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Zare Z, Shafia S, Mohammadi M. Thyroid hormone deficiency affects anxiety-related behaviors and expression of hippocampal glutamate transporters in male congenital hypothyroid rat offspring. Horm Behav 2024; 162:105548. [PMID: 38636205 DOI: 10.1016/j.yhbeh.2024.105548] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/19/2023] [Revised: 04/06/2024] [Accepted: 04/12/2024] [Indexed: 04/20/2024]
Abstract
Thyroid hormones are crucial for brain development and their deficiency during fetal and postnatal periods can lead to mood and cognitive disorders. We aimed to examine the consequences of thyroid hormone deficiency on anxiety-related behaviors and protein expression of hippocampal glutamate transporters in congenital hypothyroid male offspring rats. Possible beneficial effects of treadmill exercise have also been examined. Congenital hypothyroidism was induced by adding propylthiouracil (PTU) to drinking water of pregnant Wistar rats from gestational day 6 until the end of the weaning period (postnatal day 28). Next, following 4 weeks of treadmill exercise (5 days per week), anxiety-related behaviors were examined using elevated plus maze (EPM) and light/dark box tests. Thereafter, protein expression of astrocytic (GLAST and GLT-1) and neuronal (EAAC1) glutamate transporters were measured in the hippocampus by immunoblotting. Hypothyroid rats showed decreased anxiety-like behavior, as measured by longer time spent in the open arms of the EPM and in the light area of the light/dark box, compared to control rats. Hypothyroid rats had significantly higher GLAST and GLT-1 and lower EAAC1 protein levels in the hippocampus than did the euthyroid rats. Following exercise, anxiety levels decreased in the euthyroid group while protein expression of EAAC1 increased and returned to normal levels in the hypothyroid group. Our findings indicate that thyroid hormone deficiency was associated with alterations in protein expression of glutamate transporters in the hippocampus. Up-regulation of hippocampal GLAST and GLT-1 could be at least one of the mechanisms associated with the anxiolytic effects of congenital hypothyroidism.
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Affiliation(s)
- Zohreh Zare
- Department of Anatomical Sciences, Molecular and Cell Biology Research Center, Faculty of Medicine, Mazandaran University of Medical Sciences, Sari, Iran
| | - Sakineh Shafia
- Department of Physiology, Immunogenetic Research Center, Faculty of Medicine, Mazandaran University of Medical Sciences, Sari, Iran
| | - Moslem Mohammadi
- Department of Physiology, Molecular and Cell Biology Research Center, Faculty of Medicine, Mazandaran University of Medical Sciences, Sari, Iran.
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2
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Akkaya EC, Koc B, Dalkiran B, Calis G, Dayi A, Kayatekin BM. High-intensity interval training ameliorates spatial and recognition memory impairments, reduces hippocampal TNF-alpha levels, and amyloid-beta peptide load in male hypothyroid rats. Behav Brain Res 2024; 458:114752. [PMID: 37944564 DOI: 10.1016/j.bbr.2023.114752] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/14/2023] [Revised: 11/02/2023] [Accepted: 11/06/2023] [Indexed: 11/12/2023]
Abstract
Thyroid hormones are critical for healthy brain functions at every stage of life. Hypothyroidism can cause severe cognitive dysfunction in patients who do not receive adequate treatment. Although thyroid hormone replacement alleviates cognitive decline in hypothyroid patients, there are studies showing that there is no complete recovery. The aim of this study was to investigate the effects of high-intensity interval training (HIIT) in hypothyroid rats on spatial and recognition memory, neuroinflammation, amyloid-beta load and compare these effects with T3 replacement. Hypothyroidism was induced and maintained by administration of 6-n-propyl-2-thiouracil (PTU) with their drinking water to 6-weeks-old male Sprague-Dawley rats for 7 weeks. The animals exercised in the treadmill according to the HIIT protocol for four weeks. T3 was injected intraperitoneally daily during the last two weeks of the study. All animals performed in the elevated plus maze test, Morris water maze test, novel object recognition test, and rotarod motor performance test in the last week of the study and then the animals were sacrificed. Amyloid beta (1-42) and TNFα levels were measured in the prefrontal cortex and hippocampus by ELISA. Anxiety-like behaviors did not significantly differ between groups. T3 replacement with or without HIIT increased motor performance in PTU-treated rats. HIIT and/or T3 replacement increased the exercise performance. HIIT and/or T3 replacement alleviated spatial and recognition memory impairments and normalized TNFα and amyloid-beta levels in the hippocampus in hypothyroid rats. In summary, regular physical exercise may have potential benefits in preserving cognitive functions in hypothyroid patients.
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Affiliation(s)
- Erhan Caner Akkaya
- Dokuz Eylul University, Department of Physiology, School of Medicine, Izmir, Turkey.
| | - Basar Koc
- Dokuz Eylul University, Department of Physiology, School of Medicine, Izmir, Turkey
| | - Bahar Dalkiran
- Dokuz Eylul University, Department of Physiology, Institute of Health Sciences, Izmir, Turkey
| | - Guner Calis
- Dokuz Eylul University, Department of Physiology, School of Medicine, Izmir, Turkey
| | - Ayfer Dayi
- Dokuz Eylul University, Department of Physiology, School of Medicine, Izmir, Turkey
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Marty MS, Sauer UG, Charlton A, Ghaffari R, Guignard D, Hallmark N, Hannas BR, Jacobi S, Marxfeld HA, Melching-Kollmuss S, Sheets LP, Urbisch D, Botham PA, van Ravenzwaay B. Towards a science-based testing strategy to identify maternal thyroid hormone imbalance and neurodevelopmental effects in the progeny-part III: how is substance-mediated thyroid hormone imbalance in pregnant/lactating rats or their progeny related to neurodevelopmental effects? Crit Rev Toxicol 2022; 52:546-617. [PMID: 36519295 DOI: 10.1080/10408444.2022.2130166] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/23/2022]
Abstract
This review investigated which patterns of thyroid- and brain-related effects are seen in rats upon gestational/lactational exposure to 14 substances causing thyroid hormone imbalance by four different modes-of-action (inhibition of thyroid peroxidase, sodium-iodide symporter and deiodinase activities, enhancement of thyroid hormone clearance) or to dietary iodine deficiency. Brain-related parameters included motor activity, cognitive function, acoustic startle response, hearing function, periventricular heterotopia, electrophysiology and brain gene expression. Specific modes-of-action were not related to specific patterns of brain-related effects. Based upon the rat data reviewed, maternal serum thyroid hormone levels do not show a causal relationship with statistically significant neurodevelopmental effects. Offspring serum thyroxine together with offspring serum triiodothyronine and thyroid stimulating hormone appear relevant to predict the likelihood for neurodevelopmental effects. Based upon the collated database, thresholds of ≥60%/≥50% offspring serum thyroxine reduction and ≥20% and statistically significant offspring serum triiodothyronine reduction indicate an increased likelihood for statistically significant neurodevelopmental effects; accuracies: 83% and 67% when excluding electrophysiology (and gene expression). Measurements of brain thyroid hormone levels are likely relevant, too. The extent of substance-mediated thyroid hormone imbalance appears more important than substance mode-of-action to predict neurodevelopmental impairment in rats. Pertinent research needs were identified, e.g. to determine whether the phenomenological offspring thyroid hormone thresholds are relevant for regulatory toxicity testing. The insight from this review shall be used to suggest a tiered testing strategy to determine whether gestational/lactational substance exposure may elicit thyroid hormone imbalance and potentially also neurodevelopmental effects.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Ursula G Sauer
- Scientific Consultancy-Animal Welfare, Neubiberg, Germany
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4
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Smith SG, Northcutt KV. Perinatal hypothyroidism increases play behaviors in juvenile rats. Horm Behav 2018; 98:1-7. [PMID: 29174305 DOI: 10.1016/j.yhbeh.2017.11.012] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/01/2017] [Revised: 10/19/2017] [Accepted: 11/20/2017] [Indexed: 01/01/2023]
Abstract
Thyroid hormones play an instrumental role in the development of the central nervous system. During early development, the fetus is dependent on maternal thyroid hormone production due to the dysfunction of its own thyroid gland. Thus, maternal thyroid dysfunction has been shown to elicit significant abnormalities in neural development, neurochemistry, and behavior in offspring. Previous reports have suggested that human maternal hypothyroidism may increase the chances of having children with autism spectrum disorder and attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder. However, very few studies have evaluated social behaviors in animal models of perinatal hypothyroidism. To evaluate the possibility that hypothyroidism during development influences the expression one of the most commonly observed non-reproductive social behaviors, juvenile play, we used the validated rat model of perinatal hypothyroidism by methimazole administration (MMI; 0.025% in drinking water) from GD12-PD23. Control animals had regular drinking water. During adolescence (PD33-35), we tested subjects for juvenile play behavior by introducing them to a same-sex, unfamiliar (since weaning) littermate for 30min. Play behaviors and other behaviors (sleep, social contact, locomotion) were then scored. MMI-treated subjects played more than twice as much as control animals, and the increase in some behaviors was particularly dramatic in males. Locomotor and other affiliative social behaviors were unaffected. These data suggest that perinatal hypothyroidism may alter the organization of the neural networks regulating play behaviors, but not other social behaviors. Moreover, this implicates perinatal hypothyroidism as a potential etiological factor in the development of neurobehavioral disorders, particularly those characterized by heightened social interactions and impulsivity.
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Affiliation(s)
- Spencer G Smith
- Department of Biology, Mercer University, Macon, GA 31207, United States
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Raymaekers SR, Darras VM. Thyroid hormones and learning-associated neuroplasticity. Gen Comp Endocrinol 2017; 247:26-33. [PMID: 28390960 DOI: 10.1016/j.ygcen.2017.04.001] [Citation(s) in RCA: 16] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/05/2017] [Revised: 03/30/2017] [Accepted: 04/03/2017] [Indexed: 12/11/2022]
Abstract
Thyroid hormones (THs) are crucial for brain development and maturation in all vertebrates. Especially during pre- and perinatal development, disruption of TH signaling leads to a multitude of neurological deficits. Many animal models provided insight in the role of THs in brain development, but specific data on how they affect the brain's ability to learn and adapt depending on environmental stimuli are rather limited. In this review, we focus on a number of learning processes like spatial learning, fear conditioning, vocal learning and imprinting behavior and on how abnormal TH signaling during development shapes subsequent performance. It is clear from multiple studies that TH deprivation leads to defects in learning on all fronts, and interestingly, changes in local expression of the TH activator deiodinase type 2 seem to have an important role. Taking into account that THs are regulated in a very space-specific manner, there is thus increasing pressure to investigate more local TH regulators as potential factors involved in neuroplasticity. As these learning processes are also important for proper adult human functioning, further elucidating the role of THs in developmental neuroplasticity in various animal models is an important field for advancing both fundamental and applied knowledge on human brain function.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sander R Raymaekers
- Laboratory of Comparative Endocrinology, Biology Department, KU Leuven, Naamsestraat 61, 3000 Leuven, Belgium
| | - Veerle M Darras
- Laboratory of Comparative Endocrinology, Biology Department, KU Leuven, Naamsestraat 61, 3000 Leuven, Belgium.
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Melancia F, Servadio M, Schiavi S, Campolongo P, Giusti-Paiva A, Trezza V. Testing the correlation between experimentally-induced hypothyroidism during pregnancy and autistic-like symptoms in the rat offspring. Behav Brain Res 2017; 321:113-122. [DOI: 10.1016/j.bbr.2016.12.032] [Citation(s) in RCA: 14] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/11/2016] [Revised: 12/19/2016] [Accepted: 12/23/2016] [Indexed: 12/17/2022]
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Vasilopoulou CG, Constantinou C, Giannakopoulou D, Giompres P, Margarity M. Effect of adult onset hypothyroidism on behavioral parameters and acetylcholinesterase isoforms activity in specific brain regions of male mice. Physiol Behav 2016; 164:284-91. [DOI: 10.1016/j.physbeh.2016.06.016] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/09/2016] [Revised: 06/13/2016] [Accepted: 06/14/2016] [Indexed: 01/02/2023]
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Yu D, Zhou H, Yang Y, Jiang Y, Wang T, Lv L, Zhou Q, Yang Y, Dong X, He J, Huang X, Chen J, Wu K, Xu L, Mao R. The bidirectional effects of hypothyroidism and hyperthyroidism on anxiety- and depression-like behaviors in rats. Horm Behav 2015; 69:106-15. [PMID: 25623236 DOI: 10.1016/j.yhbeh.2015.01.003] [Citation(s) in RCA: 48] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/03/2014] [Revised: 12/24/2014] [Accepted: 01/16/2015] [Indexed: 12/11/2022]
Abstract
Thyroid hormone disorders have long been linked to depression, but the causal relationship between them remains controversial. To address this question, we established rat models of hypothyroidism using (131)iodine ((131)I) and hyperthyroidism using levothyroxine (LT4). Serum free thyroxine (FT4) and triiodothyronine (FT3) significantly decreased in the hypothyroid of rats with single injections of (131)I (5mCi/kg). These rats exhibited decreased depression-like behaviors in forced swimming test and sucrose preference tests, as well as decreased anxiety-like behaviors in an elevated plus maze. Diminished levels of brain serotonin (5-HT) and increased levels of hippocampal brain-derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF) were found in the hypothyroid rats compared to the control saline-vehicle administered rats. LT4 treatment reversed the decrease in thyroid hormones and depression-like behaviors. In contrast, hyperthyroidism induced by weekly injections of LT4 (15μg/kg) caused a greater than 10-fold increase in serum FT4 and FT3 levels. The hyperthyroid rats exhibited higher anxiety- and depression-like behaviors, higher brain 5-HT level, and lower hippocampal BDNF levels than the controls. Treatment with the antidepressant imipramine (15mg/kg) diminished serum FT4 levels as well as anxiety- and depression-like behaviors in the hyperthyroid rats but led to a further increase in brain 5-HT levels, compared with the controls or the hypothyroid rats. Together, our results suggest that hypothyroidism and hyperthyroidism have bidirectional effects on anxiety- and depression-like behaviors in rats, possibly by modulating hippocampal BDNF levels.
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Affiliation(s)
- Dafu Yu
- School of Life Sciences, Yunnan University, Kunming 650091, China; Key Laboratory of Animal Models and Human Disease Mechanisms, and KIZ/CUHK Joint Laboratory of Bioresources and Molecular Research in Common Disease, and Laboratory of Learning and Memory, Kunming Institute of Zoology, Chinese Academy of Science, Kunming 650223, China; Department of Nuclear Medicine, First People's Hospital of Yunnan Province, and Key Laboratory of Medical Imaging, Medical Faculty, Kunming University of Science and Technology, Kunming 650032, China
| | - Heng Zhou
- School of Life Sciences, University of Science and Technology of China, Hefei, 230026, China; Key Laboratory of Animal Models and Human Disease Mechanisms, and KIZ/CUHK Joint Laboratory of Bioresources and Molecular Research in Common Disease, and Laboratory of Learning and Memory, Kunming Institute of Zoology, Chinese Academy of Science, Kunming 650223, China
| | - Yuan Yang
- School of Life Sciences, Yunnan University, Kunming 650091, China; Key Laboratory of Animal Models and Human Disease Mechanisms, and KIZ/CUHK Joint Laboratory of Bioresources and Molecular Research in Common Disease, and Laboratory of Learning and Memory, Kunming Institute of Zoology, Chinese Academy of Science, Kunming 650223, China; Physiological Department, Kunming Medical University, Kunming 650500, China
| | - Yong Jiang
- Department of Nuclear Medicine, First People's Hospital of Yunnan Province, and Key Laboratory of Medical Imaging, Medical Faculty, Kunming University of Science and Technology, Kunming 650032, China
| | - Tianchao Wang
- Department of Nuclear Medicine, First People's Hospital of Yunnan Province, and Key Laboratory of Medical Imaging, Medical Faculty, Kunming University of Science and Technology, Kunming 650032, China
| | - Liang Lv
- Department of Nuclear Medicine, First People's Hospital of Yunnan Province, and Key Laboratory of Medical Imaging, Medical Faculty, Kunming University of Science and Technology, Kunming 650032, China
| | - Qixin Zhou
- Key Laboratory of Animal Models and Human Disease Mechanisms, and KIZ/CUHK Joint Laboratory of Bioresources and Molecular Research in Common Disease, and Laboratory of Learning and Memory, Kunming Institute of Zoology, Chinese Academy of Science, Kunming 650223, China
| | - Yuexiong Yang
- Key Laboratory of Animal Models and Human Disease Mechanisms, and KIZ/CUHK Joint Laboratory of Bioresources and Molecular Research in Common Disease, and Laboratory of Learning and Memory, Kunming Institute of Zoology, Chinese Academy of Science, Kunming 650223, China
| | - Xuexian Dong
- Department of Nuclear Medicine, First People's Hospital of Yunnan Province, and Key Laboratory of Medical Imaging, Medical Faculty, Kunming University of Science and Technology, Kunming 650032, China
| | - Jianfeng He
- Department of Nuclear Medicine, First People's Hospital of Yunnan Province, and Key Laboratory of Medical Imaging, Medical Faculty, Kunming University of Science and Technology, Kunming 650032, China
| | - Xiaoyan Huang
- State Key Laboratory of Phytochemistry and Plant Resources in Southwest China, and Kunming Institute of Botany, Chinese Academy of Science, Kunming 650201, China
| | - Jijun Chen
- State Key Laboratory of Phytochemistry and Plant Resources in Southwest China, and Kunming Institute of Botany, Chinese Academy of Science, Kunming 650201, China
| | - Kunhua Wu
- Department of Nuclear Medicine, First People's Hospital of Yunnan Province, and Key Laboratory of Medical Imaging, Medical Faculty, Kunming University of Science and Technology, Kunming 650032, China
| | - Lin Xu
- School of Life Sciences, Yunnan University, Kunming 650091, China; School of Life Sciences, University of Science and Technology of China, Hefei, 230026, China; Key Laboratory of Animal Models and Human Disease Mechanisms, and KIZ/CUHK Joint Laboratory of Bioresources and Molecular Research in Common Disease, and Laboratory of Learning and Memory, Kunming Institute of Zoology, Chinese Academy of Science, Kunming 650223, China.
| | - Rongrong Mao
- Key Laboratory of Animal Models and Human Disease Mechanisms, and KIZ/CUHK Joint Laboratory of Bioresources and Molecular Research in Common Disease, and Laboratory of Learning and Memory, Kunming Institute of Zoology, Chinese Academy of Science, Kunming 650223, China.
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9
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Buras A, Battle L, Landers E, Nguyen T, Vasudevan N. Thyroid hormones regulate anxiety in the male mouse. Horm Behav 2014; 65:88-96. [PMID: 24333846 DOI: 10.1016/j.yhbeh.2013.11.008] [Citation(s) in RCA: 34] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/22/2013] [Revised: 11/19/2013] [Accepted: 11/27/2013] [Indexed: 12/16/2022]
Abstract
Thyroid hormone levels are implicated in mood disorders in the adult human but the mechanisms remain unclear partly because, in rodent models, more attention has been paid to the consequences of perinatal hypo and hyperthyroidism. Thyroid hormones act via the thyroid hormone receptor (TR) α and β isoforms, both of which are expressed in the limbic system. TR's modulate gene expression via both unliganded and liganded actions. Though the thyroid hormone receptor (TR) knockouts and a transgenic TRα1 knock-in mouse have provided us valuable insight into behavioral phenotypes such as anxiety and depression, it is not clear if this is because of the loss of unliganded actions or liganded actions of the receptor or due to locomotor deficits. We used a hypothyroid mouse model and supplementation with tri-iodothyronine (T3) or thyroxine (T4) to investigate the consequences of dysthyroid hormone levels on behaviors that denote anxiety. Our data from the open field and the light-dark transition tests suggest that adult onset hypothyroidism in male mice produces a mild anxiogenic effect that is possibly due to unliganded receptor actions. T3 or T4 supplementation reverses this phenotype and euthyroid animals show anxiety that is intermediate between the hypothyroid and thyroid hormone supplemented groups. In addition, T3 but not T4 supplemented animals have lower spine density in the CA1 region of the hippocampus and in the central amygdala suggesting that T3-mediated rescue of the hypothyroid state might be due to lower neuronal excitability in the limbic circuit.
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Affiliation(s)
- Alexander Buras
- Neuroscience Program, Tulane University, New Orleans, LA 70118, USA
| | - Loxley Battle
- Neuroscience Program, Tulane University, New Orleans, LA 70118, USA
| | - Evan Landers
- Department of Cell and Molecular Biology, Tulane University, New Orleans, LA 70118, USA
| | - Tien Nguyen
- Department of Cell and Molecular Biology, Tulane University, New Orleans, LA 70118, USA
| | - Nandini Vasudevan
- Department of Cell and Molecular Biology, Tulane University, New Orleans, LA 70118, USA.
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Sittig LJ, Redei EE. Fine-tuning notes in the behavioral symphony: parent-of-origin allelic gene expression in the brain. ADVANCES IN GENETICS 2014; 86:93-106. [PMID: 25172347 DOI: 10.1016/b978-0-12-800222-3.00005-x] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/24/2022]
Abstract
The gene encoding the thyroid hormone (TH)-metabolizing enzyme, deiodinase type III (Dio3), exhibits a preferential paternal expression in most tissues. Dio3 is part of the Dlk1-Dio3 imprinted locus, so named according to its ancestral genes, Delta-like homolog 1 (Dlk1) and Dio3, which among other important functions control metabolic programming in the developing embryo and fetus. Here, we describe the aspects of the genomic imprinting patterns exhibited by Dio3 across brain regions and development. The corresponding local changes in the dosage of the Dio3 enzyme are inversely related to TH levels that vary from one brain region to another, and affect social and cognitive behaviors. We show that this regional tuning of brain region-specific expression is dependent on parent of origin-specific genetic polymorphisms in the rat, is sexually dimorphic, and is affected by the early environmental challenge of fetal exposure to alcohol, opening the possibility that the potential for variant expression patterns of the Dio3 gene is quite large. The multiple regulatory genomic features within the Dlk1-Dio3 locus, and other imprinted loci, allow mammals to specifically modulate parent-of-origin allelic gene expression brain region. These regulatory structures seem to have evolved as a possible mechanism of adaptation in response to the simultaneous need for highly regulated expression in some tissues during development, but variable expression across specific regions of the brain over the complete life span. Here, we use Dio3 as a single gene example of the epigenetic parent-of-origin allelic expression in specific brain regions and discuss the potential of this general phenomenon to shape evolutionarily relevant social and cognitive behavior in eutherian mammals.
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Affiliation(s)
- Laura J Sittig
- Department of Human Genetics, The University of Chicago, Chicago, IL, USA
| | - Eva E Redei
- Department of Human Genetics, The University of Chicago, Chicago, IL, USA
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Inoue A, Arima A, Kato H, Yamashita N, Nishida Y, Ooshima Y, Ebihara S. Effects of maternal exposure to thiamazole on behavioral development in infant cynomolgus monkeys. Congenit Anom (Kyoto) 2013; 53:149-54. [PMID: 24712473 DOI: 10.1111/cga.12024] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/14/2012] [Accepted: 05/19/2013] [Indexed: 11/30/2022]
Abstract
Thiamazole, an anti-hyperthyroidism agent, was administered orally to pregnant cynomolgus monkeys at doses of 2.0 and 3.5 mg/kg per day from GD 120 to GD 150 to investigate effects on behavioral development of their infants. Swelling of the throat region due to enlargement of the thyroid glands was observed at birth in thiamazole-treated infants, and it returned to normal around postnatal day (PND) 30. At necropsy of infants at 12 months of age, thyroidal weight in the thiamazole groups was increased. This finding suggested the likelihood that administration of thiamazole to maternal animals during the late gestational period induced thyroid goiter in fetal/infant monkeys through placental transfer of thiamazole. No clear changes were noted in thyroid histopathology or serum thyroid hormone levels in maternal animals or infants, but goiter formation might have been indicative of exposure to high thyroid stimulating hormone (TSH) and low T3 or T4 in utero from maternal treatment with thiamazole. Age-related changes were observed in the control in behavioral development tests, while infants at 3.5 mg/kg showed no age-related decrease in contact behavior and no increase in exploratory activity on PND 90 or PND 170. In addition, the number of eye contacts between PND 210 and PND 240 was less frequent. This indicated that maternal exposure to thiamazole induced mental retardation-like behaviors in infants. Thiamazole may directly inhibit thyroid hormone synthesis in the fetus by placental transfer. From these results, it was speculated that oral administration of thiamazole to maternal animals during the late gestational period induced retardation of behavioral development in their infants.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ayumi Inoue
- Drug Safety Research Laboratories, Shin Nippon Biomedical Laboratories (SNBL), Ltd, Kagoshima, Japan; Division of Biomodeling, Graduate School of Bioagricultural Sciences, Nagoya University, Nagoya, Japan
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12
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Diphenyl diselenide diet intake improves spatial learning and memory deficits in hypothyroid female rats. Int J Dev Neurosci 2012; 30:83-9. [DOI: 10.1016/j.ijdevneu.2011.12.011] [Citation(s) in RCA: 23] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/14/2011] [Revised: 12/16/2011] [Accepted: 12/26/2011] [Indexed: 12/22/2022] Open
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Siqueira CC, Rossoni RR, Tiengo ANCP, Tufik S, Schenberg LC. Methimazole-induced hypothyroidism inhibits the panic-like behaviors produced by electrical stimulation of dorsal periaqueductal gray matter of rats. Psychoneuroendocrinology 2010; 35:706-16. [PMID: 19931985 DOI: 10.1016/j.psyneuen.2009.10.011] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/09/2009] [Revised: 10/07/2009] [Accepted: 10/22/2009] [Indexed: 11/16/2022]
Abstract
Conflicting clinical data on the relationship of panic disorder and thyroid diseases illustrate the need for a simpler approach using animal models. Defensive behaviors evoked by electrical or chemical stimulation of dorsal periaqueductal gray matter (DPAG) have been proposed as a model of panic attack. Therefore, the present study examined the effects of the anti-thyroid agent methimazole (MTZ) either on the panic-like behaviors induced by electrical stimulation of DPAG or the anxiety-like behaviors of rats exposed to the elevated plus-maze (EPM). Male Wistar rats bearing electrodes in the DPAG were stimulated with stepwise increased currents. Rats which displayed galloping at intensities below 60muA were retested following 5- and 10-day treatments with MTZ (0.6mg/kg/day, i.p.) or 10- and 15-day washout periods. MTZ effects on EPM performance were assessed in separate groups. MTZ-treated groups were compared to saline-treated controls. In other experiments, rats were similarly treated with MTZ and the blood was collected for hormone assays. The 10-day treatment with MTZ produced marked increases in the thresholds of exophthalmus (65%), immobility (75%), trotting (63%), galloping (56%), jumping (47%), defecation (114%) and micturition (85%). Effects outlasted the drug discontinuation. In contrast, MTZ had variable effects in the EPM, significantly increasing the open-arm exploration in 5-day treated and 10-day washout groups. Biochemical data revealed a small but significant decrease (13%) in free thyroxine in MTZ-treated groups. Although not significant, thyrotrophin levels showed a 111% increase following the 10-day treatment with MTZ. Selective attenuation by MTZ of DPAG-evoked defensive behaviors supports attenuation of panic attacks in hypothyroidism.
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Affiliation(s)
- Carla Coelho Siqueira
- Department of Physiological Sciences, Federal University of Espírito Santo, Vitória, ES, Brazil
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Van Wijk N, Rijntjes E, Van De Heijning BJM. Perinatal and chronic hypothyroidism impair behavioural development in male and female rats. Exp Physiol 2008; 93:1199-209. [DOI: 10.1113/expphysiol.2008.042416] [Citation(s) in RCA: 50] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/08/2022]
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15
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Reid RE, Kim EM, Page D, O'Mara SM, O'Hare E. Thyroxine replacement in an animal model of congenital hypothyroidism. Physiol Behav 2007; 91:299-303. [PMID: 17445845 DOI: 10.1016/j.physbeh.2007.03.005] [Citation(s) in RCA: 17] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/05/2006] [Revised: 01/16/2007] [Accepted: 03/06/2007] [Indexed: 11/19/2022]
Abstract
This study examined the effects of thyroxine (T(4)) treatment on spatial learning and memory in congenitally hypothyroid (CH) rats. Forty CH male offspring of methimazole-treated dams were randomly divided into three groups: no T(4) (vehicle) treatment (n=12), T(4) treatment commencing on postnatal day (P-) 7 (n=14), and T(4) treatment commencing on P-21 (n=14). Normal male rats were used as a control group (n=14). T(4) was administered daily (sc, 0.02 microg/g) to the treatment groups for 30 days. A water-maze was used to assess behaviour at 42, 70 and 98 days of age. T(4) treatment beginning at P-7 improved learning and memory associated with CH at 70 and 98 days of age but T(4) treatment beginning at P-21 did not improve CH-impaired learning and memory.
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Affiliation(s)
- Rosemary E Reid
- School of Psychology, University of Ulster at Jordanstown, Newtownabbey, Northern Ireland
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Wilcoxon JS, Nadolski GJ, Samarut J, Chassande O, Redei EE. Behavioral inhibition and impaired spatial learning and memory in hypothyroid mice lacking thyroid hormone receptor alpha. Behav Brain Res 2006; 177:109-16. [PMID: 17129617 PMCID: PMC1819397 DOI: 10.1016/j.bbr.2006.10.030] [Citation(s) in RCA: 77] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/10/2006] [Revised: 10/26/2006] [Accepted: 10/30/2006] [Indexed: 11/28/2022]
Abstract
Thyroid hormone insufficiency leads to impaired neurogenesis, behavioral alterations and cognitive deficits. Thyroid hormone receptors, expressed in brain regions involved in these behaviors, mediate the effects of thyroid hormone deficiency or excess. To determine the contribution of thyroid hormone receptor alpha (TRalpha) in these behaviors, we examined the behavior of euthyroid as well as hypo- and hyperthyroid mice lacking all isoforms of the TRalpha (TRalpha(o/o)). The hypothyroxinemic TRalpha(o/o) mice demonstrated behavioral inhibition, manifested in decreased activity and increased anxiety/fear in the open field test (OFT) and increased immobility in the forced swim test (FST) compared to C57BL/6J mice. TRalpha(o/o) mice also showed learning and recall impairments in the Morris water maze (MWM), which were exaggerated by hypothyroidism in TRalpha(o/o) mice. These impairments were concurrent with increased thigmotaxis, suggesting an increased anxiety-like state of the TRalpha(o/o) mice in the MWM. Expression of genes, known to be involved in processes modulating learning and memory, such as glucocorticoid receptor (GR), growth-associated protein 43 (GAP-43) and neurogranin (RC3), were significantly decreased in the hippocampus of TRalpha(o/o) mice. GR expression was also decreased in the frontal cortex and amygdala of TRalpha(o/o) mice, indicating that expression of GR is regulated, probably developmentally, by one or more isoforms of TRalpha in the mouse brain. Taken together these data demonstrate behavioral alterations in the TRalpha(o/o) mice, indicating the functional role of TRalpha, and a delicate interaction between TRalpha and TRbeta-regulated genes in these behaviors. Thyroid hormone-regulated genes potentially responsible for the learning deficit found in TRalpha(o/o) mice include GR, RC3 and GAP-43.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jennifer Slone Wilcoxon
- Northwestern University Feinberg School of Medicine, The Asher Center Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences, Chicago, IL 60611, USA
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Negishi T, Kawasaki K, Sekiguchi S, Ishii Y, Kyuwa S, Kuroda Y, Yoshikawa Y. Attention-deficit and hyperactive neurobehavioural characteristics induced by perinatal hypothyroidism in rats. Behav Brain Res 2005; 159:323-31. [PMID: 15817195 DOI: 10.1016/j.bbr.2004.11.012] [Citation(s) in RCA: 52] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/17/2004] [Revised: 11/05/2004] [Accepted: 11/11/2004] [Indexed: 11/17/2022]
Abstract
Thyroid hormone is essential for the proper development of the mammalian central nervous system (CNS). In the present study, we examined behavioural alterations caused by transient perinatal hypothyroidism induced by an anti-thyroid drug, propylthiouracil (PTU). This drug produces perinatal disruption of the thyroid system and subsequent behavioural changes, which we investigated using a series of behavioural tests and focusing particularly on attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD)-like behaviours. In the open field test, both male and female rats that had experienced perinatal hypothyroidism (HT rats) showed an increased percent of locomotion behaviour and reduced grooming behaviour, suggesting that HT rats may be hyperactive and show fewer anxiety characteristics. Neither male nor female HT rats showed retention in the passive avoidance test. Male HT rats showed a significantly lower rate of correct avoidance responses than control rats in earlier sessions in the active avoidance test. In addition, we observed significant increases in the number of times that rats crossed the partition during inter-trial intervals and the percent of failure of avoidance during 5 s electrical stimuli in HT rats, suggesting that HT rats are restless, have a shortened attention span and panic easily. In measuring spontaneous motor activity during a period of darkness, male HT rats appeared to plunge into active phase with short, quick steps, while male control rats showed only long active phases during a stress-free period of darkness. These abnormal behavioural characteristics in HT rats might coincide with those found in some cases of ADHD.
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Affiliation(s)
- Takayuki Negishi
- Department of Biomedical Science, Graduate School of Agricultural and Life Sciences, The University of Tokyo, 1-1-1 Yayoi, Bunkyo-ku, Tokyo 113-8657, Japan.
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Sait Gönen M, Kisakol G, Savas Cilli A, Dikbas O, Gungor K, Inal A, Kaya A. Assessment of anxiety in subclinical thyroid disorders. Endocr J 2004; 51:311-5. [PMID: 15256776 DOI: 10.1507/endocrj.51.311] [Citation(s) in RCA: 27] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/23/2022] Open
Abstract
It is well known that manifest thyroid dysfunction causes mood disorders. In the literature there are few studies related with subclinical thyroid dysfunction and anxiety. We aimed to determine if there exists a relation between the anxiety and subclinical thyroid dysfunction. This study was carried out in the Meram Medical Faculty of Selçuk University, Department of Endocrinology and Metabolism. Eighty-five outpatients were enrolled into the study. In the presence of normal fT(3) and fT(4), patients were grouped as subclinical hyperthyroid with TSH lower than 0.1 mU/L (n = 24), subclinical hypothyroid with TSH higher than 4.5 mU/L (n = 32) and euthyroid subjects (n = 29). Beck's Anxiety Inventory (BAI) was administered to all patients. There was no any statistically significant difference between euthyroid and study groups in terms of age, gender, weight and height (p<0.05). One-way ANOVA showed that both of the subclinical hypothyroid and subclinical hyperthyroid groups had significantly higher anxiety scores than euthyroid group (F: 11.4, p<0.001). Manifest hypothyroidism and hyperthyroidism, as causes of mental and neurological dysfunction have been known for a long time, but the relation between subclinical thyroid dysfunction and anxiety is less well studied. We have found that subclinical thyroid dysfunction increases the anxiety of patients whether hyperthyroid or hypothyroid. Overlap of symptoms common to both thyroid dysfunction and anxiety is an important limitation in this study. Mood changes especially anxiety due to subclinical thyroid dysfunction may have an important impact on the patient's quality of life. Negative effect on quality of life may be an indication of treatment in these patients. It is the first study evaluating anxiety in subclinical hypothyroidism in the literature.
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Affiliation(s)
- Mustafa Sait Gönen
- Department of Internal Medicine, Division of Endocrinology, Meram Medical Faculty, Konya 42080, Turkey
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Martin JV, Padron JM, Newman MA, Chapell R, Leidenheimer NJ, Burke LA. Inhibition of the activity of the native γ-aminobutyric acidA receptor by metabolites of thyroid hormones: correlations with molecular modeling studies. Brain Res 2004; 1004:98-107. [PMID: 15033424 DOI: 10.1016/j.brainres.2003.12.043] [Citation(s) in RCA: 19] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Accepted: 12/11/2003] [Indexed: 11/20/2022]
Abstract
To characterize the direct effects of thyroid hormones on native gamma-aminobutyric acid(A) (GABA(A)) receptors, rapid (5 s) actions of a series of iodothyronines on muscimol-stimulated uptake of (36)Cl(-) were investigated in synaptoneurosomes prepared from rat brain. The results were correlated with molecular modeling of the active compounds. Dose-response curves for muscimol in the presence of 3,3', 5-L-triiodothyronine (L-T3) indicated a noncompetitive inhibition of muscimol-stimulated (36)Cl(-) uptake by the thyroid hormone. Synaptoneurosomes prepared from cerebellum were less sensitive to L-T3 than those from cerebral cortex, in terms of the potency of the hormone. The overall efficacy approached complete inhibition for both brain regions. Muscimol-stimulated (36)Cl(-) uptake was inhibited differentially by iodothyronine derivatives. One group of compounds with IC(50) values of 18-30 microM included L-thyroxine (L-T4), D-thyroxine (D-T4), 3,3', 5,5'-tetraiodothyroacetic acid (Tetrac), and 3,3', 5-triiodothyroacetic acid (Triac). A second group with values of 75-100 microM included 3,3', 5'-l-triiodothyronine (reverse T3; r-T3), 3,3'-diiodo-L-thyronine (3,3'-l-T2) and 3,5-diiodo-L-thyronine (3,5-D-T2). A final group of inactive compounds with IC(50) values greater than 100 microM included 3',5'-diiodo-L-thyronine (3',5'-l-T2), 3-iodo-L-thyronine (L-T1), 3'-iodo-L-thyronine (3'-L-T1), and L-thyronine (L-T0). Molecular modeling of the active iodothyronines using the Gaussian03 series of programs indicated close correspondences with models of the GABA-inhibitory neurosteroid pregnenolone sulfate (PREGS), suggesting common mechanisms of action at the GABA(A) receptor.
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Affiliation(s)
- Joseph V Martin
- Biology Department, Rutgers the State University of New Jersey, 315 Penn Street, Camden, NJ 08102-1411, USA.
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Sala-Roca J, Martí-Carbonell MA, Garau A, Darbra S, Balada F. Effects of chronic dysthyroidism on activity and exploration. Physiol Behav 2002; 77:125-33. [PMID: 12213510 DOI: 10.1016/s0031-9384(02)00815-6] [Citation(s) in RCA: 14] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 10/27/2022]
Abstract
The aim of the present study was to determine the influence of thyroid function on the activity and exploratory behaviour of male Wistar rats. Dysthyroidism was induced by adding drugs to their drinking water from the ninth day of gestation. This method is not as stressful as daily thyroxine injections or thyroidectomy, and therefore did not affect the analysed behavioural patterns. After weaning, the drugs were administered to the young rats until the end of the experiment. Activity and exploration were measured using the Boissier test, a light-darkness test and an open-field test when they were 77 days old. In order to verify that the animals' motor capacity had not been impaired, a psychomotor battery was used. Chronic hyperthyroidism produced a significant increase in activity, but did not affect exploration. On the other hand, hypothyroidism did not affect activity, but did increase exploration. This increase in exploration was observed in activity-independent behavioural parameters, such as head dipping and glancing.
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Affiliation(s)
- Josefina Sala-Roca
- Department of Pedagogy Sistemàtica i Social, Universitat Autònoma de Barcelona, 08193 Bellaterra, Catalonia, Spain.
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