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Luna-Munguia H, Gasca-Martinez D, Garay-Cortes A, Coutiño D, Regalado M, de Los Rios E, Villaseñor P, Hidalgo-Flores F, Flores-Guapo K, Benito BY, Concha L. Selective Medial Septum Lesions in Healthy Rats Induce Longitudinal Changes in Microstructure of Limbic Regions, Behavioral Alterations, and Increased Susceptibility to Status Epilepticus. Mol Neurobiol 2024:10.1007/s12035-024-04069-9. [PMID: 38443731 DOI: 10.1007/s12035-024-04069-9] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/25/2023] [Accepted: 02/26/2024] [Indexed: 03/07/2024]
Abstract
Septo-hippocampal pathway, crucial for physiological functions and involved in epilepsy. Clinical monitoring during epileptogenesis is complicated. We aim to evaluate tissue changes after lesioning the medial septum (MS) of normal rats and assess how the depletion of specific neuronal populations alters the animals' behavior and susceptibility to establishing a pilocarpine-induced status epilepticus. Male Sprague-Dawley rats were injected into the MS with vehicle or saporins (to deplete GABAergic or cholinergic neurons; n = 16 per group). Thirty-two animals were used for diffusion tensor imaging (DTI); scanned before surgery and 14 and 49 days post-injection. Fractional anisotropy and apparent diffusion coefficient were evaluated in the fimbria, dorsal hippocampus, ventral hippocampus, dorso-medial thalamus, and amygdala. Between scans 2 and 3, animals were submitted to diverse behavioral tasks. Stainings were used to analyze tissue alterations. Twenty-four different animals received pilocarpine to evaluate the latency and severity of the status epilepticus 2 weeks after surgery. Additionally, eight different animals were only used to evaluate the neuronal damage inflicted on the MS 1 week after the molecular surgery. Progressive changes in DTI parameters in both white and gray matter structures of the four evaluated groups were observed. Behaviorally, the GAT1-saporin injection impacted spatial memory formation, while 192-IgG-saporin triggered anxiety-like behaviors. Histologically, the GABAergic toxin also induced aberrant mossy fiber sprouting, tissue damage, and neuronal death. Regarding the pilocarpine-induced status epilepticus, this agent provoked an increased mortality rate. Selective septo-hippocampal modulation impacts the integrity of limbic regions crucial for certain behavioral skills and could represent a precursor for epilepsy development.
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Affiliation(s)
- Hiram Luna-Munguia
- Departamento de Neurobiologia Conductual y Cognitiva, Instituto de Neurobiologia, Universidad Nacional Autonoma de Mexico, Campus UNAM-Juriquilla, 76230, Queretaro, Mexico.
| | - Deisy Gasca-Martinez
- Departamento de Neurobiologia Conductual y Cognitiva, Instituto de Neurobiologia, Universidad Nacional Autonoma de Mexico, Campus UNAM-Juriquilla, 76230, Queretaro, Mexico
- Unidad de Analisis Conductual, Instituto de Neurobiologia, Universidad Nacional Autonoma de Mexico, Campus UNAM-Juriquilla, 76230, Queretaro, Mexico
| | - Alejandra Garay-Cortes
- Departamento de Neurobiologia Conductual y Cognitiva, Instituto de Neurobiologia, Universidad Nacional Autonoma de Mexico, Campus UNAM-Juriquilla, 76230, Queretaro, Mexico
| | - Daniela Coutiño
- Departamento de Neurobiologia Conductual y Cognitiva, Instituto de Neurobiologia, Universidad Nacional Autonoma de Mexico, Campus UNAM-Juriquilla, 76230, Queretaro, Mexico
| | - Mirelta Regalado
- Departamento de Neurobiologia Conductual y Cognitiva, Instituto de Neurobiologia, Universidad Nacional Autonoma de Mexico, Campus UNAM-Juriquilla, 76230, Queretaro, Mexico
| | - Ericka de Los Rios
- Departamento de Neurobiologia Conductual y Cognitiva, Instituto de Neurobiologia, Universidad Nacional Autonoma de Mexico, Campus UNAM-Juriquilla, 76230, Queretaro, Mexico
- Unidad de Microscopia, Instituto de Neurobiologia, Universidad Nacional Autonoma de Mexico, Campus UNAM-Juriquilla, 76230, Queretaro, Mexico
| | - Paulina Villaseñor
- Departamento de Neurobiologia Conductual y Cognitiva, Instituto de Neurobiologia, Universidad Nacional Autonoma de Mexico, Campus UNAM-Juriquilla, 76230, Queretaro, Mexico
| | - Fernando Hidalgo-Flores
- Departamento de Neurobiologia Conductual y Cognitiva, Instituto de Neurobiologia, Universidad Nacional Autonoma de Mexico, Campus UNAM-Juriquilla, 76230, Queretaro, Mexico
| | - Karen Flores-Guapo
- Departamento de Neurobiologia Conductual y Cognitiva, Instituto de Neurobiologia, Universidad Nacional Autonoma de Mexico, Campus UNAM-Juriquilla, 76230, Queretaro, Mexico
| | - Brandon Yair Benito
- Departamento de Neurobiologia Conductual y Cognitiva, Instituto de Neurobiologia, Universidad Nacional Autonoma de Mexico, Campus UNAM-Juriquilla, 76230, Queretaro, Mexico
| | - Luis Concha
- Departamento de Neurobiologia Conductual y Cognitiva, Instituto de Neurobiologia, Universidad Nacional Autonoma de Mexico, Campus UNAM-Juriquilla, 76230, Queretaro, Mexico
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Rayatpour A, Radahmadi M, Izadi MS, Ghasemi M. Effects of sub-chronic CRH administration into the hypothalamic paraventricular and central amygdala nuclei in male rats with a focus on food intake biomarkers. AN ACAD BRAS CIENC 2023; 95:e20200221. [PMID: 38088701 DOI: 10.1590/0001-3765202320200221] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/14/2020] [Accepted: 05/22/2020] [Indexed: 12/18/2023] Open
Abstract
CRH neurons are found in the paraventricular nucleus(PVN) and central amygdala(CeA) nuclei. This study investigated the effects of sub-chronic CRH administration into the PVN and CeA nuclei on food intake biomarkers in rats divided into five groups: control, two shams, and two CRH-PVN and CRH-CeA groups(receiving CRH in nuclei for seven days). The CRH-PVN group had significantly higher cumulative food intake and food intake trends than the CRH-CeA group. The CRH-CeA and CRH-PVN groups exhibited significant increases in food intake during hours 1 and 2, respectively. Moreover, to be time-dependent, food intake is modulated by different brain nuclei. The CRH signaling pathway appeared to be activated later in the PVN than CeA. Both groups exhibited significantly higher leptin levels, the CRH-PVN group exhibited higher ghrelin levels and lower glucose levels. Repetitive administration of CRH into the PVN and CeA significantly reduced body weight differences. CRH administration into the PVN affected both leptin and ghrelin levels, but ghrelin had a greater impact on glucose variations and cumulative food intake than leptin. Finally, CRH administration into the PVN and CeA likely activated the HPA axis, and the CeA had a greater impact on the stress circuit than on food intake behavior.
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Affiliation(s)
- Atefeh Rayatpour
- Isfahan University of Medical Sciences, Department of Physiology, School of Medicine, Hezar Jerib street, Isfahan, Iran
| | - Maryam Radahmadi
- Isfahan University of Medical Sciences, Department of Physiology, School of Medicine, Hezar Jerib street, Isfahan, Iran
| | - Mina S Izadi
- Isfahan University of Medical Sciences, Department of Physiology, School of Medicine, Hezar Jerib street, Isfahan, Iran
| | - Maedeh Ghasemi
- Isfahan University of Medical Sciences, Department of Physiology, School of Medicine, Hezar Jerib street, Isfahan, Iran
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Braine A, Georges F. Emotion in action: When emotions meet motor circuits. Neurosci Biobehav Rev 2023; 155:105475. [PMID: 37996047 DOI: 10.1016/j.neubiorev.2023.105475] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/28/2023] [Revised: 11/15/2023] [Accepted: 11/17/2023] [Indexed: 11/25/2023]
Abstract
The brain is a remarkably complex organ responsible for a wide range of functions, including the modulation of emotional states and movement. Neuronal circuits are believed to play a crucial role in integrating sensory, cognitive, and emotional information to ultimately guide motor behavior. Over the years, numerous studies employing diverse techniques such as electrophysiology, imaging, and optogenetics have revealed a complex network of neural circuits involved in the regulation of emotional or motor processes. Emotions can exert a substantial influence on motor performance, encompassing both everyday activities and pathological conditions. The aim of this review is to explore how emotional states can shape movements by connecting the neural circuits for emotional processing to motor neural circuits. We first provide a comprehensive overview of the impact of different emotional states on motor control in humans and rodents. In line with behavioral studies, we set out to identify emotion-related structures capable of modulating motor output, behaviorally and anatomically. Neuronal circuits involved in emotional processing are extensively connected to the motor system. These circuits can drive emotional behavior, essential for survival, but can also continuously shape ongoing movement. In summary, the investigation of the intricate relationship between emotion and movement offers valuable insights into human behavior, including opportunities to enhance performance, and holds promise for improving mental and physical health. This review integrates findings from multiple scientific approaches, including anatomical tracing, circuit-based dissection, and behavioral studies, conducted in both animal and human subjects. By incorporating these different methodologies, we aim to present a comprehensive overview of the current understanding of the emotional modulation of movement in both physiological and pathological conditions.
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Affiliation(s)
- Anaelle Braine
- Univ. Bordeaux, CNRS, IMN, UMR 5293, F-33000 Bordeaux, France
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Sharma G, Rahmatkar SN, Rana AK, Sharma P, Patial V, Singh D, Roy Chowdhury S. Preclinical Validation of Electrodes for Single Anodal Transcranial Direct Current Stimulation on Rat Model With Chronic Stress-Induced Depression. IEEE SENSORS JOURNAL 2023; 23:12133-12145. [DOI: 10.1109/jsen.2023.3266235] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 08/10/2024]
Affiliation(s)
- Gaurav Sharma
- Cognitive Brain Dynamics Laboratory, National Brain Research Centre (NBRC), Manesar, Haryana, India
| | - Shubham Nilkanth Rahmatkar
- Pharmacology and Toxicology Laboratory, Council of Scientific and Industrial Research (CSIR)-Institute of Himalayan Bioresource Technology, Palampur, Himachal Pradesh, India
| | - Anil Kumar Rana
- Pharmacology and Toxicology Laboratory, Council of Scientific and Industrial Research (CSIR)-Institute of Himalayan Bioresource Technology, Palampur, Himachal Pradesh, India
| | - Pallavi Sharma
- Pharmacology and Toxicology Laboratory, Council of Scientific and Industrial Research (CSIR)-Institute of Himalayan Bioresource Technology, Palampur, Himachal Pradesh, India
| | - Vikram Patial
- Pharmacology and Toxicology Laboratory, Council of Scientific and Industrial Research (CSIR)-Institute of Himalayan Bioresource Technology, Palampur, Himachal Pradesh, India
| | - Damanpreet Singh
- Pharmacology and Toxicology Laboratory, Council of Scientific and Industrial Research (CSIR)-Institute of Himalayan Bioresource Technology, Palampur, Himachal Pradesh, India
| | - Shubhajit Roy Chowdhury
- Biomedical Systems Laboratory, School of Computing and Electrical Engineering, Indian Institute of Technology Mandi, Kamand Campus, Mandi, Himachal Pradesh, India
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Vila-Merkle H, González-Martínez A, Campos-Jiménez R, Martínez-Ricós J, Teruel-Martí V, Lloret A, Blasco-Serra A, Cervera-Ferri A. Sex differences in amygdalohippocampal oscillations and neuronal activation in a rodent anxiety model and in response to infralimbic deep brain stimulation. Front Behav Neurosci 2023; 17:1122163. [PMID: 36910127 PMCID: PMC9995972 DOI: 10.3389/fnbeh.2023.1122163] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/12/2022] [Accepted: 02/09/2023] [Indexed: 02/25/2023] Open
Abstract
Introduction Depression and anxiety are highly comorbid mental disorders with marked sex differences. Both disorders show altered activity in the amygdala, hippocampus, and prefrontal cortex. Infralimbic deep brain stimulation (DBS-IL) has anxiolytic and antidepressant effects, but the underlying mechanisms remain unclear. We aimed to contribute to understanding sex differences in the neurobiology of these disorders. Methods In male and female rats, we recorded neural oscillations along the dorsoventral axis of the hippocampus and the amygdala in response to an anxiogenic drug, FG-7142. Following this, we applied DBS-IL. Results Surprisingly, in females, the anxiogenic drug failed to induce most of the changes observed in males. We found sex differences in slow, delta, theta, and beta oscillations, and the amygdalo-hippocampal communication in response to FG-7142, with modest changes in females. Females had a more prominent basal gamma, and the drug altered this band only in males. We also analyzed c-Fos expression in both sexes in stress-related structures in response to FG-7142, DBS-IL, and combined interventions. With the anxiogenic drug, females showed reduced expression in the nucleus incertus, amygdala, septohippocampal network, and neocortical levels. In both experiments, the DBS-IL reversed FG-7142-induced effects, with a more substantial effect in males than females. Discussion Here, we show a reduced response in female rats which contrasts with the higher prevalence of anxiety in women but is consistent with other studies in rodents. Our results open compelling questions about sex differences in the neurobiology of anxiety and depression and their study in animal models.
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Affiliation(s)
- Hanna Vila-Merkle
- Neuronal Circuits Laboratory, Department of Human Anatomy and Embryology, Faculty of Medicine, University of Valencia, Valencia, Spain
| | - Alicia González-Martínez
- Neuronal Circuits Laboratory, Department of Human Anatomy and Embryology, Faculty of Medicine, University of Valencia, Valencia, Spain
| | - Rut Campos-Jiménez
- Neuronal Circuits Laboratory, Department of Human Anatomy and Embryology, Faculty of Medicine, University of Valencia, Valencia, Spain
| | - Joana Martínez-Ricós
- Neuronal Circuits Laboratory, Department of Human Anatomy and Embryology, Faculty of Medicine, University of Valencia, Valencia, Spain
| | - Vicent Teruel-Martí
- Neuronal Circuits Laboratory, Department of Human Anatomy and Embryology, Faculty of Medicine, University of Valencia, Valencia, Spain
| | - Ana Lloret
- Department of Physiology, Faculty of Medicine, Health Research Institute INCLIVA, CIBERFES, University of Valencia, Valencia, Spain
| | - Arantxa Blasco-Serra
- Study Group for the Anatomical Substrate of Pain and Analgesia (GESADA) Laboratory, Department of Human Anatomy and Embryology, Faculty of Medicine and Odontology, University of Valencia, Valencia, Spain
| | - Ana Cervera-Ferri
- Neuronal Circuits Laboratory, Department of Human Anatomy and Embryology, Faculty of Medicine, University of Valencia, Valencia, Spain
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Shahidani S, Jokar Z, Alaei H, Reisi P. Effects of treadmill exercise and chronic stress on anxiety-like behavior, neuronal activity, and oxidative stress in basolateral amygdala in morphine-treated rats. Synapse 2023; 77:e22256. [PMID: 36200789 DOI: 10.1002/syn.22256] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/06/2022] [Revised: 09/20/2022] [Accepted: 09/22/2022] [Indexed: 01/29/2023]
Abstract
The basolateral amygdala (BLA), which is sensitive to stress, is necessary for reward-seeking behavior and addiction. Regular exercise can produce various positive effects by affecting the BLA. Therefore, we aimed to investigate the effects of chronic stress and treadmill running (TR) on anxiety-like behavior, neuronal activity, lipid peroxidation (measured by malondialdehyde (MDA) levels, a marker for oxidative stress), and total thiol in BLA, in morphine-treated rats. Male Wistar rats were restricted in restraint stress and/or ran on the treadmill and treated with morphine (5 mg/kg) for 21 days. Anxiety-like behavior was evaluated using an elevated plus maze (EPM) and open field tests (OFTs), on day 22. On day 23, neuronal activity in BLA was assessed via single-unit recording. Finally, MDA and total thiol were assessed in BLA. Our results showed that chronic administration of morphine (5 mg/kg) did not affect anxiety-like behavior. However, the morphine-treated rats, subjected to chronic stress and exercise, showed fewer anxiety-like behaviors. Morphine increased BLA's MDA levels but it was prevented by TR. Glutamatergic and GABAergic basal neuronal activities were low in morphine-treated rats but after acute morphine application, there was a significant decrease in GABAergic neuronal activities in the morphine-exercise-stress (Mor-Exe-St) group. The results of this study showed that in morphine-treated rats, stress and exercise or their combination could have either co-directional or opposite effects to the chronic effects of morphine. These results indicate the existence of common pathways similar to endogenous opioids.
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Affiliation(s)
- Somayeh Shahidani
- Department of Physiology, School of Medicine, Isfahan University of Medical Sciences, Isfahan, Iran
| | - Zahra Jokar
- Department of Physiology, School of Medicine, Isfahan University of Medical Sciences, Isfahan, Iran
| | - Hojjatallah Alaei
- Department of Physiology, School of Medicine, Isfahan University of Medical Sciences, Isfahan, Iran
| | - Parham Reisi
- Department of Physiology, School of Medicine, Isfahan University of Medical Sciences, Isfahan, Iran
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Bae J, Ahn S, Cho DW, Kim HS, Han SC, Im HI. Claustral MeCP2 Regulates Methamphetamine-induced Conditioned Place Preference in Cynomolgus Monkey. Exp Neurobiol 2022; 31:390-400. [PMID: 36631847 PMCID: PMC9841746 DOI: 10.5607/en22034] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/07/2022] [Revised: 11/17/2022] [Accepted: 11/28/2022] [Indexed: 01/13/2023] Open
Abstract
The claustrum, a brain nucleus located between the cortex and the striatum, has recently been highlighted in drug-related reward processing. Methyl CpG-binding protein-2 (MeCP2) is a transcriptional regulator that represses or activates the expression of the target gene and has been known to have an important role in the regulation of drug addiction in the dopaminergic reward system. The claustrum is an important region for regulating reward processing where most neurons receive dopamine input; additionally, in this region, MeCP2 is also abundantly expressed. Therefore, here, we hypothesized that MeCP2 would be involved in drug addiction control in the Claustrum as well and investigated how claustral MeCP2 regulates drug addiction. To better understand the function of human claustral MeCP2, we established a non-human primate model of methamphetamine (METH) - induced conditioned place preference (CPP). After a habituation of two days and conditioning of ten days, the CPP test was conducted for three days. Interestingly, we confirmed that virus-mediated overexpression of MECP2 in the claustrum showed a significant reduction of METH-induced CPP in the three consecutive days during the testing period. Moreover, they showed a decrease in visit scores (frequency for visit) for the METH-paired room compared to the control group although the scores were statistically marginal. Taken together, we suggest that the claustrum is an important brain region associated with drug addiction, in which MeCP2 may function as a mediator in regulating the response to addictive drugs.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jinhee Bae
- Center for Brain Function, Brain Science Institute, Korea Institute of Science and Technology, Seoul 02792, Korea
| | - Sujin Ahn
- Center for Brain Function, Brain Science Institute, Korea Institute of Science and Technology, Seoul 02792, Korea
| | - Doo-Wan Cho
- Jeonbuk Branch Institute, Korea Institute of Toxicology, Jeongeup 56212, Korea
| | - Hyung-Sun Kim
- Jeonbuk Branch Institute, Korea Institute of Toxicology, Jeongeup 56212, Korea
| | - Su-Cheol Han
- Jeonbuk Branch Institute, Korea Institute of Toxicology, Jeongeup 56212, Korea
| | - Heh-In Im
- Center for Brain Function, Brain Science Institute, Korea Institute of Science and Technology, Seoul 02792, Korea,Division of Bio-Medical Science & Technology, KIST School, Korea University of Science and Technology, Seoul 02792, Korea,To whom correspondence should be addressed. TEL: 82-2-958-6961, FAX: 82-2-958-6937, e-mail:
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Soti M, Ranjbar H, Kohlmeier KA, Shabani M. Sex differences in the vulnerability of the hippocampus to prenatal stress. Dev Psychobiol 2022; 64:e22305. [PMID: 36282753 DOI: 10.1002/dev.22305] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/17/2022] [Revised: 04/21/2022] [Accepted: 05/28/2022] [Indexed: 01/27/2023]
Abstract
Distressing events during pregnancy that engage activity of the body's endocrine stress response have been linked with later life cognitive deficits in offspring and associated with developmental changes in cognitive-controlling neural regions. Interestingly, prenatal stress (PS)-induced alterations have shown some sex specificity. Here, we review the literature of animal studies examining sex-specific effect of physical PS on the function and structure of the hippocampus as hippocampal impairments likely underlie PS-associated deficits in learning and memory. Furthermore, the connectivity between the hypothalamic-pituitary-adrenal (HPA) axis and the hippocampus as well as the heavy presence of glucocorticoid receptors (GRs) in the hippocampus suggests this structure plays an important role in modulation of activity within stress circuitry in a sex-specific pattern. We hope that better understanding of sex-specific, PS-related hippocampal impairment will assist in uncovering the molecular mechanisms behind sex-based risk factors in PS populations across development, and perhaps contribute to greater precision in management of cognitive disturbances in this vulnerable population.
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Affiliation(s)
- Monavareh Soti
- Neuroscience Research Center, Neuropharmacology Institute, Kerman University of Medical Sciences, Kerman, Iran
| | - Hoda Ranjbar
- Neuroscience Research Center, Neuropharmacology Institute, Kerman University of Medical Sciences, Kerman, Iran
| | - Kristi A Kohlmeier
- Department of Drug Design and Pharmacology, Faculty of Health Sciences, University of Copenhagen, Copenhagen, Denmark
| | - Mohammad Shabani
- Neuroscience Research Center, Neuropharmacology Institute, Kerman University of Medical Sciences, Kerman, Iran
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Ashtari N, Radahmadi M, Alaei H. Preventive effects of fixed and progressive forced exercises on memory and brain electrical activity in morphine-addicted rats. AN ACAD BRAS CIENC 2022; 94:e20200596. [PMID: 35830068 DOI: 10.1590/0001-3765202220200596] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/21/2020] [Accepted: 10/28/2020] [Indexed: 11/22/2022] Open
Abstract
Exercise and addiction influence brain functions. The preventive effects of fixed and progressive forced exercises on both brain functions and body weight were investigated in morphine-addicted rats. Thirty-five rats were allocated to control, morphine, fixed exercise-morphine, and progressive exercise-morphine groups. Forced exercise was applied 1h/day for 21 days with morphine sulfate administered at doses of 10, 20, 30, 40, and 50 mg/kg for 5 consecutive days. The 50 mg/kg dose was repeated over the five subsequent days. Brain performance was evaluated using the passive avoidance test and EEG recordings. The passive avoidance test revealed no significant changes in brain functions (namely, latency, total dark stay time, and number of times entering the dark compartment). Compared to the control, the morphine group exhibited significantly lower alpha and beta waves but significantly higher delta and theta ones. Compared to the morphine group, the progressive and fixed exercise-morphine groups exhibited significant changes in their passive avoidance performance and only in the alpha wave of their EEG recordings. Progressive exercise improved learning, memory, and memory consolidation but reduced locomotor activity whereas fixed exercise affected EEG recordings in the addicted subjects. Clearly, different (fixed or progressive) exercise models produced different changes in brain functions.
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Affiliation(s)
- Niloofar Ashtari
- Department of Physiology, School of Medicine, Isfahan University of Medical Sciences, 8174673461, Hezar Jerib Street, Isfahan, Iran
| | - Maryam Radahmadi
- Department of Physiology, School of Medicine, Isfahan University of Medical Sciences, 8174673461, Hezar Jerib Street, Isfahan, Iran
| | - Hojjatallah Alaei
- Department of Physiology, School of Medicine, Isfahan University of Medical Sciences, 8174673461, Hezar Jerib Street, Isfahan, Iran
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Vantrease JE, Avonts B, Padival M, DeJoseph MR, Urban JH, Rosenkranz JA. Sex Differences in the Activity of Basolateral Amygdalar Neurons That Project to the Bed Nucleus of the Stria Terminalis and Their Role in Anticipatory Anxiety. J Neurosci 2022; 42:4488-4504. [PMID: 35477901 PMCID: PMC9172066 DOI: 10.1523/jneurosci.1499-21.2022] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/22/2021] [Revised: 03/22/2022] [Accepted: 04/19/2022] [Indexed: 11/21/2022] Open
Abstract
Abnormal fear and anxiety can manifest as psychiatric disorders. The bed nucleus of the stria terminalis (BNST) is implicated in sustained responding to, or anticipation of, an aversive event which can be expressed as anticipatory anxiety. The BLA is also active during anticipatory anxiety and sends projections to the BNST. However, little is known about the role for BLA neurons that project to BNST (BLA-BNST) in anticipatory anxiety in rodents. To address this, we tested whether chemogenetic inactivation of the BLA-BNST pathway attenuates sustained conditioned responses produced by anticipation of an aversive stimulus. For comparison, we also assessed BLA-BNST inactivation during social interaction, which is sensitive to unlearned anxiety. We found that BLA-BNST inactivation reduced conditioned sustained freezing and increased social behaviors, but surprisingly, only in males. To determine whether sex differences in BLA-BNST neuronal activity contribute to the differences in behavior, we used in vivo and ex vivo electrophysiological approaches. In males, BLA-BNST projection neurons were more active and excitable, which coincided with a smaller after-hyperpolarization current (I AHP) compared with other BLA neurons; whereas in females, BLA-BNST neurons were less excitable and had larger I AHP compared with other BLA neurons. These findings demonstrate that activity of BLA-BNST neurons mediates conditioned anticipatory anxiety-like behavior in males. The lack of a role of BLA-BNST in females in this behavior, possibly because of low excitability of these neurons, also highlights the need for caution when generalizing the role of specific neurocircuits in fear and anxiety.SIGNIFICANCE STATEMENT Anxiety disorders disproportionately affect women. This hints toward sex differences within anxiety neurocircuitry, yet most of our understanding is derived from male rodents. Furthermore, debilitating anticipation of adverse events is among the most severe anxiety symptoms, but little is known about anticipatory anxiety neurocircuitry. Here we demonstrated that BLA-BNST activity is required for anticipatory anxiety to a prolonged aversive cue, but only in males. Moreover, BLA-BNST neurons are hypoactive and less excitable in females. These results uncover BLA-BNST as a key component of anticipatory anxiety circuitry, and cellular differences may explain the sex-dependent role of this circuit. Uncovering this disparity provides evidence that the assumed basic circuitry of an anxiety behavior might not readily transpose from males to females.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jaime E Vantrease
- Discipline of Cellular and Molecular Pharmacology, Chicago Medical School, Rosalind Franklin University of Medicine and Science, North Chicago, Illinois 60064
- Center for the Neurobiology of Stress Resilience and Psychiatric Disorders, Rosalind Franklin University, North Chicago, Illinois 60064
| | - Brittany Avonts
- Discipline of Cellular and Molecular Pharmacology, Chicago Medical School, Rosalind Franklin University of Medicine and Science, North Chicago, Illinois 60064
| | - Mallika Padival
- Discipline of Cellular and Molecular Pharmacology, Chicago Medical School, Rosalind Franklin University of Medicine and Science, North Chicago, Illinois 60064
- Center for the Neurobiology of Stress Resilience and Psychiatric Disorders, Rosalind Franklin University, North Chicago, Illinois 60064
| | - M Regina DeJoseph
- Discipline of Physiology and Biophysics, Chicago Medical School, Rosalind Franklin University of Medicine and Science, North Chicago, Illinois 60064
- Center for the Neurobiology of Stress Resilience and Psychiatric Disorders, Rosalind Franklin University, North Chicago, Illinois 60064
| | - Janice H Urban
- Discipline of Physiology and Biophysics, Chicago Medical School, Rosalind Franklin University of Medicine and Science, North Chicago, Illinois 60064
- Center for the Neurobiology of Stress Resilience and Psychiatric Disorders, Rosalind Franklin University, North Chicago, Illinois 60064
| | - J Amiel Rosenkranz
- Discipline of Cellular and Molecular Pharmacology, Chicago Medical School, Rosalind Franklin University of Medicine and Science, North Chicago, Illinois 60064
- Center for the Neurobiology of Stress Resilience and Psychiatric Disorders, Rosalind Franklin University, North Chicago, Illinois 60064
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Effects of Intra-BLA Administration of PPAR Antagonists on Formalin-Evoked Nociceptive Behaviour, Fear-Conditioned Analgesia, and Conditioned Fear in the Presence or Absence of Nociceptive Tone in Rats. MOLECULES (BASEL, SWITZERLAND) 2022; 27:molecules27062021. [PMID: 35335382 PMCID: PMC8949000 DOI: 10.3390/molecules27062021] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/01/2022] [Revised: 03/02/2022] [Accepted: 03/03/2022] [Indexed: 11/16/2022]
Abstract
There is evidence for the involvement of peroxisome proliferator-activated receptors (PPARs) in pain, cognition, and anxiety. However, their role in pain–fear interactions is unknown. The amygdala plays a key role in pain, conditioned fear, and fear-conditioned analgesia (FCA). We investigated the effects of intra-basolateral amygdala (BLA) administration of PPARα, PPARβ/δ, and PPARγ antagonists on nociceptive behaviour, FCA, and conditioned fear in the presence or absence of nociceptive tone. Male Sprague-Dawley (SD) rats received footshock (FC) or no footshock (NFC) in a conditioning arena. Twenty-three and a half hours later, rats received an intraplantar injection of formalin or saline and, 15 min later, intra-BLA microinjections of vehicle, PPARα (GW6471) PPARβ/δ (GSK0660), or PPARγ (GW9662) antagonists before arena re-exposure. Pain and fear-related behaviour were assessed, and neurotransmitters/endocannabinoids measured post-mortem. Intra-BLA administration of PPARα or PPARγ antagonists potentiated freezing in the presence of nociceptive tone. Blockade of all PPAR subtypes in the BLA increased freezing and BLA dopamine levels in NFC rats in the absence of nociceptive tone. Administration of intra-BLA PPARα and PPARγ antagonists increased levels of dopamine in the BLA compared with the vehicle-treated counterparts. In conclusion, PPARα and PPARγ in the BLA play a role in the expression or extinction of conditioned fear in the presence or absence of nociceptive tone.
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Vorvul AO, Bobyntsev II, Medvedeva OA, Azarova I, Belykh AE, Andreeva LA. Effects of His-Phe-Arg-Trp-Pro-Gly-Pro peptide on free-radical oxidation processes in conditions of chronic restraint stress. BULLETIN OF RUSSIAN STATE MEDICAL UNIVERSITY 2021. [DOI: 10.24075/brsmu.2021.056] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/22/2022]
Abstract
Studying the effects of regulatory peptides on the stress-induced shifts in the bodily processes is of great fundamental and applied significance. Currently, a wide range of peptide neurotropic drugs, affecting the stress response development, are used in medicine, and new promising molecules are being studied. The study was aimed to assess the effects of the adrenocorticotropic hormone (ACTH) synthetic analog, ACTH(6-9)-Pro-Gly-Pro, administered at a dose of 5, 50 and 500 μg/kg, on the free-radical oxidation processes in Wistar rats, subjected to chronic restraint stress (CRS) during two weeks. Serum levels of 8-oxo-2'-deoxyguanosine (8-OHdG) and superoxide dismutase 3 (SOD3) were assessed by enzyme immunoassay, and the levels of thiobarbituric acid reactive substances (TBARS) were assessed by fluorimetric method. CRS lead to the significant increase in the 8-OHdG levels by 18.4% (p = 0.01) and the decrease in the SOD3 levels by 14.3% (p = 0.01), however, it had no effect on the levels of TBARS. ACTH(6-9)-Pro-Gly-Pro, administered at a dose of 5 and 50 μg/kg, significantly decreased the levels of 8-OHdG by 19.8% (p = 0.03) and 30% (p = 0.001), respectively. Thus, it was found that CRS resulted in oxidative stress in animals. ACTH(6-9)-Pro-Gly-Pro administration at a dose of 5 and 50 μg/kg inhibits the stress-induced free-radical oxidation processes.
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Affiliation(s)
- AO Vorvul
- Kursk State Medical University, Kursk, Russia
| | | | | | - IuE Azarova
- Kursk State Medical University, Kursk, Russia
| | - AE Belykh
- Kursk State Medical University, Kursk, Russia
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13
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Roustazade R, Radahmadi M, Yazdani Y. Therapeutic effects of saffron extract on different memory types, anxiety, and hippocampal BDNF and TNF-α gene expressions in sub-chronically stressed rats. Nutr Neurosci 2021; 25:192-206. [PMID: 34165393 DOI: 10.1080/1028415x.2021.1943138] [Citation(s) in RCA: 11] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 10/21/2022]
Abstract
Objective: While stress reportedly impairs memory, saffron enhances it. This study investigated the therapeutic effects of saffron extract on different memory types, anxiety-like behavior, and expressions of BDNF and TNF-α genes in sub-chronically stressed rats.Methods: Rats were randomly assigned to control, restraint stress (6 h/day/7 days), two 7-days saffron treatments with 30 and 60 mg/kg, and two stress-saffron groups (30 and 60 mg/kg/7 post-stress days). Serum cortisol level and hippocampal BDNF and TNF-α gene expressions were measured. Open field, passive avoidance, novel object recognition, and object location tests were performed to assess anxiety-like behavior and avoidance as well as cognitive and spatial memories, respectively.Results: The low saffron dose in the sub-chronic stressed group led to a significant increase in passive avoidance latency from day 3 onward whereas this effect was observed after 7 days under the high-dose treatment that simultaneously led to a significant decline in serum cortisol level. While the low saffron dose led to a sharp drop in hippocampal TNF-α gene expression, the high dose significantly increased the hippocampal BDNF gene expression in the sub-chronic stress group. Finally, both saffron doses reduced anxiety in the stressed groups.Conclusion: Compared to the low saffron dose, the high dose had a latent but long-lasting impact. Cognitive and spatial memories remained unaffected by either stress or saffron treatment. In addition, only the high saffron dose reversed anxiety in the sub-chronically stressed group. These findings suggest that various doses of saffron act differently on different brain functions under sub-chronic stress conditions.Abbreviations: Brain derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF), tumor necrosis factor-α (TNF-α), hypothalamic-pituitary-adrenal axis (HPA), novel object recognition task (NORT), novel object location task (NOLT), open field test (OFT), passive avoidance (PA).
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Affiliation(s)
- Roshanak Roustazade
- Medical Students' Research Center, School of Medicine, Isfahan University of Medical Sciences, Isfahan, Iran
| | - Maryam Radahmadi
- Department of Physiology, School of Medicine, Isfahan University of Medical Sciences, Isfahan, Iran
| | - Yeganeh Yazdani
- Medical Students' Research Center, School of Medicine, Isfahan University of Medical Sciences, Isfahan, Iran
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14
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Dastgerdi HH, Radahmadi M, Reisi P. Comparative study of the protective effects of crocin and exercise on long-term potentiation of CA1 in rats under chronic unpredictable stress. Life Sci 2020; 256:118018. [DOI: 10.1016/j.lfs.2020.118018] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/02/2020] [Revised: 06/20/2020] [Accepted: 06/23/2020] [Indexed: 02/03/2023]
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15
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Behavioral and neuroanatomical effects on exposure to White noise in rats. Neurosci Lett 2020; 728:134898. [DOI: 10.1016/j.neulet.2020.134898] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/13/2019] [Revised: 03/04/2020] [Accepted: 03/06/2020] [Indexed: 12/13/2022]
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16
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The basolateral amygdala regulation of complex cognitive behaviours in the five-choice serial reaction time task. Psychopharmacology (Berl) 2019; 236:3135-3146. [PMID: 31079161 DOI: 10.1007/s00213-019-05260-w] [Citation(s) in RCA: 12] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/28/2018] [Accepted: 04/29/2019] [Indexed: 01/24/2023]
Abstract
RATIONALE The basolateral amygdala (BLA) plays important roles in the cognitive control in human and non-human animals. However, inconsistent findings between species have been observed and there have been relatively few detailed investigations of the cognitive properties of BLA, especially in mice. OBJECTIVE Our aim was to determine the role of BLA in cognition by using optogenetic manipulations. METHODS Male C57BL/six mice were trained and tested on the five-choice serial reaction time task (5-CSRTT), open-field test (OFT), elevated plus maze (EPM), Y-maze, and novel object recognition (NOR) test during optogenetic stimulation and inhibition of the BLA. RESULTS Optogenetic activation of the BLA decreased the impulsivity and increased the compulsivity of mice, whereas optogenetic inhibition of BLA had the opposite effect. Similarly, anxiety-like behaviours and spatial working memory were increased in BLA activation mice, whereas BLA inhibition decreased these behaviours. However, both BLA activation and inhibition decreased the motivation of the mice. CONCLUSIONS These data demonstrate that the BLA regulates impulsive action and spatial working memory, and plays a critical role in anxiety-like behaviours.
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Schönfeld LM, Zech MP, Schäble S, Wöhr M, Kalenscher T. Lesions of the rat basolateral amygdala reduce the behavioral response to ultrasonic vocalizations. Behav Brain Res 2019; 378:112274. [PMID: 31589896 DOI: 10.1016/j.bbr.2019.112274] [Citation(s) in RCA: 13] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/14/2019] [Revised: 08/30/2019] [Accepted: 10/01/2019] [Indexed: 01/28/2023]
Abstract
Rats emit vocalizations in the ultrasonic range (ultrasonic vocalizations; USVs), of which 50-kHz USVs could communicate positive affective states and induce approach behavior in conspecifics, whereas 22-kHz USVs might signal negative affective states and potential threats. Listening to 50-kHz USVs can be rewarding, but it is unknown which brain mechanisms are responsible for the assignment of reinforcing value to 50-kHz USVs . The behavioral responses induced by listening to 22-kHz USVs are heterogeneous and need further characterization. The amygdala is a region relevant for social perception, behavior and reward. Here, we tested the hypothesis that the basolateral amygdala (BLA) plays a causal role in motivating behavioral responses to 50-kHz and 22-kHz USVs. Rats with lesions of the BLA or sham lesions were repeatedly exposed to playback of either 50-kHz or 22-kHz USVs in a radial maze. Compared to sham rats, BLA-lesioned rats spent less time in the arms close to the USV speaker during playback of both 50-kHz or 22-kHz USVs. This difference in behavior was not due to impaired motor or general auditory abilities, indicating that BLA lesions selectively reduced the responsiveness to stimuli with social significance. This finding provides further support for the hypothesis that the BLA plays an important role in motivating approach behavior to social reinforcers.
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Affiliation(s)
- Lisa-Maria Schönfeld
- Comparative Psychology, Institute of Experimental Psychology, Heinrich Heine University Düsseldorf, 40225 Düsseldorf, Germany
| | - Maurice-Philipp Zech
- Comparative Psychology, Institute of Experimental Psychology, Heinrich Heine University Düsseldorf, 40225 Düsseldorf, Germany
| | - Sandra Schäble
- Comparative Psychology, Institute of Experimental Psychology, Heinrich Heine University Düsseldorf, 40225 Düsseldorf, Germany
| | - Markus Wöhr
- Behavioral Neuroscience, Experimental and Biological Psychology, Philipps-University of Marburg, 35032 Marburg, Germany
| | - Tobias Kalenscher
- Comparative Psychology, Institute of Experimental Psychology, Heinrich Heine University Düsseldorf, 40225 Düsseldorf, Germany.
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Sillivan SE, Jones ME, Jamieson S, Rumbaugh G, Miller CA. Bioinformatic analysis of long-lasting transcriptional and translational changes in the basolateral amygdala following acute stress. PLoS One 2019; 14:e0209846. [PMID: 30629705 PMCID: PMC6328204 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0209846] [Citation(s) in RCA: 11] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/13/2018] [Accepted: 12/12/2018] [Indexed: 12/18/2022] Open
Abstract
Stress profoundly impacts the brain and increases the risk of developing a psychiatric disorder. The brain’s response to stress is mediated by a number of pathways that affect gene expression and protein function throughout the cell. Understanding how stress achieves such dramatic effects on the brain requires an understanding of the brain’s stress response pathways. The majority of studies focused on molecular changes have employed repeated or chronic stress paradigms to assess the long-term consequences of stress and have not taken an integrative genomic and/or proteomic approach. Here, we determined the lasting impact of a single stressful event (restraint) on the broad molecular profile of the basolateral amygdala complex (BLC), a key brain region mediating emotion, memory and stress. Molecular profiling performed thirty days post-restraint consisted of small RNA sequencing, RNA sequencing and quantitative mass spectrometry and identified long-lasting changes in microRNA (miRNA), messenger RNA (mRNA) and proteins. Alignment of the three datasets further delineated the regulation of stress-specific pathways which were validated by qPCR and Western Blot analysis. From this analysis, mir-29a-5p was identified as a putative regulator of stress-induced adaptations in the BLC. Further, a number of predicted mir-29a-5p targets are regulated at the mRNA and protein level. The concerted and long-lasting disruption of multiple molecular pathways in the amygdala by a single stress event is expected to be sufficient to alter behavioral responses to a wide array of future experiences, including exposure to additional stressors.
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Affiliation(s)
- Stephanie E. Sillivan
- Department of Molecular Medicine, The Scripps Research Institute, Jupiter, Florida, United States of America
- Department of Neuroscience, The Scripps Research Institute, Jupiter, Florida, United States of America
- Department of Anatomy and Cell Biology, Temple University, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, United States of America
| | - Meghan E. Jones
- Department of Molecular Medicine, The Scripps Research Institute, Jupiter, Florida, United States of America
- Department of Neuroscience, The Scripps Research Institute, Jupiter, Florida, United States of America
| | - Sarah Jamieson
- Department of Molecular Medicine, The Scripps Research Institute, Jupiter, Florida, United States of America
- Department of Neuroscience, The Scripps Research Institute, Jupiter, Florida, United States of America
| | - Gavin Rumbaugh
- Department of Neuroscience, The Scripps Research Institute, Jupiter, Florida, United States of America
| | - Courtney A. Miller
- Department of Molecular Medicine, The Scripps Research Institute, Jupiter, Florida, United States of America
- Department of Neuroscience, The Scripps Research Institute, Jupiter, Florida, United States of America
- * E-mail:
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Izadi MS, Radahmadi M, Ghasemi M, Rayatpour A. Effects of Isolation and Social Subchronic Stresses on Food Intake and Levels of Leptin, Ghrelin, and Glucose in Male Rats. Adv Biomed Res 2018; 7:118. [PMID: 30211131 PMCID: PMC6124222 DOI: 10.4103/abr.abr_28_18] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/26/2022] Open
Abstract
Background: Exposure to psychological stresses can be a reason for obesity. Therefore, identifying the effective nutritional mechanisms such as feeding markers is of high necessity for the psychological stress conditions. Hence, the present study investigates the effects of subchronic isolation and social stresses on food intake, body weight differences (BWD), and levels of leptin, ghrelin, and glucose in rats. Materials and Methods: Eighteen male rats were randomly allocated into three groups: control (Co), isolation stress (IS), and social stress (SS) groups. Rats were under stresses for 7 days. The food intake (for three continuous hours after 16–18 h of food deprivation), BWD, levels of ghrelin, leptin, and glucose were measured. Results: The results showed that the food intake significantly (P < 0.05) reduced during the 1st h in the SS group compared to the Co group. At the 2nd h, the food intake significantly (P < 0.001 and P < 0.01, respectively) decreased in the IS group compared to the Co and SS groups. The cumulative food intake and body weight were significantly (P < 0.05) reduced in the IS group compared to the Co group. The serum ghrelin level significantly reduced in the IS group compared to the Co group. Conclusions: The subchronic psychological stresses led to a reduction in food intake by the reduction of serum ghrelin levels. It seems that ghrelin might have a more fundamental role in the food intake with respect to the leptin and glucose levels in subchronic stress condition. Furthermore, the decreased body weight justified the reduction of food intake, particularly in subchronic isolation stress.
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Affiliation(s)
- Mina Sadat Izadi
- Department of Physiology, School of Medicine, Isfahan University of Medical Sciences, Isfahan, Iran
| | - Maryam Radahmadi
- Department of Physiology, School of Medicine, Isfahan University of Medical Sciences, Isfahan, Iran
| | - Maedeh Ghasemi
- Department of Physiology, School of Medicine, Isfahan University of Medical Sciences, Isfahan, Iran
| | - Atefeh Rayatpour
- Department of Physiology, School of Medicine, Isfahan University of Medical Sciences, Isfahan, Iran
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20
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Wille-Bille A, Miranda-Morales RS, Pucci M, Bellia F, D'Addario C, Pautassi RM. Prenatal ethanol induces an anxiety phenotype and alters expression of dynorphin & nociceptin/orphanin FQ genes. Prog Neuropsychopharmacol Biol Psychiatry 2018; 85:77-88. [PMID: 29678771 DOI: 10.1016/j.pnpbp.2018.04.005] [Citation(s) in RCA: 30] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/16/2018] [Revised: 04/11/2018] [Accepted: 04/15/2018] [Indexed: 11/16/2022]
Abstract
Animal models have suggested that prenatal ethanol exposure (PEE) alters the κ opioid receptor system. The present study investigated the brain expression of dynorphin and nociceptin/orphanin FQ related genes and assessed anxiety-like behavior in the light-dark box (LDB), shelter-seeking and risk-taking behaviors in the concentric square field (CSF) test, and ethanol-induced locomotion in the open field (OF), in infant or adolescent Wistar rats that were exposed to PEE (0.0 or 2.0 g/kg, intragastrically, gestational days 17-20). We measured brain mRNA levels of prodynorphin (PDYN), κ opioid receptors (KOR), the nociceptin/orphanin FQ opioid peptide precursor prepronociceptin (ppN/OFQ) and nociceptine/orphanin FQ receptors (NOR). Prenatal ethanol exposure upregulated PDYN and KOR mRNA levels in the ventral tegmental area (VTA) in infant and adolescent rats and KOR mRNA levels in the prefrontal cortex in infant rats. The changes in gene expression in the VTA were accompanied by a reduction of DNA methylation at the PDYN gene promoter, and by a reduction of DNA methylation at the KOR gene promoter. The PEE-induced upregulation of PDYN/KOR in the VTA was accompanied by lower NOR gene expression in the VTA, and lower PDYN gene expression in the nucleus accumbens. PEE rats exhibited hypolocomotion in the OF, greater avoidance of the white and brightly lit areas in the LDB and CSF, and greater preference for the sheltered area in the CSF test. These results suggest that PEE upregulates the dynorphin system, resulting in an anxiety-prone phenotype and triggering compensatory responses in the nociceptin/orphanin FQ system. These findings may help elucidate the mechanisms that underlie the effects of PEE and suggest that the dynorphin and nociceptin/orphanin FQ systems may be possible targets for the prevention and treatment of PEE-induced alterations.
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Affiliation(s)
- Aranza Wille-Bille
- Instituto de Investigación Médica M. y M. Ferreyra (INIMEC-CONICET-Universidad Nacional de Córdoba), Córdoba C.P. 5000, Argentina
| | - Roberto Sebastián Miranda-Morales
- Instituto de Investigación Médica M. y M. Ferreyra (INIMEC-CONICET-Universidad Nacional de Córdoba), Córdoba C.P. 5000, Argentina; Facultad de Psicología, Universidad Nacional de Córdoba, Córdoba, Argentina
| | | | | | - Claudio D'Addario
- Università degli Studi di Teramo, Teramo, Italy; Department of Clinical Neuroscience, Karolinska Institute, Stockholm, Sweden.
| | - Ricardo Marcos Pautassi
- Instituto de Investigación Médica M. y M. Ferreyra (INIMEC-CONICET-Universidad Nacional de Córdoba), Córdoba C.P. 5000, Argentina; Facultad de Psicología, Universidad Nacional de Córdoba, Córdoba, Argentina.
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21
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Repeated social stress leads to contrasting patterns of structural plasticity in the amygdala and hippocampus. Behav Brain Res 2018; 347:314-324. [DOI: 10.1016/j.bbr.2018.03.034] [Citation(s) in RCA: 42] [Impact Index Per Article: 7.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/09/2017] [Revised: 03/06/2018] [Accepted: 03/21/2018] [Indexed: 11/24/2022]
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22
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Masís J, Mankus D, Wolff SBE, Guitchounts G, Joesch M, Cox DD. A micro-CT-based method for quantitative brain lesion characterization and electrode localization. Sci Rep 2018; 8:5184. [PMID: 29581439 PMCID: PMC5980003 DOI: 10.1038/s41598-018-23247-z] [Citation(s) in RCA: 18] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/29/2017] [Accepted: 03/08/2018] [Indexed: 12/26/2022] Open
Abstract
Lesion verification and quantification is traditionally done via histological examination of sectioned brains, a time-consuming process that relies heavily on manual estimation. Such methods are particularly problematic in posterior cortical regions (e.g. visual cortex), where sectioning leads to significant damage and distortion of tissue. Even more challenging is the post hoc localization of micro-electrodes, which relies on the same techniques, suffers from similar drawbacks and requires even higher precision. Here, we propose a new, simple method for quantitative lesion characterization and electrode localization that is less labor-intensive and yields more detailed results than conventional methods. We leverage staining techniques standard in electron microscopy with the use of commodity micro-CT imaging. We stain whole rat and zebra finch brains in osmium tetroxide, embed these in resin and scan entire brains in a micro-CT machine. The scans result in 3D reconstructions of the brains with section thickness dependent on sample size (12-15 and 5-6 microns for rat and zebra finch respectively) that can be segmented manually or automatically. Because the method captures the entire intact brain volume, comparisons within and across studies are more tractable, and the extent of lesions and electrodes may be studied with higher accuracy than with current methods.
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Affiliation(s)
- Javier Masís
- Harvard University, Department of Molecular and Cellular Biology, Cambridge, MA, 02138, USA. .,Harvard University, Center for Brain Science, Cambridge, MA, 02138, USA.
| | - David Mankus
- Harvard University, Center for Brain Science, Cambridge, MA, 02138, USA
| | - Steffen B E Wolff
- Harvard University, Department of Organismic and Evolutionary Biology, Cambridge, MA, 02138, USA.,Harvard University, Center for Brain Science, Cambridge, MA, 02138, USA
| | - Grigori Guitchounts
- Harvard University, Department of Molecular and Cellular Biology, Cambridge, MA, 02138, USA.,Harvard University, Center for Brain Science, Cambridge, MA, 02138, USA
| | - Maximilian Joesch
- Institute of Science and Technology Austria, Klosterneuburg, Austria
| | - David D Cox
- Harvard University, Department of Molecular and Cellular Biology, Cambridge, MA, 02138, USA.,Harvard University, Center for Brain Science, Cambridge, MA, 02138, USA
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23
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Dastgerdi AH, Radahmadi M, Pourshanazari AA, Dastgerdi HH. Effects of Crocin on Learning and Memory in Rats Under Chronic Restraint Stress with Special Focus on the Hippocampal and Frontal Cortex Corticosterone Levels. Adv Biomed Res 2017; 6:157. [PMID: 29387668 PMCID: PMC5767797 DOI: 10.4103/abr.abr_107_17] [Citation(s) in RCA: 12] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/05/2022] Open
Abstract
Background: Chronic stress adversely influences brain functions while crocin, as an effective component of saffron, exhibits positive effects on memory processes. This study investigated the effects of different doses of crocin on the improvement of learning and memory as well as corticosterone (CORT) levels in the hippocampus and frontal cortex of rats subjected to chronic stress. Materials and Methods: Forty male rats were randomly allocated to five different groups (n = 8): Control, sham; stress (6 h/day for 21 days) groups, and two groups receiving daily intraperitoneal injections of one of two doses (30 and 60 mg/kg) of crocin accompanied by 21 days of restraint stress. Latency was evaluated as a brain function using the passive avoidance test before and one-day after a foot shock. CORT levels were measured in the homogenized hippocampus and frontal cortex. Results: Results revealed that chronic stress had a significantly (P < 0.01) negative effect on memory. Crocin (30 and 60 mg/kg), however, gave increase to significantly (P < 0.01 and P < 0.05; respectively) improved memory functions in the stressed rats. Furthermore, the CORT levels in the hippocampus and frontal cortex declined significantly (P < 0.05) in the stress group compared to the control. Only a crocin dose of 30 mg/kg was observed modulate significantly (P < 0.05) the CORT levels in the hippocampus and frontal cortex in the stressed group. Conclusions: It was found that the lower crocin dose (30 mg/kg) had more beneficial effects than its higher (60 mg/kg) dose on learning and memory under chronic stress conditions. Moreover, it was speculated that different doses of crocin act on different neurotransmitters and biochemical factors in the brain.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Maryam Radahmadi
- Department of Physiology, School of Medicine, Isfahan University of Medical Sciences, Isfahan, Iran
| | - Ali Asghar Pourshanazari
- Department of Physiology, School of Medicine, Isfahan University of Medical Sciences, Isfahan, Iran
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