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Moreira-Junior L, Leal-Cardoso JH, Cassola AC, Carvalho-de-Souza JL. State-Dependent Blockade of Dorsal Root Ganglion Voltage-Gated Na + Channels by Anethole. Int J Mol Sci 2024; 25:1034. [PMID: 38256108 PMCID: PMC10816912 DOI: 10.3390/ijms25021034] [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: 12/06/2023] [Revised: 01/09/2024] [Accepted: 01/11/2024] [Indexed: 01/24/2024] Open
Abstract
Anethole is a phenolic compound synthesized by many aromatic plants. Anethole is a substance that humans can safely consume and has been studied for years as a biologically active molecule to treat a variety of conditions, including nerve damage, gastritis, inflammation, and nociception. Anethole is thought to carry out its biological activities through direct interaction with ion channels. Anethole is beneficial for neurodegenerative Alzheimer's and Parkinson's diseases. Nevertheless, nothing has been investigated regarding the effects of anethole on voltage-gated Na+ channels (VGSCs), which are major players in neuronal function. We used cultured dorsal root ganglion neurons from neonatal rats as a source of natively expressed VGSCs for electrophysiological studies using the whole-cell patch-clamp technique. Our data show that anethole interacts directly with VGSCs. Anethole quickly blocks and unblocks (when removed) voltage-activated Na+ currents in this preparation in a fully reversible manner. Anethole's binding affinity to these channels increases when the inactive states of these channels are populated, similar to lidocaine's effect on the same channels. Our data show that anethole inhibits neuronal activity by blocking VGSCs in a state-dependent manner. These findings relate to the putative anesthetic activity attributable to anethole, in addition to its potential benefit in neurodegenerative diseases.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Jose Henrique Leal-Cardoso
- Superior Institute of Biomedical Sciences, State University of Ceará, Campus of Itaperi, Fortaleza 607402, CE, Brazil
| | - Antonio Carlos Cassola
- Department of Physiology and Biophysics, Biomedical Sciences Institute, University of Sao Paulo, São Paulo 05508, SP, Brazil
| | - Joao Luis Carvalho-de-Souza
- Department of Anesthesiology, University of Arizona, Tucson, AZ 85724, USA;
- Department of Physiology and Biophysics, Biomedical Sciences Institute, University of Sao Paulo, São Paulo 05508, SP, Brazil
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Escalona MP, Batista CV, Cassulini RR, Rios MS, Coronas FI, Possani LD. A proteomic analysis of the early secondary molecular effects caused by Cn2 scorpion toxin on neuroblastoma cells. J Proteomics 2014; 111:212-23. [DOI: 10.1016/j.jprot.2014.04.035] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/21/2014] [Revised: 04/20/2014] [Accepted: 04/22/2014] [Indexed: 01/16/2023]
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Teixeira VF, Conceição IM, Lebrun I, Nencioni ALA, Coronado Dorce VA. Intrahippocampal injection of TsTX-I, a beta-scorpion toxin, causes alterations in electroencephalographic recording and behavior in rats. Life Sci 2010; 87:501-6. [PMID: 20840850 DOI: 10.1016/j.lfs.2010.09.007] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/27/2010] [Revised: 08/04/2010] [Accepted: 09/03/2010] [Indexed: 12/29/2022]
Abstract
AIMS TsTX-I scorpion toxin, also known as γ-toxin, is a β-toxin which binds to site 4 of the sodium channel, shifting its activation potential. There are few studies about its pharmacological action in the central nervous system. The objective of this work was to determine the electroencephalographic, behavioral and histopathological effects of intrahippocampal injection of TsTX-I. MAIN METHODS Rats were anesthetized and fitted with cannulae for injection into the hippocampus and with electrodes for cerebral recording. The animals were treated with Ringer solution, some doses of TsTX-I, DMSO 0.1% or veratridine. Behavioral and electrographic recordings were observed for 4 hours after the injection. After 7 days, the rats were perfused, and their brains removed for histological analysis. KEY FINDINGS Increasing doses of the toxin evoked epileptic-like discharges, wet dog shakes, and in some cases hind limb paralysis and intense respiratory difficulty followed by death. The histopathological analysis demonstrated no cell loss. Animals injected with veratridine developed epileptiform activity in the electrographic recording and neuronal loss. SIGNIFICANCE The results suggest that TsTX-I toxin may be responsible, at least in part, for the epileptic and behavioral effects observed with the crude venom, and although veratridine and TsTX-I act on Na-channel, the differences between them are remarkable, demonstrating that toxins can have different functional effects depending on the site of action in the channel. Thus, animal neurotoxins are often highly selective and may be useful for the identification of the sequence of events underlying neurotransmission.
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Petricevich VL. Scorpion venom and the inflammatory response. Mediators Inflamm 2010; 2010:903295. [PMID: 20300540 PMCID: PMC2838227 DOI: 10.1155/2010/903295] [Citation(s) in RCA: 140] [Impact Index Per Article: 10.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/19/2009] [Accepted: 01/04/2010] [Indexed: 02/06/2023] Open
Abstract
Scorpion venoms consist of a complex of several toxins that exhibit a wide range of biological properties and actions, as well as chemical compositions, toxicity, and pharmacokinetic and pharmacodynamic characteristics. These venoms are associated with high morbility and mortality, especially among children. Victims of envenoming by a scorpion suffer a variety of pathologies, involving mainly both sympathetic and parasympathetic stimulation as well as central manifestations such as irritability, hyperthermia, vomiting, profuse salivation, tremor, and convulsion. The clinical signs and symptoms observed in humans and experimental animals are related with an excessive systemic host inflammatory response to stings and stings, respectively. Although the pathophysiology of envenomation is complex and not yet fully understood, venom and immune responses are known to trigger the release of inflammatory mediators that are largely mediated by cytokines. In models of severe systemic inflammation produced by injection of high doses of venom or venoms products, the increase in production of proinflammatory cytokines significantly contributes to immunological imbalance, multiple organ dysfunction and death. The cytokines initiate a cascade of events that lead to illness behaviors such as fever, anorexia, and also physiological events in the host such as activation of vasodilatation, hypotension, and increased of vessel permeability.
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Affiliation(s)
- Vera L Petricevich
- Laboratorio de Inflamación y Toxicología, Facultad de Medicina de la Universidad Autónoma del Estado de Morelos, Avenida Universidad 1001, Cuernavaca, Morelos 62209, Mexico.
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Diazepam and pentobarbital protect against scorpion venom toxin-induced epilepsy. Brain Res Bull 2009; 79:296-302. [PMID: 19393725 DOI: 10.1016/j.brainresbull.2009.04.006] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/21/2008] [Revised: 04/15/2009] [Accepted: 04/15/2009] [Indexed: 11/23/2022]
Abstract
We have characterized earlier the long-term behavioural, electroencephalographic and histopatologic features after a single TsTx microinjection, consisting of a neuropeptide isolated from the Tityus serrulatus scorpion venom, into the hippocampus of rats. TsTx was able to induce status epilepticus (SE) and developed later epilepsy. The present study was designed to investigate the outcomes of diazepam plus pentobarbital administered at 30 min, 1, 2 or 6h after the beginning of TsTx-induced SE, on the development of spontaneous recurrent motor seizures (SRMSs), mossy fibre sprouting and hippocampal neurodegeneration in rats. The administration of diazepam (DZ)+pentobarbital (PB) 30 min after the beginning of the TsTx-induced SE was able to markedly reduce the frequency of the SRMSs and prevent the development of mossy fibres sprouting and hippocampal lesion. In the other groups the augment of the extent of hipocampal neurodegeneration, the frequency of SRMSs and degree of aberrant mossy fibre sprouting was directly proportional to the time that the animals were subjected to TsTx-induced SE. In conclusion, our results point out that the early blockade of the TsTx-induced SE with diazepam plus pentobarbital, was effective treatment against later epilepsy development. The effectiveness of this treatment depends on the time that the animals were subjected to the SE. Furthermore, the TsTx model could be a useful tool to study antiepileptogenic drugs in chronic epileptic animals, neuronal degeneration, as well as for the mechanisms underlying epilepsy.
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Park SH, Seo YH, Moon BH, Choi SH, Kang S, Lee KJ, Choi SH, Lee MS, Chun BG, Shin KH. Lamotrigine prevents MK801-induced alterations in early growth response factor-1 mRNA levels and immunoreactivity in the rat brain. Eur J Pharmacol 2008; 589:58-65. [PMID: 18550051 DOI: 10.1016/j.ejphar.2008.04.059] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/26/2006] [Revised: 04/09/2008] [Accepted: 04/22/2008] [Indexed: 10/22/2022]
Abstract
MK801 (dizocilpine) induces selective neurotoxic effects in the retrosplenial cortex, ranging from neuronal vacuolization to irreversible neurodegeneration depending on the dose administered. Although lamotrigine prevents MK801-induced neuronal vacuolization in the retrosplenial cortex 4 h after injection, it is not clear whether lamotrigine attenuates the subsequent neurodegeneration that occurs 3-4 days later. Because early growth response factor-1 (egr-1) plays a key role in neurodegeneration and its expression is induced in the retrosplenial cortex following MK801 treatment, it is possible that lamotrigine may attenuate MK801-induced neurodegeneration via inhibition of egr-1 expression in the retrosplenial cortex. To address this issue, we treated rats with lamotrigine (10 or 20 mg/kg) followed by MK801 (2 mg/kg) and measured changes in the levels of egr-1 mRNA and immunoreactivity in the retrosplenial cortex and other brain regions 3 h later. We also evaluated the effects of these treatments on neurodegeneration 4 days following treatment using Fluoro-Jade B staining. MK801 treatment increased egr-1 mRNA and immunoreactivity in the restrosplenial, cingulate, entorhinal and piriform cortices, but decreased levels in hippocampal subfields. These MK801-induced changes in egr-1 expression were significantly inhibited by lamotrigine pretreatment. In addition, MK801-induced neurodegeneration in the retrosplenial cortex was partially blocked by lamotrigine pretreatment in a dose dependent manner. These results demonstrate that lamotrigine pretreatment prevents the MK801-induced upregulation of egr-1 expression in a region-selective manner, and suggest that this effect may contribute, in part, to the attenuation of MK801-induced neurodegeneration in the retrosplenial cortex.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sang-Ha Park
- Department of Pharmacology, Korea University College of Medicine, Sungbuk-Gu, Seoul, Republic of Korea
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Jeon GS, Park SH, Lee KJ, Lee MS, Chun BG, Shin KH. Valproate prevents MK801-induced changes in brain-derived neurotrophic factor mRNA in the rat brain. Eur J Pharmacol 2006; 545:142-6. [PMID: 16884712 DOI: 10.1016/j.ejphar.2006.06.046] [Citation(s) in RCA: 11] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/23/2005] [Revised: 06/20/2006] [Accepted: 06/22/2006] [Indexed: 11/18/2022]
Abstract
To investigate whether the anticonvulsant valproate influences the changes in brain-derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF) mRNA expression induced by MK801 in rat brain, we injected valproate prior to MK801 and observed the changes in the BDNF expression 3 h later. MK801 significantly increased BDNF expression in the retrosplenial and entorhinal cortex, and these increases were prevented by valproate pretreatment. Valproate pretreatment significantly blocked the MK801-induced increase of BDNF expression in retrosplenial cortex at 3 h, 6 h, and 9 h after MK801 injection, suggesting that valproate pretreatment did not delay the MK801-induced increase of BDNF expression. However, MK801 significantly decreased BDNF expression in the granule cell layer of hippocampus, and valproate pretreatment before MK801 potentiated the MK801-induced decrease in BDNF expression in granule cell layer. These results indicate that valproate pretreatment differentially affects the MK801-induced changes in BDNF expression in a region-selective manner.
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Affiliation(s)
- Gye Sun Jeon
- Department of Pharmacology, Korea University College of Medicine, #5 Anam-dong, Seoul 136-705, South Korea
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Fernandes VMV, Romano-Silva MA, Gomes DA, Prado MAM, Santos TM, Gomez MV. Dopamine release evoked by beta scorpion toxin, tityus gamma, in prefrontal cortical slices is mediated by intracellular calcium stores. Cell Mol Neurobiol 2005; 24:757-67. [PMID: 15672678 DOI: 10.1007/s10571-004-6917-8] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 10/26/2022]
Abstract
1. We have investigated the effect of tityus gamma (TiTX gamma) scorpion toxin on the release of [3H]dopamine in rat brain prefrontal cortical slices. The stimulatory effect of TiTX gamma on the release of [3H]dopamine was dose/time-dependent with an EC50 of 0.01 microM. 2. Tetrodotoxin blocked the TiTX gamma-induced release of [3H]dopamine, indicating the dependency for Na+ channels. 3. EGTA had no effect on the TiTX gamma-induced release of [3H]dopamine, indicating the process is independent of extracellular calcium. Release of [3H]dopamine evoked by TiTX gamma was inhibited by 57% by BAPTA, a chelator of intracellular calcium. 4. Xestospongin and 2-APB, putative blockers of IP3-sensitive release of intracellular calcium stores, caused an equal and significant inhibition of 24% of the TiTX gamma-induced release of [3H]dopamine, while the slight inhibition evoked by dantrolene, a putative blocker of ryanodine-sensitive calcium store was not significant. 5. Nomifensine and ascorbic acid, blockers of dopamine transporter (DAT), caused an inhibition of 27 and 29%, respectively, on the toxin-induced release of [3H]dopamine suggesting that most of the TiTX gamma-induced release of dopamine is not due to the reversal of Na+ gradient. 6. In conclusion the majority of the TiTX gamma-induced release of [3H]dopamine is exocytotic and mobilizes calcium from the intracellular IP3-sensitive calcium stores.
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Nunan EA, Arya V, Hochhaus G, Cardoso VN, Moraes-Santos T. Age effects on the pharmacokinetics of tityustoxin from Tityus serrulatus scorpion venom in rats. Braz J Med Biol Res 2004; 37:385-90. [PMID: 15060708 DOI: 10.1590/s0100-879x2004000300016] [Citation(s) in RCA: 18] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 04/29/2023] Open
Abstract
The pharmacokinetics of scorpion venom and its toxins has been investigated in experimental models using adult animals, although, severe scorpion accidents are associated more frequently with children. We compared the effect of age on the pharmacokinetics of tityustoxin, one of the most active principles of Tityus serrulatus venom, in young male/female rats (21-22 days old, N=5-8) and in adult male rats (150-160 days old, N=5-8). Tityustoxin (6 microg) labeled with 99mTechnetium was administered subcutaneously to young and adult rats. The plasma concentration vs time data were subjected to non-compartmental pharmacokinetic analysis to obtain estimates of various pharmacokinetic parameters such as total body clearance (CL/F), distribution volume (Vd/F), area under the curve (AUC), and mean residence time. The data were analyzed with and without considering body weight. The data without correction for body weight showed a higher Cmax (62.30 +/- 7.07 vs 12.71 +/- 2.11 ng/ml, P<0.05) and AUC (296.49 +/- 21.09 vs 55.96 +/- 5.41 ng h(-1) ml(-1), P<0.05) and lower Tmax (0.64 +/- 0.19 vs 2.44 +/- 0.49 h, P<0.05) in young rats. Furthermore, Vd/F (0.15 vs 0.42 l/kg) and CL/F (0.02 +/- 0.001 vs 0.11 +/- 0.01 l h(-1) kg(-1), P<0.05) were lower in young rats. However, when the data were reanalyzed taking body weight into consideration, the Cmax (40.43 +/- 3.25 vs 78.21 +/- 11.23 ng kg(-1) ml(-1), P<0.05) and AUC (182.27 +/- 11.74 vs 344.62 +/- 32.11 ng h(-1) ml(-1), P<0.05) were lower in young rats. The clearance (0.03 +/- 0.002 vs 0.02 +/- 0.002 l h(-1) kg(-1), P<0.05) and Vd/F (0.210 vs 0.067 l/kg) were higher in young rats. The raw data (not adjusted for body weight) strongly suggest that age plays a pivotal role in the disposition of tityustoxin. Furthermore, our results also indicate that the differences in the severity of symptoms observed in children and adults after scorpion envenomation can be explained in part by differences in the pharmacokinetics of the toxin.
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Affiliation(s)
- E A Nunan
- Laboratório de Controle de Qualidade, Departamento de Produtos Farmacêuticos, Faculdade de Farmácia, Universidade Federal de Minas Gerais, Belo Horizonte, MG, Brasil
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Fernandes VMV, Massensini AR, Prado MAM, Silva MAR, Moraes-Santos T, Gomez MV. Effects of alpha-scorpion toxin, tityustoxin on the release of [3H] dopamine of rat brain prefrontal cortical slices. Neurochem Int 2004; 44:91-7. [PMID: 12971911 DOI: 10.1016/s0197-0186(03)00114-1] [Citation(s) in RCA: 15] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 10/27/2022]
Abstract
The effect of tityustoxin (TsTX) on the release of [3H] dopamine in rat brain prefrontal cortical slices was investigated. The stimulatory effect of TsTX was dependent on incubation time and TsTX concentration with an EC50 of 0.05 microM. The release of [3H] dopamine stimulated by TsTX is dependent of Na+ channels and thus, was completely, inhibited by tetrodotoxin. Tityustoxin-induced release of [3H] dopamine was not blocked by ethylene glycol-bis(beta-aminoethyl) ether (EGTA) and thus was independent of extracellular calcium. However, [3H] dopamine release induced by TsTX was inhibited by 52% by BAPTA, a calcium chelator. Moreover, dantrolene (100 microM) and tetracaine (500 microM) partially inhibited by 38 and 29%, respectively, the tityustoxin-induced release of [3H] dopamine from prefrontal cortical slices suggesting a role from intracellular calcium increase. In conclusion, part of the TsTX-induced release [3H] dopamine may be due to an effect of the toxin on the reversal of the dopamine transporter (DAT), but the majority of the toxin stimulated release of [3H] dopamine involves the mobilization of intracellular calcium stores.
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