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Austin MW, Dunlap AS. Resource Availability Affects Seasonal Trajectories of Population-Level Learning. Am Nat 2023; 201:16-37. [PMID: 36524930 DOI: 10.1086/722235] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/03/2022]
Abstract
AbstractEnvironmental effects on learning are well known, such as cognition that is mediated by nutritional consumption. Less known is how seasonally variable environments affect phenological trajectories of learning. Here, we test the hypothesis that nutritional availability affects seasonal trajectories of population-level learning in species with developmentally plastic cognition. We test this in bumble bees (Apidae: Bombus), a clade of eusocial insects that produce individuals at different time points across their reproductive season and exhibit organ developmental plasticity in response to nutritional consumption. To accomplish this, we develop a theoretical model that simulates learning development across a reproductive season for a colony parameterized with observed life history data. Our model finds two qualitative seasonal trajectories of learning: (1) an increase in learning across the season and (2) no change in learning across the season. We also find these two qualitative trajectories revealed by empirical learning data; the proportion of workers successfully completing a learning test increases across a season for two bumble bee species (Bombus auricomus, Bombus pensylvanicus) but does not change for another three (Bombus bimaculatus, Bombus griseocollis, Bombus impatiens). This study supports the novel consideration that resources affect seasonal trajectories of population-level learning in species with developmentally plastic cognition.
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Fabianová K, Babeľová J, Fabian D, Popovičová A, Martončíková M, Raček A, Račeková E. Maternal High-Energy Diet during Pregnancy and Lactation Impairs Neurogenesis and Alters the Behavior of Adult Offspring in a Phenotype-Dependent Manner. Int J Mol Sci 2022; 23:ijms23105564. [PMID: 35628378 PMCID: PMC9146615 DOI: 10.3390/ijms23105564] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/05/2022] [Revised: 05/09/2022] [Accepted: 05/13/2022] [Indexed: 11/30/2022] Open
Abstract
Obesity is one of the biggest and most costly health challenges the modern world encounters. Substantial evidence suggests that the risk of metabolic syndrome or obesity formation may be affected at a very early stage of development, in particular through fetal and/or neonatal overfeeding. Outcomes from epidemiological studies indicate that maternal nutrition during pregnancy and lactation has a profound impact on adult neurogenesis in the offspring. In the present study, an intergenerational dietary model employing overfeeding of experimental mice during prenatal and early postnatal development was applied to acquire mice with various body conditions. We investigated the impact of the maternal high-energy diet during pregnancy and lactation on adult neurogenesis in the olfactory neurogenic region involving the subventricular zone (SVZ) and the rostral migratory stream (RMS) and some behavioral tasks including memory, anxiety and nociception. Our findings show that a maternal high-energy diet administered during pregnancy and lactation modifies proliferation and differentiation, and induced degeneration of cells in the SVZ/RMS of offspring, but only in mice where extreme phenotype, such as significant overweight/adiposity or obesity is manifested. Thereafter, a maternal high-energy diet enhances anxiety-related behavior in offspring regardless of its body condition and impairs learning and memory in offspring with an extreme phenotype.
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Affiliation(s)
- Kamila Fabianová
- Institute of Neurobiology, Biomedical Research Center, Slovak Academy of Sciences, Šoltésovej 4, 040 01 Košice, Slovakia; (A.P.); (M.M.); (A.R.); (E.R.)
- Correspondence:
| | - Janka Babeľová
- Centre of Biosciences, Institute of Animal Physiology, Slovak Academy of Sciences, Šoltésovej 4-6, 040 01 Košice, Slovakia; (J.B.); (D.F.)
| | - Dušan Fabian
- Centre of Biosciences, Institute of Animal Physiology, Slovak Academy of Sciences, Šoltésovej 4-6, 040 01 Košice, Slovakia; (J.B.); (D.F.)
| | - Alexandra Popovičová
- Institute of Neurobiology, Biomedical Research Center, Slovak Academy of Sciences, Šoltésovej 4, 040 01 Košice, Slovakia; (A.P.); (M.M.); (A.R.); (E.R.)
| | - Marcela Martončíková
- Institute of Neurobiology, Biomedical Research Center, Slovak Academy of Sciences, Šoltésovej 4, 040 01 Košice, Slovakia; (A.P.); (M.M.); (A.R.); (E.R.)
| | - Adam Raček
- Institute of Neurobiology, Biomedical Research Center, Slovak Academy of Sciences, Šoltésovej 4, 040 01 Košice, Slovakia; (A.P.); (M.M.); (A.R.); (E.R.)
| | - Enikő Račeková
- Institute of Neurobiology, Biomedical Research Center, Slovak Academy of Sciences, Šoltésovej 4, 040 01 Košice, Slovakia; (A.P.); (M.M.); (A.R.); (E.R.)
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Food Insecurity across the Life-Course and Cognitive Function among Older Mexican Adults. Nutrients 2022; 14:nu14071462. [PMID: 35406075 PMCID: PMC9002944 DOI: 10.3390/nu14071462] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/24/2022] [Revised: 03/24/2022] [Accepted: 03/28/2022] [Indexed: 11/25/2022] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Food insecurity remains a global public health problem. Experiencing food insecurity is related to poorer cognitive function among older adults. However, few studies have examined how food insecurity, experienced over the life-course, relates to cognitive function among older adults in Mexico. METHODS Data came from the 2015 Mexican Health and Aging Study (n = 11,507 adults aged 50 and over). Early- and late-life food insecurity were ascertained by self-report. We evaluated how both measures of food insecurity related to the performance of multiple cognitive tasks (Verbal Learning, Verbal Recall, Visual Scanning, and Verbal Fluency), while controlling for key health and sociodemographic confounders using linear regression. RESULTS In descriptive analyses, respondents who experienced food insecurity in either early or late life performed significantly worse on all cognitive tasks when compared to the food secure. In models adjusted for health and sociodemographic confounders, early-life food insecurity predicted worse Verbal Learning performance and late-life food insecurity was associated with poorer Visual Scanning performance. CONCLUSIONS Food insecurity was related to poorer cognitive function in a nationally representative sample of older adults in Mexico. However, results suggested that the significance of effects depended on cognitive task and when in the life-course food insecurity was experienced.
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Cohn-Schwartz E, Weinstein G. Early-life food deprivation and cognitive performance among older Europeans. Maturitas 2020; 141:26-32. [PMID: 33036699 DOI: 10.1016/j.maturitas.2020.06.020] [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] [Received: 12/03/2019] [Revised: 06/01/2020] [Accepted: 06/24/2020] [Indexed: 12/15/2022]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Early-life adversity, including food deprivation, has been linked with late-life cognitive function. Our aim was to explore the association between the early experience of hunger (the age at which it was experienced and its duration) and cognitive performance and decline among older Europeans. METHODS Our sample comprised dementia-free individuals aged ≥65 years who participated in waves 3 and 4 of the Survey of Health, Ageing and Retirement in Europe (SHARE). Information on periods of hunger during the life course was gathered in wave 3 (2009; SHARELIFE). Cognitive performance was assessed using tests of memory, verbal fluency and numeracy in waves 4 (2011) and 5 (2013). Regression models were used to assess the relationship between the experience of hunger at different ages and its duration and cognitive performance and decline while adjusting for age, sex, education, lifestyle and health factors. RESULTS Among a sample of 2131 individuals (mean age = 76.2 years; 50 % women), the experience of hunger when aged 0-4 years was associated with poorer immediate and delayed recall, fluency and impaired numeracy factors (B±SE=-0.58 ± 0.12; p < 0.001; B±SE=-0.74 ± 0.13; p < 0.001, B±SE=-1.60 ± 0.42; p < 0.001 and OR [95 % CI] = 0.57 [0.42-0.79], respectively). These results attenuated after controlling for duration of the experience of hunger but remained significant for immediate and delayed recall. The experience of hunger at ages 12-18 years was associated with better immediate recall, delayed recall and fluency (B±SE = 0.38 ± 0.15; p = 0.010; B±SE = 0.37 ± 0.17; p = 0.026, B±SE = 1.57 ± 0.53; p = 0.003, respectively). The associations of hunger with cognitive decline were similar but less robust. CONCLUSIONS Our findings suggest that severe nutritional deprivation in early childhood may be associated with poor cognitive function in later life, while food deprivation in later childhood and adolescence may be protective.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ella Cohn-Schwartz
- Department of Public Health, Faculty of Health Sciences, Ben-Gurion University of the Negev, Be'er Sheva, Israel.
| | - Galit Weinstein
- School of Public Health, Faculty of Social Welfare & Health Sciences, University of Haifa, Israel
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Bhat A, Mahalakshmi AM, Ray B, Tuladhar S, Hediyal TA, Manthiannem E, Padamati J, Chandra R, Chidambaram SB, Sakharkar MK. Benefits of curcumin in brain disorders. Biofactors 2019; 45:666-689. [PMID: 31185140 DOI: 10.1002/biof.1533] [Citation(s) in RCA: 97] [Impact Index Per Article: 19.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/12/2019] [Accepted: 05/22/2019] [Indexed: 12/13/2022]
Abstract
Curcumin is widely consumed in Asia either as turmeric directly or as one of the culinary ingredients in food recipes. The benefits of curcumin in different organ systems have been reported extensively in several neurological diseases and cancer. Curcumin has got its global recognition because of its strong antioxidant, anti-inflammatory, anti-cancer, and antimicrobial activities. Additionally, it is used in diabetes and arthritis as well as in hepatic, renal, and cardiovascular diseases. Recently, there is growing attention on usage of curcumin to prevent or delay the onset of neurodegenerative diseases. This review summarizes available data from several recent studies on curcumin in various neurological diseases such as Alzheimer's disease, Parkinson's disease, Multiple Sclerosis, Huntington's disease, Prions disease, stroke, Down's syndrome, autism, Amyotrophic lateral sclerosis, anxiety, depression, and aging. Recent advancements toward increasing the therapeutic efficacy of curcuma/curcumin formulation and the novel delivery strategies employed to overcome its minimal bioavailability and toxicity studies have also been discussed. This review also summarizes the ongoing clinical trials on curcumin for different neurodegenerative diseases and patent details of curcuma/curcumin in India.
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Affiliation(s)
- Abid Bhat
- Department of Pharmacology, JSS College of Pharmacy, JSS Academy of Higher Education & Research, Mysuru, India
- Central Animal Facility, JSS Academy of Higher Education & Research, Mysuru, India
| | - Arehally M Mahalakshmi
- Department of Pharmacology, JSS College of Pharmacy, JSS Academy of Higher Education & Research, Mysuru, India
- Central Animal Facility, JSS Academy of Higher Education & Research, Mysuru, India
| | - Bipul Ray
- Department of Pharmacology, JSS College of Pharmacy, JSS Academy of Higher Education & Research, Mysuru, India
- Central Animal Facility, JSS Academy of Higher Education & Research, Mysuru, India
| | - Sunanda Tuladhar
- Department of Pharmacology, JSS College of Pharmacy, JSS Academy of Higher Education & Research, Mysuru, India
- Central Animal Facility, JSS Academy of Higher Education & Research, Mysuru, India
| | - Tousif A Hediyal
- Department of Pharmacology, JSS College of Pharmacy, JSS Academy of Higher Education & Research, Mysuru, India
| | - Esther Manthiannem
- Department of Pharmacology, JSS College of Pharmacy, JSS Academy of Higher Education & Research, Mysuru, India
| | - Jagadeeswari Padamati
- Department of Pharmacology, JSS College of Pharmacy, JSS Academy of Higher Education & Research, Mysuru, India
| | - Ramesh Chandra
- Drug Discovery & Development Laboratory, Department of Chemistry, University of Delhi, Delhi, India
- Dr. B. R. Ambedkar Centre for Biomedical Research University of Delhi, Delhi, India
| | - Saravana B Chidambaram
- Department of Pharmacology, JSS College of Pharmacy, JSS Academy of Higher Education & Research, Mysuru, India
- Central Animal Facility, JSS Academy of Higher Education & Research, Mysuru, India
| | - Meena K Sakharkar
- College of Pharmacy and Nutrition, University of Saskatchewan, Saskatoon, Saskatchewan, Canada
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Impact of social rearing-environment on performance in a complex maze in females of a cichlid fish. Behav Processes 2019; 167:103915. [PMID: 31349022 DOI: 10.1016/j.beproc.2019.103915] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/25/2019] [Revised: 07/22/2019] [Accepted: 07/22/2019] [Indexed: 11/22/2022]
Abstract
Spatial orientation is an important skill as it improves, for example, foraging, localisation of recourses, predator avoidance or navigation. Habitat complexity positively affects spatial abilities in various fish species with a more complex environment promoting learning ability. However, to what extent a complex social environment affects cognitive abilities in fishes has received less attention. Here, we investigated differences in maze performance of adult females of the West African cichlid fish Pelvicachromis taeniatus, which had been reared and maintained either in a group or in isolation from an early age on. Fish had to master the route through a maze in order to gain a food reward. Our results indicate marked differences in performance contingent upon social rearing-environment: isolation fish ran successful trials (i.e. locating the food reward) significantly more often than group fish and were faster during trials, also in a reversed maze. However, the number of mistakes did not differ between isolation and group fish and the time needed to relocate the food reward did not diminish with elapsed training days. In a second experiment, the activity of group and isolation fish was analysed in an open field test. Here, isolation fish were less active than group fish. We discuss different possibilities for performance differences of group and isolation fish including enhanced cognitive abilities of isolation fish, motivational/emotional differences and hyperactivity.
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Diz-Chaves Y, Toba L, Fandiño J, González-Matías LC, Garcia-Segura LM, Mallo F. The GLP-1 analog, liraglutide prevents the increase of proinflammatory mediators in the hippocampus of male rat pups submitted to maternal perinatal food restriction. J Neuroinflammation 2018; 15:337. [PMID: 30518432 PMCID: PMC6282252 DOI: 10.1186/s12974-018-1370-7] [Citation(s) in RCA: 26] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/30/2018] [Accepted: 11/18/2018] [Indexed: 12/17/2022] Open
Abstract
Background Perinatal maternal malnutrition is related to altered growth of tissues and organs. The nervous system development is very sensitive to environmental insults, being the hippocampus a vulnerable structure, in which altered number of neurons and granular cells has been observed. Moreover, glial cells are also affected, and increased expression of proinflammatory mediators has been observed. We studied the effect of Glucagon-like peptide-1 receptor (GLP-1R) agonists, liraglutide, which have very potent metabolic and neuroprotective effects, in order to ameliorate/prevent the glial alterations present in the hippocampus of the pups from mothers with food restriction during pregnancy and lactation (maternal perinatal food restriction—MPFR). Methods Pregnant Sprague-Dawley rats were randomly assigned to 50% food restriction (FR; n = 12) or ad libitum controls (CT, n = 12) groups at day of pregnancy 12 (GD12). From GD14 to parturition, pregnant FR and CT rats were treated with liraglutide (100 μg/kg) or vehicle. At postnatal day 21 and before weaning, 48 males and 45 females (CT and MPFR) were sacrificed. mRNA expression levels of interleukin-1β (IL1β), interleukin-6 (IL-6), nuclear factor-κβ, major histocompatibility complex-II (MHCII), interleukin 10 (IL10), arginase 1 (Arg1), and transforming growth factor (TGFβ) were assessed in the hippocampus by quantitative real-time polymerase chain reaction. Iba1 and GFAP-immunoreactivity were assessed by immunocytochemistry. Results The mRNA expression IL1β, IL6, NF-κB, and MHCII increased in the hippocampus of male but not in female pups from MPFR. In addition, there was an increase in the percentage of GFAP and Iba1-immupositive cells in the dentate gyrus compared to controls, indicating an inflammatory response in the brain. On the other hand, liraglutide treatment prevented the neuroinflammatory process, promoting the production of anti-inflammatory molecules such as IL10, TGFβ, and arginase 1, and decreasing the number and reactivity of microglial cells and astrocytes in the hippocampus of male pups. Conclusion Therefore, the GLP-1 analog, liraglutide, emerges as neuroprotective drug that minimizes the harmful effects of maternal food restriction, decreasing neuroinflammation in the hippocampus in a very early stage.
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Affiliation(s)
- Y Diz-Chaves
- Laboratory of Endocrinology, Biomedical Research Center (CINBIO), University of Vigo, Campus As Lagoas-Marcosende, E-36310, Vigo (Pontevedra), Spain.
| | - L Toba
- Laboratory of Endocrinology, Biomedical Research Center (CINBIO), University of Vigo, Campus As Lagoas-Marcosende, E-36310, Vigo (Pontevedra), Spain
| | - J Fandiño
- Laboratory of Endocrinology, Biomedical Research Center (CINBIO), University of Vigo, Campus As Lagoas-Marcosende, E-36310, Vigo (Pontevedra), Spain
| | - L C González-Matías
- Laboratory of Endocrinology, Biomedical Research Center (CINBIO), University of Vigo, Campus As Lagoas-Marcosende, E-36310, Vigo (Pontevedra), Spain
| | - L M Garcia-Segura
- Instituto Cajal, Consejo Superior de Investigaciones Científicas (CSIC), Avenida Doctor Arce 37, E-28002, Madrid, Spain.,Centro de Investigación en Red Fragilidad y Envejecimiento Saludable (CIBERFES), Instituto de Salud Carlos III, Madrid, Spain
| | - F Mallo
- Laboratory of Endocrinology, Biomedical Research Center (CINBIO), University of Vigo, Campus As Lagoas-Marcosende, E-36310, Vigo (Pontevedra), Spain
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Bell BA, Phan ML, Meillère A, Evans JK, Leitner S, Vicario DS, Buchanan KL. Influence of early-life nutritional stress on songbird memory formation. Proc Biol Sci 2018; 285:rspb.2018.1270. [PMID: 30257911 DOI: 10.1098/rspb.2018.1270] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/07/2018] [Accepted: 08/31/2018] [Indexed: 11/12/2022] Open
Abstract
In birds, vocal learning enables the production of sexually selected complex songs, dialects and song copy matching. But stressful conditions during development have been shown to affect song production and complexity, mediated by changes in neural development. However, to date, no studies have tested whether early-life stress affects the neural processes underlying vocal learning, in contrast to song production. Here, we hypothesized that developmental stress alters auditory memory formation and neural processing of song stimuli. We experimentally stressed male nestling zebra finches and, in two separate experiments, tested their neural responses to song playbacks as adults, using either immediate early gene (IEG) expression or electrophysiological response. Once adult, nutritionally stressed males exhibited a reduced response to tutor song playback, as demonstrated by reduced expressions of two IEGs (Arc and ZENK) and reduced neuronal response, in both the caudomedial nidopallium (NCM) and mesopallium (CMM). Furthermore, nutritionally stressed males also showed impaired neuronal memory for novel songs heard in adulthood. These findings demonstrate, for the first time, that developmental conditions affect auditory memories that subserve vocal learning. Although the fitness consequences of such memory impairments remain to be determined, this study highlights the lasting impact early-life experiences can have on cognitive abilities.
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Affiliation(s)
- B A Bell
- Department of Psychology, Rutgers University, Piscataway, NJ, USA
| | - M L Phan
- Department of Psychology, Rutgers University, Piscataway, NJ, USA
| | - A Meillère
- School of Life and Environmental Sciences, Deakin University, Geelong, Victoria, Australia
| | - J K Evans
- School of Life and Environmental Sciences, Deakin University, Geelong, Victoria, Australia
| | - S Leitner
- Department of Behavioural Neurobiology, Max Planck Institute for Ornithology, Seewiesen, Germany
| | - D S Vicario
- Department of Psychology, Rutgers University, Piscataway, NJ, USA
| | - K L Buchanan
- School of Life and Environmental Sciences, Deakin University, Geelong, Victoria, Australia
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Prenatal malnutrition and adult cognitive impairment: a natural experiment from the 1959-1961 Chinese famine. Br J Nutr 2018; 120:198-203. [PMID: 29720288 DOI: 10.1017/s0007114518000958] [Citation(s) in RCA: 13] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/18/2022]
Abstract
The current measures of cognitive functioning in adulthood do not indicate a long-term association with prenatal exposure to the Dutch famine. However, whether such association emerges in China is poorly understood. We aimed to investigate the potential effect of prenatal exposure to the 1959-1961 Chinese famine on adult cognitive impairment. We obtained data from the Second National Sample Survey on Disability implemented in thirty-one provinces in 2006, and restricted our analysis to 387 093 individuals born in 1956-1965. Cognitive impairment was defined as intelligence quotient (IQ) score under 70 and IQ of adults was evaluated by the Wechsler Adult Intelligence Scale - China Revision. Famine severity was defined as excess death rate. The famine impact on adult cognitive impairment was estimated by difference-in-difference models, established by examining the variations of famine exposure across birth cohorts. Results show that compared with adults born in 1956-1958, those who were exposed to Chinese famine during gestation (born in 1959-1961) were at greater risk of cognitive impairment in the total sample. Stratified analyses showed that this effect was evident in males and females, but only in rural, not in urban areas. In conclusion, prenatal exposure to famine had an enduring deleterious effect on risk of cognitive impairment in rural adults.
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Crossland RF, Balasa A, Ramakrishnan R, Mahadevan SK, Fiorotto ML, Van den Veyver IB. Chronic Maternal Low-Protein Diet in Mice Affects Anxiety, Night-Time Energy Expenditure and Sleep Patterns, but Not Circadian Rhythm in Male Offspring. PLoS One 2017; 12:e0170127. [PMID: 28099477 PMCID: PMC5242516 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0170127] [Citation(s) in RCA: 17] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/11/2016] [Accepted: 12/29/2016] [Indexed: 12/14/2022] Open
Abstract
Offspring of murine dams chronically fed a protein-restricted diet have an increased risk for metabolic and neurobehavioral disorders. Previously we showed that adult offspring, developmentally exposed to a chronic maternal low-protein (MLP) diet, had lower body and hind-leg muscle weights and decreased liver enzyme serum levels. We conducted energy expenditure, neurobehavioral and circadian rhythm assays in male offspring to examine mechanisms for the body-weight phenotype and assess neurodevelopmental implications of MLP exposure. C57BL/6J dams were fed a protein restricted (8%protein, MLP) or a control protein (20% protein, C) diet from four weeks before mating until weaning of offspring. Male offspring were weaned to standard rodent diet (20% protein) and single-housed until 8–12 weeks of age. We examined body composition, food intake, energy expenditure, spontaneous rearing activity and sleep patterns and performed behavioral assays for anxiety (open field activity, elevated plus maze [EPM], light/dark exploration), depression (tail suspension and forced swim test), sociability (three-chamber), repetitive (marble burying), learning and memory (fear conditioning), and circadian behavior (wheel-running activity during light-dark and constant dark cycles). We also measured circadian gene expression in hypothalamus and liver at different Zeitgeber times (ZT). Male offspring from separate MLP exposed dams had significantly greater body fat (P = 0.03), less energy expenditure (P = 0.004), less rearing activity (P = 0.04) and a greater number of night-time rest/sleep bouts (P = 0.03) compared to control. MLP offspring displayed greater anxiety-like behavior in the EPM (P<0.01) but had no learning and memory deficit in fear-conditioning assay (P = 0.02). There was an effect of time on Per1, Per 2 and Clock circadian gene expression in the hypothalamus but not on circadian behavior. Thus, transplacental and early developmental exposure of dams to chronic MLP reduces food intake and energy expenditure, increases anxiety like behavior and disturbs sleep patterns but not circadian rhythm in adult male offspring.
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Affiliation(s)
- Randy F. Crossland
- Department of Obstetrics & Gynecology, Baylor College of Medicine, Houston, TX, United States of America
- Jan and Dan Duncan Neurological Research Institute at Texas Children’s Hospital, Houston, TX, United States of America
| | - Alfred Balasa
- Department of Obstetrics & Gynecology, Baylor College of Medicine, Houston, TX, United States of America
- Jan and Dan Duncan Neurological Research Institute at Texas Children’s Hospital, Houston, TX, United States of America
| | - Rajesh Ramakrishnan
- Department of Obstetrics & Gynecology, Baylor College of Medicine, Houston, TX, United States of America
- Jan and Dan Duncan Neurological Research Institute at Texas Children’s Hospital, Houston, TX, United States of America
| | - Sangeetha K. Mahadevan
- Department of Obstetrics & Gynecology, Baylor College of Medicine, Houston, TX, United States of America
- Jan and Dan Duncan Neurological Research Institute at Texas Children’s Hospital, Houston, TX, United States of America
- Interdepartmental Graduate Program in Translational Biology and Molecular Medicine, Baylor College of Medicine, Houston, TX, United States of America
| | - Marta L. Fiorotto
- USDA/Agricultural Research Service Children’s Nutrition Research Center, Houston, TX, United States of America
| | - Ignatia B. Van den Veyver
- Department of Obstetrics & Gynecology, Baylor College of Medicine, Houston, TX, United States of America
- Jan and Dan Duncan Neurological Research Institute at Texas Children’s Hospital, Houston, TX, United States of America
- Interdepartmental Graduate Program in Translational Biology and Molecular Medicine, Baylor College of Medicine, Houston, TX, United States of America
- Department of Molecular and Human Genetics, Baylor College of Medicine, Houston, TX, United States of America
- * E-mail:
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Kalani A, Kamat PK, Kalani K, Tyagi N. Epigenetic impact of curcumin on stroke prevention. Metab Brain Dis 2015; 30:427-35. [PMID: 24788895 PMCID: PMC4216637 DOI: 10.1007/s11011-014-9537-0] [Citation(s) in RCA: 29] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/20/2014] [Accepted: 03/26/2014] [Indexed: 12/31/2022]
Abstract
The epigenetic impact of curcumin in stroke and neurodegenerative disorders is curiosity-arousing. It is derived from Curcuma longa (spice), possesses anti-oxidative, anti-inflammatory, anti-lipidemic, neuro-protective and recently shown to exhibit epigenetic modulatory properties. Epigenetic studies include DNA methylation, histone modifications and RNA-based mechanisms which regulate gene expression without altering nucleotide sequences. Curcumin has been shown to affect cancer by altering epigenetic changes but its role as an epigenetic agent in cerebral stroke has not been much explored. Although curcumin possesses remarkable medicinal properties, the bioavailability of curcumin has limited its success in epigenetic studies and clinical trials. The present review is therefore designed to look into epigenetic mechanisms that could be induced with curcumin during stroke, along with its molecular designing with different moieties that may increase its bioavailability. Curcumin has been shown to be encapsulated in exosomes, nano-vesicles (<200 nm), thereby showing its therapeutic effects in brain diseases. Curcumin delivered through nanoparticles has been shown to be neuroregenerative but the use of nanoparticles in brain has limitations. Hence, curcumin-encapsulated exosomes along with curcumin-primed exosomes (exosomes released by curcumin-treated cells) are much needed to be explored to broadly look into their use as a novel therapy for stroke.
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Affiliation(s)
- Anuradha Kalani
- Department of Physiology and Biophysics, School of Medicine, University of Louisville, Louisville, KY 40202, USA
| | - Pradip K Kamat
- Department of Physiology and Biophysics, School of Medicine, University of Louisville, Louisville, KY 40202, USA
| | - Komal Kalani
- Central Institute of Medicinal and Aromatic Plants-Council of Scientific and Industrial Research (CIMAP-CSIR), Lucknow-226001, India
| | - Neetu Tyagi
- Department of Physiology and Biophysics, School of Medicine, University of Louisville, Louisville, KY 40202, USA
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Waber DP, Bryce CP, Fitzmaurice GM, Zichlin ML, McGaughy J, Girard JM, Galler JR. Neuropsychological outcomes at midlife following moderate to severe malnutrition in infancy. Neuropsychology 2014; 28:530-40. [PMID: 24635710 DOI: 10.1037/neu0000058] [Citation(s) in RCA: 38] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/08/2022] Open
Abstract
OBJECTIVE To compare neuropsychological profiles of adults who had experienced an episode of moderate to severe protein-energy malnutrition confined to the first year of life with that of a healthy community comparison group. METHOD We assessed neuropsychological functioning in a cohort of Barbadian adults, all of whom had birth weight >2268 g. The previously malnourished group (N = 77, mean age = 38 years, 53% male) had been hospitalized during the first year of life for moderate to severe protein energy malnutrition and subsequently enrolled in a program providing nutrition education, home visits and subsidized foods to 12 years of age. They also had documented, adequate nutrition throughout childhood and complete catch-up in growth by the end of adolescence. The healthy comparison group (N = 59, mean age = 38 years, 54% male) were recruited as children from the same classrooms and neighborhoods. RESULTS Adjusted for effects of standard of living during childhood and adolescence and current intellectual ability level, there were nutrition group differences on measures of cognitive flexibility and concept formation, as well as initiation, verbal fluency, working memory, processing speed, and visuospatial integration. Behavioral and cognitive regulation were not affected. CONCLUSIONS Postnatal malnutrition confined to the first year of life is associated with neurocognitive compromise persisting into midlife. Early malnutrition may have a specific neuropsychological signature, affecting response initiation to a somewhat greater extent than response inhibition.
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Affiliation(s)
| | | | | | | | - Jill McGaughy
- Department of Psychology, University of New Hampshire
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Perez-Torrero E, Salas M. Early undernourishment interferes with the maternal aggressive response triggered by an intruder entering the homing cage. Nutr Neurosci 2013; 10:17-22. [PMID: 17539479 DOI: 10.1080/10284150601165110] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 10/23/2022]
Abstract
The maternal aggressive response (MAR) against intruders is temporarily expressed during lactation in association with the rearing and protection of offspring to promote their survival and growth in the nest. This normal component of maternal behaviour requires both the hormonal changes occurring at the end of pregnancy and the presence of pups for its establishment. Because early food restriction in the rat results in long-term maternal deficiencies, we analysed in Wistar rats the effects of perinatal undernutrition on the MAR to an intruder at days 1, 4, and 8 postpartum. The data showed that undernourished dams exhibited significant reductions of sniffing frequency on days 4 and 8 and significant increases of biting on day 4 and of lateral attacks on postpartum days 4 and 8. The finding of an altered MAR during the lactating period may be relevant for the survival and long-term behavioural development of the progeny.
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Affiliation(s)
- Esther Perez-Torrero
- Department of Developmental Neurobiology and Neurophysiology, Institute of Neurobiology, Universidad Nacional Autónoma de México, Campus UNAM Juriquilla, Querétaro 76001, Mexico.
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Waber DP, Bryce CP, Girard JM, Zichlin M, Fitzmaurice GM, Galler JR. Impaired IQ and academic skills in adults who experienced moderate to severe infantile malnutrition: a 40-year study. Nutr Neurosci 2013; 17:58-64. [PMID: 23484464 DOI: 10.1179/1476830513y.0000000061] [Citation(s) in RCA: 44] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 10/31/2022]
Abstract
OBJECTIVES To evaluate IQ and academic skills in adults who experienced an episode of moderate-to-severe infantile malnutrition and a healthy control group, all followed since childhood in the Barbados Nutrition Study. METHODS IQ and academic skills were assessed in 77 previously malnourished adults (mean age = 38.4 years; 53% male) and 59 controls (mean age = 38.1 years; 54% male). Group comparisons were carried out by multiple regression and logistic regression, adjusted for childhood socioeconomic factors. RESULTS The previously malnourished group showed substantial deficits on all outcomes relative to healthy controls (P < 0.0001). IQ scores in the intellectual disability range (< 70) were nine times more prevalent in the previously malnourished group (odds ratio = 9.18; 95% confidence interval = 3.50-24.13). Group differences in IQ of approximately one standard deviation were stable from adolescence through mid-life. DISCUSSION Moderate-to-severe malnutrition during infancy is associated with a significantly elevated incidence of impaired IQ in adulthood, even when physical growth is completely rehabilitated. An episode of malnutrition during the first year of life carries risk for significant lifelong functional morbidity.
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Pinos H, Collado P, Salas M, Pérez-Torrero E. Early undernutrition decreases the number of neurons in the locus coeruleus of rats. Nutr Neurosci 2013; 9:233-9. [PMID: 17263090 DOI: 10.1080/10284150600937873] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 10/23/2022]
Abstract
The effects of perinatal undernutrition on the number of neurons and apoptotic cells of the locus coeruleus (LC) of female and male rats at postpartum days 7, 12, 20, 30 and 60 were studied. Undernutrition reduces the number of neurons in both sexes without affecting cell death, as indicated by the ratio of apoptotic cells to neurons. The data suggest that in the undernourished groups lower rates of neurogenesis and proliferation (neurogenetic/proliferation rates) might avoid these animals achieving the number of LC neurons as in the control subjects. Although food restriction in both sexes apparently provokes the loss of cells, the effect does not appear to be equal in females and males, as shown by post weaning food rehabilitation. The results suggest that severe food deprivation may interfere with the ontogenetic processes underlying neuronal differentiation of the LC. Morphological damage in the LC due to undernutrition might alter the physiology of sexual and/or feeding behaviours in which this structure is implicated.
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Affiliation(s)
- Helena Pinos
- Departamento de Psicobiología, UNED, Juan del Rosal, 10, PO Box 60.148., CP 28040 Madrid, Spain.
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16
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Buchanan KL, Grindstaff JL, Pravosudov VV. Condition dependence, developmental plasticity, and cognition: implications for ecology and evolution. Trends Ecol Evol 2013; 28:290-6. [PMID: 23518414 DOI: 10.1016/j.tree.2013.02.004] [Citation(s) in RCA: 87] [Impact Index Per Article: 7.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/23/2011] [Revised: 02/11/2013] [Accepted: 02/13/2013] [Indexed: 12/29/2022]
Abstract
Across taxa, both neural growth and cognitive function show considerable developmental plasticity. Data from studies of decision making, learning, and discrimination demonstrate that early life conditions have an impact on subsequent neural growth, maintenance, and cognition, with important ecological and evolutionary implications. Here, we provide a synthesis of the evidence that spatial and vocal learning are condition dependent, addressing what is known about their physiological control and the functional explanations. Neural investment is predicted to be affected by environmental conditions, but the shape of the response should depend on the fitness benefits of the cognitive traits under control. From an evolutionary perspective, traits promoting resistance to environmental perturbations should be favored when the cognitive trait is a crucial determinant of fitness.
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Affiliation(s)
- Katherine L Buchanan
- School of Life and Environmental Sciences, Deakin University, Geelong, VIC 3216, Australia.
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17
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Rodriguez JS, Bartlett TQ, Keenan KE, Nathanielsz PW, Nijland MJ. Sex-dependent cognitive performance in baboon offspring following maternal caloric restriction in pregnancy and lactation. Reprod Sci 2012; 19:493-504. [PMID: 22344725 DOI: 10.1177/1933719111424439] [Citation(s) in RCA: 29] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/08/2023]
Abstract
In humans a suboptimal diet during development has negative outcomes in offspring. We investigated the behavioral outcomes in baboons born to mothers undergoing moderate maternal nutrient restriction (MNR). Maternal nutrient restriction mothers (n = 7) were fed 70% of food eaten by controls (CTR, n = 12) fed ad libitum throughout gestation and lactation. At 3.3 ± 0.2 (mean ± standard error of the mean [SEM]) years of age offspring (controls: female [FC, n = 8], male [MC, n = 4]; nutrient restricted: female [FR, n = 3] and male [MR, n = 4]) were administered progressive ratio, simple discrimination, intra-/extra-dimension set shift and delayed matching to sample tasks to assess motivation, learning, attention, and working memory, respectively. A treatment effect was observed in MNR offspring who demonstrated less motivation and impaired working memory. Nutrient-restricted female offspring showed improved learning, while MR offspring showed impaired learning and attentional set shifting and increased impulsivity. In summary, 30% restriction in maternal caloric intake has long lasting neurobehavioral outcomes in adolescent male baboon offspring.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jesse S Rodriguez
- Center for Pregnancy and Newborn Research, Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, University of Texas Health Science Center, San Antonio, TX 78229, USA.
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18
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Pre- and/or postnatal protein restriction developmentally programs affect and risk assessment behaviors in adult male rats. Behav Brain Res 2012; 227:324-9. [DOI: 10.1016/j.bbr.2011.06.008] [Citation(s) in RCA: 27] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/29/2010] [Revised: 05/26/2011] [Accepted: 06/09/2011] [Indexed: 11/20/2022]
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19
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Reyes‐Castro L, Rodriguez J, Charco R, Bautista C, Larrea F, Nathanielsz P, Zambrano E. Maternal protein restriction in the rat during pregnancy and/or lactation alters cognitive and anxiety behaviors of female offspring. Int J Dev Neurosci 2011; 30:39-45. [DOI: 10.1016/j.ijdevneu.2011.10.002] [Citation(s) in RCA: 48] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/14/2011] [Revised: 10/11/2011] [Accepted: 10/12/2011] [Indexed: 02/08/2023] Open
Affiliation(s)
- L.A. Reyes‐Castro
- Department of Reproductive BiologyInstituto Nacional de Ciencias Médicas y Nutrición Salvador ZubiránMexico City14000Mexico
| | - J.S. Rodriguez
- Center for Pregnancy and Newborn ResearchDepartment of ObstetricsUniversity of TexasHealth Science Center San AntonioSan AntonioTX78229USA
| | - R. Charco
- Department of Reproductive BiologyInstituto Nacional de Ciencias Médicas y Nutrición Salvador ZubiránMexico City14000Mexico
| | - C.J. Bautista
- Department of Reproductive BiologyInstituto Nacional de Ciencias Médicas y Nutrición Salvador ZubiránMexico City14000Mexico
| | - F. Larrea
- Department of Reproductive BiologyInstituto Nacional de Ciencias Médicas y Nutrición Salvador ZubiránMexico City14000Mexico
| | - P.W. Nathanielsz
- Center for Pregnancy and Newborn ResearchDepartment of ObstetricsUniversity of TexasHealth Science Center San AntonioSan AntonioTX78229USA
| | - E. Zambrano
- Department of Reproductive BiologyInstituto Nacional de Ciencias Médicas y Nutrición Salvador ZubiránMexico City14000Mexico
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Reyes-Castro LA, Rodriguez JS, Rodríguez-González GL, Wimmer RD, McDonald TJ, Larrea F, Nathanielsz PW, Zambrano E. Pre- and/or postnatal protein restriction in rats impairs learning and motivation in male offspring. Int J Dev Neurosci 2010; 29:177-82. [PMID: 21078378 DOI: 10.1016/j.ijdevneu.2010.11.002] [Citation(s) in RCA: 29] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/04/2010] [Revised: 10/22/2010] [Accepted: 11/09/2010] [Indexed: 12/24/2022] Open
Abstract
Suboptimal developmental environments program offspring to lifelong health complications including affective and cognitive disorders. Little is known about the effects of suboptimal intra-uterine environments on associative learning and motivational behavior. We hypothesized that maternal isocaloric low protein diet during pregnancy and lactation would impair offspring associative learning and motivation as measured by operant conditioning and the progressive ratio task, respectively. Control mothers were fed 20% casein (C) and restricted mothers (R) 10% casein to provide four groups: CC, RR, CR, and RC (first letter pregnancy diet and second letter lactation diet), to evaluate effects of maternal diet on male offspring behavior. Impaired learning was observed during fixed ratio-1 operant conditioning in RC offspring that required more sessions to learn vs. the CC offspring (9.4±0.8 and 3.8±0.3 sessions, respectively, p<0.05). Performance in fixed ratio-5 conditioning showed the RR (5.4±1.1), CR (4.0±0.8), and RC (5.0±0.8) offspring required more sessions to reach performance criterion than CC offspring (2.5±0.5, p<0.05). Furthermore, motivational effects during the progressive ratio test revealed less responding in the RR (48.1±17), CR (74.7±8.4), and RC (65.9±11.2) for positive reinforcement vs. the CC offspring (131.5±7.5, p<0.05). These findings demonstrate negative developmental programming effects due to perinatal isocaloric low protein diet on learning and motivation behavior with the nutritional challenge in the prenatal period showing more vulnerability in offspring behavior.
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Affiliation(s)
- L A Reyes-Castro
- Department of Reproductive Biology, Instituto Nacional de Ciencias Médicas y Nutrición Salvador Zubirán, Mexico City, 14000, Mexico
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21
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Pinos H, Pérez-Izquierdo MA, Carrillo B, Collado P. Effects of undernourishment on the hypothalamic orexinergic system. Physiol Behav 2010; 102:17-21. [PMID: 20932853 DOI: 10.1016/j.physbeh.2010.09.023] [Citation(s) in RCA: 16] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/22/2010] [Revised: 09/27/2010] [Accepted: 09/28/2010] [Indexed: 11/16/2022]
Abstract
The present study examined the effects of a severely restricted diet during the pre- and postnatal periods with later nutritional rehabilitation on orexin hypothalamic neurons in male and female Wistar rats. Immunocytochemistry was used to reveal orexin-immunoreactive (orexin-ir) cells in the ventromedial hypothalamus (VMH), dorsomedial hypothalamus (DMH), lateral hypothalamic area (LH) and the perifornical nucleus (PF). Dietary restriction decreased the number of orexin-ir cells in the LH, whereas DMH or PF orexin-ir populations were not affected in either male or female rats. Nutritional rehabilitation resulted in a differential recovery that depended on the period during which rehabilitation occurred and on the sex of the animal. In summary, our study suggests that the hypothalamic nuclei implicated in eating behavior present a differential vulnerability to adverse environmental conditions during development. Specifically, among the studied nuclei only the LH orexin-ir cells were sensitive to severe food deprivation during development in male and female rats. These results suggest that starvation interferes with developmental events that occur during CNS sexual differentiation.
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Affiliation(s)
- H Pinos
- Departamento de Psicobiología, Universidad Nacional de Educación a Distancia (UNED) C/Juan del Rosal, 10, 28040, Madrid, Spain.
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22
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Miki T, Yokoyama T, Sumitani K, Kusaka T, Warita K, Matsumoto Y, Wang ZY, Wilce PA, Bedi KS, Itoh S, Takeuchi Y. Ethanol neurotoxicity and dentate gyrus development. Congenit Anom (Kyoto) 2008; 48:110-7. [PMID: 18778455 DOI: 10.1111/j.1741-4520.2008.00190.x] [Citation(s) in RCA: 21] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/30/2022]
Abstract
Maternal alcohol ingestion during pregnancy adversely affects the developing fetus, often leading to fetal alcohol syndrome (FAS). One of the most severe consequences of FAS is brain damage that is manifested as cognitive, learning, and behavioral deficits. The hippocampus plays a crucial role in such abilities; it is also known as one of the brain regions most vulnerable to ethanol-induced neurotoxicity. Our recent studies using morphometric techniques have further shown that ethanol neurotoxicity appears to affect the development of the dentate gyrus in a region-specific manner; it was found that early postnatal ethanol exposure causes a transitory deficit in the hilus volume of the dentate gyrus. It is strongly speculated that such structural modifications, even transitory ones, appear to result in developmental abnormalities in the brain circuitry and lead to the learning disabilities observed in FAS children. Based on reports on possible factors deciding ethanol neurotoxicity to the brain, we review developmental neurotoxicity to the dentate gyrus of the hippocampal formation.
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Affiliation(s)
- Takanori Miki
- Department of Anatomy and Neurobiology, Faculty of Medicine, Kagawa University, Kagawa, Japan.
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23
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Díaz-Cintra S, González-Maciel A, Morales MA, Aguilar A, Cintra L, Prado-Alcalá RA. Protein malnutrition differentially alters the number of glutamic acid decarboxylase-67 interneurons in dentate gyrus and CA1–3 subfields of the dorsal hippocampus. Exp Neurol 2007; 208:47-53. [PMID: 17706195 DOI: 10.1016/j.expneurol.2007.07.003] [Citation(s) in RCA: 31] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/09/2007] [Revised: 06/28/2007] [Accepted: 07/04/2007] [Indexed: 10/23/2022]
Abstract
In 30- and 90-day-old rats, using immunohistochemistry for glutamic acid decarboxylase 67 (GAD-67), we have tested whether malnutrition during different periods of hippocampal development produces deleterious effects on the population of GABA neurons in the dentate gyrus (DG) and cornu Ammonis (CA1-3) of the dorsal hippocampus. Animals were under one of four nutritional conditions: well-nourished controls (Con), prenatal protein malnourished (PreM), postnatal protein malnourished (PostM), and chronic protein malnourished (ChroM). We found that the number of GAD-67-positive (GAD-67+) interneurons was higher in the DG than in the CA1-3 areas of both Con and malnourished groups. Regarding the DG, the number of GAD-67+ interneurons was increased in PreM and PostM and decreased in ChroM at 30 days. At 90 days of age the number of GAD-67+ interneurons was increased in PostM and ChroM and remained unchanged in PreM. With respect to CA1-3, the number of labeled interneurons was decreased in PostM and ChroM at 30 days of age, but no change was found in PreM. At 90 days no changes in the number of these interneurons were found in any of the groups. These observations suggest that 1) the cell death program starting point is delayed in DG GAD-67+ interneurons, and 2) protein malnutrition differentially affects GAD-67+ interneuron development throughout the dorsal hippocampus. Thus, these changes in the number of GAD-67+ interneurons may partly explain the alterations in modulation of dentate granule cell excitability, as well as in the emotional, motivational, and memory disturbances commonly observed in malnourished rats.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sofía Díaz-Cintra
- Departamento de Neurobiología del Desarrollo y Neurofisiología, Instituto de Neurobiología, Universidad Nacional Autónoma de México, Querétaro, Qro., 76230, Mexico
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24
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Jahnke S, Bedi KS. Undernutrition during early life increases the level of apoptosis in the dentate gyrus but not in the CA2+CA3 region of the hippocampal formation. Brain Res 2007; 1143:60-9. [PMID: 17320841 DOI: 10.1016/j.brainres.2007.01.109] [Citation(s) in RCA: 11] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/02/2006] [Revised: 11/21/2006] [Accepted: 01/17/2007] [Indexed: 02/06/2023]
Abstract
We have previously shown that undernutrition during early life causes a permanent deficit in the total number of dentate granule cells. However, it is unknown whether this deficit is due to neuronal cell death and/or to fewer cells being born during the period of neurogenesis. We have therefore used stereological methods combined with specific labeling techniques to examine the numbers of apoptotic cells in specific regions of the hippocampal formation. Rats were undernourished by restricting their daily food intake to about half that eaten by well-fed controls. Control and undernourished rats were killed on postnatal day 21, and their brains fixed in 4% paraformaldehyde. Serial sections through the hippocampal formation were labeled with the TUNEL technique to distinguish apoptotic cells. All care and animal handling procedures were approved by the institutional Animal Ethics Committee in line with Australian NHMRC procedures. There were about 21,500 and 57,000 TUNEL-positive cells in the dentate gyrus granule cell layer of control and undernourished rats, respectively. The difference between these values was statistically significant. In the CA3+CA2 region, there were about 22,000 and 19,500 TUNEL-positive cells in control and undernourished rats, respectively. The difference between these values was not statistically significant. Furthermore, it was observed that the majority of the TUNEL-positive cells in the dentate gyrus were located close to the border between the dentate gyrus granule cells and hilus of the hippocampal formation. Our results show that undernutrition during gestation and lactation can result in an increase in the level of TUNEL-positive apoptotic cells in the rat dentate gyrus.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sani Jahnke
- School of Biomedical Sciences, University of Queensland, St Lucia, QLD 4072, Australia
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25
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Pravosudov VV, Lavenex P, Omanska A. Nutritional deficits during early development affect hippocampal structure and spatial memory later in life. Behav Neurosci 2006; 119:1368-74. [PMID: 16300442 DOI: 10.1037/0735-7044.119.5.1368] [Citation(s) in RCA: 73] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/08/2022]
Abstract
Development rates vary among individuals, often as a result of direct competition for food. Survival of young might depend on their learning abilities, but it remains unclear whether learning abilities are affected by nutrition during development. The authors demonstrated that compared with controls, 1-year-old Western scrub jays (Aphelocoma californica) that experienced nutritional deficits during early posthatching development had smaller hippocampi with fewer neurons and performed worse in a cache recovery task and in a spatial version of an associative learning task. In contrast, performance of nutritionally deprived birds was similar to that of controls in 2 color versions of an associative learning task. These findings suggest that nutritional deficits during early development have long-term consequences for hippocampal structure and spatial memory, which, in turn, are likely to have a strong impact on animals' future fitness.
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26
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Maia LMSS, Frazão MF, Souza TKM, Silva MB, Rocha-de-Melo AP, Picanço-Diniz CW, Amâncio-dos-Santos A, Guedes RCA. l-arginine treatment early in life influences NADPH-diaphorase neurons in visual cortex of normal and early-malnourished adult rats. Brain Res 2006; 1072:19-25. [PMID: 16426587 DOI: 10.1016/j.brainres.2005.12.027] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/29/2005] [Revised: 11/25/2005] [Accepted: 12/01/2005] [Indexed: 11/23/2022]
Abstract
This study investigated the effects of repeated l-arginine administration during lactation, combined with different suckling conditions, on morphometric parameters of primary visual cortex NADPH-diaphorase-positive neurons. Wistar rat pups reared in "normal-size litters" or "large litters" (N- and L-conditions; litters formed by 6 and 12 pups, respectively) received, from postnatal day 7 to 28, either arginine (300 mg/kg/day, per gavage) or distilled water (control). At 90-120 days of life, they were perfused with saline + formaldehyde, and their brains were processed for histochemical reaction to reveal NADPH-diaphorase-positive neurons (malic enzyme indirect method). Compared to the normal-size litters, L-rats had lower body weights (P < 0.05), confirming the effectiveness of the L-condition in affecting pup development. Concerning NADPH-d histochemistry, arginine treatment was associated with increased (P < 0.05) density of dendrite varicosities and of dendrite branching frequency, suggesting a plastic response of the developing brain to that treatment, even in previously malnourished rats. No difference was seen, however, in dendrite orientation, total number of neurons, soma area and perimeter, as well as dendrite bifurcation points, fractal dimension, and area and volume of dendrite field, suggesting that NADPH-d cells are resistant to arginine and nutritional changes, regarding these features. Data are considered of interest for studies of synaptic plasticity during neural development and its relationships to aggressive agents like malnutrition.
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Affiliation(s)
- Luciana M S S Maia
- Department of Nutrition, Federal University of Pernambuco State, 50670-901, Recife, PE, Brazil
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27
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Miki T, Satriotomo I, Li HP, Matsumoto Y, Gu H, Yokoyama T, Lee KY, Bedi KS, Takeuchi Y. Application of the physical disector to the central nervous system: estimation of the total number of neurons in subdivisions of the rat hippocampus. Anat Sci Int 2005; 80:153-62. [PMID: 16158978 DOI: 10.1111/j.1447-073x.2005.00121.x] [Citation(s) in RCA: 33] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/29/2022]
Abstract
Stereology is a group of mathematical and statistical methods that allows the extrapolation of three-dimensional structural information from two-dimensional sections (or slices). This allows researchers to derive important quantitative structural information, such as the volume, surface area or numbers of particular particles (e.g. cells) within defined regional boundaries. The need for such quantitative information in biology is of particular importance when evaluating the influence of various experimental treatments on specific organs, tissues and cells in the body. Knowledge of such changes has given important insights into the neural substrates that may be responsible for the functional and behavioral consequences of a disparate range of experimental treatments. Here, we describe some of these methods as applied to quantifying the total numbers of cells in defined regions of the hippocampal formation. The methods used for this evaluation were, first, the Cavalieri principle, which was used to determine the volumes of the various subdivisions of the rat hippocampus, and, second, the 'physical disector' method, which was used to estimate the numerical density of neurons within each subdivision. Once these values were derived, it was but a simple task to multiply them together to obtain estimates for the total numbers of cells in the given hippocampal region. We found that 16-and 30-day-old normal male rats had 176 800 and 152 700 pyramidal cells in the CA1 region, respectively. This decrease in the neuronal number was statistically significant. However, in the CA2 + CA3 region, there were approximately 169 300 and 149 600 pyramidal cells in 16- and 30-day-old normal male rats, respectively, which was not significantly different. In the dentate gyrus, there were approximately 36 700 neurons in the hilus region and 483 000 granule cells in the granule cell layer, irrespective of the age of the rats. There were no significant differences between these estimates of hilus neurons and granule cells.
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Affiliation(s)
- Takanori Miki
- Department of Anatomy and Neurobiology, Faculty of Medicine, Kagawa University, 1750-1 Ikenobe, Miki-cho, Kagawa 761-0793, Japan.
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28
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Lister JP, Blatt GJ, DeBassio WA, Kemper TL, Tonkiss J, Galler JR, Rosene DL. Effect of prenatal protein malnutrition on numbers of neurons in the principal cell layers of the adult rat hippocampal formation. Hippocampus 2005; 15:393-403. [PMID: 15669101 DOI: 10.1002/hipo.20065] [Citation(s) in RCA: 87] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/11/2022]
Abstract
Malnutrition has been associated with a variety of functional and anatomical impairments of the hippocampal formation. One of the more striking of these is widespread loss of hippocampal neurons in postnatally malnourished rats. In the present study we have investigated the effect of prenatal malnutrition on these same neuronal populations, neurons that are all generated during the period of the dietary restriction. In prenatally protein deprived rats, using design-based stereology, we have measured the regional volume and number of neurons in the hilus of the dentate gyrus and the pyramidal cell layers of CA3, CA2, CA1, and the subiculum of 90-day-old animals. These results demonstrated a statistically significant reduction of 20% in neuron numbers in the CA1 subfield, while numbers in the other subfields were unchanged. There was a corresponding significant reduction of 22% in the volume of the CA1 subfield and a significant 14% decrease in the volume of the pyramidal layer of the subiculum. The change in volume of the pyramidal layer of the subiculum without neuron loss may reflect loss of CA1 afferent input to the pyramidal layer. Although the effect of nutritional deprivation on the neuronal population appears to be different in pre- and postnatal malnutrition, both dietary paradigms highlight the vulnerability of key components of the hippocampal trisynaptic circuit (consisting of the dentate granule cell mossy fibers projection to CA3 pyramids and the CA3 projection to the CA1 pyramids), which is an essential circuit for memory and learning.
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Affiliation(s)
- James P Lister
- Department of Anatomy and Neurobiology, Boston University School of Medicine, Boston, Massachusetts 02118, USA
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Ulupinar E, Yucel F. Prenatal stress reduces interneuronal connectivity in the rat cerebellar granular layer. Neurotoxicol Teratol 2005; 27:475-84. [PMID: 15939207 DOI: 10.1016/j.ntt.2005.01.015] [Citation(s) in RCA: 25] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/14/2004] [Revised: 01/25/2005] [Accepted: 01/26/2005] [Indexed: 10/25/2022]
Abstract
The development and functioning of the central nervous system have been shown to be affected by maternal stress. To investigate the effects of prenatal stress on the cerebellar interneuronal connectivity, rat embryos are exposed to stress on their embryonic day (E) 7 and 14, by keeping the dam in close-fitting wire mesh cylinders, for 6 h. After completion of the cerebellar development at postnatal day (P) 30, stereological procedures were used at the light and electron microscopic level to analyze growth parameters of the granule cells and synapse-to-neuron ratios. Neither the volume fraction (V(V)) of the granular layer to whole cortex, nor the numerical density of granule cells (N(Vg)) per unit volume of granular layer was affected by exposure to stress. However, the mean granule cell nuclear diameter was significantly decreased in stressed animals. Within the neuropil region, the number and mean diameter of synaptic disc profiles were used to estimate the numerical density of synapses (N(Vs)). Synapse-to-neuron ratio was obtained by dividing N(Vs) with N(Vg), and found significantly lower in the stressed group than the control group. In addition, synaptophysin immunoreactivity showed a significant decrease (41%) in the granular layer of the cerebellum. Collectively, these results demonstrate that intrauterine stress alters the morphology of granule cells and causes a profound and fairly long-lasting deficit in their interneuronal connectivity.
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Affiliation(s)
- Emel Ulupinar
- Department of Anatomy, Faculty of Medicine, Osmangazi University, Meşelik Kampüsü, 26040-Eskişehir, Turkey.
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30
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Granados-Rojas L, Aguilar A, Díaz-Cintra S. The mossy fiber system of the hippocampal formation is decreased by chronic and postnatal but not by prenatal protein malnutrition in rats. Nutr Neurosci 2005; 7:301-8. [PMID: 15682926 DOI: 10.1080/10284150400017306] [Citation(s) in RCA: 17] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 10/26/2022]
Abstract
We tested in 70-day-old Sprague-Dawley rats, whether malnutrition imposed during different periods of hippocampal development produced deleterious effects on the total reference volume of the mossy fiber system. Animals were treated under four nutritional conditions: (a) well nourished; (b) prenatal protein malnourished; (c) chronic protein malnourished and (d) postnatal protein malnourished. Timm's stained material was used in coronal hippocampal sections (40 microm) to estimate--using the Principle of Cavalieri--the total reference volume of the mossy fiber system in each experimental group. Our results show that chronic and postnatal protein malnourished, but not prenatal malnourished rats, decrease the mossy fiber system and the total reference volume of the mossy fiber system are selectively vulnerable to the type of dietary restriction. Thus, chronic and posnatal protein malnutrition produce deleterious effects, but only rats under prenatal protein malnutrition were able to reorganize synapses in this plexus. These findings raise the possibility that chronic malnutrition, as a long-term stressful factor, might be an important paradigm to test structural hippocampal changes that produce physiological and pathophysiological effects, or the possibility to recover its function for nutritional rehabilitation.
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Affiliation(s)
- Leticia Granados-Rojas
- Departamento de Neurobiología del Desarrollo y Neurofisiologia, Instituto de Neurobiologia, Universidad Nacional Autónoma de México, Campus UNAM-UAQ Juriquilla, Querétaro, Qro 76001, Mexico
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31
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Brakefield PM, Gems D, Cowen T, Christensen K, Grubeck-Loebenstein B, Keller L, Oeppen J, Rodriguez-Pena A, Stazi MA, Tatar M, Westendorp RGJ. What are the effects of maternal and pre-adult environments on ageing in humans, and are there lessons from animal models? Mech Ageing Dev 2005; 126:431-8. [PMID: 15664631 DOI: 10.1016/j.mad.2004.07.013] [Citation(s) in RCA: 34] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/16/2004] [Accepted: 07/24/2004] [Indexed: 10/26/2022]
Abstract
An open issue in research on ageing is the extent to which responses to the environment during development can influence variability in life span in animals, and the health profile of the elderly in human populations. Both affluence and adversity in human societies have profound impacts on survivorship curves, and some of this effect may be traceable to effects in utero or in infancy. The Barker Hypothesis that links caloric restriction in very early life to disruptions of glucose-insulin metabolism in later life has attracted much attention, as well as some controversy, in medical circles. It is only rarely considered by evolutionary biologists working on phenotypic plasticity, or by biogerontologists studying model organisms such as C. elegans or Drosophila. One crucial mechanism by which animals can respond in an adaptive manner to adverse conditions, for example in nutrition or infection, during development is phenotypic plasticity. Here we begin with a discussion of adaptive plasticity in animals before asking what such phenomena may reveal of relevance to rates of ageing in animals, and in humans. We survey the evidence for effects on adult ageing of environmental conditions during development across mammalian and invertebrate model organisms, and ask whether evolutionary conserved mechanisms might be involved. We conclude that the Barker Hypothesis is poorly supported and argue that more work in human populations should be integrated with multi-disciplinary studies of ageing-related phenomena in experimental populations of different model species that are subjected to nutritional challenges or infections during pre-adult development.
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Affiliation(s)
- Paul M Brakefield
- Institute of Biology, Leiden University, PO Box 9516, 2300 RA Leiden, The Netherlands.
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Pinos H, Collado P, Salas M, Pérez-Torrero E. Undernutrition and food rehabilitation effects on the locus coeruleus in the rat. Neuroreport 2004; 15:1417-20. [PMID: 15194865 DOI: 10.1097/01.wnr.0000132772.64590.99] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/25/2022]
Abstract
Perinatal nutrition plays a fundamental role on the morphological organization and function of a number of brain stem structures. Because little is known of the effects of perinatal undernutrition upon sexually dimorphic structures underlying reproductive behavior, the locus coeruleus morphology of 60-day-old male and female Wistar rats was analyzed. Perinatal food deprivation until weaning significantly decreased the volume and neuronal number of locus coerulus in male and female rats, while nutritional rehabilitation ameliorated these alterations in males but not in females. Data suggest that perinatal undernutrition interferes with the neuroendocrine mechanisms underlying the establishment of sex differences of the locus coeruleus.
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Affiliation(s)
- Helena Pinos
- Departamento de Psicobiología, UNED, Juan del Rosal, 10, PO Box 60.148, 28040 Madrid, Spain.
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