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Vallée M. Advances in steroid research from the pioneering neurosteroid concept to metabolomics: New insights into pregnenolone function. Front Neuroendocrinol 2024; 72:101113. [PMID: 37993022 DOI: 10.1016/j.yfrne.2023.101113] [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: 09/22/2023] [Revised: 11/13/2023] [Accepted: 11/19/2023] [Indexed: 11/24/2023]
Abstract
Advances in neuroendocrinology have led to major discoveries since the 19th century, identifying adaptive loops for maintaining homeostasis. One of the most remarkable discoveries was the concept of neurosteroids, according to which the brain is not only a target but also a source of steroid production. The identification of new membrane steroid targets now underpins the neuromodulatory effects of neurosteroids such as pregnenolone, which is involved in functions mediated by the GPCR CB1 receptor. Structural analysis of steroids is a key feature of their interactions with the phospholipid membrane, receptors and resulting activity. Therefore, mass spectrometry-based methods have been developed to elucidate the metabolic pathways of steroids, the ultimate approach being metabolomics, which allows the identification of a large number of metabolites in a single sample. This approach should enable us to make progress in understanding the role of neurosteroids in the functioning of physiological and pathological processes.
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Affiliation(s)
- Monique Vallée
- University Bordeaux, INSERM, Neurocentre Magendie, U1215, F-33000 Bordeaux, France.
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2
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Garcia-Segura LM, Méndez P, Arevalo MA, Azcoitia I. Neuroestradiol and neuronal development: Not an exclusive male tale anymore. Front Neuroendocrinol 2023; 71:101102. [PMID: 37689249 DOI: 10.1016/j.yfrne.2023.101102] [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: 07/26/2023] [Revised: 09/04/2023] [Accepted: 09/06/2023] [Indexed: 09/11/2023]
Abstract
The brain synthesizes a variety of neurosteroids, including neuroestradiol. Inhibition of neuroestradiol synthesis results in alterations in basic neurodevelopmental processes, such as neurogenesis, neuroblast migration, neuritogenesis and synaptogenesis. Although the neurodevelopmental actions of neuroestradiol are exerted in both sexes, some of them are sex-specific, such as the well characterized effects of neuroestradiol derived from the metabolism of testicular testosterone during critical periods of male brain development. In addition, recent findings have shown sex-specific actions of neuroestradiol on neuroblast migration, neuritic growth and synaptogenesis in females. Among other factors, the epigenetic regulation exerted by X linked genes, such as Kdm6a/Utx, may determine sex-specific actions of neuroestradiol in the female brain. This review evidences the impact of neuroestradiol on brain formation in both sexes and highlights the interaction of neural steriodogenesis, hormones and sex chromosomes in sex-specific brain development.
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Affiliation(s)
- Luis M Garcia-Segura
- Instituto Cajal, Consejo Superior de Investigaciones Científicas (CSIC), Avenida Doctor Arce 37, 28002 Madrid, Spain; Centro de Investigación Biomédica en Red de Fragilidad y Envejecimiento Saludable (CIBERFES), Instituto Nacional de Salud Carlos III, Madrid, Spain.
| | - Pablo Méndez
- Instituto Cajal, Consejo Superior de Investigaciones Científicas (CSIC), Avenida Doctor Arce 37, 28002 Madrid, Spain
| | - M Angeles Arevalo
- Instituto Cajal, Consejo Superior de Investigaciones Científicas (CSIC), Avenida Doctor Arce 37, 28002 Madrid, Spain; Centro de Investigación Biomédica en Red de Fragilidad y Envejecimiento Saludable (CIBERFES), Instituto Nacional de Salud Carlos III, Madrid, Spain.
| | - Iñigo Azcoitia
- Centro de Investigación Biomédica en Red de Fragilidad y Envejecimiento Saludable (CIBERFES), Instituto Nacional de Salud Carlos III, Madrid, Spain; Department of Cell Biology, Universidad Complutense de Madrid, C José Antonio Nováis 12, 28040 Madrid, Spain
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3
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Fahad Raza M, Anwar M, Husain A, Rizwan M, Li Z, Nie H, Hlaváč P, Ali MA, Rady A, Su S. Differential gene expression analysis following olfactory learning in honeybee (Apis mellifera L.). PLoS One 2022; 17:e0262441. [PMID: 35139088 PMCID: PMC8827436 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0262441] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/27/2021] [Accepted: 12/26/2021] [Indexed: 11/19/2022] Open
Abstract
Insects change their stimulus-response through the perception of associating these stimuli with important survival events such as rewards, threats, and mates. Insects develop strong associations and relate them to their experiences through several behavioral procedures. Among the insects, Apis species, Apis mellifera ligustica are known for their outstanding ability to learn with tremendous economic importance. Apis mellifera ligustica has a strong cognitive ability and promising model species for investigating the neurobiological basis of remarkable olfactory learning abilities. Here we evaluated the olfactory learning ability of A. mellifera by using the proboscis extension reflex (PER) protocol. The brains of the learner and failed-learner bees were examined for comparative transcriptome analysis by RNA-Seq to explain the difference in the learning capacity. In this study, we used an appetitive olfactory learning paradigm in the same age of A. mellifera bees to examine the differential gene expression in the brain of the learner and failed-learner. Bees that respond in 2nd and 3rd trials or only responded to 3rd trials were defined as learned bees, failed-learner individuals were those bees that did not respond in all learning trials The results indicate that the learning ability of learner bees was significantly higher than failed-learner bees for 12 days. We obtained approximately 46.7 and 46.4 million clean reads from the learner bees failed-learner bees, respectively. Gene expression profile between learners’ bees and failed-learners bees identified 74 differentially expressed genes, 57 genes up-regulated in the brains of learners and 17 genes were down-regulated in the brains of the bees that fail to learn. The qRT-PCR validated the differently expressed genes. Transcriptome analyses revealed that specific genes in learner and failed-learner bees either down-regulated or up-regulated play a crucial role in brain development and learning behavior. Our finding suggests that down-regulated genes of the brain involved in the integumentary system, storage proteins, brain development, sensory processing, and neurodegenerative disorder may result in reduced olfactory discrimination and olfactory sensitivity in failed-learner bees. This study aims to contribute to a better understanding of the olfactory learning behavior and gene expression information, which opens the door for understanding of the molecular mechanism of olfactory learning behavior in honeybees.
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Affiliation(s)
- Muhammad Fahad Raza
- College of Animal Sciences (College of Bee Science), Fujian Agriculture and Forestry University, Fuzhou, China
- College of Life Sciences, Fujian Agriculture and Forestry University, Fuzhou, China
- * E-mail: (MFR); (SS)
| | - Muhammad Anwar
- Guangdong Technology Research Center for Marine Algal Bioengineering, Guangdong Key Laboratory of Plant Epigenetics, College of Life Sciences and Oceanography, Shenzhen University, Shenzhen, China
| | - Arif Husain
- Department of Soil and Environmental Sciences, Faculty of Agricultural Sciences, Ghazi University Dera Ghazi Khan, Dera Ghazi Khan, Pakistan
| | - Muhmmad Rizwan
- College of Animal Sciences (College of Bee Science), Fujian Agriculture and Forestry University, Fuzhou, China
- College of Life Sciences, Fujian Agriculture and Forestry University, Fuzhou, China
| | - Zhiguo Li
- College of Animal Sciences (College of Bee Science), Fujian Agriculture and Forestry University, Fuzhou, China
| | - Hongyi Nie
- College of Animal Sciences (College of Bee Science), Fujian Agriculture and Forestry University, Fuzhou, China
| | - Pavol Hlaváč
- Department of Integrated Forest and Landscape Protection, Faculty of Forestry, Technical University in Zvolen, Zvolen, Slovakia
| | - M. Ajmal Ali
- Department of Botany and Microbiology, College of Science, King Saud University, Riyadh, Saudi Arabia
| | - Ahmed Rady
- Department of Zoology, College of Science, King Saud University, Riyadh, Saudi Arabia
| | - Songkun Su
- College of Animal Sciences (College of Bee Science), Fujian Agriculture and Forestry University, Fuzhou, China
- * E-mail: (MFR); (SS)
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4
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Brann DW, Lu Y, Wang J, Zhang Q, Thakkar R, Sareddy GR, Pratap UP, Tekmal RR, Vadlamudi RK. Brain-derived estrogen and neural function. Neurosci Biobehav Rev 2021; 132:793-817. [PMID: 34823913 PMCID: PMC8816863 DOI: 10.1016/j.neubiorev.2021.11.014] [Citation(s) in RCA: 46] [Impact Index Per Article: 15.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/20/2021] [Revised: 10/26/2021] [Accepted: 11/12/2021] [Indexed: 01/02/2023]
Abstract
Although classically known as an endocrine signal produced by the ovary, 17β-estradiol (E2) is also a neurosteroid produced in neurons and astrocytes in the brain of many different species. In this review, we provide a comprehensive overview of the localization, regulation, sex differences, and physiological/pathological roles of brain-derived E2 (BDE2). Much of what we know regarding the functional roles of BDE2 has come from studies using specific inhibitors of the E2 synthesis enzyme, aromatase, as well as the recent development of conditional forebrain neuron-specific and astrocyte-specific aromatase knockout mouse models. The evidence from these studies support a critical role for neuron-derived E2 (NDE2) in the regulation of synaptic plasticity, memory, socio-sexual behavior, sexual differentiation, reproduction, injury-induced reactive gliosis, and neuroprotection. Furthermore, we review evidence that astrocyte-derived E2 (ADE2) is induced following brain injury/ischemia, and plays a key role in reactive gliosis, neuroprotection, and cognitive preservation. Finally, we conclude by discussing the key controversies and challenges in this area, as well as potential future directions for the field.
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Affiliation(s)
- Darrell W Brann
- Department of Neuroscience and Regenerative Medicine, Medical College of Georgia, Augusta University, Augusta, GA, 30912, USA.
| | - Yujiao Lu
- Department of Neurosurgery, Medical College of Georgia, Augusta University, Augusta, GA, 30912, USA
| | - Jing Wang
- Department of Neuroscience and Regenerative Medicine, Medical College of Georgia, Augusta University, Augusta, GA, 30912, USA
| | - Quanguang Zhang
- Department of Neuroscience and Regenerative Medicine, Medical College of Georgia, Augusta University, Augusta, GA, 30912, USA
| | - Roshni Thakkar
- Department of Neurology, Miller School of Medicine, University of Miami, Miami, FL, 33136, USA
| | - Gangadhara R Sareddy
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, University of Texas Health, San Antoio TX, 78229, USA
| | - Uday P Pratap
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, University of Texas Health, San Antoio TX, 78229, USA
| | - Rajeshwar R Tekmal
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, University of Texas Health, San Antoio TX, 78229, USA
| | - Ratna K Vadlamudi
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, University of Texas Health, San Antoio TX, 78229, USA; Audie L. Murphy Division, South Texas Veterans Health Care System, San Antonio, TX, 78229, USA.
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5
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Nicola C, Dubois M, Campart C, Al Sagheer T, Desrues L, Schapman D, Galas L, Lange M, Joly F, Castel H. The Prostate Cancer Therapy Enzalutamide Compared with Abiraterone Acetate/Prednisone Impacts Motivation for Exploration, Spatial Learning and Alters Dopaminergic Transmission in Aged Castrated Mice. Cancers (Basel) 2021; 13:cancers13143518. [PMID: 34298734 PMCID: PMC8304001 DOI: 10.3390/cancers13143518] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/02/2021] [Revised: 07/06/2021] [Accepted: 07/08/2021] [Indexed: 01/08/2023] Open
Abstract
Simple Summary Cognitive side effects and fatigue after cancer treatment now constitute a major challenge in oncology. Abiraterone acetate plus prednisone (AAP) and enzalutamide (ENZ) are next-generation therapies improving metastatic castration-resistant prostate cancer (mCRPC) patient survival, but also associated with neurological disturbances. We developed a behavioral 17 months-aged and castrated mouse model receiving AAP or ENZ for 5 days per week for six weeks. We establish that ENZ impacts locomotor and explorative behaviors, and strength capacity likely by preventing binding of central synthetized androgens to androgen receptors expressed by dopamine neurons of the Substantia Nigra and the Ventral Tegmentum. ENZ also reduces the cognitive score, associated with less neuronal activity in dorsal hippocampal areas. This demonstrates ENZ-specific consequences on motivation to exploration and cognition, being of particular importance for future management of elderly prostate cancer patients and their quality of life. Abstract Cognitive side effects after cancer treatment threatening quality of life (QoL) constitute a major challenge in oncology. Abiraterone acetate plus prednisone (AAP) and enzalutamide (ENZ) are examples of next-generation therapy (NGT) administered to metastatic castration-resistant prostate cancer (mCRPC) patients. NGT significantly improved mCRPC overall survival but neurological side effects such as fatigue and cognitive impairment were reported. We developed a behavioral 17 months-aged and castrated mouse model receiving per os AAP or ENZ for 5 days per week for six consecutive weeks. ENZ exposure reduced spontaneous activity and exploratory behavior associated with a decreased tyrosine hydroxylase (TH)-dopaminergic activity in the substantia nigra pars compacta and the ventral tegmental area. A decrease in TH+-DA afferent fibers and Phospho-DARPP32-related dopaminergic neuronal activities in the striatum and the ventral hippocampus highlighted ENZ-induced dopaminergic regulation within the nigrostriatal and mesolimbocortical pathways. ENZ and AAP treatments did not substantially modify spatial learning and memory performances, but ENZ led to a thygmotaxis behavior impacting the cognitive score, and reduced c-fos-related activity of NeuN+-neurons in the dorsal hippocampus. The consequences of the mCRPC treatment ENZ on aged castrated mouse motivation to exploration and cognition should make reconsider management strategy of elderly prostate cancer patients.
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Affiliation(s)
- Celeste Nicola
- Normandie University, UNIROUEN, INSERM, U1239 DC2N, 76000 Rouen, France; (C.N.); (M.D.); (C.C.); (T.A.S.); (L.D.)
- Institute for Research and Innovation in Biomedicine (IRIB), 76000 Rouen, France; (D.S.); (L.G.)
- Cancer and Cognition Platform, Ligue Nationale contre le Cancer, 14000 Caen, France; (M.L.); (F.J.)
| | - Martine Dubois
- Normandie University, UNIROUEN, INSERM, U1239 DC2N, 76000 Rouen, France; (C.N.); (M.D.); (C.C.); (T.A.S.); (L.D.)
- Institute for Research and Innovation in Biomedicine (IRIB), 76000 Rouen, France; (D.S.); (L.G.)
- Cancer and Cognition Platform, Ligue Nationale contre le Cancer, 14000 Caen, France; (M.L.); (F.J.)
| | - Cynthia Campart
- Normandie University, UNIROUEN, INSERM, U1239 DC2N, 76000 Rouen, France; (C.N.); (M.D.); (C.C.); (T.A.S.); (L.D.)
- Institute for Research and Innovation in Biomedicine (IRIB), 76000 Rouen, France; (D.S.); (L.G.)
- Cancer and Cognition Platform, Ligue Nationale contre le Cancer, 14000 Caen, France; (M.L.); (F.J.)
| | - Tareq Al Sagheer
- Normandie University, UNIROUEN, INSERM, U1239 DC2N, 76000 Rouen, France; (C.N.); (M.D.); (C.C.); (T.A.S.); (L.D.)
- Institute for Research and Innovation in Biomedicine (IRIB), 76000 Rouen, France; (D.S.); (L.G.)
| | - Laurence Desrues
- Normandie University, UNIROUEN, INSERM, U1239 DC2N, 76000 Rouen, France; (C.N.); (M.D.); (C.C.); (T.A.S.); (L.D.)
- Institute for Research and Innovation in Biomedicine (IRIB), 76000 Rouen, France; (D.S.); (L.G.)
- Cancer and Cognition Platform, Ligue Nationale contre le Cancer, 14000 Caen, France; (M.L.); (F.J.)
| | - Damien Schapman
- Institute for Research and Innovation in Biomedicine (IRIB), 76000 Rouen, France; (D.S.); (L.G.)
- Normandie University, UNIROUEN, INSERM, PRIMACEN, 76000 Rouen, France
| | - Ludovic Galas
- Institute for Research and Innovation in Biomedicine (IRIB), 76000 Rouen, France; (D.S.); (L.G.)
- Normandie University, UNIROUEN, INSERM, PRIMACEN, 76000 Rouen, France
| | - Marie Lange
- Cancer and Cognition Platform, Ligue Nationale contre le Cancer, 14000 Caen, France; (M.L.); (F.J.)
- Centre François Baclesse, Clinical Research Department, 14000 Caen, France
- Normandie University, UNICAEN, INSERM, U1086 ANTICIPE, 14000 Caen, France
| | - Florence Joly
- Cancer and Cognition Platform, Ligue Nationale contre le Cancer, 14000 Caen, France; (M.L.); (F.J.)
- Centre François Baclesse, Clinical Research Department, 14000 Caen, France
- Normandie University, UNICAEN, INSERM, U1086 ANTICIPE, 14000 Caen, France
- University Hospital of Caen, 14000 Caen, France
| | - Hélène Castel
- Normandie University, UNIROUEN, INSERM, U1239 DC2N, 76000 Rouen, France; (C.N.); (M.D.); (C.C.); (T.A.S.); (L.D.)
- Institute for Research and Innovation in Biomedicine (IRIB), 76000 Rouen, France; (D.S.); (L.G.)
- Cancer and Cognition Platform, Ligue Nationale contre le Cancer, 14000 Caen, France; (M.L.); (F.J.)
- Normandie University, UNIROUEN, INSERM, DC2N, Team Astrocyte and Vascular Niche, Place Emile Blondel, CEDEX, 76821 Mont-Saint-Aignan, France
- Correspondence: ; Tel.: +33-2-35-14-66-23
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6
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Abaffy T, Matsunami H. 19-hydroxy Steroids in the Aromatase Reaction: Review on Expression and Potential Functions. J Endocr Soc 2021; 5:bvab050. [PMID: 34095690 PMCID: PMC8169043 DOI: 10.1210/jendso/bvab050] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/26/2021] [Indexed: 12/05/2022] Open
Abstract
Scientific evidence related to the aromatase reaction in various biological processes spanning from mid-1960 to today is abundant; however, as our analytical sensitivity increases, a new look at the old chemical reaction is necessary. Here, we review an irreversible aromatase reaction from the substrate androstenedione. It proceeds in 3 consecutive steps. In the first 2 steps, 19-hydroxy steroids are produced. In the third step, estrone is produced. They can dissociate from the enzyme complex and either accumulate in tissues or enter the blood. In this review, we want to highlight the potential importance of these 19-hydroxy steroids in various physiological and pathological conditions. We focus primarily on 19-hydroxy steroids, and in particular on the 19-hydroxyandrostenedione produced by the incomplete aromatase reaction. Using a PubMed database and the search term “aromatase reaction,” 19-hydroxylation of androgens and steroid measurements, we detail the chemistry of the aromatase reaction and list previous and current methods used to measure 19-hydroxy steroids. We present evidence of the existence of 19-hydroxy steroids in brain tissue, ovaries, testes, adrenal glands, prostate cancer, as well as during pregnancy and parturition and in Cushing’s disease. Based on the available literature, a potential involvement of 19-hydroxy steroids in the brain differentiation process, sperm motility, ovarian function, and hypertension is suggested and warrants future research. We hope that with the advancement of highly specific and sensitive analytical methods, future research into 19-hydroxy steroids will be encouraged, as much remains to be learned and discovered.
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Affiliation(s)
- Tatjana Abaffy
- Department of Molecular Genetics and Microbiology, Duke University, Durham, NC 27710, USA
| | - Hiroaki Matsunami
- Department of Molecular Genetics and Microbiology, Duke University, Durham, NC 27710, USA
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7
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Sex neurosteroids: Hormones made by the brain for the brain. Neurosci Lett 2021; 753:135849. [PMID: 33775739 DOI: 10.1016/j.neulet.2021.135849] [Citation(s) in RCA: 21] [Impact Index Per Article: 7.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/08/2020] [Revised: 03/09/2021] [Accepted: 03/22/2021] [Indexed: 11/21/2022]
Abstract
In general, hippocampal neurons are capable of synthesizing sex steroids de novo from cholesterol, since the brain is equipped with all the enzymes required for the synthesis of estradiol and testosterone, the end products of sex steroidogenesis. Regarding estradiol, its synthesis in hippocampal neurons is homeostatically controlled by Ca2+ transients and is regulated by GnRH. Locally synthesized estradiol and testosterone maintain synaptic transmission and synaptic connectivity. Remarkably, the neurosteroid estradiol is effective in females, but not in males, and vice versa dihydrotestosterone (DHT) is effective in males, but not in females. Experimentally induced inhibition of estradiol synthesis in females and DHT synthesis in males resp. results in synapse loss, impaired LTP, and downregulation of synaptic proteins. GnRH-induced increase in estradiol synthesis appears to provide a link between the hypothalamus and the hippocampus, which may underlie estrous cyclicity of spine density in the female hippocampus. Hippocampal neurons are sex-dependently differentiated with respect to the responsiveness of hippocampal neurons to sex neurosteroids.
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8
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Tiedt S, Brandmaier S, Kollmeier H, Duering M, Artati A, Adamski J, Klein M, Liebig T, Holdt LM, Teupser D, Wang-Sattler R, Schwedhelm E, Gieger C, Dichgans M. Circulating Metabolites Differentiate Acute Ischemic Stroke from Stroke Mimics. Ann Neurol 2020; 88:736-746. [PMID: 32748431 DOI: 10.1002/ana.25859] [Citation(s) in RCA: 26] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/04/2019] [Revised: 07/29/2020] [Accepted: 07/30/2020] [Indexed: 12/17/2022]
Abstract
OBJECTIVE Early discrimination of patients with ischemic stroke (IS) from stroke mimics (SMs) poses a diagnostic challenge. The circulating metabolome might reflect pathophysiological events related to acute IS. Here, we investigated the utility of early metabolic changes for differentiating IS from SM. METHODS We performed untargeted metabolomics on serum samples obtained from patients with IS (N = 508) and SM (N = 349; defined by absence of a diffusion weighted imaging [DWI] positive lesion on magnetic resonance imaging [MRI]) who presented to the hospital within 24 hours after symptom onset (median time from symptom onset to blood sampling = 3.3 hours; interquartile range [IQR] = 1.6-6.7 hours) and from neurologically normal controls (NCs; N = 112). We compared diagnostic groups in a discovery-validation approach by applying multivariable linear regression models, machine learning techniques, and propensity score matching. We further performed a targeted look-up of published metabolite sets. RESULTS Levels of 41 metabolites were significantly associated with IS compared to NCs. The top metabolites showing the highest value in separating IS from SMs were asymmetrical and symmetrical dimethylarginine, pregnenolone sulfate, and adenosine. Together, these 4 metabolites differentiated patients with IS from SMs with an area under the curve (AUC) of 0.90 in the replication sample, which was superior to multimodal cranial computed tomography (CT; AUC = 0.80) obtained for routine diagnostics. They were further superior to previously published metabolite sets detected in our samples. All 4 metabolites returned to control levels by day 90. INTERPRETATION A set of 4 metabolites with known biological effects relevant to stroke pathophysiology shows unprecedented utility to identify patients with IS upon hospital arrival, thus encouraging further investigation, including multicenter studies. ANN NEUROL 2020;88:736-746.
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Affiliation(s)
- Steffen Tiedt
- Institute for Stroke and Dementia Research, University Hospital, LMU Munich, Munich, Germany.,Munich Cluster for Systems Neurology (SyNergy), Munich, Germany
| | - Stefan Brandmaier
- Research Unit of Molecular Epidemiology, Helmholtz Zentrum München, Neuherberg, Germany.,Institute of Epidemiology, Helmholtz Zentrum München, Neuherberg, Germany
| | - Hanna Kollmeier
- Institute for Stroke and Dementia Research, University Hospital, LMU Munich, Munich, Germany
| | - Marco Duering
- Institute for Stroke and Dementia Research, University Hospital, LMU Munich, Munich, Germany.,Munich Cluster for Systems Neurology (SyNergy), Munich, Germany
| | - Anna Artati
- Research Unit Molecular Endocrinology and Metabolism, Genome Analysis Center, Helmholtz Zentrum München, Neuherberg, Germany
| | - Jerzy Adamski
- Research Unit Molecular Endocrinology and Metabolism, Genome Analysis Center, Helmholtz Zentrum München, Neuherberg, Germany.,Institute of Experimental Genetics, Technical University of Munich, Freising, Germany.,German Center for Diabetes Research (DZD), Munich, Germany.,Department of Biochemistry, Yong Loo Lin School of Medicine, National University of Singapore, Singapore
| | - Matthias Klein
- Department of Neurology, University Hospital, LMU Munich, Munich, Germany
| | - Thomas Liebig
- Institute of Neuroradiology, University Hospital, LMU Munich, Munich, Germany
| | - Lesca M Holdt
- Institute of Laboratory Medicine, University Hospital, LMU Munich, Munich, Germany
| | - Daniel Teupser
- Institute of Laboratory Medicine, University Hospital, LMU Munich, Munich, Germany
| | - Rui Wang-Sattler
- Research Unit of Molecular Epidemiology, Helmholtz Zentrum München, Neuherberg, Germany.,Institute of Epidemiology, Helmholtz Zentrum München, Neuherberg, Germany.,German Center for Diabetes Research (DZD), Munich, Germany
| | - Edzard Schwedhelm
- Institute of Clinical Pharmacology and Toxicology, University Medical Center Hamburg-Eppendorf, Hamburg, Germany.,German Centre for Cardiovascular Research (DZHK), Partner Site Hamburg / Kiel / Lübeck, Hamburg, Germany
| | - Christian Gieger
- Research Unit of Molecular Epidemiology, Helmholtz Zentrum München, Neuherberg, Germany.,Institute of Epidemiology, Helmholtz Zentrum München, Neuherberg, Germany.,German Center for Diabetes Research (DZD), Munich, Germany
| | - Martin Dichgans
- Institute for Stroke and Dementia Research, University Hospital, LMU Munich, Munich, Germany.,Munich Cluster for Systems Neurology (SyNergy), Munich, Germany
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9
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Brandt N, Fester L, Rune GM. Neural sex steroids and hippocampal synaptic plasticity. VITAMINS AND HORMONES 2020; 114:125-143. [PMID: 32723541 DOI: 10.1016/bs.vh.2020.06.001] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/04/2023]
Abstract
It was a widely held belief that sex steroids, namely testosterone and 17β-estradiol (E2) of gonadal origin, control synaptic plasticity in the hippocampus. A new paradigm emerged when it was shown that these sex steroids are synthesized in the hippocampus. The inhibition of sex steroids in the hippocampus impairs synaptic plasticity sex-dependently in this region of the brain. In gonadectomized animals and in hippocampal cultures, inhibition of estradiol synthesis in female animals and in cultures from female animals, and inhibition of dihydrotestosterone synthesis in male animals and in cultures of male animals, cause synapse loss and impair LTP in the hippocampus, but not vice versa. Since the hippocampal cultures originated from perinatal animals, and due to the similarity of in vivo and in vitro findings, it appears that hippocampal neurons are differentiated in a sex-specific manner during the perinatal period when sexual imprinting takes place.
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Affiliation(s)
- N Brandt
- Center of Experimental Medicine, Institute of Neuroanatomy, University Medical Center Hamburg-Eppendorf, Hamburg, Germany
| | - L Fester
- Center of Experimental Medicine, Institute of Neuroanatomy, University Medical Center Hamburg-Eppendorf, Hamburg, Germany
| | - G M Rune
- Center of Experimental Medicine, Institute of Neuroanatomy, University Medical Center Hamburg-Eppendorf, Hamburg, Germany.
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10
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Vegeto E, Villa A, Della Torre S, Crippa V, Rusmini P, Cristofani R, Galbiati M, Maggi A, Poletti A. The Role of Sex and Sex Hormones in Neurodegenerative Diseases. Endocr Rev 2020; 41:5572525. [PMID: 31544208 PMCID: PMC7156855 DOI: 10.1210/endrev/bnz005] [Citation(s) in RCA: 99] [Impact Index Per Article: 24.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/18/2019] [Accepted: 09/20/2019] [Indexed: 12/11/2022]
Abstract
Neurodegenerative diseases (NDs) are a wide class of disorders of the central nervous system (CNS) with unknown etiology. Several factors were hypothesized to be involved in the pathogenesis of these diseases, including genetic and environmental factors. Many of these diseases show a sex prevalence and sex steroids were shown to have a role in the progression of specific forms of neurodegeneration. Estrogens were reported to be neuroprotective through their action on cognate nuclear and membrane receptors, while adverse effects of male hormones have been described on neuronal cells, although some data also suggest neuroprotective activities. The response of the CNS to sex steroids is a complex and integrated process that depends on (i) the type and amount of the cognate steroid receptor and (ii) the target cell type-either neurons, glia, or microglia. Moreover, the levels of sex steroids in the CNS fluctuate due to gonadal activities and to local metabolism and synthesis. Importantly, biochemical processes involved in the pathogenesis of NDs are increasingly being recognized as different between the two sexes and as influenced by sex steroids. The aim of this review is to present current state-of-the-art understanding on the potential role of sex steroids and their receptors on the onset and progression of major neurodegenerative disorders, namely, Alzheimer's disease, Parkinson's diseases, amyotrophic lateral sclerosis, and the peculiar motoneuron disease spinal and bulbar muscular atrophy, in which hormonal therapy is potentially useful as disease modifier.
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Affiliation(s)
- Elisabetta Vegeto
- Center of Excellence on Neurodegenerative Diseases, Università degli Studi di Milano, Italy.,Dipartimento di Scienze Farmaceutiche (DiSFarm), Università degli Studi di Milano, Italy
| | - Alessandro Villa
- Center of Excellence on Neurodegenerative Diseases, Università degli Studi di Milano, Italy.,Dipartimento di Scienze della Salute (DiSS), Università degli Studi di Milano, Italy
| | - Sara Della Torre
- Center of Excellence on Neurodegenerative Diseases, Università degli Studi di Milano, Italy.,Dipartimento di Scienze Farmaceutiche (DiSFarm), Università degli Studi di Milano, Italy
| | - Valeria Crippa
- Center of Excellence on Neurodegenerative Diseases, Università degli Studi di Milano, Italy.,Dipartimento di Eccellenza di Scienze Farmacologiche e Biomolecolari (DiSFeB), Università degli Studi di Milano, Italy
| | - Paola Rusmini
- Center of Excellence on Neurodegenerative Diseases, Università degli Studi di Milano, Italy.,Dipartimento di Eccellenza di Scienze Farmacologiche e Biomolecolari (DiSFeB), Università degli Studi di Milano, Italy
| | - Riccardo Cristofani
- Center of Excellence on Neurodegenerative Diseases, Università degli Studi di Milano, Italy.,Dipartimento di Eccellenza di Scienze Farmacologiche e Biomolecolari (DiSFeB), Università degli Studi di Milano, Italy
| | - Mariarita Galbiati
- Center of Excellence on Neurodegenerative Diseases, Università degli Studi di Milano, Italy.,Dipartimento di Eccellenza di Scienze Farmacologiche e Biomolecolari (DiSFeB), Università degli Studi di Milano, Italy
| | - Adriana Maggi
- Center of Excellence on Neurodegenerative Diseases, Università degli Studi di Milano, Italy.,Dipartimento di Scienze Farmaceutiche (DiSFarm), Università degli Studi di Milano, Italy
| | - Angelo Poletti
- Center of Excellence on Neurodegenerative Diseases, Università degli Studi di Milano, Italy.,Dipartimento di Eccellenza di Scienze Farmacologiche e Biomolecolari (DiSFeB), Università degli Studi di Milano, Italy
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11
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Spritzer MD, Roy EA. Testosterone and Adult Neurogenesis. Biomolecules 2020; 10:biom10020225. [PMID: 32028656 PMCID: PMC7072323 DOI: 10.3390/biom10020225] [Citation(s) in RCA: 25] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/11/2019] [Revised: 01/22/2020] [Accepted: 01/28/2020] [Indexed: 12/16/2022] Open
Abstract
It is now well established that neurogenesis occurs throughout adulthood in select brain regions, but the functional significance of adult neurogenesis remains unclear. There is considerable evidence that steroid hormones modulate various stages of adult neurogenesis, and this review provides a focused summary of the effects of testosterone on adult neurogenesis. Initial evidence came from field studies with birds and wild rodent populations. Subsequent experiments with laboratory rodents have tested the effects of testosterone and its steroid metabolites upon adult neurogenesis, as well as the functional consequences of induced changes in neurogenesis. These experiments have provided clear evidence that testosterone increases adult neurogenesis within the dentate gyrus region of the hippocampus through an androgen-dependent pathway. Most evidence indicates that androgens selectively enhance the survival of newly generated neurons, while having little effect on cell proliferation. Whether this is a result of androgens acting directly on receptors of new neurons remains unclear, and indirect routes involving brain-derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF) and glucocorticoids may be involved. In vitro experiments suggest that testosterone has broad-ranging neuroprotective effects, which will be briefly reviewed. A better understanding of the effects of testosterone upon adult neurogenesis could shed light on neurological diseases that show sex differences.
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Affiliation(s)
- Mark D. Spritzer
- Department of Biology, Middlebury College, Middlebury, VT 05753, USA
- Correspondence: ; Tel.: 802-443-5676
| | - Ethan A. Roy
- Graduate School of Education, Stanford University, Stanford, CA 94305, USA;
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12
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Sun LH, Zhang WX, Xu Q, Wu H, Jiao CC, Chen XZ. Estrogen modulation of visceral pain. J Zhejiang Univ Sci B 2020; 20:628-636. [PMID: 31273960 DOI: 10.1631/jzus.b1800582] [Citation(s) in RCA: 18] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/12/2022]
Abstract
It is commonly accepted that females and males differ in their experience of pain. Gender differences have been found in the prevalence and severity of pain in both clinical and animal studies. Sex-related hormones are found to be involved in pain transmission and have critical effects on visceral pain sensitivity. Studies have pointed out the idea that serum estrogen is closely related to visceral nociceptive sensitivity. This review aims to summarize the literature relating to the role of estrogen in modulating visceral pain with emphasis on deciphering the potential central and peripheral mechanisms.
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Affiliation(s)
- Li-Hong Sun
- Department of Anesthesiology, Women's Hospital, School of Medicine, Zhejiang University, Hangzhou 310006, China
| | - Wen-Xin Zhang
- Department of Anesthesiology, Women's Hospital, School of Medicine, Zhejiang University, Hangzhou 310006, China
| | - Qi Xu
- Department of Anesthesiology, Women's Hospital, School of Medicine, Zhejiang University, Hangzhou 310006, China
| | - Hui Wu
- Department of Anesthesiology, Women's Hospital, School of Medicine, Zhejiang University, Hangzhou 310006, China
| | - Cui-Cui Jiao
- Department of Anesthesiology, Women's Hospital, School of Medicine, Zhejiang University, Hangzhou 310006, China
| | - Xin-Zhong Chen
- Department of Anesthesiology, Women's Hospital, School of Medicine, Zhejiang University, Hangzhou 310006, China
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13
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Wu D, Carillo KJD, Tsai S, Shie J, Tzou DM. Solid‐state nuclear magnetic resonance investigation of neurosteroid compounds and magnesium interactions. J CHIN CHEM SOC-TAIP 2019. [DOI: 10.1002/jccs.201800458] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/09/2022]
Affiliation(s)
- Danni Wu
- Chemical Engineering Department, National Taiwan University of Science and Technology Taipei Taiwan
| | - Kathleen Joyce D. Carillo
- Taiwan International Graduate Program of Sustainable Chemical Science and Technology Taipei Taiwan
- Department of Applied ChemistryNational Chiao Tung University Hsinchu Taiwan
- Institute of ChemistryAcademia Sinica, Nankang Taipei Taiwan
| | - Shen‐Long Tsai
- Chemical Engineering Department, National Taiwan University of Science and Technology Taipei Taiwan
| | - Jiun‐Jie Shie
- Taiwan International Graduate Program of Sustainable Chemical Science and Technology Taipei Taiwan
- Institute of ChemistryAcademia Sinica, Nankang Taipei Taiwan
| | - Der‐Lii M. Tzou
- Institute of ChemistryAcademia Sinica, Nankang Taipei Taiwan
- Department of Applied ChemistryNational Chia‐Yi University Chia‐Yi Taiwan
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14
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Tomaselli G, Vallée M. Stress and drug abuse-related disorders: The promising therapeutic value of neurosteroids focus on pregnenolone-progesterone-allopregnanolone pathway. Front Neuroendocrinol 2019; 55:100789. [PMID: 31525393 DOI: 10.1016/j.yfrne.2019.100789] [Citation(s) in RCA: 24] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/17/2019] [Revised: 08/14/2019] [Accepted: 09/09/2019] [Indexed: 02/06/2023]
Abstract
The pregnenolone-progesterone-allopregnanolone pathway is receiving increasing attention in research on the role of neurosteroids in pathophysiology, particularly in stress-related and drug use disorders. These disorders involve an allostatic change that may result from deficiencies in allostasis or adaptive responses, and may be downregulated by adjustments in neurotransmission by neurosteroids. The following is an overview of findings that assess how pregnenolone and/or allopregnanolone concentrations are altered in animal models of stress and after consumption of alcohol or cannabis-type drugs, as well as in patients with depression, anxiety, post-traumatic stress disorder or psychosis and/or in those diagnosed with alcohol or cannabis use disorders. Preclinical and clinical evidence shows that pregnenolone and allopregnanolone, operating according to a different or common pharmacological profile involving GABAergic and/or endocannabinoid system, may be relevant biomarkers of psychiatric disorders for therapeutic purposes. Hence, ongoing clinical trials implicate synthetic analogs of pregnenolone or allopregnanolone, and also modulators of neurosteroidogenesis.
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Affiliation(s)
- Giovanni Tomaselli
- INSERM U1215, Neurocentre Magendie, Group "Physiopathology and Therapeutic Approaches of Stress-Related Disease", 146 Rue Léo Saignat, 33000 Bordeaux, France; University of Bordeaux, 33000 Bordeaux, France
| | - Monique Vallée
- INSERM U1215, Neurocentre Magendie, Group "Physiopathology and Therapeutic Approaches of Stress-Related Disease", 146 Rue Léo Saignat, 33000 Bordeaux, France; University of Bordeaux, 33000 Bordeaux, France.
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15
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Bertozzi G, Salerno M, Pomara C, Sessa F. Neuropsychiatric and Behavioral Involvement in AAS Abusers. A Literature Review. MEDICINA (KAUNAS, LITHUANIA) 2019; 55:E396. [PMID: 31336641 PMCID: PMC6681542 DOI: 10.3390/medicina55070396] [Citation(s) in RCA: 21] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/30/2019] [Revised: 07/02/2019] [Accepted: 07/18/2019] [Indexed: 12/20/2022]
Abstract
Background and Objectives: Anabolic androgenic steroids (AASs) are a complex group of molecules that include both steroidal androgens and synthetic compounds, derived from testosterone. AASs are commonly used to support pharmacological therapy in cases of primary or secondary hypogonadism, major burns, and neoplastic cachexia. Their prolonged and supra-physiological consumption can provoke several adverse effects on various organs and systems. Among these, the physiopathological mechanisms that induce neuropsychiatric disorders related to AAS abuse are poorly known. For this reason, the proposed review aims to retrace the pathway of action of testosterone to focus on the effects on the central nervous system and specifically highlight the effects of AASs on neuropsychiatric and behavioral functions, as well as on lifestyle. Materials and Methods: This review was conducted using PubMed and Google Scholar databases. On these database websites, we searched for articles from 1 January 1980 to March 2019 using the key terms: "AAS," "Anabolic Androgenic Steroids," "brain," and "neurology." Results: The use of AASs through self-administration yields circulating androgens levels, inducing neuron apoptosis, which is linked to thinner cortex and, in general, less cortical volume. The same alterations affect the putamen. These differences were more evident when correlated with longer use. From a functional point of view, prolonged AAS consumption seemed to be related to lower connectivity between amygdala and frontal, striatal, limbic, hippocampal and visual cortical areas. On the other hand, AAS use seems to negatively condition the positive effects of the sport exercise, reducing its important anti-apoptotic and pro-proliferative functions on the hippocampus, implicated in anxiolytic control. Conclusion: This review clarifies the major aspects of the side effects related to AAS use/abuse highlighting the complex mechanisms on neuropsychiatric and cognitive pathological alterations and also the emotional and behavioral dysfunctions.
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Affiliation(s)
- Giuseppe Bertozzi
- Department of Clinical and Experimental Medicine, University of Foggia, 71122 Foggia, Italy
| | - Monica Salerno
- Department of Medical, Surgical and Advanced Technologies "G.F. Ingrassia", University of Catania, 95121 Catania, Italy
| | - Cristoforo Pomara
- Department of Medical, Surgical and Advanced Technologies "G.F. Ingrassia", University of Catania, 95121 Catania, Italy
| | - Francesco Sessa
- Department of Clinical and Experimental Medicine, University of Foggia, 71122 Foggia, Italy.
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16
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Chronic Antipsychotic Treatment Modulates Aromatase (CYP19A1) Expression in the Male Rat Brain. J Mol Neurosci 2019; 68:311-317. [PMID: 30968339 PMCID: PMC6511348 DOI: 10.1007/s12031-019-01307-x] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/12/2018] [Accepted: 03/20/2019] [Indexed: 01/20/2023]
Abstract
Antipsychotic drugs, known as the antagonists of dopaminergic receptors, may also affect a large spectrum of other molecular signaling pathways in the brain. Despite the numerous ongoing studies on neurosteroid action and regulation, there are no reports regarding the influence of extended treatment with typical and atypical neuroleptics on brain aromatase (CYP19A1) expression. In the present study, we assessed for the first time aromatase mRNA and protein levels in the brain of rats chronically (28 days) treated with olanzapine, clozapine, and haloperidol using quantitative real-time PCR, end-point RT-PCR, and Western blotting. Both clozapine and haloperidol, but not olanzapine treatment, led to an increase of aromatase mRNA expression in the rat brain. On the other hand, aromatase protein level remained unchanged after drug administration. These results cast a new light on the pharmacology of examined antipsychotics and contribute to a better understanding of the mechanisms responsible for their action. The present report also underlines the complex nature of potential interactions between neuroleptic pharmacological effects and physiology of brain neurosteroid pathways.
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17
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Powrie YSL, Smith C. Central intracrine DHEA synthesis in ageing-related neuroinflammation and neurodegeneration: therapeutic potential? J Neuroinflammation 2018; 15:289. [PMID: 30326923 PMCID: PMC6192186 DOI: 10.1186/s12974-018-1324-0] [Citation(s) in RCA: 12] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/17/2018] [Accepted: 09/24/2018] [Indexed: 02/06/2023] Open
Abstract
It is a well-known fact that DHEA declines on ageing and that it is linked to ageing-related neurodegeneration, which is characterised by gradual cognitive decline. Although DHEA is also associated with inflammation in the periphery, the link between DHEA and neuroinflammation in this context is less clear. This review drew from different bodies of literature to provide a more comprehensive picture of peripheral vs central endocrine shifts with advanced age—specifically in terms of DHEA. From this, we have formulated the hypothesis that DHEA decline is also linked to neuroinflammation and that increased localised availability of DHEA may have both therapeutic and preventative benefit to limit neurodegeneration. We provide a comprehensive discussion of literature on the potential for extragonadal DHEA synthesis by neuroglial cells and reflect on the feasibility of therapeutic manipulation of localised, central DHEA synthesis.
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Affiliation(s)
- Y S L Powrie
- Department of Physiological Sciences, Stellenbosch University, Private Bag X1, Matieland, Stellenbosch, 7602, South Africa
| | - C Smith
- Department of Physiological Sciences, Stellenbosch University, Private Bag X1, Matieland, Stellenbosch, 7602, South Africa.
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18
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Moraga‐Amaro R, van Waarde A, Doorduin J, de Vries EFJ. Sex steroid hormones and brain function: PET imaging as a tool for research. J Neuroendocrinol 2018; 30:e12565. [PMID: 29237239 PMCID: PMC5838537 DOI: 10.1111/jne.12565] [Citation(s) in RCA: 38] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/15/2017] [Revised: 10/26/2017] [Accepted: 12/06/2017] [Indexed: 12/15/2022]
Abstract
Sex steroid hormones are major regulators of sexual characteristic among species. These hormones, however, are also produced in the brain. Steroidal hormone-mediated signalling via the corresponding hormone receptors can influence brain function at the cellular level and thus affect behaviour and higher brain functions. Altered steroid hormone signalling has been associated with psychiatric disorders, such as anxiety and depression. Neurosteroids are also considered to have a neuroprotective effect in neurodegenerative diseases. So far, the role of steroid hormone receptors in physiological and pathological conditions has mainly been investigated post mortem on animal or human brain tissues. To study the dynamic interplay between sex steroids, their receptors, brain function and behaviour in psychiatric and neurological disorders in a longitudinal manner, however, non-invasive techniques are needed. Positron emission tomography (PET) is a non-invasive imaging tool that is used to quantitatively investigate a variety of physiological and biochemical parameters in vivo. PET uses radiotracers aimed at a specific target (eg, receptor, enzyme, transporter) to visualise the processes of interest. In this review, we discuss the current status of the use of PET imaging for studying sex steroid hormones in the brain. So far, PET has mainly been investigated as a tool to measure (changes in) sex hormone receptor expression in the brain, to measure a key enzyme in the steroid synthesis pathway (aromatase) and to evaluate the effects of hormonal treatment by imaging specific downstream processes in the brain. Although validated radiotracers for a number of targets are still warranted, PET can already be a useful technique for steroid hormone research and facilitate the translation of interesting findings in animal studies to clinical trials in patients.
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Affiliation(s)
- R. Moraga‐Amaro
- Department of Nuclear Medicine and Molecular ImagingUniversity Medical Center GroningenUniversity of GroningenGroningenThe Netherlands
| | - A. van Waarde
- Department of Nuclear Medicine and Molecular ImagingUniversity Medical Center GroningenUniversity of GroningenGroningenThe Netherlands
| | - J. Doorduin
- Department of Nuclear Medicine and Molecular ImagingUniversity Medical Center GroningenUniversity of GroningenGroningenThe Netherlands
| | - E. F. J. de Vries
- Department of Nuclear Medicine and Molecular ImagingUniversity Medical Center GroningenUniversity of GroningenGroningenThe Netherlands
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19
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Zhang S, Hong J, Zhang T, Wu J, Chen L. Activation of Sigma-1 Receptor Alleviates Postpartum Estrogen Withdrawal-Induced "Depression" Through Restoring Hippocampal nNOS-NO-CREB Activities in Mice. Mol Neurobiol 2017; 54:3017-3030. [PMID: 27032391 DOI: 10.1007/s12035-016-9872-8] [Citation(s) in RCA: 22] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/13/2015] [Accepted: 03/17/2016] [Indexed: 12/29/2022]
Abstract
Postpartum depression affects approximately 15 % of mothers; however, its pathological mechanisms still remain unclear. Ovariectomized adult mice received the administration of estrogen (E2) and progesterone with a subsequent alone E2, termed hormone-simulated pregnancy (HSP). Affective behaviors as assessed by forced swim and tail suspension tests, hippocampal neuronal nitric oxide synthase (nNOS), nitric oxide (NO), cyclic AMP (cAMP) response element binding protein (CREB) phosphorylation (phosphor-CREB), and neurosteroidogenesis were examined before E2 withdrawal (EW; HSP mice) and on days 2-4 (early-EW mice) and days 8-10 (late-EW mice) after EW. Depressive-like behaviors were observed in early-EW mice but not in late-EW mice. Levels of nNOS, NO, and phosphor-CREB were increased in HSP mice followed by a significant decline in early-EW mice with a subsequent restoration in late-EW mice. The treatment of early-EW mice with NO donor alleviated depressive-like behaviors and decline of phosphor-CREB. The nNOS inhibitor and NO scavenger caused depressive-like behaviors and reduced phosphor-CREB in HSP mice and late-EW mice. Notably, the levels of steroidogenic enzymes StAR and P450scc were elevated in late-EW mice. The sigma-1 receptor (σ1R) agonist could alleviate depressive-like behaviors and decline of nNOS-NO-CREB in early-EW mice. The pharmacological blockade or deficiency of σ1R in late-EW mice caused depressive-like behaviors with decline of nNOS-NO-CREB. The reduction of hippocampal brain-derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF) or N-methyl-D-aspartic acid (NMDA) receptor NR2B phosphorylation in early-EW mice could recover in late-EW mice, which was sensitive to the blockade of σ1R. The NMDA receptor agonist, but not TrkB receptor activator, could correct the decline of nNOS-NO-CREB in early-EW mice. The findings indicate that the activation of σ1R can alleviate postpartum "depression" through increasing nNOS-NO-CREB activities.
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Affiliation(s)
- Suyun Zhang
- State Key Laboratory of Reproductive Medicine, Nanjing Medical University, Nanjing, 210029, China
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, The First Affiliated Hospital of Nanjing Medical University, Nanjing, 210029, China
| | - Juan Hong
- State Key Laboratory of Reproductive Medicine, Nanjing Medical University, Nanjing, 210029, China
- Department of Physiology, Nanjing Medical University, Nanjing, 210029, China
| | - Tingting Zhang
- State Key Laboratory of Reproductive Medicine, Nanjing Medical University, Nanjing, 210029, China
- Department of Physiology, Nanjing Medical University, Nanjing, 210029, China
| | - Jie Wu
- State Key Laboratory of Reproductive Medicine, Nanjing Medical University, Nanjing, 210029, China.
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, The First Affiliated Hospital of Nanjing Medical University, Nanjing, 210029, China.
| | - Ling Chen
- State Key Laboratory of Reproductive Medicine, Nanjing Medical University, Nanjing, 210029, China.
- Department of Physiology, Nanjing Medical University, Nanjing, 210029, China.
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20
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Ishihara Y, Fujitani N, Sakurai H, Takemoto T, Ikeda-Ishihara N, Mori-Yasumoto K, Nehira T, Ishida A, Yamazaki T. Effects of sex steroid hormones and their metabolites on neuronal injury caused by oxygen-glucose deprivation/reoxygenation in organotypic hippocampal slice cultures. Steroids 2016; 113:71-7. [PMID: 27389922 DOI: 10.1016/j.steroids.2016.06.004] [Citation(s) in RCA: 15] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/11/2015] [Revised: 04/22/2016] [Accepted: 06/08/2016] [Indexed: 10/21/2022]
Abstract
In this study, protective actions of the sex steroid hormones, progesterone, testosterone, and 17β-estradiol, against oxygen-glucose deprivation (OGD)/reoxygenation-induced neuronal cell death were examined using rat organotypic hippocampal slice cultures. Progesterone, testosterone, and 17β-estradiol significantly attenuated neuronal cell death elicited by OGD/reoxygenation. While the neuroprotection conferred by progesterone was not affected by SU-10603, an inhibitor of cytochrome P45017α, finasteride, a 5α-reductase inhibitor that blocks the conversion of progesterone to allopregnanolone, partially reversed the neuroprotection induced by progesterone. The progesterone metabolite, allopregnanolone attenuated neuronal injury induced by OGD/reoxygenation. Pretreatment with letrozole, a cytochrome P450 aromatase inhibitor or 4-hydroxyphenyl-1-naphthol, a 17β-hydroxysteroid dehydrogenase 2 inhibitor showed no effect on testosterone-mediated neuroprotection, while finasteride completely abolished the protective action of testosterone. Treatment with 5α-dihydrotestosterone significantly suppressed neuronal injury. Pretreatment with mifepristone, a progesterone receptor antagonist and hydroxyflutamid, an androgen receptor antagonist significantly diminished the neuroprotective effects of progesterone and testosterone, respectively. ICI182,780, an estrogen receptor antagonist, showed no effect on neuroprotection mediated by 17β-estradiol. Pretreatment with actinomycin D or cycloheximide clearly abolished the neuroprotective effects of progesterone and testosterone, while actinomycin D and cycloheximide did not show any effect on neuroprotection mediated by 17β-estradiol. Taken together, progesterone protects neurons via progesterone receptor-dependent genomic pathway, and allopregnanolone is involved in progesterone-mediated neuroprotection. Testosterone and its metabolite 5α-dihydrotestosterone protect neurons via the genomic pathway of the androgen receptor. Metabolism of sex steroid hormones in the brain might complicate their protective actions in the brain.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yasuhiro Ishihara
- Laboratory of Molecular Brain Science, Graduate School of Integrated Arts and Sciences, Hiroshima University, Higashi-Hiroshima 739-8521, Japan.
| | - Noriko Fujitani
- Laboratory of Molecular Brain Science, Graduate School of Integrated Arts and Sciences, Hiroshima University, Higashi-Hiroshima 739-8521, Japan
| | - Hikaru Sakurai
- Laboratory of Molecular Brain Science, Graduate School of Integrated Arts and Sciences, Hiroshima University, Higashi-Hiroshima 739-8521, Japan
| | - Takuya Takemoto
- Laboratory of Molecular Brain Science, Graduate School of Integrated Arts and Sciences, Hiroshima University, Higashi-Hiroshima 739-8521, Japan
| | - Nami Ikeda-Ishihara
- Division of Gene Research, Natural Science Center for Basic Research and Development, Hiroshima University, Higashi-Hiroshima 739-8527, Japan
| | - Kanami Mori-Yasumoto
- Laboratory of Pharmacognosy and Natural Products Chemistry, Kagawa School of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Tokushima Bunri University, Kagawa 769-2193, Japan
| | - Tatsuo Nehira
- Laboratory of Molecular Brain Science, Graduate School of Integrated Arts and Sciences, Hiroshima University, Higashi-Hiroshima 739-8521, Japan
| | - Atsuhiko Ishida
- Laboratory of Molecular Brain Science, Graduate School of Integrated Arts and Sciences, Hiroshima University, Higashi-Hiroshima 739-8521, Japan
| | - Takeshi Yamazaki
- Laboratory of Molecular Brain Science, Graduate School of Integrated Arts and Sciences, Hiroshima University, Higashi-Hiroshima 739-8521, Japan
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21
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Fester L, Brandt N, Windhorst S, Pröls F, Bläute C, Rune GM. Control of aromatase in hippocampal neurons. J Steroid Biochem Mol Biol 2016; 160:9-14. [PMID: 26472556 DOI: 10.1016/j.jsbmb.2015.10.009] [Citation(s) in RCA: 32] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/03/2015] [Revised: 10/01/2015] [Accepted: 10/08/2015] [Indexed: 10/22/2022]
Abstract
Our knowledge on estradiol-induced modulation of synaptic function in the hippocampus is widely based on results following the application of the steroid hormone to either cell cultures, or after the treatment of gonadectomized animals, thus ignoring local neuronal estrogen synthesis. We and others, however, have shown that hippocampus-derived estradiol also controls synaptic plasticity in the hippocampus. Estradiol synthesis in the hippocampus is regulated by several mechanisms, which are reviewed in this report. The regulation of the activity of aromatase, the final enzyme of estrogen biosynthesis, by Ca(2+) transients, is of particular interest. Aromatase becomes inactivated as soon as it is phosphorylated by Ca(2+)-dependent kinases upon calcium release from internal stores. Accordingly, thapsigargin dephosphorylates aromatase and stimulates estradiol synthesis by depletion of internal Ca(2+) stores. Vice versa, letrozole, an aromatase inhibitor, phosphorylates aromatase and reduces estradiol synthesis. Treatment of the cultures with 17β-estradiol results in phosphorylation of the enzyme and increased aromatase protein expression, which suggests that estradiol synthesis in hippocampal neurons is regulated in an autocrine manner.
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Affiliation(s)
- Lars Fester
- University Medical Center Hamburg Eppendorf, Institute of Neuroanatomy, Martinistr. 52, 20246 Hamburg, Germany
| | - Nicola Brandt
- University Medical Center Hamburg Eppendorf, Institute of Neuroanatomy, Martinistr. 52, 20246 Hamburg, Germany
| | - Sabine Windhorst
- Department of Biochemistry and Signal Transduction, Martinistr. 52, 20246 Hamburg, Germany
| | - Felicitas Pröls
- University Medical Center Hamburg Eppendorf, Institute of Neuroanatomy, Martinistr. 52, 20246 Hamburg, Germany
| | - Corinna Bläute
- University Medical Center Hamburg Eppendorf, Institute of Neuroanatomy, Martinistr. 52, 20246 Hamburg, Germany
| | - Gabriele M Rune
- University Medical Center Hamburg Eppendorf, Institute of Neuroanatomy, Martinistr. 52, 20246 Hamburg, Germany.
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Vallée M. Neurosteroids and potential therapeutics: Focus on pregnenolone. J Steroid Biochem Mol Biol 2016; 160:78-87. [PMID: 26433186 DOI: 10.1016/j.jsbmb.2015.09.030] [Citation(s) in RCA: 59] [Impact Index Per Article: 7.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/28/2015] [Revised: 09/18/2015] [Accepted: 09/21/2015] [Indexed: 12/26/2022]
Abstract
Considerable evidence from preclinical and clinical studies shows that steroids and in particular neurosteroids are important endogenous modulators of several brain-related functions. In this context, it remains to be elucidated whether neurosteroids may serve as biomarkers in the diagnosis of disorders and might have therapeutic potential for the treatment of these disorders. Pregnenolone (PREG) is the main steroid synthesized from cholesterol in mammals and invertebrates. PREG has three main sources of synthesis, the gonads, adrenal glands and brain and is submitted to various metabolizing pathways which are modulated depending on various factors including species, steroidogenic tissues and steroidogenic enzymes. Looking at the whole picture of steroids, PREG is often known as the precursor to other steroids and not as an active steroid per se. Actually, physiological and brain functions have been studied mainly for steroids that are very active either binding to specific intracellular receptors, or modulating with high affinity the abundant membrane receptors, GABAA or NMDA receptors. However, when high sensitive and specific methodological approaches were available to analyze low concentrations of steroids and then match endogenous levels of different steroid metabolomes, several studies have reported more significant alterations in PREG than in other steroids in extraphysiological or pathological conditions, suggesting that PREG could play a functional role as well. Additionally, several molecular targets of PREG were revealed in the mammalian brain and beneficial effects of PREG have been demonstrated in preclinical and clinical studies. On this basis, this review will be divided into three parts. The first provides a brief overview of the molecular targets of PREG and the pharmacological effects observed in animal and human studies. The second will focus on the possible functional role of PREG with an outline of the modulation of PREG levels in animal and in human research. Finally, the review will highlight the possible therapeutic uses of PREG that point towards the development of pregnenolone-like molecules.
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Affiliation(s)
- Monique Vallée
- INSERM U862, Neurocentre Magendie, Pathophysiology of Addiction, Bordeaux F33077, France; Université de Bordeaux, Bordeaux F33077, France.
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Li S, Kang L, Zhang Y, Feng B, Du J, Cui H. Detecting the presence of hippocampus membrane androgen receptors in male SAMP8 mice and their induced synaptic plasticity. Mol Cell Endocrinol 2015; 414:82-90. [PMID: 26164088 DOI: 10.1016/j.mce.2015.07.005] [Citation(s) in RCA: 16] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/08/2015] [Revised: 07/03/2015] [Accepted: 07/05/2015] [Indexed: 12/14/2022]
Abstract
Testosterone (T), the principal androgen, and its metabolite, dihydrotestosterone (DHT), are known to mediate their effects through binding to intracellular androgen receptors (iARs). In addition to their well-known genomic effects, androgens rapidly alter neuronal excitability through a non-genomic pathway mediated by membrane androgen receptors (mARs). The existence and specificity of mARs in the hippocampus were investigated in SAMP8 mice. Using T-BSA-FITC, we detected plasma membrane labeling by flow cytometry analysis for the presence of mARs. The specificity of binding was examined with iAR antagonist or anti-iAR antibody. Flow cytometry analysis showed that pretreatment with iAR antagonist, flutamide (F), failed to completely prevent the coupling action of the T-BSA-FITC membrane binding. In addition, we found classical iARs did not localize to the membrane of hippocampal neurons. These data indicate that these mARs might be not identical to classical iARs. Modulation of hippocampal synaptic plasticity by androgen has been attracting much attention. To identify the functional consequences induced by mARs, we analyzed the rapid effects of T on the density of dendritic spines using Golgi staining. The application of 50 μg/5 μl T and 30 μg/5 μl DHT induced a rapid increase in the dendritic spines within 2 h. Almost no difference was observed between T and T-BSA in the effect on thorn density. Next, we explored the protective mechanism and found that T and DHT altered the expression of synaptophysin (SYN) and postsynaptic dense material 95 (PSD95), which play crucial roles in cognitive function and synaptic plasticity.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sha Li
- Department of Human Anatomy, Hebei Medical University, Hebei, PR China; Hebei Key Laboratory for Brain Aging and Cognitive Neuroscience, Hebei, PR China
| | - Lin Kang
- Department of Human Anatomy, Hebei Medical University, Hebei, PR China
| | - Yizhou Zhang
- Department of Human Anatomy, Hebei Medical University, Hebei, PR China
| | - Baofeng Feng
- Department of Human Anatomy, Hebei Medical University, Hebei, PR China
| | - Juan Du
- Department of Human Anatomy, Hebei Medical University, Hebei, PR China
| | - Huixian Cui
- Department of Human Anatomy, Hebei Medical University, Hebei, PR China; Hebei Key Laboratory for Brain Aging and Cognitive Neuroscience, Hebei, PR China.
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Vierk R, Bayer J, Freitag S, Muhia M, Kutsche K, Wolbers T, Kneussel M, Sommer T, Rune GM. Structure-function-behavior relationship in estrogen-induced synaptic plasticity. Horm Behav 2015; 74:139-48. [PMID: 26012713 DOI: 10.1016/j.yhbeh.2015.05.008] [Citation(s) in RCA: 34] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/20/2015] [Revised: 04/23/2015] [Accepted: 05/17/2015] [Indexed: 01/06/2023]
Abstract
This article is part of a Special Issue "Estradiol and Cognition". In estrogen-induced synaptic plasticity, a correlation of structure, function and behavior in the hippocampus has been widely established. 17ß-estradiol has been shown to increase dendritic spine density on hippocampal neurons and is accompanied by enhanced long-term potentiation and improved performance of animals in hippocampus-dependent memory tests. After inhibition of aromatase, the final enzyme of estradiol synthesis, with letrozole we consistently found a strong and significant impairment of long-term potentiation (LTP) in female mice as early as after six hours of treatment. LTP impairment was followed by loss of hippocampal spine synapses in the hippocampal CA1 area. Interestingly, these effects were not found in male animals. In the Morris water maze test, chronic administration of letrozole did not alter spatial learning and memory in either female or male mice. In humans, analogous effects of estradiol on hippocampal morphology and physiology were observed using neuroimaging techniques. However, similar to our findings in mice, an effect of estradiol on memory performance has not been consistently observed.
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Affiliation(s)
- R Vierk
- Institute of Neuroanatomy, University Medical Center Hamburg-Eppendorf, Martinistr. 52, 20246 Hamburg, Germany
| | - J Bayer
- Institute for Systems Neuroscience, University Medical Center Hamburg-Eppendorf, Martinistr. 52, 20246 Hamburg, Germany
| | - S Freitag
- Department of Molecular Neurogenetics, Center for Molecular Neurobiology (ZMNH), University Medical Center Hamburg-Eppendorf, Falkenried 94, 20151 Hamburg, Germany
| | - M Muhia
- Department of Molecular Neurogenetics, Center for Molecular Neurobiology (ZMNH), University Medical Center Hamburg-Eppendorf, Falkenried 94, 20151 Hamburg, Germany
| | - K Kutsche
- Institute of Human Genetics, University Medical Center Hamburg-Eppendorf, Martinistr. 52, 20246 Hamburg, Germany
| | - T Wolbers
- Center for Behavioral Brain Sciences, Leipziger Str. 44, 39120 Magdeburg, Germany
| | - M Kneussel
- Department of Molecular Neurogenetics, Center for Molecular Neurobiology (ZMNH), University Medical Center Hamburg-Eppendorf, Falkenried 94, 20151 Hamburg, Germany
| | - T Sommer
- Institute for Systems Neuroscience, University Medical Center Hamburg-Eppendorf, Martinistr. 52, 20246 Hamburg, Germany.
| | - G M Rune
- Institute of Neuroanatomy, University Medical Center Hamburg-Eppendorf, Martinistr. 52, 20246 Hamburg, Germany.
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Abstract
INTRODUCTION Neuropathic pain is difficult to relieve with standard analgesics and tends to be resistant to opioid therapy. Sigma-1 receptors activated during neuropathic injury may sustain pain. Neuropathic injury activates sigma-1 receptors, which results in activation of various kinases, modulates the activity of multiple ion channels, ligand activated ion channels and voltage-gated ion channels; alters monoamine neurotransmission and dampens opioid receptors G-protein activation. Activation of sigma-1 receptors tonically inhibits opioid receptor G-protein activation and thus dampens analgesic responses. Therefore, sigma-1 receptor antagonists are potential analgesics for neuropathic and adjuvants to opioid therapy. AREAS COVERED This article reviews the importance of sigma-1 receptors as pain generators in multiple animal models in order to illustrate both the importance of these unique receptors in pathologic pain and the potential benefits to sigma-1 receptor antagonists as analgesics. EXPERT OPINION Sigma-1 receptor antagonists have a great potential as analgesics for acute neuropathic injury (herpes zoster, acute postoperative pain and chemotherapy induced neuropathy) and may, as an additional benefit, prevent the development of chronic neuropathic pain. Antagonists are potentially effective as adjuvants to opioid therapy when used early to prevent analgesic tolerance. Drug development is complicated by the complexity of sigma-1 receptor pharmacodynamics and its multiple targets, the lack of a specific sigma-1 receptor antagonist, and potential side effects due to on-target toxicities (cognitive impairment, depression).
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Affiliation(s)
- Mellar P Davis
- Case Western Reserve University, Taussig Cancer Institute, Cleveland Clinic Lerner School of Medicine, Palliative Medicine and Supportive Oncology Services, Division of Solid Tumor, The Cleveland Clinic , 9500 Euclid Ave, Cleveland, OH 44195 , USA
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Yamaguchi K. Evaluation for roles of neurosteroids in modulating forebrain mechanisms controlling vasopressin secretion and related phenomena in conscious rats. Neurosci Res 2015; 95:38-50. [PMID: 25598212 DOI: 10.1016/j.neures.2015.01.002] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/01/2014] [Revised: 11/20/2014] [Accepted: 01/08/2015] [Indexed: 11/28/2022]
Abstract
Anteroventral third ventricular region (AV3V) that regulates autonomic functions through a GABAergic mechanism possesses neuroactive steroid (NS)-synthesizing ability. Although NS can exert effects by acting on a certain type of GABAA-receptor (R), it is not clear whether NS may operate to modulate AV3V GABAergic activity for controlling autonomic functions. This study aimed to investigate the issue. AV3V infusion with a GABAA antagonist bicuculline increased plasma vasopressin (AVP), glucose, blood pressure (BP), and heart rate in rats. These events were abolished by preinjecting its agonist muscimol, whereas the infusion with allopregnanolone, a NS capable of potentiating GABAA-R function, affected none of the variables in the absence or presence of such bicuculline actions. Similarly, AV3V infusion with pregnanolone sulfate, a NS capable of antagonizing GABAA-R, produced no effect on those variables. AV3V infusion with muscimol was effective in inhibiting the responses of plasma AVP or glucose, or BP to an osmotic loading or bleeding. However, AV3V infusion with aminoglutethimide, a NS synthesis inhibitor, did not affect any of the variables in the absence or presence of those stimuli. These results suggest that NS may not cause acute effects on the AV3V GABAergic mechanism involved in regulating AVP release and other autonomic function.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ken'ichi Yamaguchi
- Department of Homeostatic Regulation and Development, Niigata University Graduate School of Medical and Dental Sciences, Niigata City 951-8510, Japan.
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Sexual neurosteroids and synaptic plasticity in the hippocampus. Brain Res 2014; 1621:162-9. [PMID: 25452021 DOI: 10.1016/j.brainres.2014.10.033] [Citation(s) in RCA: 65] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/10/2014] [Accepted: 10/18/2014] [Indexed: 11/23/2022]
Abstract
Sexual neurosteroids (SN), namely 17β-estradiol (E2) and 5α-dehydrotestosterone (DHT), are synthesized in the hippocampus, where they induce circuit modifications by changing the number of excitatory spine synapses in a paracrine and sex-specific manner. The mechanisms of this sex-specific synapse turnover, which are likely to affect cognitive functions, are poorly understood. We found that hippocampal neurons synthesize estradiol, which maintains LTP and synapses in females but not in males. In females, inhibition of estradiol synthesis results in impairment of LTP and synapse loss. These effects were not seen in males. The essential role of local estrogen on the stability and maintenance of connectivity in the hippocampus is consistent with age-related cognitive decline in women after menopause. In male animals the regulation of synaptic stability and plasticity by locally synthesized sexual steroids remains to be clarified. This article is part of a Special Issue entitled SI: Brain and Memory.
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Hippocampal estradiol synthesis and its significance for hippocampal synaptic stability in male and female animals. Neuroscience 2014; 274:24-32. [DOI: 10.1016/j.neuroscience.2014.05.003] [Citation(s) in RCA: 50] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/13/2013] [Revised: 04/23/2014] [Accepted: 05/04/2014] [Indexed: 01/18/2023]
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Ezzati A, Zimmerman ME, Katz MJ, Sundermann EE, Smith JL, Lipton ML, Lipton RB. Hippocampal subfields differentially correlate with chronic pain in older adults. Brain Res 2014; 1573:54-62. [PMID: 24878607 DOI: 10.1016/j.brainres.2014.05.025] [Citation(s) in RCA: 34] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/25/2014] [Revised: 05/07/2014] [Accepted: 05/13/2014] [Indexed: 12/15/2022]
Abstract
Although previous studies have demonstrated that the hippocampus plays a role in pain processing, the role of hippocampal subfields is uncertain. The goal of this study was to examine the relationship between hippocampal subfield volumes and chronic pain in nondemented older adults. The study sample included 86 community-residing adults age 70 or older who were free of dementia and recruited from the Einstein Aging Study. Chronic pain was defined as pain over the last 3 months, that was moderate or severe (minimum rating of 4 out of 10) most, or all of the time. Hippocampal subfield volumes were estimated using FreeSurfer software. We modeled the association between chronic pain and hippocampal and subfield volume using linear regression. The sample had a mean age of 80 and was 58% female. Chronic pain, present in 55% of the sample, was associated with smaller right and total hippocampal volumes, particularly in women, after adjusting for age, education, and intracranial volume (eTICV). In addition, in women, volume was significantly reduced in participants with chronic pain in right CA2-3 (β=-0.35, p=0.010), right CA4-DG (β=-0.35, p=0.011), left presubiculum (β=-0.29, p=0.030), and left fimbria (β=-0.30, p=0.023). In men, chronic pain was not associated with the volume of any of the hippocampal subfield volumes. Chronic pain in women is associated with a reduction in the volume of right hippocampus and also selected hippocampal subfields. Future studies should clarify the mechanisms underlying the association between regional hippocampal volumes and chronic pain, particularly in women.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ali Ezzati
- Saul B. Korey Department of Neurology, Albert Einstein College of Medicine, Yeshiva University, Bronx, NY 10461, USA; Department of Medicine, Montefiore Medical Center, 111 East 210th Street, Bronx, NY 10467, USA.
| | - Molly E Zimmerman
- Saul B. Korey Department of Neurology, Albert Einstein College of Medicine, Yeshiva University, Bronx, NY 10461, USA
| | - Mindy J Katz
- Saul B. Korey Department of Neurology, Albert Einstein College of Medicine, Yeshiva University, Bronx, NY 10461, USA
| | - Erin E Sundermann
- Saul B. Korey Department of Neurology, Albert Einstein College of Medicine, Yeshiva University, Bronx, NY 10461, USA
| | - Jeremy L Smith
- The Gruss Magnetic Resonance Research Center, Albert Einstein College of Medicine of Yeshiva University, Bronx, NY 10461, USA; Department of Radiology, Albert Einstein College of Medicine of Yeshiva University, 1300 Morris Park Avenue, Bronx, NY 10461, USA
| | - Michael L Lipton
- The Gruss Magnetic Resonance Research Center, Albert Einstein College of Medicine of Yeshiva University, Bronx, NY 10461, USA; Department of Radiology, Albert Einstein College of Medicine of Yeshiva University, 1300 Morris Park Avenue, Bronx, NY 10461, USA; The Department of Radiology, Montefiore Medical Center, 111 East 210th Street, Bronx, NY 10467, USA; Department of Psychiatry & Behavioral Sciences, Albert Einstein College of Medicine of Yeshiva University, 1300 Morris Park Avenue, Bronx, NY 10461, USA; The Dominick P Purpura Department of Neuroscience, Albert Einstein College of Medicine of Yeshiva University, 1300 Morris Park Avenue, Bronx, NY 10461, USA
| | - Richard B Lipton
- Saul B. Korey Department of Neurology, Albert Einstein College of Medicine, Yeshiva University, Bronx, NY 10461, USA; Department of Epidemiology and Population Health, Albert Einstein College of Medicine, Yeshiva University, Bronx, NY 10461, USA
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Bian C, Zhu H, Zhao Y, Cai W, Zhang J. Intriguing roles of hippocampus-synthesized 17β-estradiol in the modulation of hippocampal synaptic plasticity. J Mol Neurosci 2014; 54:271-81. [PMID: 24729128 DOI: 10.1007/s12031-014-0285-8] [Citation(s) in RCA: 19] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/14/2014] [Accepted: 03/06/2014] [Indexed: 10/25/2022]
Abstract
Accumulated studies have shown that 17β-estradiol (E2) can be de novo synthesized in the hippocampus, and its role in the regulation of hippocampal synaptic plasticity, which is the basis of learning and memory, has long been exploring. Steroidogenic enzymes (e.g., aromatase) that are essential to the hippocampus-synthesized synthesis of E2 have been detected in the hippocampus. Inhibition of E2 synthesis by aromatase inhibitors significantly reduces the density of hippocampal spine synapses, levels of some synaptic proteins such as spinopholin and synaptophysin. Moreover, the electrophysiological properties of hippocampal neurons are also changed in response to this inhibition. The influences of gonadal and hippocampal E2 on synaptic plasticity may exist some differences, since some reports showed that gonadal (or circulating) estrogens have no obvious effects in the modulation of hippocampal synaptic proteins as evidenced in some ovariectomized animals and postmenopausal women who suffered from Alzheimer's disease (AD). These evidences leads to a hypothesis that hippocampal E2 may play a more important role in modulation of synaptic plasticity than gonadal E2. The signaling pathways, whereby hippocampal E2 modulates synaptic plasticity, insist of classical chronic genomic pathway and rapid nongenomic pathway, which mediated by nonnuclear estrogen receptor (GPER) and/or nuclear or nonnuclear estrogen receptors, which require coactivators for their transcription activity. Among which steroid receptor coactivator-1 (SRC-1) is the predominant coactivator p160 family members in the brain. Several clues have shown that SRC-1 is expressed in hippocampus and is highly correlated with some key synaptic proteins developmentally or after orchidectomy but not ovariectomy, indicating SRC-1 may be regulated by hippocampus-synthesized E2 and profoundly involved in the mediation of hippocampal E2 regulation of hippocampal synaptic plasticity. Further studies about the exact roles of hippocampus-synthesized E2 and therefore SRC-1 are urgently needed in order to facilitate our understanding of hippocampal E2, which will be very important to the development of novel strategies of estrogen replacement therapy against neurodegenerative deficits such as Alzheimer's disease (AD).
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Affiliation(s)
- Chen Bian
- Department of Neurobiology, Chongqing Key Laboratory of Neurobiology, Third Military Medical University, Gaotanyan 30, Chongqing, 400038, China
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Yantsevich AV, Dichenko YV, Mackenzie F, Mukha DV, Baranovsky AV, Gilep AA, Usanov SA, Strushkevich NV. Human steroid and oxysterol 7α-hydroxylase CYP7B1: substrate specificity, azole binding and misfolding of clinically relevant mutants. FEBS J 2014; 281:1700-13. [PMID: 24491228 DOI: 10.1111/febs.12733] [Citation(s) in RCA: 26] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/05/2013] [Revised: 12/23/2013] [Accepted: 01/28/2014] [Indexed: 11/28/2022]
Abstract
Oxysterols and neurosteroids are important signaling molecules produced by monooxygenases of the cytochrome P450 family that realize their effect through nuclear receptors. CYP7B1 catalyzes the 6- or 7-hydroxylation of both steroids and oxysterols and thus is involved in the metabolism of neurosteroids and bile acid synthesis, respectively. The dual physiological role of CYP7B1 is evidenced from different diseases, liver failure and progressive neuropathy, caused by enzyme malfunction. Here we present biochemical characterization of CYP7B1 at the molecular level to understand substrate specificity and susceptibility to azole drugs. Based on our experiments with purified enzyme, the requirements for CYP7B1 hydroxylation of steroid molecules are as follows: C5 hydrogen in the α-configuration (or double bond at C5), a polar group at C17, a hydroxyl group at C3, and the absence of the hydroxyl group at C20-C24 in the C27-sterol side chain. 21-hydroxy-pregnenolone was identified as a new substrate, and overall low activity toward pregnanes could be related to the increased potency of 7-hydroxy derivatives produced by CYP7B1. Metabolic conversion (deactivation) of oxysterols by CYP7B1 in a reconstituted system proceeds via two sequential hydroxylations. Two mutations that are found in patients with diseases, Gly57Arg and Phe216Ser, result in apo-P450 (devoid of heme) protein formation. Our CYP7B1 homology model provides a rationale for understanding clinical mutations and relatively broad substrate specificity for steroid hydroxylase.
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Yoshiya M, Komatsuzaki Y, Hojo Y, Ikeda M, Mukai H, Hatanaka Y, Murakami G, Kawata M, Kimoto T, Kawato S. Corticosterone rapidly increases thorns of CA3 neurons via synaptic/extranuclear glucocorticoid receptor in rat hippocampus. Front Neural Circuits 2013; 7:191. [PMID: 24348341 PMCID: PMC3841935 DOI: 10.3389/fncir.2013.00191] [Citation(s) in RCA: 27] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/27/2013] [Accepted: 11/11/2013] [Indexed: 11/13/2022] Open
Abstract
Modulation of synapses under acute stress is attracting much attention. Exposure to acute stress induces corticosterone (CORT) secretion from the adrenal cortex, resulting in rapid increase of CORT levels in plasma and the hippocampus. We tried to test whether rapid CORT effects involve activation of essential kinases as non-genomic processes. We demonstrated rapid effects (~1 h) of CORT on the density of thorns, by imaging Lucifer Yellow-injected neurons in adult male rat hippocampal slices. Thorns of thorny excrescences of CA3 hippocampal neurons are post-synaptic regions whose presynaptic partners are mossy fiber terminals. The application of CORT at 100, 500, and 1000 nM induced a rapid increase in the density of thorns in the stratum lucidum of CA3 pyramidal neurons. Co-administration of RU486, an antagonist of glucocorticoid receptor (GR), abolished the effect of CORT. Blocking a single kinase, including MAPK, PKA, or PKC, suppressed CORT-induced enhancement of thorn-genesis. On the other hand, GSK-3β was not involved in the signaling of thorn-genesis. Blocking AMPA receptors suppressed the CORT effect. Expression of CA3 synaptic/extranuclear GR was demonstrated by immunogold electron microscopic analysis. From these results, stress levels of CORT (100-1000 nM) might drive the rapid thorn-genesis via synaptic/extranuclear GR and multiple kinase pathways, although a role of nuclear GRs cannot be completely excluded.
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Affiliation(s)
- Miyuki Yoshiya
- Department of Biophysics and Life Sciences, Graduate School of Arts and Sciences, The University of Tokyo Tokyo, Japan ; Bioinformatics Project of Japan Science and Technology Agency, The University of Tokyo Tokyo, Japan
| | - Yoshimasa Komatsuzaki
- Department of Biophysics and Life Sciences, Graduate School of Arts and Sciences, The University of Tokyo Tokyo, Japan ; Department of Physics, College of Science and Technology, Nihon University Chiyoda, Tokyo, Japan
| | - Yasushi Hojo
- Department of Biophysics and Life Sciences, Graduate School of Arts and Sciences, The University of Tokyo Tokyo, Japan ; Bioinformatics Project of Japan Science and Technology Agency, The University of Tokyo Tokyo, Japan
| | - Muneki Ikeda
- Department of Biophysics and Life Sciences, Graduate School of Arts and Sciences, The University of Tokyo Tokyo, Japan
| | - Hideo Mukai
- Department of Biophysics and Life Sciences, Graduate School of Arts and Sciences, The University of Tokyo Tokyo, Japan ; Bioinformatics Project of Japan Science and Technology Agency, The University of Tokyo Tokyo, Japan
| | - Yusuke Hatanaka
- Department of Biophysics and Life Sciences, Graduate School of Arts and Sciences, The University of Tokyo Tokyo, Japan ; Bioinformatics Project of Japan Science and Technology Agency, The University of Tokyo Tokyo, Japan
| | - Gen Murakami
- Department of Biophysics and Life Sciences, Graduate School of Arts and Sciences, The University of Tokyo Tokyo, Japan ; Bioinformatics Project of Japan Science and Technology Agency, The University of Tokyo Tokyo, Japan
| | - Mitsuhiro Kawata
- Department of Anatomy and Neurobiology, Kyoto Prefectural University of Medicine Kamigyo, Kyoto, Japan
| | - Tetsuya Kimoto
- Department of Biophysics and Life Sciences, Graduate School of Arts and Sciences, The University of Tokyo Tokyo, Japan
| | - Suguru Kawato
- Department of Biophysics and Life Sciences, Graduate School of Arts and Sciences, The University of Tokyo Tokyo, Japan ; Bioinformatics Project of Japan Science and Technology Agency, The University of Tokyo Tokyo, Japan
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Bu J, Zu H. Effects of pregnenolone intervention on the cholinergic system and synaptic protein 1 in aged rats. Int J Neurosci 2013; 124:117-24. [PMID: 23848990 DOI: 10.3109/00207454.2013.824437] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/13/2022]
Abstract
OBJECTIVE To observe the effect of pregnenolone (PREG) intervention on the cholinergic system function and the synaptic protein 1 (SYP1) expression in different brain regions of aged rats. METHOD Twenty-four-month-old male Sprague Dawley rats intraperitoneally injected every other day for one month were divided into blank control group, solvent control group, PREG (0.5 mg/kg) intervention group and PREG (2.0 mg/kg) intervention group. The rats were sacrificed 2 d after the intervention and the corresponding regions of brain tissue were separated and cryopreserved. Western blot analysis was used to detect the expression level of choline acetyltransferase (ChAT), SYP1, serum PREG and the activity of ChAT and acetylcholinesterase (AChE) in different brain regions. In addition, the semiquantitative changes in the expression level of ChAT and SYP1 in frontal lobe and hippocampus were tested by immunohistochemistry. RESULT Western blot and immunohistochemistry analysis showed that PREG (2.0 mg/kg) administration led to a significant increase of ChAT and SYP1 expressions in frontal lobe, temporal lobe, and hippocampus regions (p < 0.05). The result of enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay showed that PREG (2.0 mg/kg) administration significantly increased ChAT activity and serum PREG levels and caused a decrease in AChE activity (p < 0.05); while PREG (0.5 mg/kg) only elevated levels of serum PREG. CONCLUSION PREG significantly improved the synaptic plasticity of memory-related brain areas of aged rats, significantly increased brain cholinergic activity and thus helps to improve learning and memory in aged rats.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jimei Bu
- Department of Neurology, Jinshan Hospital Affiliated to Fudan University , Shanghai , China
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Biagini G, Rustichelli C, Curia G, Vinet J, Lucchi C, Pugnaghi M, Meletti S. Neurosteroids and epileptogenesis. J Neuroendocrinol 2013; 25:980-90. [PMID: 23763517 DOI: 10.1111/jne.12063] [Citation(s) in RCA: 16] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/22/2013] [Revised: 05/21/2013] [Accepted: 06/09/2013] [Indexed: 12/22/2022]
Abstract
Epileptogenesis is defined as the latent period at the end of which spontaneous recurrent seizures occur. This concept has been recently re-evaluated to include exacerbation of clinically-manifested epilepsy. Thus, in patients affected by pharmacoresistant seizures, the progression toward a worse condition may be viewed as the result of a durable epileptogenic process. However, the mechanism potentially responsible for this progression remains unclear. Neuroinflammation has been consistently detected both in the latent period and in the chronic phase of epilepsy, especially when brain damage is present. This phenomenon is accompanied by glial cell reaction, leading to gliosis. We have previously described rats presenting an increased expression of the cytochrome P450 cholesterol side-chain cleavage (P450scc) enzyme, during the latent period, in glial cells of the hippocampus. The P450scc enzyme is critically involved in the synthesis of neurosteroids and its up-regulation is associated with a delayed appearance of spontaneous recurrent seizures in rats that experienced status epilepticus induced by pilocarpine. Moreover, by decreasing the synthesis of neurosteroids able to promote inhibition, such as allopregnanolone, through the administration of the 5α-reductase blocker finasteride, it is possible to terminate the latent period in pilocarpine-treated rats. Finasteride was also found to promote seizures in the chronic period of epileptic rats, suggesting that neurosteroids are continuously produced to counteract seizures. In humans, exacerbation of epilepsy has been also described in patients occasionally exposed to finasteride. Overall, these findings suggest a major role of neurosteroids in the progression of epilepsy and a possible antiepileptogenic role of allopregnanolone and cognate molecules.
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Affiliation(s)
- G Biagini
- Department of Biomedical, Metabolic and Neural Sciences, University of Modena and Reggio Emilia, Modena, Italy
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Marin R, Casañas V, Pérez JA, Fabelo N, Fernandez CE, Diaz M. Oestrogens as modulators of neuronal signalosomes and brain lipid homeostasis related to protection against neurodegeneration. J Neuroendocrinol 2013; 25:1104-15. [PMID: 23795744 DOI: 10.1111/jne.12068] [Citation(s) in RCA: 16] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/27/2013] [Revised: 05/22/2013] [Accepted: 06/18/2013] [Indexed: 12/19/2022]
Abstract
Oestrogens trigger several pathways at the plasma membrane that exert beneficial actions against neurodegenerative diseases, such as Alzheimer's disease and Parkinson's disease. Part of these actions takes place in lipid rafts, which are membrane domains with a singular protein and lipid composition. These microdomains also represent a preferential site for signalling protein complexes, or signalosomes. A plausible hypothesis is that the dynamic interaction of signalosomes with different extracellular ligands may be at the basis of neuronal maintenance against different neuropathologies. Oestrogen receptors are localised in neuronal lipid rafts, taking part of macromolecular complexes together with a voltage-dependent anion channel (VDAC), and other molecules. Oestradiol binding to its receptor at this level enhances neuroprotection against amyloid-β degeneration through the activation of different signal transduction pathways, including VDAC gating modulation. Moreover, part of the stability and functionality of signalling platforms lays on the distribution of lipid hallmarks in these microstructures, which modulate membrane physicochemical properties, thus favouring molecular interactions. Interestingly, recent findings indicate a potential role of oestrogens in the preservation of neuronal membrane physiology related to lipid homeostasis. Thus, oestrogens and docosahexaenoic acid may act synergistically to stabilise brain lipid structure by regulating neuronal lipid biosynthetic pathways, suggesting that part of the neuroprotective effects elicited by oestrogens occur through mechanisms aimed at preserving lipid homeostasis. Overall, oestrogen mechanisms of neuroprotection may occur not only by its interaction with neuronal protein targets through nongenomic and genomic mechanisms, but also through its participation in membrane architecture stabilisation via 'lipostatic' mechanisms.
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Affiliation(s)
- R Marin
- Department of Physiology, Laboratory of Cellular Neurobiology, University of La Laguna, La Laguna, Tenerife, Spain
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Xiong Z, Liu Y, Hu L, Ma B, Ai Y, Xiong C. A rapid facilitation of acid-sensing ion channels current by corticosterone in cultured hippocampal neurons. Neurochem Res 2013; 38:1446-53. [PMID: 23640176 DOI: 10.1007/s11064-013-1045-9] [Citation(s) in RCA: 13] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/05/2012] [Revised: 03/23/2013] [Accepted: 04/10/2013] [Indexed: 12/17/2022]
Abstract
Acid-sensing ion channels (ASIC) play an important role in the central neuronal system and excessive activation of ASICs induces neuronal damage. Recent studies show that ASIC1a, a subunit of ASIC, is involved in stress processes but the mechanisms by which ASIC1a is regulated by corticosterone (CORT), a stress-induced hormone, are as yet unelucidated. In the present study, to explore the effects of CORT on ASIC1a in cultured hippocampal neurons, the whole-cell patch clamp technique was used. We present data showing that extracellular application of 1 and 10 μM CORT increase the inward current when solution of pH 6.0 is applied to the exterior of the cell. Moreover, extracellular application of membrane-impermeable CORT-BSA (1 μM) maintains current elevation induced by the action of ASIC1a. However, intracellular application of CORT (1 μM) did not increase ASIC1a current. Subsequent extracellular application of CORT enhanced the amplitude of ASIC1a current. Also, RU38486 (10 μM), an antagonist of nuclear glucocorticoids receptor, did not block an increase of ASIC1a current induced by CORT. In addition, CORT application further resulted in a significant enhancement of ASIC1a current in the presence of phorbol 12-myristate 13-acetate (0.5 μM) or bryostatin1 (1 μM), which are both protein kinase C (PKC) agonists. On the contrary, after pretreatment with GF109203X (3 μM), an antagonist of PKC, CORT did not elevate ASIC1a current. These data indicate that the rapid increase of ASIC1a current induced by CORT may be caused by the activation of corticosteroid receptors found on the cell membranes of hippocampal neurons and it may involve a PKC-dependent mechanism.
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Affiliation(s)
- Zhe Xiong
- Medical College, Jianghan University, Wuhan, 430056, China
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37
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Ishihara Y, Kawami T, Ishida A, Yamazaki T. Allopregnanolone-mediated protective effects of progesterone on tributyltin-induced neuronal injury in rat hippocampal slices. J Steroid Biochem Mol Biol 2013; 135:1-6. [PMID: 23280249 DOI: 10.1016/j.jsbmb.2012.12.013] [Citation(s) in RCA: 39] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/30/2012] [Revised: 12/20/2012] [Accepted: 12/20/2012] [Indexed: 01/12/2023]
Abstract
Increasing evidence shows that progesterone, a neuroactive steroid, has protective actions in central nervous system, but there is little evidence to show the protective mechanism of progesterone on neurotoxicity induced by environmental chemicals. In this study, we examined the effects of progesterone on neuronal injury induced by tributyltin (TBT) in rat hippocampal slices. Treatment with progesterone dose-dependently suppressed hippocampal neuronal injury induced by TBT. The neuroprotective action of progesterone was completely canceled with pretreatment by finasteride, a 5α-reductase inhibitor, but it was not affected by mifepristone, a progesterone receptor antagonist, or by SU-10603, a cytochrome P450 17α inhibitor. The content of allopregnanolone in the slices was significantly increased by treatment with progesterone, and this increment was greatly suppressed with a pretreatment of finasteride. Treatment with allopregnanolone attenuated neuronal injury induced by TBT in a dose-dependent manner. The neuroprotective effects not only of progesterone but also of allopregnanolone were canceled by bicuculline, a potent gamma-aminobutyric acid A (GABAA) receptor antagonist. Pretreatment with muscimol, a GABAA receptor agonist, attenuated hippocampal neuronal injury elicited by TBT. Taken together, allopregnanolone converted from progesterone in hippocampal slices could protect neurons from TBT-induced neurotoxicity due to a GABAA receptor-dependent mechanism. One of the physiological roles of neuroactive steroids might be neuroprotection from environmental chemicals.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yasuhiro Ishihara
- Laboratory of Molecular Brain Science, Graduate School of Integrated Arts and Sciences, Hiroshima University, Higashi-Hiroshima 739-8521, Japan
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38
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Spritzer MD, Fox EC, Larsen GD, Batson CG, Wagner BA, Maher J. Testosterone influences spatial strategy preferences among adult male rats. Horm Behav 2013; 63:800-12. [PMID: 23597827 PMCID: PMC3759970 DOI: 10.1016/j.yhbeh.2013.03.018] [Citation(s) in RCA: 37] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/25/2012] [Revised: 03/26/2013] [Accepted: 03/31/2013] [Indexed: 01/09/2023]
Abstract
Males outperform females on some spatial tasks, and this may be partially due to the effects of sex steroids on spatial strategy preferences. Previous work with rodents indicates that low estradiol levels bias females toward a striatum-dependent response strategy, whereas high estradiol levels bias them toward a hippocampus-dependent place strategy. We tested whether testosterone influenced the strategy preferences in male rats. All subjects were castrated and assigned to one of three daily injection doses of testosterone (0.125, 0.250, or 0.500 mg/rat) or a control group that received daily injections of the drug vehicle. Three different maze protocols were used to determine rats' strategy preferences. A low dose of testosterone (0.125 mg) biased males toward a motor-response strategy on a T-maze task. In a water maze task in which the platform itself could be used intermittently as a visual cue, a low testosterone dose (0.125 mg) caused a significant increase in the use of a cued-response strategy relative to control males. Results from this second experiment also indicated that males receiving a high dose of testosterone (0.500 mg) were biased toward a place strategy. A third experiment indicated that testosterone dose did not have a strong influence on the ability of rats to use a nearby visual cue (floating ball) in the water maze. For this experiment, all groups seemed to use a combination of place and cued-response strategies. Overall, the results indicate that the effects of testosterone on spatial strategy preference are dose dependent and task dependent.
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Affiliation(s)
- Mark D Spritzer
- Department of Biology, Middlebury College, Middlebury, VT 05753, USA.
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39
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Swithers SE, Sample CH, Katz DP. Influence of ovarian and non-ovarian estrogens on weight gain in response to disruption of sweet taste--calorie relations in female rats. Horm Behav 2013; 63:40-8. [PMID: 23146838 PMCID: PMC3540164 DOI: 10.1016/j.yhbeh.2012.11.003] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/12/2012] [Revised: 10/26/2012] [Accepted: 11/02/2012] [Indexed: 12/23/2022]
Abstract
Regulation of energy balance in female rats is known to differ along a number of dimensions compared to male rats. Previous work from our lab has demonstrated that in female rats fed dietary supplements containing high-intensity sweeteners that may disrupt a predictive relation between sweet tastes and calories, excess weight gain is demonstrated only when females are also fed a diet high in fat and sugar, and is evidenced primarily in animals already prone to gain excess weight. In contrast, male rats show excess weight gain when fed saccharin-sweetened yogurt supplements when fed both standard chow diets and diets high in fat and sugar, and regardless of their proneness to excess weight gain. The goal of the present experiments was to determine whether ovarian, or other sources of estrogens, contributes to the resistance to excess weight gain in female rats fed standard chow diets along with dietary supplements sweetened with yogurt. Results of the first experiment indicated that when the ovaries were removed surgically in adult female rats, patterns of weight gain were similar in animals fed saccharin-sweetened compared to glucose-sweetened yogurt supplements. In the second experiment, when the ovaries were surgically removed in adult female rats, and local production of estrogens was suppressed with the aromatase inhibitor anastrozole, females fed the saccharin-sweetened yogurt consumed more energy and gained more weight than females fed the glucose-sweetened yogurt. However, when the ovaries were surgically removed prior to the onset of puberty (at 24-25 days of age), females given saccharin-sweetened yogurt along with vehicle gained excess weight. In contrast, weight gain was similar in those given saccharin-sweetened and glucose-sweetened yogurt along with anastrozole. The results suggest that behavioral differences between males and females in response to disruption of sweet→calorie relations may result from differences in patterns of local estrogen production. These differences may be established developmentally during the pubertal period in females.
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Affiliation(s)
- Susan E Swithers
- Department of Psychological Sciences and Ingestive Behavior Research Center, Purdue University, West Lafayette, IN 47907, USA.
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Izumi Y, Svrakic N, O'Dell K, Zorumski CF. Ammonia inhibits long-term potentiation via neurosteroid synthesis in hippocampal pyramidal neurons. Neuroscience 2012; 233:166-73. [PMID: 23276672 DOI: 10.1016/j.neuroscience.2012.12.035] [Citation(s) in RCA: 19] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/18/2012] [Revised: 12/13/2012] [Accepted: 12/19/2012] [Indexed: 10/27/2022]
Abstract
Neurosteroids are a class of endogenous steroids synthesized in the brain that are believed to be involved in the pathogenesis of neuropsychiatric disorders and memory impairment. Ammonia impairs long-term potentiation (LTP), a synaptic model of learning, in the hippocampus, a brain region involved in memory acquisition. Although mechanisms underlying ammonia-mediated LTP inhibition are not fully understood, we previously found that the activation of N-methyl-d-aspartate receptors (NMDARs) is important. Based on this, we hypothesize that metabolic stressors, including hyperammonemia, promote untimely NMDAR activation and result in neural adaptations that include the synthesis of allopregnanolone (alloP) and other GABA-potentiating neurosteroids that dampen neuronal activity and impair LTP and memory formation. Using an antibody against 5α-reduced neurosteroids, we found that 100 μM ammonia acutely enhanced neurosteroid immunostaining in pyramidal neurons in the CA1 region of rat hippocampal slices. The enhanced staining was blocked by finasteride, a selective inhibitor of 5α-reductase, a key enzyme required for alloP synthesis. Finasteride also overcame LTP inhibition by 100 μM ammonia, as did picrotoxin, an inhibitor of GABA-A receptors. These results indicate that GABA-enhancing neurosteroids, synthesized locally within pyramidal neurons, contribute significantly to ammonia-mediated synaptic dysfunction. These results suggest that the manipulation of neurosteroid synthesis could provide a strategy to improve cognitive function in individuals with hyperammonemia.
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Affiliation(s)
- Y Izumi
- Department of Psychiatry, Washington University School of Medicine, 660 South Euclid Avenue, St. Louis, MO 63110, USA.
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41
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Yang R, Chen L, Wang H, Xu B, Tomimoto H, Chen L. Anti-amnesic effect of neurosteroid PREGS in Aβ25-35-injected mice through σ1 receptor- and α7nAChR-mediated neuroprotection. Neuropharmacology 2012; 63:1042-50. [PMID: 22884465 DOI: 10.1016/j.neuropharm.2012.07.035] [Citation(s) in RCA: 55] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/06/2011] [Revised: 07/16/2012] [Accepted: 07/19/2012] [Indexed: 11/30/2022]
Abstract
A single intracerebroventricular injection of β-amyloid 25-35 peptide (Aβ(25-35)) (9 nmol/mouse) induces the spatial cognitive deterioration and approximately 50% loss of pyramidal cells in hippocampal CA1 region within 1 week. The present study focused on exploring the effects of neurosteroid pregnenolone sulfate (PREGS), in comparison with the selective agonists of sigma-1 receptor (σ(1)R) and α7 nicotinic acetylcholine receptor (α7nAChR), on the cognitive deficits and the death of pyramidal cells in Aβ(25-35)-mice. Herein, we reported that the administration of PREGS (1-100 mg/kg) for 7 days after Aβ(25-35)-injection could dose-dependently ameliorate the cognitive deficits and attenuate the apoptosis of pyramidal cells. Either the σ(1)R antagonist NE100 or the α7nAChR antagonist MLA could block the neuroprotection of PREGS in Aβ(25-35)-mice. Both the σ(1)R agonist PRE084 and the α7nAChR agonist DMXB could mimic the PREGS-neuroprotection against the Aβ(25-35)-neurotoxicity. The neuroprotection of PRE084 was attenuated by MLA, but the DMXB-action was insensitive to NE100. The neuroprotection of PREGS, PRE084 or DMXB was blocked by the phosphatidylinositol-3-kinase (PI3K) inhibitor LY294002, whereas only the effect of PREGS or PRE084 was sensitive to the MAPK/ERK kinase (MEK) inhibitor U0126. PREGS prevented Aβ(25-35)-inhibited Akt (Serine/threonine kinase) phosphorylation leading to increase in caspase-3 activity, which was σ(1)R- and α7nAChR-dependent. By contrast, PREGS-rescued reduction of extracellular signal-related kinase-2 (ERK2) phosphorylation in Aβ(25-35)-mice only required the activation of σ(1)R. Blockage of PREGS-neuroprotection by LY294002 significantly attenuated its anti-amnesic effect in Aβ(25-35)-mice. The findings indicate that the anti-amnesic effects of PREGS in Aβ(25-35)-mice depend on the σ(1)R- and α7nAChR-mediated neuroprotection.
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Affiliation(s)
- Rong Yang
- Department of Physiology, Nanjing Medical University, Nanjing 210029, China
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42
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Neurosteroids, stress and depression: potential therapeutic opportunities. Neurosci Biobehav Rev 2012; 37:109-22. [PMID: 23085210 DOI: 10.1016/j.neubiorev.2012.10.005] [Citation(s) in RCA: 146] [Impact Index Per Article: 12.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/18/2012] [Revised: 09/28/2012] [Accepted: 10/02/2012] [Indexed: 12/19/2022]
Abstract
Neurosteroids are potent and effective neuromodulators that are synthesized from cholesterol in the brain. These agents and their synthetic derivatives influence the function of multiple signaling pathways including receptors for γ-aminobutyric acid (GABA) and glutamate, the major inhibitory and excitatory neurotransmitters in the central nervous system (CNS). Increasing evidence indicates that dysregulation of neurosteroid production plays a role in the pathophysiology of stress and stress-related psychiatric disorders, including mood and anxiety disorders. In this paper, we review the mechanisms of neurosteroid action in brain with an emphasis on those neurosteroids that potently modulate the function of GABA(A) receptors. We then discuss evidence indicating a role for GABA and neurosteroids in stress and depression, and focus on potential strategies that can be used to manipulate CNS neurosteroid synthesis and function for therapeutic purposes.
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Ooishi Y, Kawato S, Hojo Y, Hatanaka Y, Higo S, Murakami G, Komatsuzaki Y, Ogiue-Ikeda M, Kimoto T, Mukai H. Modulation of synaptic plasticity in the hippocampus by hippocampus-derived estrogen and androgen. J Steroid Biochem Mol Biol 2012; 131:37-51. [PMID: 22075082 DOI: 10.1016/j.jsbmb.2011.10.004] [Citation(s) in RCA: 100] [Impact Index Per Article: 8.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/30/2011] [Revised: 09/27/2011] [Accepted: 10/12/2011] [Indexed: 12/29/2022]
Abstract
The hippocampus synthesizes estrogen and androgen in addition to the circulating sex steroids. Synaptic modulation by hippocampus-derived estrogen or androgen is essential to maintain healthy memory processes. Rapid actions (1-2h) of 17β-estradiol (17β-E2) occur via synapse-localized receptors (ERα or ERβ), while slow genomic E2 actions (6-48h) occur via classical nuclear receptors (ERα or ERβ). The long-term potentiation (LTP), induced by strong tetanus or theta-burst stimulation, is not further enhanced by E2 perfusion in adult rats. Interestingly, E2 perfusion can rescue corticosterone (stress hormone)-induced suppression of LTP. The long-term depression is modulated rapidly by E2 perfusion. Elevation of the E2 concentration changes rapidly the density and head structure of spines in neurons. ERα, but not ERβ, drives this enhancement of spinogenesis. Kinase networks are involved downstream of ERα. Testosterone (T) or dihydrotestosterone (DHT) also rapidly modulates spinogenesis. Newly developed Spiso-3D mathematical analysis is used to distinguish these complex effects by sex steroids and kinases. It has been doubted that the level of hippocampus-derived estrogen and androgen may not be high enough to modulate synaptic plasticity. Determination of the accurate concentration of E2, T or DHT in the hippocampus is enabled by mass-spectrometric analysis in combination with new steroid-derivatization methods. The E2 level in the hippocampus is approximately 8nM for the male and 0.5-2nM for the female, which is much higher than that in circulation. The level of T and DHT is also higher than that in circulation. Taken together, hippocampus-derived E2, T, and DHT play a major role in modulation of synaptic plasticity.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yuuki Ooishi
- Department of Biophysics and Life Sciences, Graduate School of Arts and Sciences, The University of Tokyo, 3-8-1 Komaba, Meguro, Tokyo, Japan
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44
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Schonemann MD, Muench MO, Tee MK, Miller WL, Mellon SH. Expression of P450c17 in the human fetal nervous system. Endocrinology 2012; 153:2494-505. [PMID: 22434081 PMCID: PMC3339640 DOI: 10.1210/en.2011-1545] [Citation(s) in RCA: 17] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/19/2022]
Abstract
P450c17 catalyzes steroid 17α-hydroxylase and 17,20 lyase activities. P450c17 is expressed in human fetal and postnatal adrenals and gonads and in the developing mouse nervous system, but little is known about its expression in the human nervous system. We obtained portions of 9-, 10-, and 11-wk gestation human fetuses and delineated the pattern of expression of P450c17 in their peripheral nervous systems by immunocytochemistry using the P450c17 antiserum previously used to characterize P450c17 in the mouse brain. P450c17 was readily detected in the dorsal root ganglia (DRG) and spinal cord. Neural structures were identified with antisera to the cytoskeletal protein neural cell adhesion molecule; DRG were identified with antisera to the neuronal transcription factor BRN3A and neurotrophin receptor tropomyosin-receptor-kinase B. The identification of P450c17 was confirmed using commercial antisera directed against different domains of P450c17 and by using antisera immunodepleted with authentic human P450c17. We also found expression of the P450 cholesterol side-chain cleavage enzyme (P450scc) in the spinal cord and DRG. Expression of P450scc is limited to cell bodies; unlike P450c17, we never detected P450scc in fiber tracts. Catalysis by P450c17 requires electron donation from P450 oxidoreductase (POR). Dual-label immunohistochemistry detected P450c17 and POR colocalized in DRG bundles, but some fibers containing P450c17 lacked POR. These data suggest that neurosteroids synthesized via these two enzymes may act in the developing human nervous system. The expression of P450c17 in structures lacking POR means that P450c17 may not be steroidogenic in those locations, suggesting that P450c17 may have additional functions that do not require POR.
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Affiliation(s)
- Marcus D Schonemann
- Department of Obstetrics, Gynecology, and Reproductive Science, University of California, San Francisco, 513 Parnassus Avenue, Box 0556, San Francisco, California 94143-0556, USA
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45
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Komatsuzaki Y, Hatanaka Y, Murakami G, Mukai H, Hojo Y, Saito M, Kimoto T, Kawato S. Corticosterone induces rapid spinogenesis via synaptic glucocorticoid receptors and kinase networks in hippocampus. PLoS One 2012; 7:e34124. [PMID: 22509272 PMCID: PMC3324490 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0034124] [Citation(s) in RCA: 53] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/10/2011] [Accepted: 02/22/2012] [Indexed: 11/18/2022] Open
Abstract
Background Modulation of dendritic spines under acute stress is attracting much attention. Exposure to acute stress induces corticosterone (CORT) secretion from the adrenal cortex, resulting in rapid increase of CORT levels in plasma and the hippocampus. Methodology/Principal Findings Here we demonstrated the mechanisms of rapid effect (∼1 h) of CORT on the density and morphology of spines by imaging neurons in adult male rat hippocampal slices. The application of CORT at 100–1000 nM induced a rapid increase in the density of spines of CA1 pyramidal neurons. The density of small-head spines (0.2–0.4 µm) was increased even at low CORT levels (100–200 nM). The density of middle-head spines (0.4–0.5 µm) was increased at high CORT levels between 400–1000 nM. The density of large-head spines (0.5–1.0 µm) was increased only at 1000 nM CORT. Co-administration of RU486, an antagonist of glucocorticoid receptor (GR), abolished the effect of CORT. Blocking a single kinase, such as MAPK, PKA, PKC or PI3K, suppressed CORT-induced enhancement of spinogenesis. Blocking NMDA receptors suppressed the CORT effect. Conclusions/Significance These results imply that stress levels of CORT (100–1000 nM) drive the spinogenesis via synaptic GR and multiple kinase pathways.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yoshimasa Komatsuzaki
- Department of Biophysics and Life Sciences, Graduate School of Arts and Sciences, The University of Tokyo, Tokyo, Japan
- Department of Physics, College of Science and Technology, Nihon University, Tokyo, Japan
| | - Yusuke Hatanaka
- Department of Biophysics and Life Sciences, Graduate School of Arts and Sciences, The University of Tokyo, Tokyo, Japan
| | - Gen Murakami
- Department of Biophysics and Life Sciences, Graduate School of Arts and Sciences, The University of Tokyo, Tokyo, Japan
- Bioinformatics Project of Japan Science and Technology Agency, The University of Tokyo, Tokyo, Japan
| | - Hideo Mukai
- Department of Biophysics and Life Sciences, Graduate School of Arts and Sciences, The University of Tokyo, Tokyo, Japan
- Bioinformatics Project of Japan Science and Technology Agency, The University of Tokyo, Tokyo, Japan
| | - Yasushi Hojo
- Department of Biophysics and Life Sciences, Graduate School of Arts and Sciences, The University of Tokyo, Tokyo, Japan
- Bioinformatics Project of Japan Science and Technology Agency, The University of Tokyo, Tokyo, Japan
| | - Minoru Saito
- Department of Correlative Study in Physics and Chemistry, Graduate School of Integrated Basic Sciences, Nihon University, Tokyo, Japan
| | - Tetsuya Kimoto
- Department of Biophysics and Life Sciences, Graduate School of Arts and Sciences, The University of Tokyo, Tokyo, Japan
| | - Suguru Kawato
- Department of Biophysics and Life Sciences, Graduate School of Arts and Sciences, The University of Tokyo, Tokyo, Japan
- Bioinformatics Project of Japan Science and Technology Agency, The University of Tokyo, Tokyo, Japan
- * E-mail:
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Palmeira CCDA, Ashmawi HA, Posso IDP. Sex and pain perception and analgesia. Rev Bras Anestesiol 2012; 61:814-28. [PMID: 22063383 DOI: 10.1016/s0034-7094(11)70091-5] [Citation(s) in RCA: 31] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/16/2010] [Accepted: 02/21/2011] [Indexed: 10/26/2022] Open
Abstract
Sex is an important factor in painful experience modulation. Large volume of evidence shows that experience is different for males and females, as well as the answer to some classes of analgesics. Laboratory experiments suggest that women have a lower pain threshold than men related to pain from noxious stimuli such as heat, cold, pressure and electrical stimulation. Pain is a dynamic phenomenon under the influence of various mechanisms of excitatory and inhibitory control. The differences in pain perception related to sex may be associated with hyperalgesia in women, but also to the hypoactivity of the inhibitory system of pain in females. The purpose of this review besides showing some relationship for gonadal hormones, central nervous system and pain is to provide reference points for the discussion of one of the most intriguing aspects of the pathophysiology of pain: the differences in the presence of painful stimuli related to gender.
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47
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Panzica GC, Balthazart J, Frye CA, Garcia-Segura LM, Herbison AE, Mensah-Nyagan AG, McCarthy MM, Melcangi RC. Milestones on Steroids and the Nervous System: 10 years of basic and translational research. J Neuroendocrinol 2012; 24:1-15. [PMID: 22188420 DOI: 10.1111/j.1365-2826.2011.02265.x] [Citation(s) in RCA: 35] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/08/2023]
Abstract
During the last 10 years, the conference on 'Steroids and Nervous System' held in Torino (Italy) has been an important international point of discussion for scientists involved in this exciting and expanding research field. The present review aims to recapitulate the main topics that have been presented through the various meetings. Two broad areas have been explored: the impact of gonadal hormones on brain circuits and behaviour, as well as the mechanism of action of neuroactive steroids. Relationships among steroids, brain and behaviour, the sexual differentiation of the brain and the impact of gonadal hormones, the interactions of exogenous steroidal molecules (endocrine disrupters) with neural circuits and behaviour, and how gonadal steroids modulate the behaviour of gonadotrophin-releasing hormone neurones, have been the topics of several lectures and symposia during this series of meetings. At the same time, many contributions have been dedicated to the biosynthetic pathways, the physiopathological relevance of neurosteroids, the demonstration of the cellular localisation of different enzymes involved in neurosteroidogenesis, the mechanisms by which steroids may exert some of their effects, both the classical and nonclassical actions of different steroids, the role of neuroactive steroids on neurodegeneration, neuroprotection, and the response of the neural tissue to injury. In these 10 years, this field has significantly advanced and neuroactive steroids have emerged as new potential therapeutic tools to counteract neurodegenerative events.
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Affiliation(s)
- G C Panzica
- Laboratory of Neuroendocrinology, Department of Anatomy, Pharmacology and Forensic Medicine, Neuroscience Institute of Turin (NIT), University of Torino, Torino, Italy.
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48
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Fester L, Prange-Kiel J, Jarry H, Rune GM. Estrogen synthesis in the hippocampus. Cell Tissue Res 2011; 345:285-94. [DOI: 10.1007/s00441-011-1221-7] [Citation(s) in RCA: 67] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/16/2011] [Accepted: 07/17/2011] [Indexed: 12/31/2022]
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49
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Ooishi Y, Mukai H, Hojo Y, Murakami G, Hasegawa Y, Shindo T, Morrison JH, Kimoto T, Kawato S. Estradiol rapidly rescues synaptic transmission from corticosterone-induced suppression via synaptic/extranuclear steroid receptors in the hippocampus. ACTA ACUST UNITED AC 2011; 22:926-36. [PMID: 21725036 DOI: 10.1093/cercor/bhr164] [Citation(s) in RCA: 26] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/12/2022]
Abstract
We investigated rapid protection effect by estradiol on corticosterone (CORT)-induced suppression of synaptic transmission. Rapid suppression by 1 μM CORT of long-term potentiation (LTP) at CA3-CA1 synapses was abolished via coperfusion of 1 nM estradiol. N-methyl-D-aspartate (NMDA) receptor-derived field excitatory postsynaptic potential (NMDA-R-fEPSP) was used to analyze the mechanisms of these events. Estradiol abolished CORT-induced suppression of NMDA-R-fEPSP slope. This CORT-induced suppression was abolished by calcineurin inhibitor, and the rescue effect by estradiol on the CORT-induced suppression was inhibited by mitogen-activated protein (MAP) kinase inhibitor. The CORT-induced suppressions of LTP and NMDA-R-fEPSP slope were abolished by glucocorticoid receptor (GR) antagonist, and the restorative effects by estradiol on these processes were mimicked by estrogen receptor α (ERα) and ERβ agonists. Taken together, estradiol rapidly rescued LTP and NMDA-R-fEPSP slope from CORT-induced suppressions. A GR→calcineurin pathway is involved in these suppressive effects. The rescue effects by estradiol are driven via ERα or ERβ→MAP kinase pathway. Synaptic/extranuclear GR, ERα, and ERβ probably participate in these rapid events. Mass-spectrometric analysis determined that acute hippocampal slices used for electrophysiological measurements contained 0.48 nM estradiol less than exogenously applied 1 nM. In vivo physiological level of 8 nM estradiol could protect the intact hippocampus against acute stress-induced neural suppression.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yuuki Ooishi
- Department of Biophysics and Life Sciences, Graduate School of Arts and Sciences, The University of Tokyo, 3-8-1 Komaba, Meguro, Tokyo 153-8902, Japan
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Hojo Y, Higo S, Kawato S, Hatanaka Y, Ooishi Y, Murakami G, Ishii H, Komatsuzaki Y, Ogiue-Ikeda M, Mukai H, Kimoto T. Hippocampal synthesis of sex steroids and corticosteroids: essential for modulation of synaptic plasticity. Front Endocrinol (Lausanne) 2011; 2:43. [PMID: 22701110 PMCID: PMC3356120 DOI: 10.3389/fendo.2011.00043] [Citation(s) in RCA: 62] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/06/2011] [Accepted: 09/13/2011] [Indexed: 11/13/2022] Open
Abstract
Sex steroids play essential roles in the modulation of synaptic plasticity and neuroprotection in the hippocampus. Accumulating evidence shows that hippocampal neurons synthesize both estrogen and androgen. Recently, we also revealed the hippocampal synthesis of corticosteroids. The accurate concentrations of these hippocampus-synthesized steroids are determined by liquid chromatography-tandem mass-spectrometry in combination with novel derivatization. The hippocampal levels of 17β-estradiol (E2), testosterone (T), dihydrotestosterone (DHT), and corticosterone (CORT), are 5-15 nM, and these levels are sufficient to modulate synaptic plasticity. Hippocampal E2 modulates memory-related synaptic plasticity not only slowly/genomically but also rapidly/non-genomically. Slow actions of E2 occur via classical nuclear receptors (ERα or ERβ), while rapid E2 actions occur via synapse-localized or extranuclear ERα or ERβ. Nanomolar concentrations of E2 change rapidly the density and morphology of spines in hippocampal neurons. ERα, but not ERβ, drives this enhancement/suppression of spinogenesis in adult animals. Nanomolar concentrations of androgens (T and DHT) and CORT also increase the spine density. Kinase networks are involved downstream of ERα and androgen receptor. Newly developed Spiso-3D mathematical analysis is useful to distinguish these complex effects by sex steroids and kinases. Significant advance has been achieved in investigations of rapid modulation by E2 of the long-term depression or the long-term potentiation.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yasushi Hojo
- Department of Biophysics and Life Sciences, Graduate School of Arts and Sciences, The University of TokyoTokyo, Japan
- Core Research for Evolutional Science and Technology Project of Japan Science and Technology Agency, The University of TokyoTokyo, Japan
- Bioinformatics Project of Japan Science and Technology Agency, The University of TokyoTokyo, Japan
| | - Shimpei Higo
- Department of Biophysics and Life Sciences, Graduate School of Arts and Sciences, The University of TokyoTokyo, Japan
| | - Suguru Kawato
- Department of Biophysics and Life Sciences, Graduate School of Arts and Sciences, The University of TokyoTokyo, Japan
- Core Research for Evolutional Science and Technology Project of Japan Science and Technology Agency, The University of TokyoTokyo, Japan
- Bioinformatics Project of Japan Science and Technology Agency, The University of TokyoTokyo, Japan
- *Correspondence: Suguru Kawato, Department of Biophysics and Life Sciences, Graduate School of Arts and Sciences, The University of Tokyo, 3-8-1 Komaba, Meguro, Tokyo 153-8902, Japan. e-mail:
| | - Yusuke Hatanaka
- Department of Biophysics and Life Sciences, Graduate School of Arts and Sciences, The University of TokyoTokyo, Japan
| | - Yuuki Ooishi
- Department of Biophysics and Life Sciences, Graduate School of Arts and Sciences, The University of TokyoTokyo, Japan
| | - Gen Murakami
- Department of Biophysics and Life Sciences, Graduate School of Arts and Sciences, The University of TokyoTokyo, Japan
- Bioinformatics Project of Japan Science and Technology Agency, The University of TokyoTokyo, Japan
| | - Hirotaka Ishii
- Department of Biophysics and Life Sciences, Graduate School of Arts and Sciences, The University of TokyoTokyo, Japan
| | - Yoshimasa Komatsuzaki
- Department of Biophysics and Life Sciences, Graduate School of Arts and Sciences, The University of TokyoTokyo, Japan
| | - Mari Ogiue-Ikeda
- Department of Biophysics and Life Sciences, Graduate School of Arts and Sciences, The University of TokyoTokyo, Japan
- Project of Special Coordinate Funds for Promoting Science and Technology, The University of TokyoJapan
| | - Hideo Mukai
- Department of Biophysics and Life Sciences, Graduate School of Arts and Sciences, The University of TokyoTokyo, Japan
- Core Research for Evolutional Science and Technology Project of Japan Science and Technology Agency, The University of TokyoTokyo, Japan
- Bioinformatics Project of Japan Science and Technology Agency, The University of TokyoTokyo, Japan
| | - Tetsuya Kimoto
- Department of Biophysics and Life Sciences, Graduate School of Arts and Sciences, The University of TokyoTokyo, Japan
- Core Research for Evolutional Science and Technology Project of Japan Science and Technology Agency, The University of TokyoTokyo, Japan
- Bioinformatics Project of Japan Science and Technology Agency, The University of TokyoTokyo, Japan
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