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Bove M, Palmieri MA, Santoro M, Agosti LP, Gaetani S, Romano A, Dimonte S, Costantino G, Sikora V, Tucci P, Schiavone S, Morgese MG, Trabace L. Amygdalar neurotransmission alterations in the BTBR mice model of idiopathic autism. Transl Psychiatry 2024; 14:193. [PMID: 38632257 PMCID: PMC11024334 DOI: 10.1038/s41398-024-02905-z] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/27/2023] [Revised: 04/02/2024] [Accepted: 04/08/2024] [Indexed: 04/19/2024] Open
Abstract
Autism Spectrum Disorders (ASD) are principally diagnosed by three core behavioural symptoms, such as stereotyped repertoire, communication impairments and social dysfunctions. This complex pathology has been linked to abnormalities of corticostriatal and limbic circuits. Despite experimental efforts in elucidating the molecular mechanisms behind these abnormalities, a clear etiopathogenic hypothesis is still lacking. To this aim, preclinical studies can be really helpful to longitudinally study behavioural alterations resembling human symptoms and to investigate the underlying neurobiological correlates. In this regard, the BTBR T+ Itpr3tf/J (BTBR) mice are an inbred mouse strain that exhibits a pattern of behaviours well resembling human ASD-like behavioural features. In this study, the BTBR mice model was used to investigate neurochemical and biomolecular alterations, regarding Nerve Growth Factor (NGF) and Brain-Derived Neurotrophic Factor (BDNF), together with GABAergic, glutamatergic, cholinergic, dopaminergic and noradrenergic neurotransmissions and their metabolites in four different brain areas, i.e. prefrontal cortex, hippocampus, amygdala and hypothalamus. In our results, BTBR strain reported decreased noradrenaline, acetylcholine and GABA levels in prefrontal cortex, while hippocampal measurements showed reduced NGF and BDNF expression levels, together with GABA levels. Concerning hypothalamus, no differences were retrieved. As regarding amygdala, we found reduced dopamine levels, accompanied by increased dopamine metabolites in BTBR mice, together with decreased acetylcholine, NGF and GABA levels and enhanced glutamate content. Taken together, our data showed that the BTBR ASD model, beyond its face validity, is a useful tool to untangle neurotransmission alterations that could be underpinned to the heterogeneous ASD-like behaviours, highlighting the crucial role played by amygdala.
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Affiliation(s)
- Maria Bove
- Department of Clinical and Experimental Medicine, University of Foggia, Via Napoli 20, 71122, Foggia, Italy
| | - Maria Adelaide Palmieri
- Department of Clinical and Experimental Medicine, University of Foggia, Via Napoli 20, 71122, Foggia, Italy
| | - Martina Santoro
- Department of Physiology and Pharmacology "V. Erspamer", Sapienza University of Rome, 00185, Rome, Italy
| | - Lisa Pia Agosti
- Department of Clinical and Experimental Medicine, University of Foggia, Via Napoli 20, 71122, Foggia, Italy
| | - Silvana Gaetani
- Department of Physiology and Pharmacology "V. Erspamer", Sapienza University of Rome, 00185, Rome, Italy
| | - Adele Romano
- Department of Physiology and Pharmacology "V. Erspamer", Sapienza University of Rome, 00185, Rome, Italy
| | - Stefania Dimonte
- Department of Clinical and Experimental Medicine, University of Foggia, Via Napoli 20, 71122, Foggia, Italy
| | - Giuseppe Costantino
- Department of Clinical and Experimental Medicine, University of Foggia, Via Napoli 20, 71122, Foggia, Italy
| | - Vladyslav Sikora
- Department of Clinical and Experimental Medicine, University of Foggia, Via Napoli 20, 71122, Foggia, Italy
- Department of Pathology, Sumy State University, 40007, Sumy, Ukraine
| | - Paolo Tucci
- Department of Clinical and Experimental Medicine, University of Foggia, Via Napoli 20, 71122, Foggia, Italy
| | - Stefania Schiavone
- Department of Clinical and Experimental Medicine, University of Foggia, Via Napoli 20, 71122, Foggia, Italy
| | - Maria Grazia Morgese
- Department of Clinical and Experimental Medicine, University of Foggia, Via Napoli 20, 71122, Foggia, Italy
| | - Luigia Trabace
- Department of Clinical and Experimental Medicine, University of Foggia, Via Napoli 20, 71122, Foggia, Italy.
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Maes M, Rachayon M, Jirakran K, Sodsai P, Sughondhabirom A. Lower Nerve Growth Factor Levels in Major Depression and Suicidal Behaviors: Effects of Adverse Childhood Experiences and Recurrence of Illness. Brain Sci 2023; 13:1090. [PMID: 37509019 PMCID: PMC10377511 DOI: 10.3390/brainsci13071090] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/03/2023] [Revised: 07/09/2023] [Accepted: 07/13/2023] [Indexed: 07/30/2023] Open
Abstract
Major depressive disorder (MDD) and its severe subtype, major dysmood disorder (MDMD), are distinguished by activation of inflammatory and growth factor subnetworks, which are associated with recurrence of illness (ROI) and adverse childhood experiences (ACEs). Nerve growth factor (NGF) plays a crucial role in facilitating neuro-immune communications and may regulate the inflammatory response. METHODS The present study examined the effects of ACEs and ROI on culture supernatant NGF, stem cell factor (SCF), stem cell GF (SCGF), hepatocyte GF (HGF), and macrophage colony-stimulating factor (M-CSF), in relation to a neurotoxicity (NT) cytokine profile. RESULTS NGF levels are lower in MDD (p = 0.003), particularly MDMD (p < 0.001), as compared with normal controls. ROI and ACE were significantly and inversely associated with NGF (≤0.003) and the NGF/NT ratio (≤0.001), whereas there are no effects of ACEs and ROI on SCF, SCGF, HGF, or M-CSF. Lowered NGF (p = 0.003) and the NGF/NT ratio (p < 0.001) are highly significantly and inversely associated with the severity of the current depression phenome, conceptualized as a latent vector extracted from the current severity of depression, anxiety, and suicidal behaviors. We found that one validated and replicable latent vector could be extracted from NGF, ROI, and the depression phenome, which therefore constitutes a novel ROI-NGF-pathway-phenotype. ACEs explained 59.5% of the variance in the latter pathway phenotype (p < 0.001). CONCLUSIONS The imbalance between decreased NGF and increased neurotoxic cytokines during the acute phase of severe depression may contribute to decreased neuroprotection, increased neuro-affective toxicity, and chronic mild inflammation.
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Affiliation(s)
- Michael Maes
- Sichuan Provincial Center for Mental Health, Sichuan Provincial People's Hospital, School of Medicine, University of Electronic Science and Technology of China, Chengdu 610072, China
- Key Laboratory of Psychosomatic Medicine, Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences, Chengdu 610072, China
- Department of Psychiatry, Faculty of Medicine, King Chulalongkorn Memorial Hospital, Chulalongkorn University, The Thai Red Cross Society, Bangkok 10330, Thailand
- Department of Psychiatry, Medical University of Plovdiv, 4002 Plovdiv, Bulgaria
- Research Institute, Medical University of Plovdiv, 4002 Plovdiv, Bulgaria
- Kyung Hee University, 26 Kyungheedae-ro, Dongdaemun-gu, Seoul 02447, Republic of Korea
| | - Muanpetch Rachayon
- Department of Psychiatry, Faculty of Medicine, King Chulalongkorn Memorial Hospital, Chulalongkorn University, The Thai Red Cross Society, Bangkok 10330, Thailand
| | - Ketsupar Jirakran
- Department of Psychiatry, Faculty of Medicine, King Chulalongkorn Memorial Hospital, Chulalongkorn University, The Thai Red Cross Society, Bangkok 10330, Thailand
- Maximizing Thai Children's Developmental Potential Research Unit, Department of Pediatrics, Faculty of Medicine, Chulalongkorn University, Bangkok 10330, Thailand
| | - Pimpayao Sodsai
- Center of Excellence in Immunology and Immune-Mediated Diseases, Department of Microbiology, Faculty of Medicine, Chulalongkorn University, Bangkok 10330, Thailand
| | - Atapol Sughondhabirom
- Department of Psychiatry, Faculty of Medicine, King Chulalongkorn Memorial Hospital, Chulalongkorn University, The Thai Red Cross Society, Bangkok 10330, Thailand
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Zhong J, Liu Q, Yang X, Su J, Li X, Luo M, Wang L. Mice learn from the predator-attack experience to accelerate flight behavior via optimizing the strategy of environment exploration. Biochem Biophys Res Commun 2023; 665:26-34. [PMID: 37148743 DOI: 10.1016/j.bbrc.2023.04.060] [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: 04/03/2023] [Accepted: 04/18/2023] [Indexed: 05/08/2023]
Abstract
Efficiently avoiding predators is critical for animal survival. However, little is known about how the experience of predator attack affects behaviors in predator defense. Here, we caught mice by tail to simulate a predator attack. We found that the experienced mice accelerated the flight in response to the visual threaten cue. Single predator attack didn't induce anxiety but increased the activity of innate fear or learning related nucleus. The predator attack induced acceleration of flight was partly rescued when we used drug to block protein synthesis which is critical in the learning process. The experienced mice significantly reduced the focused exploration on the floor during the environment exploration, which might facilitate the discovery of predator. These results suggest that mice could learn from the experience of predator attack to optimize their behavioral pattern to detect the predator cue immediately and response intensely, and therefore increase the probability of survival.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jinling Zhong
- CAS Key Laboratory of Brain Connectome and Manipulation, Shenzhen-Hong Kong Institute of Brain Science, Shenzhen Institute of Advanced Technology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Shenzhen, 518055, China; University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing, 100049, China; Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory of Brain Connectome and Behavior, The Brain Cognition and Brain Disease Institute, Shenzhen Institute of Advanced Technology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Shenzhen, 518055, China
| | - Qingqing Liu
- CAS Key Laboratory of Brain Connectome and Manipulation, Shenzhen-Hong Kong Institute of Brain Science, Shenzhen Institute of Advanced Technology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Shenzhen, 518055, China; Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory of Brain Connectome and Behavior, The Brain Cognition and Brain Disease Institute, Shenzhen Institute of Advanced Technology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Shenzhen, 518055, China
| | - Xing Yang
- CAS Key Laboratory of Brain Connectome and Manipulation, Shenzhen-Hong Kong Institute of Brain Science, Shenzhen Institute of Advanced Technology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Shenzhen, 518055, China; Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory of Brain Connectome and Behavior, The Brain Cognition and Brain Disease Institute, Shenzhen Institute of Advanced Technology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Shenzhen, 518055, China
| | - Junying Su
- CAS Key Laboratory of Brain Connectome and Manipulation, Shenzhen-Hong Kong Institute of Brain Science, Shenzhen Institute of Advanced Technology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Shenzhen, 518055, China; Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory of Brain Connectome and Behavior, The Brain Cognition and Brain Disease Institute, Shenzhen Institute of Advanced Technology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Shenzhen, 518055, China
| | - Xiaofen Li
- CAS Key Laboratory of Brain Connectome and Manipulation, Shenzhen-Hong Kong Institute of Brain Science, Shenzhen Institute of Advanced Technology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Shenzhen, 518055, China; Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory of Brain Connectome and Behavior, The Brain Cognition and Brain Disease Institute, Shenzhen Institute of Advanced Technology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Shenzhen, 518055, China
| | - Moxuan Luo
- CAS Key Laboratory of Brain Connectome and Manipulation, Shenzhen-Hong Kong Institute of Brain Science, Shenzhen Institute of Advanced Technology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Shenzhen, 518055, China; Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory of Brain Connectome and Behavior, The Brain Cognition and Brain Disease Institute, Shenzhen Institute of Advanced Technology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Shenzhen, 518055, China; Department of Electrical Engineering, City University of Hong Kong, 999077, Hong Kong, China; University of Science and Technology of China, Hefei, 230026, China
| | - Liping Wang
- CAS Key Laboratory of Brain Connectome and Manipulation, Shenzhen-Hong Kong Institute of Brain Science, Shenzhen Institute of Advanced Technology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Shenzhen, 518055, China; Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory of Brain Connectome and Behavior, The Brain Cognition and Brain Disease Institute, Shenzhen Institute of Advanced Technology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Shenzhen, 518055, China.
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PILLEROVÁ M, PASTOREK M, BORBÉLYOVÁ V, RILJAK V, FRICK KM, HODOSY J, TÓTHOVÁ Ľ. Sex steroid hormones in depressive disorders as a basis for new potential treatment strategies. Physiol Res 2022; 71:S187-S202. [PMID: 36647907 PMCID: PMC9906660 DOI: 10.33549/physiolres.935001] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/25/2023] Open
Abstract
The sex steroid hormones (SSHs) such as testosterone, estradiol, progesterone, and their metabolites have important organizational and activational impacts on the brain during critical periods of brain development and in adulthood. A variety of slow and rapid mechanisms mediate both organizational and activational processes via intracellular or membrane receptors for SSHs. Physiological concentrations and distribution of SSHs in the brain result in normal brain development. Nevertheless, dysregulation of hormonal equilibrium may result in several mood disorders, including depressive disorders, later in adolescence or adulthood. Gender differences in cognitive abilities, emotions as well as the 2-3 times higher prevalence of depressive disorders in females, were already described. This implies that SSHs may play a role in the development of depressive disorders. In this review, we discuss preclinical and clinical studies linked to SSHs and development of depressive disorders. Our secondary aim includes a review of up-to-date knowledge about molecular mechanisms in the pathogenesis of depressive disorders. Understanding these molecular mechanisms might lead to significant treatment adjustments for patients with depressive disorders and to an amelioration of clinical outcomes for these patients. Nevertheless, the impact of SSHs on the brain in the context of the development of depressive disorders, progression, and treatment responsiveness is complex in nature, and depends upon several factors in concert such as gender, age, comorbidities, and general health conditions.
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Affiliation(s)
- Miriam PILLEROVÁ
- Institute of Molecular Biomedicine, Faculty of Medicine, Comenius University in Bratislava, Bratislava, Slovak Republic
| | - Michal PASTOREK
- Institute of Molecular Biomedicine, Faculty of Medicine, Comenius University in Bratislava, Bratislava, Slovak Republic
| | - Veronika BORBÉLYOVÁ
- Institute of Molecular Biomedicine, Faculty of Medicine, Comenius University in Bratislava, Bratislava, Slovak Republic
| | - Vladimír RILJAK
- Institute of Physiology, First Faculty of Medicine, Charles University, Prague, Czech Republic
| | - Karyn M. FRICK
- Department of Psychology, University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee, Milwaukee, Wisconsin, USA
| | - Július HODOSY
- Institute of Molecular Biomedicine, Faculty of Medicine, Comenius University in Bratislava, Bratislava, Slovak Republic
| | - Ľubomíra TÓTHOVÁ
- Institute of Molecular Biomedicine, Faculty of Medicine, Comenius University in Bratislava, Bratislava, Slovak Republic
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Pillerová M, Borbélyová V, Pastorek M, Riljak V, Hodosy J, Frick KM, Tóthová L. Molecular actions of sex hormones in the brain and their potential treatment use in anxiety disorders. Front Psychiatry 2022; 13:972158. [PMID: 36159923 PMCID: PMC9492942 DOI: 10.3389/fpsyt.2022.972158] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/21/2022] [Accepted: 08/17/2022] [Indexed: 11/13/2022] Open
Abstract
Anxiety disorders are one of the most prevalent mood disorders that can lead to impaired quality of life. Current treatment of anxiety disorders has various adverse effects, safety concerns, or restricted efficacy; therefore, novel therapeutic targets need to be studied. Sex steroid hormones (SSHs) play a crucial role in the formation of brain structures, including regions of the limbic system and prefrontal cortex during perinatal development. In the brain, SSHs have activational and organizational effects mediated by either intracellular or transmembrane G-protein coupled receptors. During perinatal developmental periods, the physiological concentrations of SSHs lead to the normal development of the brain; however, the early hormonal dysregulation could result in various anxiety diorders later in life. Sex differences in the prevalence of anxiety disorders suggest that SSHs might be implicated in their development. In this review, we discuss preclinical and clinical studies regarding the role of dysregulated SSHs signaling during early brain development that modifies the risk for anxiety disorders in a sex-specific manner in adulthood. Moreover, our aim is to summarize potential molecular mechanisms by which the SSHs may affect anxiety disorders in preclinical research. Finally, the potential effects of SSHs in the treatment of anxiety disorders are discussed.
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Affiliation(s)
- Miriam Pillerová
- Faculty of Medicine, Institute of Molecular Biomedicine, Comenius University in Bratislava, Bratislava, Slovakia
| | - Veronika Borbélyová
- Faculty of Medicine, Institute of Molecular Biomedicine, Comenius University in Bratislava, Bratislava, Slovakia
| | - Michal Pastorek
- Faculty of Medicine, Institute of Molecular Biomedicine, Comenius University in Bratislava, Bratislava, Slovakia
| | - Vladimír Riljak
- First Faculty of Medicine, Institute of Physiology, Charles University, Prague, Czechia
| | - Július Hodosy
- Faculty of Medicine, Institute of Molecular Biomedicine, Comenius University in Bratislava, Bratislava, Slovakia
| | - Karyn M Frick
- Department of Psychology, University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee, Milwaukee, WI, United States
| | - L'ubomíra Tóthová
- Faculty of Medicine, Institute of Molecular Biomedicine, Comenius University in Bratislava, Bratislava, Slovakia
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Abdel-Bakky MS, Amin E, Faris TM, Abdellatif AA. Mental depression: Relation to different disease status, newer treatments and its association with COVID-19 pandemic (Review). Mol Med Rep 2021; 24:839. [PMID: 34633054 PMCID: PMC8524409 DOI: 10.3892/mmr.2021.12479] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/01/2021] [Accepted: 09/10/2021] [Indexed: 12/22/2022] Open
Abstract
The present study aimed to review major depression, including its types, epidemiology, association with different diseases status and treatments, as well as its correlation with the current COVID-19 pandemic. Mental depression is a common disorder that affects most individuals at one time or another. During depression, there are changes in mood and behavior, accompanied by feelings of defeat, hopelessness, or even suicidal thoughts. Depression has a direct or indirect relation with a number of other diseases including Alzheimer's disease, stroke, epilepsy, diabetes, cardiovascular disease and cancer. In addition, antidepressant drugs have several side effects including sedation, increased weight, indigestion, sexual dysfunction, or a decrease in blood pressure. Stopping medication may cause a relapse of the symptoms of depression and pose a risk of attempted suicide. The pandemic of COVID-19 has affected the mental health of individuals, including patients, individuals contacting patients and medical staff with a number of mental disorders that may adversely affect the immune ability of their bodies. Some of the drugs currently included in the protocols for treating COVID-19 may negatively affect the mental health of patients. Evidence accumulated over the years indicates that serotonin (5HT) deficiencies and norepinephrine (NE) in the brain can lead to mental depression. Drugs that increase levels of NE and 5HT are commonly used in the treatment of depression. The common reason for mood disorders, including mania and bipolar disease are not clearly understood. It is assumed that hyperactivity in specific parts of the brain and excessive activity of neurotransmitters may be involved. Early diagnosis and developing new treatment strategies are essential for the prevention of the severe consequences of depression. In addition, extensive research should be directed towards the investigation of the mental health disturbances occurring during and/or after COVID-19 infection. This may lead to the incorporation of a suitable antidepressant into the current treatment protocols.
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Affiliation(s)
- Mohamed S. Abdel-Bakky
- Department of Pharmacology and Toxicology, College of Pharmacy, Qassim University, Buraydah, Qassim 51452, Saudi Arabia
- Department of Pharmacology and Toxicology, Faculty of Pharmacy (Boys), Al-Azhar University, Cairo 11884, Egypt
| | - Elham Amin
- Department of Pharmacognosy, Faculty of Pharmacy, Beni-Suef University, Beni-Suef 62514, Egypt
- Department of Medicinal Chemistry and Pharmacognosy, College of Pharmacy, Qassim University, Buraydah, Qassim 52471, Saudi Arabia
| | - Tarek M. Faris
- Department of Pharmaceutics and Industrial Pharmacy, College of Pharmacy, Al-Azhar University, Cairo 11884, Egypt
| | - Ahmed A.H. Abdellatif
- Department of Pharmaceutics, College of Pharmacy, Qassim University, Buraydah, Qassim 51452, Saudi Arabia
- Department of Pharmaceutics and Industrial Pharmacy, Faculty of Pharmacy, Al-Azhar University, Assiut 71524, Egypt
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Cordner ZA, Marshall-Thomas I, Boersma GJ, Lee RS, Potash JB, Tamashiro KL. Fluoxetine and environmental enrichment similarly reverse chronic social stress-related depression- and anxiety-like behavior, but have differential effects on amygdala gene expression. Neurobiol Stress 2021; 15:100392. [PMID: 34568521 PMCID: PMC8449130 DOI: 10.1016/j.ynstr.2021.100392] [Citation(s) in RCA: 16] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/09/2021] [Revised: 08/20/2021] [Accepted: 09/08/2021] [Indexed: 01/26/2023] Open
Abstract
The adverse effects of stress on brain and behavior have long been known and well-studied, with abundant evidence linking stress to, among other things, mood and anxiety disorders. Likewise, many have investigated potential treatments for stress-related mood and anxiety phenotypes and demonstrated good response to standard antidepressant medications like selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors (SSRIs), as well as environmental manipulations like exercise or enrichment. However, the extent to which stress and various treatments act on overlapping pathways in the brain is less well understood. Here, we used a widely studied social defeat stress paradigm to induce a robust depression- and anxiety-like phenotype and chronic corticosterone elevation that persisted for at least 4 weeks in wild type male mice. When mice were treated with either the SSRI fluoxetine or an enriched environment, both led to similar behavioral recovery from social defeat. We then focused on the amygdala and assessed the effects of social defeat, fluoxetine, and enrichment on 168 genes broadly related to synaptic plasticity or oxidative stress. We found 24 differentially expressed genes in response to social defeat stress. Interestingly, fluoxetine led to broad normalization of the stress-induced expression pattern while enrichment led to expression changes in a separate set of genes. Together, this study provides additional insight into the chronic effects of social defeat stress on behavior and gene expression in the amygdala. The findings also suggest that, for a subset of genes assessed, fluoxetine and environmental enrichment have strikingly divergent effects on expression in the amygdala, despite leading to similar behavioral outcomes.
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Affiliation(s)
- Zachary A. Cordner
- Department of Psychiatry & Behavioral Sciences, Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, 720 Rutland Avenue, Ross 618, Baltimore, MD, 21205, USA
| | - Isaiah Marshall-Thomas
- Department of Psychiatry & Behavioral Sciences, Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, 720 Rutland Avenue, Ross 618, Baltimore, MD, 21205, USA
| | - Gretha J. Boersma
- Department of Psychiatry & Behavioral Sciences, Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, 720 Rutland Avenue, Ross 618, Baltimore, MD, 21205, USA
| | - Richard S. Lee
- Department of Psychiatry & Behavioral Sciences, Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, 720 Rutland Avenue, Ross 618, Baltimore, MD, 21205, USA
| | - James B. Potash
- Department of Psychiatry & Behavioral Sciences, Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, 720 Rutland Avenue, Ross 618, Baltimore, MD, 21205, USA
| | - Kellie L.K. Tamashiro
- Department of Psychiatry & Behavioral Sciences, Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, 720 Rutland Avenue, Ross 618, Baltimore, MD, 21205, USA
- Cellular & Molecular Medicine Program, Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, 720 Rutland Avenue, Ross 618, Baltimore, MD, 21205, USA
- Corresponding author. Department of Psychiatry & Behavioral Sciences Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, 720 Rutland Avenue, Ross 618, Baltimore, MD, 21205, USA.
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Mondal AC, Fatima M. Direct and indirect evidences of BDNF and NGF as key modulators in depression: role of antidepressants treatment. Int J Neurosci 2018; 129:283-296. [PMID: 30235967 DOI: 10.1080/00207454.2018.1527328] [Citation(s) in RCA: 41] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/03/2023]
Abstract
PURPOSE Depression is one of the most prevalent, recurrent and life-threatening mental illnesses. However, the precise mechanism underlying the disorder is not yet clearly understood. It is therefore, essential to identify the novel biomarkers which may help in the development of effective treatment. METHODS In this milieu, the profile of the brain-derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF) and nerve growth factor (NGF) were considered as biomarkers in the light of pathophysiology of depression and its treatment. RESULTS Previously, we have reported that BDNF level in the postmortem brain of suicide victims was significantly lower than those of normal controls. We also found decreased BDNF levels in the specific brain regions of the learned helplessness model of depression in rat, and was found to increase normal level following chronic fluoxetine hydrochloride treatment. NGF is another important member of neurotrophin, which is dysregulated in the pathophysiology of depression in some models of peripheral nerve damage and stress. The results shown evidences of the effect of antidepressants on modulating depression via the NGF in preclinical and clinical models of depression, but conflicted, therefore make it currently difficult to affirm the therapeutic role of antidepressants. CONCLUSIONS Here, we review some of the preclinical and clinical studies aimed at disclosing the role of BDNF and NGF mediated pathophysiological mechanisms of depression and the new therapeutic approaches targeting those key molecules. In addition, an important link between BDNF, NGF and depression has been discussed in the light of current existing knowledge.
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Affiliation(s)
- Amal Chandra Mondal
- a Laboratory of Cellular and Molecular Neurobiology , School of Life Sciences, Jawaharlal Nehru University , New Delhi , India
| | - Mahino Fatima
- a Laboratory of Cellular and Molecular Neurobiology , School of Life Sciences, Jawaharlal Nehru University , New Delhi , India
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Ryu S, Kim HG, Kim JY, Kim SY, Cho KO. Hericium erinaceus Extract Reduces Anxiety and Depressive Behaviors by Promoting Hippocampal Neurogenesis in the Adult Mouse Brain. J Med Food 2017; 21:174-180. [PMID: 29091526 DOI: 10.1089/jmf.2017.4006] [Citation(s) in RCA: 26] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 10/18/2022] Open
Abstract
Versatile biological activities of Hericium erinaceus (HE) have been reported in many brain diseases. However, roles of HE in major psychiatric disorders such as depression and anxiety remain to be investigated. Therefore, we evaluated whether HE could reduce anxiety and depressive behaviors in the adult mouse and its underlying mechanisms. Male C57BL/6 mice were administered HE (20 or 60 mg/kg, p.o.) or saline once a day for 4 weeks. Open field and tail suspension tests were performed 30 min after the last administration of HE, followed by forced swim test 2 days later. We found that chronic administration of HE showed anxiolytic and antidepressant-like effects. To elucidate possible mechanisms, proliferative activity of the hippocampal progenitor cells was assessed by immunohistochemistry of proliferating cell nuclear antigen (PCNA) and Ki67. Moreover, to evaluate neuronal survival in the dentate gyrus, 5-bromo-2'-deoxyuridine (BrdU) (120 mg/kg, i.p.) was given at the first day of HE administration, followed by isolation of the brains 4 weeks later. HE (60 mg/kg) increased the number of PCNA- and Ki67-positive cells in the subgranular zone of the hippocampus, indicating increased proliferation of hippocampal progenitors. In addition, BrdU- and BrdU/NeuN-positive cells in the dentate gyrus were significantly increased when treated with HE (60 mg/kg) compared with the saline-treated group, demonstrating enhanced neurogenesis by HE treatment. Taken together, the results indicate that chronic HE administration can exert anxiolytic and antidepressant-like effects, possibly by enhancing adult hippocampal neurogenesis.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sun Ryu
- 1 Department of Pharmacology, Catholic Neuroscience Institute, College of Medicine, The Catholic University of Korea , Seoul, Korea
| | - Hyoun Geun Kim
- 1 Department of Pharmacology, Catholic Neuroscience Institute, College of Medicine, The Catholic University of Korea , Seoul, Korea
| | - Joo Youn Kim
- 2 Division of New Health Technology Assessment, National Evidence-Based Healthcare Collaborating Agency , Seoul, Korea
| | - Seong Yun Kim
- 1 Department of Pharmacology, Catholic Neuroscience Institute, College of Medicine, The Catholic University of Korea , Seoul, Korea
| | - Kyung-Ok Cho
- 1 Department of Pharmacology, Catholic Neuroscience Institute, College of Medicine, The Catholic University of Korea , Seoul, Korea
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Zhou H, Yan Y, Ee X, Hunter DA, Akers WJ, Wood MD, Berezin MY. Imaging of radicals following injury or acute stress in peripheral nerves with activatable fluorescent probes. Free Radic Biol Med 2016; 101:85-92. [PMID: 27693326 PMCID: PMC5154790 DOI: 10.1016/j.freeradbiomed.2016.09.028] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/15/2016] [Revised: 09/27/2016] [Accepted: 09/27/2016] [Indexed: 12/20/2022]
Abstract
Peripheral nerve injury evokes a complex cascade of chemical reactions including generation of molecular radicals. Conversely, the reactions within nerve induced by stress are difficult to directly detect or measure to establish causality. Monitoring these reactions in vivo would enable deeper understanding of the nature of the injury and healing processes. Here, we utilized near-infrared fluorescence molecular probes delivered via intra-neural injection technique to enable live, in vivo imaging of tissue response associated with nerve injury and stress. These initially quenched fluorescent probes featured specific sensitivity to hydroxyl radicals and become fluorescent upon encountering reactive oxygen species (ROS). Intraneurally delivered probes demonstrated rapid activation in injured rat sciatic nerve but minimal activation in normal, uninjured nerve. In addition, these probes reported activation within sciatic nerves of living rats after a stress caused by a pinprick stimulus to the abdomen. This imaging approach was more sensitive to detecting changes within nerves due to the induced stress than other techniques to evaluate cellular and molecular changes. Specifically, neither histological analysis of the sciatic nerves, nor the expression of pain and stress associated genes in dorsal root ganglia could provide statistically significant differences between the control and stressed groups. Overall, the results demonstrate a novel imaging approach to measure ROS in addition to the impact of ROS within nerve in live animals.
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Affiliation(s)
- Haiying Zhou
- Division of Radiation Sciences, Department of Radiology, Washington University School of Medicine, 4515 McKinley Avenue, St. Louis, MO 63110, USA
| | - Ying Yan
- Division of Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery, Department of Surgery, Washington University School of Medicine, 660 South Euclid Avenue, St. Louis, MO 63110, USA
| | - Xueping Ee
- Division of Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery, Department of Surgery, Washington University School of Medicine, 660 South Euclid Avenue, St. Louis, MO 63110, USA
| | - Daniel A Hunter
- Division of Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery, Department of Surgery, Washington University School of Medicine, 660 South Euclid Avenue, St. Louis, MO 63110, USA
| | - Walter J Akers
- Division of Radiation Sciences, Department of Radiology, Washington University School of Medicine, 4515 McKinley Avenue, St. Louis, MO 63110, USA.
| | - Matthew D Wood
- Division of Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery, Department of Surgery, Washington University School of Medicine, 660 South Euclid Avenue, St. Louis, MO 63110, USA.
| | - Mikhail Y Berezin
- Division of Radiation Sciences, Department of Radiology, Washington University School of Medicine, 4515 McKinley Avenue, St. Louis, MO 63110, USA.
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Chronic mild stress influences nerve growth factor through a matrix metalloproteinase-dependent mechanism. Psychoneuroendocrinology 2016; 66:11-21. [PMID: 26771945 DOI: 10.1016/j.psyneuen.2015.12.019] [Citation(s) in RCA: 19] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/09/2015] [Revised: 12/02/2015] [Accepted: 12/17/2015] [Indexed: 01/19/2023]
Abstract
Stress is generally a beneficial experience that motivates an organism to action to overcome the stressful challenge. In particular situations, when stress becomes chronic might be harmful and devastating. The hypothalamus is a critical coordinator of stress and the metabolic response; therefore, disruptions in this structure may be a significant cause of the hormonal and metabolic disturbances observed in depression. Chronic stress induces adverse changes in the morphology of neural cells that are often associated with a deficiency of neurotrophic factors (NTFs); additionally, many studies indicate that insufficient NTF synthesis may participate in the pathogenesis of depression. The aim of the present study was to determine the expression of the nerve growth factor (NGF) in the hypothalamus of male rats subjected to chronic mild stress (CMS) or to prenatal stress (PS) and to PS in combination with an acute stress event (AS). It has been found that chronic mild stress, but not prenatal stress, acute stress or a combination of PS with AS, decreased the concentration of the mature form of NGF (m-NGF) in the rat hypothalamus. A discrepancy between an increase in the Ngf mRNA and a decrease in the m-NGF levels suggested that chronic mild stress inhibited NGF maturation or enhanced the degradation of this factor. We have shown that NGF degradation in the hypothalamus of rats subjected to chronic mild stress is matrix metalloproteinase-dependent and related to an increase in the active forms of some metalloproteinases (MMP), including MMP2, MMP3, MMP9 and MMP13, while the NGF maturation process does not seem to be changed. We suggested that activated MMP2 and MMP9 potently cleave the mature but not the pro- form of NGF into biologically inactive products, which is the reason for m-NGF decomposition. In turn, the enhanced expression of Ngf in the hypothalamus of these rats is an attempt to overcome the reduced levels of m-NGF. Additionally, the decreased level of m-NGF together with the increased level of pro-NGF can decrease TrkA-mediated neuronal survival signalling and enhance the action of pro-NGF on the p75(NTR) receptor, respectively, to evoke pro-apoptotic signalling. This hypothesis is supported by elevated levels of the caspase-3 mRNA in the hypothalamus of rats subjected to chronic mild stress.
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Badowska‐Szalewska E, Ludkiewicz B, Krawczyk R, Moryś J. The impact of two mild stressors on the nerve growth factor (NGF) immunoreactivity in the amygdala in aged rats compared to adult ones. Int J Dev Neurosci 2015; 49:6-13. [DOI: 10.1016/j.ijdevneu.2015.12.005] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/11/2015] [Revised: 12/18/2015] [Accepted: 12/18/2015] [Indexed: 01/04/2023] Open
Affiliation(s)
- Ewa Badowska‐Szalewska
- Department of Anatomy and NeurobiologyMedical University of GdańskDębinki st. 180‐211GdańskPoland
| | - Beata Ludkiewicz
- Department of Anatomy and NeurobiologyMedical University of GdańskDębinki st. 180‐211GdańskPoland
| | - Rafał Krawczyk
- Department of Anatomy and NeurobiologyMedical University of GdańskDębinki st. 180‐211GdańskPoland
| | - Janusz Moryś
- Department of Anatomy and NeurobiologyMedical University of GdańskDębinki st. 180‐211GdańskPoland
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13
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Antunes MS, Ruff JR, de Oliveira Espinosa D, Piegas MB, de Brito MLO, Rocha KA, de Gomes MG, Goes ATR, Souza LC, Donato F, Boeira SP, Jesse CR. Neuropeptide Y administration reverses tricyclic antidepressant treatment-resistant depression induced by ACTH in mice. Horm Behav 2015; 73:56-63. [PMID: 26122290 DOI: 10.1016/j.yhbeh.2015.05.018] [Citation(s) in RCA: 19] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/27/2014] [Revised: 05/19/2015] [Accepted: 05/28/2015] [Indexed: 10/23/2022]
Abstract
Depression is one of the most common mental disorders and a primary cause of disability. To better treat patients suffering this illness, elucidation of the underlying psychopathological and neurobiological mechanisms is urgently needed. Based on the above-mentioned evidence, we sought to investigate the effects of neuropeptide Y (NPY) treatment in tricyclic antidepressant treatment-resistant depression induced by adrenocorticotropic hormone (ACTH) administration. Mice were treated with NPY (5.84, 11.7 or 23.4mmol/μl) intracerebroventricularly (i.c.v.) for one or five days. The levels of serum corticosterone, tryptophan (TRP), kynurenine (KYN), serotonin (5-HT), 5-hydroxyindoleacetic acid (5-HIAA), brain-derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF), nerve growth factor (NGF) and indoleamine 2,3-dioxygenase (IDO) activity in the hippocampus were analyzed. The behavioral parameters (depressive-like and locomotor activity) were also verified. This study demonstrated that ACTH administration increased serum corticosterone levels, KYN, 5-HIAA levels, IDO activity (hippocampus), immobility in the forced swimming test (FST) and the latency to feed in the novelty suppressed feeding test (NSFT). In addition, ACTH administration decreased the BDNF and NGF levels in the hippocampus of mice. NPY treatment was effective in preventing these hormonal, neurochemical and behavioral alterations. It is suggested that the main target of NPY is the modulation of corticosterone and neuronal plasticity protein levels, which may be closely linked with pharmacological action in a model of tricyclic antidepressant treatment-resistant depression. Thus, this study demonstrated a protective effect of NPY on the alterations induced by ACTH administration in mice, indicating that it could be useful as a therapy for the treatment of tricyclic antidepressant treatment-resistant depression.
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Affiliation(s)
- Michelle S Antunes
- Laboratório de Avaliações Farmacológicas e Toxicológicas Aplicadas às Moléculas Bioativas, LaftamBio Pampa, Universidade Federal do Pampa, CEP 97650-000 Itaqui, RS, Brazil
| | - Jossana Rodrigues Ruff
- Laboratório de Avaliações Farmacológicas e Toxicológicas Aplicadas às Moléculas Bioativas, LaftamBio Pampa, Universidade Federal do Pampa, CEP 97650-000 Itaqui, RS, Brazil
| | - Dieniffer de Oliveira Espinosa
- Laboratório de Avaliações Farmacológicas e Toxicológicas Aplicadas às Moléculas Bioativas, LaftamBio Pampa, Universidade Federal do Pampa, CEP 97650-000 Itaqui, RS, Brazil
| | - Manuela Bastos Piegas
- Laboratório de Avaliações Farmacológicas e Toxicológicas Aplicadas às Moléculas Bioativas, LaftamBio Pampa, Universidade Federal do Pampa, CEP 97650-000 Itaqui, RS, Brazil
| | - Maicon Lenon Otenio de Brito
- Laboratório de Avaliações Farmacológicas e Toxicológicas Aplicadas às Moléculas Bioativas, LaftamBio Pampa, Universidade Federal do Pampa, CEP 97650-000 Itaqui, RS, Brazil
| | - Kellen Athaíde Rocha
- Laboratório de Avaliações Farmacológicas e Toxicológicas Aplicadas às Moléculas Bioativas, LaftamBio Pampa, Universidade Federal do Pampa, CEP 97650-000 Itaqui, RS, Brazil
| | - Marcelo Gomes de Gomes
- Laboratório de Avaliações Farmacológicas e Toxicológicas Aplicadas às Moléculas Bioativas, LaftamBio Pampa, Universidade Federal do Pampa, CEP 97650-000 Itaqui, RS, Brazil
| | - André Tiago Rossito Goes
- Laboratório de Avaliações Farmacológicas e Toxicológicas Aplicadas às Moléculas Bioativas, LaftamBio Pampa, Universidade Federal do Pampa, CEP 97650-000 Itaqui, RS, Brazil
| | - Leandro Cattelan Souza
- Laboratório de Avaliações Farmacológicas e Toxicológicas Aplicadas às Moléculas Bioativas, LaftamBio Pampa, Universidade Federal do Pampa, CEP 97650-000 Itaqui, RS, Brazil
| | - Franciele Donato
- Laboratório de Avaliações Farmacológicas e Toxicológicas Aplicadas às Moléculas Bioativas, LaftamBio Pampa, Universidade Federal do Pampa, CEP 97650-000 Itaqui, RS, Brazil
| | - Silvana Peterini Boeira
- Laboratório de Avaliações Farmacológicas e Toxicológicas Aplicadas às Moléculas Bioativas, LaftamBio Pampa, Universidade Federal do Pampa, CEP 97650-000 Itaqui, RS, Brazil
| | - Cristiano R Jesse
- Laboratório de Avaliações Farmacológicas e Toxicológicas Aplicadas às Moléculas Bioativas, LaftamBio Pampa, Universidade Federal do Pampa, CEP 97650-000 Itaqui, RS, Brazil.
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Badowska-Szalewska E, Krawczyk R, Ludkiewicz B, Moryś J. The effect of mild stress stimulation on the nerve growth factor (NGF) and tyrosine kinase receptor A (TrkA) immunoreactivity in the paraventricular nucleus (PVN) of the hypothalamus and hippocampus in aged vs. adult rats. Neuroscience 2015; 290:346-56. [DOI: 10.1016/j.neuroscience.2015.01.052] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/16/2014] [Revised: 01/15/2015] [Accepted: 01/22/2015] [Indexed: 12/25/2022]
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Abstract
Increasing number of studies has during the last decade linked neurotrophic factors with the pathophysiology of neuropsychiatric disorders and with the mechanisms of action of drugs used for the treatment of these disorders. In particular, brain-derived neurotrophic factor BDNF and its receptor TrkB have been connected with the pathophysiology in mood disorders, and there is strong evidence that BDNF signaling is critically involved in the recovery from depression with both pharmacological and psychological means. Neurotrophins play a central role in neuronal plasticity and network connectivity in developing adult brain, and recent evidence links plasticity and network rewiring with mood disorders and their treatment. Therefore, neurotrophins should not be seen as happiness factors but as critical tools in the process where brain networks are optimally tuned to environment, and it is against this background that the effects of neurotrophins on neuropsychiatric disorders should be looked at.
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Affiliation(s)
- E Castrén
- Neuroscience Center, University of Helsinki, 56, 00014, Helsinki, Finland,
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16
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Laurent HK, Laurent SM, Granger DA. Salivary nerve growth factor response to stress related to resilience. Physiol Behav 2014; 129:130-4. [DOI: 10.1016/j.physbeh.2014.02.034] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/30/2013] [Revised: 02/07/2014] [Accepted: 02/15/2014] [Indexed: 12/21/2022]
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17
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Banerjee R, Ghosh AK, Ghosh B, Bhattacharyya S, Mondal AC. Decreased mRNA and Protein Expression of BDNF, NGF, and their Receptors in the Hippocampus from Suicide: An Analysis in Human Postmortem Brain. Clin Med Insights Pathol 2013. [DOI: 10.4137/cpath.s12530] [Citation(s) in RCA: 75] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/05/2022] Open
Abstract
Despite the devastating effect of suicide on numerous lives, there is still a lack of knowledge concerning its neurochemical aspects. There is increasing evidence that brain-derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF) and nerve growth factor (NGF) are involved in the pathophysiology and treatment of depression through binding and activating their cognate receptors TrkB and TrkA respectively. The present study was performed to examine whether the expression profiles of BDNF and/or TrkB as well as NGF and/or TrkA were altered in the hippocampus of postmortem brain of the participants, who had committed suicide and whether these alterations were associated with specific psychopathologic conditions. These studies were performed on the hippocampus of 21 suicide victims and 19 non-psychiatric control individuals. The protein and mRNA levels of BDNF, TrkB, NGF, and TrkA were determined by sandwich enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay, Western blot and reverse transcription-PCR. Given the importance of BDNF and NGF and their cognate receptors in mediating physiological functions, including cell survival and synaptic plasticity, our findings of reduced expression of BDNF, TrkB, NGF, and TrkA on both the protein and mRNA levels of postmortem brains of suicide victims suggest that these molecules may play an important role in the pathophysiological aspects of suicidal behavior.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ritabrata Banerjee
- Research Fellow (SERB Research Project, Govt. of India) Raja Peary Mohan College (Affiliated to the University of Calcutta), Uttarpara, Hooghly, West Bengal-712258, India
| | - Anup K. Ghosh
- Department of Instrumentation Science, Jadavpur University, Calcutta, West Bengal-700032, India
| | - Balaram Ghosh
- Department of Pharmacology, Calcutta Medical College and Hospital, Calcutta, West Bengal-700073, India
| | - Somnath Bhattacharyya
- Department of Genetics, Bidhan Chandra Krishi Vishwavidyalaya, Mohanpur, Nadia, West Bengal-741252. India
| | - Amal C. Mondal
- Department of Physiology, Raja Peary Mohan College (Affiliated to the University of Calcutta), Uttarpara, Hooghly, West Bengal-712258, India
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18
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Banerjee R, Ghosh AK, Ghosh B, Bhattacharyya S, Mondal AC. Decreased mRNA and Protein Expression of BDNF, NGF, and their Receptors in the Hippocampus from Suicide: An Analysis in Human Postmortem Brain. Clin Med Insights Pathol 2013; 6:1-11. [PMID: 24031163 PMCID: PMC3767649 DOI: 10.4137/cmpath.s12530] [Citation(s) in RCA: 39] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/07/2023] Open
Abstract
Despite the devastating effect of suicide on numerous lives, there is still a lack of knowledge concerning its neurochemical aspects. There is increasing evidence that brain-derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF) and nerve growth factor (NGF) are involved in the pathophysiology and treatment of depression through binding and activating their cognate receptors TrkB and TrkA respectively. The present study was performed to examine whether the expression profiles of BDNF and/or TrkB as well as NGF and/or TrkA were altered in the hippocampus of postmortem brain of the participants, who had committed suicide and whether these alterations were associated with specific psychopathologic conditions. These studies were performed on the hippocampus of 21 suicide victims and 19 non-psychiatric control individuals. The protein and mRNA levels of BDNF, TrkB, NGF, and TrkA were determined by sandwich enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay, Western blot and reverse transcription-PCR. Given the importance of BDNF and NGF and their cognate receptors in mediating physiological functions, including cell survival and synaptic plasticity, our findings of reduced expression of BDNF, TrkB, NGF, and TrkA on both the protein and mRNA levels of postmortem brains of suicide victims suggest that these molecules may play an important role in the pathophysiological aspects of suicidal behavior.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ritabrata Banerjee
- Research Fellow (SERB Research Project,
Govt. of India) Raja Peary Mohan College (Affiliated to the University of Calcutta),
Uttarpara, Hooghly, West Bengal-712258, India
| | - Anup K. Ghosh
- Department of Instrumentation Science,
Jadavpur University, Calcutta, West Bengal-700032, India
| | - Balaram Ghosh
- Department of Pharmacology, Calcutta Medical
College and Hospital, Calcutta, West Bengal-700073, India
| | - Somnath Bhattacharyya
- Department of Genetics, Bidhan Chandra
Krishi Vishwavidyalaya, Mohanpur, Nadia, West Bengal-741252. India
| | - Amal C. Mondal
- Department of Physiology, Raja Peary Mohan
College (Affiliated to the University of Calcutta), Uttarpara, Hooghly, West
Bengal-712258, India
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19
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Reduced nerve growth factor levels in stress-related brain regions of folate-deficient mice. Neuroscience 2013; 245:129-35. [DOI: 10.1016/j.neuroscience.2013.04.014] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/08/2013] [Accepted: 04/09/2013] [Indexed: 11/19/2022]
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20
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Abelaira HM, Réus GZ, Ribeiro KF, Zappellini G, Cipriano AL, Scaini G, Streck EL, Quevedo J. Lamotrigine treatment reverses depressive-like behavior and alters BDNF levels in the brains of maternally deprived adult rats. Pharmacol Biochem Behav 2012; 101:348-53. [DOI: 10.1016/j.pbb.2012.01.019] [Citation(s) in RCA: 22] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/09/2011] [Revised: 01/18/2012] [Accepted: 01/22/2012] [Indexed: 01/16/2023]
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21
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Mao QQ, Ip SP, Xian YF, Hu Z, Che CT. Anti-depressant-like effect of peony: a mini-review. PHARMACEUTICAL BIOLOGY 2012; 50:72-77. [PMID: 22196583 DOI: 10.3109/13880209.2011.602696] [Citation(s) in RCA: 25] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 05/31/2023]
Abstract
CONTEXT Depression is a common psychiatric disorder, yet the clinical efficacy of antidepression therapies is unsatisfactory. Thus, the search for new anti-depressants continues, and natural products remain a promising source of new therapeutic agents. The root part of Paeonia lactiflora Pall. (Ranunculaceae), known as peony, is often used in Chinese herbal prescriptions for the treatment of depression-like disorders. OBJECTIVES The objective of this review is to provide scientific evidence to support further research on peony as a potential anti-depressant drug. METHODS This review summarizes the results obtained in our laboratory, together with other literature data obtained through a comprehensive search in databases including PubMed, ScienceDirect, Scirus, and Web of Science. RESULTS The peony extract is active in the mouse forced swim test and tail suspension test, and it produces anti-depressant effects in chronic unpredictable mild stress-induced depression model in mice and rats. The anti-depressant mechanisms of peony are likely mediated by the inhibition of monoamine oxidase activity, neuro-protection, modulation of the function of hypothalamic-pituitary-adrenal axis, inhibition of oxidative stress, and the up-regulation of neurotrophins. CONCLUSIONS Peony is used clinically to treat depression-like symptoms in Chinese medicine, and it has been shown to possess anti-depressant property in a battery of test models using laboratory animals. Its effect is likely mediated by multiple targets. Further studies are warranted to delineate the molecular mechanisms of action, determine the pharmacokinetics, establish the toxicological profile, and assess the potentials of peony in clinical applications. Identification of the clinically active ingredient(s) is also warranted.
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Affiliation(s)
- Qing-Qiu Mao
- School of Chinese Medicine, The Chinese University of Hong Kong, Shatin, Hong Kong, China
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22
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Mao QQ, Zhong XM, Qiu FM, Li ZY, Huang Z. Protective effects of paeoniflorin against corticosterone-induced neurotoxicity in PC12 cells. Phytother Res 2011; 26:969-73. [PMID: 22131171 DOI: 10.1002/ptr.3673] [Citation(s) in RCA: 21] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/01/2011] [Revised: 08/29/2011] [Accepted: 09/01/2011] [Indexed: 11/09/2022]
Abstract
Neuroprotection has been proposed as one of the acting mechanisms of antidepressants. Paeoniflorin, a monoterpene glycoside, has been reported to display antidepressant-like effects in animal models of behavioural despair. The present study aimed to examine the protective effect of paeoniflorin treatment on corticosterone-induced neurotoxicity in cultured rat pheochromocytoma (PC12) cells. Paeoniflorin was shown to elevate cell viability, decrease levels of intracellular reactive oxygen species (ROS) and malondialdehyde (MDA) in corticosterone-treated PC12 cells. Paeoniflorin also reversed the reduced nerve growth factor (NGF) mRNA level caused by corticosterone in PC12 cells. The results suggest that paeoniflorin exerts a neuroprotective effect on corticosterone-induced neurotoxicity in PC12 cells, at least in part, via the inhibition of oxidative stress and the up-regulation of NGF expression. This neuroprotective effect may be one of the action pathways that accounts for the in vivo antidepressant activity of paeoniflorin.
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Affiliation(s)
- Qing-Qiu Mao
- College of Pharmacy, Zhejiang Chinese Medicine University, Hangzhou, 310053 Zhejiang, China
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23
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Badowska-Szalewska E, Spodnik E, Ludkiewicz B, Klejbor I, Moryś J. Nerve growth factor (NGF) immunoreactive neurons in the juvenile rat hippocampus: response to acute and long-term high-light open-field (HL-OF) or forced swim (FS) stress stimulation. Neuroscience 2011; 199:491-500. [PMID: 22027234 DOI: 10.1016/j.neuroscience.2011.10.013] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/30/2011] [Revised: 09/13/2011] [Accepted: 10/09/2011] [Indexed: 12/30/2022]
Abstract
This study aimed at examining and comparing the influence of two different stress stimuli on the density (number of cells/mm²) of nerve growth factor (NGF) containing neurons in the hippocampal CA1 and CA3 pyramidal cell layers and the dentate gyrus (DG) granule cell layer in juvenile rats (P28; P-postnatal day). The high-light open-field (HL-OF) test and forced swim (FS) test were employed to investigate the effects of a single, 15-min acute exposure and repeated (15 min daily for 21 days) long-term exposure to stress. In order to detect NGF-ir neurons, immunohistochemical (-ir) techniques were used. In comparison with nonstressed animals, acute and long-term HL-OF or FS stimulation resulted in a marked increase (P<0.001) in the density of NGF-ir containing cells in all the hippocampal structures. The frequency of stress application (acute vs. long-term), however, did not have a substantial impact on the studied parameter, with the exception of the CA3 sector, where a decreased density (P<0.001) of NGF-ir neurons was observed after long-term exposure to FS. It may be concluded that a rise in the density of NGF-ir neurons in the juvenile rat hippocampus after exposure to HL-OF or FS stressors could have affected the activity of the hypothalamic-pituitary-adrenocortical (HPA) stress axis. Prolonged HL-OF or FS stress was probably aggravating enough not to trigger the habituation process. The type of stressor applied (HL-OF vs. FS) was not essentially a factor determining the density of NGF-ir cells in the hippocampus.
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Affiliation(s)
- E Badowska-Szalewska
- Department of Anatomy and Neurobiology, Medical University of Gdańsk, Dębinki 1 Street, 80-211 Gdańsk, Poland.
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Badowska-Szalewska E, Spodnik E, Klejbor I, Ludkiewicz B, Moryś J. Do two models of acute and chronic stress stimulation influence the amount of nerve growth factor (NGF) and its receptor TrkA in the hippocampal neurons of middle aged rats? Brain Res 2011; 1384:97-109. [PMID: 21303670 DOI: 10.1016/j.brainres.2011.01.112] [Citation(s) in RCA: 11] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/14/2010] [Revised: 01/27/2011] [Accepted: 01/31/2011] [Indexed: 01/25/2023]
Abstract
Our study aimed to explore the influence of two different stressors: acute (once for 15 min) and chronic (15 min daily for 21 days) exposure to high light open field (HL-OF) or forced swim (FS) on the density of nerve growth factor (NGF) and tyrosine kinase A (TrkA) immunoreactive neurons in the hippocampal CA1 and CA3 pyramidal cell layers and dentate gyrus (DG) granule cell layer in middle aged (360 days old; P360; P, postnatal day) rats. In contrast to non-stressed animals, acute HL-OF stimulation resulted in an increase (p<0.001) in the density of NGF-ir cells in CA1, CA3, DG, whereas chronic HL-OF produced no changes in all hippocampal regions. The rats which underwent acute and chronic FS tests showed no statistically significant differences in the density of NGF-ir containing cells in the CA1, CA3, and DG subfields compared with control rats. Except for DG, where after 21 days of FS the density of TrkA-ir neurons was found to increase (p<0.05) in comparison to unstressed rats, no changes were noted in the density of TrkA-ir in the studied hippocampal structures as a result of acute and chronic HL-OF or FS exposure. These results indicate that acute HL-OF stress stimulation was the only factor inducing changes in the density of NGF-ir containing neurons in the hippocampal CA1, CA3, and DG of middle aged rats. In respect of the density of NGF-ir and TrkA-ir cells in the hippocampal structures, prolonged exposure to HL-OF or FS stressors did not constitute an aggravating factor for rats in the studied ontogenetic period.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ewa Badowska-Szalewska
- Department of Anatomy and Neurobiology, Medical University of Gdańsk, Dębinki 1 St., 80–211 Gdańsk, Poland.
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Mao QQ, Zhong XM, Li ZY, Feng CR, Pan AJ, Huang Z. Herbal formula SYJN increases neurotrophin-3 and nerve growth factor expression in brain regions of rats exposed to chronic unpredictable stress. JOURNAL OF ETHNOPHARMACOLOGY 2010; 131:182-186. [PMID: 20600769 DOI: 10.1016/j.jep.2010.06.019] [Citation(s) in RCA: 11] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/19/2010] [Revised: 06/12/2010] [Accepted: 06/14/2010] [Indexed: 05/29/2023]
Abstract
AIM OF THE STUDY SYJN is a Chinese herbal formula that contains four herbs: Bupleurum chinense DC., Curcuma aromatica Salisb., Perilla frutescens (L.) Britt., and Acorus tatarinowii Schott. Previous studies conducted in our laboratory have revealed an antidepressant-like effect of the formula in chronic unpredictable stress (CUS)-induced depression model in rats. The present study aimed to investigate whether neurotrophin-3 (NT-3) and nerve growth factor (NGF) are involved in the antidepressant-like action of SYJN by using the same depressive model in rats. MATERIALS AND METHODS Rats were subjected to an experimental setting of CUS. The mechanism underlying the antidepressant-like action of SYJN was examined by measuring protein and mRNA expression of NT-3 and NGF in brain tissues of CUS-exposed rats. RESULTS The results showed that NT-3 protein and mRNA expression in the hippocampus and frontal cortex were significantly decreased in CUS-treated rats. CUS treatment also significantly decreased NGF protein and mRNA expression in the frontal cortex of the animals. Daily intragastric administration of SYJN (1300 or 2600 mg/kg/day) during the 4 weeks of CUS significantly suppressed these changes induced by CUS. CONCLUSION The results suggest that the antidepressant-like activity of SYJN is likely mediated by the increases in NT-3 and NGF expression in brain tissues.
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Affiliation(s)
- Qing-Qiu Mao
- School of Chinese Medicine, The Chinese University of Hong Kong, Shatin, N.T., Hong Kong, China.
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Long-term treatment with peony glycosides reverses chronic unpredictable mild stress-induced depressive-like behavior via increasing expression of neurotrophins in rat brain. Behav Brain Res 2010; 210:171-7. [PMID: 20176057 DOI: 10.1016/j.bbr.2010.02.026] [Citation(s) in RCA: 80] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/13/2009] [Revised: 02/10/2010] [Accepted: 02/12/2010] [Indexed: 12/20/2022]
Abstract
The root part of Paeonia lactiflora Pall., commonly known as peony, is a commonly used Chinese herb for the treatment of depression-like disorders. Previous studies in our laboratory have showed that total glycosides of peony (TGP) produced antidepressant-like action in various mouse models of behavioral despair. The present study aimed to investigate the mechanism(s) underlying the antidepressant-like action of TGP by measuring neurotrophins including brain-derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF) and nerve growth factor (NGF) in non-stressed and chronic unpredictable mild stress (CUMS)-treated rats. TGP (80 or 160 mg/kg/day) was administered by oral gavage to the animals for 5 weeks. The results showed that CUMS caused depression-like behavior in rats, as indicated by the significant decreases in sucrose consumption and locomotor activity (assessed by open-field test). In addition, it was found that BDNF contents in the hippocampus and frontal cortex were significantly decreased in CUMS-treated rats. CUMS treatment also significantly decreased the level of NGF in the frontal cortex of the animals. Daily intragastric administration of TGP (80 or 160 mg/kg/day) during the five weeks of CUMS significantly suppressed behavioral and biochemical changes induced by CUMS. Treating non-stressed animals with TGP (160 mg/kg) for 5 weeks also significantly increased BDNF contents in the hippocampus and frontal cortex, and NGF contents in the frontal cortex. The results suggest that the antidepressant-like action of TGP is mediated, at least in part, by increasing the expression of BDNF and NGF in selective brain tissues.
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Schulte-Herbrüggen O, Fuchs E, Abumaria N, Ziegler A, Danker-Hopfe H, Hiemke C, Hellweg R. Effects of escitalopram on the regulation of brain-derived neurotrophic factor and nerve growth factor protein levels in a rat model of chronic stress. J Neurosci Res 2009; 87:2551-60. [PMID: 19360902 DOI: 10.1002/jnr.22080] [Citation(s) in RCA: 33] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/18/2022]
Abstract
Escitalopram (ES-CIT) is a widely used, highly specific antidepressant. Until now there has been very little evidence on how this drug under pathological conditions affects an important feature within the pathophysiology of stress-related disorders such as depression: the endogenous neurotrophins. By using a well-characterized rat model in which chronic stress induces depressive-like behavior, the levels of neurotrophins brain-derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF) and nerve growth factor (NGF) were determined in representative brain regions and serum using a highly sensitive improved fluorometric two-site ELISA system. There was a significant increase of BDNF in the left and right cortices after stress treatment (twofold increase) that was reversed by application of ES-CIT. An ES-CIT-dependent NGF reduction in stressed rats was detectable in the right cortex only (P = 0.027). The left hippocampus revealed significantly higher amounts of BDNF (2.5-fold increase) protein than the right hippocampus. These interhemispheric differences were unrelated to stress or ES-CIT treatment in all animals. BDNF and NGF of the frontal cortex, cerebellum, and serum did not change between the study groups. There was a negative correlation between body weight and serum BDNF, independent of stress or ES-CIT treatment. In conclusion, BDNF and NGF show substantial changes in this rodent model of chronic social stress, which is susceptible to antidepressant treatment with ES-CIT and therefore may constitute a neurobiological correlate for the disease.
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Affiliation(s)
- Olaf Schulte-Herbrüggen
- Department of Psychiatry and Psychotherapy, Charité-University Medicine Berlin, Campus Benjamin Franklin, Berlin, Germany
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Increased phospholipase A2 activity and inflammatory response but decreased nerve growth factor expression in the olfactory bulbectomized rat model of depression: effects of chronic ethyl-eicosapentaenoate treatment. J Neurosci 2009; 29:14-22. [PMID: 19129380 DOI: 10.1523/jneurosci.3569-08.2009] [Citation(s) in RCA: 121] [Impact Index Per Article: 8.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/26/2022] Open
Abstract
An increased inflammatory response and deficient synthesis of neurotrophic factors (NTFs) may contribute to the etiology of depression. However, the interrelationship between inflammation and NTFs is unknown. Recently, ethyl-eicosapentaenoate (EPA) has been used to treat depression. The mechanism by which EPA benefits depression is also unclear. Using the olfactory bulbectomized (OB) rat model of depression, this study evaluated two pathways from bulbectomy to the induction of depression-like changes (the inflammation-hypothalamic-pituitary-adrenal axis-stress response pathway and inflammation-nerve growth factor-memory pathway) and the effect of EPA on these pathways. When compared with sham-operated rats fed a control diet, significantly increased locomotor and rearing activities in an "open field," impaired memory in the Morris water maze, increased expression of corticotrophin-releasing factor (CRF), and increased secretion of corticosterone were found in OB rats. mRNA expression of nerve growth factor (NGF) was significantly lower in the hippocampus, and phospholipase A2 (PLA2) was higher in the hypothalamus; this change was associated with increased interleukin-1beta (IL-1beta) and prostaglandin E2 (PGE2) in the serum and brain. EPA treatments normalized these behavioral impairments and reduced CRF expression and corticosterone secretion. EPA also reduced serum concentrations of IL-1beta and PGE2, but reversed NGF reduction. Similar to the effects of EPA, the anti-inflammatory drug celecoxib significantly reduced blood PGE2, IL-1beta, and corticosterone concentrations and increased NGF expression in OB rats. Furthermore, anti-NGF treatment blocked EPA effects on behavior. These results suggest that an interaction exists between inflammation and NGF in the depression model. EPA may improve depression via its anti-inflammation properties and the upregulation of NGF.
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Haenisch B, Gilsbach R, Bönisch H. Neurotrophin and neuropeptide expression in mouse brain is regulated by knockout of the norepinephrine transporter. J Neural Transm (Vienna) 2008; 115:973-82. [DOI: 10.1007/s00702-008-0039-2] [Citation(s) in RCA: 12] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/23/2007] [Accepted: 02/26/2008] [Indexed: 12/29/2022]
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Joachim RA, Noga O, Sagach V, Hanf G, Fliege H, Kocalevent RD, Peters EM, Klapp BF. Correlation between immune and neuronal parameters and stress perception in allergic asthmatics. Clin Exp Allergy 2007; 38:283-90. [PMID: 18070153 DOI: 10.1111/j.1365-2222.2007.02899.x] [Citation(s) in RCA: 26] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/29/2022]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Asthma is a chronic disease defined by airway inflammation, increased airway hyperresponsiveness and episodes of airway obstruction. Although there are abundant clinical and experimental data showing that stress may worsen asthma, the mechanisms linking stress to asthma are not well understood. By inducing a pro-inflammatory cytokine milieu, stress might enhance airway inflammation in bronchial asthma. We therefore investigated the correlation of stress perception and the cytokine profile of circulating lymphocytes in humans. METHODS Allergic asthmatic patients and healthy controls were evaluated for perceived level of stress, demographic and lung function data. Whole blood cells were obtained and stimulated by mitogen to assess intracellular IL-4, IFN-gamma and TNF-alpha by flow cytometry. Neurotrophins nerve growth factor (NGF) and brain-derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF) were measured in serum. RESULTS Asthmatic patients showed significantly higher percentages of TNF-alpha-producing T cells than healthy controls. Only in asthmatic patients was stress perception correlated with percentages of TNF-alpha-producing T cells and serum BDNF levels, while forced expiratory volume in 1 s (% predicted) was negatively correlated to BDNF. CONCLUSION The results of our study support the hypothesis that stress deteriorates bronchial asthma by inducing a pro-inflammatory cytokine profile in allergic asthmatics. Stress management might provide a supplement therapy of allergic asthma.
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Affiliation(s)
- R A Joachim
- Department of Internal Medicine and Psychosomatics, Charité Center for Internal Medicine and Dermatology, Charité-Universitaetsmedizin, Berlin, Germany.
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Schmidt HD, Duman RS. The role of neurotrophic factors in adult hippocampal neurogenesis, antidepressant treatments and animal models of depressive-like behavior. Behav Pharmacol 2007; 18:391-418. [PMID: 17762509 DOI: 10.1097/fbp.0b013e3282ee2aa8] [Citation(s) in RCA: 492] [Impact Index Per Article: 28.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/02/2023]
Abstract
Major depressive disorder (MDD) is characterized by structural and neurochemical changes in limbic structures, including the hippocampus, that regulate mood and cognitive functions. Hippocampal atrophy is observed in patients with depression and this effect is blocked or reversed by antidepressant treatments. Brain-derived neurotrophic factor and other neurotrophic/growth factors are decreased in postmortem hippocampal tissue from suicide victims, which suggests that altered trophic support could contribute to the pathophysiology of MDD. Preclinical studies demonstrate that exposure to stress leads to atrophy and cell loss in the hippocampus as well as decreased expression of neurotrophic/growth factors, and that antidepressant administration reverses or blocks the effects of stress. Accumulating evidence suggests that altered neurogenesis in the adult hippocampus mediates the action of antidepressants. Chronic antidepressant administration upregulates neurogenesis in the adult hippocampus and this cellular response is required for the effects of antidepressants in certain animal models of depression. Here, we review cellular (e.g. adult neurogenesis) and behavioral studies that support the neurotrophic/neurogenic hypothesis of depression and antidepressant action. Aberrant regulation of neuronal plasticity, including neurogenesis, in the hippocampus and other limbic nuclei may result in maladaptive changes in neural networks that underlie the pathophysiology of MDD.
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Affiliation(s)
- Heath D Schmidt
- Division of Molecular Psychiatry, Abraham Ribicoff Research Facilities, Department of Psychiatry and Pharmacology, Yale University School of Medicine, New Haven, Connecticut, USA
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Schulte-Herbrüggen O, Hellweg R, Chourbaji S, Ridder S, Brandwein C, Gass P, Hörtnagl H. Differential regulation of neurotrophins and serotonergic function in mice with genetically reduced glucocorticoid receptor expression. Exp Neurol 2007; 204:307-16. [PMID: 17208231 DOI: 10.1016/j.expneurol.2006.11.009] [Citation(s) in RCA: 25] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/30/2006] [Revised: 10/13/2006] [Accepted: 11/17/2006] [Indexed: 02/03/2023]
Abstract
The neurotrophin and serotonin (5-HT) hypotheses of depression were studied in a mouse model of reduced glucocorticoid receptor (GR) function (GR(+/-) mice), which recently has been proven as a murine model of predisposition for depressive behaviour under stressful conditions. In this model we studied diurnal changes in neurotrophins and serotonergic function in candidate brain regions mediating depressive behaviour. Morning and evening levels of brain-derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF), nerve growth factor (NGF), 5-HT and its metabolite 5-hydroxyindoleacetic acid (5-HIAA) were analyzed in representative brain regions of GR(+/-) and wildtype mice. The diurnal variation of hippocampal BDNF in wildtypes with higher levels in the morning was absent in GR(+/-) mice. Hypothalamus and parietal cortex displayed enhanced BDNF levels in GR(+/-) mice. In the frontal cortex, striatum and hypothalamus NGF increased from morning to evening in both genotypes, with an exaggeration in GR(+/-) mice. The diurnal variation of 5-HT levels and turnover did not differ significantly between genotypes. It was only in the hypothalamus that the evening level of 5-HIAA was lower in GR(+/-) mice than in wildtype mice. In conclusion, the present data indicate a contribution of altered BDNF and NGF protein levels to the predisposition for depressive behaviour in the GR(+/-) mouse model of depression, but argue against an eminent role of the serotonergic system.
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Affiliation(s)
- Olaf Schulte-Herbrüggen
- Department of Psychiatry and Psychotherapy, Charité-University Medicine Berlin, Campus Benjamin Franklin, Berlin, Germany
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Schulte-Herbrüggen O, Chourbaji S, Ridder S, Brandwein C, Gass P, Hörtnagl H, Hellweg R. Stress-resistant mice overexpressing glucocorticoid receptors display enhanced BDNF in the amygdala and hippocampus with unchanged NGF and serotonergic function. Psychoneuroendocrinology 2006; 31:1266-77. [PMID: 17098367 DOI: 10.1016/j.psyneuen.2006.09.008] [Citation(s) in RCA: 43] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/28/2006] [Revised: 09/19/2006] [Accepted: 09/20/2006] [Indexed: 10/23/2022]
Abstract
Dysfunctional glucocorticoid receptor (GR) signaling has been shown to be involved in the pathogenesis of depressive behavior in mice and humans. In accordance with this hypothesis GR overexpressing mice are less susceptible to develop depressive-like behavior when subjected to stressful events. Here, we analyzed GR overexpressing mice for morning and evening content of nerve growth factor (NGF), brain-derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF) and the tissue levels of serotonin and its metabolite 5-hydroxyindoleacetic acid) in brain areas suspected to be involved in stress adaptation. BDNF concentrations in the hippocampus and amygdala/piriform cortex were significantly enhanced in GR overexpressing mice (by maximally +103%) compared to wildtype animals. Diurnal variations, as detected for NGF in the hypothalamus, for BDNF in the frontal cortex and striatum and for serotonergic function in the frontal cortex and hypothalamus, were not affected by the genotype. In conclusion, GR overexpression-dependent increases of hippocampal and amygdala BDNF content presumably represent a dynamic correlate of enhanced stress resistance.
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Affiliation(s)
- Olaf Schulte-Herbrüggen
- Department of Psychiatry and Psychotherapy, Charité-University Medicine Berlin, Campus Benjamin Franklin, Eschenallee 3, 14050 Berlin, Germany
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Hellweg R, Zueger M, Fink K, Hörtnagl H, Gass P. Olfactory bulbectomy in mice leads to increased BDNF levels and decreased serotonin turnover in depression-related brain areas. Neurobiol Dis 2006; 25:1-7. [PMID: 16990008 DOI: 10.1016/j.nbd.2006.07.017] [Citation(s) in RCA: 91] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/17/2006] [Revised: 07/20/2006] [Accepted: 07/31/2006] [Indexed: 02/06/2023] Open
Abstract
The olfactory bulbectomy in rodents has been proposed as an animal model for depression. According to the neurotrophin and monoamine hypotheses of depression, the present study examined neurotrophin and monoamine (serotonin, norepinephrine, dopamine) levels in several depression-related brain regions of mice subjected to olfactory bulbectomy. As expected, bulbectomized animals revealed behavioral alterations such as locomotor hyperactivity and reduced gain of bodyweight, regarded as correlates of a depressive-like state. Compared to sham-operated animals, bulbectomized mice demonstrated significantly increased brain-derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF), but regular nerve growth factor (NGF), protein levels in hippocampus (+108%) and frontal cortex (+48%) 16 days after olfactory bulbectomy. In these brain regions as well as in the hypothalamus, bulbectomy also caused a reduction of the molar ratio of 5-hydroxyindoleacetic acid to serotonin (5-HT) indicating a decrease in 5-HT turnover. Similarly, a hypofunction of the dopamine (DA) turnover was evident only in the hypothalamus in response to olfactory bulbectomy, presenting a decrease in the ratio 3,4 dihydroxyphenylacetic acid/DA with increased levels of DA. In all other brain areas investigated the levels of DA, its metabolite DOPAC and norepinephrine remained unaltered. Thus, olfactory bulbectomy seems to be a valid animal model also in mice related to serotonergic dysfunctions resembling bulbectomized rats that are a well-known model of hyposerotoninergic agitated depression. With respect to the common BDNF hypothesis of depression--predicting decreased BDNF expression in depression-related brain areas--the novel and challenging conclusions concern the increased BDNF protein levels in target regions of the cholinergic basal forebrain system in bulbectomized mice.
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Affiliation(s)
- Rainer Hellweg
- Department of Psychiatry and Psychotherapy, Charité-University Medicine Berlin, Campus Benjamin Franklin, Eschenallee 3, 14050 Berlin, Germany.
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Hellweg R, Lohmann P, Huber R, Kühl A, Riepe MW. Spatial navigation in complex and radial mazes in APP23 animals and neurotrophin signaling as a biological marker of early impairment. Learn Mem 2006; 13:63-71. [PMID: 16418433 PMCID: PMC1360134 DOI: 10.1101/lm.2606] [Citation(s) in RCA: 50] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/25/2022]
Abstract
Impairment of hippocampal function precedes frontal and parietal cortex impairment in human Alzheimer's disease (AD). Neurotrophins are critical for behavioral performance and neuronal survival in AD. We used complex and radial mazes to assess spatial orientation and learning in wild-type and B6-Tg(ThylAPP)23Sdz (APP23) animals, a transgenic mouse model of AD. We also assessed brain content of nerve growth factor (NGF), brain-derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF), and neurotrophin-3 (NT-3). Performance was alike in wild-type and APP23 animals in the radial maze. In contrast, performance in the complex maze was better in wild-type than APP23 animals. Contrary to the wild-type, hippocampal BDNF levels decreased on training in APP23 animals. Hippocampal and frontal cortex NGF levels in APP23 animals correlated with the time to solve the complex maze, but correlated inversely with escape time in wild-type animals. NT-3 levels were alike in wild-type and APP23 animals and were unchanged even after training. Both types of mazes depend on hippocampal integrity to some extent. However, according to the cognitive mapping theory of spatial learning, the complex maze because of the increased complexity of the environment most likely depends more strongly on preserved hippocampal function than the radial maze in the working memory configuration applied here. Greater impairment in complex maze performance than in radial maze performance thus resembles the predominant affliction of the loss of hippocampal function in human AD. NGF and BDNF levels on maze learning are different in wild-type and transgenic animals, indicating that biological markers of AD may be altered on challenge even though equilibrium levels are alike.
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Affiliation(s)
- Rainer Hellweg
- Department of Psychiatry, Charité University, 14050 Berlin, Germany
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Albeck DS, Beck KD, Kung LH, Sano K, Brennan FX. Leverpress escape/avoidance training increases neurotrophin levels in rat brain. ACTA ACUST UNITED AC 2005; 40:28-34. [PMID: 16491929 DOI: 10.1007/bf02734186] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/30/2022]
Abstract
In addition to their well-known role in neural development, the neurotrophins BDNF and NGF help mediate the plasticity that occurs in the brain to promote learning. Exposure to learning procedures often leads to increases in neurotrophins, while exposure to stress often results in decreases. It is unclear how the neurotrophins would respond to an aversive learning task. Therefore, BDNF and NGF content in the dorsal striatum, hippocampus, and basal forebrain was measured following discrete trial lever-press escape/avoidance conditioning. Conditioning significantly increased levels of both neurotrophins in hippocampus and basal forebrain, relative to home cage controls (HCC). Contrary to expectations, the dorsal striatum did not show any significant changes. However, significant correlations were observed between dorsal striatal neurotrophins and aspects of avoidance performance. This may indicate that the dorsal striatum is involved in the performance aspects of the task. Results are discussed in terms of the role of neurotrophins in the acquisition of new information, and the neural structures involved in different types of memory.
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Affiliation(s)
- David S Albeck
- Department of Psychology, University of Colorado at Denver, CO 80217-3364, USA.
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