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Wadhwa M, Chinn GA, Sasaki Russell JM, Hellman J, Sall JW. Neonatal Cannabidiol Exposure Impairs Spatial Memory and Disrupts Neuronal Dendritic Morphology in Young Adult Rats. Cannabis Cannabinoid Res 2024. [PMID: 39253840 DOI: 10.1089/can.2024.0010] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 09/11/2024] Open
Abstract
Introduction: Early life is a sensitive period for brain development. Perinatal exposure to cannabis is increasingly linked to disruption of neurodevelopment; however, research on the effects of cannabidiol (CBD) on the developing brain is scarce. In this study, we aim to study the developmental effects of neonatal CBD exposure on behavior and dendritic architecture in young adult rats. Materials and Methods: Male and female neonatal Sprague Dawley rats were treated with CBD (50 mg/kg) intraperitoneally on postnatal day (PND) 1, 3, and 5 and evaluated for behavioral and neuronal morphological changes during early adulthood. Rats were subjected to a series of behavioral tasks to evaluate long-term effects of neonatal CBD exposure, including the Barnes maze, open field, and elevated plus maze paradigms to assess spatial memory and anxiety-like behavior. Following behavioral evaluation, animals were sacrificed, and neuronal morphology of the cortex and hippocampus was assessed using Golgi-Cox (GC) staining. Results: Rats treated with CBD displayed a sexually dimorphic response in spatial memory, with CBD-treated females developing a deficit but not males. CBD did not elicit alterations in anxiety-like behavior in either sex. Neonatal CBD caused an overall decrease in dendritic length and spine density (apical and basal) in cortical and hippocampal neurons in both sexes. Sholl analysis also revealed a decrease in dendritic intersections in the cortex and hippocampus, indicating reduced dendritic arborization. Conclusions: This study provides evidence that neonatal CBD exposure perturbs normal brain development and leads to lasting alterations in spatial memory and neuronal dendrite morphology in early adulthood, with sex-dependent sensitivity.
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Affiliation(s)
- Meetu Wadhwa
- Department of Anesthesia and Perioperative Care, University of California, San Francisco (UCSF), San Francisco, California, USA
| | - Gregory A Chinn
- Department of Anesthesia and Perioperative Care, University of California, San Francisco (UCSF), San Francisco, California, USA
| | - Jennifer M Sasaki Russell
- Department of Anesthesia and Perioperative Care, University of California, San Francisco (UCSF), San Francisco, California, USA
| | - Judith Hellman
- Department of Anesthesia and Perioperative Care, University of California, San Francisco (UCSF), San Francisco, California, USA
| | - Jeffrey W Sall
- Department of Anesthesia and Perioperative Care, University of California, San Francisco (UCSF), San Francisco, California, USA
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Holanda VAD, Oliveira MC, de Oliveira Torres CI, de Almeida Moura C, Belchior H, da Silva Junior ED, Gavioli EC. The alpha 1A antagonist tamsulosin impairs memory acquisition, consolidation and retrieval in a novel object recognition task in mice. Behav Brain Res 2024; 469:115027. [PMID: 38697302 DOI: 10.1016/j.bbr.2024.115027] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/13/2024] [Revised: 04/26/2024] [Accepted: 04/29/2024] [Indexed: 05/04/2024]
Abstract
Tamsulosin is an α1-adrenoceptor antagonist used to treat benign prostatic hyperplasia. This drug exhibits high affinity for α1A- and α1D-adrenoceptor subtypes, which are also expressed in the brain. While dementia symptoms have been reported after administration of tamsulosin in humans, studies on its effects on the rodent brain are still rare. The present study investigated the effects of tamsulosin (and biperiden, an amnesic drug) on cognitive performance in the object recognition task (ORT). Tamsulosin (0.001-0.01 mg/kg) was orally administrated in mice at three distinct time points: pre-training, post-training and pre-test session. Tamsulosin 0.01 mg/kg impaired object recognition regardless of when it was injected, whereas at lower doses did not affect mouse performance in the ORT. Biperiden also impaired acquisition and consolidation of object recognition in mice. Furthermore, the effects of tamsulosin on locomotion, motivation and anxiety were excluded as potential confounding factors. At all doses tested, tamsulosin did not alter distance moved, time spent exploring objects in the ORT, and anxiety-related behaviors in the elevated plus-maze test. By contrast, diazepam evoked a significant reduction of anxiety-like behaviours. In conclusion, tamsulosin impaired memory acquisition, consolidation and retrieval in an object recognition task in mice, thus affecting memory performance in a non-specific phase manner. These findings contribute to our understanding of the potential adverse effects of tamsulosin, and shed light on the role played by α1-adrenoceptors, particularly α1A- subtype, in cognitive processes.
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Affiliation(s)
- Victor A D Holanda
- Department of Biophysics and Pharmacology, Federal University of Rio Grande do Norte, Av. Senador Salgado Filho, Campus Universitário, Lagoa Nova, Natal 59078-900, Brazil
| | - Matheus C Oliveira
- Department of Biophysics and Pharmacology, Federal University of Rio Grande do Norte, Av. Senador Salgado Filho, Campus Universitário, Lagoa Nova, Natal 59078-900, Brazil
| | - Carina I de Oliveira Torres
- Department of Biophysics and Pharmacology, Federal University of Rio Grande do Norte, Av. Senador Salgado Filho, Campus Universitário, Lagoa Nova, Natal 59078-900, Brazil
| | - Clarissa de Almeida Moura
- Department of Biophysics and Pharmacology, Federal University of Rio Grande do Norte, Av. Senador Salgado Filho, Campus Universitário, Lagoa Nova, Natal 59078-900, Brazil
| | - Hindiael Belchior
- Department of Physical Education, Federal University of Rio Grande do Norte, Av. Senador Salgado Filho, Campus Universitário, Lagoa Nova, Natal 59078-900, Brazil
| | - Edilson D da Silva Junior
- Department of Biophysics and Pharmacology, Federal University of Rio Grande do Norte, Av. Senador Salgado Filho, Campus Universitário, Lagoa Nova, Natal 59078-900, Brazil
| | - Elaine C Gavioli
- Department of Biophysics and Pharmacology, Federal University of Rio Grande do Norte, Av. Senador Salgado Filho, Campus Universitário, Lagoa Nova, Natal 59078-900, Brazil.
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Vélez-Godínez BR, López-Sánchez P, Páez-Martínez N. Preeclampsia as a possible risk factor for memory impairment, anxiety- and depressive-like behavior in offspring. Psychopharmacology (Berl) 2024; 241:1377-1386. [PMID: 38499864 DOI: 10.1007/s00213-024-06568-y] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/01/2023] [Accepted: 02/28/2024] [Indexed: 03/20/2024]
Abstract
RATIONALE Preeclampsia is a condition that can affect the health in offspring at adult life. The effect on several systems has been described, but less is known about its effect on neuropsychiatric disorders at early ages. OBJECTIVE Evaluate the possible relationship of preeclampsia with development of anxiety- and depressive-like behavior, as well as memory impairments in male and female early adolescent offspring from preeclamptic mice. METHODS Thirty pregnant females were divided into control group receiving vehicle, and preeclampsia group receiving L-NAME in drinking water at a dose of 60 mg/Kg from day 10 of pregnancy until delivery. Offspring was weaned and sexed at 4 weeks after birth. Each group was evaluated using the elevated plus maze test (anxiety- like response), tail suspension test (depressive-like behavior) and the recognition of novel objects test (recognition memory), in addition to the open field test was performance to corroborate their motor activity and validate our results. RESULTS We found that preeclampsia produces behavioral alterations in offspring, and this effect is dependent on sex. The male offspring from preeclampsia showed an enhancement in the time that mice spend in the close arms in the elevated plus maze test, and longer immobility time in the tail suspension test, compared to the offspring from healthy pregnancies. On the other hand, female offspring from preeclampsia showed a lower percentage of recognition in the memory test compared to offspring from normal pregnancy. CONCLUSIONS These results suggest that preeclampsia predisposes early adolescent young male offspring to develop anxiety- and depressive-like behavior as well as memory impairment in early adolescent young female offspring.
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Affiliation(s)
- Blanca Rubí Vélez-Godínez
- Sección de Estudios de Posgrado e Investigación, Escuela Superior de Medicina, Instituto Politécnico Nacional, Plan de San Luis y Díaz Mirón, Santo Tomás, Ciudad de México, C.P. 11340, México
| | - Pedro López-Sánchez
- Sección de Estudios de Posgrado e Investigación, Escuela Superior de Medicina, Instituto Politécnico Nacional, Plan de San Luis y Díaz Mirón, Santo Tomás, Ciudad de México, C.P. 11340, México
| | - Nayeli Páez-Martínez
- Sección de Estudios de Posgrado e Investigación, Escuela Superior de Medicina, Instituto Politécnico Nacional, Plan de San Luis y Díaz Mirón, Santo Tomás, Ciudad de México, C.P. 11340, México.
- Dirección de Investigaciones en Neurociencias, Instituto Nacional de Psiquiatría "Ramón de la Fuente Muñiz", Ciudad de México, México.
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Gallo MT, Dolci B, Fumagalli F, Brivio P, Calabrese F. Prenatal Fluoxetine Exposure Influences Glucocorticoid Receptor-Mediated Activity in the Prefrontal Cortex of Adolescent Rats Exposed to Acute Stress. ACS Chem Neurosci 2024; 15:1560-1569. [PMID: 38507566 DOI: 10.1021/acschemneuro.3c00856] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 03/22/2024] Open
Abstract
Any deviation from the programmed processes of brain development may modify its formation and functions, thereby precipitating pathological conditions, which often become manifest in adulthood. Exposure to a challenge during crucial periods of vulnerability, such as adolescence, may reveal molecular changes preceding behavioral outcomes. Based on a previous study showing that prenatal fluoxetine (FLX) leads to the development of an anhedonic-like behavior in adult rats, we aimed to assess whether the same treatment regimen (i.e., fluoxetine during gestation; 15 mg/kg/day) influences the ability to respond to acute restraint stress (ARS) during adolescence. We subjected the rats to a battery of behavioral tests evaluating the development of various phenotypes (cognitive deficit, anhedonia, and anxiety). Furthermore, we carried out molecular analyses in the plasma and prefrontal cortex, a brain region involved in stress response, and whose functions are commonly altered in neuropsychiatric conditions. Our findings confirm that prenatal manipulation did not affect behavior in adolescent rats but impaired the capability to respond properly to ARS. Indeed, we observed changes in several molecular key players of the hypothalamic pituitary adrenal axis, particularly influencing genomic effects mediated by the glucocorticoid receptor. This study highlights that prenatal FLX exposure influences the ability of adolescent male rats to respond to an acute challenge, thereby altering the functionality of the hypothalamic-pituitary-adrenal axis, and indicates that the prenatal manipulation may prime the response to challenging events during this critical period of life.
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Affiliation(s)
- Maria Teresa Gallo
- Department of Pharmacological and Biomolecular Sciences "Rodolfo Paoletti", Università degli Studi di Milano, Milan 20133, Italy
| | - Beatrice Dolci
- Department of Pharmacological and Biomolecular Sciences "Rodolfo Paoletti", Università degli Studi di Milano, Milan 20133, Italy
| | - Fabio Fumagalli
- Department of Pharmacological and Biomolecular Sciences "Rodolfo Paoletti", Università degli Studi di Milano, Milan 20133, Italy
| | - Paola Brivio
- Department of Pharmacological and Biomolecular Sciences "Rodolfo Paoletti", Università degli Studi di Milano, Milan 20133, Italy
| | - Francesca Calabrese
- Department of Pharmacological and Biomolecular Sciences "Rodolfo Paoletti", Università degli Studi di Milano, Milan 20133, Italy
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Berroug L, Laaroussi M, Essaidi O, Malqui H, Anarghou H, Chaoui AA, Najimi M, Chigr F. Sex-specific neurobehavioral and biochemical effects of developmental exposure to Malathion in offspring mice. NAUNYN-SCHMIEDEBERG'S ARCHIVES OF PHARMACOLOGY 2024; 397:2215-2231. [PMID: 37804342 DOI: 10.1007/s00210-023-02749-2] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/03/2023] [Accepted: 09/25/2023] [Indexed: 10/09/2023]
Abstract
Malathion is an organophosphate pesticide (OP) commonly used in agriculture, industry, and veterinary medicine. Sex is a crucial factor in responding to neurotoxicants, yet the sex-specific effects of OP exposure, particularly neurological impairments following chronic low-level exposure remains limited. Our study aims to evaluate the neurobehavioral and biochemical effects of developmental exposure to Malathion across sexes. Pregnant mice were exposed to a low oral dose of Malathion from gestation up to the weaning of the pups, which were individually gavaged with a similar dose regimen until postnatal day 70. Our results show that Malathion decreased body weight and food intake, reduced locomotor activity and recognition memory. Motor coordination and special memory were only altered in females, whereas we found a male-specific effect of Malathion on social behavior and marble burying. These alterations were accompanied by increased malondialdehyde (MDA), decreased brain acetylcholinesterase activity (AChE), and disrupted brain redox homeostasis. Our findings about the effects of Malathion exposure across sexes may, in part, contribute to understanding the dimorphic susceptibilities observed in neurological disorders.
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Affiliation(s)
- Laila Berroug
- Biological Engineering Laboratory, Faculty of Science and Technology, Sultan Moulay Slimane University, Beni Mellal, Morocco
| | - Meriem Laaroussi
- Biological Engineering Laboratory, Faculty of Science and Technology, Sultan Moulay Slimane University, Beni Mellal, Morocco
| | - Oumaima Essaidi
- Biological Engineering Laboratory, Faculty of Science and Technology, Sultan Moulay Slimane University, Beni Mellal, Morocco
| | - Hafsa Malqui
- Biological Engineering Laboratory, Faculty of Science and Technology, Sultan Moulay Slimane University, Beni Mellal, Morocco
| | - Hammou Anarghou
- Biological Engineering Laboratory, Faculty of Science and Technology, Sultan Moulay Slimane University, Beni Mellal, Morocco
| | - Ahmed Ait Chaoui
- Biological Engineering Laboratory, Faculty of Science and Technology, Sultan Moulay Slimane University, Beni Mellal, Morocco
| | - Mohamed Najimi
- Biological Engineering Laboratory, Faculty of Science and Technology, Sultan Moulay Slimane University, Beni Mellal, Morocco
| | - Fatiha Chigr
- Biological Engineering Laboratory, Faculty of Science and Technology, Sultan Moulay Slimane University, Beni Mellal, Morocco.
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Wei B, Shi H, Yu X, Shi Y, Zeng H, Zhao Y, Zhao Z, Song Y, Sun M, Wang B. GR/Ahi1 regulates WDR68-DYRK1A binding and mediates cognitive impairment in prenatally stressed offspring. Cell Mol Life Sci 2024; 81:20. [PMID: 38195774 PMCID: PMC11073104 DOI: 10.1007/s00018-023-05075-1] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/09/2023] [Revised: 11/19/2023] [Accepted: 11/29/2023] [Indexed: 01/11/2024]
Abstract
Accumulating research shows that prenatal exposure to maternal stress increases the risk of behavioral and mental health problems for offspring later in life. However, how prenatal stress affects offspring behavior remains unknown. Here, we found that prenatal stress (PNS) leads to reduced Ahi1, decreased synaptic plasticity and cognitive impairment in offspring. Mechanistically, Ahi1 and GR stabilize each other, inhibit GR nuclear translocation, promote Ahi1 and WDR68 binding, and inhibit DYRK1A and WDR68 binding. When Ahi1 deletion or prenatal stress leads to hyperactivity of the HPA axis, it promotes the release of GC, leading to GR nuclear translocation and Ahi1 degradation, which further inhibits the binding of Ahi1 and WDR68, and promotes the binding of DYRK1A and WDR68, leading to elevated DYRK1A, reduced synaptic plasticity, and cognitive impairment. Interestingly, we identified RU486, an antagonist of GR, which increased Ahi1/GR levels and improved cognitive impairment and synaptic plasticity in PNS offspring. Our study contributes to understanding the signaling mechanisms of prenatal stress-mediated cognitive impairment in offspring.
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Affiliation(s)
- Bin Wei
- Institute for Fetology, The First Affiliated Hospital of Soochow University, Suzhou, 215006, China
| | - Haixia Shi
- Institute of Neuroscience, Soochow University, Suzhou, 215123, China
| | - Xi Yu
- Institute for Fetology, The First Affiliated Hospital of Soochow University, Suzhou, 215006, China
| | - Yajun Shi
- Institute for Fetology, The First Affiliated Hospital of Soochow University, Suzhou, 215006, China
| | - Hongtao Zeng
- Institute for Fetology, The First Affiliated Hospital of Soochow University, Suzhou, 215006, China
| | - Yan Zhao
- Institute for Fetology, The First Affiliated Hospital of Soochow University, Suzhou, 215006, China
| | - Zejun Zhao
- Institute for Fetology, The First Affiliated Hospital of Soochow University, Suzhou, 215006, China
| | - Yueyang Song
- Institute for Fetology, The First Affiliated Hospital of Soochow University, Suzhou, 215006, China
| | - Miao Sun
- Institute for Fetology, The First Affiliated Hospital of Soochow University, Suzhou, 215006, China.
| | - Bin Wang
- Institute for Fetology, The First Affiliated Hospital of Soochow University, Suzhou, 215006, China.
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Koszałka A, Lustyk K, Pytka K. Sex-dependent differences in animal cognition. Neurosci Biobehav Rev 2023; 153:105374. [PMID: 37634555 DOI: 10.1016/j.neubiorev.2023.105374] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/27/2023] [Revised: 08/17/2023] [Accepted: 08/23/2023] [Indexed: 08/29/2023]
Abstract
The differences in cognitive processes driven by biological sex are the issues that have gotten growing attention recently. Considering the increasing population suffering from various cognitive impairments and the development of therapeutic strategies, it is essential that we recognize the mechanisms responsible for discrepancies observed in male and female learning and memory functions. In this review, we discuss recent reports from preclinical studies on rodents regarding selected cognitive domains to explore the state of knowledge on sex-dependent differences and point to challenges encountered during such research. We focus on spatial, recognition, and emotional memory, as well as on executive functions, such as attention, cognitive flexibility, and working memory. This review will help to acknowledge sex-related differences in cognition and indicate some fields that lack sufficient data.
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Affiliation(s)
- Aleksandra Koszałka
- Jagiellonian University Medical College, Faculty of Pharmacy, Department of Pharmacodynamics, Medyczna 9, 30-688 Krakow, Poland; Jagiellonian University Medical College, Doctoral School of Medical and Health Sciences, Św. Łazarza 16, 31-530 Krakow, Poland
| | - Klaudia Lustyk
- Jagiellonian University Medical College, Faculty of Pharmacy, Department of Pharmacodynamics, Medyczna 9, 30-688 Krakow, Poland
| | - Karolina Pytka
- Jagiellonian University Medical College, Faculty of Pharmacy, Department of Pharmacodynamics, Medyczna 9, 30-688 Krakow, Poland.
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Rubinstein MR, Burgueño AL, Quiroga S, Wald MR, Genaro AM. Current Understanding of the Roles of Gut-Brain Axis in the Cognitive Deficits Caused by Perinatal Stress Exposure. Cells 2023; 12:1735. [PMID: 37443769 PMCID: PMC10340286 DOI: 10.3390/cells12131735] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/17/2023] [Revised: 06/15/2023] [Accepted: 06/19/2023] [Indexed: 07/15/2023] Open
Abstract
The term 'perinatal environment' refers to the period surrounding birth, which plays a crucial role in brain development. It has been suggested that dynamic communication between the neuro-immune system and gut microbiota is essential in maintaining adequate brain function. This interaction depends on the mother's status during pregnancy and/or the newborn environment. Here, we show experimental and clinical evidence that indicates that the perinatal period is a critical window in which stress-induced immune activation and altered microbiota compositions produce lasting behavioral consequences, although a clear causative relationship has not yet been established. In addition, we discuss potential early treatments for preventing the deleterious effect of perinatal stress exposure. In this sense, early environmental enrichment exposure (including exercise) and melatonin use in the perinatal period could be valuable in improving the negative consequences of early adversities. The evidence presented in this review encourages the realization of studies investigating the beneficial role of melatonin administration and environmental enrichment exposure in mitigating cognitive alteration in offspring under perinatal stress exposure. On the other hand, direct evidence of microbiota restoration as the main mechanism behind the beneficial effects of this treatment has not been fully demonstrated and should be explored in future studies.
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Affiliation(s)
- Mara Roxana Rubinstein
- Laboratorio de Psiconeuroendocrinoinmunologia, Instituto de Investigaciones Biomédicas, Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas (CONICET)—Pontificia Universidad Católica Argentina, Buenos Aires C1107AFF, Argentina; (A.L.B.); (S.Q.); (M.R.W.)
| | | | | | | | - Ana María Genaro
- Laboratorio de Psiconeuroendocrinoinmunologia, Instituto de Investigaciones Biomédicas, Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas (CONICET)—Pontificia Universidad Católica Argentina, Buenos Aires C1107AFF, Argentina; (A.L.B.); (S.Q.); (M.R.W.)
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Sex-Dependent Effect of Chronic Piromelatine Treatment on Prenatal Stress-Induced Memory Deficits in Rats. Int J Mol Sci 2023; 24:ijms24021271. [PMID: 36674787 PMCID: PMC9864968 DOI: 10.3390/ijms24021271] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/25/2022] [Revised: 12/22/2022] [Accepted: 01/05/2023] [Indexed: 01/11/2023] Open
Abstract
Prenatal stress impairs cognitive function in rats, while Piromelatine treatment corrects memory decline in male rats with chronic mild stress. In the present study, we aimed to evaluate the effect of chronic treatment with the melatonin analogue Piromelatine on the associative and spatial hippocampus-dependent memory of male and female offspring with a history of prenatal stress (PNS). We report that male and female young adult offspring with PNS treated with a vehicle had reduced memory responses in an object recognition test (ORT). However, the cognitive performance in the radial arm maze test (RAM) was worsened only in the male offspring. The 32-day treatment with Piromelatine (20 mg/kg, i.p.) of male and female offspring with PNS attenuated the impaired responses in the ORT task. Furthermore, the melatonin analogue corrected the disturbed spatial memory in the male offspring. While the ratio of phosphorylated and nonphosphorylated adenosine monophosphate response element binding protein (pCREB/CREB) was reduced in the two sexes with PNS and treated with a vehicle, the melatonin analogue elevated the ratio of these signaling molecules in the hippocampus of the male rats only. Our results suggest that Piromelatine exerts a beneficial effect on PNS-induced spatial memory impairment in a sex-dependent manner that might be mediated via the pCREB/CREB pathway.
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Fidilio A, Grasso M, Caruso G, Musso N, Begni V, Privitera A, Torrisi SA, Campolongo P, Schiavone S, Tascedda F, Leggio GM, Drago F, Riva MA, Caraci F. Prenatal stress induces a depressive-like phenotype in adolescent rats: The key role of TGF-β1 pathway. Front Pharmacol 2022; 13:1075746. [DOI: 10.3389/fphar.2022.1075746] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/20/2022] [Accepted: 11/21/2022] [Indexed: 12/03/2022] Open
Abstract
Stressful experiences early in life, especially in the prenatal period, can increase the risk to develop depression during adolescence. However, there may be important qualitative and quantitative differences in outcome of prenatal stress (PNS), where some individuals exposed to PNS are vulnerable and develop a depressive-like phenotype, while others appear to be resilient. PNS exposure, a well-established rat model of early life stress, is known to increase vulnerability to depression and a recent study demonstrated a strong interaction between transforming growth factor-β1 (TGF-β1) gene and PNS in the pathogenesis of depression. Moreover, it is well-known that the exposure to early life stress experiences induces brain oxidative damage by increasing nitric oxide levels and decreasing antioxidant factors. In the present work, we examined the role of TGF-β1 pathway in an animal model of adolescent depression induced by PNS obtained by exposing pregnant females to a stressful condition during the last week of gestation. We performed behavioral tests to identify vulnerable or resilient subjects in the obtained litters (postnatal day, PND > 35) and we carried out molecular analyses on hippocampus, a brain area with a key role in the pathogenesis of depression. We found that female, but not male, PNS adolescent rats exhibited a depressive-like behavior in forced swim test (FST), whereas both male and female PNS rats showed a deficit of recognition memory as assessed by novel object recognition test (NOR). Interestingly, we found an increased expression of type 2 TGF-β1 receptor (TGFβ-R2) in the hippocampus of both male and female resilient PNS rats, with higher plasma TGF-β1 levels in male, but not in female, PNS rats. Furthermore, PNS induced the activation of oxidative stress pathways by increasing inducible nitric oxide synthase (iNOS), NADPH oxidase 1 (NOX1) and NOX2 levels in the hippocampus of both male and female PNS adolescent rats. Our data suggest that high levels of TGF-β1 and its receptor TGFβ-R2 can significantly increase the resiliency of adolescent rats to PNS, suggesting that TGF-β1 pathway might represent a novel pharmacological target to prevent adolescent depression in rats.
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Yao D, Mu Y, Lu Y, Li L, Shao S, Zhou J, Li J, Chen S, Zhang D, Zhang Y, Zhu Z, Li H. Hippocampal AMPA receptors mediate the impairment of spatial learning and memory in prenatally stressed offspring rats. J Psychiatr Res 2022; 151:17-24. [PMID: 35427874 DOI: 10.1016/j.jpsychires.2022.03.032] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/26/2021] [Revised: 02/15/2022] [Accepted: 03/21/2022] [Indexed: 11/18/2022]
Abstract
Numerous studies have shown that prenatal stress (PS) induces learning and memory deficits in offspring, yet the specific mechanisms and effective interventions remain limited. Chewing has been known as one of the active coping strategies to suppress stress, but its effects during PS on learning and memory are unknown. The purpose of this study was to investigate the role of hippocampal AMPA receptors in the adverse effects of PS on spatial learning and memory, and whether chewing during PS could prevent these effects in prenatally stressed adult offspring rats. Prenatal restraint stress with or without chewing to dams during the day 11-20 of pregnancy was used to analyze the impact of different treatments for offspring. The spatial learning and memory were tested by the Morris water maze. The mRNA and protein expression of AMPA receptors in the hippocampus were measured by qRT-PCR and Western blot, respectively. The methylation of AMPA receptors was detected by bisulfite sequencing PCR. Our results revealed that PS impaired spatial learning acquisition and memory retrieval in adult offspring rats, but chewing could relieve this effect. Hippocampal GluA1-4 expression was significantly reduced in prenatally stressed offspring, while there were no changes in the methylation level of GluA2 and GluA4 promoters. Moreover, chewing increased PS-induced suppression of AMPA receptors in the hippocampus. In short, hippocampal AMPA receptors mediate the impairment of spatial learning and memory in prenatally stressed offspring, whereas chewing during PS could ameliorate PS-induced memory deficits.
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Affiliation(s)
- Dan Yao
- Department of Neonatology, The First Affiliated Hospital of Xi'an Jiaotong University, 277 West Yanta Road, Xi'an, Shaanxi, 710061, China
| | - Yingjun Mu
- Central Laboratory, Heze Medical College, 1750 University Road, Heze, Shandong, 274009, China
| | - Yong Lu
- Central Laboratory, Heze Medical College, 1750 University Road, Heze, Shandong, 274009, China
| | - Li Li
- Central Laboratory, Heze Medical College, 1750 University Road, Heze, Shandong, 274009, China
| | - Shuya Shao
- Department of Neonatology, The First Affiliated Hospital of Xi'an Jiaotong University, 277 West Yanta Road, Xi'an, Shaanxi, 710061, China
| | - Jiahao Zhou
- Maternal and Infant Health Research Institute, Northwest University, 229 Taibai North Road, Xi'an, Shaanxi, 710069, China
| | - Jing Li
- Department of Neonatology, The First Affiliated Hospital of Xi'an Jiaotong University, 277 West Yanta Road, Xi'an, Shaanxi, 710061, China
| | - Shengquan Chen
- Department of Neonatology, The First Affiliated Hospital of Xi'an Jiaotong University, 277 West Yanta Road, Xi'an, Shaanxi, 710061, China
| | - Dan Zhang
- Department of Neonatology, The First Affiliated Hospital of Xi'an Jiaotong University, 277 West Yanta Road, Xi'an, Shaanxi, 710061, China
| | - Yifan Zhang
- Central Laboratory, Heze Medical College, 1750 University Road, Heze, Shandong, 274009, China
| | - Zhongliang Zhu
- Maternal and Infant Health Research Institute, Northwest University, 229 Taibai North Road, Xi'an, Shaanxi, 710069, China
| | - Hui Li
- Department of Neonatology, The First Affiliated Hospital of Xi'an Jiaotong University, 277 West Yanta Road, Xi'an, Shaanxi, 710061, China.
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12
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De Almeida TF, Spinelli BG, Hypolito Lima R, Gonzalez MC, Rodrigues AC. PyRAT: An Open-Source Python Library for Animal Behavior Analysis. Front Neurosci 2022; 16:779106. [PMID: 35615283 PMCID: PMC9125180 DOI: 10.3389/fnins.2022.779106] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/17/2021] [Accepted: 03/21/2022] [Indexed: 11/16/2022] Open
Abstract
Here we developed an open-source Python-based library called Python rodent Analysis and Tracking (PyRAT). Our library analyzes tracking data to classify distinct behaviors, estimate traveled distance, speed and area occupancy. To classify and cluster behaviors, we used two unsupervised algorithms: hierarchical agglomerative clustering and t-distributed stochastic neighbor embedding (t-SNE). Finally, we built algorithms that associate the detected behaviors with synchronized neural data and facilitate the visualization of this association in the pixel space. PyRAT is fully available on GitHub: https://github.com/pyratlib/pyrat.
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13
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Sperm epigenetic alterations contribute to inter- and transgenerational effects of paternal exposure to long-term psychological stress via evading offspring embryonic reprogramming. Cell Discov 2021; 7:101. [PMID: 34711814 PMCID: PMC8553786 DOI: 10.1038/s41421-021-00343-5] [Citation(s) in RCA: 22] [Impact Index Per Article: 7.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/12/2021] [Accepted: 09/13/2021] [Indexed: 12/30/2022] Open
Abstract
Paternal life experiences impact offspring health via germline, and epigenetic inheritance provides a potential mechanism. However, global reprogramming during offspring embryogenesis and gametogenesis represents the largest hurdle to conceptualize it. Yet, detailed characterization of how sperm epigenetic alterations carrying "environmental memory" can evade offspring embryonic reprogramming remains elusive. Here, mice exposed to long-term restraint stress were employed to study the mechanisms underlying inter- and transgenerational effects of paternal exposure to a long-term psychological stress. We found that stress could induce paternal inheritance of reproductive, behavioral, and metabolic disorders. Bisulfite methylation profiling of 18 sperm and 12 embryo samples of three consecutive generations identified inter- and transgenerational inheritance of paternal Differential DNA Methylation Regions (DMRs) at frequencies ~11.36% and 0.48%, respectively. These DMRs related to genes with functional implications for psychological stress response, and tissue inheritance of these DMRs passed paternal disorders epigenetically to offspring. More importantly, these DMRs evaded offspring embryonic reprogramming through erasure and subsequent reestablishment, but not via un-erasure way. Nonetheless, their reestablishment proportions in the primitive streak (E7.5) stage were altered. Furthermore, sncRNA-seq revealed that stress-induced tsRNA, miRNA and rsRNA dysregulation in paternal sperm might play important roles in DMRs occurrence and paternal inheritance. These finding implied that sperm epigenetic alterations contribute to inter- and transgenerational effects of paternal exposure to long-term psychological stress, and highlighted the possible underlying molecular mechanism.
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14
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Schroeder R, Sridharan P, Nguyen L, Loren A, Williams NS, Kettimuthu KP, Cintrón-Pérez CJ, Vázquez-Rosa E, Pieper AA, Stevens HE. Maternal P7C3-A20 Treatment Protects Offspring from Neuropsychiatric Sequelae of Prenatal Stress. Antioxid Redox Signal 2021; 35:511-530. [PMID: 33501899 PMCID: PMC8388250 DOI: 10.1089/ars.2020.8227] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/12/2022]
Abstract
Aims: Impaired embryonic cortical interneuron development from prenatal stress is linked to adult neuropsychiatric impairment, stemming in part from excessive generation of reactive oxygen species in the developing embryo. Unfortunately, there are no preventive medicines that mitigate the risk of prenatal stress to the embryo, as the underlying pathophysiologic mechanisms are poorly understood. Our goal was to interrogate the molecular basis of prenatal stress-mediated damage to the embryonic brain to identify a neuroprotective strategy. Results: Chronic prenatal stress in mice dysregulated nicotinamide adenine dinucleotide (NAD+) synthesis enzymes and cortical interneuron development in the embryonic brain, leading to axonal degeneration in the hippocampus, cognitive deficits, and depression-like behavior in adulthood. Offspring were protected from these deleterious effects by concurrent maternal administration of the NAD+-modulating agent P7C3-A20, which crossed the placenta to access the embryonic brain. Prenatal stress also produced axonal degeneration in the adult corpus callosum, which was not prevented by maternal P7C3-A20. Innovation: Prenatal stress dysregulates gene expression of NAD+-synthesis machinery and GABAergic interneuron development in the embryonic brain, which is associated with adult cognitive impairment and depression-like behavior. We establish a maternally directed treatment that protects offspring from these effects of prenatal stress. Conclusion: NAD+-synthesis machinery and GABAergic interneuron development are critical to proper embryonic brain development underlying postnatal neuropsychiatric functioning, and these systems are highly susceptible to prenatal stress. Pharmacologic stabilization of NAD+ in the stressed embryonic brain may provide a neuroprotective strategy that preserves normal embryonic development and protects offspring from neuropsychiatric impairment. Antioxid. Redox Signal. 35, 511-530.
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Affiliation(s)
- Rachel Schroeder
- Department of Psychiatry, University of Iowa Carver College of Medicine, Iowa City, Iowa, USA.,Interdisciplinary Graduate Program in Neuroscience, University of Iowa, Iowa City, Iowa, USA
| | - Preethy Sridharan
- Harrington Discovery Institute, University Hospitals Cleveland Medical Center, Cleveland, Ohio, USA.,Department of Psychiatry and Case Western Reserve University, Cleveland, Ohio, USA.,Department of Neuroscience, Case Western Reserve University, Cleveland, Ohio, USA
| | - Lynn Nguyen
- Department of Psychiatry, University of Iowa Carver College of Medicine, Iowa City, Iowa, USA
| | - Alexandra Loren
- Department of Psychiatry, University of Iowa Carver College of Medicine, Iowa City, Iowa, USA
| | - Noelle S Williams
- Department of Biochemistry, University of Texas Southwestern Medical Center, Dallas, Texas, USA
| | - Kavitha P Kettimuthu
- Department of Biochemistry, University of Texas Southwestern Medical Center, Dallas, Texas, USA
| | - Coral J Cintrón-Pérez
- Harrington Discovery Institute, University Hospitals Cleveland Medical Center, Cleveland, Ohio, USA.,Department of Psychiatry and Case Western Reserve University, Cleveland, Ohio, USA
| | - Edwin Vázquez-Rosa
- Harrington Discovery Institute, University Hospitals Cleveland Medical Center, Cleveland, Ohio, USA.,Department of Psychiatry and Case Western Reserve University, Cleveland, Ohio, USA
| | - Andrew A Pieper
- Harrington Discovery Institute, University Hospitals Cleveland Medical Center, Cleveland, Ohio, USA.,Department of Psychiatry and Case Western Reserve University, Cleveland, Ohio, USA.,Department of Neuroscience, Case Western Reserve University, Cleveland, Ohio, USA.,Institute for Transformative Molecular Medicine, School of Medicine, Case Western Reserve University, Cleveland, Ohio, USA.,Geriatric Research Education and Clinical Centers, Louis Stokes Cleveland VAMC, Cleveland, Ohio, USA.,Weill Cornell Autism Research Program, Weill Cornell Medicine of Cornell University, New York, New York, USA
| | - Hanna E Stevens
- Department of Psychiatry, University of Iowa Carver College of Medicine, Iowa City, Iowa, USA.,Interdisciplinary Graduate Program in Neuroscience, University of Iowa, Iowa City, Iowa, USA
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15
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TIAN X, CAO Y, ZHANG W. The influence of maternal negative parenting, peer victimization and <italic>FKBP5</italic> gene on adolescent depressive symptoms. ACTA PSYCHOLOGICA SINICA 2020. [DOI: 10.3724/sp.j.1041.2020.01407] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/25/2022]
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