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Potretzke S, Zhang Y, Li J, Fecteau KM, Erikson DW, Hibert M, Ryabinin AE. Male-selective effects of oxytocin agonism on alcohol intake: behavioral assessment in socially housed prairie voles and involvement of RAGE. Neuropsychopharmacology 2023; 48:920-928. [PMID: 36369481 PMCID: PMC10156683 DOI: 10.1038/s41386-022-01490-3] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/03/2022] [Revised: 10/20/2022] [Accepted: 10/25/2022] [Indexed: 11/13/2022]
Abstract
Targeting the oxytocin (OXT) peptide system has emerged as a promising new approach for the treatment of alcohol use disorder (AUD). However, further advancements in this development depend on properly modeling various complex social aspects of AUD and its treatment. Here we examined behavioral and molecular underpinnings of OXT receptor (OXTR) agonism in prairie voles, a rodent species with demonstrated translational validity for neurobiological mechanisms regulating social affiliations. To further improve translational validity of these studies, we examined effects of intranasal (IN) OXT administration in male and female prairie voles socially housed in the presence of untreated cagemates. IN OXT selectively inhibited alcohol drinking in male, but not female, animals. Further, we confirmed that exogenously administered OXT penetrates the prairie vole brain and showed that Receptor for Advanced Glycation End-products assists this penetration after IN, but not intraperitoneal (IP), OXT administration. Finally, we demonstrated that IP administration of LIT-001, a small-molecule OXTR agonist, inhibits alcohol intake in male, but not female, prairie voles socially housed in the presence of untreated cagemates. Taken together, results of this study support the promise of selectively targeting OXTR for individualized treatment of AUD.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sheena Potretzke
- Department of Behavioral Neuroscience, School of Medicine, Oregon Health & Science University, Portland, OR, 97239, USA
| | - Yangmiao Zhang
- Department of Behavioral Neuroscience, School of Medicine, Oregon Health & Science University, Portland, OR, 97239, USA
| | - Ju Li
- Department of Behavioral Neuroscience, School of Medicine, Oregon Health & Science University, Portland, OR, 97239, USA
| | - Kristopher M Fecteau
- Endocrine Technologies Core, Oregon National Primate Research Center, Oregon Health & Science University, 505 NW 185th Avenue, Beaverton, OR, 97006, USA
| | - David W Erikson
- Endocrine Technologies Core, Oregon National Primate Research Center, Oregon Health & Science University, 505 NW 185th Avenue, Beaverton, OR, 97006, USA
| | - Marcel Hibert
- Laboratoire d'Innovation Thérapeutique, Faculté de Pharmacie, UMR7200 CNRS/Université de Strasbourg, 74 Route du Rhin, F-67412, Illkirch, France
| | - Andrey E Ryabinin
- Department of Behavioral Neuroscience, School of Medicine, Oregon Health & Science University, Portland, OR, 97239, USA.
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Peris J, Totten K, Montgomery D, Lester H, Weatherington A, Piotrowski B, Sowell S, Doyle K, Scott K, Tan Y, MacFadyen KA, Engle H, de Kloet AD, Krause EG. Conditioned social preference and reward value of activating oxytocin-receptor-expressing ventral tegmental area neurons following repeated daily binge ethanol intake. Alcohol Clin Exp Res 2022; 46:194-206. [PMID: 34964139 PMCID: PMC8858886 DOI: 10.1111/acer.14769] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/26/2021] [Revised: 11/29/2021] [Accepted: 12/22/2021] [Indexed: 02/03/2023]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Individuals with alcohol use disorder (AUD) exhibit a disruption of social behavior and dysregulation of oxytocin signaling in the brain, possibly reflecting decreased activation of oxytocin receptors (OxTRs) in reward pathways in response to social stimuli. We hypothesize that daily binge ethanol intake causes a deficit in social reward and oxytocin signaling in the ventral tegmental area (VTA). METHODS After 9 weeks of daily binge ethanol intake (blood ethanol concentration >80 mg%), OxTR-cre mice underwent conditioned place preference for social reward. Separate groups of mice were tested for the effects of binge ethanol on voluntary social interactions, food reward, locomotion, and anxiety-like behaviors. A subset of mice underwent transfection of OxTR-expressing VTA neurons (VTAOxtr ) with a light-sensitive opsin, followed by operant training to respond to light delivered to VTA. RESULTS Ethanol-naïve male mice increased the time spent on the side previously paired with novel mice while ethanol-treated mice did not. Binge ethanol did not affect conditioned place preference for food reward in males, but this response was weakened in ethanol-treated females. Ethanol treatment also caused a sex-specific impairment of voluntary social interactions with novel mice. There were minimal differences between groups in measures of anxiety and locomotion. Ethanol-naïve mice had significantly greater operant responding for activation of VTAOxtr than sham-transfected mice but ethanol-treated mice did not. There was no difference in the number of VTAOxtr after binge ethanol. CONCLUSIONS Daily binge ethanol causes social reward deficits that cannot be explained by nonspecific effects on other behaviors, at least in males. Only ethanol-naïve mice exhibited positive reinforcement caused by activation of VTAOxtr while daily binge ethanol did not alter the number of VTAOxtr in either males or females. Thus, subtle dysregulation of VTAOxtr function may be related to the social reward deficits caused by daily binge ethanol.
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Affiliation(s)
- Joanna Peris
- University of Florida, Department of Pharmacodynamics, Gainesville FL 32610 USA
| | - Katye Totten
- University of Florida, Department of Pharmacodynamics, Gainesville FL 32610 USA
| | - Darrice Montgomery
- University of Florida, Department of Pharmacodynamics, Gainesville FL 32610 USA
| | - Hannah Lester
- University of Florida, Department of Pharmacodynamics, Gainesville FL 32610 USA
| | | | - Brian Piotrowski
- University of Florida, Department of Pharmacodynamics, Gainesville FL 32610 USA
| | - Sam Sowell
- University of Florida, Department of Pharmacodynamics, Gainesville FL 32610 USA
| | - Kristen Doyle
- University of Florida, Department of Pharmacodynamics, Gainesville FL 32610 USA
| | - Karen Scott
- University of Florida, Department of Pharmacodynamics, Gainesville FL 32610 USA
| | - Yalun Tan
- University of Florida, Department of Pharmacodynamics, Gainesville FL 32610 USA
| | - Kaley A. MacFadyen
- University of Florida, Department of Pharmacodynamics, Gainesville FL 32610 USA
| | - Hannah Engle
- University of Florida, Department of Pharmacodynamics, Gainesville FL 32610 USA
| | | | - Eric G. Krause
- University of Florida, Department of Pharmacodynamics, Gainesville FL 32610 USA
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Alcohol and oxytocin: Scrutinizing the relationship. Neurosci Biobehav Rev 2021; 127:852-864. [PMID: 34102150 DOI: 10.1016/j.neubiorev.2021.06.009] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/12/2021] [Revised: 05/19/2021] [Accepted: 06/03/2021] [Indexed: 02/07/2023]
Abstract
The initial enthusiasm towards oxytocin (OXT) as a potential treatment for alcohol use disorder has been recently tempered by recognizing existing gaps in literature and the recent appearance of a relatively small number of clinical studies with negative outcomes. On the other hand, several new studies continue to support the OXT system's potential for such treatment. In this review, we thoroughly analyze existing literature assessing both alcohol's effects on the OXT system and OXT's effects on alcohol-related behaviors. Both rodent and clinical research is discussed. We identify areas that have been studied extensively and those that have been undeservingly understudied. OXT's potential effects on tolerance, withdrawal, craving, anxiety and social behaviors, and how these processes ultimately affect alcohol consumption, are critically explored. We conclude that while OXT can affect alcohol consumption in males and females, more comprehensive studies on OXT's effects on alcohol-related tolerance, withdrawal, craving, anxiety and social affiliations in subjects of both sexes and across several levels of analyses are needed.
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Abstract
Prairie voles have emerged as an important rodent model for understanding the neuroscience of social behavior. Prairie voles are well known for their capacity for pair bonding and alloparental care. These behavioral phenomena overlap with human social behavior but are not commonly observed in traditional rodent models. In this article, we highlight the many benefits of using prairie voles in neuroscience research. We begin by describing the advantages of using diverse and non-traditional study models. We then focus on social behaviors, including pair bonding, alloparental care, and peer interactions, that have brought voles to the forefront of social neuroscience. We describe many additional features of prairie vole biology and behavior that provide researchers with opportunities to address an array of research questions. We also survey neuroethological methods that have been used with prairie voles, from classic to modern techniques. Finally, we conclude with a discussion of other vole species, particularly meadow voles, and their own unique advantages for neuroscience studies. This article provides a foundation for researchers who are new to working with voles, as well as for experienced neuroscientists who want to expand their research scope. © 2021 Wiley Periodicals LLC.
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Affiliation(s)
- William M. Kenkel
- Department of Psychological & Brain Sciences, University of Delaware, Newark, DE 19716
| | - Morgan L. Gustison
- Department of Integrative Biology, University of Texas at Austin, Austin, TX 78712 USA
| | - Annaliese K. Beery
- Department of Integrative Biology, University of California, Berkeley, Berkeley, CA 94720 USA
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Ferreyra E, Pasquetta L, Ramirez A, Wille-Bille A, Molina JC, Miranda-Morales RS. Biparental care in C57BL/6J mice: effects on adolescent behavior and alcohol consumption. Psychopharmacology (Berl) 2020; 237:1841-1850. [PMID: 32173769 DOI: 10.1007/s00213-020-05501-3] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/20/2019] [Accepted: 03/05/2020] [Indexed: 12/18/2022]
Abstract
RATIONALE Social attachment plays an important role in offspring development. Different parenting experiences during lactation may shape offspring behavior and later alcohol use. OBJECTIVES We tested the hypothesis that differential rearing conditions (single mother, SM or biparental, BP) in the non-monogamous C57BL/6J mice may affect (1) parental behavior during lactation, (2) adolescent behavior, and (3) adolescent initiation of alcohol drinking. METHODS Mice were reared in SM or BP (cohabitation of father-mother since copulation) condition until weaning (postnatal day, PND, 21). Litters from both conditions were filmed during PNDs 6, 9, and 12 and an ethogram was made taking into account nest-, pup-, or self-directed behaviors. At PNDs, 28-29 adolescent animals were evaluated in a modified version of the concentric square field for measurement of behavioral patterns. Other groups of adolescents were tested in a 4-h daily, two-bottle choice alcohol consumption test (10% alcohol vs. water) during 3 weeks (4 days per week). RESULTS Single mothers spent less time in the nest, left unattended the nest more times, displayed more self-directed and less pup-directed behaviors than BP parents. SM-reared adolescents displayed more anxiogenic-like and less risk-associated behaviors than BP counterparts. The alcohol consumption test indicated a strong effect of rearing condition. Since the fifth day of test, SM adolescents consumed more quantities of alcohol than BP adolescents. CONCLUSIONS During single-mother parenting, pups are left unattended more often, and during adolescence, these organisms exhibited increased anxiety responses. This behavioral phenotype may act as a risk factor for alcohol initiation during adolescence.
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Affiliation(s)
- Eliana Ferreyra
- Instituto de Investigación Médica Mercedes y Martín Ferreyra (INIMEC-CONICET-Universidad Nacional de Córdoba), Friuli 2434, 5016, Córdoba, Argentina
| | - Lucila Pasquetta
- Instituto de Investigación Médica Mercedes y Martín Ferreyra (INIMEC-CONICET-Universidad Nacional de Córdoba), Friuli 2434, 5016, Córdoba, Argentina
| | - Abraham Ramirez
- Instituto de Investigación Médica Mercedes y Martín Ferreyra (INIMEC-CONICET-Universidad Nacional de Córdoba), Friuli 2434, 5016, Córdoba, Argentina
| | - Aranza Wille-Bille
- Instituto de Investigación Médica Mercedes y Martín Ferreyra (INIMEC-CONICET-Universidad Nacional de Córdoba), Friuli 2434, 5016, Córdoba, Argentina
| | - Juan Carlos Molina
- Instituto de Investigación Médica Mercedes y Martín Ferreyra (INIMEC-CONICET-Universidad Nacional de Córdoba), Friuli 2434, 5016, Córdoba, Argentina.,Facultad de Psicología, Universidad Nacional de Córdoba, 5000, Córdoba, Argentina
| | - Roberto Sebastián Miranda-Morales
- Instituto de Investigación Médica Mercedes y Martín Ferreyra (INIMEC-CONICET-Universidad Nacional de Córdoba), Friuli 2434, 5016, Córdoba, Argentina. .,Facultad de Psicología, Universidad Nacional de Córdoba, 5000, Córdoba, Argentina.
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Peris J, Steck MR, Krause EG. Oxytocin treatment for alcoholism: Potential neurocircuitry targets. Neuropharmacology 2020; 171:108091. [PMID: 32304701 DOI: 10.1016/j.neuropharm.2020.108091] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/26/2019] [Revised: 03/19/2020] [Accepted: 04/03/2020] [Indexed: 12/19/2022]
Abstract
Oxytocin (OT) has gained considerable interest in recent years as a potential treatment for alcoholism and other substance use disorders. Evidence continues to mount that OT administered either centrally, peripherally or intranasally can decrease ethanol intake in both humans and animal models. The potential mechanisms for the ability of OT to decrease ethanol reward, and importantly, cue- and stress-induced ethanol relapse, are explored by reviewing the specific neuronal circuits involved in mediating these actions and their sensitivity to OT. In addition to dopamine neurons that project from ventral tegmental area (VTA) to nucleus accumbens (NAc) to signal positively reinforcing events, OT receptors (OxTR) are also expressed by dopamine neurons that project from VTA to brain regions that can convey aversive properties of a stimulus. Moreover, OxTR are expressed by non-dopaminergic neurons in the VTA, such as GABA and glutamate neurons, which can both modulate the activity of dopamine VTA neurons locally (in opposite directions) or can project to other brain regions, including the NAc, where it can alter either positive reinforcement or aversion caused by ethanol. The ability of OT to regulate limbic circuitry and the hypothalamic-pituitary-adrenal axis is discussed as a potential mechanism for the ability of OT to inhibit ethanol-induced negative reinforcement. Together, understanding the diversity and complexity of OT regulation of ethanol reward may contribute to more effective use of OT as pharmacotherapy for alcohol use disorder. This article is part of the special issue on Neuropeptides.
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Affiliation(s)
- Joanna Peris
- Department of Pharmacodynamics, University of Florida, Gainesville, FL, 32610, USA.
| | - Madeline R Steck
- Department of Pharmacodynamics, University of Florida, Gainesville, FL, 32610, USA
| | - Eric G Krause
- Department of Pharmacodynamics, University of Florida, Gainesville, FL, 32610, USA
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Effects of Housing Conditions and Circadian Time on Baseline c-Fos Immunoreactivity in C57BL/6J Mice. Neuroscience 2020; 431:143-151. [PMID: 32081725 DOI: 10.1016/j.neuroscience.2020.02.006] [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: 11/28/2019] [Revised: 01/27/2020] [Accepted: 02/05/2020] [Indexed: 12/19/2022]
Abstract
Analysis of expression of the immediate early gene c-Fos in neuronal populations is a commonly used method to assess changes in neuronal activity due to various factors of interest. However, different levels of c-Fos have been observed between control animals across studies. The present investigation assessed whether such differences could reflect different behavioral or physiological states in housing conditions that are typically considered naïve controls. Specifically, we assessed c-Fos expression in 19 brain regions in male C57BL6/J mice that were housed either socially (in groups of four/cage) or individually. c-Fos expression was compared with socially-housed mice under either normal or reverse light conditions to assess the effect of light cycle on neuronal activity. We identified three main patterns of differences between groups. Light, but not social housing conditions, influenced c-Fos expression in the suprachiasmatic nucleus of hypothalamus and the dentate gyrus (DG). A large number of brain regions across cortex, hypothalamus, ventral striatum and midbrain showed increased activity during the dark phase of circadian cycle only in the social, but not individual, housing. Finally, activity in the amygdala appeared to be induced by social housing conditions only during the dark phase of circadian cycle. Taken together, our experiment identified differential regulation of c-Fos expression by basal housing conditions and circadian phase. It also indicates that despite the well-known habituation of c-Fos expression to repeated stimulation, this expression is sensitive to basal housing conditions. This sensitivity needs to be taken into account when analyzing c-Fos data in various studies.
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8
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Zuniga A, Ryabinin AE. Involvement of Centrally Projecting Edinger-Westphal Nucleus Neuropeptides in Actions of Addictive Drugs. Brain Sci 2020; 10:brainsci10020067. [PMID: 31991932 PMCID: PMC7071833 DOI: 10.3390/brainsci10020067] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/21/2019] [Revised: 01/21/2020] [Accepted: 01/22/2020] [Indexed: 11/16/2022] Open
Abstract
The centrally-projecting Edinger-Westphal nucleus (EWcp) is a brain region distinct from the preganglionic Edinger-Westphal nucleus (EWpg). In contrast to the EWpg, the EWcp does not send projections to the ciliary ganglion and appears not to regulate oculomotor function. Instead, evidence is accumulating that the EWcp is extremely sensitive to alcohol and several other drugs of abuse. Studies using surgical, genetic knockout, and shRNA approaches further implicate the EWcp in the regulation of alcohol sensitivity and self-administration. The EWcp is also known as the site of preferential expression of urocortin 1, a peptide of the corticotropin-releasing factor family. However, neuroanatomical data indicate that the EWcp is not a monotypic brain region and consists of several distinct subpopulations of neurons. It is most likely that these subpopulations of the EWcp are differentially involved in the regulation of actions of addictive drugs. This review summarizes and analyzes the current literature of the EWcp's involvement in actions of drugs of abuse in male and female subjects in light of the accumulating evidence of complexities of this brain region.
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Zachry JE, Johnson AR, Calipari ES. Sex Differences in Value-Based Decision Making Underlie Substance Use Disorders in Females. Alcohol Alcohol 2020; 54:339-341. [PMID: 31220203 DOI: 10.1093/alcalc/agz052] [Citation(s) in RCA: 13] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/31/2019] [Indexed: 12/22/2022] Open
Affiliation(s)
- Jennifer E Zachry
- Department of Pharmacology, Vanderbilt University School of Medicine, Nashville, TN, USA
| | - Amy R Johnson
- Department of Pharmacology, Vanderbilt University School of Medicine, Nashville, TN, USA.,Vanderbilt Brain Institute, Vanderbilt University School of Medicine, Nashville, TN, USA
| | - Erin S Calipari
- Department of Pharmacology, Vanderbilt University School of Medicine, Nashville, TN, USA.,Vanderbilt Center for Addiction Research, Vanderbilt University School of Medicine, Nashville, TN, USA.,Vanderbilt Brain Institute, Vanderbilt University School of Medicine, Nashville, TN, USA
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Potretzke S, Ryabinin AE. The Prairie Vole Model of Pair-Bonding and Its Sensitivity to Addictive Substances. Front Psychol 2019; 10:2477. [PMID: 31780991 PMCID: PMC6851057 DOI: 10.3389/fpsyg.2019.02477] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/17/2019] [Accepted: 10/21/2019] [Indexed: 01/19/2023] Open
Abstract
The prairie vole (Microtus ochrogaster) is an extensively studied model for understanding the neural mechanisms underlying social affiliations and pair bonds. With clearly observed face and construct validity, this species offers translational insights into mechanisms involved in intimate relationships in humans. Moreover, the prairie vole model promises to advance our understanding – as well as allow for predictions – of the effects of extraneous factors (not normally encountered in nature) on such relationships. This mini review describes some of the neurobiological mechanisms regulating social affiliation in prairie voles, followed by an overview of the effects of alcohol and other drugs of abuse on formation and maintenance of pair-bonds. Based on available literature, we demonstrate that the effects of such extraneous factors on formation and maintenance of pair-bonds are sex-dependent, as well as dependent on the specific nature of the addictive drug. In turn, the lack of similarities in effects of different addictive substances on pair-bond formation suggests that these substances engage different neurocircuits that may or may not overlap with neurocircuits involved in various social behaviors. This lack of consistency of effects across studied drugs of abuse indicates the need to further examine the effects of individual drugs on affiliative behaviors. We highlight the deficiencies in this field of research, particularly the sparsity of studies on effects of drugs of abuse on the maintenance of established bonds. Future investigations in this field could help design strategies to help afflicted individuals.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sheena Potretzke
- Department of Behavioral Neuroscience, School of Medicine, Oregon Health & Science University, Portland, OR, United States
| | - Andrey E Ryabinin
- Department of Behavioral Neuroscience, School of Medicine, Oregon Health & Science University, Portland, OR, United States
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