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Rezaiezadeh H, Langarizadeh MA, Tavakoli MR, Sabokro M, Banazadeh M, Kohlmeier KA, Shabani M. Therapeutic potential of Bergenin in the management of neurological-based diseases and disorders. NAUNYN-SCHMIEDEBERG'S ARCHIVES OF PHARMACOLOGY 2024:10.1007/s00210-024-03197-2. [PMID: 38850305 DOI: 10.1007/s00210-024-03197-2] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/16/2024] [Accepted: 05/28/2024] [Indexed: 06/10/2024]
Abstract
Originally sourced from plants, Bergenin has been used as a medicinal compound in traditional medicine for centuries, and anecdotal reports suggest a wide range of therapeutic uses. Naturally-occurring and lab-synthesized Bergenin, as well as some of its related compounds, have been shown in in vivo and in vitro studies to alter activity of several enzymes and proteins critical in cellular functioning, including reelin, GSK-3β, Lingo-1, Ten-4, GP-43, Aβ 1-42, P-tau, SOD1,2, GPx, Glx1, NQO1, HO1, PPAR-ɣ, BDNF, VEGF, and STAT6. Additionally, Bergenin alters levels of several cytokines, such as IL-6, IL-1β, TNF-α, and TGF-β. Behavioral and cellular effects of Bergenin have been shown to involve PI3K/Akt, NF-κB, PKC, Nrf2, and Sirt1/FOXO3a pathways. These pathways, enzymes, and proteins have been shown to be important in normal neurological functioning, and/or dysfunctions in these pathways and proteins have been shown to be important in several neuro-based disorders or diseases, which suggests that Bergenin could be therapeutic in management of neuropsychiatric conditions or neurological disorders. In preclinical studies, Bergenin has been shown to be useful for the management of Alzheimer's disease, Parkinson's disease, anxiety, depression, addiction, epilepsy, insomnia, stroke, and potentially, state control. Our review aims to summarize current evidence supporting the conclusion that Bergenin could play a role in treating various neuro-based disorders and that future studies should be conducted to evaluate the mechanisms by which Bergenin could exert its therapeutic effects.
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Affiliation(s)
- Hojjat Rezaiezadeh
- Department of Medicinal Chemistry, School of Pharmacy, Shiraz University of Medical Sciences, P.O. Box, Shiraz, 71345-1583, Iran
| | - Mohammad Amin Langarizadeh
- Department of Medicinal Chemistry, Faculty of Pharmacy and Pharmaceutics Research Center, Kerman University of Medical Sciences, Kerman, Iran
| | - Marziye Ranjbar Tavakoli
- Department of Medicinal Chemistry, Faculty of Pharmacy and Pharmaceutics Research Center, Kerman University of Medical Sciences, Kerman, Iran
| | - Mohammad Sabokro
- Neuroscience Research Center, Neuropharmacology Institute, Kerman University of Medical Sciences, Kerman, Iran
| | - Mohammad Banazadeh
- Pharmaceutical Sciences and Cosmetic Products Research Center, Kerman University of Medical Sciences, Kerman, Iran
| | - Kristi A Kohlmeier
- Department of Drug Design and Pharmacology, Faculty of Health Sciences, University of Copenhagen, Copenhagen, Denmark
| | - Mohammad Shabani
- Neuroscience Research Center, Neuropharmacology Institute, Kerman University of Medical Sciences, Kerman, Iran.
- Student Research Committee, Kerman University of Medical Sciences, Kerman, Iran.
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Rafi H, Rafiq H, Farhan M. Pharmacological profile of agmatine: An in-depth overview. Neuropeptides 2024; 105:102429. [PMID: 38608401 DOI: 10.1016/j.npep.2024.102429] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/12/2023] [Revised: 03/14/2024] [Accepted: 04/01/2024] [Indexed: 04/14/2024]
Abstract
Agmatine, a naturally occurring polyamine derived from arginine via arginine decarboxylase, has been shown to play multifaceted roles in the mammalian body, impacting a wide range of physiological and pathological processes. This comprehensive review delineates the significant insights into agmatine's pharmacological profile, emphasizing its structure and metabolism, neurotransmission and regulation, and pharmacokinetics and function. Agmatine's biosynthesis is highly conserved across species, highlighting its fundamental role in cellular functions. In the brain, comparable to established neurotransmitters, agmatine acts as a neuromodulator, influencing the regulation, metabolism, and reabsorption of neurotransmitters that are key to mood disorders, learning, cognition, and the management of anxiety and depression. Beyond its neuromodulatory functions, agmatine exhibits protective effects across various cellular and systemic contexts, including neuroprotection, nephroprotection, cardioprotection, and cytoprotection, suggesting a broad therapeutic potential. The review explores agmatine's interaction with multiple receptor systems, including NMDA, α2-adrenoceptors, and imidazoline receptors, elucidating its role in enhancing cell viability, neuronal protection, and synaptic plasticity. Such interactions underpin agmatine's potential in treating neurological diseases and mood disorders, among other conditions. Furthermore, agmatine's pharmacokinetics, including its absorption, distribution, metabolism, and excretion, are discussed, underlining the complexity of its action and the potential for therapeutic application. The safety and efficacy of agmatine supplementation, demonstrated through various animal and human studies, affirm its potential as a beneficial therapeutic agent. Conclusively, the diverse physiological and therapeutic effects of agmatine, spanning neurotransmission, protection against cellular damage, and modulation of various receptor pathways, position it as a promising candidate for further research and clinical application. This review underscores the imperative for continued exploration into agmatine's mechanisms of action and its potential in pharmacology and medicine, promising advances in the treatment of numerous conditions.
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Affiliation(s)
- Hira Rafi
- Feinberg School of Medicine, Northwestern University, Chicago, IL, USA; Department of Biochemistry, University of Karachi, Pakistan.
| | - Hamna Rafiq
- Department of Biochemistry, University of Karachi, Pakistan
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Katariya RA, Sammeta SS, Kale MB, Kotagale NR, Umekar MJ, Taksande BG. Agmatine as a novel intervention for Alzheimer's disease: Pathological insights and cognitive benefits. Ageing Res Rev 2024; 96:102269. [PMID: 38479477 DOI: 10.1016/j.arr.2024.102269] [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: 01/17/2024] [Revised: 03/01/2024] [Accepted: 03/08/2024] [Indexed: 03/24/2024]
Abstract
Alzheimer's disease (AD) is a devastating neurodegenerative disorder characterized by progressive cognitive decline and a significant societal burden. Despite extensive research and efforts of the multidisciplinary scientific community, to date, there is no cure for this debilitating disease. Moreover, the existing pharmacotherapy for AD only provides symptomatic support and does not modify the course of the illness or halt the disease progression. This is a significant limitation as the underlying pathology of the disease continues to progress leading to the deterioration of cognitive functions over time. In this milieu, there is a growing need for the development of new and more efficacious treatments for AD. Agmatine, a naturally occurring molecule derived from L-arginine, has emerged as a potential therapeutic agent for AD. Besides this, agmatine has been shown to modulate amyloid beta (Aβ) production, aggregation, and clearance, key processes implicated in AD pathogenesis. It also exerts neuroprotective effects, modulates neurotransmitter systems, enhances synaptic plasticity, and stimulates neurogenesis. Furthermore, preclinical and clinical studies have provided evidence supporting the cognition-enhancing effects of agmatine in AD. Therefore, this review article explores the promising role of agmatine in AD pathology and cognitive function. However, several limitations and challenges exist, including the need for large-scale clinical trials, optimal dosing, and treatment duration. Future research should focus on mechanistic investigations, biomarker studies, and personalized medicine approaches to fully understand and optimize the therapeutic potential of agmatine. Augmenting the use of agmatine may offer a novel approach to address the unmet medical need in AD and provide cognitive enhancement and disease modification for individuals affected by this disease.
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Affiliation(s)
- Raj A Katariya
- Smt. Kishoritai Bhoyar College of Pharmacy, Kamptee, Nagpur, Maharashtra 441002, India
| | - Shivkumar S Sammeta
- Smt. Kishoritai Bhoyar College of Pharmacy, Kamptee, Nagpur, Maharashtra 441002, India
| | - Mayur B Kale
- Smt. Kishoritai Bhoyar College of Pharmacy, Kamptee, Nagpur, Maharashtra 441002, India
| | - Nandkishor R Kotagale
- Government College of Pharmacy, Kathora Naka, VMV Road, Amravati, Maharashtra 444604, India
| | - Milind J Umekar
- Smt. Kishoritai Bhoyar College of Pharmacy, Kamptee, Nagpur, Maharashtra 441002, India
| | - Brijesh G Taksande
- Smt. Kishoritai Bhoyar College of Pharmacy, Kamptee, Nagpur, Maharashtra 441002, India.
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Churchill CC, Peterson CD, Kitto KF, Pflepsen KR, Belur LR, McIvor RS, Vulchanova L, Wilcox GL, Fairbanks CA. Adeno-associated virus-mediated gene transfer of arginine decarboxylase to the central nervous system prevents opioid analgesic tolerance. FRONTIERS IN PAIN RESEARCH 2024; 4:1269017. [PMID: 38405182 PMCID: PMC10884299 DOI: 10.3389/fpain.2023.1269017] [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: 07/28/2023] [Accepted: 12/19/2023] [Indexed: 02/27/2024] Open
Abstract
Agmatine, a decarboxylated form of L-arginine, prevents opioid analgesic tolerance, dependence, and self-administration when given by both central and systemic routes of administration. Endogenous agmatine has been previously detected in the central nervous system. The presence of a biochemical pathway for agmatine synthesis offers the opportunity for site-specific overexpression of the presumptive synthetic enzyme for local therapeutic effects. In the present study, we evaluated the development of opioid analgesic tolerance in ICR-CD1 mice pre-treated with either vehicle control or intrathecally delivered adeno-associated viral vectors (AAV) carrying the gene for human arginine decarboxylase (hADC). Vehicle-treated or AAV-hADC-treated mice were each further divided into two groups which received repeated delivery over three days of either saline or systemically-delivered morphine intended to induce opioid analgesic tolerance. Morphine analgesic dose-response curves were constructed in all subjects on day four using the warm water tail flick assay as the dependent measure. We observed that pre-treatment with AAV-hADC prevented the development of analgesic tolerance to morphine. Peripheral and central nervous system tissues were collected and analyzed for presence of hADC mRNA. In a similar experiment, AAV-hADC pre-treatment prevented the development of analgesic tolerance to a high dose of the opioid neuropeptide endomorphin-2. Intrathecal delivery of anti-agmatine IgG (but not normal IgG) reversed the inhibition of endomorphin-2 analgesic tolerance in AAV-hADC-treated mice. To summarize, we report here the effects of AAV-mediated gene transfer of human ADC (hADC) in models of opioid-induced analgesic tolerance. This study suggests that gene therapy may contribute to reducing opioid analgesic tolerance.
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Affiliation(s)
- Caroline C. Churchill
- Department of Experimental and Clinical Pharmacology, University of Minnesota, Minneapolis, MN, United States
| | - Cristina D. Peterson
- Department of Experimental and Clinical Pharmacology, University of Minnesota, Minneapolis, MN, United States
- Department of Neuroscience, University of Minnesota, Minneapolis, MN, United States
- Department of Pharmaceutics, University of Minnesota, Minneapolis, MN, United States
| | - Kelley F. Kitto
- Department of Neuroscience, University of Minnesota, Minneapolis, MN, United States
| | - Kelsey R. Pflepsen
- Department of Pharmaceutics, University of Minnesota, Minneapolis, MN, United States
| | - Lalitha R. Belur
- Department of Genetics Cell Biology and Development, University of Minnesota, Minneapolis, MN, United States
| | - R. Scott McIvor
- Department of Genetics Cell Biology and Development, University of Minnesota, Minneapolis, MN, United States
| | - Lucy Vulchanova
- Department of Neuroscience, University of Minnesota, Minneapolis, MN, United States
| | - George L. Wilcox
- Department of Neuroscience, University of Minnesota, Minneapolis, MN, United States
- Department of Pharmacology, University of Minnesota, Minneapolis, MN, United States
- Department of Dermatology, University of Minnesota, Minneapolis, MN, United States
| | - Carolyn A. Fairbanks
- Department of Neuroscience, University of Minnesota, Minneapolis, MN, United States
- Department of Pharmaceutics, University of Minnesota, Minneapolis, MN, United States
- Department of Pharmacology, University of Minnesota, Minneapolis, MN, United States
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Clements BM, Peterson CD, Kitto KF, Caye LD, Wilcox GL, Fairbanks CA. Biodistribution of Agmatine to Brain and Spinal Cord after Systemic Delivery. J Pharmacol Exp Ther 2023; 387:328-336. [PMID: 37770201 PMCID: PMC10658908 DOI: 10.1124/jpet.123.001828] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/03/2023] [Revised: 08/28/2023] [Accepted: 09/11/2023] [Indexed: 10/03/2023] Open
Abstract
Agmatine, an endogenous polyamine, has been shown to reduce chronic pain behaviors in animal models and in patients. This reduction is due to inhibition of the GluN2B subunit of the N-methyl-D-aspartate receptor (NMDAR) in the central nervous system (CNS). The mechanism of action requires central activity, but the extent to which agmatine crosses biologic barriers such as the blood-brain barrier (BBB) and intestinal epithelium is incompletely understood. Determination of agmatine distribution is limited by analytical protocols with low sensitivity and/or inefficient preparation. This study validated a novel bioanalytical protocol using high-performance liquid chromatography tandem mass spectrometry (HPLC-MS/MS) for quantification of agmatine in rat biologic matrices. These protocols were then used to determine the plasma pharmacokinetics of agmatine and the extent of distribution to the CNS. Precision and accuracy of the protocol met US Food and Drug Administration (FDA) standards in surrogate matrix as well as in corrected concentrations in appropriate matrices. The protocol also adequately withstood stability and dilution conditions. Upon application of this protocol to pharmacokinetic study, intravenous agmatine showed a half-life in plasma ranging between 18.9 and 14.9 minutes. Oral administration led to a prolonged plasma half-life (74.4-117 minutes), suggesting flip-flop kinetics, with bioavailability determined to be 29%-35%. Intravenous administration led to a rapid increase in agmatine concentration in brain but a delayed distribution and lower concentrations in spinal cord. However, half-life of agmatine in both tissues is substantially longer than in plasma. These data suggest that agmatine adequately crosses biologic barriers in rat and that brain and spinal cord pharmacokinetics can be functionally distinct. SIGNIFICANCE STATEMENT: Agmatine has been shown to be an effective nonopioid therapy for chronic pain, a significantly unmet medical necessity. Here, using a novel bioanalytical protocol for quantification of agmatine, we present the plasma pharmacokinetics and the first report of agmatine oral bioavailability as well as variable pharmacokinetics across different central nervous system tissues. These data provide a distributional rationale for the pharmacological effects of agmatine as well as new evidence for kinetic differences between brain and spinal cord.
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Affiliation(s)
- Benjamin M Clements
- Department of Pharmaceutics (B.M.C., C.D.P., C.A.F.), Department of Pharmacology (L.D.C., G.L.W., C.A.F.), Department of Neuroscience (K.F.K., G.L.W., C.A.F.), and Department of Dermatology (G.L.W.), University of Minnesota, Minneapolis, Minnesota
| | - Cristina D Peterson
- Department of Pharmaceutics (B.M.C., C.D.P., C.A.F.), Department of Pharmacology (L.D.C., G.L.W., C.A.F.), Department of Neuroscience (K.F.K., G.L.W., C.A.F.), and Department of Dermatology (G.L.W.), University of Minnesota, Minneapolis, Minnesota
| | - Kelley F Kitto
- Department of Pharmaceutics (B.M.C., C.D.P., C.A.F.), Department of Pharmacology (L.D.C., G.L.W., C.A.F.), Department of Neuroscience (K.F.K., G.L.W., C.A.F.), and Department of Dermatology (G.L.W.), University of Minnesota, Minneapolis, Minnesota
| | - Lukas D Caye
- Department of Pharmaceutics (B.M.C., C.D.P., C.A.F.), Department of Pharmacology (L.D.C., G.L.W., C.A.F.), Department of Neuroscience (K.F.K., G.L.W., C.A.F.), and Department of Dermatology (G.L.W.), University of Minnesota, Minneapolis, Minnesota
| | - George L Wilcox
- Department of Pharmaceutics (B.M.C., C.D.P., C.A.F.), Department of Pharmacology (L.D.C., G.L.W., C.A.F.), Department of Neuroscience (K.F.K., G.L.W., C.A.F.), and Department of Dermatology (G.L.W.), University of Minnesota, Minneapolis, Minnesota
| | - Carolyn A Fairbanks
- Department of Pharmaceutics (B.M.C., C.D.P., C.A.F.), Department of Pharmacology (L.D.C., G.L.W., C.A.F.), Department of Neuroscience (K.F.K., G.L.W., C.A.F.), and Department of Dermatology (G.L.W.), University of Minnesota, Minneapolis, Minnesota
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6
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Saha P, Panda S, Holkar A, Vashishth R, Rana SS, Arumugam M, Ashraf GM, Haque S, Ahmad F. Neuroprotection by agmatine: Possible involvement of the gut microbiome? Ageing Res Rev 2023; 91:102056. [PMID: 37673131 DOI: 10.1016/j.arr.2023.102056] [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: 06/05/2023] [Revised: 08/09/2023] [Accepted: 08/31/2023] [Indexed: 09/08/2023]
Abstract
Agmatine, an endogenous polyamine derived from L-arginine, elicits tremendous multimodal neuromodulant properties. Alterations in agmatinergic signalling are closely linked to the pathogeneses of several brain disorders. Importantly, exogenous agmatine has been shown to act as a potent neuroprotectant in varied pathologies, including brain ageing and associated comorbidities. The antioxidant, anxiolytic, analgesic, antidepressant and memory-enhancing activities of agmatine may derive from its ability to regulate several cellular pathways; including cell metabolism, survival and differentiation, nitric oxide signalling, protein translation, oxidative homeostasis and neurotransmitter signalling. This review briefly discusses mammalian metabolism of agmatine and then proceeds to summarize our current understanding of neuromodulation and neuroprotection mediated by agmatine. Further, the emerging exciting bidirectional links between agmatine and the resident gut microbiome and their implications for brain pathophysiology and ageing are also discussed.
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Affiliation(s)
- Priyanka Saha
- Department of Biotechnology, School of Bio Sciences and Technology, Vellore Institute of Technology, Vellore, India
| | - Subhrajita Panda
- Department of Biotechnology, School of Bio Sciences and Technology, Vellore Institute of Technology, Vellore, India
| | - Aayusha Holkar
- Department of Integrative Biology, School of Bio Sciences and Technology, Vellore Institute of Technology, Vellore, India
| | - Rahul Vashishth
- Department of Biosciences, School of Bio Sciences and Technology, Vellore Institute of Technology, Vellore, India
| | - Sandeep Singh Rana
- Department of Biosciences, School of Bio Sciences and Technology, Vellore Institute of Technology, Vellore, India
| | - Mohanapriya Arumugam
- Department of Biotechnology, School of Bio Sciences and Technology, Vellore Institute of Technology, Vellore, India
| | - Ghulam Md Ashraf
- University of Sharjah, College of Health Sciences, and Research Institute for Medical and Health Sciences, Department of Medical Laboratory Sciences, Sharjah 27272, United Arab Emirates.
| | - Shafiul Haque
- Research and Scientific Studies Unit, College of Nursing and Allied Health Sciences, Jazan University, Jazan 45142, Saudi Arabia; Gilbert and Rose-Marie Chagoury School of Medicine, Lebanese American University, Beirut, Lebanon; Centre of Medical and Bio-Allied Health Sciences Research, Ajman University, Ajman, United Arab Emirates
| | - Faraz Ahmad
- Department of Biotechnology, School of Bio Sciences and Technology, Vellore Institute of Technology, Vellore, India.
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Peterson CD, Waataja JJ, Kitto KF, Erb SJ, Verma H, Schuster DJ, Churchill CC, Riedl MS, Belur LR, Wolf DA, McIvor RS, Vulchanova L, Wilcox GL, Fairbanks CA. Long-term reversal of chronic pain behavior in rodents through elevation of spinal agmatine. Mol Ther 2023; 31:1123-1135. [PMID: 36710491 PMCID: PMC10124077 DOI: 10.1016/j.ymthe.2023.01.022] [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: 07/11/2022] [Revised: 12/08/2022] [Accepted: 01/23/2023] [Indexed: 01/31/2023] Open
Abstract
Chronic pain remains a significant burden worldwide, and treatments are often limited by safety or efficacy. The decarboxylated form of L-arginine, agmatine, antagonizes N-methyl-d-aspartate receptors, inhibits nitric oxide synthase, and reverses behavioral neuroplasticity. We hypothesized that expressing the proposed synthetic enzyme for agmatine in the sensory pathway could reduce chronic pain without motor deficits. Intrathecal delivery of an adeno-associated viral (AAV) vector carrying the gene for arginine decarboxylase (ADC) prevented the development of chronic neuropathic pain as induced by spared nerve injury in mice and rats and persistently reversed established hypersensitivity 266 days post-injury. Spinal long-term potentiation was inhibited by both exogenous agmatine and AAV-human ADC (hADC) vector pre-treatment but was enhanced in rats treated with anti-agmatine immunoneutralizing antibodies. These data suggest that endogenous agmatine modulates the neuroplasticity associated with chronic pain. Development of approaches to access this inhibitory control of neuroplasticity associated with chronic pain may yield important non-opioid pain-relieving options.
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Affiliation(s)
- Cristina D Peterson
- Department of Pharmaceutics, University of Minnesota, Minneapolis, Minneapolis, MN 55455, USA; Department of Neuroscience, University of Minnesota, Minneapolis, College of Pharmacy, 9-177 Weaver Densford Hall, 308 Harvard Street S.E., Minneapolis, MN 55455, USA; Department of Experimental and Clinical Pharmacology, University of Minnesota, Minneapolis, Minneapolis, MN 55455, USA
| | - Jonathan J Waataja
- Department of Neuroscience, University of Minnesota, Minneapolis, College of Pharmacy, 9-177 Weaver Densford Hall, 308 Harvard Street S.E., Minneapolis, MN 55455, USA
| | - Kelley F Kitto
- Department of Neuroscience, University of Minnesota, Minneapolis, College of Pharmacy, 9-177 Weaver Densford Hall, 308 Harvard Street S.E., Minneapolis, MN 55455, USA
| | - Samuel J Erb
- Department of Pharmaceutics, University of Minnesota, Minneapolis, Minneapolis, MN 55455, USA
| | - Harsha Verma
- Department of Pharmaceutics, University of Minnesota, Minneapolis, Minneapolis, MN 55455, USA
| | - Daniel J Schuster
- Department of Neuroscience, University of Minnesota, Minneapolis, College of Pharmacy, 9-177 Weaver Densford Hall, 308 Harvard Street S.E., Minneapolis, MN 55455, USA
| | - Caroline C Churchill
- Department of Experimental and Clinical Pharmacology, University of Minnesota, Minneapolis, Minneapolis, MN 55455, USA
| | - Maureen S Riedl
- Department of Neuroscience, University of Minnesota, Minneapolis, College of Pharmacy, 9-177 Weaver Densford Hall, 308 Harvard Street S.E., Minneapolis, MN 55455, USA
| | - Lalitha R Belur
- Department of Genetics, Cell Biology, and Development, University of Minnesota, Minneapolis, Minneapolis, MN 55455, USA
| | - Daniel A Wolf
- Department of Genetics, Cell Biology, and Development, University of Minnesota, Minneapolis, Minneapolis, MN 55455, USA
| | - R Scott McIvor
- Department of Genetics, Cell Biology, and Development, University of Minnesota, Minneapolis, Minneapolis, MN 55455, USA
| | - Lucy Vulchanova
- Department of Neuroscience, University of Minnesota, Minneapolis, College of Pharmacy, 9-177 Weaver Densford Hall, 308 Harvard Street S.E., Minneapolis, MN 55455, USA
| | - George L Wilcox
- Department of Neuroscience, University of Minnesota, Minneapolis, College of Pharmacy, 9-177 Weaver Densford Hall, 308 Harvard Street S.E., Minneapolis, MN 55455, USA; Department of Pharmacology, University of Minnesota, Minneapolis, Minneapolis, MN 55455, USA; Department of Dermatology, University of Minnesota, Minneapolis, Minneapolis, MN 55455, USA
| | - Carolyn A Fairbanks
- Department of Pharmaceutics, University of Minnesota, Minneapolis, Minneapolis, MN 55455, USA; Department of Neuroscience, University of Minnesota, Minneapolis, College of Pharmacy, 9-177 Weaver Densford Hall, 308 Harvard Street S.E., Minneapolis, MN 55455, USA; Department of Experimental and Clinical Pharmacology, University of Minnesota, Minneapolis, Minneapolis, MN 55455, USA; Department of Pharmacology, University of Minnesota, Minneapolis, Minneapolis, MN 55455, USA.
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Park YM, Kim JH, Lee JE. Neural Stem Cells Overexpressing Arginine Decarboxylase Improve Functional Recovery from Spinal Cord Injury in a Mouse Model. Int J Mol Sci 2022; 23:ijms232415784. [PMID: 36555425 PMCID: PMC9779865 DOI: 10.3390/ijms232415784] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/21/2022] [Revised: 11/30/2022] [Accepted: 12/09/2022] [Indexed: 12/15/2022] Open
Abstract
Current therapeutic strategies for spinal cord injury (SCI) cannot fully facilitate neural regeneration or improve function. Arginine decarboxylase (ADC) synthesizes agmatine, an endogenous primary amine with neuroprotective effects. Transfection of human ADC (hADC) gene exerts protective effects after injury in murine brain-derived neural precursor cells (mNPCs). Following from these findings, we investigated the effects of hADC-mNPC transplantation in SCI model mice. Mice with experimentally damaged spinal cords were divided into three groups, separately transplanted with fluorescently labeled (1) control mNPCs, (2) retroviral vector (pLXSN)-infected mNPCs (pLXSN-mNPCs), and (3) hADC-mNPCs. Behavioral comparisons between groups were conducted weekly up to 6 weeks after SCI, and urine volume was measured up to 2 weeks after SCI. A subset of animals was euthanized each week after cell transplantation for molecular and histological analyses. The transplantation groups experienced significantly improved behavioral function, with the best recovery occurring in hADC-mNPC mice. Transplanting hADC-mNPCs improved neurological outcomes, induced oligodendrocyte differentiation and remyelination, increased neural lineage differentiation, and decreased glial scar formation. Moreover, locomotor and bladder function were both rehabilitated. These beneficial effects are likely related to differential BMP-2/4/7 expression in neuronal cells, providing an empirical basis for gene therapy as a curative SCI treatment option.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yu Mi Park
- Department of Anatomy, Yonsei University College of Medicine, Seoul 03722, Republic of Korea
- BK 21 PLUS Project for Medical Science, Yonsei University College of Medicine, Seoul 03722, Republic of Korea
- CHA Advanced Research Institute, CHA University, CHA Bio-Complex, 335, Pangyo-ro, Bundang-gu, Seongnam-si 13488, Gyeonggi-do, Republic of Korea
- Department of Biomedical Science, CHA University, CHA Bio-Complex, 335, Pangyo-ro, Bundang-gu, Seongnam-si 13488, Gyeonggi-do, Republic of Korea
| | - Jae Hwan Kim
- Department of Anatomy, Yonsei University College of Medicine, Seoul 03722, Republic of Korea
- BK 21 PLUS Project for Medical Science, Yonsei University College of Medicine, Seoul 03722, Republic of Korea
| | - Jong Eun Lee
- Department of Anatomy, Yonsei University College of Medicine, Seoul 03722, Republic of Korea
- BK 21 PLUS Project for Medical Science, Yonsei University College of Medicine, Seoul 03722, Republic of Korea
- Brain Research Institute, Yonsei University College of Medicine, Seoul 03722, Republic of Korea
- Correspondence: ; Tel.: +82-2-2228-1646
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Rostami F, Abbasi Z, Fereidoni M. Long-term follow-up of intracerebroventricular injection of streptozotocin-inducing pain sensitization. Behav Pharmacol 2022; 33:542-550. [PMID: 36256700 DOI: 10.1097/fbp.0000000000000701] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/14/2022]
Abstract
Age is known to be the major risk factor for both pain sensation and sporadic Alzheimer's disease (sAD). Pain management in AD is a critical health condition. However, assessing pain in sAD patients is challenging. The intracerebroventricularly injected streptozotocin (icv-STZ) rat model of sAD has been brought to the fore as a hopefully suitable model that could mimic some features of sAD. However, the exact mechanism by which this agent may induce AD-like pathology is largely unknown. In some studies, analgesic drugs have been suggested as possible prevention of AD and icv-STZ-induced AD-like pathology. Therefore, this study used formalin and tail-flick tests to investigate whether different doses of icv-STZ injections could affect acute and inflammatory pain sensation and edema volume over time. Behavioral responses were observed at four testing time points (1, 2.5, 3.5, and 6 months postinjection). The results indicate that icv-STZ was able to significantly decrease the animals' formalin pain threshold in both a time- and dose-dependent manner. Formalin-induced acute and chronic pain scores of animals treated with streptozotocin 3 mg/kg (STZ3) increased dramatically 2.5 months after injection and persisted thereafter. The augmentation in pain score induced by streptozotocin 1 mg/kg (STZ1) was observed from 3.5 months after STZ injection. However, the effect of streptozotocin 0.5 mg/kg (STZ0.5) was NS until 6 months after injection. However, formalin-induced paw edema occurred with a longer delay and was not detectable in STZ0.5-treated animals. In addition, only STZ3-treated animals significantly reduced the thermal pain threshold of animals 6 months after injection. These observations indicate that icv-STZ can sensitize central and/or peripheral receptors to pain. The effect of STZ is dose- and time-dependent. AD-like pathology induced by icv-STZ could be partially activated via pain processing pathways. Therefore, anti-inflammatory agents could alleviate AD-like symptoms via pain treatments.
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Affiliation(s)
- Farzaneh Rostami
- Department of Biology, Faculty of Science, Ferdowsi University of Mashhad, Mashhad, Iran
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10
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Farokhi MR, Taherifard E, SoukhakLari R, Moezi L, Pirsalami F, Savardashtaki A, Moosavi M. The memory modulatory effect of agmatine in passive avoidance task coincides with alterations of hippocampal CaMKII-α and ERK signaling in mice. Eur J Pharmacol 2022; 923:174928. [PMID: 35398030 DOI: 10.1016/j.ejphar.2022.174928] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/04/2021] [Revised: 03/15/2022] [Accepted: 03/25/2022] [Indexed: 11/03/2022]
Abstract
Agmatine is a polyamine suggested to act as a supposed neurotransmitter in the brain. Evidence has indicated that acute agmatine administration might modulate memory. The present study aimed to investigate the effect of repeated agmatine treatment on passive avoidance memory, hippocampal calcium-calmodulin-dependent protein kinase II-alpha (CaMKII-α), and Extracellular Signal-Regulated Kinase (ERK) signaling pathways in naive mice. Adult male NMRI mice were treated with agmatine (10, 20, 30, 40, and 80 mg/kg/ip) or saline for 11 days. Acquisition and retention tests of passive avoidance memory were performed on days 10 and 11, respectively. Following the memory retention test, the hippocampi were assessed for the levels of CaMKII-α and ERK using the western blotting technique. The results revealed the dose-dependent effect of agmatine on the passive avoidance memory. Accordingly, the memory was impaired in lower doses, but was improved in higher ones. Agmatine in none of the doses affected the nociception of the mice in tail-flick test. Furthermore, agmatine increased the phosphorylation of CaMKII-α and ERK in the hippocampus at memory enhancing doses, while ERK phosphorylation decreased following the impairing doses of agmatine. Thus, the dose-dependent effect of agmatine on memory might be related to its modulatory effect on CaMKII-α and ERK signal transduction, eventually regulating the memory process.
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Affiliation(s)
- Majid Reza Farokhi
- Shiraz Neuroscience Research Center, Shiraz University of Medical Sciences, Shiraz, Iran
| | - Erfan Taherifard
- Shiraz Neuroscience Research Center, Shiraz University of Medical Sciences, Shiraz, Iran; Students Research Committee, School of Medicine, Shiraz University of Medical Sciences, Shiraz, Iran
| | - Roksana SoukhakLari
- Shiraz Neuroscience Research Center, Shiraz University of Medical Sciences, Shiraz, Iran; Students Research Committee, School of Medicine, Shiraz University of Medical Sciences, Shiraz, Iran
| | - Leila Moezi
- Department of Pharmacology, Medical School, Shiraz University of Medical Sciences, Shiraz, Iran; Nanomedicine and Nanobiology Research Center, Shiraz University of Medical Sciences, Shiraz, Iran
| | - Fatema Pirsalami
- Department of Pharmacology, Medical School, Shiraz University of Medical Sciences, Shiraz, Iran
| | - Amir Savardashtaki
- Department of Medical Biotechnology, School of Advanced Medical Sciences and Technologies, Shiraz University of Medical Sciences, Shiraz, Iran
| | - Maryam Moosavi
- Nanomedicine and Nanobiology Research Center, Shiraz University of Medical Sciences, Shiraz, Iran.
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11
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Peterson CD, Kitto KF, Verma H, Pflepsen K, Delpire E, Wilcox GL, Fairbanks CA. Agmatine requires GluN2B-containing NMDA receptors to inhibit the development of neuropathic pain. Mol Pain 2021; 17:17448069211029171. [PMID: 34210178 PMCID: PMC8255568 DOI: 10.1177/17448069211029171] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/24/2022] Open
Abstract
A decarboxylated form of L-arginine, agmatine, preferentially antagonizes NMDArs containing Glun2B subunits within the spinal cord and lacks motor side effects commonly associated with non-subunit-selective NMDAr antagonism, namely sedation and motor impairment. Spinally delivered agmatine has been previously shown to reduce the development of tactile hypersensitivity arising from spinal nerve ligation. The present study interrogated the dependence of agmatine’s alleviation of neuropathic pain (spared nerve injury (SNI) model) on GluN2B-containing NMDArs. SNI-induced hypersensitivity was induced in mice with significant reduction of levels of spinal GluN2B subunit of the NMDAr and their floxed controls. Agmatine reduced development of SNI-induced tactile hypersensitivity in controls but had no effect in subjects with reduced levels of GluN2B subunits. Ifenprodil, a known GluN2B-subunit-selective antagonist, similarly reduced tactile hypersensitivity in controls but not in the GluN2B-deficient mice. In contrast, MK-801, an NMDA receptor channel blocker, reduced hypersensitivity in both control and GluN2B-deficient mice, consistent with a pharmacological pattern expected from a NMDAr antagonist that does not have preference for GluN2B subtypes. Additionally, we observed that spinally delivered agmatine, ifenprodil and MK-801 inhibited nociceptive behaviors following intrathecal delivery of NMDA in control mice. By contrast, in GluN2B-deficient mice, MK-801 reduced NMDA-evoked nociceptive behaviors, but agmatine had a blunted effect and ifenprodil had no effect. These results demonstrate that agmatine requires the GluN2B subunit of the NMDA receptor for inhibitory pharmacological actions in pre-clinical models of NMDA receptor-dependent hypersensitivity.
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Affiliation(s)
- Cristina D Peterson
- Department of Neuroscience, University of Minnesota, Minneapolis, MN, USA.,Graduate Program in Experimental and Clinical Pharmacology, University of Minnesota, University of Minnesota, Minneapolis, MN, USA
| | - Kelley F Kitto
- Department of Neuroscience, University of Minnesota, Minneapolis, MN, USA
| | - Harsha Verma
- Department of Neuroscience, University of Minnesota, Minneapolis, MN, USA
| | - Kelsey Pflepsen
- Department of Pharmaceutics, University of Minnesota, University of Minnesota, Minneapolis, MN, USA
| | - Eric Delpire
- Department of Anesthesiology, Vanderbilt School of Medicine, Nashville, TN, USA
| | - George L Wilcox
- Department of Neuroscience, University of Minnesota, Minneapolis, MN, USA.,Graduate Program in Experimental and Clinical Pharmacology, University of Minnesota, University of Minnesota, Minneapolis, MN, USA.,Department of Pharmaceutics, University of Minnesota, University of Minnesota, Minneapolis, MN, USA
| | - Carolyn A Fairbanks
- Department of Neuroscience, University of Minnesota, Minneapolis, MN, USA.,Graduate Program in Experimental and Clinical Pharmacology, University of Minnesota, University of Minnesota, Minneapolis, MN, USA.,Department of Pharmaceutics, University of Minnesota, University of Minnesota, Minneapolis, MN, USA
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12
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Borikar SP, Dongare SI, Danao KR. Reversal of lipopolysaccharide-induced learning and memory deficits by agmatine in mice. Int J Neurosci 2021; 132:621-632. [PMID: 33089716 DOI: 10.1080/00207454.2020.1830086] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/11/2023]
Abstract
MATERIALS AND METHODS Learning and memory functions in animals were evaluated by using Novel object recognition (NOR) and Morris water maze (MWM) tests. Following 7 days of LPS administration, animals were subjected to NOR test on Day-8 and MWM test on Days-9 to 13 for the assessment of recognition and spatial learning and memory, respectively. RESULTS LPS administration produced significant deficits in recognition and spatial memory in mice after seven days of LPS administration. In LPS pre-treated mice, agmatine treatment on Day-8 resulted in the increased exploration to the novel object. Agmatine treatment (Day 8-12) in mice showed reduction in the escape latency and time spent in the target quadrant (probe trial) in the MWM test. However, co-administration of agmatine with LPS in mice for 7 days showed higher discrimination index in NOR test on Day-8. This co-administration also decreased escape latency and time spent in the target quadrant in MWM test on Days 9-13 as compared to LPS control group. CONCLUSION Results implies the protective and curative effects of agmatine against LPS-induced loss of memory functions in experimental animals.HighlightsSubchronic but not acute lipopolysaccharides induce memory deficitsLipopolysaccharides impairs recognition and spatial memory in mice.Agmatine prevents lipopolysaccharides-induced loss of memory.Agmatine reverses deficits in learning and memory by lipopolysaccharides.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sachin P Borikar
- Department of Pharmacology, R. C. Patel Institute of Pharmaceutical Education and Research Shirpur, Dist-Dhule, Maharashtra, India
| | - Shruti I Dongare
- Department of Pharmaceutics, Gurunanak College of Pharmacy, Nagpur, Maharashtra, India
| | - Kishor R Danao
- Department of Pharmaceutical Chemistry, Dadasaheb Balpande College of Pharmacy, Nagpur, Maharashtra, India
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13
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Hu D, Moalem-Taylor G, Potas JR. Red-Light (670 nm) Therapy Reduces Mechanical Sensitivity and Neuronal Cell Death, and Alters Glial Responses after Spinal Cord Injury in Rats. J Neurotrauma 2020; 37:2244-2260. [PMID: 32552352 DOI: 10.1089/neu.2020.7066] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/30/2022] Open
Abstract
Individuals with spinal cord injury (SCI) often develop debilitating neuropathic pain, which may be driven by neuronal damage and neuroinflammation. We have previously demonstrated that treatment using 670 nm (red) light irradiation alters microglia/macrophage responses and alleviates mechanical hypersensitivity at 7 days post-injury (dpi). Here, we investigated the effect of red light on the development of mechanical hypersensitivity, neuronal markers, and glial response in the subacute stage (days 1-7) following SCI. Wistar rats were subjected to a mild hemi-contusion SCI at vertebra T10 or to sham surgery followed by daily red-light treatment (30 min/day; 670 nm LED; 35 mW/cm2) or sham treatment. Mechanical sensitivity of the rat dorsum was assessed from 1 dpi and repeated every second day. Spinal cords were collected at 1, 3, 5, and 7 dpi for analysis of myelination, neurofilament protein NF200 expression, neuronal cell death, reactive astrocytes (glial fibrillary acidic protein [GFAP]+ cells), interleukin 1 β (IL-1β) expression, and inducible nitric oxide synthase (iNOS) production in IBA1+ microglia/macrophages. Red-light treatment significantly reduced the cumulative mechanical sensitivity and the hypersensitivity incidence following SCI. This effect was accompanied by significantly reduced neuronal cell death, reduced astrocyte activation, and reduced iNOS expression in IBA1+ cells at the level of the injury. However, myelin and NF200 immunoreactivity and IL-1β expression in GFAP+ and IBA1+ cells were not altered by red-light treatment. Thus, red-light therapy may represent a useful non-pharmacological approach for treating pain during the subacute period after SCI by decreasing neuronal loss and modulating the inflammatory glial response.
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Affiliation(s)
- Di Hu
- John Curtin School of Medical Research, Australian National University, Acton, Australian Capital Territory, Australia
| | - Gila Moalem-Taylor
- Translational Neuroscience Facility, School of Medical Sciences, University of New South Wales, Sydney, Kensington, New South Wales, Australia
| | - Jason R Potas
- John Curtin School of Medical Research, Australian National University, Acton, Australian Capital Territory, Australia.,Translational Neuroscience Facility, School of Medical Sciences, University of New South Wales, Sydney, Kensington, New South Wales, Australia
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14
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Kotagale N, Dixit M, Garmelwar H, Bhondekar S, Umekar M, Taksande B. Agmatine reverses memory deficits induced by Aβ1–42 peptide in mice: A key role of imidazoline receptors. Pharmacol Biochem Behav 2020; 196:172976. [DOI: 10.1016/j.pbb.2020.172976] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/25/2020] [Revised: 06/19/2020] [Accepted: 06/21/2020] [Indexed: 12/13/2022]
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15
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mRNA Profiling for miR-124-mediated Repair in Spinal Cord Injury. Neuroscience 2020; 438:158-168. [DOI: 10.1016/j.neuroscience.2020.05.013] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/04/2019] [Revised: 05/06/2020] [Accepted: 05/07/2020] [Indexed: 01/01/2023]
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16
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Moriyama Y, Hatano R, Moriyama S, Uehara S. Vesicular polyamine transporter as a novel player in amine-mediated chemical transmission. BIOCHIMICA ET BIOPHYSICA ACTA-BIOMEMBRANES 2020; 1862:183208. [PMID: 32004521 DOI: 10.1016/j.bbamem.2020.183208] [Citation(s) in RCA: 23] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/20/2019] [Revised: 01/23/2020] [Accepted: 01/26/2020] [Indexed: 02/06/2023]
Abstract
The solute carrier 18B1 (SLC18B1) is the most recently identified gene of the vesicular amine transporter family and is conserved in the animal kingdom from insects to humans. Proteoliposomes containing the purified human SLC18B1 protein transport not only monoamines, but also polyamines, such as spermidine (Spd) and spermine (Spm), using an electrochemical gradient of H+ established by vacuolar H+-ATPase (V-ATPase) as the driving force. SLC18B1 gene knockdown abolished the exocytosis of polyamines from mast cells, which affected the secretion of histamine. SLC18B1 gene knockout decreased polyamine levels by ~20% in the brain, and impaired short- and long-term memory. Thus, the SLC18B1 protein is responsible for the vesicular storage and release of polyamines, and functions as a vesicular polyamine transporter (VPAT). VPAT may define when, where, and how polyamine-mediated chemical transmission occurs, providing insights into the more versatile and complex features of amine-mediated chemical transmission than currently considered.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yoshinori Moriyama
- Department of Biochemistry, Matsumoto Dental University, Shiojiri 399-0781, Japan; Division of Endocrinology and Metabolism, Department of Internal Medicine, Kurume University School of Medicine, Kurume 830-0011, Japan; CYRIC Tohoku University, Sendai 980-8578, Japan.
| | - Ryo Hatano
- Department of Medicinal Physiology, Graduate School of Medicine, Chiba University, Chiba 260-8670, Japan
| | - Satomi Moriyama
- Laboratory of Bio-Molecular Dynamics, Department of Collaborative Research, Nara Medical University, Kashihara 634-8521, Japan
| | - Shunsuke Uehara
- Department of Biochemistry, Matsumoto Dental University, Shiojiri 399-0781, Japan
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Hsieh CT, Lee YJ, Lee JW, Lu S, Tucci MA, Dai X, Ojeda NB, Lee HJ, Fan LW, Tien LT. Interleukin-1 receptor antagonist ameliorates the pain hypersensitivity, spinal inflammation and oxidative stress induced by systemic lipopolysaccharide in neonatal rats. Neurochem Int 2020; 135:104686. [PMID: 31987865 DOI: 10.1016/j.neuint.2020.104686] [Citation(s) in RCA: 15] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/15/2019] [Revised: 01/05/2020] [Accepted: 01/13/2020] [Indexed: 02/07/2023]
Abstract
Perinatal inflammation-induced reduction in pain threshold may alter pain sensitivity to hyperalgesia or allodynia which may persist into adulthood. In this study, we investigated the anti-inflammatory protective effect of interleukin-1 receptor antagonist (IL-1ra), an anti-inflammatory cytokine, on systemic lipopolysaccharide (LPS)-induced spinal cord inflammation and oxidative stress, thermal hyperalgesia, and mechanical allodynia in neonatal rats. Intraperitoneal (i.p.) injection of LPS (2 mg/kg) or sterile saline was performed in postnatal day 5 (P5) rat pups, and IL-1ra (100 mg/kg) or saline was administered (i.p.) 5 min after LPS injection. Pain reflex behavior, spinal cord inflammation and oxidative stress were examined 24 h after LPS administration. Systemic LPS exposure led to a reduction of tactile threshold in the von Frey filament tests (mechanical allodynia) and pain response latency in the tail-flick test (thermal hyperalgesia) of P6 neonatal rats. Spinal cord inflammation was indicated by the increased numbers of activated glial cells including microglia (Iba1+) and astrocytes (GFAP+), and elevated levels of pro-inflammatory cytokine interleukin-1β (IL-1β), cyclooxygenase-2 (COX-2), and prostaglandin E2 (PGE2) 24 h after LPS treatment. LPS treatment induced spinal oxidative stress as evidenced by the increase in thiobarbituric acid reactive substances (TBARS) content in the spinal cord. LPS exposure also led to a significant increase in oligodendrocyte lineage population (Olig2+) and mature oligodendrocyte cells (APC+) in the neonatal rat spinal cord. IL-1ra treatment significantly reduced LPS-induced effects including hyperalgesia, allodynia, the increased number of activated microglia, astrocytes and oligodendrocytes, and elevated levels of IL-1β, COX-2, PGE2, and lipid peroxidation (TBARS) in the neonatal rat spinal cord. These data suggest that IL-1ra provides a protective effect against the development of pain hypersensitivity, spinal cord inflammation and oxidative stress in the neonatal rats following LPS exposure, which may be associated with the blockade of LPS-induced pro-inflammatory cytokine IL-1β.
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Affiliation(s)
- Cheng-Ta Hsieh
- School of Medicine, Fu Jen Catholic University, New Taipei City, 24205, Taiwan; Division of Neurosurgery, Department of Surgery, Cathay General Hospital, Taipei, 10630, Taiwan; Department of Chemistry, Fu Jen Catholic University, New Taipei City, 24205, Taiwan; Graduate Institute of Biomedical and Pharmaceutical Science, Fu Jen Catholic University, New Taipei City, 24205, Taiwan
| | - Yih-Jing Lee
- School of Medicine, Fu Jen Catholic University, New Taipei City, 24205, Taiwan
| | - Jonathan W Lee
- Department of Pediatrics, Division of Newborn Medicine, University of Mississippi Medical Center, Jackson, MS, 39216, USA
| | - Silu Lu
- Department of Pediatrics, Division of Newborn Medicine, University of Mississippi Medical Center, Jackson, MS, 39216, USA; Department of Neurology, University of Mississippi Medical Center, Jackson, MS, 39216, USA
| | - Michelle A Tucci
- Department of Anesthesiology, University of Mississippi Medical Center, Jackson, MS, 39216, USA
| | - Xiaoli Dai
- Department of Anesthesiology, University of Mississippi Medical Center, Jackson, MS, 39216, USA
| | - Norma Beatriz Ojeda
- Department of Pediatrics, Division of Newborn Medicine, University of Mississippi Medical Center, Jackson, MS, 39216, USA
| | - Hyun Joon Lee
- Department of Neurology, University of Mississippi Medical Center, Jackson, MS, 39216, USA; Research Services, G.V. (Sonny) Montgomery Veterans Administration Medical Center, Jackson, MS, 39216, USA
| | - Lir-Wan Fan
- Department of Pediatrics, Division of Newborn Medicine, University of Mississippi Medical Center, Jackson, MS, 39216, USA
| | - Lu-Tai Tien
- School of Medicine, Fu Jen Catholic University, New Taipei City, 24205, Taiwan.
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18
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Vellani V, Sabatini C, Milia C, Caselli G, Lanza M, Letari O, Rovati LC, Giacomoni C. CR4056, a powerful analgesic imidazoline-2 receptor ligand, inhibits the inflammation-induced PKCε phosphorylation and membrane translocation in sensory neurons. Br J Pharmacol 2019; 177:48-64. [PMID: 31454418 DOI: 10.1111/bph.14845] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/25/2018] [Revised: 08/10/2019] [Accepted: 08/12/2019] [Indexed: 02/06/2023] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND AND PURPOSE CR4056 is a first-in-class imidazoline-2 (I2 ) receptor ligand characterized by potent analgesic activity in different experimental animal models of pain. In a recent phase II clinical trial, CR4056 effectively reduced pain in patients with knee osteoarthritis. In the present study, we investigated the effects of CR4056 on PKCε translocation in vitro and on PKCε activation in vivo in dorsal root ganglia (DRG) neurons. EXPERIMENTAL APPROACH Effects of CR4056 on bradykinin-induced PKCε translocation were studied in rat sensory neurons by immunocytochemistry. PKCε activation was investigated by immunohistochemistry analysis of DRG from complete Freund's adjuvant-treated animals developing local hyperalgesia. The analgesic activity of CR4056 was tested on the same animals. KEY RESULTS CR4056 inhibited PKCε translocation with very rapid and long-lasting activity. CR4056 decreased hyperalgesia and phospho-PKCε immunoreactivity in the DRG neurons innervating the inflamed paw. The effect of CR4056 on PKCε translocation was blocked by pertussis toxin, implying that the intracellular pathways involved Gi proteins. The inhibition of PKCε translocation by CR4056 was independent of the α2 -adrenoeceptor and, surprisingly, was also independent of idazoxan-sensitive I2 binding sites. The I2 agonist 2BFI had no effect alone but potentiated the activity of low concentrations of CR4056. CONCLUSIONS AND IMPLICATIONS Our results demonstrate that CR4056 shares the ability to inhibit PKCε translocation with other analgesics. Whether the inhibition of PKCε involves binding to specific subtype(s) of I2 receptors should be further investigated. If so, this would be a new mode of action of a highly specific I2 receptor ligand.
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Affiliation(s)
- Vittorio Vellani
- Dipartimento di Scienze Biomediche, Metaboliche e Neuroscienze, Università di Modena e Reggio Emilia, Modena, Italy
| | - Chiara Sabatini
- Rottapharm Biotech, Monza, Italy.,PhD Program in Neuroscience, Dipartimento di Medicina e chirurgia, Università degli Studi di Milano-Bicocca, Monza, Italy
| | - Chiara Milia
- PhD Program in Neuroscience, Dipartimento di Medicina e chirurgia, Università degli Studi di Milano-Bicocca, Monza, Italy
| | | | | | | | | | - Chiara Giacomoni
- Dipartimento di Economia, Scienze e Diritto, Università degli Studi della Repubblica di San Marino, San Marino
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Agmatine inhibits nuclear factor-κB nuclear translocation in acute spinal cord compression injury rat model. ALEXANDRIA JOURNAL OF MEDICINE 2019. [DOI: 10.1016/j.ajme.2015.09.001] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/26/2023] Open
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20
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The therapeutic and nutraceutical potential of agmatine, and its enhanced production using Aspergillus oryzae. Amino Acids 2019; 52:181-197. [DOI: 10.1007/s00726-019-02720-7] [Citation(s) in RCA: 14] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/13/2019] [Accepted: 03/05/2019] [Indexed: 12/30/2022]
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21
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Waataja JJ, Peterson CD, Verma H, Goracke-Postle CJ, Séguéla P, Delpire E, Wilcox GL, Fairbanks CA. Agmatine preferentially antagonizes GluN2B-containing N-methyl-d-aspartate receptors in spinal cord. J Neurophysiol 2019; 121:662-671. [PMID: 30427758 PMCID: PMC6397392 DOI: 10.1152/jn.00172.2018] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/10/2018] [Revised: 11/12/2018] [Accepted: 11/14/2018] [Indexed: 12/28/2022] Open
Abstract
The role of the N-methyl-d-aspartate receptor (NMDAr) as a contributor to maladaptive neuroplasticity underlying the maintenance of chronic pain is well established. Agmatine, an NMDAr antagonist, has been shown to reverse tactile hypersensitivity in rodent models of neuropathic pain while lacking the side effects characteristic of global NMDAr antagonism, including sedation and motor impairment, indicating a likely subunit specificity of agmatine's NMDAr inhibition. The present study assessed whether agmatine inhibits subunit-specific NMDAr-mediated current in the dorsal horn of mouse spinal cord slices. We isolated NMDAr-mediated excitatory postsynaptic currents (EPSCs) in small lamina II dorsal horn neurons evoked by optogenetic stimulation of Nav1.8-containing nociceptive afferents. We determined that agmatine abbreviated the amplitude, duration, and decay constant of NMDAr-mediated EPSCs similarly to the application of the GluN2B antagonist ifenprodil. In addition, we developed a site-specific knockdown of the GluN2B subunit of the NMDAr. We assessed whether agmatine and ifenprodil were able to inhibit NMDAr-mediated current in the spinal cord dorsal horn of mice lacking the GluN2B subunit of the NMDAr by analysis of electrically evoked EPSCs. In control mouse spinal cord, agmatine and ifenprodil both inhibited amplitude and accelerated the decay kinetics. However, agmatine and ifenprodil failed to attenuate the decay kinetics of NMDAr-mediated EPSCs in the GluN2B-knockdown mouse spinal cord. The present study indicates that agmatine preferentially antagonizes GluN2B-containing NMDArs in mouse dorsal horn neurons. NEW & NOTEWORTHY Our study is the first to report that agmatine preferentially antagonizes the GluN2B receptor subunit of the N-methyl-d-aspartate (NMDA) receptor in spinal cord. The preferential targeting of GluN2B receptor is consistent with the pharmacological profile of agmatine in that it reduces chronic pain without the motor side effects commonly seen with non-subunit-selective NMDA receptor antagonists.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jonathan J Waataja
- Department of Neuroscience, University of Minnesota , Minneapolis, Minnesota
| | - Cristina D Peterson
- Department of Experimental and Clinical Pharmacology, University of Minnesota , Minneapolis, Minnesota
| | - Harsha Verma
- Department of Pharmaceutics, University of Minnesota , Minneapolis, Minnesota
| | | | - Philippe Séguéla
- Department of Neurology and Neurosurgery, McGill University , Montreal, Quebec , Canada
| | - Eric Delpire
- Department of Anesthesiology, Vanderbilt School of Medicine , Nashville, Tennessee
| | - George L Wilcox
- Department of Neuroscience, University of Minnesota , Minneapolis, Minnesota
- Department of Pharmacology, University of Minnesota , Minneapolis, Minnesota
- Department of Dermatology, University of Minnesota , Minneapolis, Minnesota
| | - Carolyn A Fairbanks
- Department of Neuroscience, University of Minnesota , Minneapolis, Minnesota
- Department of Experimental and Clinical Pharmacology, University of Minnesota , Minneapolis, Minnesota
- Department of Pharmaceutics, University of Minnesota , Minneapolis, Minnesota
- Department of Pharmacology, University of Minnesota , Minneapolis, Minnesota
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22
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Therapeutic Effect of Agmatine on Neurological Disease: Focus on Ion Channels and Receptors. Neurochem Res 2019; 44:735-750. [PMID: 30610652 DOI: 10.1007/s11064-018-02712-1] [Citation(s) in RCA: 28] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/15/2018] [Revised: 12/19/2018] [Accepted: 12/24/2018] [Indexed: 02/08/2023]
Abstract
The central nervous system (CNS) is the most injury-prone part of the mammalian body. Any acute or chronic, central or peripheral neurological disorder is related to abnormal biochemical and electrical signals in the brain cells. As a result, ion channels and receptors that are abundant in the nervous system and control the electrical and biochemical environment of the CNS play a vital role in neurological disease. The N-methyl-D-aspartate receptor, 2-amino-3-(5-methyl-3-oxo-1,2-oxazol-4-yl) propanoic acid receptor, kainate receptor, acetylcholine receptor, serotonin receptor, α2-adrenoreceptor, and acid-sensing ion channels are among the major channels and receptors known to be key components of pathophysiological events in the CNS. The primary amine agmatine, a neuromodulator synthesized in the brain by decarboxylation of L-arginine, can regulate ion channel cascades and receptors that are related to the major CNS disorders. In our previous studies, we established that agmatine was related to the regulation of cell differentiation, nitric oxide synthesis, and murine brain endothelial cell migration, relief of chronic pain, cerebral edema, and apoptotic cell death in experimental CNS disorders. In this review, we will focus on the pathophysiological aspects of the neurological disorders regulated by these ion channels and receptors, and their interaction with agmatine in CNS injury.
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Systemic Lipopolysaccharide-Induced Pain Sensitivity and Spinal Inflammation Were Reduced by Minocycline in Neonatal Rats. Int J Mol Sci 2018; 19:ijms19102947. [PMID: 30262747 PMCID: PMC6212885 DOI: 10.3390/ijms19102947] [Citation(s) in RCA: 23] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/25/2018] [Revised: 09/22/2018] [Accepted: 09/22/2018] [Indexed: 12/19/2022] Open
Abstract
In this study, we investigated the effects of minocycline, a putative suppressor of microglial activation, on systemic lipopolysaccharide (LPS)-induced spinal cord inflammation, allodynia, and hyperalgesia in neonatal rats. Intraperitoneal (i.p.) injection of LPS (2 mg/kg) or sterile saline was performed in postnatal day 5 (P5) rat pups and minocycline (45 mg/kg) or vehicle (phosphate buffer saline; PBS) was administered (i.p.) 5 min after LPS injection. The von Frey filament and tail-flick tests were performed to determine mechanical allodynia (a painful sensation caused by innocuous stimuli, e.g., light touch) and thermal hyperalgesia (a condition of altered perception of temperature), respectively, and spinal cord inflammation was examined 24 h after the administration of drugs. Systemic LPS administration resulted in a reduction of tactile threshold in the von Frey filament tests and pain response latency in the tail-flick test of neonatal rats. The levels of microglia and astrocyte activation, pro-inflammatory cytokine interleukin-1β (IL-1β), cyclooxygenase-2 (COX-2), and prostaglandin E2 (PGE2) in the spinal cord of neonatal rats were increased 24 h after the administration of LPS. Treatment with minocycline significantly attenuated LPS-induced allodynia, hyperalgesia, the increase in spinal cord microglia, and astrocyte activation, and elevated levels of IL-1β, COX-2, and PGE2 in neonatal rats. These results suggest that minocycline provides protection against neonatal systemic LPS exposure-induced enhanced pain sensitivity (allodynia and hyperalgesia), and that the protective effects may be associated with its ability to attenuate LPS-induced microglia activation, and the levels of IL-1β, COX-2, and PGE2 in the spinal cord of neonatal rats.
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Donertas B, Unel CC, Erol K. Cannabinoids and agmatine as potential therapeutic alternatives for cisplatin-induced peripheral neuropathy. J Exp Pharmacol 2018; 10:19-28. [PMID: 29950907 PMCID: PMC6018893 DOI: 10.2147/jep.s162059] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/17/2022] Open
Abstract
Cisplatin is a widely used antineoplastic agent in the treatment of various cancers. Peripheral neuropathy is a well-known side effect of cisplatin and has the potential to result in limiting and/or reducing the dose, decreasing the quality of life. Unfortunately, the mechanism for cisplatin-induced neuropathy has not been completely elucidated. Currently, available treatments for neuropathic pain (NP) are mostly symptomatic, insufficient and are often linked with several detrimental side effects; thus, effective treatments are needed. Cannabinoids and agmatine are endogenous modulators that are implicated in painful states. This review explains the cisplatin-induced neuropathy and antinociceptive effects of cannabinoids and agmatine in animal models of NP and their putative therapeutic potential in cisplatin-induced neuropathy.
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Affiliation(s)
- Basak Donertas
- Department of Medical Pharmacology, Faculty of Medicine, Eskisehir Osmangazi University, Eskisehir, Turkey
| | - Cigdem Cengelli Unel
- Department of Medical Pharmacology, Faculty of Medicine, Eskisehir Osmangazi University, Eskisehir, Turkey
| | - Kevser Erol
- Department of Medical Pharmacology, Faculty of Medicine, Eskisehir Osmangazi University, Eskisehir, Turkey
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Mnatsakanyan LA, Balashova TV, Sosin AA, Shumatov VB, Dyuizen IV. The Involvement of Agmatine in Individual Pain Sensitivity. NEUROCHEM J+ 2018. [DOI: 10.1134/s1819712418010117] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/23/2022]
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26
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Donertas B, Cengelli Unel C, Aydin S, Ulupinar E, Ozatik O, Kaygisiz B, Yildirim E, Erol K. Agmatine co-treatment attenuates allodynia and structural abnormalities in cisplatin-induced neuropathy in rats. Fundam Clin Pharmacol 2018; 32:288-296. [DOI: 10.1111/fcp.12351] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/23/2017] [Revised: 01/09/2018] [Accepted: 01/23/2018] [Indexed: 01/20/2023]
Affiliation(s)
- Basak Donertas
- Department of Medical Pharmacology; Faculty of Medicine; Eskisehir Osmangazi University; Eskisehir 26480 Turkey
| | - Cigdem Cengelli Unel
- Department of Medical Pharmacology; Faculty of Medicine; Eskisehir Osmangazi University; Eskisehir 26480 Turkey
| | - Sule Aydin
- Department of Medical Pharmacology; Faculty of Medicine; Eskisehir Osmangazi University; Eskisehir 26480 Turkey
| | - Emel Ulupinar
- Department of Anatomy; Faculty of Medicine; Eskisehir Osmangazi University; Eskisehir 26480 Turkey
| | - Orhan Ozatik
- Department of Histology and Embryology; Faculty of Medicine; Dumlupinar University; Kutahya 43000 Turkey
| | - Bilgin Kaygisiz
- Department of Medical Pharmacology; Faculty of Medicine; Eskisehir Osmangazi University; Eskisehir 26480 Turkey
| | - Engin Yildirim
- Department of Medical Pharmacology; Faculty of Medicine; Eskisehir Osmangazi University; Eskisehir 26480 Turkey
| | - Kevser Erol
- Department of Medical Pharmacology; Faculty of Medicine; Eskisehir Osmangazi University; Eskisehir 26480 Turkey
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Yasko JR, Mains RE. Chronic pain following spinal cord injury: Current approaches to cellular and molecular mechanisms. TRENDS IN CELL & MOLECULAR BIOLOGY 2018; 13:67-84. [PMID: 33564218 PMCID: PMC7869846] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 06/12/2023]
Abstract
Traumatic spinal cord injury (SCI) has devastating implications for patients, including a high prevalence of chronic pain. Despite advancements in our understanding of the mechanisms involved post-SCI, there are no effective treatments for chronic pain following injury. The development of new treatment interventions for pain is needed, but this requires improved models to assess injury-related cellular, neurophysiological and molecular changes in the spinal cord. Here, we will discuss recent animal models for SCI, molecular screening for altered patterns of gene expression, and the importance of injury severity and timing after SCI.
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Liu Y, Lu GY, Chen WQ, Li YF, Wu N, Li J. Agmatine inhibits chronic morphine exposure-induced impairment of hippocampal neural progenitor proliferation in adult rats. Eur J Pharmacol 2017; 818:50-56. [PMID: 29031903 DOI: 10.1016/j.ejphar.2017.10.018] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/17/2017] [Revised: 10/09/2017] [Accepted: 10/10/2017] [Indexed: 02/09/2023]
Abstract
Our previous studies have shown that agmatine inhibited opioid dependence, yet the neural mechanism remains unclear. Growing evidence showed that opioids decrease neurogenesis in the adult hippocampal subgranular zone by inhibiting neural progenitor proliferation. However, whether agmatine affects chronic opioid exposure-induced impairment to hippocampal neural progenitor cell proliferation remains unknown. In the present study, we investigated the role of agmatine in hippocampal neural progenitors in morphine dependence rats. We found that chronic administration of morphine for 12 days induced morphine dependence in rats. This treatment not only decreased the proliferation of hippocampal neural progenitors in the granule cell layer, but also decreased the levels of hippocampal cAMP, pCREB and BDNF. However, these alterations can be restored to normal levels by co-treatment of agmatine (10mg/kg, s.c.). In vitro treatment with agmatine (10µM) for two days significantly increased proliferation of the cultured hippocampal neural progenitors. Concurrent treatment of agmatine (10µM) with morphine (10 or 50µM) reversed the supression of morphine-induced neural progenitor proliferation. In conclusion, we found that agmatine abolished chronic morphine-induced decrease in proliferation of hippocampal progenitors in vivo and in vitro, which may be due to the increase in cAMP-CREB-BDNF signaling. The enhancement of agmatine to proliferation of hippocampal progenitors may be one of the important mechanisms involved in the inhibition of morphine dependence by agmatine.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ying Liu
- Department of New Drug Evaluation, Beijing Institute of Pharmacology and Toxicology, 27 Taiping Road, Beijing 100850, PR China
| | - Guan-Yi Lu
- Department of New Drug Evaluation, Beijing Institute of Pharmacology and Toxicology, 27 Taiping Road, Beijing 100850, PR China
| | - Wen-Qiang Chen
- Department of New Drug Evaluation, Beijing Institute of Pharmacology and Toxicology, 27 Taiping Road, Beijing 100850, PR China
| | - Yun-Feng Li
- Department of New Drug Evaluation, Beijing Institute of Pharmacology and Toxicology, 27 Taiping Road, Beijing 100850, PR China
| | - Ning Wu
- Department of New Drug Evaluation, Beijing Institute of Pharmacology and Toxicology, 27 Taiping Road, Beijing 100850, PR China.
| | - Jin Li
- Department of New Drug Evaluation, Beijing Institute of Pharmacology and Toxicology, 27 Taiping Road, Beijing 100850, PR China.
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Kumar A, Kaur H, Singh A. Neuropathic Pain models caused by damage to central or peripheral nervous system. Pharmacol Rep 2017; 70:206-216. [PMID: 29475003 DOI: 10.1016/j.pharep.2017.09.009] [Citation(s) in RCA: 43] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/24/2017] [Revised: 08/24/2017] [Accepted: 09/29/2017] [Indexed: 12/16/2022]
Abstract
Neuropathic Pain (NP) is a painful condition which is a direct consequence of a lesion or disease affecting the somatosensory system with symptoms like allodynia, hyperalgesia. It has complex pathogenesis as it involves several molecular signaling pathways, thus numerous reliable animal models are crucial to understand the underlying mechanism of NP and formulate effective management therapy. Some models like spinal cord injury, chronic constriction injury, spinal nerve ligation, chemotherapy induced peripheral neuropathy, diabetes-induced NP and many more are discussed. This review contains an overview of the procedures followed to induce neuropathy and specific characteristics of that particular model. Some new techniques like spared nerve ligation, have omitted the limitation of methods not presently used where complete nerve damage occurs. Since animal models provide a window to experienced symptoms and physiology and impact the translation of bench discoveries to the bedside, the reporting, interpretation and comparison of these models is necessary because slight variation in procedure of model generation can drastically alter the results. The development of novel, but rational analgesic drugs to alleviate this intractable pain demands elucidation of molecular mechanisms of NP for which different types of animal models have been established.
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Affiliation(s)
- Anil Kumar
- Pharmacology Division, University Institute of Pharmaceutical Sciences, UGC Centre of Advanced Study (UGC-CAS), Panjab University, Chandigarh, India.
| | - Harshpreet Kaur
- Pharmacology Division, University Institute of Pharmaceutical Sciences, UGC Centre of Advanced Study (UGC-CAS), Panjab University, Chandigarh, India
| | - Arti Singh
- Pharmacology Division, University Institute of Pharmaceutical Sciences, UGC Centre of Advanced Study (UGC-CAS), Panjab University, Chandigarh, India
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Kim JM, Lee JE, Cheon SY, Lee JH, Kim SY, Kam EH, Koo BN. The Anti-inflammatory Effects of Agmatine on Transient Focal Cerebral Ischemia in Diabetic Rats. J Neurosurg Anesthesiol 2017; 28:203-13. [PMID: 26057630 DOI: 10.1097/ana.0000000000000195] [Citation(s) in RCA: 13] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/09/2023]
Abstract
BACKGROUND In the previous study, we observed agmatine (AGM) posttreatment immediately after 30 minutes of suture occlusion of the middle cerebral artery (MCAO) reduced the infarct size and neurological deficit in diabetic rats. The aim of the present study was to investigate the anti-inflammatory effect of AGM to reduce cerebral ischemic damage in diabetic rats. MATERIALS AND METHODS Normoglycemic (n=20) and streptozotocin-induced diabetic rats (n=40) were subjected to 30 minutes of MCAO followed by reperfusion. Twenty diabetic rats were treated with AGM (100 mg/kg, intraperitoneal) immediately after 30 minutes of MCAO. Modified neurological examinations and rotarod exercises were performed to evaluate motor function. Western blot and immunohistochemical analysis were performed to determine the expression of inflammatory cytokines in ischemic brain tissue. Real-time polymerase chain reaction was performed to measure the mRNA expression of high-mobility group box 1, receptor for advanced glycation end products (RAGE), Toll-like receptor (TLR)2, and TLR4 RESULTS AND CONCLUSIONS:: AGM posttreatment improved the neurobehavioral activity and motor function of diabetic MCAO rats at 24 and 72 hours after reperfusion. Immunohistochemical analysis showed that AGM treatment significantly decreased the expression of inflammatory cytokines in diabetic MCAO rats at 24 and 72 hours after reperfusion (P<0.01). Western blotting and real-time polymerase chain reaction results indicated that AGM treatment significantly decreased the expression of high-mobility group box 1, RAGE, TLR2, and TLR4 in diabetic rats at 24 hours after reperfusion (P<0.05). This neuroprotective effect of AGM after MCAO was associated with modulation of the postischemic neuronal inflammation cascade.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jeong Min Kim
- Departments of *Anesthesiology and Pain Medicine ‡Anatomy †Anesthesia and Pain Research Institute, Yonsei University College of Medicine, Seoul, Korea
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Neis VB, Rosa PB, Olescowicz G, Rodrigues ALS. Therapeutic potential of agmatine for CNS disorders. Neurochem Int 2017; 108:318-331. [DOI: 10.1016/j.neuint.2017.05.006] [Citation(s) in RCA: 27] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/23/2017] [Revised: 05/06/2017] [Accepted: 05/12/2017] [Indexed: 12/14/2022]
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Acute orexigenic effect of agmatine involves interaction between central α2-adrenergic and GABAergic receptors. Biomed Pharmacother 2017; 93:939-947. [DOI: 10.1016/j.biopha.2017.07.004] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/18/2017] [Revised: 06/14/2017] [Accepted: 07/03/2017] [Indexed: 02/02/2023] Open
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Agmatine: multifunctional arginine metabolite and magic bullet in clinical neuroscience? Biochem J 2017; 474:2619-2640. [DOI: 10.1042/bcj20170007] [Citation(s) in RCA: 59] [Impact Index Per Article: 8.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/04/2017] [Revised: 05/23/2017] [Accepted: 05/25/2017] [Indexed: 12/12/2022]
Abstract
Agmatine, the decarboxylation product of arginine, was largely neglected as an important player in mammalian metabolism until the mid-1990s, when it was re-discovered as an endogenous ligand of imidazoline and α2-adrenergic receptors. Since then, a wide variety of agmatine-mediated effects have been observed, and consequently agmatine has moved from a wallflower existence into the limelight of clinical neuroscience research. Despite this quantum jump in scientific interest, the understanding of the anabolism and catabolism of this amine is still vague. The purification and biochemical characterization of natural mammalian arginine decarboxylase and agmatinase still are open issues. Nevertheless, the agmatinergic system is currently one of the most promising candidates in order to pharmacologically interfere with some major diseases of the central nervous system, which are summarized in the present review. Particularly with respect to major depression, agmatine, its derivatives, and metabolizing enzymes show great promise for the development of an improved treatment of this common disease.
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Rondón LJ, Farges MC, Davin N, Sion B, Privat AM, Vasson MP, Eschalier A, Courteix C. l-Arginine supplementation prevents allodynia and hyperalgesia in painful diabetic neuropathic rats by normalizing plasma nitric oxide concentration and increasing plasma agmatine concentration. Eur J Nutr 2017; 57:2353-2363. [DOI: 10.1007/s00394-017-1508-x] [Citation(s) in RCA: 17] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/13/2017] [Accepted: 07/11/2017] [Indexed: 11/30/2022]
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35
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Taksande BG, Gawande DY, Chopde CT, Umekar MJ, Kotagale NR. Agmatine ameliorates adjuvant induced arthritis and inflammatory cachexia in rats. Biomed Pharmacother 2017; 86:271-278. [DOI: 10.1016/j.biopha.2016.12.039] [Citation(s) in RCA: 26] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/14/2016] [Revised: 11/28/2016] [Accepted: 12/09/2016] [Indexed: 02/08/2023] Open
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36
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Effects of agmatine sulphate on facial nerve injuries. The Journal of Laryngology & Otology 2017; 131:221-226. [DOI: 10.1017/s0022215117000147] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/07/2022]
Abstract
AbstractObjective:To evaluate the effect of agmatine sulphate on facial nerve regeneration after facial nerve injury using electron and light microscopy.Methods:The study was performed on 30 male Wistar albino rats split into: a control group, a sham-treated group, a study control group, an anastomosis group, and an anastomosis plus agmatine sulphate treatment group. The mandibular branch of the facial nerve was dissected, and a piece was removed for histological and electron microscopic examination.Results:Regeneration was better in the anastomosis group than in the study control group. However, the best regeneration findings were seen in the agmatine sulphate treatment group. There was a significant difference between the agmatine group and the others in terms of median axon numbers (p < 0.004) and diameters (p < 0.004).Conclusion:Agmatine sulphate treatment with anastomosis in traumatic facial paralysis may enhance nerve regeneration.
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37
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Freitas AE, Neis VB, Rodrigues ALS. Agmatine, a potential novel therapeutic strategy for depression. Eur Neuropsychopharmacol 2016; 26:1885-1899. [PMID: 27836390 DOI: 10.1016/j.euroneuro.2016.10.013] [Citation(s) in RCA: 34] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/22/2016] [Revised: 10/12/2016] [Accepted: 10/29/2016] [Indexed: 12/19/2022]
Abstract
Major depressive disorder is the most common psychiatric disorder with lifetime prevalence of up to 20% worldwide. It is responsible for more years lost to disability than any other disorder. Despite the fact that current available antidepressant drugs are safe and effective, they are far from ideal. In addition to the need to administer the drugs for weeks or months to obtain clinical benefit, side effects are still a serious problem. Agmatine is an endogenous polyamine synthesized by the enzyme arginine decarboxylase. It modulates several receptors and is considered as a neuromodulator in the brain. In this review, studies demonstrating the antidepressant effects of agmatine are presented and discussed, as well as, the mechanisms of action related to these effects. Also, the potential beneficial effects of agmatine for the treatment of other neurological disorders are presented. In particular, we provide evidence to encourage future clinical studies investigating agmatine as a novel antidepressant drug.
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Affiliation(s)
- Andiara E Freitas
- Department of Psychiatry, University of California, San Francisco, San Francisco, CA 94158, USA; Department of Biochemistry, Center of Biological Sciences, Universidade Federal de Santa Catarina, Campus Universitário, Trindade, 88040-900 Florianópolis, SC, Brazil.
| | - Vivian B Neis
- Department of Biochemistry, Center of Biological Sciences, Universidade Federal de Santa Catarina, Campus Universitário, Trindade, 88040-900 Florianópolis, SC, Brazil
| | - Ana Lúcia S Rodrigues
- Department of Biochemistry, Center of Biological Sciences, Universidade Federal de Santa Catarina, Campus Universitário, Trindade, 88040-900 Florianópolis, SC, Brazil
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Agmatine Reduces Lipopolysaccharide-Mediated Oxidant Response via Activating PI3K/Akt Pathway and Up-Regulating Nrf2 and HO-1 Expression in Macrophages. PLoS One 2016; 11:e0163634. [PMID: 27685463 PMCID: PMC5042521 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0163634] [Citation(s) in RCA: 39] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/11/2016] [Accepted: 09/12/2016] [Indexed: 01/11/2023] Open
Abstract
Macrophages are key responders of inflammation and are closely related with oxidative stress. Activated macrophages can enhance oxygen depletion, which causes an overproduction of reactive oxygen species (ROS) and leads to further excessive inflammatory response and tissue damage. Agmatine, an endogenous metabolite of L-arginine, has recently been shown to have neuroprotective effects based on its antioxidant properties. However, the antioxidant effects of agmatine in peripheral tissues and cells, especially macrophages, remain unclear. In this study we explored the role of agmatine in mediating antioxidant effects in RAW 264.7 cells and studied its antioxidant mechanism. Our data demonstrate that agmatine is an activator of Nrf2 signaling that markedly enhances Nrf2 nuclear translocation, increases nuclear Nrf2 protein level, up-regulates the expression of the Nrf2 downstream effector HO-1, and attenuates ROS generation induced by Lipopolysaccharide (LPS). We further demonstrated that the agmatine-induced activation of Nrf2 is likely through the PI3K/Akt pathway. LY294002, a specific PI3K/Akt inhibitor, abolished agmatine-induced HO-1 up-regulation and ROS suppression significantly. Inhibiting HO-1 pathway significantly attenuated the antioxidant effect of agmatine which the products of HO-1 enzymatic activity contributed to. Furthermore, the common membrane receptors of agmatine were evaluated, revealing that α2-adrenoceptor, I1-imidazoline receptor or I2-imidazoline receptor are not required by the antioxidant properties of agmatine. Taken together, our findings revealed that agmatine has antioxidant activity against LPS-induced ROS accumulation in RAW 264.7 cells involving HO-1 expression induced by Nrf2 via PI3K/Akt pathway activation.
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39
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Bakshi N, Morris CR. The role of the arginine metabolome in pain: implications for sickle cell disease. J Pain Res 2016; 9:167-75. [PMID: 27099528 PMCID: PMC4821376 DOI: 10.2147/jpr.s55571] [Citation(s) in RCA: 21] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/19/2023] Open
Abstract
Sickle cell disease (SCD) is the most common hemoglobinopathy in the US, affecting approximately 100,000 individuals in the US and millions worldwide. Pain is the hallmark of SCD, and a subset of patients experience pain virtually all of the time. Of interest, the arginine metabolome is associated with several pain mechanisms highlighted in this review. Since SCD is an arginine deficiency syndrome, the contribution of the arginine metabolome to acute and chronic pain in SCD is a topic in need of further attention. Normal arginine metabolism is impaired in SCD through various mechanisms that contribute to endothelial dysfunction, vaso-occlusion, pulmonary complications, risk of leg ulcers, and early mortality. Arginine is a semiessential amino acid that serves as a substrate for protein synthesis and is the precursor to nitric oxide (NO), polyamines, proline, glutamate, creatine, and agmatine. Since arginine is involved in multiple metabolic processes, a deficiency of this amino acid has the potential to disrupt many cellular and organ functions. NO is a potent vasodilator that is depleted in SCD and may contribute to vaso-occlusive pain. As the obligate substrate for NO production, arginine also plays a mechanistic role in SCD-related pain, although its contribution to pain pathways likely extends beyond NO. Low global arginine bioavailability is associated with pain severity in both adults and children with SCD as well as other non-SCD pain syndromes. Preliminary clinical studies of arginine therapy in SCD demonstrate efficacy in treating acute vaso-occlusive pain, as well as leg ulcers and pulmonary hypertension. Restoration of arginine bioavailability through exogenous supplementation of arginine is, therefore, a promising therapeutic target. Phase II clinical trials of arginine therapy for sickle-related pain are underway and a Phase III randomized controlled trial is anticipated in the near future.
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Affiliation(s)
- Nitya Bakshi
- Division of Pediatric Hematology-Oncology, Department of Pediatrics, Emory University School of Medicine, Atlanta, GA, USA; Aflac Cancer and Blood Disorders Center, Children's Healthcare of Atlanta, Atlanta, GA, USA
| | - Claudia R Morris
- Division of Pediatric Emergency Medicine, Department of Pediatrics, Emory University School of Medicine, Atlanta, GA, USA; Department of Emergency Medicine, Emory University School of Medicine, Atlanta, GA, USA; Emory-Children's Center for Cystic Fibrosis and Airways Disease Research, Emory University School of Medicine, Atlanta, GA, USA; Pediatric Emergency Medicine, Children's Healthcare of Atlanta, Atlanta, GA, USA
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Kuzdas-Wood D, Irschick R, Theurl M, Malsch P, Mair N, Mantinger C, Wanschitz J, Klimaschewski L, Poewe W, Stefanova N, Wenning GK. Involvement of Peripheral Nerves in the Transgenic PLP-α-Syn Model of Multiple System Atrophy: Extending the Phenotype. PLoS One 2015; 10:e0136575. [PMID: 26496712 PMCID: PMC4619736 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0136575] [Citation(s) in RCA: 13] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/09/2015] [Accepted: 08/05/2015] [Indexed: 11/18/2022] Open
Abstract
Multiple system atrophy (MSA) is a fatal, rapidly progressive neurodegenerative disease with (oligodendro-)glial cytoplasmic α-synuclein (α-syn) inclusions (GCIs). Peripheral neuropathies have been reported in up to 40% of MSA patients, the cause remaining unclear. In a transgenic MSA mouse model featuring GCI-like inclusion pathology based on PLP-promoter driven overexpression of human α-syn in oligodendroglia motor and non-motor deficits are associated with MSA-like neurodegeneration. Since α-syn is also expressed in Schwann cells we aimed to investigate whether peripheral nerves are anatomically and functionally affected in the PLP-α-syn MSA mouse model.
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Affiliation(s)
- Daniela Kuzdas-Wood
- Department of Neurology, Medical University of Innsbruck, Innsbruck, Tirol, Austria
| | - Regina Irschick
- Department of Anatomy, Histology and Embryology, Division of Clinical and Functional Anatomy, Medical University of Innsbruck, 6020 Innsbruck, Austria
- Department of Anatomy, Histology and Embryology, Division of Neuroanatomy, Medical University of Innsbruck, 6020 Innsbruck, Austria
| | - Markus Theurl
- Department of Cardiology and Angiology, Medical University of Innsbruck, Innsbruck, Tirol, Austria
| | - Philipp Malsch
- Department of Physiology and Medical Physics, Medical University of Innsbruck, Innsbruck, Tirol, Austria
| | - Norbert Mair
- Department of Physiology and Medical Physics, Medical University of Innsbruck, Innsbruck, Tirol, Austria
| | - Christine Mantinger
- Department of Neurology, Medical University of Innsbruck, Innsbruck, Tirol, Austria
| | - Julia Wanschitz
- Department of Neurology, Medical University of Innsbruck, Innsbruck, Tirol, Austria
| | - Lars Klimaschewski
- Department of Anatomy, Histology and Embryology, Division of Clinical and Functional Anatomy, Medical University of Innsbruck, 6020 Innsbruck, Austria
| | - Werner Poewe
- Department of Neurology, Medical University of Innsbruck, Innsbruck, Tirol, Austria
| | - Nadia Stefanova
- Department of Neurology, Medical University of Innsbruck, Innsbruck, Tirol, Austria
| | - Gregor K. Wenning
- Department of Neurology, Medical University of Innsbruck, Innsbruck, Tirol, Austria
- * E-mail:
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Schomberg D, Miranpuri G, Duellman T, Crowell A, Vemuganti R, Resnick D. Spinal cord injury induced neuropathic pain: Molecular targets and therapeutic approaches. Metab Brain Dis 2015; 30:645-58. [PMID: 25588751 DOI: 10.1007/s11011-014-9642-0] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/21/2014] [Accepted: 12/05/2014] [Indexed: 10/24/2022]
Abstract
Neuropathic pain, especially that resulting from spinal cord injury, is a tremendous clinical challenge. A myriad of biological changes have been implicated in producing these pain states including cellular interactions, extracellular proteins, ion channel expression, and epigenetic influences. Physiological consequences of these changes are varied and include functional deficits and pain responses. Developing therapies that effectively address the cause of these symptoms require a deeper knowledge of alterations in the molecular pathways. Matrix metalloproteinases and tissue inhibitors of metalloproteinases are two promising therapeutic targets. Matrix metalloproteinases interact with and influence many of the studied pain pathways. Gene expression of ion channels and inflammatory mediators clearly contributes to neuropathic pain. Localized and time dependent targeting of these proteins could alleviate and even prevent neuropathic pain from developing. Current therapeutic options for neuropathic pain are limited primarily to analgesics targeting the opioid pathway. Therapies directed at molecular targets are highly desirable and in early stages of development. These include transplantation of exogenously engineered cell populations and targeted gene manipulation. This review describes specific molecular targets amenable to therapeutic intervention using currently available delivery systems.
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Affiliation(s)
- Dominic Schomberg
- Department of Neurological Surgery, University of Wisconsin School of Medicine and Public Health, 600 Highland Ave, Madison, WI, 53792, USA
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Agmatine attenuates lipopolysaccharide induced anorexia and sickness behavior in rats. Pharmacol Biochem Behav 2015; 132:108-114. [DOI: 10.1016/j.pbb.2015.02.013] [Citation(s) in RCA: 14] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/19/2014] [Revised: 02/12/2015] [Accepted: 02/16/2015] [Indexed: 01/14/2023]
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Neuropathic pain: role of inflammation, immune response, and ion channel activity in central injury mechanisms. Ann Neurosci 2014; 19:125-32. [PMID: 25205985 PMCID: PMC4117080 DOI: 10.5214/ans.0972.7531.190309] [Citation(s) in RCA: 38] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/07/2012] [Revised: 06/30/2012] [Accepted: 07/27/2012] [Indexed: 01/11/2023] Open
Abstract
Neuropathic pain (NP) is a significant and disabling clinical problem with very few therapeutic treatment options available. A major priority is to identify the molecular mechanisms responsible for NP. Although many seemingly relevant pathways have been identified, more research is needed before effective clinical interventions can be produced. Initial insults to the nervous system, such as spinal cord injury (SCI), are often compounded by secondary mechanisms such as inflammation, the immune response, and the changing expression of receptors and ion channels. The consequences of these secondary effects myriad and compound those elicited by the primary injury. Chronic NP syndromes following SCI can greatly complicate the clinical treatment of the primary injury and result in high comorbidity. In this review, we will describe physiological outcomes associated with SCI along with some of the mechanisms known to contribute to chronic NP development.
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Garraway SM, Woller SA, Huie JR, Hartman JJ, Hook MA, Miranda RC, Huang YJ, Ferguson AR, Grau JW. Peripheral noxious stimulation reduces withdrawal threshold to mechanical stimuli after spinal cord injury: role of tumor necrosis factor alpha and apoptosis. Pain 2014; 155:2344-59. [PMID: 25180012 DOI: 10.1016/j.pain.2014.08.034] [Citation(s) in RCA: 52] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/07/2014] [Revised: 08/12/2014] [Accepted: 08/26/2014] [Indexed: 01/23/2023]
Abstract
We previously showed that peripheral noxious input after spinal cord injury (SCI) inhibits beneficial spinal plasticity and impairs recovery of locomotor and bladder functions. These observations suggest that noxious input may similarly affect the development and maintenance of chronic neuropathic pain, an important consequence of SCI. In adult rats with a moderate contusion SCI, we investigated the effect of noxious tail stimulation, administered 1 day after SCI on mechanical withdrawal responses to von Frey stimuli from 1 to 28 days after treatment. In addition, because the proinflammatory cytokine tumor necrosis factor alpha (TNFα) is implicated in numerous injury-induced processes including pain hypersensitivity, we assessed the temporal and spatial expression of TNFα, TNF receptors, and several downstream signaling targets after stimulation. Our results showed that unlike sham surgery or SCI only, nociceptive stimulation after SCI induced mechanical sensitivity by 24h. These behavioral changes were accompanied by increased expression of TNFα. Cellular assessments of downstream targets of TNFα revealed that nociceptive stimulation increased the expression of caspase 8 and the active subunit (12 kDa) of caspase 3, indicative of active apoptosis at a time point consistent with the onset of mechanical allodynia. In addition, immunohistochemical analysis revealed distinct morphological signs of apoptosis in neurons and microglia at 24h after stimulation. Interestingly, expression of the inflammatory mediator NFκB was unaltered by nociceptive stimulation. These results suggest that noxious input caudal to the level of SCI can increase the onset and expression of behavioral responses indicative of pain, potentially involving TNFα signaling.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sandra M Garraway
- Department of Psychology, Texas A&M University, College Station, TX 77843, USA.
| | - Sarah A Woller
- Department of Psychology, Texas A&M University, College Station, TX 77843, USA
| | - J Russell Huie
- Department of Neurological Surgery, Brain and Spinal Injury Center (BASIC), University of California, San Francisco, 1001 Potrero Ave, Bldg 1, Room 101, San Francisco, CA 94110, USA
| | - John J Hartman
- Department of Psychology, Texas A&M University, College Station, TX 77843, USA
| | - Michelle A Hook
- Department of Psychology, Texas A&M University, College Station, TX 77843, USA
| | - Rajesh C Miranda
- Department of Neuroscience and Experimental Therapeutics, Texas A&M Health Science Center, College of Medicine, Medical Research and Education Bldg, 8447 State Highway 47, Bryan, TX 77807-3260, USA
| | - Yung-Jen Huang
- Department of Psychology, Texas A&M University, College Station, TX 77843, USA
| | - Adam R Ferguson
- Department of Neurological Surgery, Brain and Spinal Injury Center (BASIC), University of California, San Francisco, 1001 Potrero Ave, Bldg 1, Room 101, San Francisco, CA 94110, USA
| | - James W Grau
- Department of Psychology, Texas A&M University, College Station, TX 77843, USA
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Neis VB, Manosso LM, Moretti M, Freitas AE, Daufenbach J, Rodrigues ALS. Depressive-like behavior induced by tumor necrosis factor-α is abolished by agmatine administration. Behav Brain Res 2014; 261:336-44. [DOI: 10.1016/j.bbr.2013.12.038] [Citation(s) in RCA: 50] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/23/2013] [Revised: 12/20/2013] [Accepted: 12/23/2013] [Indexed: 12/22/2022]
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Piletz JE, Aricioglu F, Cheng JT, Fairbanks CA, Gilad VH, Haenisch B, Halaris A, Hong S, Lee JE, Li J, Liu P, Molderings GJ, Rodrigues ALS, Satriano J, Seong GJ, Wilcox G, Wu N, Gilad GM. Agmatine: clinical applications after 100 years in translation. Drug Discov Today 2013; 18:880-93. [PMID: 23769988 DOI: 10.1016/j.drudis.2013.05.017] [Citation(s) in RCA: 172] [Impact Index Per Article: 15.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/20/2013] [Revised: 04/27/2013] [Accepted: 05/22/2013] [Indexed: 12/13/2022]
Abstract
Agmatine (decarboxylated arginine) has been known as a natural product for over 100 years, but its biosynthesis in humans was left unexplored owing to long-standing controversy. Only recently has the demonstration of agmatine biosynthesis in mammals revived research, indicating its exceptional modulatory action at multiple molecular targets, including neurotransmitter systems, nitric oxide (NO) synthesis and polyamine metabolism, thus providing bases for broad therapeutic applications. This timely review, a concerted effort by 16 independent research groups, draws attention to the substantial preclinical and initial clinical evidence, and highlights challenges and opportunities, for the use of agmatine in treating a spectrum of complex diseases with unmet therapeutic needs, including diabetes mellitus, neurotrauma and neurodegenerative diseases, opioid addiction, mood disorders, cognitive disorders and cancer.
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Affiliation(s)
- John E Piletz
- Department of Biology, Mississippi College, Clinton, MS 39058, USA
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Cai YQ, Chen SR, Pan HL. Upregulation of nuclear factor of activated T-cells by nerve injury contributes to development of neuropathic pain. J Pharmacol Exp Ther 2013; 345:161-8. [PMID: 23386250 DOI: 10.1124/jpet.112.202192] [Citation(s) in RCA: 24] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/11/2022] Open
Abstract
Nerve injury induces long-term changes in gene expression in the nociceptive circuitry and can lead to chronic neuropathic pain. However, the transcriptional mechanism involved in neuropathic pain is poorly understood. Nuclear factor of activated T-cells (NFATc) is a transcriptional factor regulated by the Ca(2+)-dependent protein phosphatase calcineurin. In this study, we determined nerve injury-induced changes in the expression of NFATc1-c4 in the dorsal root ganglia (DRG) and spinal cords and their role in the development of neuropathic pain. The mRNA of NFATc1-c4 was detected in the rat DRG and dorsal spinal cord. Nerve injury transiently elevated NFATc1-c3 mRNA levels and persistently increased NFATc4 and C-C chemokine receptor type 2 (CCR2) mRNA levels in the DRG. However, NFATc1-c4 mRNA levels in the spinal cord were not altered significantly by nerve injury. Nerve injury also significantly increased the protein level of dephosphorylated NFATc4 in the DRG. Intrathecal injection of the specific NFATc inhibitor 11R-VIVIT or the calcineurin inhibitor FK-506 (tacrolimus) early after nerve injury significantly attenuated the development of tactile allodynia. In addition, treatment with FK-506 or 11R-VIVIT significantly reduced the mRNA levels of NFATc4 and CCR2 but not large-conductance Ca(2+)-activated K(+) channels, in the DRG after nerve injury. Our findings suggest that peripheral nerve injury causes a time-dependent change in NFATc1-c4 expression in the DRG. Calcineurin-NFATc-mediated expression of pronociceptive cytokines contributes to the transition from acute to chronic pain after nerve injury.
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Affiliation(s)
- You-Qing Cai
- Center for Neuroscience and Pain Research, Department of Anesthesiology and Perioperative Medicine, The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center, Houston, Texas, USA
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Park YM, Lee WT, Bokara KK, Seo SK, Park SH, Kim JH, Yenari MA, Park KA, Lee JE. The multifaceted effects of agmatine on functional recovery after spinal cord injury through Modulations of BMP-2/4/7 expressions in neurons and glial cells. PLoS One 2013; 8:e53911. [PMID: 23349763 PMCID: PMC3549976 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0053911] [Citation(s) in RCA: 29] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/21/2012] [Accepted: 12/04/2012] [Indexed: 11/29/2022] Open
Abstract
Presently, few treatments for spinal cord injury (SCI) are available and none have facilitated neural regeneration and/or significant functional improvement. Agmatine (Agm), a guanidinium compound formed from decarboxylation of L-arginine by arginine decarboxylase, is a neurotransmitter/neuromodulator and been reported to exert neuroprotective effects in central nervous system injury models including SCI. The purpose of this study was to demonstrate the multifaceted effects of Agm on functional recovery and remyelinating events following SCI. Compression SCI in mice was produced by placing a 15 g/mm2 weight for 1 min at thoracic vertebra (Th) 9 segment. Mice that received an intraperitoneal (i.p.) injection of Agm (100 mg/kg/day) within 1 hour after SCI until 35 days showed improvement in locomotor recovery and bladder function. Emphasis was made on the analysis of remyelination events, neuronal cell preservation and ablation of glial scar area following SCI. Agm treatment significantly inhibited the demyelination events, neuronal loss and glial scar around the lesion site. In light of recent findings that expressions of bone morphogenetic proteins (BMPs) are modulated in the neuronal and glial cell population after SCI, we hypothesized whether Agm could modulate BMP- 2/4/7 expressions in neurons, astrocytes, oligodendrocytes and play key role in promoting the neuronal and glial cell survival in the injured spinal cord. The results from computer assisted stereological toolbox analysis (CAST) demonstrate that Agm treatment dramatically increased BMP- 2/7 expressions in neurons and oligodendrocytes. On the other hand, BMP- 4 expressions were significantly decreased in astrocytes and oligodendrocytes around the lesion site. Together, our results reveal that Agm treatment improved neurological and histological outcomes, induced oligodendrogenesis, protected neurons, and decreased glial scar formation through modulating the BMP- 2/4/7 expressions following SCI.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yu Mi Park
- Department of Anatomy, Yonsei University College of Medicine, Seoul, Republic of Korea
- BK 21 Project for Medical Science, Yonsei University College of Medicine, Seoul, Republic of Korea
| | - Won Taek Lee
- Department of Anatomy, Yonsei University College of Medicine, Seoul, Republic of Korea
| | - Kiran Kumar Bokara
- Department of Anatomy, Yonsei University College of Medicine, Seoul, Republic of Korea
| | - Su Kyoung Seo
- Department of Anatomy, Yonsei University College of Medicine, Seoul, Republic of Korea
- BK 21 Project for Medical Science, Yonsei University College of Medicine, Seoul, Republic of Korea
| | - Seung Hwa Park
- Department of Anatomy, Konkuk University College of Medicine, Seoul, Republic of Korea
| | - Jae Hwan Kim
- Department of Anatomy, Yonsei University College of Medicine, Seoul, Republic of Korea
| | - Midori A. Yenari
- Department of Neurology, University of California San Francisco and Veterans Affairs Medical Center, San Francisco, California, United States of America
| | - Kyung Ah Park
- Department of Anatomy, Yonsei University College of Medicine, Seoul, Republic of Korea
| | - Jong Eun Lee
- Department of Anatomy, Yonsei University College of Medicine, Seoul, Republic of Korea
- BK 21 Project for Medical Science, Yonsei University College of Medicine, Seoul, Republic of Korea
- * E-mail:
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Utkan T, Gocmez SS, Regunathan S, Aricioglu F. Agmatine, a metabolite of L-arginine, reverses scopolamine-induced learning and memory impairment in rats. Pharmacol Biochem Behav 2012; 102:578-84. [PMID: 22796489 DOI: 10.1016/j.pbb.2012.07.003] [Citation(s) in RCA: 25] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/07/2011] [Revised: 06/26/2012] [Accepted: 07/07/2012] [Indexed: 01/28/2023]
Abstract
Agmatine (l-amino-4-guanidino-butane), a metabolite of L-arginine through the action of arginine decarboxylase, is a novel neurotransmitter. In the present study, effects of agmatine on cognitive functions have been evaluated by using one trial step-down passive avoidance and three panel runway task. Agmatine (20, 40, 80 mg/kg i.p.) was administered either in the presence or absence of a cholinergic antagonist, scopolamine (1 mg/kg i.p.). Scopolamine significantly impaired learning and memory in both passive avoidance and three panel runway test. Agmatine did not affect emotional learning, working and reference memory but significantly improved scopolamine-induced impairment of learning and memory in a dose dependent manner. Our results indicate that agmatine, as an endogenous substance, may have an important role in modulation of learning and memory functions.
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Affiliation(s)
- Tijen Utkan
- Kocaeli University Medical Faculty, Pharmacology Department and Experimental Medical Research and Application Unit, 41380 Kocaeli, Turkey.
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