NMDA receptor activation antagonizes the NMDA antagonist-induced antianxiety effect in the elevated plus-maze test in mice

Embryonic alcohol exposure alters cholinergic neurotransmission and memory in adult zebrafish

Alcohol is the most consumed addictive substance worldwide that elicits multiple health problems. Consumption of alcoholic beverages by pregnant women is of great concern because pre-natal exposure can trigger fetal alcohol spectrum disorder (FASD). This disorder can significantly change the embryo's normal development, mainly by affecting the central nervous system (CNS), leading to neurobehavioral consequences that persist until adulthood. Among the harmful effects of FASD, the most reported consequences are cognitive and behavioral impairments. Alcohol interferes with multiple pathways in the brain, affecting memory by impairing neurotransmitter systems, increasing the rate of oxidative stress, or even activating neuroinflammation. Here, we aimed to evaluate the deleterious effects of alcohol on the cholinergic signaling and memory in a FASD zebrafish model, using inhibitory avoidance and novel object recognition tests. Four months after the embryonic exposure to ethanol, the behavioral tests indicated that ethanol impairs memory. While both ethanol concentrations tested (0.5 % and 1 %) disrupted memory acquisition in the inhibitory avoidance test, 1 % ethanol impaired memory in the object recognition test. Regarding the cholinergic system, 0.5 % ethanol decreased ChAT and AChE activities, but the relative gene expression did not change. Overall, we demonstrated that FASD model in zebrafish impairs memory in adult individuals, corroborating the memory impairment associated with embryonic exposure to ethanol. In addition, the cholinergic system was also affected, possibly showing a relation with the cognitive impairment observed.

Upregulation of MAOA in the hippocampus results in delayed depressive-like behaviors in burn mice

OBJECTIVE

To observe depressive-like behavior and hippocampus monoamine oxidase A (MAOA) changes in burned mice.

METHODS

We tested depression and anxiety like behaviors of burn C57 mice with the sucrose preference test, forced swimming test (FST), open field test and elevated plus maze test and then detected the MAOA content and MAOA gene transcriptional levels in the hippocampus with western blot analysis and real-time quantitative PCR analysis. We then sought to reverse depressive-like behavior of burned mice with an MAOA inhibitor.

RESULTS

(1) Mice showed depressive and anxiety like behaviors one week after they were burned; (2) The content of MAOA in the hippocampus of burned mice was significantly higher than that in control mice (P<0.05); (3) MAOA gene transcription in the hippocampus of burned mice was significantly increased (MAOA mRNA was increased, P<0.05); (4) treatment with a MAOA inhibitor (phenelzine) significantly increased the sucrose preference rate and decreased FST immobility time in burned mice, and also decreased elevated expression of MAOA in the hippocampus of burned mice.

CONCLUSION

Burned mice showed "delayed" depressive-like behavior combined with a degree of anxiety; this phenomenon is likely associated with the increase in MAOA expression in the hippocampus.

Trifluoro-icaritin ameliorates spared nerve injury-induced neuropathic pain by inhibiting microglial activation through α7nAChR-mediated blockade of BDNF/TrkB/KCC2 signaling in the spinal cord of rats

Neuropathic pain is still a serious and unsolved health problem. Activation of α7 nicotinic acetylcholine receptor (α7nAChR) is known to modulate neuropathic pain by inhibiting microglial activation and BDNF/TrkB/KCC2 signaling. We previously identified that trifluoro-icaritin (ICTF) has an attenuated effect on spared nerve injury (SNI)-induced neuropathic pain, but its potential mechanisms remain unknown. Here, the pain-related behaviors were determined by paw withdrawal threshold (PWT), CatWalk gait analysis, rotarod test, open field test and elevated plus maze test. The expression of pain-related signal molecules was evaluated by Western blot and immunofluorescence staining. The results showed that ICTF (5.0 mg/kg, i.p.) successfully relieved SNI-induced mechanical allodynia and anxiety-like behavior, we subsequently found there existed either positive or negative correlation between mechanical allodynia and gait parameters or rotating speed following ICTF treatment. Moreover, ICTF not only enhanced the expression of spinal α7nAChR, KCC2, CD206 and IL-10, but also decreased the levels of spinal BDNF, TrkB, CD11b, Iba-1, CD40 and IL-1β in SNI rats. Conversely, α7nAChR antagonist α-Bgtx (I.T.) effectively reversed the inhibitory effects of ICTF on SNI rats, resulting in a remarkable improvement of mechanical allodynia, activation of microglia. and suppression of α7nAChR-mediated BDNF/TrkB/KCC2 signaling. Additionally, exogenous BDNF (I.T.) dramatically abrogated both blockade of BDNF/TrkB/KCC2 cascade and alleviation of mechanical allodynia by ICTF treatment. Altogether, the study highlighted that ICTF could relieve SNI-induced neuropathic pain by suppressing microglial activation via α7nAChR-mediated inhibition of BDNF/TrkB/KCC2 signaling in the spinal cord, suggesting that ICTF may be served as a possible painkiller against neuropathic pain.

L-4-Fluorophenylglycine produces antidepressant-like effects and enhances resilience to stress in mice

D-serine has attracted increasing attention for its possible role in depression. L-4-Fluorophenylglycine (L-4FPG), an inhibitor of the neutral amino acid transporter ASCT1/2, has been shown to regulate extracellular D-serine levels. The present study aimed to explore the potential antidepressant effects of L-4FPG. First, the acute effects of L-4FPG on the forced swimming test, elevated plus maze test, and novelty-suppressed feeding test were examined. L-4FPG showed antidepressant-like effects, which could be reversed by rapamycin, a mammalian target of rapamycin (mTOR) inhibitor, and 6-cyano-7-nitroquinoxaline-2,3-dione (CNQX), an alpha-amino-3-hydroxy-5-methyl-4-isoxazole propionic acid (AMPA) receptor antagonist. The phosphorylation levels of mTOR and GluR1 in the hippocampus were also increased after L-4FPG treatment. Next, the therapeutic effects of L-4FPG were examined in a chronic social defeat stress (CSDS) model of depression. L-4FPG ameliorated depression-like behaviors in mice subjected to CSDS. Furthermore, treatment with L-4FPG prior to each social defeat stress session not only decreased defensive behaviors but also prevented CSDS-induced social avoidance and anxiety-like and depression-like behaviors. These findings suggest that L-4FPG may be useful not only in alleviating depression but also in protecting against chronic stress-related psychiatric disorders.

Paradoxical sleep deprivation modulates depressive-like behaviors by regulating the MAOA levels in the amygdala and hippocampus

Paradoxical sleep is closely associated with depression, and brain monoamine oxidase A (MAOA) plays an important role in depression. However, the precise relationship between sleep and depression and the role of MAOA in this process remains unknown. Therefore, we established a paradoxical sleep deprivation model using the "multiple small platforms over water" protocol. Mice deprived of paradoxical sleep for 3days showed no depressive-like behaviors; however, mice deprived of paradoxical sleep deprivation for 5days (P5d) showed decreased locomotive activity in the first 3days after P5d. Additionally, the P5d mice showed depressive-like behaviors one week after P5d, with a longer immobility time and a decreased sucrose preference rate. In addition, the levels of the MAOA protein and mRNA in the amygdala and hippocampus significantly increased. Furthermore, the immobility time and sucrose preference rate of P5d mice recovered when the mice were injected with phenelzine. The P5d mice displayed depressive-like behaviors, which were likely modulated by the MAOA levels in the amygdala and hippocampus.

An Experimental Study to Evaluate the Effect of Memantine in Animal Models of Anxiety in Swiss Albino Mice

BACKGROUND

Due to the adverse effects produced by the present conventional medicines for anxiety disorders, research for newer drugs is still desirable. From the literature it is evident that NMDA receptors play a key role in animal models of anxiety.

AIM

The present study is done to evaluate the antianxiety effect of memantine in swiss albino mice.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

The experimental study was conducted from November 2014 to January 2015. Animals were divided into four groups. Twelve mice were randomly allotted in each group. Animals in the first group received normal saline as a control 10ml/kg, lorazepam 0.5mg/kg was administered to second group, memantine 3mg/kg as a test drug was given to the third group and memantine 3mg/kg + lorazepam 0.5mg/kg was administered to the fourth group. All the drugs were given for 7 consecutive days by intraperitoneal route.

RESULTS

Results were analyzed by one-way ANOVA followed by Post-hoc Tukey's test. On the 1(st) day, memantine treated group did not show statistical significant anxiolytic effect in both the behavioural paradigms when compared to control group. On the 8(th) day, the animals showed significant decrease p<0.001 in step down latency period in shock free zone (185.4±3.87 Vs 278.3±5.49), significant increase p<0.001 in step down errors (6.8±0.78 Vs 1.4±0.19) and significant increase p<0.001 in total time spent in shock zone (32.1±2.22 Vs 5.6±0.6). In open field test, on 8(th) day the animals treated with memantine when compared to control group, showed significant increase p<0.001 in number of squares crossed (112.7± 2.69 Vs 83.2±2.96), time spent in central square (11.5±1.26 Vs 3.4±0.65), no. of rearings (32.4±2.61 Vs 17±1.81) and significant decrease p<0.001 in freezing time (15.2±1.12 Vs 20.2±2.29). Memantine showed synergistic antianxiety effect when combined with lorazepam.

CONCLUSION

Memantine showed significant anxiolytic effect in open field and passive avoidance response tests which are commonly used experimental models to assess anxiety states in animals.