Androgen deficit changes the response to antidepressant drugs in tail suspension test in mice

Centering the Needs of Transgender, Nonbinary, and Gender-Diverse Populations in Neuroendocrine Models of Gender-Affirming Hormone Therapy

Most studies attempting to address the health care needs of the millions of transgender, nonbinary, and/or gender-diverse (TNG) individuals rely on human subjects, overlooking the benefits of translational research in animal models. Researchers have identified many ways in which gonadal steroid hormones regulate neuronal gene expression, connectivity, activity, and function across the brain to control behavior. However, these discoveries primarily benefit cisgender populations. Research into the effects of exogenous hormones such as estradiol, testosterone, and progesterone has a direct translational benefit for TNG individuals on gender-affirming hormone therapies (GAHTs). Despite this potential, endocrinological health care for TNG individuals remains largely unimproved. Here, we outline important areas of translational research that could address the unique health care needs of TNG individuals on GAHT. We highlight key biomedical questions regarding GAHT that can be investigated using animal models. We discuss how contemporary research fails to address the needs of GAHT users and identify equitable practices for cisgender scientists engaging with this work. We conclude that if necessary and important steps are taken to address these issues, translational research on GAHTs will greatly benefit the health care outcomes of TNG people.

CaMKII is a modulator in neurodegenerative diseases and mediates the effect of androgen on synaptic protein PSD95

Androgens rapidly regulate synaptic plasticity in hippocampal neurones, but the underlying mechanisms remain unclear. In this study, we carried out a comprehensive bioinformatics analysis of functional similarities between androgen receptor (AR) and the synaptic protein postsynaptic density 95 (PSD95) to evaluate the effect. Using different measurements and thresholds, we obtained consistent results illustrating that the two proteins were significantly involved in similar pathways. We further identified CaMKII plays a critical role in mediating the rapid effect of androgen and promoting the expression of PSD95. We used mouse hippocampal neurone HT22 cells as a cell model to investigate the effect of testosterone (T) on intracellular Ca²⁺ levels and the mechanism. Calcium imaging experiments showed that intracellular Ca²⁺ increased to a peak due to calcium influx in the extracellular fluid through L-type and N-type voltage-gated calcium channels when HT22 cells were treated with 100 nM T for 20 min. Subsequently, we investigated whether the Ca²⁺/CaMKII signaling pathway mediates the rapid effect of T, promoting the expression of the synaptic protein PSD95. Immunofluorescence cytochemical staining and western blotting results showed that T promoted CaMKII phosphorylation by rapidly increasing extracellular Ca²⁺ influx, thus increasing PSD95 expression. This study demonstrated that CaMKII acts as a mediator assisting androgen which regulates the synaptic protein PSD95Also, it provides evidence for the neuroprotective mechanisms of androgens in synaptic plasticity and reveals the gated and pharmacological mechanisms of the voltage-gated Ca²⁺ channel family for androgen replacement therapy.

Behavioral tests for evaluating the characteristics of brain diseases in rodent models: Optimal choices for improved outcomes (Review)

Behavioral assessment is the dominant approach for evaluating whether animal models of brain diseases can successfully mimic the clinical characteristics of diseases. At present, most research regarding brain diseases involves the use of rodent models. While studies have reported numerous methods of behavioral assessments in rodent models of brain diseases, each with different principles, procedures, and assessment criteria, only few reviews have focused on characterizing and differentiating these methods based on applications for which they are most appropriate. Therefore, in the present review, the representative behavioral tests in rodent models of brain diseases were compared and differentiated, aiming to provide convenience for researchers in selecting the optimal methods for their studies.

Improving clinical outcomes through attention to sex and hormones in research

Biological sex, fluctuations in sex steroid hormones throughout life and gender as a social construct all influence every aspect of health and disease. Yet, for decades, most basic and clinical studies have included only male individuals. As modern health care moves towards personalized medicine, it is clear that considering sex and hormonal status in basic and clinical studies will bring precision to the development of novel therapeutics and treatment paradigms. To this end, funding, regulatory and policy agencies now require inclusion of female animals and women in basic and clinical studies. However, inclusion of female animals and women often does not mean that information regarding potential hormonal interactions with pharmacological treatments or clinical outcomes is available. All sex steroid hormones can interact with receptors for drug targets, metabolism and transport. Genetic variation in receptors or in enzymatic function might contribute to sex differences in therapeutic efficacy and adverse drug reactions. Outcomes from clinical trials are often not reported by sex, and, if the data are available, they are not translated into clinical practice guidelines. This Review will provide a historical perspective for the current state of research related to hormone trials and provide concrete strategies that, if implemented, will improve the health of all people.

A Combined Network Pharmacology and Molecular Docking Approach to Investigate Candidate Active Components and Multitarget Mechanisms of Hemerocallis Flowers on Antidepressant Effect

Objective

The purpose of our research is to systematically explore the multiple mechanisms of Hemerocallis fulva Flowers (HF) on depressive disorder (DD).

Methods

The components of HF were searched from the literature. The targets of components were obtained from PharmMapper. After that, Cytoscape software was used to build a component-target network. The targets of DD were collected from DisGeNET, PharmGKB, TTD, and OMIM. Protein-protein interactions (PPIs) among the DD targets were executed to screen the key targets. Afterward, the GO and KEGG pathway enrichment analysis were performed by the KOBAS database. A compound-target-KEGG pathway network was built to analyze the key compounds and targets. Finally, the potential active substances and targets were validated by molecular docking.

Results

A total of 55 active compounds in HF, 646 compound-related targets, and 527 DD-related targets were identified from public databases. After treated with PPI, 219 key targets of DD were acquired. The gene enrichment analysis suggested that HF probably benefits DD patients by modulating pathways related to the nervous system, endocrine system, amino acid metabolism, and signal transduction. The network analysis showed the critical components and targets of HF on DD. Results of molecular docking increased the reliability of this study.

Conclusions

It predicted and verified the pharmacological and molecular mechanism of HF against DD from a holistic perspective, which will also lay a foundation for further experimental research and rational clinical application of DD.

Quantitative Proteomics Revealed the Pharmacodynamic Network of Bugu Shengsui Decoction Promoting Osteoblast Proliferation

BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVE

With high morbidity and disability, osteoporosis is a worldwide bone metabolism disease, regulated by complex pathological processes. Insufficient osteogenesis is greatly essential to osteoporosis. Traditional Chinese Medicine, a complex natural herbal medicine system, has increasingly attracted attention all over the world. Bugu Shengsui Decoction, a compound formula for osteoporosis, has significant clinical effects in the treatment of osteoporosis. Yet the detailed mechanisms are unclear. Thus, we investigated the effects and mechanism of Bugu Shengsui Decoction on osteoporotic rats and osteoblasts in vitro.

METHODS

In this study, we evaluated the effect of Bugu Shengsui Decoction in an animal model of orchiectomy. Multi-pharmacology indexes revealed that Bugu Shengsui Decoction obviously improved bone metabolism, bone mineral density, bone morphology, and biomechanics in the castrated rats. Then, serum pharmacology was employed to unveil that Bugu Shengsui Decoction promoted the proliferation and differentiation of osteoblasts. Moreover, quantitative proteomics combined with RNA interference assay was used to analyze and verify the pathway and key targets in pro-proliferation of MC3T3-E1 cells.

RESULTS

Bugu Shengsui Decoction obviously improved the worse parameters of bone metabolism, bone mineral density, bone morphology, and biomechanics in a castrated rat model. In vitro, Bugu Shengsui Decoction exerted proliferation- and differentiation-promoting effects of osteoblasts induced by serum starvation. Moreover, quantitative proteomics analysis combined with RNA interfere assay illustrated that Bugu Shengsui Decoction promoted osteogenesis via the PI3K-AKT pathway.

CONCLUSION

Summarily, our discoveries certify that Bugu Shengsui Decoction is an effective treatment for osteoporosis via PI3K-AKT. This study is not only a beneficial attempt to explore the detailed mechanism of Traditional Chinese formula but also will provide inspiration for the treatment strategy of osteoporosis.