassett
- Clinical Genetics Research Program; Campbell Family Mental Health Research Institute; Centre for Addiction and Mental Health; Toronto Ontario Canada
- Department of Psychiatry; University of Toronto; Toronto Ontario Canada
- Dalglish Family 22q Clinic for Adults with 22q11.2 Deletion Syndrome; Toronto General Research Institute; University Health Network; Toronto Ontario Canada
| | - Joseph E. Sullivan
- Pediatric Epilepsy Center; Benioff Children's Hospital; University of California San Francisco; San Francisco California
| | - Jennifer Robblee
- Division of Neurology; Toronto Western Hospital; University of Toronto; Toronto Ontario Canada
| | - Lynette G. Sadleir
- Department of Paediatrics and Child Health; University of Otago; Wellington New Zealand
| | - Ingrid E. Scheffer
- Department of Medicine; Epilepsy Research Centre; The University of Melbourne; Austin Health; Melbourne Victoria Australia
- Department of Paediatrics; Royal Children's Hospital; The University of Melbourne; Victoria Australia
- The Florey Institute of Neurosciences and Mental Health; Melbourne Victoria Australia
| | - Danielle M. Andrade
- Division of Neurology; Toronto Western Hospital; University of Toronto; Toronto Ontario Canada
- Epilepsy Genetics Research Program; Krembil Neuroscience Centre; University of Toronto; Toronto Ontario Canada
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22
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Knytl P, Voráčková V, Dorazilová A, Rodriguez M, Cvrčková A, Kofroňová E, Kuchař M, Kratochvílová Z, Šustová P, Čerešňáková S, Mohr P. Neuroactive Steroids and Cognitive Functions in First-Episode Psychosis Patients and Their Healthy Siblings. Front Psychiatry 2019; 10:390. [PMID: 31275177 PMCID: PMC6591670 DOI: 10.3389/fpsyt.2019.00390] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/07/2019] [Accepted: 05/17/2019] [Indexed: 12/23/2022] Open
Abstract
Background: Neuroactive steroids (NAS) affect neurotransmitter systems and cognition; thus, they play role in etiopathogenesis of psychiatric disorders. Aims: The primary aim was to examine cognition and effects of NAS on cognitive functioning in first-episode psychosis patients and in their healthy siblings. The secondary aims were to verify whether cognitive deficit is an endophenotype of psychosis and whether higher NAS levels represent a high-risk factor for psychosis. Methods: Studied participants were 1) patients with first episode of psychosis, 2) healthy siblings of the patients, and 3) matching healthy controls. Study procedures included administration of a battery of neuropsychological tests assessing six cognitive domains and examination of NAS plasma levels [cortisol (CORT), 11-deoxycorticosterone (DOC), testosterone (TEST), dehydroepiandrostendione (DHEA), dihydrotestosterone (DHT), and progesterone (PROG)]. Results: A total of 67 subjects were analyzed (16 patients, 22 siblings, and 29 controls). Significant group differences were found in most of the cognitive domains; the patients had the lowest scores. The Kruskal-Wallis test revealed significant group differences in CORT levels (p < 0.01), TEST (p < 0.01), and DHT (p < 0.001); no difference was found in PROG, DHEA, and DOC. All cognitive domains, except for attention, were affected by the NAS levels. CORT levels of patients correlated with speed of processing (r = 0.55) and working memory (r = 0.52), while PROG levels correlated with abstraction (r = -0.63). In siblings, there was a negative correlation between TEST levels and verbal memory (r = -0.51) and PROG with attention (r = -0.47). Conclusions: Our results verified that individual domains of cognitive deficit (abstraction and verbal memory) can be considered as an endophenotype of psychosis. Higher levels of cortisol and testosterone in siblings are consistent with high-risk states for psychosis. Multiple interactions between NAS and cognitive functioning, particularly memory functions, were observed. Study limitations (small sample size and administration of antipsychotic medication) did not allow us to establish unequivocally NAS as an endophenotype.
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Affiliation(s)
- Pavel Knytl
- National Institute of Mental Health, Klecany, Czechia.,Third Faculty of Medicine, Charles University, Prague, Czechia
| | - Veronika Voráčková
- National Institute of Mental Health, Klecany, Czechia.,Third Faculty of Medicine, Charles University, Prague, Czechia
| | - Aneta Dorazilová
- National Institute of Mental Health, Klecany, Czechia.,Faculty of Arts, Masaryk University, Brno, Czechia
| | - Mabel Rodriguez
- National Institute of Mental Health, Klecany, Czechia.,Faculty of Arts, Charles University, Prague, Czechia
| | - Aneta Cvrčková
- National Institute of Mental Health, Klecany, Czechia.,Faculty of Social Studies, Masaryk University, Brno, Czechia
| | | | - Martin Kuchař
- National Institute of Mental Health, Klecany, Czechia.,University of Chemistry and Technology, Prague, Czechia
| | | | - Petra Šustová
- National Institute of Mental Health, Klecany, Czechia
| | - Silvie Čerešňáková
- National Institute of Mental Health, Klecany, Czechia.,First Faculty of Medicine, Charles University, Prague, Czechia
| | - Pavel Mohr
- National Institute of Mental Health, Klecany, Czechia.,Third Faculty of Medicine, Charles University, Prague, Czechia
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23
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Qiu ZK, Liu X, Tang D, Zhang Z, Fan QH, Pan YY, Chen YY, Huang MY, Zhu T, Wang YL, Cheng XF, Chen JS. Cytoprotective effects of paeoniflorin are associated with translocator protein 18 kDa. Biomed Pharmacother 2018; 107:19-23. [PMID: 30075369 DOI: 10.1016/j.biopha.2018.07.112] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/01/2018] [Revised: 07/18/2018] [Accepted: 07/18/2018] [Indexed: 01/07/2023] Open
Abstract
Paeoniflorin (PF) is one of the important active components in peony that are known to produce the neuroprotective effects. However, the involved cytoprotective factors on brain astrocytes are remain unclear. Translocator protein 18 kDa (TSPO) and its downstream neurosteroids biosynthesis play a significant role in cytoprotection. Based on these, the role of TSPO and neurosteroids biosynthesis in the cytoprotective effects of PF is evaluated. The astrocyte cells were cultured and AC-5216 (TSPO ligand) was selected as the positive control drug. The cytoprotective effects of PF and the levels of neurosteroids were quantified by water-soluble tetrazolium assay and enzyme linked immunosorbent assay, respectively. The cytoprotective activities of PF were relevant to neurosteroids (e.g. progsterone and allopregnanolone) biosynthesis, while these effects were totally blocked by PK11195, trilostane and finasteride, respectively. In summary, the cytoprotective effects of PF maybe mediated by TSPO and neurosteroids biosynthesis. The findings may provide the new insights into the cytoprotective effects of PF.
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Affiliation(s)
- Zhi-Kun Qiu
- Pharmaceutical Department of The First Affiliated Hospital of Guangdong Pharmaceutical University, Clinical Pharmacy Department of Guangdong Pharmaceutical University, Guangzhou 510080, PR China; Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory of Pharmacodynamic Constituents of TCM and New Drugs Research, College of Pharmacy, Jinan University, Guangzhou 510632, PR China
| | - Xu Liu
- Pharmacy Department of General Hospital of Chinese People's Armed Police Forces, Beijing 100039, PR China
| | - Dan Tang
- Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory of Pharmacodynamic Constituents of TCM and New Drugs Research, College of Pharmacy, Jinan University, Guangzhou 510632, PR China
| | - Zhe Zhang
- Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory of Pharmacodynamic Constituents of TCM and New Drugs Research, College of Pharmacy, Jinan University, Guangzhou 510632, PR China
| | - Qing-Hong Fan
- Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory of Pharmacodynamic Constituents of TCM and New Drugs Research, College of Pharmacy, Jinan University, Guangzhou 510632, PR China
| | - Yun-Yun Pan
- Pharmaceutical Department of The First Affiliated Hospital of Guangdong Pharmaceutical University, Clinical Pharmacy Department of Guangdong Pharmaceutical University, Guangzhou 510080, PR China
| | - Ying-Yu Chen
- Pharmaceutical Department of The First Affiliated Hospital of Guangdong Pharmaceutical University, Clinical Pharmacy Department of Guangdong Pharmaceutical University, Guangzhou 510080, PR China
| | - Mei-Yan Huang
- Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory of Pharmacodynamic Constituents of TCM and New Drugs Research, College of Pharmacy, Jinan University, Guangzhou 510632, PR China
| | - Tao Zhu
- Pharmaceutical Department of The First Affiliated Hospital of Guangdong Pharmaceutical University, Clinical Pharmacy Department of Guangdong Pharmaceutical University, Guangzhou 510080, PR China
| | - Yu-Lu Wang
- College of Pharmacy, Fujian University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Fuzhou 350122, PR China
| | - Xiao-Fang Cheng
- Tuina and Pain Management Department, Shenzhen LongGang Hospital of Traditional Chinese Medicine (Beijing University of Chinese Medicine Shenzhen Hospital), Shenzhen 518172, PR China.
| | - Ji-Sheng Chen
- Pharmaceutical Department of The First Affiliated Hospital of Guangdong Pharmaceutical University, Clinical Pharmacy Department of Guangdong Pharmaceutical University, Guangzhou 510080, PR China.
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