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Castle ME, Flanigan ME. The role of brain serotonin signaling in excessive alcohol consumption and withdrawal: A call for more research in females. Neurobiol Stress 2024; 30:100618. [PMID: 38433994 PMCID: PMC10907856 DOI: 10.1016/j.ynstr.2024.100618] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/27/2023] [Revised: 02/01/2024] [Accepted: 02/14/2024] [Indexed: 03/05/2024] Open
Abstract
Alcohol Use Disorder (AUD) is a leading cause of death and disability worldwide, but current treatments are insufficient in fully addressing the symptoms that often lead to relapses in alcohol consumption. The brain's serotonin system has been implicated in AUD for decades and is a major regulator of stress-related behaviors associated with increased alcohol consumption. This review will discuss the current literature on the association between neurobiological adaptations in serotonin systems and AUD in humans as well as the effectiveness of serotonin receptor manipulations on alcohol-related behaviors like consumption and withdrawal. We will further discuss how these findings in humans relate to findings in animal models, including a comparison of systemic pharmacological manipulations modulating alcohol consumption. We next provide a detailed overview of brain region-specific roles for serotonin and serotonin receptor signaling in alcohol-related behaviors in preclinical animal models, highlighting the complexity of forming a cohesive model of serotonin function in AUD and providing possible avenues for more effective therapeutic intervention. Throughout the review, we discuss what is known about sex differences in the sequelae of AUD and the role of serotonin in these sequelae. We stress a critical need for additional studies in women and female animals so that we may build a clearer path to elucidating sex-specific serotonergic mechanisms and develop better treatments.
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Affiliation(s)
- Megan E. Castle
- Bowles Center for Alcohol Studies, University of North Carolina School of Medicine, Chapel Hill, NC, 27599, USA
| | - Meghan E. Flanigan
- Bowles Center for Alcohol Studies, University of North Carolina School of Medicine, Chapel Hill, NC, 27599, USA
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Mu KL, Li L, Chen Y, Zhang MJ, He TL, Li KM, Liu YC, Liu G. Analysis of Chemical Constituents of Miao Ethnomedicine Heiguteng Zhuifeng Huoluo Capsule (HZFC) and the Discovery of Active Substances in the Treatment of Rheumatoid Arthritis. ACS OMEGA 2024; 9:10860-10874. [PMID: 38463300 PMCID: PMC10918809 DOI: 10.1021/acsomega.3c09788] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/11/2023] [Revised: 02/08/2024] [Accepted: 02/09/2024] [Indexed: 03/12/2024]
Abstract
In this study, the chemical substances of Heiguteng Zhuifeng Huoluo Capsule (HZFC) and its potential active ingredients for the treatment of rheumatoid arthritis (RA) were characterized and analyzed by medicinal chemistry combined with bioinformatics methods. Also, the potential active ingredients of HZFC against RA were verified by lipopolysaccharide (LPS)-induced macrophage activation model. The results showed that 79 chemical constituents were successfully identified, mainly including phenylpropanoids, flavonoids, and alkaloids. Among them, 13 active components were closely related to the nine core targets (FASN, ALOX5, EGFR, MMP1, CYP2D6, CNR1, AR, MAOA, and FKBP5) of HZFC in the treatment of RA. Molecular docking further proved that 13 active components had strong docking activity with 9 core targets. In the verification experiment of the LPS-induced RAW 264.7 macrophage model, the verified components (magnoflorine, N-feruloyltyramine, canadine, rutin, quercetin-3-O-glucoside, and pseudocolumbamine) all showed a clear inhibitory effect on the secretion of inflammatory factors in model cells. The above research results suggest that 13 components such as stepharanine, rutin, quercetin-3-O-glucoside, corydine methyl ether, canadine, 8-oxoepiberberine, disinomenine, deosinomenine glucoside, tuduranine, magnoflorine, isosinomenine, pseudocolumbamine, and N-feruloyltyramine may be the main active substances of HZFC in the treatment of RA.
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Affiliation(s)
- Kai-lang Mu
- Guizhou University
of Traditional
Chinese Medicine, Guiyang 550025, Guizhou, China
| | - Lei Li
- Guizhou University
of Traditional
Chinese Medicine, Guiyang 550025, Guizhou, China
| | - Yun Chen
- Guizhou University
of Traditional
Chinese Medicine, Guiyang 550025, Guizhou, China
| | - Min-jie Zhang
- Guizhou University
of Traditional
Chinese Medicine, Guiyang 550025, Guizhou, China
| | - Tian-lin He
- Guizhou University
of Traditional
Chinese Medicine, Guiyang 550025, Guizhou, China
| | - Kai-min Li
- Guizhou University
of Traditional
Chinese Medicine, Guiyang 550025, Guizhou, China
| | - Yu-chen Liu
- Guizhou University
of Traditional
Chinese Medicine, Guiyang 550025, Guizhou, China
| | - Gang Liu
- Guizhou University
of Traditional
Chinese Medicine, Guiyang 550025, Guizhou, China
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Moreira-Júnior RE, Guimarães MADF, Etcheverria da Silva M, Maioli TU, Faria AMC, Brunialti-Godard AL. Animal model for high consumption and preference of ethanol and its interplay with high sugar and butter diet, behavior, and neuroimmune system. Front Nutr 2023; 10:1141655. [PMID: 37063320 PMCID: PMC10097969 DOI: 10.3389/fnut.2023.1141655] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/10/2023] [Accepted: 03/10/2023] [Indexed: 03/31/2023] Open
Abstract
IntroductionMechanisms that dictate the preference for ethanol and its addiction are not only restricted to the central nervous system (CNS). An increasing body of evidence has suggested that abusive ethanol consumption directly affects the immune system, which in turn interacts with the CNS, triggering neuronal responses and changes, resulting in dependence on the drug. It is known that neuroinflammation and greater immune system reactivity are observed in behavioral disorders and that these can regulate gene transcription. However, there is little information about these findings of the transcriptional profile of reward system genes in high consumption and alcohol preference. In this regard, there is a belief that, in the striatum, an integrating region of the brain reward system, the interaction of the immune response and the transcriptional profile of the Lrrk2 gene that is associated with loss of control and addiction to ethanol may influence the alcohol consumption and preference. Given this information, this study aimed to assess whether problematic alcohol consumption affects the transcriptional profile of the Lrrk2 gene, neuroinflammation, and behavior and whether these changes are interconnected.MethodsAn animal model developed by our research group has been used in which male C57BL/6 mice and knockouts for the Il6 and Nfat genes were subjected to a protocol of high fat and sugar diet intake and free choice of ethanol in the following stages: Stage 1 (T1)—Dietary treatment, for 8 weeks, in which the animals receive high-calorie diet, High Sugar and Butter (HSB group), or standard diet, American Institute of Nutrition 93-Growth (AIN93G group); and Stage 2 (T2)—Ethanol consumption, in which the animals are submitted, for 4 weeks, to alcohol within the free choice paradigm, being each of them divided into 10 groups, four groups continued with the same diet and in the other six the HSB diet is substituted by the AIN93G diet. Five groups had access to only water, while the five others had a free choice between water and a 10% ethanol solution. The weight of the animals was evaluated weekly and the consumption of water and ethanol daily. At the end of the 12-week experiment, anxiety-like behavior was evaluated by the light/dark box test; compulsive-like behavior by Marble burying, transcriptional regulation of genes Lrrk2, Tlr4, Nfat, Drd1, Drd2, Il6, Il1β, Il10, and iNOS by RT-qPCR; and inflammatory markers by flow cytometry. Animals that the diet was replaced had an ethanol high preference and consumption.Results and discussionWe observed that high consumption and preference for ethanol resulted in (1) elevation of inflammatory cells in the brain, (2) upregulation of genes associated with cytokines (Il6 and Il1β) and pro-inflammatory signals (iNOS and Nfat), downregulation of anti-inflammatory cytokine (Il10), dopamine receptor (Drd2), and the Lrrk2 gene in the striatum, and (3) behavioral changes such as decreased anxiety-like behavior, and increased compulsive-like behavior. Our findings suggest that interactions between the immune system, behavior, and transcriptional profile of the Lrrk2 gene influence the ethanol preferential and abusive consumption.
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Affiliation(s)
- Renato Elias Moreira-Júnior
- Laboratório de Genética Animal e Humana, Departamento de Genética, Ecologia e Evolução, Instituto de Ciências Biológicas, Universidade Federal de Minas Gerais, Belo Horizonte, Brazil
| | - Mauro Andrade de Freitas Guimarães
- Laboratório de Imunobiologia, Departamento de Bioquímica e Imunologia, Instituto de Ciências Biológicas, Universidade Federal de Minas Gerais, Belo Horizonte, Brazil
| | - Miguel Etcheverria da Silva
- Laboratório de Genética Animal e Humana, Departamento de Genética, Ecologia e Evolução, Instituto de Ciências Biológicas, Universidade Federal de Minas Gerais, Belo Horizonte, Brazil
| | - Tatiani Uceli Maioli
- Laboratório de Imunobiologia, Departamento de Bioquímica e Imunologia, Instituto de Ciências Biológicas, Universidade Federal de Minas Gerais, Belo Horizonte, Brazil
| | - Ana Maria Caetano Faria
- Laboratório de Imunobiologia, Departamento de Bioquímica e Imunologia, Instituto de Ciências Biológicas, Universidade Federal de Minas Gerais, Belo Horizonte, Brazil
| | - Ana Lúcia Brunialti-Godard
- Laboratório de Genética Animal e Humana, Departamento de Genética, Ecologia e Evolução, Instituto de Ciências Biológicas, Universidade Federal de Minas Gerais, Belo Horizonte, Brazil
- *Correspondence: Ana Lúcia Brunialti Godard,
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Teixeira GR, Martins OA, Kremer R, Veras ASC, Pinheiro PFF, Mello-Junior W, Martinez FE. Advances in the crosstalk between maternal separation and voluntary ethanol consumption and effects on reproduction. Life Sci 2022; 311:121173. [DOI: 10.1016/j.lfs.2022.121173] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/18/2022] [Revised: 10/29/2022] [Accepted: 11/07/2022] [Indexed: 11/15/2022]
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Vrettou M, Yan L, Nilsson KW, Wallén-Mackenzie Å, Nylander I, Comasco E. DNA methylation of Vesicular Glutamate Transporters in the mesocorticolimbic brain following early-life stress and adult ethanol exposure-an explorative study. Sci Rep 2021; 11:15322. [PMID: 34321562 PMCID: PMC8319394 DOI: 10.1038/s41598-021-94739-8] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/26/2021] [Accepted: 07/14/2021] [Indexed: 02/07/2023] Open
Abstract
DNA methylation and gene expression can be altered by early life stress (ELS) and/or ethanol consumption. The present study aimed to investigate whether DNA methylation of the Vesicular Glutamate Transporters (Vglut)1-3 is related to previously observed Vglut1-3 transcriptional differences in the ventral tegmental area (VTA), nucleus accumbens (Acb), dorsal striatum (dStr) and medial prefrontal cortex (mPFC) of adult rats exposed to ELS, modelled by maternal separation, and voluntary ethanol consumption. Targeted next-generation bisulfite sequencing was performed to identify the methylation levels on 61 5′-cytosine-phosphate-guanosine-3′ sites (CpGs) in potential regulatory regions of Vglut1, 53 for Vglut2, and 51 for Vglut3. In the VTA, ELS in ethanol-drinking rats was associated with Vglut1-2 CpG-specific hypomethylation, whereas bidirectional Vglut2 methylation differences at single CpGs were associated with ELS alone. Exposure to both ELS and ethanol, in the Acb, was associated with lower promoter and higher intronic Vglut3 methylation; and in the dStr, with higher and lower methylation in 26% and 43% of the analyzed Vglut1 CpGs, respectively. In the mPFC, lower Vglut2 methylation was observed upon exposure to ELS or ethanol. The present findings suggest Vglut1-3 CpG-specific methylation signatures of ELS and ethanol drinking, underlying previously reported Vglut1-3 transcriptional differences in the mesocorticolimbic brain.
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Affiliation(s)
- Maria Vrettou
- Department of Neuroscience, Science for Life Laboratory, Uppsala University, Uppsala, Sweden
| | | | - Kent W Nilsson
- Centre for Clinical Research Västerås, Uppsala University, Västmanland County Hospital Västerås, Uppsala, Sweden.,The School of Health, Care and Social Welfare, Mälardalen University, Västerås, Sweden
| | | | - Ingrid Nylander
- Department of Pharmaceutical Biosciences, Uppsala University, Uppsala, Sweden
| | - Erika Comasco
- Department of Neuroscience, Science for Life Laboratory, Uppsala University, Uppsala, Sweden.
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Lundberg S, Nylander I, Roman E. Behavioral Profiling in Early Adolescence and Early Adulthood of Male Wistar Rats After Short and Prolonged Maternal Separation. Front Behav Neurosci 2020; 14:37. [PMID: 32265671 PMCID: PMC7096550 DOI: 10.3389/fnbeh.2020.00037] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/05/2019] [Accepted: 02/21/2020] [Indexed: 11/13/2022] Open
Abstract
Early-life stress and its possible correlations to genes, environment, and later health outcomes can only be studied retrospectively in humans. Animal models enable the exploration of such connections with prospective, well-controlled study designs. However, with the recent awareness of replicability issues in preclinical research, the reproducibility of results from animal models has been highlighted. The present study aims to reproduce the behavioral effects of maternal separation (MS) previously observed in the multivariate concentric square fieldTM (MCSF) test. A second objective was to replicate the adolescent behavioral profiles previously described in the MCSF test. Male rats, subjected to short or prolonged MS or standard rearing, were subjected to behavioral testing in early adolescence and early adulthood. As seen in previous studies, the behavioral effects of MS in the MCSF were small at both tested time points. When tested in early adolescence, the animals exhibited a similar behavioral profile as previously seen, and the finding of adolescent behavioral types was also reproduced. The distribution of animals into the behavioral types was different than in the initial study, but in a manner consistent with developmental theories, as the current cohort was younger than the previous. Notably, the Shelter seeker behavioral type persisted through development, while the Explorer type did not. The lack of basal behavioral effect after MS is in line with the literature on this MS paradigm; the working hypothesis is that the prolonged MS gives rise to a phenotype predisposed to negative health outcomes but which is not apparent without additional provocation.
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Affiliation(s)
- Stina Lundberg
- Research Group Neuropharmacology, Addiction and Behavior, Department of Pharmaceutical Biosciences, Uppsala University, Uppsala, Sweden
| | - Ingrid Nylander
- Research Group Neuropharmacology, Addiction and Behavior, Department of Pharmaceutical Biosciences, Uppsala University, Uppsala, Sweden
| | - Erika Roman
- Research Group Neuropharmacology, Addiction and Behavior, Department of Pharmaceutical Biosciences, Uppsala University, Uppsala, Sweden.,Division of Anatomy and Physiology, Department of Anatomy, Physiology and Biochemistry, Swedish University of Agricultural Sciences, Uppsala, Sweden
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Odeon MM, Acosta GB. Repeated maternal separation: Alcohol consumption, anxious behavior and corticosterone were reversed by a non-pharmacological treatment. Prog Neuropsychopharmacol Biol Psychiatry 2019; 95:109726. [PMID: 31386878 DOI: 10.1016/j.pnpbp.2019.109726] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/15/2019] [Revised: 07/25/2019] [Accepted: 07/28/2019] [Indexed: 02/03/2023]
Abstract
Adverse events in early life have been related to a maladaptive stress response during adulthood, which could predispose individuals to psychiatric and physiological disorders. The purpose of this work was to study the implications of repeated maternal separation (RMS) plus a physical stressor (cold stress), voluntary ethanol consumption and plasmatic levels of corticosterone (Cor) via conflict behavior tests. To this aim, pups were separated daily from their mothers for one hour and subjected to cold stress (4 °C) between postnatal days (PD) 2 and 20. Control groups were left undisturbed with their mothers. Afterwards, all groups were exposed to voluntary ethanol (6%) or dextrose (1%) intake for 7 days. After a 30-day period of environmental enrichment (EE), the animals were again exposed to the voluntary intake protocol for 7 days. At 66 days, they were subjected to different conflict tests. Thereafter, rats were sacrificed by decapitation and blood trunk was collected to determine plasma corticosterone levels. We demonstrated that early RMS increased both voluntary alcohol intake and Cor levels. Moreover, young adult animals showed excessive activity in conflict tests. Whereas in animals exposed to a non-pharmacological treatment, known as environmental enrichment (EE), the effects previously obtained were reversed and/or prevented. In summary, we can conclude that the combination of maternal separation in early life plus cold stress increase both the voluntary exposure to alcohol and disruptive behaviors. This is a risk factor for the development of chronic diseases such as alcoholism and long-term depression. However, we found that an enriched environment may have a beneficial effect with respect to alcohol intake and aggressive behaviors.
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Affiliation(s)
- María Mercedes Odeon
- Instituto de Investigaciones Farmacológicas (ININFA), Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas (CONICET), Facultad de Farmacia y Bioquímica, Universidad de Buenos Aires (UBA), Junín 956, 5° floor, Ciudad Autónoma de Buenos Aires C1113AAD, Argentina.
| | - Gabriela Beatriz Acosta
- Instituto de Investigaciones Farmacológicas (ININFA), Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas (CONICET), Facultad de Farmacia y Bioquímica, Universidad de Buenos Aires (UBA), Junín 956, 5° floor, Ciudad Autónoma de Buenos Aires C1113AAD, Argentina.
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8
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Bendre M, Granholm L, Drennan R, Meyer A, Yan L, Nilsson KW, Nylander I, Comasco E. Early life stress and voluntary alcohol consumption in relation to Maoa methylation in male rats. Alcohol 2019; 79:7-16. [PMID: 30414913 DOI: 10.1016/j.alcohol.2018.11.001] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/09/2018] [Revised: 10/30/2018] [Accepted: 11/01/2018] [Indexed: 01/22/2023]
Abstract
Early life stress (ELS) or alcohol consumption can influence DNA methylation and affect gene expression. Monoamine oxidase A (Maoa) encodes the enzyme that metabolizes monoaminergic neurotransmitters crucial for the stress response, alcohol reward, and reinforcement. Previously, we reported lower Maoa expression in the nucleus accumbens and dorsal striatum of male rats exposed to ELS during the first three postnatal weeks, and to voluntary alcohol consumption in adulthood, compared with controls. The present study continued to investigate the effect of ELS and alcohol consumption on Maoa methylation, and its relation to Maoa expression in these animals. We selected candidate CpGs after performing next-generation bisulfite sequencing of the Maoa promoter, intron 1-5, and exons 5 and 6, together composed of 107 CpGs (5'-cytosine-phosphate-guanosine-3'), in a subgroup of rats. Pyrosequencing was used to analyze the methylation of 10 candidate CpGs in the promoter and intron 1 in the entire sample. ELS and alcohol displayed an interactive effect on CpG-specific methylation in the dorsal striatum. CpG-specific methylation correlated with Maoa expression, corticosterone levels, and alcohol consumption in a brain region-specific manner. CpG-specific methylation in the Maoa promoter was a potential moderator of the interaction of ELS with alcohol consumption on Maoa expression in the NAc. However, the findings were sparse, did not survive correction for multiple testing, and the magnitude of differences in methylation levels was small. In conclusion, CpG-specific Maoa methylation in the promoter and intron 1 may associate with ELS, alcohol consumption, and Maoa expression in reward-related brain regions.
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Bendre M, Comasco E, Checknita D, Tiihonen J, Hodgins S, Nilsson KW. Associations Between MAOA-uVNTR Genotype, Maltreatment, MAOA Methylation, and Alcohol Consumption in Young Adult Males. Alcohol Clin Exp Res 2018; 42:508-519. [PMID: 29222910 DOI: 10.1111/acer.13578] [Citation(s) in RCA: 12] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/28/2017] [Accepted: 12/04/2017] [Indexed: 12/28/2022]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Epigenetic mechanisms are candidate moderators of the effect of maltreatment on brain and behavior. Interactions between maltreatment and the monoamine oxidase A upstream variable number tandem repeat genotype (MAOA-uVNTR) are associated with alcohol-related problems. However, presently it is not known whether DNA methylation moderates this association. The study focused on 53 young adult males and aimed to determine whether MAOA methylation moderated the association of alcohol-related problems with the interaction of MAOA-uVNTR and maltreatment, and whether alcohol consumption moderated the association of MAOA methylation with the interaction of MAOA-uVNTR and maltreatment. METHODS MAOA-uVNTR genotypes with ≤ 3 and > 3 repeats were categorized as short (S) and long (L), respectively. Data on maltreatment were obtained retrospectively, using self-reported questionnaires. DNA methylation of 16 candidate CpGs within part of the MAOA first exon and intron was assessed and grouped based on principal component analyses. Alcohol-related problems were assessed using the Alcohol Use Disorders Identification Test (AUDIT). Alcohol consumption was measured using AUDIT-C. Moderation effects were assessed and probed using the moderated moderation model and Johnson-Neyman's method, respectively. RESULTS Carriers of the S allele, who experienced maltreatment and displayed lower Component 1 (mean of CpGs 13-16 in the first intron) MAOA methylation levels, reported higher AUDIT score in contrast to L-allele carriers. Carriers of the S allele, who reported higher AUDIT-C score and experienced maltreatment, displayed lower Component 3 (mean of CpGs 2-6 in the first exon) MAOA methylation levels than L-allele carriers. CONCLUSIONS Intronic methylation moderated the association of alcohol-related problems with the interaction of MAOA-uVNTR and maltreatment. Alcohol consumption moderated the association of exonic methylation with the interaction of MAOA-uVNTR and maltreatment. These results suggest that epigenetic factors as well as genotype and maltreatment play a role in the development of alcohol misuse among young adult males.
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Affiliation(s)
- Megha Bendre
- Department of Neuroscienc, Uppsala University, Uppsala, Sweden.,Centre for Clinical Research, Uppsala University, County Hospital, Västerås, Sweden
| | - Erika Comasco
- Department of Neuroscienc, Uppsala University, Uppsala, Sweden
| | - Dave Checknita
- Department of Neuroscienc, Uppsala University, Uppsala, Sweden.,Centre for Clinical Research, Uppsala University, County Hospital, Västerås, Sweden.,Department of Clinical Neuroscience, Karolinska Institutet, Stockholm, Sweden
| | - Jari Tiihonen
- Centre for Psychiatry Research, Karolinska Institutet, Stockholm, Sweden
| | - Sheilagh Hodgins
- Institut Universitaire en Santé Mentale de Montréal, Université de Montréal, Montréal, Canada
| | - Kent W Nilsson
- Centre for Clinical Research, Uppsala University, County Hospital, Västerås, Sweden
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Lee RS, Oswald LM, Wand GS. Early Life Stress as a Predictor of Co-Occurring Alcohol Use Disorder and Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder. Alcohol Res 2018; 39:147-159. [PMID: 31198654 PMCID: PMC6561395] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Download PDF] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/25/2022] Open
Abstract
During the critical developmental periods of childhood when neural plasticity is high, exposure to early life stress (ELS) or trauma may lead to enduring changes in physiological stress systems and enhanced vulnerability for psychopathological conditions such as post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) and alcohol use disorder (AUD) in adulthood. Clinical and preclinical studies have sought to understand the possible mechanisms linking ELS, PTSD, and AUD. Preclinical studies have employed animal models of stress to recapitulate PTSD-like behavioral deficits and alcohol dependence, providing a basic framework for identifying common physiological mechanisms that may underlie these disorders. Clinical studies have documented ELS-related endocrine dysregulation and genetic variations associated with PTSD and AUD, as well as disruption in crucial neural circuitry throughout the corticomesolimbic region. Despite limitations and challenges, both types of studies have implicated three interrelated mechanisms: hypothalamic pituitary adrenal (HPA) axis and glucocorticoid signaling dysregulation, genetics, and epigenetics. ELS exposure leads to disruption of HPA axis function and glucocorticoid signaling, both of which affect homeostatic cortisol levels. However, individual response to ELS depends on genetic variations at specific genes that moderate HPA axis and brain function, thus influencing susceptibility or resilience to psychopathologies. Epigenetic-influenced pathways also are emerging as a powerful force in helping to create the PTSD and AUD phenotypes. Dysregulation of the HPA axis has an epigenetic effect on genes that regulate the HPA axis itself, as well as on brain-specific processes such as neurodevelopment and neurotransmitter regulation. These studies are only beginning to elucidate the underpinnings of ELS, PTSD, and AUD. Larger human cohorts, identification of additional genetic determinants, and better animal models capable of recapitulating the symptoms of PTSD and AUD are needed.
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de Almeida Magalhães T, Correia D, de Carvalho LM, Damasceno S, Brunialti Godard AL. Maternal separation affects expression of stress response genes and increases vulnerability to ethanol consumption. Brain Behav 2018; 8:e00841. [PMID: 29568676 PMCID: PMC5853632 DOI: 10.1002/brb3.841] [Citation(s) in RCA: 34] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/05/2017] [Revised: 08/21/2017] [Accepted: 09/01/2017] [Indexed: 12/21/2022] Open
Abstract
INTRODUCTION Maternal separation is an early life stress event associated with behavioral alterations and ethanol consumption. We aimed to expand the current understanding on the molecular mechanisms mediating the impact of postnatal stress on ethanol consumption. METHODS In the first experiment (T1), some of the pups were separated from their mothers for 6 hr daily (Maternal Separation group - MS), whereas the other pups remained in the cage with their respective mothers (Control group - C). In the second experiment (T2), mice from both groups were subjected to the model of free-choice between water and sucrose solution or between water and ethanol solution. Maternal behavior was assessed at the end of T1. At the end of both T1 and T2, pups were subjected to the light/dark box behavioral test and blood corticosterone concentrations were analyzed. RESULTS Our maternal separation protocol led to intense maternal care and affected weight gain of the animals. The expression of stress response genes was altered with higher levels of Crh and Pomc being observed in the hypothalamus, and higher levels of Crhr1, Crhr2, Htr2a and lower levels of Nr3c1 and Htr1a being observed in the hippocampus after T1. At the end of T2, we observed higher levels of Avp and Pomc in the hypothalamus, and higher levels of Crhr1, Crhr2, Nr3c1, Slc6a4, Bdnf and lower levels of Htr1a in the hippocampus. Additionally, maternal separation increased vulnerability to ethanol consumption during adolescence and induced changes in anxiety/stress-related behavior after T2. Furthermore, voluntary ethanol consumption attenuated stress response and modified expression of reward system genes: enhancing Drd1 and Drd2, and reducing Gabbr2 in the striatum. CONCLUSION Maternal separation induced behavioral changes and alterations in the expression of key genes involved in HPA axis and in the serotonergic and reward systems that are likely to increase vulnerability to ethanol consumption in adolescence. We demonstrated, for the first time, that ethanol consumption masked stress response by reducing the activity of the HPA axis and the serotonergic system, therefore, suggesting that adolescent mice from the MS group probably consumed ethanol for stress relieving purposes.
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Affiliation(s)
- Taciani de Almeida Magalhães
- Laboratório de Genética Animal e Humana Departamento de Biologia Geral Universidade Federal de Minas Gerais Belo Horizonte MG Brazil
| | - Diego Correia
- Laboratório de Genética Animal e Humana Departamento de Biologia Geral Universidade Federal de Minas Gerais Belo Horizonte MG Brazil
| | - Luana Martins de Carvalho
- Laboratório de Genética Animal e Humana Departamento de Biologia Geral Universidade Federal de Minas Gerais Belo Horizonte MG Brazil
| | - Samara Damasceno
- Laboratório de Genética Animal e Humana Departamento de Biologia Geral Universidade Federal de Minas Gerais Belo Horizonte MG Brazil
| | - Ana Lúcia Brunialti Godard
- Laboratório de Genética Animal e Humana Departamento de Biologia Geral Universidade Federal de Minas Gerais Belo Horizonte MG Brazil
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Granholm L, Todkar A, Bergman S, Nilsson K, Comasco E, Nylander I. The expression of opioid genes in non-classical reward areas depends on early life conditions and ethanol intake. Brain Res 2017; 1668:36-45. [PMID: 28511993 DOI: 10.1016/j.brainres.2017.05.006] [Citation(s) in RCA: 17] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/25/2016] [Revised: 04/21/2017] [Accepted: 05/08/2017] [Indexed: 12/28/2022]
Abstract
The young brain is highly sensitive to environmental influences that can cause long-term changes in neuronal function, possibly through altered gene expression. The endogenous opioid system continues to mature after birth and because of its involvement in reward, an inadequate maturation of this system could lead to enhanced susceptibility for alcohol use disorder. Recent studies show that the classical reward areas nucleus accumbens and ventral tegmental area are less affected by early life stress whereas endogenous opioids in non-classical areas, e.g. dorsal striatum and amygdala, are highly responsive. The aim was to investigate the interaction between early life conditions and adult voluntary ethanol intake on opioid gene expression. Male Wistar rats were exposed to conventional rearing, 15, or 360min of daily maternal separation (MS) postnatal day 1-21, and randomly assigned to ethanol or water drinking postnatal week 10-16. Rats exposed to early life stress (MS360) had increased opioid receptor gene (Oprm1, Oprd1 and Oprk1) expression in the dorsal striatum. Ethanol drinking was associated with lower striatal Oprd1 and Oprk1 expression solely in rats exposed to early life stress. Furthermore, rats exposed to early life stress had high inherent Pomc expression in the amygdala but low expression after ethanol intake. Thus, adverse events early in life induced changes in opioid gene expression and also influenced the central molecular response to ethanol intake. These long-term consequences of early life stress can contribute to the enhanced risk for excessive ethanol intake and alcohol use disorder seen after exposure to childhood adversity.
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Affiliation(s)
- Linnea Granholm
- Neuropharmacology, Addiction and Behaviour, Dept. Pharmaceutical Biosciences, Uppsala University, Uppsala, Sweden.
| | - Aniruddah Todkar
- Neuropsychopharmacology, Dept. Neuroscience, Uppsala University, Uppsala, Sweden.
| | - Sofia Bergman
- Neuropsychopharmacology, Dept. Neuroscience, Uppsala University, Uppsala, Sweden.
| | - Kent Nilsson
- Västerås Centre for Clinical Research, Uppsala University, Uppsala, Sweden.
| | - Erika Comasco
- Neuropsychopharmacology, Dept. Neuroscience, Uppsala University, Uppsala, Sweden.
| | - Ingrid Nylander
- Neuropharmacology, Addiction and Behaviour, Dept. Pharmaceutical Biosciences, Uppsala University, Uppsala, Sweden.
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13
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Pastor V, Antonelli MC, Pallarés ME. Unravelling the Link Between Prenatal Stress, Dopamine and Substance Use Disorder. Neurotox Res 2016; 31:169-186. [DOI: 10.1007/s12640-016-9674-9] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/27/2016] [Revised: 09/19/2016] [Accepted: 09/23/2016] [Indexed: 12/21/2022]
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14
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Nylander I, Todkar A, Granholm L, Vrettou M, Bendre M, Boon W, Andershed H, Tuvblad C, Nilsson KW, Comasco E. Evidence for a Link Between Fkbp5/FKBP5, Early Life Social Relations and Alcohol Drinking in Young Adult Rats and Humans. Mol Neurobiol 2016; 54:6225-6234. [PMID: 27709495 PMCID: PMC5583263 DOI: 10.1007/s12035-016-0157-z] [Citation(s) in RCA: 16] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/21/2016] [Accepted: 09/22/2016] [Indexed: 01/10/2023]
Abstract
Alcohol misuse has been linked to dysregulation of stress, emotion, and reward brain circuitries. A candidate key mediator of this association is the FK506-binding protein (FKBP5), a negative regulator of the glucocorticoid receptor. The aim of the present study was to further understand the Fkbp5/FKBP5-related genetic underpinnings underlying the relationship between early life social relations and alcohol drinking. The effect of maternal separation and voluntary alcohol drinking on Fkbp5 expression was investigated in the brain of young adult rats, whereas the interaction effect of the functional FKBP5 single nucleotide polymorphism rs1360780 genotype and parent-child relationship on problematic drinking was examined in young adult humans. In rats, Fkbp5 expression in the nucleus accumbens and ventral tegmental area, core regions of the reward system, was affected in a region-dependent manner and in opposite direction by maternal separation and alcohol drinking. Fkbp5 expression in the cingulate cortex was affected by the combined effect of maternal separation and alcohol drinking. In humans, the TT genotype, in the presence of a poor relationship between the child and parents, was associated with problematic drinking behavior. The present findings suggest that Fkbp5 expression in mesocorticolimbic dopaminergic regions associates with early life stress-mediated sensitivity to alcohol drinking and that FKBP5 genotype interacts with parent-child relationship to influence alcohol drinking. These findings are the first to point to a role of FKBP5 in propensity to alcohol misuse and call for studies of the underlying molecular mechanisms to identify potential drug targets.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ingrid Nylander
- Department of Pharmaceutical Bioscience, Uppsala University, Box 591, SE-75124, Uppsala, Sweden
| | - Aniruddha Todkar
- Department of Neuroscience, Uppsala University, Box 593, SE-75124, Uppsala, Sweden
| | - Linnea Granholm
- Department of Pharmaceutical Bioscience, Uppsala University, Box 591, SE-75124, Uppsala, Sweden
| | - Maria Vrettou
- Department of Neuroscience, Uppsala University, Box 593, SE-75124, Uppsala, Sweden
| | - Megha Bendre
- Department of Neuroscience, Uppsala University, Box 593, SE-75124, Uppsala, Sweden
| | - Wout Boon
- Department of Neuroscience, Uppsala University, Box 593, SE-75124, Uppsala, Sweden
| | - Henrik Andershed
- School of Law, Psychology and Social Work, Örebro University, SE-70182, Örebro, Sweden
| | - Catherine Tuvblad
- School of Law, Psychology and Social Work, Örebro University, SE-70182, Örebro, Sweden
- Department of Psychology, University of Southern California, 3620 S. McClintock Ave, Los Angeles, CA, 90089-1061, USA
| | - Kent W Nilsson
- Centre for Clinical Research, Västerås Central Hospital, SE-72189, Västerås, Sweden
| | - Erika Comasco
- Department of Neuroscience, Uppsala University, Box 593, SE-75124, Uppsala, Sweden.
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15
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Todkar A, Granholm L, Aljumah M, Nilsson KW, Comasco E, Nylander I. HPA Axis Gene Expression and DNA Methylation Profiles in Rats Exposed to Early Life Stress, Adult Voluntary Ethanol Drinking and Single Housing. Front Mol Neurosci 2016; 8:90. [PMID: 26858597 PMCID: PMC4726785 DOI: 10.3389/fnmol.2015.00090] [Citation(s) in RCA: 19] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/13/2015] [Accepted: 12/24/2015] [Indexed: 11/24/2022] Open
Abstract
The neurobiological basis of early life stress (ELS) impact on vulnerability to alcohol use disorder is not fully understood. The effect of ELS, adult ethanol consumption and single housing, on expression of stress and DNA methylation regulatory genes as well as blood corticosterone levels was investigated in the hypothalamus and pituitary of adult out-bred Wistar rats subjected to different rearing conditions. A prolonged maternal separation (MS) of 360 min (MS360) was used to study the effect of ELS, and a short MS of 15 min (MS15) was used as a control. Voluntary ethanol drinking was assessed using a two-bottle free choice paradigm to simulate human episodic drinking. The effects of single housing and ethanol were assessed in conventional animal facility rearing (AFR) conditions. Single housing in adulthood was associated with lower Crhr1 and higher Pomc expression in the pituitary, whereas ethanol drinking was associated with higher expression of Crh in the hypothalamus and Crhr1 in the pituitary, accompanied by lower corticosterone levels. As compared to controls with similar early life handling, rats exposed to ELS displayed lower expression of Pomc in the hypothalamus, and higher Dnmt1 expression in the pituitary. Voluntary ethanol drinking resulted in lower Fkbp5 expression in the pituitary and higher Crh expression in the hypothalamus, independently of rearing conditions. In rats exposed to ELS, water and ethanol drinking was associated with higher and lower corticosterone levels, respectively. The use of conventionally reared rats as control group yielded more significant results than the use of rats exposed to short MS. Positive correlations, restricted to the hypothalamus and ELS group, were observed between the expression of the hypothalamus-pituitary-adrenal receptor and the methylation-related genes. Promoter DNA methylation and expression of respective genes did not correlate suggesting that other loci are involved in transcriptional regulation. Concluding, single housing is a confounding factor to be considered in voluntary ethanol drinking paradigms. ELS and ethanol drinking in adulthood exert independent effects on hypothalamic and pituitary related genes, however, in a manner dependent on the control group used.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Linnea Granholm
- Department of Pharmaceutical Bioscience, Uppsala University Uppsala, Sweden
| | - Mujtaba Aljumah
- Department of Neuroscience, Uppsala University Uppsala, Sweden
| | - Kent W Nilsson
- Centre for Clinical Research, Västerås Central Hospital, Uppsala University Uppsala, Sweden
| | - Erika Comasco
- Department of Neuroscience, Uppsala University Uppsala, Sweden
| | - Ingrid Nylander
- Department of Pharmaceutical Bioscience, Uppsala University Uppsala, Sweden
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