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Matsunaga M, Takeuchi M, Watanabe S, Takeda AK, Kikusui T, Mogi K, Nagasawa M, Hagihara K, Myowa M. Intestinal microbiome and maternal mental health: preventing parental stress and enhancing resilience in mothers. Commun Biol 2024; 7:235. [PMID: 38424440 PMCID: PMC10904874 DOI: 10.1038/s42003-024-05884-5] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/06/2023] [Accepted: 02/02/2024] [Indexed: 03/02/2024] Open
Abstract
The number of mothers suffering from mental illness is increasing steadily, particularly under conditions of the coronavirus pandemic. The identification of factors that contribute to resilience in mothers is urgently needed to decrease the risks of poor physical and psychological health. We focused on the risk of parenting stress and psychological resilience in healthy mothers with no psychiatric and physical disorders and conducted two studies to examine the relationships between intestinal microbiota, physical condition, and psychological state. Our results showed that alpha diversity and beta diversity of the microbiome are related to high parenting stress risk. Psychological resilience and physical conditions were associated with relative abundances of the genera Blautia, Clostridium, and Eggerthella. This study helps further understand the gut-brain axis mechanisms and supports proposals for enhancing resilience in mothers.
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Affiliation(s)
- Michiko Matsunaga
- Department of Advanced Hybrid Medicine, Graduate School of Medicine, Osaka University, Osaka, Japan.
- Graduate School of Education, Kyoto University, Kyoto, Japan.
- Japan Society for the Promotion of Science, Tokyo, Japan.
| | - Mariko Takeuchi
- Department of Advanced Hybrid Medicine, Graduate School of Medicine, Osaka University, Osaka, Japan
| | | | | | - Takefumi Kikusui
- School of Veterinary Medicine, Azabu University, Kanagawa, Japan
| | - Kazutaka Mogi
- School of Veterinary Medicine, Azabu University, Kanagawa, Japan
| | - Miho Nagasawa
- School of Veterinary Medicine, Azabu University, Kanagawa, Japan
| | - Keisuke Hagihara
- Department of Advanced Hybrid Medicine, Graduate School of Medicine, Osaka University, Osaka, Japan
| | - Masako Myowa
- Graduate School of Education, Kyoto University, Kyoto, Japan.
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2
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Beardsley E, Patton L, Reynolds C, Williams A, Hernandez E, Chen P, Tidwell J. Evidence-based approach to mitigate cumulative stress in pediatric nurses through the development of respite rooms. Worldviews Evid Based Nurs 2024; 21:96-103. [PMID: 38189600 DOI: 10.1111/wvn.12702] [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: 10/01/2022] [Revised: 09/21/2023] [Accepted: 11/19/2023] [Indexed: 01/09/2024]
Abstract
BACKGROUND The cumulative stress toll on nurses increased during the COVID-19 pandemic. An evidence-based practice (EBP) project was conducted to understand what is known about the impacts of cumulative stress within nursing and if there are ways to mitigate stress during a nurse's shift. AIM/IMPLEMENTATION A project team from three clinical units completed an extensive literature review and identified the need to promote detachment while supporting parasympathetic recovery. Based on this review, leaders from three pediatric clinical units (neonatal intensive care unit, cardiovascular intensive care unit, and acute pulmonary floor) implemented respite rooms. OUTCOMES Follow-up outcomes showed a statistically significant stress reduction. For all shifts combined, the Wilcoxon Signed-Rank Test revealed that perceived stress scores from an 11-point Likert scale (0 = no stress and 10 = maximum perceived stress) were significantly lower in the post-respite room (Md = 3, n = 68) compared to in the pre-respite room (Md = 6, n = 68), Z = -7.059, p < .001, with a large effect size, r = .605. Nurses and other staff frequently utilized respite rooms during shifts. IMPLICATIONS FOR PRACTICE Clinical inquiry and evidence-based practice processes can mitigate cumulative stress and support staff wellbeing. Respite rooms within the hospital can promote a healthy work environment among nurses and promote a self-care culture change. Evidence-based strategies to mitigate cumulative stress using respite rooms are a best practice to promote nurse wellbeing and mitigate cumulative stress.
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Affiliation(s)
| | | | | | | | | | - Pauline Chen
- Children's Health System of Texas, Dallas, Texas, USA
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3
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Maternal stress and vulnerability to depression: coping and maternal care strategies and its consequences on adolescent offspring. Transl Psychiatry 2022; 12:463. [PMID: 36333302 PMCID: PMC9636172 DOI: 10.1038/s41398-022-02220-5] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/11/2022] [Revised: 09/30/2022] [Accepted: 10/12/2022] [Indexed: 11/06/2022] Open
Abstract
Depressive mothers often find mother-child interaction to be challenging. Maternal stress may further impair mother-child attachment, which may increase the risk of negative developmental consequences. We used rats with different vulnerability to depressive-like behavior (Wistar and Kyoto) to investigate the impact of stress (maternal separation-MS) on maternal behavior and adolescent offspring cognition. MS in Kyoto dams increased pup-contact, resulting in higher oxytocin levels and lower anxiety-like behavior after weaning, while worsening their adolescent offspring cognitive behavior. Whereas MS in Wistar dams elicited higher quality of pup-directed behavior, increasing brain-derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF) in the offspring, which seems to have prevented a negative impact on cognition. Hypothalamic oxytocin seems to affect the salience of the social environment cues (negatively for Kyoto) leading to different coping strategies. Our findings highlight the importance of contextual and individual factors in the understanding of the oxytocin role in modulating maternal behavior and stress regulatory processes.
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4
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Kawai N, Honda M, Nishina E, Ueno O, Fukushima A, Ohmura R, Fujita N, Oohashi T. Positive effect of inaudible high-frequency components of sounds on glucose tolerance: a quasi-experimental crossover study. Sci Rep 2022; 12:18463. [PMID: 36323763 PMCID: PMC9630438 DOI: 10.1038/s41598-022-23336-0] [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: 07/10/2022] [Accepted: 10/29/2022] [Indexed: 11/18/2022] Open
Abstract
Although stress significantly impacts on various metabolic syndromes, including diabetes mellitus, most stress management techniques are based on psychological and subjective approaches. This study examined how the presence or absence of the inaudible high-frequency component (HFC) of sounds, which activates deep-brain structures, affects glucose tolerance in healthy participants using the oral glucose tolerance test (OGTT). Sounds containing HFC suppressed the increase in glucose levels measured by incremental area under the curve in the OGTT compared with the otherwise same sounds without HFC. The suppression effect of HFC was more prominent in the older age group and the group with high HbA1c. This suggests that sounds with HFC are more effective in improving glucose tolerance in individuals at a higher risk of glucose intolerance.
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Affiliation(s)
- Norie Kawai
- grid.452483.c0000 0001 2113 4217Department of Research and Development, Foundation for Advancement of International Science, Tsukuba, Japan ,grid.419280.60000 0004 1763 8916Department of Information Medicine, National Center of Neurology and Psychiatry, Kodaira, Japan
| | - Manabu Honda
- grid.419280.60000 0004 1763 8916Department of Information Medicine, National Center of Neurology and Psychiatry, Kodaira, Japan
| | - Emi Nishina
- grid.412875.d0000 0000 8667 6925Department of Liberal Arts, The Open University of Japan, Chiba, Japan
| | - Osamu Ueno
- grid.419280.60000 0004 1763 8916Department of Information Medicine, National Center of Neurology and Psychiatry, Kodaira, Japan
| | - Ariko Fukushima
- grid.444357.50000 0004 0370 2606Center for Liberal Arts and Basic Education, Edogawa University, Nagareyama, Japan
| | - Rikka Ohmura
- grid.412875.d0000 0000 8667 6925Department of Liberal Arts, The Open University of Japan, Chiba, Japan
| | - Nahiko Fujita
- grid.26999.3d0000 0001 2151 536XGraduate School of Arts and Sciences, University of Tokyo, Tokyo, Japan
| | - Tsutomu Oohashi
- grid.452483.c0000 0001 2113 4217Department of Research and Development, Foundation for Advancement of International Science, Tsukuba, Japan
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5
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Jimenez AG, Calderaro L, Clark S, Elacqua D, Hazen E, Lam V, Leightheiser GS. Can dogs serve as stress mediators to decrease salivary cortisol levels in a population of liberal arts college undergraduate students? Explore (NY) 2022; 19:283-289. [PMID: 35989236 DOI: 10.1016/j.explore.2022.08.007] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/12/2022] [Revised: 08/01/2022] [Accepted: 08/10/2022] [Indexed: 11/04/2022]
Abstract
The steroid hormone cortisol can be used to measure physiological stress in humans. The hypothalamic-pituitary-adrenal (HPA) axis synthesizes cortisol, and a negative feedback cycle regulates cortisol depending on an individual's stress level and/or circadian rhythm. Chronic stress of college undergraduate students is associated with various adverse health effects, including anxiety and depression. Reports suggest that stress levels have risen dramatically in recent years, particularly among university students dealing with intense academic loads in addition to COVID-19 pandemic-related uncertainty. The increasing rate of mental illness on college campuses necessitates the study of mediators potentially capable of lowering stress, and thus cortisol levels. Research on mediation techniques and coping mechanisms have gained traction to address the concerning levels of stress, including the employment of human-animal interaction sessions on college campuses. In this study, human-canine interaction as a stress mediation strategy for undergraduate students was investigated. We measured salivary cortisol levels in 73 college undergraduate students during a 60-min interaction period with a dog to determine whether human-canine interactions are effective in lowering cortisol levels and potentially reducing chronic stress typical of undergraduate students. Our results indicate that a human-canine interaction for 60 min is an effective method for significantly reducing salivary cortisol and stress levels among undergraduate college students. These findings support the expansion of animal visitation programs on college campuses to help students manage stress.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Luke Calderaro
- Department of Biology, Colgate University, Hamilton, NY 13346, USA
| | - Sophia Clark
- Department of Biology, Colgate University, Hamilton, NY 13346, USA
| | - David Elacqua
- Department of Biology, Colgate University, Hamilton, NY 13346, USA
| | - Emily Hazen
- Department of Biology, Colgate University, Hamilton, NY 13346, USA
| | - Vanessa Lam
- Department of Biology, Colgate University, Hamilton, NY 13346, USA
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6
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Orikasa C. Social Network Plasticity of Mice Parental Behavior. Front Neurosci 2022; 16:882850. [PMID: 35747212 PMCID: PMC9209706 DOI: 10.3389/fnins.2022.882850] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/24/2022] [Accepted: 05/23/2022] [Indexed: 11/13/2022] Open
Abstract
Neural plasticity occurs during developmental stages and is essential for sexual differentiation of the brain and the ensuing sex-dependent behavioral changes in adults. Maternal behavior is primarily affected by sex-related differences in the brain; however, chronic social isolation even in mature male mice can induce maternal retrieving and crouching behavior when they are first exposed to pups. Social milieus influence the inherent behavior of adults and alter the molecular architecture in the brain, thereby allowing higher levels of associated gene expression and molecular activity. This review explores the possibility that although the development of neural circuits is closely associated with maternal behavior, the brain can still retain its neuroplasticity in adults from a neuromolecular perspective. In addition, neuronal machinery such as neurotransmitters and neuropeptides might influence sociobehavioral changes. This review also discusses that the neural circuits regulating behaviors such as parenting and infanticide (including neglect behavior), might be controlled by neural relay on melanin concentrating hormone (MCH)–oxytocin in the hypothalamus during the positive and negative mode of action in maternal behavior. Furthermore, MCH–oxytocin neural relay might contribute to the anxiolytic effect on maternal behavior, which is involved with reward circuits.
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7
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Keller BN, Hajnal A, Browning KN, Arnold AC, Silberman Y. Involvement of the Dorsal Vagal Complex in Alcohol-Related Behaviors. Front Behav Neurosci 2022; 16:801825. [PMID: 35330845 PMCID: PMC8940294 DOI: 10.3389/fnbeh.2022.801825] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/25/2021] [Accepted: 01/19/2022] [Indexed: 12/20/2022] Open
Abstract
The neurobiological mechanisms that regulate the development and maintenance of alcohol use disorder (AUD) are complex and involve a wide variety of within and between systems neuroadaptations. While classic reward, preoccupation, and withdrawal neurocircuits have been heavily studied in terms of AUD, viable treatment targets from this established literature have not proven clinically effective as of yet. Therefore, examination of additional neurocircuitries not classically studied in the context of AUD may provide novel therapeutic targets. Recent studies demonstrate that various neuropeptides systems are important modulators of alcohol reward, seeking, and intake behaviors. This includes neurocircuitry within the dorsal vagal complex (DVC), which is involved in the control of the autonomic nervous system, control of intake of natural rewards like food, and acts as a relay of interoceptive sensory information via interactions of numerous gut-brain peptides and neurotransmitter systems with DVC projections to central and peripheral targets. DVC neuron subtypes produce a variety of neuropeptides and transmitters and project to target brain regions critical for reward such as the mesolimbic dopamine system as well as other limbic areas important for the negative reinforcing and aversive properties of alcohol withdrawal such as the extended amygdala. This suggests the DVC may play a role in the modulation of various aspects of AUD. This review summarizes the current literature on neurotransmitters and neuropeptides systems in the DVC (e.g., norepinephrine, glucagon-like peptide 1, neurotensin, cholecystokinin, thyrotropin-releasing hormone), and their potential relevance to alcohol-related behaviors in humans and rodent models for AUD research. A better understanding of the role of the DVC in modulating alcohol related behaviors may lead to the elucidation of novel therapeutic targets for drug development in AUD.
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8
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Gołyszny M, Obuchowicz E, Zieliński M. Neuropeptides as regulators of the hypothalamus-pituitary-gonadal (HPG) axis activity and their putative roles in stress-induced fertility disorders. Neuropeptides 2022; 91:102216. [PMID: 34974357 DOI: 10.1016/j.npep.2021.102216] [Citation(s) in RCA: 12] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/20/2020] [Revised: 09/21/2021] [Accepted: 10/05/2021] [Indexed: 11/24/2022]
Abstract
Neuropeptides being regulators of the hypothalamus-pituitary-adrenal (HPA) axis activity, also affect the function of the hypothalamus-pituitary-gonadal (HPG) axis by regulating gonadotrophin-releasing hormone (GnRH) secretion from hypothalamic neurons. Here, we review the available data on how neuropeptides affect HPG axis activity directly or indirectly via their influence on the HPA axis. The putative role of neuropeptides in stress-induced infertility, such as polycystic ovary syndrome, is also described. This review discusses both well-known neuropeptides (i.e., kisspeptin, Kp; oxytocin, OT; arginine-vasopressin, AVP) and more recently discovered peptides (i.e., relaxin-3, RLN-3; nesfatin-1, NEFA; phoenixin, PNX; spexin, SPX). For the first time, we present an up-to-date review of all published data regarding interactions between the aforementioned neuropeptide systems. The reviewed literature suggest new pathophysiological mechanisms leading to fertility disturbances that are induced by stress.
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Affiliation(s)
- Miłosz Gołyszny
- Department of Pharmacology, Faculty of Medical Sciences in Katowice, Medical University of Silesia, Medyków 18 Street, 40-752 Katowice, Poland.
| | - Ewa Obuchowicz
- Department of Pharmacology, Faculty of Medical Sciences in Katowice, Medical University of Silesia, Medyków 18 Street, 40-752 Katowice, Poland.
| | - Michał Zieliński
- Department of Pharmacology, Faculty of Medical Sciences in Katowice, Medical University of Silesia, Medyków 18 Street, 40-752 Katowice, Poland.
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9
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Worth AA, Luckman SM. Do oxytocin neurones affect feeding? J Neuroendocrinol 2021; 33:e13035. [PMID: 34495565 DOI: 10.1111/jne.13035] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/02/2021] [Revised: 07/30/2021] [Accepted: 08/19/2021] [Indexed: 12/24/2022]
Abstract
There has been a long history of research on the effects of oxytocin on feeding behaviour. The classic-held view is that the neurohormone is anorexigenic at least in rodents, although the data for humans are not so clear cut. Likewise, a physiological role for oxytocin is disputed. Thus, although pharmacological, anatomical and physiological data suggest oxytocin may have a function in satiety signalling, this view is not supported by the latest research using the genetic recording and manipulation of oxytocin neurones. Here, we avoid a discussion of the pharmacological effects of oxytocin and examine evidence, from both sides of the argument, concerning whether the endogenous oxytocin system has a role in the regulation of normal feeding.
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Affiliation(s)
- Amy A Worth
- Faculty of Biology, Medicine and Health, University of Manchester, Manchester, UK
| | - Simon M Luckman
- Faculty of Biology, Medicine and Health, University of Manchester, Manchester, UK
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10
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Eerola T, Vuoskoski JK, Kautiainen H, Peltola HR, Putkinen V, Schäfer K. Being moved by listening to unfamiliar sad music induces reward-related hormonal changes in empathic listeners. Ann N Y Acad Sci 2021; 1502:121-131. [PMID: 34273130 DOI: 10.1111/nyas.14660] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/14/2021] [Revised: 06/04/2021] [Accepted: 06/16/2021] [Indexed: 12/13/2022]
Abstract
Many people enjoy sad music, and the appeal for tragedy is widespread among the consumers of film and literature. The underlying mechanisms of such aesthetic experiences are not well understood. We tested whether pleasure induced by sad, unfamiliar instrumental music is explained with a homeostatic or a reward theory, each of which is associated with opposite patterns of changes in the key hormones. Sixty-two women listened to sad music (or nothing) while serum was collected for subsequent measurement of prolactin (PRL) and oxytocin (OT) and stress marker (cortisol and adrenocorticotropic hormone) concentrations. Two groups of participants were recruited on the basis of low and high trait empathy. In the high empathy group, PRL and OT levels were significantly lower with music compared with no music. And compared to the low empathy group, the high empathy individuals reported an increase of positive mood and higher ratings of being moved with music. None of the stress markers showed any changes across the conditions or the groups. These hormonal changes, inconsistent with the homeostatic theory proposed by Huron, exhibit a pattern expected of general reward. Our findings illuminate how unfamiliar and low arousal music may give rise to pleasurable experiences.
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Affiliation(s)
- Tuomas Eerola
- Music Department, Durham University, Durham, United Kingdom
| | - Jonna K Vuoskoski
- Music Department, University of Jyväskylä, Jyväskylän yliopisto, Finland.,Department of Psychology, University of Oslo, Oslo, Norway
| | | | | | - Vesa Putkinen
- Music Department, University of Jyväskylä, Jyväskylän yliopisto, Finland
| | - Katharina Schäfer
- Music Department, University of Jyväskylä, Jyväskylän yliopisto, Finland
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11
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Xie S, Hu Y, Fang L, Chen S, Botchway BOA, Tan X, Fang M, Hu Z. The association of oxytocin with major depressive disorder: role of confounding effects of antidepressants. Rev Neurosci 2021; 33:59-77. [PMID: 33989469 DOI: 10.1515/revneuro-2020-0128] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/07/2020] [Accepted: 04/18/2021] [Indexed: 01/15/2023]
Abstract
Major depressive disorder is a genetic susceptible disease, and a psychiatric syndrome with a high rate of incidence and recurrence. Because of its complexity concerning etiology and pathogenesis, the cure rate of first-line antidepressants is low. In recent years, accumulative evidences revealed that oxytocin act as a physiological or pathological participant in a variety of complex neuropsychological activities, including major depressive disorder. Six electronic databases (Web of Science, PubMed, Scopus, Google Scholar, CNKI, and Wanfang) were employed for researching relevant publications. At last, 226 articles were extracted. The current review addresses the correlation of the oxytocin system and major depressive disorder. Besides, we summarize the mechanisms by which the oxytocin system exerts potential antidepressant effects, including regulating neuronal activity, influencing neuroplasticity and regeneration, altering neurotransmitter release, down regulating hypothalamic-pituitary-adrenal axis, anti-inflammatory, antioxidation, and genetic effects. Increasing evidence shows that oxytocin and its receptor gene may play a potential role in major depressive disorder. Future research should focus on the predictive ability of the oxytocin system as a biomarker, as well as its role in targeted prevention and early intervention of major depressive disorder.
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Affiliation(s)
- Shiyi Xie
- Obstetrics & Gynecology Department, Integrated Chinese and West Medicine Hospital Affiliated to Zhejiang Chinese Medicine University, 208 Huanchendong Road, 310003Hangzhou, China.,Clinical Medical College, Zhejiang Chinese Medical University, 310053Hangzhou, China
| | - Yan Hu
- Clinical Medical College, Zhejiang Chinese Medical University, 310053Hangzhou, China
| | - Li Fang
- Obstetrics & Gynecology Department, Integrated Chinese and West Medicine Hospital Affiliated to Zhejiang Chinese Medicine University, 208 Huanchendong Road, 310003Hangzhou, China
| | - Shijia Chen
- Institute of Neuroscience, Zhejiang University School of Medicine, 310058Hangzhou, China
| | - Benson O A Botchway
- Institute of Neuroscience, Zhejiang University School of Medicine, 310058Hangzhou, China
| | - Xiaoning Tan
- Institute of Neuroscience, Zhejiang University School of Medicine, 310058Hangzhou, China
| | - Marong Fang
- Institute of Neuroscience, Zhejiang University School of Medicine, 310058Hangzhou, China
| | - Zhiying Hu
- Obstetrics & Gynecology Department, Integrated Chinese and West Medicine Hospital Affiliated to Zhejiang Chinese Medicine University, 208 Huanchendong Road, 310003Hangzhou, China
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12
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López-Arjona M, Mateo SV, Cerón JJ, Martínez-Subiela S. Changes in salivary oxytocin after stroking in dogs: Validation of two assays for its assessment. Res Vet Sci 2021; 136:527-534. [PMID: 33882381 DOI: 10.1016/j.rvsc.2021.04.007] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/19/2020] [Revised: 03/26/2021] [Accepted: 04/12/2021] [Indexed: 02/04/2023]
Abstract
Oxytocin is currently of high interest as a biomarker of welfare and stress in humans and animals. The purpose of this study was to validate two new assays (one using a monoclonal antibody and the other using a polyclonal antibody) for the oxytocin measurement in the saliva of dogs. For this purpose, an analytical validation was performed, and these assays were applied in an experimental trial in which dogs were stroked by their owners. In the experimental trial, saliva samples of 17 dogs were collected by the owners at three different times: a basal sample, at the end of 10 min of an affiliative interaction with their owners consisting of stroking and 15 min after the end of the affiliative interaction. The dogs were separated into two groups (group 1, n = 8 and group 2, n = 9) according to the acceptance of the sponge and the response to the stroking. Significant differences in the response of salivary oxytocin after stroking in the two groups were found when the assay with the monoclonal antibody was used. This assay showed a significant increase just after the end of affiliative interaction (P < 0.01) and 15 min after (P < 0.01) in those dogs that had a good acceptance of the sponge and the stroking induced a positive response on them (based in a Likert-type scale from 1 to 10). These data reflect that the assays used in this study can lead to different results when quantifying oxytocin in the saliva of dogs after stroking.
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Affiliation(s)
- Marina López-Arjona
- Interdisciplinary Laboratory of Clinical Analysis of the University of Murcia (Interlab-UMU), Regional Campus of International Excellence 'Campus Mare Nostrum', University of Murcia, Campus de Espinardo s/n, 30100 Espinardo, Murcia, Spain
| | - Sandra V Mateo
- Interdisciplinary Laboratory of Clinical Analysis of the University of Murcia (Interlab-UMU), Regional Campus of International Excellence 'Campus Mare Nostrum', University of Murcia, Campus de Espinardo s/n, 30100 Espinardo, Murcia, Spain
| | - José J Cerón
- Interdisciplinary Laboratory of Clinical Analysis of the University of Murcia (Interlab-UMU), Regional Campus of International Excellence 'Campus Mare Nostrum', University of Murcia, Campus de Espinardo s/n, 30100 Espinardo, Murcia, Spain.
| | - Silvia Martínez-Subiela
- Interdisciplinary Laboratory of Clinical Analysis of the University of Murcia (Interlab-UMU), Regional Campus of International Excellence 'Campus Mare Nostrum', University of Murcia, Campus de Espinardo s/n, 30100 Espinardo, Murcia, Spain
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13
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Yamagishi A, Lee J, Sato N. Oxytocin in the anterior cingulate cortex is involved in helping behaviour. Behav Brain Res 2020; 393:112790. [DOI: 10.1016/j.bbr.2020.112790] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/12/2019] [Revised: 05/27/2020] [Accepted: 06/22/2020] [Indexed: 02/08/2023]
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14
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Szczepanska-Sadowska E, Cudnoch-Jedrzejewska A, Sadowski B. Differential role of specific cardiovascular neuropeptides in pain regulation: Relevance to cardiovascular diseases. Neuropeptides 2020; 81:102046. [PMID: 32284215 DOI: 10.1016/j.npep.2020.102046] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/17/2019] [Revised: 03/27/2020] [Accepted: 03/29/2020] [Indexed: 12/11/2022]
Abstract
In many instances, the perception of pain is disproportionate to the strength of the algesic stimulus. Excessive or inadequate pain sensation is frequently observed in cardiovascular diseases, especially in coronary ischemia. The mechanisms responsible for individual differences in the perception of cardiovascular pain are not well recognized. Cardiovascular disorders may provoke pain in multiple ways engaging molecules released locally in the heart due to tissue ischemia, inflammation or cellular stress, and through neurogenic and endocrine mechanisms brought into action by hemodynamic disturbances. Cardiovascular neuropeptides, namely angiotensin II (Ang II), angiotensin-(1-7) [Ang-(1-7)], vasopressin, oxytocin, and orexins belong to this group. Although participation of these peptides in the regulation of circulation and pain has been firmly established, their mutual interaction in the regulation of pain in cardiovascular diseases has not been profoundly analyzed. In the present review we discuss the regulation of the release, and mechanisms of the central and systemic actions of these peptides on the cardiovascular system in the context of their central and peripheral nociceptive (Ang II) and antinociceptive [Ang-(1-7), vasopressin, oxytocin, orexins] properties. We also consider the possibility that they may play a significant role in the modulation of pain in cardiovascular diseases. The rationale for focusing attention on these very compounds was based on the following premises (1) cardiovascular disturbances influence the release of these peptides (2) they regulate vascular tone and cardiac function and can influence the intensity of ischemia - the factor initiating pain signals in the cardiovascular system, (3) they differentially modulate nociception through peripheral and central mechanisms, and their effect strongly depends on specific receptors and site of action. Accordingly, an altered release of these peptides and/or pharmacological blockade of their receptors may have a significant but different impact on individual sensation of pain and comfort of an individual patient.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ewa Szczepanska-Sadowska
- Department of Experimental and Clinical Physiology, Laboratory of Centre for Preclinical Research, Medical University of Warsaw, Banacha 1b, Warsaw, Poland.
| | - Agnieszka Cudnoch-Jedrzejewska
- Department of Experimental and Clinical Physiology, Laboratory of Centre for Preclinical Research, Medical University of Warsaw, Banacha 1b, Warsaw, Poland
| | - Bogdan Sadowski
- School of Engineering and Health, Bitwy Warszawskiej 1920 r. 18, Warsaw, Poland
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15
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De Oliveira Sergio T, Frias AT, Vilela-Costa HH, De Oliveira DC, Zuardi AW, Zangrossi H. Serotonin mediates the panicolytic-like effect of oxytocin in the dorsal periaqueductal gray. J Psychopharmacol 2020; 34:383-390. [PMID: 32108540 DOI: 10.1177/0269881120907960] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/23/2023]
Abstract
INTRODUCTION AND OBJECTIVES Oxytocin (OT) has been widely linked to positive social interactions, and there is great interest in OT as a therapy for a variety of neuropsychiatric conditions. Recent evidence also suggests that OT can play an important role in the mediation of anxiety-associated defensive responses, including a role for serotonin (5-HT) neurotransmission in this action. However, it is presently unknown whether OT additionally regulates the expression of panic-related behaviors, such as escape, by acting in the dorsal periaqueductal gray (dPAG), a key panic-regulating area. This study aimed to investigate the consequence of OT injection in the dPAG on escape expression and whether facilitation of 5-HT neurotransmission in this midbrain area is implicated in this action. METHODS Male Wistar rats were injected with OT in the dPAG and tested for escape expression in the elevated T-maze (ETM) and dPAG electrical stimulation tests. Using the latter test, OT's effect was also investigated after previous intra-dPAG injection of the OT receptor antagonist atosiban, the preferential antagonists of 5-HT1A and 5-HT2A receptors, WAY-100635 and ketanserin, respectively, or systemic pretreatment with the 5-HT synthesis inhibitor p-CPA. RESULTS OT impaired escape expression in the two tests used, suggesting a panicolytic-like effect. In the ETM, the peptide also facilitated inhibitory avoidance acquisition, indicating an anxiogenic effect. Previous administration of atosiban, WAY-100635, ketanserin, or p-CPA counteracted OT's anti-escape effect. CONCLUSIONS OT and 5-HT in the dPAG interact in the regulation of panic- and anxiety-related defensive responses. These findings open new perspectives for the development of novel therapeutic strategies for the treatment of anxiety disorders.
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Affiliation(s)
- Thatiane De Oliveira Sergio
- Department of Pharmacology, School of Medicine of Ribeirão Preto, University of São Paulo, São Paulo, Brazil
| | - Alana Tercino Frias
- Department of Pharmacology, School of Medicine of Ribeirão Preto, University of São Paulo, São Paulo, Brazil
| | - Heloisa Helena Vilela-Costa
- Department of Pharmacology, School of Medicine of Ribeirão Preto, University of São Paulo, São Paulo, Brazil
| | - Danielle Cg De Oliveira
- Department of Neurosciences and Behavior, Division of Psychiatry, School of Medicine of Ribeirão Preto, University of São Paulo, Brazil
| | - Antônio W Zuardi
- Department of Neurosciences and Behavior, Division of Psychiatry, School of Medicine of Ribeirão Preto, University of São Paulo, Brazil
| | - Hélio Zangrossi
- Department of Pharmacology, School of Medicine of Ribeirão Preto, University of São Paulo, São Paulo, Brazil
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16
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Robinson KJ, Ternes K, Hazon N, Wells RS, Janik VM. Bottlenose dolphin calves have multi-year elevations of plasma oxytocin compared to all other age classes. Gen Comp Endocrinol 2020; 286:113323. [PMID: 31733207 DOI: 10.1016/j.ygcen.2019.113323] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/22/2019] [Revised: 10/22/2019] [Accepted: 11/12/2019] [Indexed: 12/20/2022]
Abstract
Providing for infants nutritionally via lactation is one of the hallmarks of mammalian reproduction, and infants without motivated mothers providing for them are unlikely to survive. Mothers must maintain regular contact with infants both spatially and temporally while utilising their environment to forage, avoid threats and find shelter. However, mothers can only do this and maximise their reproductive success with some degree of co-operation from infants, despite their developing physical and cognitive capabilities. The neuropeptide hormone oxytocin (OT) triggers proximity-seeking behaviour and acts in a positive feedback loop across mother-infant bonds, stimulating appropriate pro-social behaviour across the pair. However, data on infant OT levels is lacking, and it is unclear how important infants are in maintaining mother-infant associations. The bottlenose dolphin (Tursiops truncatus) is a mammalian species that is fully physically mobile at birth and has multi-year, but individually variable, lactation periods. We investigated OT concentrations in mother-infant pairs of wild individuals compared to other age and reproductive classes. An ELISA to detect OT in dolphin plasma was successfully validated with extracted plasma. We highlight a statistical method for testing for parallelism that could be applied to other ELISA validation studies. OT concentrations were consistently elevated in calves up to at least 4 years of age with lactating mothers (12.1 ± 0.9 pg/ml), while all mothers (4.5 ± 0.4 pg/ml) had OT concentrations comparable to non-lactating individuals (5.9 ± 0.5 pg/ml). Concentrations within infants were individually variable, and may reflect the strength of the bond with their mother. The OT system likely provides a physiological mechanism for motivating infants to perform behaviours that prevent long-term separation from their mothers during this crucial time in their life history. Elevated infant OT has also been linked to energetic and developmental advantages which may lead to greater survival rates. Environmental or anthropogenic disturbances to OT release can occur during bond formation or can disrupt the communication methods used to reinforce these bonds via OT elevation. Variation in OT expression in infants, and its behavioural and physiological consequences, may explain differences in reproductive success despite appropriate maternal behaviour expression.
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Affiliation(s)
- Kelly J Robinson
- Sea Mammal Research Unit, Scottish Oceans Institute, University of St Andrews, St Andrews, Fife KY16 8LB, UK.
| | - Kerstin Ternes
- Zoo Duisburg, Mülheimer Straße 273, 47058 Duisburg, Germany
| | - Neil Hazon
- Scottish Oceans Institute, University of St Andrews, St Andrews, Fife KY16 8LB, UK
| | - Randall S Wells
- Chicago Zoological Society's Sarasota Dolphin Research Program, c/o Mote Marine Laboratory, Sarasota, FL 34236, USA
| | - Vincent M Janik
- Sea Mammal Research Unit, Scottish Oceans Institute, University of St Andrews, St Andrews, Fife KY16 8LB, UK
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17
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Fujitani T, Matsuura T, Kawasaki M, Suzuki H, Nishimura H, Baba K, Yamanaka Y, Ohnishi H, Ueta Y, Sakai A. Presynaptic glutamatergic transmission and feedback system of oxytocinergic neurons in the hypothalamus of a rat model of adjuvant arthritis. Mol Pain 2020; 16:1744806920943334. [PMID: 32686583 PMCID: PMC7372626 DOI: 10.1177/1744806920943334] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/11/2020] [Revised: 05/31/2020] [Accepted: 06/10/2020] [Indexed: 02/06/2023] Open
Abstract
The neurohypophysial hormone oxytocin (OXT) is synthesized in the hypothalamic paraventricular and supraoptic nuclei. Recently, some studies have considered OXT to be important in sensory modulation and that the OXT protein is upregulated by acute and chronic nociception. However, the mechanism by which OXT is upregulated in neurons is unknown. In this study, we examined the resting membrane potentials and excitatory postsynaptic currents in OXT-ergic neurons in the paraventricular nucleus in adjuvant arthritis rat model, a model of chronic inflammation, using whole-cell patch-clamping. Transgenic rats expressing OXT and monomeric red fluorescent protein 1 (mRFP1) fusion protein to visualize the OXT-ergic neurons were used, and the OXT-mRFP1 transgenic rat model of adjuvant arthritis was developed by injection of heat-killed Mycobacterium butyricum. Furthermore, the feedback system of synthesized OXT was also examined using the OXT receptor antagonist L-368,899. We found that the resting membrane potentials and frequency of miniature excitatory postsynaptic currents and spontaneous excitatory postsynaptic currents in OXT-monomeric red fluorescent protein 1 neurons in the paraventricular nucleus were significantly increased in adjuvant arthritis rats. Furthermore, L-368,899 dose-dependently increased the frequency of miniature excitatory postsynaptic currents and spontaneous excitatory postsynaptic currents in OXT-ergic neurons. Following bath application of the GABAA receptor antagonist picrotoxin and the cannabinoid receptor 1 antagonist AM 251, L-368,899 still increased the frequency of miniature excitatory postsynaptic currents. However, following bath application of the nitric oxide synthase inhibitor Nω-Nitro-L-arginine methyl ester hydrochloride, L-368,899 did not alter the miniature excitatory postsynaptic current frequency. Thus, it is suggested that OXT-ergic neuron activity is upregulated via an increase in glutamate release, and that the upregulated OXT neurons have a feedback system with released endogenous OXT. It is possible that nitric oxide, but not GABA, may contribute to the feedback system of OXT neurons in chronic inflammation.
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Affiliation(s)
- Teruaki Fujitani
- Department of Orthopaedic Surgery, School of Medicine,
University of Occupational and Environmental Health, Kitakyushu, Japan
| | - Takanori Matsuura
- Department of Orthopaedic Surgery, School of Medicine,
University of Occupational and Environmental Health, Kitakyushu, Japan
- Department of Physiology, School of Medicine, University of
Occupational and Environmental Health, Kitakyushu, Japan
| | - Makoto Kawasaki
- Department of Orthopaedic Surgery, School of Medicine,
University of Occupational and Environmental Health, Kitakyushu, Japan
| | - Hitoshi Suzuki
- Department of Orthopaedic Surgery, School of Medicine,
University of Occupational and Environmental Health, Kitakyushu, Japan
| | - Haruki Nishimura
- Department of Orthopaedic Surgery, School of Medicine,
University of Occupational and Environmental Health, Kitakyushu, Japan
| | - Kazuhiko Baba
- Department of Orthopaedic Surgery, School of Medicine,
University of Occupational and Environmental Health, Kitakyushu, Japan
| | - Yoshiaki Yamanaka
- Department of Orthopaedic Surgery, School of Medicine,
University of Occupational and Environmental Health, Kitakyushu, Japan
| | - Hideo Ohnishi
- Department of Orthopaedic Surgery, School of Medicine,
University of Occupational and Environmental Health, Kitakyushu, Japan
| | - Yoichi Ueta
- Department of Physiology, School of Medicine, University of
Occupational and Environmental Health, Kitakyushu, Japan
| | - Akinori Sakai
- Department of Orthopaedic Surgery, School of Medicine,
University of Occupational and Environmental Health, Kitakyushu, Japan
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18
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Speck LG, Schöner J, Bermpohl F, Heinz A, Gallinat J, Majic T, Montag C. Endogenous oxytocin response to film scenes of attachment and loss is pronounced in schizophrenia. Soc Cogn Affect Neurosci 2019; 14:109-117. [PMID: 30481342 PMCID: PMC6318471 DOI: 10.1093/scan/nsy110] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/26/2018] [Accepted: 11/21/2018] [Indexed: 12/27/2022] Open
Abstract
Background Oxytocin (OXT) is critically involved in the regulation of attachment and interpersonal function. In this study, emotional children’s movies were used to stimulate OXT secretion in patients with schizophrenia and healthy controls (HCs). Furthermore, associations of OXT levels with measures of attachment style (Psychosis Attachment Measure), childhood adversity (Childhood Trauma Questionnaire) and symptom severity [Positive and Negative Syndrome Scale (PANSS)] were considered. Methods In 35 patients with schizophrenia and 35 matched HCs, radioimmunoassay with sample extraction was used to determine OXT plasma levels before and after viewing of movie scenes portraying emotional bonding and loss and compared to a non-emotional condition. Results Statistical analysis indicated lower baseline OXT levels in female patients than in all other groups. OXT reactivity during emotional movies was significantly higher in patients when compared to HCs. OXT reactivity during the control movie related to PANSS `general psychopathology’. No significant associations appeared between baseline or induced OXT levels and other PANSS subscales, attachment style or childhood adversity in patients. Conclusions Our findings suggest differences of baseline OXT and a higher OXT reactivity toward strong emotional stimuli in patients with schizophrenia, suggesting a role of OXT as a gender- and context-dependent modulator of socio-emotional function.
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Affiliation(s)
- Lucas G Speck
- Charité-Universitätsmedizin Berlin, corporate member of Freie Universität Berlin, Humboldt-Universität zu Berlin.,Department of Psychiatry and Psychotherapy, Berlin Institute of Health, Campus Charité Mitte Charité Universitätsmedizin Berlin, Charitéplatz, Berlin, Germany
| | - Johanna Schöner
- Charité-Universitätsmedizin Berlin, corporate member of Freie Universität Berlin, Humboldt-Universität zu Berlin.,Department of Psychiatry and Psychotherapy, Berlin Institute of Health, Campus Charité Mitte Charité Universitätsmedizin Berlin, Charitéplatz, Berlin, Germany
| | - Felix Bermpohl
- Charité-Universitätsmedizin Berlin, corporate member of Freie Universität Berlin, Humboldt-Universität zu Berlin.,Department of Psychiatry and Psychotherapy, Berlin Institute of Health, Campus Charité Mitte Charité Universitätsmedizin Berlin, Charitéplatz, Berlin, Germany
| | - Andreas Heinz
- Charité-Universitätsmedizin Berlin, corporate member of Freie Universität Berlin, Humboldt-Universität zu Berlin.,Department of Psychiatry and Psychotherapy, Berlin Institute of Health, Campus Charité Mitte Charité Universitätsmedizin Berlin, Charitéplatz, Berlin, Germany
| | - Jürgen Gallinat
- Department of Psychiatry and Psychotherapy, University Medical Center Hamburg-Eppendorf, Hamburg, Germany
| | - Tomislav Majic
- Charité-Universitätsmedizin Berlin, corporate member of Freie Universität Berlin, Humboldt-Universität zu Berlin.,Department of Psychiatry and Psychotherapy, Berlin Institute of Health, Campus Charité Mitte Charité Universitätsmedizin Berlin, Charitéplatz, Berlin, Germany
| | - Christiane Montag
- Charité-Universitätsmedizin Berlin, corporate member of Freie Universität Berlin, Humboldt-Universität zu Berlin.,Department of Psychiatry and Psychotherapy, Berlin Institute of Health, Campus Charité Mitte Charité Universitätsmedizin Berlin, Charitéplatz, Berlin, Germany
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19
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Gołyszny M, Obuchowicz E. Are neuropeptides relevant for the mechanism of action of SSRIs? Neuropeptides 2019; 75:1-17. [PMID: 30824124 DOI: 10.1016/j.npep.2019.02.002] [Citation(s) in RCA: 20] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/11/2018] [Revised: 01/08/2019] [Accepted: 02/13/2019] [Indexed: 12/12/2022]
Abstract
Selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors (SSRIs) are drugs of first choice in the therapy of moderate to severe depression and anxiety disorders. Their primary mechanism of action is via influence of the serotonergic (5-HT) system, but a growing amount of data provides evidence for other non-monoaminergic players in SSRI effects. It is assumed that neuropeptides, which play a role as neuromodulators in the CNS, are involved in their mechanism of action. In this review we focus on six neuropeptides: corticotropin-releasing factor - CRF, galanin - GAL, oxytocin - OT, vasopressin - AVP, neuropeptide Y - NPY, and orexins - OXs. First, information about their roles in depression and anxiety disorders are presented. Then, findings describing their interactions with the 5-HT system are summarized. These data provide background for analysis of the results of published preclinical and clinical studies related to SSRI effects on the neuropeptide systems. We also report findings showing how modulation of neuropeptide transmission influences behavioral and neurochemical effects of SSRIs. Finally, future research necessary for enriching our knowledge of SSRI mechanisms of action is proposed. Recognition of new molecular targets for antidepressants will have a significant effect on the development of novel therapeutic strategies for mood-related disorders.
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Affiliation(s)
- Miłosz Gołyszny
- Department of Pharmacology, School of Medicine in Katowice, Medical University of Silesia, Poniatowskiego 15, 40-055 Katowice, Poland
| | - Ewa Obuchowicz
- Department of Pharmacology, School of Medicine in Katowice, Medical University of Silesia, Poniatowskiego 15, 40-055 Katowice, Poland.
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20
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He Z, Young L, Ma XM, Guo Q, Wang L, Yang Y, Luo L, Yuan W, Li L, Zhang J, Hou W, Qiao H, Jia R, Tai F. Increased anxiety and decreased sociability induced by paternal deprivation involve the PVN-PrL OTergic pathway. eLife 2019; 8:44026. [PMID: 31084703 PMCID: PMC6516825 DOI: 10.7554/elife.44026] [Citation(s) in RCA: 33] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/10/2018] [Accepted: 04/14/2019] [Indexed: 12/22/2022] Open
Abstract
Early adverse experiences often have devastating consequences. However, whether preweaning paternal deprivation (PD) affects emotional and social behaviors and their underlying neural mechanisms remain unexplored. Using monogamous mandarin voles, we found that PD increased anxiety-like behavior and attenuated social preference in adulthood. PD also decreased the number of oxytocin (OT)-positive neurons projecting from the paraventricular nucleus (PVN) and reduced the levels of the medial prefrontal cortex OT receptor protein in females and of the OT receptor and V1a receptor proteins in males. Intra-prelimbic cortical OT injections reversed the PD-induced changes in anxiety-like behavior and social preferences. Optogenetic activation of the prelimbic cortex OT terminals from PVN OT neurons reversed the PD-induced changes in emotion and social preference behaviors, whereas optogenetic inhibition was anxiogenic and impaired social preference in naive voles. These findings demonstrate that PD increases anxiety-like behavior and attenuates social preferences through the involvement of PVN OT neuron projections to the prelimbic cortex. Parental care early in life is essential for normal development of the brain in humans and some other animals. It also lays the ground work for healthy behaviors later in life. Many studies have looked at the importance of a mother’s care, but less attention has been paid to the role played by fathers. Research shows that children who grow up without a father are at risk of emotional and behavioral problems later in life. But it is not clear how missing a father’s care affects brain development. Oxytocin, a chemical produced by a part of the brain called the paraventricular nucleus, plays a key role in parental bonding. Another part of the brain called the prelimbic cortex regulates many emotions and many complex behaviors. Studying animals, like the mandarin vole, that form strong bonds with both parents is one way to learn more about how the loss of paternal care affects oxytocin or emotional and behavioral health. Now, He et al. show that mandarin voles raised without a father are more anxious and socialize less with other voles than those raised with a father. The voles deprived of paternal care also have fewer oxytocin-producing cells in the paraventricular nucleus and fewer receptors for oxytocin in the prelimbic cortex. Injecting oxytocin into the prelimbic cortex eliminated the anxious and antisocial behavior seen in the voles lacking paternal care. Using a technique called optogenetics to restore the release of oxytocin in the prelimbic cortex reduced anxious behavior and restored normal social interactions. Using the same approach to interfere with communication between the paraventricular nucleus and prelimbic cortex in voles raised with a father also triggered anxious and antisocial behavior. The experiments reveal that fathers play an important role in brain and behavioral development in mandarin voles. He et al. show that a lack of paternal care leads to deficits in oxytocin and a poor communication between the paraventricular nucleus and prelimbic cortex that contribute to emotional and social abnormalities in the voles. More studies are needed to determine father’s care has similar effects in humans. But if this relationship is confirmed, it might lead scientists to develop new strategies for treating psychiatric disorders in people deprived of paternal care.
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Affiliation(s)
- Zhixiong He
- Institute of Brain and Behavioral Sciences, College of Life Sciences, Shaanxi Normal University, Xi'an, China
| | - Larry Young
- Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences, Silvio O. Conte Center for Oxytocin and Social Cognition, Center for Translational Social Neuroscience, Yerkes National Primate Research Center, Emory University, Atlanta, United States.,Center for Social Neural Networks, University of Tsukuba, Tsukuba, Japan
| | - Xin-Ming Ma
- Institute of Brain and Behavioral Sciences, College of Life Sciences, Shaanxi Normal University, Xi'an, China.,Department of Neuroscience, University of Connecticut Health Center, Farmington, United States
| | - Qianqian Guo
- Institute of Brain and Behavioral Sciences, College of Life Sciences, Shaanxi Normal University, Xi'an, China
| | - Limin Wang
- Institute of Brain and Behavioral Sciences, College of Life Sciences, Shaanxi Normal University, Xi'an, China
| | - Yang Yang
- Institute of Brain and Behavioral Sciences, College of Life Sciences, Shaanxi Normal University, Xi'an, China
| | - Luo Luo
- Institute of Brain and Behavioral Sciences, College of Life Sciences, Shaanxi Normal University, Xi'an, China
| | - Wei Yuan
- Institute of Brain and Behavioral Sciences, College of Life Sciences, Shaanxi Normal University, Xi'an, China
| | - Laifu Li
- Institute of Brain and Behavioral Sciences, College of Life Sciences, Shaanxi Normal University, Xi'an, China
| | - Jing Zhang
- Institute of Brain and Behavioral Sciences, College of Life Sciences, Shaanxi Normal University, Xi'an, China
| | - Wenjuan Hou
- Institute of Brain and Behavioral Sciences, College of Life Sciences, Shaanxi Normal University, Xi'an, China
| | - Hui Qiao
- Institute of Brain and Behavioral Sciences, College of Life Sciences, Shaanxi Normal University, Xi'an, China
| | - Rui Jia
- Institute of Brain and Behavioral Sciences, College of Life Sciences, Shaanxi Normal University, Xi'an, China
| | - Fadao Tai
- Institute of Brain and Behavioral Sciences, College of Life Sciences, Shaanxi Normal University, Xi'an, China
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21
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Liu Q, Xie W, Xiao Y, Gao F, Gao Q, Zhang H, Han Y, Yuan Z, Weng Q. Seasonal expressions of oxytocin and oxytocin receptor in epididymis of the male muskrat (Ondatra zibethicus). Theriogenology 2019; 124:24-31. [DOI: 10.1016/j.theriogenology.2018.10.009] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/20/2018] [Revised: 10/03/2018] [Accepted: 10/06/2018] [Indexed: 01/09/2023]
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22
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Takahashi K, Hosoya T, Onoe K, Takashima T, Tanaka M, Ishii A, Nakatomi Y, Tazawa S, Takahashi K, Doi H, Wada Y, Watanabe Y. Association between aromatase in human brains and personality traits. Sci Rep 2018; 8:16841. [PMID: 30442903 PMCID: PMC6237866 DOI: 10.1038/s41598-018-35065-4] [Citation(s) in RCA: 19] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/11/2018] [Accepted: 10/22/2018] [Indexed: 11/09/2022] Open
Abstract
Aromatase, an enzyme that converts androgens to estrogens, has been reported to be involved in several brain functions, including synaptic plasticity, neurogenesis, neuroprotection, and regulation of sexual and emotional behaviours in rodents, pathophysiology of Alzheimer's disease and autism spectrum disorders in humans. Aromatase has been reported to be involved in aggressive behaviours in genetically modified mice and in personality traits by genotyping studies on humans. However, no study has investigated the relationship between aromatase in living brains and personality traits including aggression. We performed a positron emission tomography (PET) study in 21 healthy subjects using 11C-cetrozole, which has high selectivity and affinity for aromatase. Before performing PET scans, subjects answered the Buss-Perry Aggression Questionnaire and Temperament and Character Inventory to measure their aggression and personality traits, respectively. A strong accumulation of 11C-cetrozole was detected in the thalamus, hypothalamus, amygdala, and medulla. Females showed associations between aromatase levels in subcortical regions, such as the amygdala and supraoptic nucleus of the hypothalamus, and personality traits such as aggression, novelty seeking, and self-transcendence. In contrast, males exhibited associations between aromatase levels in the cortices and harm avoidance, persistence, and self-transcendence. The association of aromatase levels in the thalamus with cooperativeness was common to both sexes. The present study suggests that there might exist associations between aromatase in the brain and personality traits. Some of these associations may differ between sexes, while others are likely common to both.
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Affiliation(s)
- Kayo Takahashi
- RIKEN Center for Life Science Technologies, 6-7-3 Minatojima-minamimachi, Chuo-ku, Kobe, Hyogo, 650-0047, Japan.,RIKEN Center for Biosystems Dynamics Research, 6-7-3 Minatojima-minamimachi, Chuo-ku, Kobe, Hyogo, 650-0047, Japan.,Department of Physiology, Osaka City University Graduate School of Medicine, 1-4-3 Asahi-cho, Abeno-ku, Osaka, 545-8585, Japan
| | - Takamitsu Hosoya
- RIKEN Center for Life Science Technologies, 6-7-3 Minatojima-minamimachi, Chuo-ku, Kobe, Hyogo, 650-0047, Japan.,RIKEN Center for Biosystems Dynamics Research, 6-7-3 Minatojima-minamimachi, Chuo-ku, Kobe, Hyogo, 650-0047, Japan.,Institute of Biomaterials and Bioengineering, Tokyo Medical and Dental University, (TMDU), 2-3-10 Kanda-Surugadai, Chiyoda-ku, Tokyo, 101-0062, Japan
| | - Kayo Onoe
- RIKEN Center for Life Science Technologies, 6-7-3 Minatojima-minamimachi, Chuo-ku, Kobe, Hyogo, 650-0047, Japan.,RIKEN Center for Biosystems Dynamics Research, 6-7-3 Minatojima-minamimachi, Chuo-ku, Kobe, Hyogo, 650-0047, Japan
| | - Tadayuki Takashima
- RIKEN Center for Life Science Technologies, 6-7-3 Minatojima-minamimachi, Chuo-ku, Kobe, Hyogo, 650-0047, Japan
| | - Masaaki Tanaka
- Department of Physiology, Osaka City University Graduate School of Medicine, 1-4-3 Asahi-cho, Abeno-ku, Osaka, 545-8585, Japan
| | - Akira Ishii
- Department of Physiology, Osaka City University Graduate School of Medicine, 1-4-3 Asahi-cho, Abeno-ku, Osaka, 545-8585, Japan
| | - Yasuhito Nakatomi
- Department of Physiology, Osaka City University Graduate School of Medicine, 1-4-3 Asahi-cho, Abeno-ku, Osaka, 545-8585, Japan.,Department of Metabolism, Endocrinology and Molecular Medicine, Osaka City University Graduate School of Medicine, 1-4-3 Asahi-cho, Abeno-ku, Osaka, 545-8585, Japan
| | - Shusaku Tazawa
- RIKEN Center for Life Science Technologies, 6-7-3 Minatojima-minamimachi, Chuo-ku, Kobe, Hyogo, 650-0047, Japan
| | - Kazuhiro Takahashi
- RIKEN Center for Life Science Technologies, 6-7-3 Minatojima-minamimachi, Chuo-ku, Kobe, Hyogo, 650-0047, Japan
| | - Hisashi Doi
- RIKEN Center for Life Science Technologies, 6-7-3 Minatojima-minamimachi, Chuo-ku, Kobe, Hyogo, 650-0047, Japan.,RIKEN Center for Biosystems Dynamics Research, 6-7-3 Minatojima-minamimachi, Chuo-ku, Kobe, Hyogo, 650-0047, Japan
| | - Yasuhiro Wada
- RIKEN Center for Life Science Technologies, 6-7-3 Minatojima-minamimachi, Chuo-ku, Kobe, Hyogo, 650-0047, Japan.,RIKEN Center for Biosystems Dynamics Research, 6-7-3 Minatojima-minamimachi, Chuo-ku, Kobe, Hyogo, 650-0047, Japan.,Department of Physiology, Osaka City University Graduate School of Medicine, 1-4-3 Asahi-cho, Abeno-ku, Osaka, 545-8585, Japan
| | - Yasuyoshi Watanabe
- RIKEN Center for Life Science Technologies, 6-7-3 Minatojima-minamimachi, Chuo-ku, Kobe, Hyogo, 650-0047, Japan. .,RIKEN Center for Biosystems Dynamics Research, 6-7-3 Minatojima-minamimachi, Chuo-ku, Kobe, Hyogo, 650-0047, Japan. .,Department of Physiology, Osaka City University Graduate School of Medicine, 1-4-3 Asahi-cho, Abeno-ku, Osaka, 545-8585, Japan.
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23
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Dobolyi A, Cservenák M, Young LJ. Thalamic integration of social stimuli regulating parental behavior and the oxytocin system. Front Neuroendocrinol 2018; 51:102-115. [PMID: 29842887 PMCID: PMC6175608 DOI: 10.1016/j.yfrne.2018.05.002] [Citation(s) in RCA: 30] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/10/2018] [Revised: 05/21/2018] [Accepted: 05/25/2018] [Indexed: 12/18/2022]
Abstract
Critically important components of the maternal neural circuit in the preoptic area robustly activated by suckling were recently identified. In turn, suckling also contributes to hormonal adaptations to motherhood, which includes oxytocin release and consequent milk ejection. Other reproductive or social stimuli can also trigger the release of oxytocin centrally, influencing parental or social behaviors. However, the neuronal pathways that transfer suckling and other somatosensory stimuli to the preoptic area and oxytocin neurons have been poorly characterized. Recently, a relay center of suckling was determined and characterized in the posterior intralaminar complex of the thalamus (PIL). Its neurons containing tuberoinfundibular peptide 39 project to both the preoptic area and oxytocin neurons in the hypothalamus. The present review argues that the PIL is a major relay nucleus conveying somatosensory information supporting maternal behavior and oxytocin release in mothers, and may be involved more generally in social cue evoked oxytocin release, too.
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Affiliation(s)
- Arpad Dobolyi
- MTA-ELTE Laboratory of Molecular and Systems Neurobiology, Department of Physiology and Neurobiology, Hungarian Academy of Sciences and Eötvös Loránd University, Budapest, Hungary.
| | - Melinda Cservenák
- MTA-ELTE Laboratory of Molecular and Systems Neurobiology, Department of Physiology and Neurobiology, Hungarian Academy of Sciences and Eötvös Loránd University, Budapest, Hungary; Laboratory of Neuromorphology, Department of Anatomy, Histology and Embryology, Semmelweis University, Budapest, Hungary
| | - Larry J Young
- Center for Translational Social Neuroscience, Silvio O. Conte Center for Oxytocin and Social Cognition, Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences, Yerkes National Primate Research Center, Emory University, Atlanta, USA.
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Cussotto S, Sandhu KV, Dinan TG, Cryan JF. The Neuroendocrinology of the Microbiota-Gut-Brain Axis: A Behavioural Perspective. Front Neuroendocrinol 2018; 51:80-101. [PMID: 29753796 DOI: 10.1016/j.yfrne.2018.04.002] [Citation(s) in RCA: 174] [Impact Index Per Article: 29.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/02/2017] [Revised: 04/23/2018] [Accepted: 04/23/2018] [Indexed: 12/17/2022]
Abstract
The human gut harbours trillions of symbiotic bacteria that play a key role in programming different aspects of host physiology in health and disease. These intestinal microbes are also key components of the gut-brain axis, the bidirectional communication pathway between the gut and the central nervous system (CNS). In addition, the CNS is closely interconnected with the endocrine system to regulate many physiological processes. An expanding body of evidence is supporting the notion that gut microbiota modifications and/or manipulations may also play a crucial role in the manifestation of specific behavioural responses regulated by neuroendocrine pathways. In this review, we will focus on how the intestinal microorganisms interact with elements of the host neuroendocrine system to modify behaviours relevant to stress, eating behaviour, sexual behaviour, social behaviour, cognition and addiction.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sofia Cussotto
- APC Microbiome Ireland, University College Cork, Cork, Ireland; Department of Anatomy and Neuroscience, University College Cork, Cork, Ireland
| | - Kiran V Sandhu
- APC Microbiome Ireland, University College Cork, Cork, Ireland
| | - Timothy G Dinan
- APC Microbiome Ireland, University College Cork, Cork, Ireland; Department of Psychiatry and Neurobehavioural Science, University College Cork, Cork, Ireland
| | - John F Cryan
- APC Microbiome Ireland, University College Cork, Cork, Ireland; Department of Anatomy and Neuroscience, University College Cork, Cork, Ireland.
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Bernhard A, van der Merwe C, Ackermann K, Martinelli A, Neumann ID, Freitag CM. Adolescent oxytocin response to stress and its behavioral and endocrine correlates. Horm Behav 2018; 105:157-165. [PMID: 30165062 DOI: 10.1016/j.yhbeh.2018.08.010] [Citation(s) in RCA: 23] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/10/2017] [Revised: 08/20/2018] [Accepted: 08/24/2018] [Indexed: 01/16/2023]
Abstract
Oxytocin (OXT) shows anxiolytic and stress-reducing effects, but salivary OXT response to laboratory-induced stress has only been assessed in one study in healthy adults. The present study aimed at extending these findings by assessing salivary OXT stress reactivity in healthy adolescents (aged 11-18) compared to a control condition. A higher salivary OXT response to stress compared to the control condition was expected. In addition, the association between OXT, cortisol (CORT) and psychological reactivity patterns was explored. Psychosocial stress was induced using the Trier Social Stress Test (TSST; 13 males, 15 females), while the Control-TSST (14 males, 15 females) served as a non-stress control condition. Salivary OXT increased in response to the TSST with a peak at +1 and decline at +10 min after stress. Baseline OXT correlated negatively with experienced anxiety and insecurity, while both correlated positively with OXT reactivity. OXT and CORT increase as well as OXT increase and CORT recovery were positively correlated. Results indicate that salivary OXT in response to the TSST is a valid method to assess biological effects of laboratory-induced stress also in adolescents. Due to a rapid increase and decline, salivary OXT needs to be assessed directly after stress exposure. Given the interplay of OXT with affective symptoms and CORT response, the combined measure of salivary OXT and CORT reactivity adds to studying stress reactivity in typically developing and clinical samples.
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Affiliation(s)
- Anka Bernhard
- Department of Child and Adolescent Psychiatry, Psychosomatics and Psychotherapy, University Hospital Frankfurt, Goethe University, Deutschordenstraße 50, 60528 Frankfurt am Main, Germany.
| | - Cindy van der Merwe
- Department of Child and Adolescent Psychiatry, Psychosomatics and Psychotherapy, University Hospital Frankfurt, Goethe University, Deutschordenstraße 50, 60528 Frankfurt am Main, Germany
| | - Katharina Ackermann
- Department of Child and Adolescent Psychiatry, Psychosomatics and Psychotherapy, University Hospital Frankfurt, Goethe University, Deutschordenstraße 50, 60528 Frankfurt am Main, Germany
| | - Anne Martinelli
- Department of Child and Adolescent Psychiatry, Psychosomatics and Psychotherapy, University Hospital Frankfurt, Goethe University, Deutschordenstraße 50, 60528 Frankfurt am Main, Germany
| | - Inga D Neumann
- Department of Behavioral and Molecular Neurobiology, Regensburg Center of Neuroscience, University of Regensburg, 93040 Regensburg, Germany
| | - Christine M Freitag
- Department of Child and Adolescent Psychiatry, Psychosomatics and Psychotherapy, University Hospital Frankfurt, Goethe University, Deutschordenstraße 50, 60528 Frankfurt am Main, Germany
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Gotovina J, Pranger CL, Jensen AN, Wagner S, Kothgassner OD, Mothes-Luksch N, Palme R, Larenas-Linnemann D, Singh J, Mösges R, Felnhofer A, Glenk LM, Jensen-Jarolim E. Elevated oxytocin and noradrenaline indicate higher stress levels in allergic rhinitis patients: Implications for the skin prick diagnosis in a pilot study. PLoS One 2018; 13:e0196879. [PMID: 29813071 PMCID: PMC5973608 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0196879] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/21/2017] [Accepted: 04/21/2018] [Indexed: 02/08/2023] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND & AIMS The effects of acute stress on allergic symptoms are little understood. The intention of this clinical study was to study the effects of acute stress and related mediators in allergic rhinitis (AR), taking the wheal and flare reaction in skin prick testing (SPT) as a readout. METHODS 19 healthy and 21 AR patients were first subjected to SPTs with grass pollen-, birch pollen- and house dust mite allergen extracts, histamine and negative control. Subsequently, participants were exposed to a standardized Trier Social Stress Test (TSST), followed by SPT on the contralateral forearm. Stress responders were identified based on the salivary cortisol levels and State-subscale of State-Trait-Anxiety Inventory (STAI-S). Blood samples were collected before and after TSST and adrenaline, noradrenaline, serotonin, oxytocin, platelet activating factor and prostaglandin D2 were analyzed by enzyme immunoassay (EIA). RESULTS SPT results of 14/21 allergics and 11/19 healthy who responded with stress after TSST were evaluated. No significant differences regarding SPT to allergens or histamine before and after the stress test could be calculated at the group level. But, the wheal and flare sizes after TSST increased or decreased substantially in several individuals, and unmasked sensitization in one "healthy" person, which could not be correlated with any mediator tested. The most significant finding, however, was that, independent of TSST, the baseline levels of oxytocin and noradrenaline were significantly higher in allergics. CONCLUSION High baseline levels of noradrenaline points toward higher stress levels in allergic patients, which might be counterregulated by elevated oxytocin. Moreover, our data indicate that acute stress may have a significant influence on SPT fidelity in susceptible individuals.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jelena Gotovina
- Comparative Medicine, The Interuniversity Messerli Research Institute of the University of Veterinary Medicine Vienna, Medical University Vienna and University Vienna, Vienna, Austria
- Institute of Pathophysiology and Allergy Research, Center of Pathophysiology, Infectiology and Immunology, Medical University of Vienna, Vienna, Austria
| | - Christina L. Pranger
- Comparative Medicine, The Interuniversity Messerli Research Institute of the University of Veterinary Medicine Vienna, Medical University Vienna and University Vienna, Vienna, Austria
- Institute of Pathophysiology and Allergy Research, Center of Pathophysiology, Infectiology and Immunology, Medical University of Vienna, Vienna, Austria
| | - Annika N. Jensen
- AllergyCare, Allergy Diagnosis and Study Center, Vienna, Austria
| | - Stefanie Wagner
- Comparative Medicine, The Interuniversity Messerli Research Institute of the University of Veterinary Medicine Vienna, Medical University Vienna and University Vienna, Vienna, Austria
| | - Oswald D. Kothgassner
- Department of Child and Adolescent Psychiatry, Medical University of Vienna, Vienna, Austria
| | | | - Rupert Palme
- Unit of Physiology, Pathophysiology and Experimental Endocrinology, University of Veterinary Medicine Vienna, Vienna, Austria
| | | | - Jaswinder Singh
- Institute for Medical Statistics, Informatics and Epidemiology, Faculty of Medicine, University of Cologne, Cologne, Germany
| | - Ralph Mösges
- Institute for Medical Statistics, Informatics and Epidemiology, Faculty of Medicine, University of Cologne, Cologne, Germany
| | - Anna Felnhofer
- Department of Pediatrics and Adolescent Medicine, Medical University of Vienna, Vienna, Austria
| | - Lisa-Maria Glenk
- Comparative Medicine, The Interuniversity Messerli Research Institute of the University of Veterinary Medicine Vienna, Medical University Vienna and University Vienna, Vienna, Austria
| | - Erika Jensen-Jarolim
- Comparative Medicine, The Interuniversity Messerli Research Institute of the University of Veterinary Medicine Vienna, Medical University Vienna and University Vienna, Vienna, Austria
- Institute of Pathophysiology and Allergy Research, Center of Pathophysiology, Infectiology and Immunology, Medical University of Vienna, Vienna, Austria
- AllergyCare, Allergy Diagnosis and Study Center, Vienna, Austria
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Lien YJ, Chang HH, Tsai HC, Kuang Yang Y, Lu RB, See Chen P. Plasma oxytocin levels in major depressive and bipolar II disorders. Psychiatry Res 2017; 258:402-406. [PMID: 28865715 DOI: 10.1016/j.psychres.2017.08.080] [Citation(s) in RCA: 18] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/18/2017] [Revised: 07/05/2017] [Accepted: 08/27/2017] [Indexed: 01/18/2023]
Abstract
Oxytocin may play a role in mood regulation. Research has shown the plasma oxytocin level of patients with bipolar I disorder (BD I) during a manic episode was significantly higher than that of BD I patients of other statuses, and also that of healthy subjects. However, whether or not a difference in the level of oxytocin exists between patients with major depressive disorder (MDD) and those with BD II is unclear. This study aimed to investigate the plasma oxytocin levels in MDD and BD II patients in a depressive episode. 119 healthy controls, 135 BD II patients, and 97 MDD patients were enrolled. All of the BD II and MDD patients were drug-naïve, with baseline depressive status 17-item Hamilton Depression Rating Scale scores >15. The plasma oxytocin level of the BD II patients was significantly higher than that of the MDD patients and controls at baseline. After treatment, the plasma oxytocin level of the BD II patients increased significantly; however, in the MDD group, the oxytocin level decreased slightly after treatment. Our findings suggested more significant plasma oxytocin dysregulation in the patients in the BD II group than in the MDD patients and controls, both before and after treatment.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yueh-Ju Lien
- Department of Psychiatry, National Cheng Kung University Hospital, College of Medicine, National Cheng Kung University, Tainan, Taiwan
| | - Hui Hua Chang
- Institute of Clinical Pharmacy and Pharmaceutical Sciences, National Cheng Kung University, Tainan, Taiwan; School of Pharmacy, College of Medicine, National Cheng Kung University, Tainan, Taiwan
| | - Hsin-Chun Tsai
- Department of Psychiatry, National Cheng Kung University Hospital, College of Medicine, National Cheng Kung University, Tainan, Taiwan
| | - Yen Kuang Yang
- Department of Psychiatry, National Cheng Kung University Hospital, College of Medicine, National Cheng Kung University, Tainan, Taiwan; Addiction Research Center, National Cheng Kung University, Tainan, Taiwan; Department of Psychiatry, National Cheng Kung University Hospital, Dou-Liou Branch, Yunlin, Taiwan; Institute of Behavioral Medicine, College of Medicine, National Cheng Kung University, Tainan, Taiwan
| | - Ru-Band Lu
- Department of Psychiatry, National Cheng Kung University Hospital, College of Medicine, National Cheng Kung University, Tainan, Taiwan
| | - Po See Chen
- Department of Psychiatry, National Cheng Kung University Hospital, College of Medicine, National Cheng Kung University, Tainan, Taiwan; Institute of Behavioral Medicine, College of Medicine, National Cheng Kung University, Tainan, Taiwan.
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Zhang F, Liu Q, Wang Z, Xie W, Sheng X, Zhang H, Yuan Z, Han Y, Weng Q. Seasonal Expression of Oxytocin and Oxytocin Receptor in the Scented Gland of Male Muskrat (Ondatra zibethicus). Sci Rep 2017; 7:16627. [PMID: 29192229 PMCID: PMC5709462 DOI: 10.1038/s41598-017-16973-3] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/27/2017] [Accepted: 11/20/2017] [Indexed: 11/08/2022] Open
Abstract
Oxytocin (OT) can modulate multiple physiological functions via binding to the widely distributed oxytocin receptor (OTR). In this study, we investigated the seasonal expressions of OT, OTR and extracellular signal regulated kinase (ERK1/2) signaling pathway components in the scented gland of muskrat during the breeding and non-breeding seasons. Histologically, glandular cells, interstitial cells and excretory tubules were identified in the breeding season scented glands, whereas epithelial cells were sparse in the non-breeding season. Immunohistochemical results showed that OTR was present in epithelial cells and interstitial cells while OT, pERK1/2, ERK1/2 and c-fos were expressed in epithelial cells and glandular cells. The protein and mRNA expressions of OTR, OT and c-fos were significantly higher in the scented gland in the breeding season than in the non-breeding season. Importantly, the levels of OT in scented glands and serum were measured by hormone assays, and their concentrations were both significantly higher in the breeding season than in the non-breeding season. Moreover, bioinformatics analysis showed that the predicted targets of the differentially expressed microRNAs might include the genes encoding OTR, ERK1/2 and c-fos. These findings suggested that OT may regulate the function of muskrat scented glands by the locally expressed receptors.
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Affiliation(s)
- Fengwei Zhang
- College of Biological Sciences and Technology, Beijing Forestry University, 100083, Beijing, China
| | - Qian Liu
- College of Biological Sciences and Technology, Beijing Forestry University, 100083, Beijing, China
| | - Ziyi Wang
- College of Biological Sciences and Technology, Beijing Forestry University, 100083, Beijing, China
| | - Wenqian Xie
- College of Biological Sciences and Technology, Beijing Forestry University, 100083, Beijing, China
| | - Xia Sheng
- Department of Biosciences, University of Oslo, 0316, Oslo, Norway
| | - Haolin Zhang
- College of Biological Sciences and Technology, Beijing Forestry University, 100083, Beijing, China
| | - Zhengrong Yuan
- College of Biological Sciences and Technology, Beijing Forestry University, 100083, Beijing, China
| | - Yingying Han
- College of Biological Sciences and Technology, Beijing Forestry University, 100083, Beijing, China.
| | - Qiang Weng
- College of Biological Sciences and Technology, Beijing Forestry University, 100083, Beijing, China.
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Nowacka-Chmielewska MM, Kasprowska-Liśkiewicz D, Barski JJ, Obuchowicz E, Małecki A. The behavioral and molecular evaluation of effects of social instability stress as a model of stress-related disorders in adult female rats. Stress 2017; 20:549-561. [PMID: 28911267 DOI: 10.1080/10253890.2017.1376185] [Citation(s) in RCA: 11] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 10/18/2022] Open
Abstract
The study aimed to test the hypotheses that chronic social instability stress (CSIS) alters behavioral and physiological parameters and expression of selected genes important for stress response and social behaviors. Adult female Sprague-Dawley rats were subjected to the 4-week CSIS procedure, which involves unpredictable rotation between phases of isolation and overcrowding. Behavioral analyses (Experiment 1) were performed on the same rats before and after CSIS (n = 16) and physiological and biochemical measurements (Experiment 2) were made on further control (CON; n = 7) and stressed groups (CSIS; n = 8). Behaviors in the open field test (locomotor and exploratory activities) and elevated-plus maze (anxiety-related behaviors) indicated anxiety after CSIS. CSIS did not alter the physiological parameters measured, i.e. body weight gain, regularity of estrous cycles, and circulating concentrations of stress hormones and sex steroids. QRT-PCR analysis of mRNA expression levels was performed on amygdala, hippocampus, prefrontal cortex (PFC), and hypothalamus. The main finding is that CSIS alters the mRNA levels for the studied genes in a region-specific manner. Hence, expression of POMC (pro-opiomelanocortin), AVPR1a (arginine vasopressin receptor), and OXTR (oxytocin receptor) significantly increased in the amygdala following CSIS, while in PFC and/or hypothalamus, POMC, AVPR1a, AVPR1b, OXTR, and ERβ (estrogen receptor beta) expression decreased. CSIS significantly reduced expression of CRH-R1 (corticotropin-releasing hormone receptor type 1) in the hippocampus. The directions of change in gene expression and the genes and regions affected indicate a molecular basis for the behavior changes. In conclusion, CSIS may be valuable for further analyzing the neurobiology of stress-related disorders in females.
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MESH Headings
- Amygdala/metabolism
- Animals
- Anxiety/genetics
- Anxiety/metabolism
- Behavior, Animal
- Brain/metabolism
- Chronic Disease
- Estrogen Receptor beta/genetics
- Estrogen Receptor beta/metabolism
- Female
- Gene Expression
- Hippocampus/metabolism
- Hypothalamo-Hypophyseal System/metabolism
- Hypothalamus/metabolism
- Pituitary-Adrenal System/metabolism
- Prefrontal Cortex/metabolism
- Pro-Opiomelanocortin/genetics
- Pro-Opiomelanocortin/metabolism
- RNA, Messenger/metabolism
- Rats
- Rats, Sprague-Dawley
- Receptors, Corticotropin-Releasing Hormone/genetics
- Receptors, Corticotropin-Releasing Hormone/metabolism
- Receptors, Oxytocin/genetics
- Receptors, Oxytocin/metabolism
- Receptors, Vasopressin/genetics
- Receptors, Vasopressin/metabolism
- Stress, Psychological/genetics
- Stress, Psychological/metabolism
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Affiliation(s)
- Marta Maria Nowacka-Chmielewska
- a Laboratory of Molecular Biology, Faculty of Physiotherapy , The Jerzy Kukuczka Academy of Physical Education , Katowice , Poland
- b Department of Experimental Medicine, School of Medicine in Katowice , Medical University of Silesia , Katowice , Poland
| | - Daniela Kasprowska-Liśkiewicz
- a Laboratory of Molecular Biology, Faculty of Physiotherapy , The Jerzy Kukuczka Academy of Physical Education , Katowice , Poland
- b Department of Experimental Medicine, School of Medicine in Katowice , Medical University of Silesia , Katowice , Poland
| | - Jarosław Jerzy Barski
- b Department of Experimental Medicine, School of Medicine in Katowice , Medical University of Silesia , Katowice , Poland
- c Department of Physiology, School of Medicine in Katowice , Medical University of Silesia , Katowice , Poland
| | - Ewa Obuchowicz
- d Department of Pharmacology, School of Medicine in Katowice , Medical University of Silesia , Katowice , Poland
| | - Andrzej Małecki
- a Laboratory of Molecular Biology, Faculty of Physiotherapy , The Jerzy Kukuczka Academy of Physical Education , Katowice , Poland
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Oyola MG, Handa RJ. Hypothalamic-pituitary-adrenal and hypothalamic-pituitary-gonadal axes: sex differences in regulation of stress responsivity. Stress 2017; 20:476-494. [PMID: 28859530 PMCID: PMC5815295 DOI: 10.1080/10253890.2017.1369523] [Citation(s) in RCA: 355] [Impact Index Per Article: 50.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 02/07/2023] Open
Abstract
Gonadal hormones play a key role in the establishment, activation, and regulation of the hypothalamic-pituitary-adrenal (HPA) axis. By influencing the response and sensitivity to releasing factors, neurotransmitters, and hormones, gonadal steroids help orchestrate the gain of the HPA axis to fine-tune the levels of stress hormones in the general circulation. From early life to adulthood, gonadal steroids can differentially affect the HPA axis, resulting in sex differences in the responsivity of this axis. The HPA axis influences many physiological functions making an organism's response to changes in the environment appropriate for its reproductive status. Although the acute HPA response to stressors is a beneficial response, constant activation of this circuitry by chronic or traumatic stressful episodes may lead to a dysregulation of the HPA axis and cause pathology. Compared to males, female mice and rats show a more robust HPA axis response, as a result of circulating estradiol levels which elevate stress hormone levels during non-threatening situations, and during and after stressors. Fluctuating levels of gonadal steroids in females across the estrous cycle are a major factor contributing to sex differences in the robustness of HPA activity in females compared to males. Moreover, gonadal steroids may also contribute to epigenetic and organizational influences on the HPA axis even before puberty. Correspondingly, crosstalk between the hypothalamic-pituitary-gonadal (HPG) and HPA axes could lead to abnormalities of stress responses. In humans, a dysregulated stress response is one of the most common symptoms seen across many neuropsychiatric disorders, and as a result, such interactions may exacerbate peripheral pathologies. In this review, we discuss the HPA and HPG axes and review how gonadal steroids interact with the HPA axis to regulate the stress circuitry during all stages in life.
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Affiliation(s)
- Mario G Oyola
- a Department of Biomedical Sciences , Colorado State University , Fort Collins , CO , USA
| | - Robert J Handa
- a Department of Biomedical Sciences , Colorado State University , Fort Collins , CO , USA
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Kiss A, Majercikova Z. Repeated asenapine treatment does not participate in the mild stress induced FosB/ΔFosB expression in the rat hypothalamic paraventricular nucleus neurons. Neuropeptides 2017; 61:57-65. [PMID: 27756486 DOI: 10.1016/j.npep.2016.10.003] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/30/2016] [Revised: 10/13/2016] [Accepted: 10/13/2016] [Indexed: 01/15/2023]
Abstract
Effect of repeated asenapine (ASE) treatment on FosB/ΔFosB expression was studied in the hypothalamic paraventricular nucleus (PVN) of male rats exposed to chronic mild stress (CMS) for 21days. Our intention was to find out whether repeated ASE treatment for 14days may: 1) induce FosB/ΔFosB expression in the PVN; 2) activate selected PVN neuronal phenotypes, synthesizing oxytocin (OXY), vasopressin (AVP), corticoliberin (CRH) or tyrosine hydroxylase (TH); and 3) interfere with the impact of CMS. Control, ASE, CMS, and CMS+ASE treated groups were used. CMS included restraint, social isolation, crowding, swimming, and cold. From the 7th day of CMS, rats received ASE (0.3mg/kg) or saline (300μl/rat) subcutaneously, twice a day for 14days. They were sacrificed on the day 22nd (16-18h after last treatments). FosB/ΔFosB was visualized with avidin biotin peroxidase complex and OXY, AVP, CRH or TH antibodies by fluorescent dyes. Saline and ASE did not promote FosB/ΔFosB expression in the PVN. CMS and CMS+ASE elicited FosB/ΔFosB-expression in the PVN, whereas, ASE did not augment or attenuate FosB/ΔFosB induction elicited by CMS. FosB/ΔFosB-CRH occurred after CMS and CMS+ASE treatments in the PVN middle sector, while FosB/ΔFosB-AVP and FosB/ΔFosB-OXY after CMS and CMS+ASE treatments in the PVN posterior sector. FosB/ΔFosB-TH colocalization was rare. Larger FosB/ΔFosB profiles, running above the PVN, did not show any colocalizations. The study provides an anatomical/functional knowledge about an unaccented nature of prolonged ASE treatment at the level of PVN and excludes its positive or negative interplay with CMS effect. Data indicate that long-lasting ASE treatment might not act as a stressor acting at the PVN level.
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Affiliation(s)
- Alexander Kiss
- Institute of Experimental Endocrinology, Biomedial Research Center, Slovak Academy of Sciences, Dubravska cesta 9, 845 05 Bratislava, Slovakia.
| | - Zuzana Majercikova
- Institute of Experimental Endocrinology, Biomedial Research Center, Slovak Academy of Sciences, Dubravska cesta 9, 845 05 Bratislava, Slovakia
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Lee H, Jang M, Noh J. Oxytocin attenuates aversive response to nicotine and anxiety-like behavior in adolescent rats. Neurosci Res 2016; 115:29-36. [PMID: 27866932 DOI: 10.1016/j.neures.2016.11.007] [Citation(s) in RCA: 11] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/14/2016] [Revised: 10/02/2016] [Accepted: 11/16/2016] [Indexed: 10/20/2022]
Abstract
Initial tobacco use is initiated with rewarding and aversive properties of nicotine and aversive response to nicotine plays a critical role in nicotine dependency. Decrease of nicotine aversion increases the nicotine use that causes behavioral and neuronal changes of animals. Oxytocin influences drug abuse and reciprocally affect vulnerability to drug use. To assess the effect of oxytocin on initial nicotine aversion and anxiety, we examined voluntary oral nicotine intake and anxiety-like behavior following oxytocin treatment in adolescent rats. Sprague-Dawley male rats (4 weeks old) were used. For oxytocin administration, rats were injected subcutaneously with saline or oxytocin (0.01, 0.1 and 1mg/kg) according to the assigned groups. Voluntary oral nicotine consumption test was performed by two bottle free-choice paradigm. To examine anxiety-like behavior in rats, we performed a light/dark box test. Oxytocin not only significantly increased the nicotine intake but also alleviated nicotine aversion after acclimation to nicotine solution in a concentration dependent manner. Meanwhile, oxytocin significantly reduced anxiety-like behavior. We suggest that oxytocin itself mitigates aversive response toward initial nicotine intake and anxiety-like behavior. These results widen the psychophysiological perspective on oxytocin for better understanding of nicotine addiction related behaviors influenced by diverse social factors.
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Affiliation(s)
- Hyunchan Lee
- Department of Science Education, Dankook University, 152 Jukjeon-ro, Suji-gu, Yongin-si, Gyeonggi-do, 16890, Republic of Korea
| | - Minji Jang
- Department of Science Education, Dankook University, 152 Jukjeon-ro, Suji-gu, Yongin-si, Gyeonggi-do, 16890, Republic of Korea
| | - Jihyun Noh
- Department of Science Education, Dankook University, 152 Jukjeon-ro, Suji-gu, Yongin-si, Gyeonggi-do, 16890, Republic of Korea.
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Marazziti D, Baroni S, Giannaccini G, Catena-Dell'Osso M, Piccinni A, Massimetti G, Dell'Osso L. Plasma Oxytocin Levels in Untreated Adult Obsessive-Compulsive Disorder Patients. Neuropsychobiology 2016; 72:74-80. [PMID: 26509891 DOI: 10.1159/000438756] [Citation(s) in RCA: 22] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/17/2014] [Accepted: 07/15/2015] [Indexed: 11/19/2022]
Abstract
BACKGROUND AND AIM Given the paucity of information on the possible role of oxytocin (OT) in the pathophysiology of obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD), our study aimed at evaluating plasma OT levels in a group of 44 OCD outpatients, as compared with a similar group of healthy control subjects. At the same time, the relationships between OT and clinical features and romantic attachment characteristics were examined as well. METHODS Diagnosis was assessed according to DSM-IV-TR criteria, while the OCD severity was measured by means of the Y-BOCS rating scale. All patients were drug free and not depressed. The romantic attachment was assessed by means of the Italian version of the 'Experiences in Close Relationships' questionnaire. Plasma OT levels were evaluated by means of a standard RIA kit. RESULTS The main findings of our study showed that OT levels were increased in OCD patients, as compared with healthy subjects, and negatively related to symptom severity. Positive relationships were detected between OT levels and the fearful-avoidant and dismissing styles of romantic attachments, but only in male OCD patients. CONCLUSION Taken together, these findings suggest that OT may play a role in OCD pathophysiology and also in the romantic attachment of patients with gender specificity.
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Affiliation(s)
- Donatella Marazziti
- Dipartimento di Medicina Clinica e Sperimentale, Section of Psychiatry, University of Pisa, Pisa, Italy
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Jakubiak BK, Feeney BC. Affectionate Touch to Promote Relational, Psychological, and Physical Well-Being in Adulthood: A Theoretical Model and Review of the Research. PERSONALITY AND SOCIAL PSYCHOLOGY REVIEW 2016; 21:228-252. [DOI: 10.1177/1088868316650307] [Citation(s) in RCA: 111] [Impact Index Per Article: 13.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/20/2023]
Abstract
Throughout the life span, individuals engage in affectionate touch with close others. Touch receipt promotes well-being in infancy, but the impacts of touch in adult close relationships have been largely unexplored. In this article, we propose that affectionate touch receipt promotes relational, psychological, and physical well-being in adulthood, and we present a theoretical mechanistic model to explain why affectionate touch may promote these outcomes. The model includes pathways through which touch could affect well-being by reducing stress and by promoting well-being independent of stress. Specifically, two immediate outcomes of affectionate touch receipt—relational-cognitive changes and neurobiological changes—are described as important mechanisms underlying the effects of affectionate touch on well-being. We also review and evaluate the existing research linking affectionate touch to well-being in adulthood and propose an agenda to advance research in this area. This theoretical perspective provides a foundation for future work on touch in adult close relationships.
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Quillet R, Ayachi S, Bihel F, Elhabazi K, Ilien B, Simonin F. RF-amide neuropeptides and their receptors in Mammals: Pharmacological properties, drug development and main physiological functions. Pharmacol Ther 2016; 160:84-132. [PMID: 26896564 DOI: 10.1016/j.pharmthera.2016.02.005] [Citation(s) in RCA: 40] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/01/2023]
Abstract
RF-amide neuropeptides, with their typical Arg-Phe-NH2 signature at their carboxyl C-termini, belong to a lineage of peptides that spans almost the entire life tree. Throughout evolution, RF-amide peptides and their receptors preserved fundamental roles in reproduction and feeding, both in Vertebrates and Invertebrates. The scope of this review is to summarize the current knowledge on the RF-amide systems in Mammals from historical aspects to therapeutic opportunities. Taking advantage of the most recent findings in the field, special focus will be given on molecular and pharmacological properties of RF-amide peptides and their receptors as well as on their implication in the control of different physiological functions including feeding, reproduction and pain. Recent progress on the development of drugs that target RF-amide receptors will also be addressed.
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Affiliation(s)
- Raphaëlle Quillet
- Biotechnologie et Signalisation Cellulaire, UMR 7242 CNRS, Université de Strasbourg, Illkirch, France
| | - Safia Ayachi
- Biotechnologie et Signalisation Cellulaire, UMR 7242 CNRS, Université de Strasbourg, Illkirch, France
| | - Frédéric Bihel
- Laboratoire Innovation Thérapeutique, UMR 7200 CNRS, Université de Strasbourg, Illkirch, France
| | - Khadija Elhabazi
- Biotechnologie et Signalisation Cellulaire, UMR 7242 CNRS, Université de Strasbourg, Illkirch, France
| | - Brigitte Ilien
- Biotechnologie et Signalisation Cellulaire, UMR 7242 CNRS, Université de Strasbourg, Illkirch, France
| | - Frédéric Simonin
- Biotechnologie et Signalisation Cellulaire, UMR 7242 CNRS, Université de Strasbourg, Illkirch, France.
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Romano A, Tempesta B, Micioni Di Bonaventura MV, Gaetani S. From Autism to Eating Disorders and More: The Role of Oxytocin in Neuropsychiatric Disorders. Front Neurosci 2016; 9:497. [PMID: 26793046 PMCID: PMC4709851 DOI: 10.3389/fnins.2015.00497] [Citation(s) in RCA: 55] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/29/2015] [Accepted: 12/14/2015] [Indexed: 11/13/2022] Open
Abstract
Oxytocin (oxy) is a pituitary neuropeptide hormone synthesized from the paraventricular and supraoptic nuclei within the hypothalamus. Like other neuropeptides, oxy can modulate a wide range of neurotransmitter and neuromodulator activities. Additionally, through the neurohypophysis, oxy is secreted into the systemic circulation to act as a hormone, thereby influencing several body functions. Oxy plays a pivotal role in parturition, milk let-down and maternal behavior and has been demonstrated to be important in the formation of pair bonding between mother and infants as well as in mating pairs. Furthermore, oxy has been proven to play a key role in the regulation of several behaviors associated with neuropsychiatric disorders, including social interactions, social memory response to social stimuli, decision-making in the context of social interactions, feeding behavior, emotional reactivity, etc. An increasing body of evidence suggests that deregulations of the oxytocinergic system might be involved in the pathophysiology of certain neuropsychiatric disorders such as autism, eating disorders, schizophrenia, mood, and anxiety disorders. The potential use of oxy in these mental health disorders is attracting growing interest since numerous beneficial properties are ascribed to this neuropeptide. The present manuscript will review the existing findings on the role played by oxy in a variety of distinct physiological and behavioral functions (Figure 1) and on its role and impact in different psychiatric disorders. The aim of this review is to highlight the need of further investigations on this target that might contribute to the development of novel more efficacious therapies.
Oxytocin regulatory control of different and complex processes. ![]()
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Affiliation(s)
- Adele Romano
- Department of Physiology and Pharmacology "Vittorio Erspamer", Sapienza University of Rome Rome, Italy
| | - Bianca Tempesta
- Department of Physiology and Pharmacology "Vittorio Erspamer", Sapienza University of Rome Rome, Italy
| | | | - Silvana Gaetani
- Department of Physiology and Pharmacology "Vittorio Erspamer", Sapienza University of Rome Rome, Italy
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Althaus M, Groen Y, A Wijers A, Noltes H, Tucha O, Sweep FC, Calcagnoli F, Hoekstra PJ. Do blood plasma levels of oxytocin moderate the effect of nasally administered oxytocin on social orienting in high-functioning male adults with autism spectrum disorder? Psychopharmacology (Berl) 2016; 233:2737-51. [PMID: 27256356 PMCID: PMC4917597 DOI: 10.1007/s00213-016-4339-1] [Citation(s) in RCA: 17] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/13/2016] [Accepted: 05/04/2016] [Indexed: 01/21/2023]
Abstract
OBJECTIVE The study investigated whether baseline plasma oxytocin (OXT) concentrations might moderate the effects of nasally administered OXT on social orienting. METHODS Thirty-one males with Autism spectrum disorder (ASD) and thirty healthy males participated in a double-blind placebo-controlled crossover trial. After administration of the compound, participants were viewing pictures from the International Affective Picture System that represented a systematic variation of pleasant, unpleasant and neutral scenes with and without humans. The outcome measures were a cardiac evoked response (ECR) and a cortical evoked long latency parietal positivity (LPP). RESULTS Males with ASD had significantly higher plasma baseline levels than the controls. In the absence of general treatment effects, higher baseline concentrations were found to be associated with larger treatment effects, particularly in the group of males with ASD. Higher post-treatment plasma OXT concentrations were found to be associated with smaller treatment effects and larger orienting responses in the placebo situation in the group of controls. CONCLUSIONS We interpret our findings as suggesting that it is the central availability of OXT determining how much of the nasally administered OXT will become centrally absorbed and how much of it will become released into the bloodstream.
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Affiliation(s)
- Monika Althaus
- Department of Child- and Adolescent Psychiatry, University of Groningen, University Medical Center Groningen, Hanzeplein 1, 9713 GZ, Groningen, The Netherlands.
| | - Yvonne Groen
- Department of Clinical and Developmental Neuropsychology, University of Groningen, Grote Kruisstraat 2/1, 9712 TS, Groningen, The Netherlands
| | - Albertus A Wijers
- Department of Experimental and Work Psychology, University of Groningen, Grote Kruisstraat 2/1, 9712 TS, Groningen, The Netherlands
| | - Henriette Noltes
- Lentis, Autism Team of the North of the Netherlands (ATN), Laan Corpus den Hoorn 102-2, 9728 JR, Groningen, The Netherlands
| | - Oliver Tucha
- Department of Clinical and Developmental Neuropsychology, University of Groningen, Grote Kruisstraat 2/1, 9712 TS, Groningen, The Netherlands
| | - Fred C Sweep
- Department of Laboratory Medicine, Radboud University Medical Center, Geert Grooteplein 8, 6525 GA, Nijmegen, The Netherlands
| | - Federica Calcagnoli
- Department of Behavioral Physiology, University of Groningen, Nijenborg 7, 9747 AG, Groningen, The Netherlands
| | - Pieter J Hoekstra
- Department of Child- and Adolescent Psychiatry, University of Groningen, University Medical Center Groningen, Hanzeplein 1, 9713 GZ, Groningen, The Netherlands
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Stress, sex, and addiction: potential roles of corticotropin-releasing factor, oxytocin, and arginine-vasopressin. Behav Pharmacol 2015; 25:445-57. [PMID: 24949572 DOI: 10.1097/fbp.0000000000000049] [Citation(s) in RCA: 48] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/30/2022]
Abstract
Stress sensitivity and sex are predictive factors for the development of neuropsychiatric disorders. Life stresses are not only risk factors for the development of addiction but also are triggers for relapse to drug use. Therefore, it is imperative to elucidate the molecular mechanisms underlying the interactions between stress and drug abuse, as an understanding of this may help in the development of novel and more effective therapeutic approaches to block the clinical manifestations of drug addiction. The development and clinical course of addiction-related disorders do appear to involve neuroadaptations within neurocircuitries that modulate stress responses and are influenced by several neuropeptides. These include corticotropin-releasing factor, the prototypic member of this class, as well as oxytocin and arginine-vasopressin that play important roles in affiliative behaviors. Interestingly, these peptides function to balance emotional behavior, with sexual dimorphism in the oxytocin/arginine-vasopressin systems, a fact that might play an important role in the differential responses of women and men to stressful stimuli and the specific sex-based prevalence of certain addictive disorders. Thus, this review aims to summarize (i) the contribution of sex differences to the function of dopamine systems, and (ii) the behavioral, neurochemical, and anatomical changes in brain stress systems.
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Acevedo-Rodriguez A, Mani SK, Handa RJ. Oxytocin and Estrogen Receptor β in the Brain: An Overview. Front Endocrinol (Lausanne) 2015; 6:160. [PMID: 26528239 PMCID: PMC4606117 DOI: 10.3389/fendo.2015.00160] [Citation(s) in RCA: 65] [Impact Index Per Article: 7.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/31/2015] [Accepted: 09/28/2015] [Indexed: 12/12/2022] Open
Abstract
Oxytocin (OT) is a neuropeptide synthesized primarily by neurons of the paraventricular and supraoptic nuclei of the hypothalamus. These neurons have axons that project into the posterior pituitary and release OT into the bloodstream to promote labor and lactation; however, OT neurons also project to other brain areas where it plays a role in numerous brain functions. OT binds to the widely expressed OT receptor (OTR), and, in doing so, it regulates homeostatic processes, social recognition, and fear conditioning. In addition to these functions, OT decreases neuroendocrine stress signaling and anxiety-related and depression-like behaviors. Steroid hormones differentially modulate stress responses and alter OTR expression. In particular, estrogen receptor β activation has been found to both reduce anxiety-related behaviors and increase OT peptide transcription, suggesting a role for OT in this estrogen receptor β-mediated anxiolytic effect. Further research is needed to identify modulators of OT signaling and the pathways utilized and to elucidate molecular mechanisms controlling OT expression to allow better therapeutic manipulations of this system in patient populations.
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Affiliation(s)
- Alexandra Acevedo-Rodriguez
- Department of Neuroscience, Baylor College of Medicine, Houston, TX, USA
- Memory and Brain Research Center, Baylor College of Medicine, Houston, TX, USA
| | - Shaila K. Mani
- Department of Neuroscience, Baylor College of Medicine, Houston, TX, USA
- Memory and Brain Research Center, Baylor College of Medicine, Houston, TX, USA
- Department Molecular and Cellular Biology, Baylor College of Medicine, Houston, TX, USA
| | - Robert J. Handa
- Department of Biomedical Sciences, Colorado State University, Fort Collins, CO, USA
- *Correspondence: Robert J. Handa,
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Yoshida M, Takayanagi Y, Onaka T. The medial amygdala-medullary PrRP-synthesizing neuron pathway mediates neuroendocrine responses to contextual conditioned fear in male rodents. Endocrinology 2014; 155:2996-3004. [PMID: 24877622 PMCID: PMC4207914 DOI: 10.1210/en.2013-1411] [Citation(s) in RCA: 18] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/19/2022]
Abstract
Fear responses play evolutionarily beneficial roles, although excessive fear memory can induce inappropriate fear expression observed in posttraumatic stress disorder, panic disorder, and phobia. To understand the neural machineries that underlie these disorders, it is important to clarify the neural pathways of fear responses. Contextual conditioned fear induces freezing behavior and neuroendocrine responses. Considerable evidence indicates that the central amygdala plays an essential role in expression of freezing behavior after contextual conditioned fear. On the other hand, mechanisms of neuroendocrine responses remain to be clarified. The medial amygdala (MeA), which is activated after contextual conditioned fear, was lesioned bilaterally by infusion of N-methyl-d-aspartate after training of fear conditioning. Plasma oxytocin, ACTH, and prolactin concentrations were significantly increased after contextual conditioned fear in sham-lesioned rats. In MeA-lesioned rats, these neuroendocrine responses but not freezing behavior were significantly impaired compared with those in sham-lesioned rats. In contrast, the magnitudes of neuroendocrine responses after exposure to novel environmental stimuli were not significantly different in MeA-lesioned rats and sham-lesioned rats. Contextual conditioned fear activated prolactin-releasing peptide (PrRP)-synthesizing neurons in the medulla oblongata. In MeA-lesioned rats, the percentage of PrRP-synthesizing neurons activated after contextual conditioned fear was significantly decreased. Furthermore, neuroendocrine responses after contextual conditioned fear disappeared in PrRP-deficient mice. Our findings suggest that the MeA-medullary PrRP-synthesizing neuron pathway plays an important role in neuroendocrine responses to contextual conditioned fear.
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Affiliation(s)
- Masahide Yoshida
- Division of Brain and Neurophysiology, Department of Physiology, Jichi Medical University, Shimotsuke-shi, Tochigi-ken 329-0498, Japan
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Yan Y, Wang YL, Su Z, Zhang Y, Guo SX, Liu AJ, Wang CH, Sun FJ, Yang J. Effect of oxytocin on the behavioral activity in the behavioral despair depression rat model. Neuropeptides 2014; 48:83-9. [PMID: 24444823 DOI: 10.1016/j.npep.2014.01.001] [Citation(s) in RCA: 22] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/11/2012] [Revised: 11/23/2013] [Accepted: 01/01/2014] [Indexed: 02/02/2023]
Abstract
Oxytocin (OXT), a nonapeptide posterior hormone of the pituitary, is mainly synthesized and secreted in the hypothalamic paraventricular nucleus (PVN) and supraoptic nucleus (SON). The present study was to investigate in which level, brain or periphery, OXT effecting on the behavioral activity in the behavioral despair depression rat model. The results showed that (1) either the forced swimming or the tail suspension significantly increased OXT concentration in the brain (PVN, SON, frontal cortex, hippocampus, amygdala, lumbar spinal cord) and in the periphery (posterior pituitary and serum); (2) intraventricular injection (icv) of OXT decreased the animal immobility time, whereas OXT receptor antagonist-desGly-NH2, d(CH2)5[D-Tyr2, Thr-sup-4]OV (icv) increased the animal immobility time in a dose-dependent manner in forced swimming test (FST) and in tail suspension test (TST); (3) neither OXT nor OXT receptor antagonist (intravenous injection) influenced the animal immobility time in FST and in TST. OXT levels were increased in several areas of the brain and in the periphery following the behavioral despair, one stressor, yet pre-treatment with OXT appeared to be beneficial in term of reducing immobility time. The data suggested that behavioral despair could enhance OXT synthesis and secretion not only in the brain but also in the periphery, and OXT in the brain rather than the periphery played a role in the behavioral despair depression.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yuan Yan
- The First Affiliated Hospital of Xinxiang Medical University, Weihui, Henan 453100, China
| | - Yong-Liang Wang
- The First Affiliated Hospital of Xinxiang Medical University, Weihui, Henan 453100, China
| | - Zhou Su
- The First Affiliated Hospital of Xinxiang Medical University, Weihui, Henan 453100, China
| | - Yi Zhang
- The First Affiliated Hospital of Xinxiang Medical University, Weihui, Henan 453100, China
| | - Shuang-Xi Guo
- The First Affiliated Hospital of Xinxiang Medical University, Weihui, Henan 453100, China
| | - Ai-Juan Liu
- The First Affiliated Hospital of Xinxiang Medical University, Weihui, Henan 453100, China
| | - Chang-Hong Wang
- Henan Provincial Mental Hospital, Xinxiang, Henan 453002, China
| | - Fang-Jie Sun
- Xinxiang Institute for New Medicine, Xinxiang, Henan 453003, China
| | - Jun Yang
- Xinxiang Institute for New Medicine, Xinxiang, Henan 453003, China; Henan Fenghuang Pharmaceutical Co. Ltd., Xinxiang, Henan 453003, China.
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Gojska NM, Belsham DD. Glucocorticoid receptor-mediated regulation of Rfrp (GnIH) and Gpr147 (GnIH-R) synthesis in immortalized hypothalamic neurons. Mol Cell Endocrinol 2014; 384:23-31. [PMID: 24412804 DOI: 10.1016/j.mce.2013.12.015] [Citation(s) in RCA: 31] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/13/2013] [Revised: 10/22/2013] [Accepted: 12/20/2013] [Indexed: 11/21/2022]
Abstract
A novel RFamide peptide, gonadotropin-inhibitory hormone (GnIH) has emerged as a modulator of avian reproduction. However, the functional role of the mammalian homologue, RFRP-3 remains poorly understood. The RFRP-3 neuronal circuit is influenced by the stress axis. However, whether the Rfrp gene is under direct glucocorticoid (GC)-mediated transcriptional regulation, in the presence and absence of the gonadal steroid, 17β-estradiol, is unknown. We investigated the regulation of the Rfrp (GnIH) and Gpr147 (GnIH-R) transcripts by steroids in a novel hypothalamic Rfrp-expressing cell model, rHypoE-23. The GC agonist, dexamethasone increased Rfrp and Gpr147 mRNA levels. Dexamethasone acted directly on the nuclear GC receptor (GR) to mediate GC-dependent transcriptional changes, independently of de novo protein synthesis. 17β-estradiol had no significant effect on Rfrp or Gpr147 biosynthesis in these neurons. This suggests that Rfrp-expressing neurons serve as potential upstream mediators of stress-induced effects through GR-dependent mechanisms.
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Affiliation(s)
- Nicole M Gojska
- Department of Physiology, University of Toronto, Toronto, ON M5S 1A8, Canada
| | - Denise D Belsham
- Department of Physiology, University of Toronto, Toronto, ON M5S 1A8, Canada; Departments of Medicine and Obstetrics and Gynaecology, University of Toronto, Toronto, ON M5S 1A8, Canada; Division of Cellular and Molecular Biology, Toronto General Hospital Research Institute, University Health Network, Toronto, ON M5S 1A8, Canada.
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Tachibana T, Sakamoto T. Functions of two distinct "prolactin-releasing peptides" evolved from a common ancestral gene. Front Endocrinol (Lausanne) 2014; 5:170. [PMID: 25426099 PMCID: PMC4226156 DOI: 10.3389/fendo.2014.00170] [Citation(s) in RCA: 21] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/27/2014] [Accepted: 09/29/2014] [Indexed: 12/17/2022] Open
Abstract
Prolactin-releasing peptide (PrRP) is one of the RF-amide peptides and was originally identified in the bovine hypothalamus as a stimulator of prolactin (PRL) release. Independently, another RF-amide peptide was found in Japanese crucian carp and named Carassius-RFa (C-RFa), which shows high homology to PrRP and stimulates PRL secretion in teleost fish. Therefore, C-RFa has been recognized as fish PrRP. However, recent work has revealed that PrRP and C-RFa in non-mammalian vertebrates are encoded by separate genes originated through duplication of an ancestral gene. Indeed, both PrRP and C-RFa are suggested to exist in teleost, amphibian, reptile, and avian species. Therefore, we propose that non-mammalian PrRP (C-RFa) be renamed PrRP2. Despite a common evolutionary origin, PrRP2 appears to be a physiological regulator of PRL, whereas this is not a consistent role for PrRP itself. Further work revealed that the biological functions of PrRP and PrRP2 are not limited solely to PRL release, because they are also neuromodulators of several hypothalamus-pituitary axes and are involved in some brain circuits related to the regulation of food intake, stress, and cardiovascular functions. However, these actions appear to be different among vertebrates. For example, central injection of PrRP inhibits feeding behavior in rodents and teleosts, while it stimulates it in chicks. Therefore, both PrRP and PrRP2 have acquired diverse actions through evolution. In this review, we integrate the burgeoning information of structures, expression profiles, and multiple biological actions of PrRP in higher vertebrates, as well as those of PrRP2 in non-mammals.
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Affiliation(s)
- Tetsuya Tachibana
- Department of Agrobiological Science, Faculty of Agriculture, Ehime University, Matsuyama, Japan
- *Correspondence: Tetsuya Tachibana, Laboratory of Animal Production, Department of Agrobiological Science, Faculty of Agriculture, Ehime University, Matsuyama 790-8566, Japan e-mail:
| | - Tatsuya Sakamoto
- Ushimado Marine Institute, Faculty of Science, Okayama University, Ushimado, Japan
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Hostinar CE, Sullivan RM, Gunnar MR. Psychobiological mechanisms underlying the social buffering of the hypothalamic-pituitary-adrenocortical axis: a review of animal models and human studies across development. Psychol Bull 2014; 140:256-282. [PMID: 23607429 PMCID: PMC3844011 DOI: 10.1037/a0032671 10.1037/a0032671] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 06/28/2023]
Abstract
Discovering the stress-buffering effects of social relationships has been one of the major findings in psychobiology in the last century. However, an understanding of the underlying neurobiological and psychological mechanisms of this buffering is only beginning to emerge. An important avenue of this research concerns the neurocircuitry that can regulate the activity of the hypothalamic-pituitary-adrenocortical (HPA) axis. The present review is a translational effort aimed at integrating animal models and human studies of the social regulation of the HPA axis from infancy to adulthood, specifically focusing on the process that has been named social buffering. This process has been noted across species and consists of a dampened HPA axis stress response to threat or challenge that occurs with the presence or assistance of a conspecific. We describe aspects of the relevant underlying neurobiology when enough information exists and expose major gaps in our understanding across all domains of the literatures we aimed to integrate. We provide a working conceptual model focused on the role of oxytocinergic systems and prefrontal neural networks as 2 of the putative biological mediators of this process, and propose that the role of early experiences is critical in shaping later social buffering effects. This synthesis points to both general future directions and specific experiments that need to be conducted to build a more comprehensive model of the HPA social buffering effect across the life span that incorporates multiple levels of analysis: neuroendocrine, behavioral, and social.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Regina M Sullivan
- Emotional Brain Institute, Nathan S. Kline Institute, Department of Child and Adolescent Psychiatry, New York University Langone Medical Center
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Makani V, Sultana R, Sie KS, Orjiako D, Tatangelo M, Dowling A, Cai J, Pierce W, Butterfield DA, Hill J, Park J. Annexin A1 complex mediates oxytocin vesicle transport. J Neuroendocrinol 2013; 25:1241-1254. [PMID: 24118254 PMCID: PMC3975805 DOI: 10.1111/jne.12112] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/04/2013] [Revised: 09/24/2013] [Accepted: 09/29/2013] [Indexed: 12/20/2022]
Abstract
Oxytocin is a major neuropeptide that modulates the brain functions involved in social behaviour and interaction. Despite of the importance of oxytocin for the neural control of social behaviour, little is known about the molecular mechanism(s) by which oxytocin secretion in the brain is regulated. Pro-oxytocin is synthesised in the cell bodies of hypothalamic neurones in the supraoptic and paraventricular nuclei and processed to a 9-amino-acid mature form during post-Golgi transport to the secretion sites at the axon terminals and somatodendritic regions. Oxytocin secreted from the somatodendritic regions diffuses throughout the hypothalamus and its neighbouring brain regions. Some oxytocin-positive axons innervate and secrete oxytocin to the brain regions distal to the hypothalamus. Brain oxytocin binds to its receptors in the brain regions involved in social behaviour. Oxytocin is also secreted from the axon terminal at the posterior pituitary gland into the blood circulation. We have discovered a new molecular complex consisting of annexin A1 (ANXA1), A-kinase anchor protein 150 (AKAP150) and microtubule motor that controls the distribution of oxytocin vesicles between the axon and the cell body in a protein kinase A (PKA)- and protein kinase C (PKC)-sensitive manner. ANXA1 showed significant co-localisation with oxytocin vesicles. Activation of PKA enhanced the association of kinesin-2 with ANXA1, thus increasing the axon-localisation of oxytocin vesicles. Conversely, activation of PKC decreased the binding of kinesin-2 to ANXA1, thus attenuating the axon-localisation of oxytocin vesicles. The result of the present study suggest that ANXA1 complex coordinates the actions of PKA and PKC to control the distribution of oxytocin vesicles between the axon and the cell body.
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Affiliation(s)
- Vishruti Makani
- Department of Neurosciences, University of Toledo, College of Medicine, Toledo, OH 43614
| | - Rukhsana Sultana
- Department of Chemistry, University of Kentucky, Lexington, KY 40506
| | - Khin Sander Sie
- Department of Neurosciences, University of Toledo, College of Medicine, Toledo, OH 43614
| | - Doris Orjiako
- Department of Neurosciences, University of Toledo, College of Medicine, Toledo, OH 43614
| | - Marco Tatangelo
- Department of Neurosciences, University of Toledo, College of Medicine, Toledo, OH 43614
| | - Abigail Dowling
- Department of Physiology and Pharmacology, University of Toledo, College of Medicine, Toledo, OH 43614
| | - Jian Cai
- Department of Pharmacology, University of Louisville, Louisville, KY 40292
| | - William Pierce
- Department of Pharmacology, University of Louisville, Louisville, KY 40292
| | | | - Jennifer Hill
- Department of Physiology and Pharmacology, University of Toledo, College of Medicine, Toledo, OH 43614
| | - Joshua Park
- Department of Neurosciences, University of Toledo, College of Medicine, Toledo, OH 43614
- To whom correspondence should be addressed. Department of Neurosciences, University of Toledo College of Medicine, Toledo, Ohio 43614, , Phone: (419) 383-4085, Fax: (419) 383-3008
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The role of oxytocin in social bonding, stress regulation and mental health: an update on the moderating effects of context and interindividual differences. Psychoneuroendocrinology 2013; 38:1883-94. [PMID: 23856187 DOI: 10.1016/j.psyneuen.2013.06.019] [Citation(s) in RCA: 391] [Impact Index Per Article: 35.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/20/2012] [Revised: 06/17/2013] [Accepted: 06/17/2013] [Indexed: 12/22/2022]
Abstract
In this review we summarize the results and conclusions of five studies as presented in a symposium at the 42nd annual meeting of the International Society for Psychoneuroendocrinology, in New York in September 2012. Oxytocin administration has received increasing attention for its role in promoting positive social behavior and stress regulation, and its potential as a therapeutic intervention for addressing various aspects of psychiatric disorders. However, it has been noted that the observed effects are not uniformly beneficial. In this paper we present five new studies each concluding that contextual and interindividual factors moderate the effects of oxytocin, as well as peripheral oxytocin levels. These findings are in accordance with the recent idea that oxytocin administration may increase sensitivity to social salience cues and that the interpretation of these cues may be influenced by contextual (i.e. presence of a stranger versus friend) or interindividual factors (i.e. sex, attachment style, or the presence of psychiatric symptoms). When social cues in the environment are interpreted as "safe" oxytocin may promote prosociality but when the social cues are interpreted as "unsafe" oxytocin may promote more defensive and, in effect, "anti-social" emotions and behaviors. Likewise, oxytocin appears to promote such agonistic tendencies in individuals who are chronically pre-disposed to view the social milieu in uncertain and/or in negative terms (e.g., those with borderline personality disorder, severe attachment anxiety and/or childhood maltreatment). In all, these studies in pre-clinical animal, healthy humans and patients samples further reinforce the importance of considering both contextual and interindividual factors when trying to understand the role of oxytocin as a biological substrate underlying social bonding and stress regulatory processes and when studying the effects of oxytocin administration in particular in patients with (increased risk for) psychiatric disorders.
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Oxytocin, motivation and the role of dopamine. Pharmacol Biochem Behav 2013; 119:49-60. [PMID: 23850525 DOI: 10.1016/j.pbb.2013.06.011] [Citation(s) in RCA: 202] [Impact Index Per Article: 18.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/17/2013] [Revised: 05/08/2013] [Accepted: 06/25/2013] [Indexed: 01/11/2023]
Abstract
The hypothalamic neuropeptide oxytocin has drawn the attention of scientists for more than a century. The understanding of the function of oxytocin has expanded dramatically over the years from a simple peptide adept at inducing uterine contractions and milk ejection to a complex neuromodulator with a capacity to shape human social behavior. Decades of research have outlined oxytocin's ability to enhance intricate social activities ranging from pair bonding, sexual activity, affiliative preferences, and parental behaviors. The precise neural mechanisms underlying oxytocin's influence on such behaviors have just begun to be understood. Research suggests that oxytocin interacts closely with the neural pathways responsible for processing motivationally relevant stimuli. In particular, oxytocin appears to impact dopaminergic activity within the mesocorticolimbic dopamine system, which is crucial not only for reward and motivated behavior but also for the expression of affiliative behaviors. Though most of the work performed in this area has been done using animal models, several neuroimaging studies suggest similar relationships may be observed in humans. In order to introduce this topic further, this paper will review the recent evidence that oxytocin may exert some of its social-behavioral effects through its impact on motivational networks.
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Keating C, Dawood T, Barton DA, Lambert GW, Tilbrook AJ. Effects of selective serotonin reuptake inhibitor treatment on plasma oxytocin and cortisol in major depressive disorder. BMC Psychiatry 2013; 13:124. [PMID: 23627666 PMCID: PMC3643878 DOI: 10.1186/1471-244x-13-124] [Citation(s) in RCA: 33] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/21/2012] [Accepted: 04/23/2013] [Indexed: 11/21/2022] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Oxytocin is known for its capacity to facilitate social bonding, reduce anxiety and for its actions on the stress hypothalamopituitary adrenal (HPA) axis. Since oxytocin can physiologically suppress activity of the HPA axis, clinical applications of this neuropeptide have been proposed in conditions where the function of the HPA axis is dysregulated. One such condition is major depressive disorder (MDD). Dysregulation of the HPA system is the most prominent endocrine change seen with MDD, and normalizing the HPA axis is one of the major targets of recent treatments. The potential clinical application of oxytocin in MDD requires improved understanding of its relationship to the symptoms and underlying pathophysiology of MDD. Previous research has investigated potential correlations between oxytocin and symptoms of MDD, including a link between oxytocin and treatment related symptom reduction. The outcomes of studies investigating whether antidepressive treatment (pharmacological and non-pharmacological) influences oxytocin concentrations in MDD, have produced conflicting outcomes. These outcomes suggest the need for an investigation of the influence of a single treatment class on oxytocin concentrations, to determine whether there is a relationship between oxytocin, the HPA axis (e.g., oxytocin and cortisol) and MDD. Our objective was to measure oxytocin and cortisol in patients with MDD before and following treatment with selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors, SSRI. METHOD We sampled blood from arterial plasma. Patients with MDD were studied at the same time twice; pre- and post- 12 weeks treatment, in an unblinded sequential design (clinicaltrials.govNCT00168493). RESULTS Results did not reveal differences in oxytocin or cortisol concentrations before relative to following SSRI treatment, and there were no significant relationships between oxytocin and cortisol, or these two physiological variables and psychological symptom scores, before or after treatment. CONCLUSIONS These outcomes demonstrate that symptoms of MDD were reduced following effective treatment with an SSRI, and further, stress physiology was unlikely to be a key factor in this outcome. Further research is required to discriminate potential differences in underlying stress physiology for individuals with MDD who respond to antidepressant treatment, relative to those who experience treatment resistance.
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Affiliation(s)
- Charlotte Keating
- Monash Alfred Psychiatry Research Centre, Central Clinical School, Monash University and The Alfred, Melbourne, Australia.
| | - Tye Dawood
- Human Neurotransmitters Laboratory, Baker IDI Heart & Diabetes Institute, Melbourne, Australia
| | - David A Barton
- Human Neurotransmitters Laboratory, Baker IDI Heart & Diabetes Institute, Melbourne, Australia,Mental Health Program, Southern Health, Melbourne, Australia
| | - Gavin W Lambert
- Human Neurotransmitters Laboratory, Baker IDI Heart & Diabetes Institute, Melbourne, Australia,Faculty of Medicine, Nursing & Health Sciences, Monash University, Melbourne, Australia
| | - Alan J Tilbrook
- Faculty of Medicine, Nursing & Health Sciences, Monash University, Melbourne, Australia,South Australian Research and Development Institute, The University of Adelaide, Adelaide, Australia
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Hostinar CE, Sullivan RM, Gunnar MR. Psychobiological mechanisms underlying the social buffering of the hypothalamic-pituitary-adrenocortical axis: a review of animal models and human studies across development. Psychol Bull 2013; 140:256-82. [PMID: 23607429 DOI: 10.1037/a0032671] [Citation(s) in RCA: 436] [Impact Index Per Article: 39.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/25/2022]
Abstract
Discovering the stress-buffering effects of social relationships has been one of the major findings in psychobiology in the last century. However, an understanding of the underlying neurobiological and psychological mechanisms of this buffering is only beginning to emerge. An important avenue of this research concerns the neurocircuitry that can regulate the activity of the hypothalamic-pituitary-adrenocortical (HPA) axis. The present review is a translational effort aimed at integrating animal models and human studies of the social regulation of the HPA axis from infancy to adulthood, specifically focusing on the process that has been named social buffering. This process has been noted across species and consists of a dampened HPA axis stress response to threat or challenge that occurs with the presence or assistance of a conspecific. We describe aspects of the relevant underlying neurobiology when enough information exists and expose major gaps in our understanding across all domains of the literatures we aimed to integrate. We provide a working conceptual model focused on the role of oxytocinergic systems and prefrontal neural networks as 2 of the putative biological mediators of this process, and propose that the role of early experiences is critical in shaping later social buffering effects. This synthesis points to both general future directions and specific experiments that need to be conducted to build a more comprehensive model of the HPA social buffering effect across the life span that incorporates multiple levels of analysis: neuroendocrine, behavioral, and social.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Regina M Sullivan
- Emotional Brain Institute, Nathan S. Kline Institute, Department of Child and Adolescent Psychiatry, New York University Langone Medical Center
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Maniscalco JW, Kreisler AD, Rinaman L. Satiation and stress-induced hypophagia: examining the role of hindbrain neurons expressing prolactin-releasing Peptide or glucagon-like Peptide 1. Front Neurosci 2013; 6:199. [PMID: 23346044 PMCID: PMC3549516 DOI: 10.3389/fnins.2012.00199] [Citation(s) in RCA: 44] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/23/2012] [Accepted: 12/31/2012] [Indexed: 12/20/2022] Open
Abstract
Neural circuits distributed within the brainstem, hypothalamus, and limbic forebrain interact to control food intake and energy balance under normal day-to-day conditions, and in response to stressful conditions under which homeostasis is threatened. Experimental studies using rats and mice have generated a voluminous literature regarding the functional organization of circuits that inhibit food intake in response to satiety signals, and in response to stress. Although the central neural bases of satiation and stress-induced hypophagia often are studied and discussed as if they were distinct, we propose that both behavioral states are generated, at least in part, by recruitment of two separate but intermingled groups of caudal hindbrain neurons. One group comprises a subpopulation of noradrenergic (NA) neurons within the caudal nucleus of the solitary tract (cNST; A2 cell group) that is immunopositive for prolactin-releasing peptide (PrRP). The second group comprises non-adrenergic neurons within the cNST and nearby reticular formation that synthesize glucagon-like peptide 1 (GLP-1). Axonal projections from PrRP and GLP-1 neurons target distributed brainstem and forebrain regions that shape behavioral, autonomic, and endocrine responses to actual or anticipated homeostatic challenge, including the challenge of food intake. Evidence reviewed in this article supports the view that hindbrain PrRP and GLP-1 neurons contribute importantly to satiation and stress-induced hypophagia by modulating the activity of caudal brainstem circuits that control food intake. Hindbrain PrRP and GLP-1 neurons also engage hypothalamic and limbic forebrain networks that drive parallel behavioral and endocrine functions related to food intake and homeostatic challenge, and modulate conditioned and motivational aspects of food intake.
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Affiliation(s)
- James W Maniscalco
- Department of Neuroscience, University of Pittsburgh Pittsburgh, PA, USA
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