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McCarthy EA, Dischino D, Maguire C, Leon S, Talbi R, Cheung E, Schteingart CD, Rivière PJM, Reed SD, Steiner RA, Navarro VM. Inhibiting Kiss1 Neurons With Kappa Opioid Receptor Agonists to Treat Polycystic Ovary Syndrome and Vasomotor Symptoms. J Clin Endocrinol Metab 2022; 107:e328-e347. [PMID: 34387319 PMCID: PMC8684497 DOI: 10.1210/clinem/dgab602] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/01/2021] [Indexed: 11/19/2022]
Abstract
CONTEXT Recent evidence suggests that vasomotor symptoms (VMS) or hot flashes in the postmenopausal reproductive state and polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS) in the premenopausal reproductive state emanate from the hyperactivity of Kiss1 neurons in the hypothalamic infundibular/arcuate nucleus (KNDy neurons). OBJECTIVE We demonstrate in 2 murine models simulating menopause and PCOS that a peripherally restricted kappa receptor agonist (PRKA) inhibits hyperactive KNDy neurons (accessible from outside the blood-brain barrier) and impedes their downstream effects. DESIGN Case/control. SETTING Academic medical center. PARTICIPANTS Mice. INTERVENTIONS Administration of peripherally restricted kappa receptor agonists and frequent blood sampling to determine hormone release and body temperature. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES LH pulse parameters and body temperature. RESULTS First, chronic administration of a PRKA to bilaterally ovariectomized mice with experimentally induced hyperactivity of KNDy neurons reduces the animals' elevated body temperature, mean plasma LH level, and mean peak LH per pulse. Second, chronic administration of a PRKA to a murine model of PCOS, having elevated plasma testosterone levels and irregular ovarian cycles, suppresses circulating levels of LH and testosterone and restores normal ovarian cyclicity. CONCLUSION The inhibition of kisspeptin neuronal activity by activation of kappa receptors shows promise as a novel therapeutic approach to treat both VMS and PCOS in humans.
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Affiliation(s)
- Elizabeth A McCarthy
- Department of Medicine, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA 02115, USA
- Department of Medicine, Division of Endocrinology, Diabetes and Hypertension, Brigham and Women’s Hospital, Boston, MA 02115, USA
| | - Daniel Dischino
- Department of Medicine, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA 02115, USA
| | - Caroline Maguire
- Department of Medicine, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA 02115, USA
| | - Silvia Leon
- Department of Medicine, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA 02115, USA
- Department of Medicine, Division of Endocrinology, Diabetes and Hypertension, Brigham and Women’s Hospital, Boston, MA 02115, USA
| | - Rajae Talbi
- Department of Medicine, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA 02115, USA
- Department of Medicine, Division of Endocrinology, Diabetes and Hypertension, Brigham and Women’s Hospital, Boston, MA 02115, USA
| | - Eugene Cheung
- Department of Medicine, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA 02115, USA
- Department of Medicine, Division of Endocrinology, Diabetes and Hypertension, Brigham and Women’s Hospital, Boston, MA 02115, USA
| | | | | | - Susan D Reed
- Department of Obstetrics & Gynecology, University of Washington, Seattle, WA 98195, USA
| | - Robert A Steiner
- Department of Obstetrics & Gynecology, University of Washington, Seattle, WA 98195, USA
- Department of Physiology & Biophysics, University of Washington, Seattle, WA 98195, USA
| | - Victor M Navarro
- Department of Medicine, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA 02115, USA
- Department of Medicine, Division of Endocrinology, Diabetes and Hypertension, Brigham and Women’s Hospital, Boston, MA 02115, USA
- Harvard Program in Neuroscience, Boston, MA 02115, USA
- Correspondence: Victor M. Navarro PhD, Brigham and Women’s Hospital, Division of Endocrinology, Diabetes and Hypertension, 221 Longwood Ave, Boston, MA 02115, USA.
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Shahkarami K, Vousooghi N, Golab F, Mohsenzadeh A, Baharvand P, Sadat-Shirazi MS, Babhadi-Ashar N, Shakeri A, Zarrindast MR. Evaluation of dynorphin and kappa-opioid receptor level in the human blood lymphocytes and plasma: Possible role as a biomarker in severe opioid use disorder. Drug Alcohol Depend 2019; 205:107638. [PMID: 31710992 DOI: 10.1016/j.drugalcdep.2019.107638] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/09/2019] [Revised: 08/31/2019] [Accepted: 09/16/2019] [Indexed: 12/20/2022]
Abstract
BACKGROUND The dynorphin (DYN)/kappa opioid receptor (KOR) system plays an important role in the development of addiction, and dysregulation of this system could lead to abnormal activity in the reward pathway. It has been reported that the expression state of the neurotransmitters and their receptors in the brain is reflected in peripheral blood lymphocytes (PBLs). METHODS We have evaluated the PBLs and plasma samples of four groups: 1) subjects with severe opioid use disorder (SOD), 2) methadone-maintenance treated (MMT) individuals, 3) long-term abstinent subjects having former SOD, and 4) healthy control subjects (n = 20 in each group). The mRNA expression level of preprodynorphin (pPDYN) and KOR in PBLs has been evaluated by real-time PCR. Peptide expression of PDYN in PBLs has been studied by western blot, and DYN concentration in plasma has been measured by ELISA. RESULTS The relative expression level of the pPDYN mRNA and PDYN peptide in PBLs were significantly up-regulated in SOD, MMT, and abstinent groups compared to control subjects. No significant difference was found in the plasma DYN concentration between study groups. The expression level of the KOR mRNA in PBLs was significantly decreased in all three study groups compared to the control subjects. CONCLUSION the expression changes in the DYN/KOR system after chronic exposure to opioids, including methadone, seems to be stable and does not return to normal levels even after 12 months abstinence. These long-time and permanent changes in PBLs may serve as a biomarker and footprint of SOD development in the periphery.
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Affiliation(s)
- Kourosh Shahkarami
- Department of Neuroscience and Addiction Studies, School of Advanced Technologies in Medicine, Tehran University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran
| | - Nasim Vousooghi
- Department of Neuroscience and Addiction Studies, School of Advanced Technologies in Medicine, Tehran University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran; Research Center for Cognitive and Behavioral Sciences, Tehran University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran; Iranian National Center for Addiction Studies (INCAS), Tehran University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran.
| | - Fereshteh Golab
- Cellular and Molecular Research Center, Iran University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran
| | - Azam Mohsenzadeh
- Razi Herbal Medicines Research Center, Lorestan University of Medical Sciences, Khorramabad, Iran
| | - Parastoo Baharvand
- Department of Social Medicine, Lorestan University of Medical Sciences, Khorramabad, Iran
| | - Mitra-Sadat Sadat-Shirazi
- Department of Neuroscience and Addiction Studies, School of Advanced Technologies in Medicine, Tehran University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran; Iranian National Center for Addiction Studies (INCAS), Tehran University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran
| | - Nima Babhadi-Ashar
- Iranian National Center for Addiction Studies (INCAS), Tehran University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran
| | - Atena Shakeri
- Iranian National Center for Addiction Studies (INCAS), Tehran University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran
| | - Mohammad Reza Zarrindast
- Iranian National Center for Addiction Studies (INCAS), Tehran University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran; Department of Pharmacology, School of Medicine, Tehran University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran; Department of Cognitive Neuroscience, Institute for Cognitive Science Studies, Tehran, Iran.
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Zhao XY, Wu CF, Yang J, Gao Y, Sun FJ, Wang DX, Wang CH, Lin BC. Effect of arginine vasopressin on the cortex edema in the ischemic stroke of Mongolian gerbils. Neuropeptides 2015; 51:55-62. [PMID: 25843346 DOI: 10.1016/j.npep.2015.01.003] [Citation(s) in RCA: 14] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/26/2014] [Revised: 01/02/2015] [Accepted: 01/12/2015] [Indexed: 11/17/2022]
Abstract
Brain edema formation is one of the most important mechanisms of ischemia-evoked cerebral edema. It has been demonstrated that arginine vasopressin (AVP) receptors are involved in the pathophysiology of secondary brain damage after focal cerebral ischemia. In a well-characterized animal model of ischemic stroke of Mongolian gerbils, the present study was undertaken to clear the effect of AVP on cortex edema in cerebral ischemia. The results showed that (1) occluding the left carotid artery of Mongolian gerbils not only decreased the cortex specific gravity (cortex edema) but also increased AVP levels in the ipsilateral cortex (ischemic area) including left prefrontal lobe, left parietal lobe, left temporal lobe, left occipital lobe and left hippocampus for the first 6 hours, and did not change of the cortex specific gravity and AVP concentration in the right cortex (non-ischemic area); (2) there were many negative relationships between the specific gravity and AVP levels in the ischemic cortex; (3) intranasal AVP (50 ng or 200 ng), which could pass through the blood-brain barrier to the brain, aggravated the focal cortex edema, whereas intranasal AVP receptor antagonist-D(CH2)5Tyr(ET)DAVP (2 µg) mitigated the cortex edema in the ischemic area after occluding the left carotid artery of Mongolian gerbils; and (4) either intranasal AVP or AVP receptor antagonist did not evoke that edema in the non-ischemic cortex. The data indicated that AVP participated in the process of ischemia-evoked cortex edema, and the cerebral AVP receptor might serve as an important therapeutic target for the ischemia-evoked cortex edema.
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Affiliation(s)
- Xue-Yan Zhao
- Department of Neurology, Huaihe Hospital of Henan University, Kaifeng, Henan 475000, China.
| | - Chun-Fang Wu
- Department of Neurology, Huaihe Hospital of Henan University, Kaifeng, Henan 475000, China
| | - Jun Yang
- Xinjiang Nikanka Biological Ltd., Co., Huocheng, Xinjiang 835207, China; Jiangsu Su Bei People's Hospital, Clinical College, Yangzhou University, Yangzhou, Jiangsu 225001, China; Xinxiang Institute for New Medicine, Standard Technological Co. Ltd., Xinxiang, Henan 453003, China.
| | - Yang Gao
- Department of Neurology, Huaihe Hospital of Henan University, Kaifeng, Henan 475000, China
| | - Fang-Jie Sun
- Xinjiang Nikanka Biological Ltd., Co., Huocheng, Xinjiang 835207, China
| | - Da-Xin Wang
- Jiangsu Su Bei People's Hospital, Clinical College, Yangzhou University, Yangzhou, Jiangsu 225001, China
| | - Chang-Hong Wang
- Henan Provincial Mental Hospital, The Second Affiliated Hospital of Xinxiang Medical University, Xinxiang, Henan 453002, China
| | - Bao-Cheng Lin
- Department of Neurobiology, Second Military Medical University, Shanghai 200433, China
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Jia MR, Wei T, Xu WF. The Analgesic Activity of Bestatin as a Potent APN Inhibitor. Front Neurosci 2010; 4:50. [PMID: 20631848 PMCID: PMC2903224 DOI: 10.3389/fnins.2010.00050] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/09/2010] [Accepted: 06/10/2010] [Indexed: 11/13/2022] Open
Abstract
Bestatin, a small molecular weight dipeptide, is a potent inhibitor of various aminopeptidases as well as LTA4 hydrolase. Various physiological functions of Bestatin have been identified, viz.: (1) an immunomodifier for enhancing the proliferation of normal human bone marrow granulocyte-macrophage progenitor cells to form CFU-GM colonies; Bestatin exerts a direct stimulating effect on lymphocytes via its fixation on the cell surface and an indirect effect on monocytes via aminopeptidase B inhibition of tuftsin catabolism; (2) an immunorestorator and curative or preventive agent for spontaneous tumor; Bestatin alone or its combination with chemicals can prolongate the disease-free interval and survival period in adult acute or chronic leukemia, therefore, it was primarily marketed in 1987 in Japan as an anticancer drug and servers as the only marketed inhibitor of Aminopeptidase N (APN/CD13) to cure leukemia to date; (3) a pan-hematopoietic stimulator and restorator; Bestatin promotes granulocytopoiesis and thrombocytopoiesis in vitro and restores them in myelo-hypoplastic men; (4) an inhibitor of several natural opioid peptides. Based on the knowledge that APN can cleave several bioactive neuropeptides such as Met-enkaphalins, Leu-enkaphalins, beta-Endorphin, and so on, the anti-aminopeptidase action of Bestatin also allows it to protect endopeptides against their catabolism, exhibiting analgesic activity. Although many scientific studies and great accomplishments have been achieved in this field, a large amount of problems are unsolved. This article reviews the promising results obtained for future development of the analgesic activity of Bestatin that can be of vital interest in a number of severe and chronic pain syndromes.
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Affiliation(s)
- Mei-Rong Jia
- School of Pharmacy, Shandong UniversityJinan, Shandong, China
| | - Tao Wei
- School of Public Health, Shandong UniversityJinan, Shandong, China
| | - Wen-Fang Xu
- School of Pharmacy, Shandong UniversityJinan, Shandong, China
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Aldrich JV, McLaughlin JP. Peptide kappa opioid receptor ligands: potential for drug development. AAPS JOURNAL 2009; 11:312-22. [PMID: 19430912 DOI: 10.1208/s12248-009-9105-4] [Citation(s) in RCA: 94] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/06/2009] [Accepted: 03/26/2009] [Indexed: 11/30/2022]
Abstract
While narcotic analgesics such as morphine, which act preferentially through mu opioid receptors, remain the gold standard in the treatment of severe pain, their use is limited by detrimental liabilities such as respiratory depression and drug dependence. Thus, there has been considerable interest in developing ligands for kappa opioid receptors (KOR) as potential analgesics and for the treatment of a variety of other disorders. These include effects mediated both by central receptors, such as antidepressant activity and a reduction in cocaine-seeking behavior, and activity resulting from the activation of peripheral receptors, such as analgesic and anti-inflammatory effects. While the vast majority of opioid receptor ligands that have progressed in preclinical development have been small molecules, significant advances have been made in recent years in identifying opioid peptide analogs that exhibit promising in vivo activity. This review will focus on possible therapeutic applications of ligands for KOR and specifically on the potential development of peptide ligands for these receptors.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jane V Aldrich
- Department of Medicinal Chemistry, University of Kansas, 1251 Wescoe Hall Dr., 4050 Malott Hall, Lawrence, Kansas 66045, USA.
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Delivery of peptide and protein drugs over the blood-brain barrier. Prog Neurobiol 2009; 87:212-51. [PMID: 19395337 DOI: 10.1016/j.pneurobio.2008.12.002] [Citation(s) in RCA: 177] [Impact Index Per Article: 11.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/16/2007] [Revised: 11/11/2008] [Accepted: 12/17/2008] [Indexed: 12/12/2022]
Abstract
Peptide and protein (P/P) drugs have been identified as showing great promises for the treatment of various neurodegenerative diseases. A major challenge in this regard, however, is the delivery of P/P drugs over the blood-brain barrier (BBB). Intense research over the last 25 years has enabled a better understanding of the cellular and molecular transport mechanisms at the BBB, and several strategies for enhanced P/P drug delivery over the BBB have been developed and tested in preclinical and clinical-experimental research. Among them, technology-based approaches (comprising functionalized nanocarriers and liposomes) and pharmacological strategies (such as the use of carrier systems and chimeric peptide technology) appear to be the most promising ones. This review combines a comprehensive overview on the current understanding of the transport mechanisms at the BBB with promising selected strategies published so far that can be applied to facilitate enhanced P/P drug delivery over the BBB.
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