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Mattova S, Simko P, Urbanska N, Kiskova T. Bioactive Compounds and Their Influence on Postnatal Neurogenesis. Int J Mol Sci 2023; 24:16614. [PMID: 38068936 PMCID: PMC10706651 DOI: 10.3390/ijms242316614] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/05/2023] [Revised: 11/10/2023] [Accepted: 11/16/2023] [Indexed: 12/18/2023] Open
Abstract
Since postnatal neurogenesis was revealed to have significant implications for cognition and neurological health, researchers have been increasingly exploring the impact of natural compounds on this process, aiming to uncover strategies for enhancing brain plasticity. This review provides an overview of postnatal neurogenesis, neurogenic zones, and disorders characterized by suppressed neurogenesis and neurogenesis-stimulating bioactive compounds. Examining recent studies, this review underscores the multifaceted effects of natural compounds on postnatal neurogenesis. In essence, understanding the interplay between postnatal neurogenesis and natural compounds could bring novel insights into brain health interventions. Exploiting the therapeutic abilities of these compounds may unlock innovative approaches to enhance cognitive function, mitigate neurodegenerative diseases, and promote overall brain well-being.
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Affiliation(s)
| | | | | | - Terezia Kiskova
- Department of Animal Physiology, Institute of Biology and Ecology, Faculty of Science, Pavol Jozef Safarik University in Kosice, 041 54 Kosice, Slovakia; (S.M.); (P.S.); (N.U.)
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Ávila-González D, Romero-Morales I, Caro L, Martínez-Juárez A, Young LJ, Camacho-Barrios F, Martínez-Alarcón O, Castro AE, Paredes RG, Díaz NF, Portillo W. Increased proliferation and neuronal fate in prairie vole brain progenitor cells cultured in vitro: effects by social exposure and sexual dimorphism. Biol Sex Differ 2023; 14:77. [PMID: 37919790 PMCID: PMC10623709 DOI: 10.1186/s13293-023-00563-2] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/09/2023] [Accepted: 10/23/2023] [Indexed: 11/04/2023] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND The prairie vole (Microtus ochrogaster) is a socially monogamous rodent that establishes an enduring pair bond after cohabitation, with (6 h) or without (24 h) mating. Previously, we reported that social interaction and mating increased cell proliferation and differentiation to neuronal fate in neurogenic niches in male voles. We hypothesized that neurogenesis may be a neural plasticity mechanism involved in mating-induced pair bond formation. Here, we evaluated the differentiation potential of neural progenitor cells (NPCs) isolated from the subventricular zone (SVZ) of both female and male adult voles as a function of sociosexual experience. Animals were assigned to one of the following groups: (1) control (Co), sexually naive female and male voles that had no contact with another vole of the opposite sex; (2) social exposure (SE), males and females exposed to olfactory, auditory, and visual stimuli from a vole of the opposite sex, but without physical contact; and (3) social cohabitation with mating (SCM), male and female voles copulating to induce pair bonding formation. Subsequently, the NPCs were isolated from the SVZ, maintained, and supplemented with growth factors to form neurospheres in vitro. RESULTS Notably, we detected in SE and SCM voles, a higher proliferation of neurosphere-derived Nestin + cells, as well as an increase in mature neurons (MAP2 +) and a decrease in glial (GFAP +) differentiated cells with some sex differences. These data suggest that when voles are exposed to sociosexual experiences that induce pair bonding, undifferentiated cells of the SVZ acquire a commitment to a neuronal lineage, and the determined potential of the neurosphere is conserved despite adaptations under in vitro conditions. Finally, we repeated the culture to obtain neurospheres under treatments with different hormones and factors (brain-derived neurotrophic factor, estradiol, prolactin, oxytocin, and progesterone); the ability of SVZ-isolated cells to generate neurospheres and differentiate in vitro into neurons or glial lineages in response to hormones or factors is also dependent on sex and sociosexual context. CONCLUSION Social interactions that promote pair bonding in voles change the properties of cells isolated from the SVZ. Thus, SE or SCM induces a bias in the differentiation potential in both sexes, while SE is sufficient to promote proliferation in SVZ-isolated cells from male brains. In females, proliferation increases when mating is performed. The next question is whether the rise in proliferation and neurogenesis of cells from the SVZ are plastic processes essential for establishing, enhancing, maintaining, or accelerating pair bond formation. Highlights 1. Sociosexual experiences that promote pair bonding (social exposure and social cohabitation with mating) induce changes in the properties of neural stem/progenitor cells isolated from the SVZ in adult prairie voles. 2. Social interactions lead to increased proliferation and induce a bias in the differentiation potential of SVZ-isolated cells in both male and female voles. 3. The differentiation potential of SVZ-isolated cells is conserved under in vitro conditions, suggesting a commitment to a neuronal lineage under a sociosexual context. 4. Hormonal and growth factors treatments (brain-derived neurotrophic factor, estradiol, prolactin, oxytocin, and progesterone) affect the generation and differentiation of neurospheres, with dependencies on sex and sociosexual context. 5. Proliferation and neurogenesis in the SVZ may play a crucial role in establishing, enhancing, maintaining, or accelerating pair bond formation.
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Affiliation(s)
- Daniela Ávila-González
- Departamento de Neurobiología Conductual y Cognitiva, Instituto de Neurobiología, Universidad Nacional Autónoma de México, Juriquilla, Querétaro, Mexico
- Departamento de Fisiología y Desarrollo Celular, Instituto Nacional de Perinatología Isidro Espinosa de los Reyes, Mexico City, Mexico
| | - Italo Romero-Morales
- Departamento de Fisiología y Desarrollo Celular, Instituto Nacional de Perinatología Isidro Espinosa de los Reyes, Mexico City, Mexico
| | - Lizette Caro
- Departamento de Fisiología y Desarrollo Celular, Instituto Nacional de Perinatología Isidro Espinosa de los Reyes, Mexico City, Mexico
| | - Alejandro Martínez-Juárez
- Departamento de Fisiología y Desarrollo Celular, Instituto Nacional de Perinatología Isidro Espinosa de los Reyes, Mexico City, Mexico
| | - Larry J Young
- Silvio O. Conte Center for Oxytocin and Social Cognition, Center for Translational Social Neuroscience, Emory National Primate Research Center, Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences, Emory University, Atlanta, USA
| | - Francisco Camacho-Barrios
- Departamento de Neurobiología Conductual y Cognitiva, Instituto de Neurobiología, Universidad Nacional Autónoma de México, Juriquilla, Querétaro, Mexico
| | - Omar Martínez-Alarcón
- Departamento de Fisiología y Desarrollo Celular, Instituto Nacional de Perinatología Isidro Espinosa de los Reyes, Mexico City, Mexico
| | - Analía E Castro
- Departamento de Neurobiología Conductual y Cognitiva, Instituto de Neurobiología, Universidad Nacional Autónoma de México, Juriquilla, Querétaro, Mexico
| | - Raúl G Paredes
- Departamento de Neurobiología Conductual y Cognitiva, Instituto de Neurobiología, Universidad Nacional Autónoma de México, Juriquilla, Querétaro, Mexico
- Escuela Nacional de Estudios Superiores Juriquilla, Universidad Nacional Autónoma de México, Querétaro, Mexico
| | - Néstor F Díaz
- Departamento de Fisiología y Desarrollo Celular, Instituto Nacional de Perinatología Isidro Espinosa de los Reyes, Mexico City, Mexico.
| | - Wendy Portillo
- Departamento de Neurobiología Conductual y Cognitiva, Instituto de Neurobiología, Universidad Nacional Autónoma de México, Juriquilla, Querétaro, Mexico.
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Higuchi Y, Arakawa H. Serotonergic mediation of the brain-wide neurogenesis: Region-dependent and receptor-type specific roles on neurogenic cellular transformation. CURRENT RESEARCH IN NEUROBIOLOGY 2023; 5:100102. [PMID: 37638344 PMCID: PMC10458724 DOI: 10.1016/j.crneur.2023.100102] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/09/2022] [Revised: 06/18/2023] [Accepted: 07/15/2023] [Indexed: 08/29/2023] Open
Abstract
Brain serotonin (5-hydroxytryptamine, 5-HT) is a key molecule for the mediation of depression-related brain states, but the neural mechanisms underlying 5-HT mediation need further investigation. A possible mechanism of the therapeutic antidepressant effects is neurogenic cell production, as stimulated by 5-HT signaling. Neurogenesis, the proliferation of neural stem cells (NSCs), and cell differentiation and maturation occur across brain regions, particularly the hippocampal dentate gyrus and the subventricular zone, throughout one's lifespan. 5-HT plays a major role in the mediation of neurogenic processes, which in turn leads to the therapeutic effect on depression-related states. In this review article, we aim to identify how the neuronal 5-HT system mediates the process of neurogenesis, including cell proliferation, cell-type differentiation and maturation. First, we will provide an overview of the neurogenic cell transformation that occurs in brain regions containing or lacking NSCs. Second, we will review brain region-specific mechanisms of 5-HT-mediated neurogenesis by comparing regions localized to NSCs, i.e., the hippocampus and subventricular zone, with those not containing NSCs. Highlighting these 5-HT mechanisms that mediate neurogenic cell production processes in a brain-region-specific manner would provide unique insights into the role of 5-HT in neurogenesis and its associated effects on depression.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yuki Higuchi
- Department of Systems Physiology, Graduate School of Medicine, University of the Ryukyus, Okinawa, Japan
| | - Hiroyuki Arakawa
- Department of Systems Physiology, Graduate School of Medicine, University of the Ryukyus, Okinawa, Japan
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Woszczyło M, Szumny A, Knap P, Jezierski T, Niżański W, Kokocińska A, Skwark MJ, Dzięcioł M. The influence of manual semen collection in male trained dogs (Canis familiaris), in the presence or absence of a female in estrus, on the concentrations of cortisol, oxytocin, prolactin and testosterone. PLoS One 2023; 18:e0278524. [PMID: 36730259 PMCID: PMC9894453 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0278524] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/21/2022] [Accepted: 11/17/2022] [Indexed: 02/03/2023] Open
Abstract
Sex pheromones are chemical substances secreted into the environment that affect the physiology and behavior of recipients. Females use these compounds during oestrus to attract males, which leads to attempts of mating. This study evaluates the influence of manual semen collection in male dogs, in the presence or absence of a female in estrus, on the blood concentrations of cortisol (CRT), oxytocin (OXT), prolactin (PRL) and testosterone (T), as hormones involved both in the physiology of reproduction and stress. Ten male dogs were used in Experiment 1 to measure the serum and plasma concentrations of the aforementioned hormones in the absence of semen collection. Subsequently in the same animals, the concentrations of these hormones were evaluated before and after semen collection in the presence (Exp. 2) or in absence of a female in estrus (Exp. 3). No significant changes in hormone concentration caused by the semen collection were found, either with, or without the presence of female in estrus. Obtained results suggest that the procedure of manual semen collection in dogs, probably due to its passive character, does not stimulate endocrine glands to secrete hormones, and the process of ejaculation is probably controlled by neural pathway. The lack of effect of semiochemical stimulation to the CRT, PRL, OXT and T level, could be caused by a short contact with female during semen collection. Further studies on involvement of the hormones during the process of natural mating, especially preceded by long courtships, similar to that observed under natural conditions, should shed a light on the physiology of mating and the connection between the endocrine system and semiochemical stimulation in dogs.
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Affiliation(s)
- Martyna Woszczyło
- Department of Reproduction, Wroclaw University of Environmental and Life Sciences, Wrocław, Poland
| | - Antoni Szumny
- Department of Chemistry, Wroclaw University of Environmental and Life Sciences, Wrocław, Poland
| | - Piotr Knap
- Department of Epizootiology and Clinic of Birth and Exotic Animals, Wroclaw University of Environmental and Life Sciences, Wrocław, Poland
| | - Tadeusz Jezierski
- Institute of Genetics and Animal Biotechnology, Polish Academy of Sciences, Department of Animal Behavior and Welfare, Magdalenka, Poland
| | - Wojciech Niżański
- Department of Reproduction, Wroclaw University of Environmental and Life Sciences, Wrocław, Poland
| | - Agata Kokocińska
- Institute of Biological Bases of Animal Production, University of Life Sciences in Lublin, Lublin, Poland
| | | | - Michał Dzięcioł
- Department of Reproduction, Wroclaw University of Environmental and Life Sciences, Wrocław, Poland
- * E-mail:
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Davinelli S, Medoro A, Ali S, Passarella D, Intrieri M, Scapagnini G. Dietary Flavonoids and Adult Neurogenesis: Potential Implications for Brain Aging. Curr Neuropharmacol 2023; 21:651-668. [PMID: 36321225 PMCID: PMC10207917 DOI: 10.2174/1570159x21666221031103909] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/16/2022] [Revised: 07/27/2022] [Accepted: 08/19/2022] [Indexed: 02/10/2023] Open
Abstract
Adult neurogenesis deficiency has been proposed to be a common hallmark in different age-related neurodegenerative diseases. The administration of flavonoids is currently reported as a potentially beneficial strategy for preventing brain aging alterations, including adult neurogenesis decline. Flavonoids are a class of plant-derived dietary polyphenols that have drawn attention for their neuroprotective and pro-cognitive effects. Although they undergo extensive metabolism and localize in the brain at low concentrations, flavonoids are now believed to improve cerebral vasculature and interact with signal transduction cascades involved in the regulation of adult neurogenesis. Furthermore, many dietary flavonoids have been shown to reduce oxidative stress and neuroinflammation, improving the neuronal microenvironment where adult neurogenesis occurs. The overall goal of this review is to summarize the evidence supporting the role of flavonoids in modulating adult neurogenesis as well as to highlight how these dietary agents may be promising candidates in restoring healthy brain function during physiological and pathological aging.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sergio Davinelli
- Department of Medicine and Health Sciences “V. Tiberio”, University of Molise, Campobasso 86100, Italy
| | - Alessandro Medoro
- Department of Medicine and Health Sciences “V. Tiberio”, University of Molise, Campobasso 86100, Italy
| | - Sawan Ali
- Department of Medicine and Health Sciences “V. Tiberio”, University of Molise, Campobasso 86100, Italy
| | - Daniela Passarella
- Department of Medicine and Health Sciences “V. Tiberio”, University of Molise, Campobasso 86100, Italy
| | - Mariano Intrieri
- Department of Medicine and Health Sciences “V. Tiberio”, University of Molise, Campobasso 86100, Italy
| | - Giovanni Scapagnini
- Department of Medicine and Health Sciences “V. Tiberio”, University of Molise, Campobasso 86100, Italy
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Dioli C, Patrício P, Pinto LG, Marie C, Morais M, Vyas S, Bessa JM, Pinto L, Sotiropoulos I. Adult neurogenic process in the subventricular zone-olfactory bulb system is regulated by Tau protein under prolonged stress. Cell Prolif 2021; 54:e13027. [PMID: 33988263 PMCID: PMC8249793 DOI: 10.1111/cpr.13027] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/07/2020] [Revised: 02/08/2021] [Accepted: 03/03/2021] [Indexed: 12/13/2022] Open
Abstract
Objectives The area of the subventricular zone (SVZ) in the adult brain exhibits the highest number of proliferative cells, which, together with the olfactory bulb (OB), maintains constant brain plasticity through the generation, migration and integration of newly born neurons. Despite Tau and its malfunction is increasingly related to deficits of adult hippocampal neurogenesis and brain plasticity under pathological conditions [e.g. in Alzheimer's disease (AD)], it remains unknown whether Tau plays a role in the neurogenic process of the SVZ and OB system under conditions of chronic stress, a well‐known sculptor of brain and risk factor for AD. Materials and methods Different types of newly born cells in SVZ and OB were analysed in animals that lack Tau gene (Tau‐KO) and their wild‐type littermates (WT) under control or chronic stress conditions. Results We demonstrate that chronic stress reduced the number of proliferating cells and neuroblasts in the SVZ leading to decreased number of newborn neurons in the OB of adult WT, but not Tau‐KO, mice. Interestingly, while stress‐evoked changes were not detected in OB granular cell layer, Tau‐KO exhibited increased number of mature neurons in this layer indicating altered neuronal migration due to Tau loss. Conclusions Our findings suggest the critical involvement of Tau in the neurogenesis suppression of SVZ and OB neurogenic niche under stressful conditions highlighting the role of Tau protein as an essential regulator of stress‐driven plasticity deficits.
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Affiliation(s)
- Chrysoula Dioli
- School of Medicine, Life and Health Sciences Research Institute (ICVS), University of Minho, Braga, Portugal.,ICVS/3B's - PT Government Associate Laboratory, Braga/Guimarães, Portugal.,Institute of Biology Paris Seine, Team Gene Regulation and Adaptive Behaviors, Department of Neurosciences Paris Seine, Sorbonne Université, CNRS UMR 8246, INSERM U1130, Paris, France
| | - Patrícia Patrício
- School of Medicine, Life and Health Sciences Research Institute (ICVS), University of Minho, Braga, Portugal.,ICVS/3B's - PT Government Associate Laboratory, Braga/Guimarães, Portugal
| | - Lucilia-Goreti Pinto
- School of Medicine, Life and Health Sciences Research Institute (ICVS), University of Minho, Braga, Portugal.,ICVS/3B's - PT Government Associate Laboratory, Braga/Guimarães, Portugal
| | - Clemence Marie
- School of Medicine, Life and Health Sciences Research Institute (ICVS), University of Minho, Braga, Portugal.,ICVS/3B's - PT Government Associate Laboratory, Braga/Guimarães, Portugal
| | - Mónica Morais
- School of Medicine, Life and Health Sciences Research Institute (ICVS), University of Minho, Braga, Portugal.,ICVS/3B's - PT Government Associate Laboratory, Braga/Guimarães, Portugal
| | - Sheela Vyas
- Institute of Biology Paris Seine, Team Gene Regulation and Adaptive Behaviors, Department of Neurosciences Paris Seine, Sorbonne Université, CNRS UMR 8246, INSERM U1130, Paris, France
| | - João M Bessa
- School of Medicine, Life and Health Sciences Research Institute (ICVS), University of Minho, Braga, Portugal.,ICVS/3B's - PT Government Associate Laboratory, Braga/Guimarães, Portugal
| | - Luisa Pinto
- School of Medicine, Life and Health Sciences Research Institute (ICVS), University of Minho, Braga, Portugal.,ICVS/3B's - PT Government Associate Laboratory, Braga/Guimarães, Portugal
| | - Ioannis Sotiropoulos
- School of Medicine, Life and Health Sciences Research Institute (ICVS), University of Minho, Braga, Portugal.,ICVS/3B's - PT Government Associate Laboratory, Braga/Guimarães, Portugal
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Jurkowski MP, Bettio L, K. Woo E, Patten A, Yau SY, Gil-Mohapel J. Beyond the Hippocampus and the SVZ: Adult Neurogenesis Throughout the Brain. Front Cell Neurosci 2020; 14:576444. [PMID: 33132848 PMCID: PMC7550688 DOI: 10.3389/fncel.2020.576444] [Citation(s) in RCA: 94] [Impact Index Per Article: 23.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/03/2020] [Accepted: 08/19/2020] [Indexed: 12/31/2022] Open
Abstract
Convincing evidence has repeatedly shown that new neurons are produced in the mammalian brain into adulthood. Adult neurogenesis has been best described in the hippocampus and the subventricular zone (SVZ), in which a series of distinct stages of neuronal development has been well characterized. However, more recently, new neurons have also been found in other brain regions of the adult mammalian brain, including the hypothalamus, striatum, substantia nigra, cortex, and amygdala. While some studies have suggested that these new neurons originate from endogenous stem cell pools located within these brain regions, others have shown the migration of neurons from the SVZ to these regions. Notably, it has been shown that the generation of new neurons in these brain regions is impacted by neurologic processes such as stroke/ischemia and neurodegenerative disorders. Furthermore, numerous factors such as neurotrophic support, pharmacologic interventions, environmental exposures, and stem cell therapy can modulate this endogenous process. While the presence and significance of adult neurogenesis in the human brain (and particularly outside of the classical neurogenic regions) is still an area of debate, this intrinsic neurogenic potential and its possible regulation through therapeutic measures present an exciting alternative for the treatment of several neurologic conditions. This review summarizes evidence in support of the classic and novel neurogenic zones present within the mammalian brain and discusses the functional significance of these new neurons as well as the factors that regulate their production. Finally, it also discusses the potential clinical applications of promoting neurogenesis outside of the classical neurogenic niches, particularly in the hypothalamus, cortex, striatum, substantia nigra, and amygdala.
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Affiliation(s)
- Michal P. Jurkowski
- Island Medical Program, University of British Columbia, Vancouver, BC, Canada
| | - Luis Bettio
- Division of Medical Sciences, University of Victoria, Victoria, BC, Canada
| | - Emma K. Woo
- Island Medical Program, University of British Columbia, Vancouver, BC, Canada
| | - Anna Patten
- Centre for Interprofessional Clinical Simulation Learning (CICSL), Royal Jubilee Hospital, Victoria, BC, Canada
| | - Suk-Yu Yau
- Department of Rehabilitation Sciences, Hong Kong Polytechnic University, Hung Hom, Hong Kong
| | - Joana Gil-Mohapel
- Island Medical Program, University of British Columbia, Vancouver, BC, Canada
- Division of Medical Sciences, University of Victoria, Victoria, BC, Canada
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Effects of Mating and Social Exposure on Cell Proliferation in the Adult Male Prairie Vole ( Microtus ochrogaster). Neural Plast 2020; 2020:8869669. [PMID: 33029122 PMCID: PMC7528033 DOI: 10.1155/2020/8869669] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/21/2020] [Revised: 08/04/2020] [Accepted: 08/27/2020] [Indexed: 11/29/2022] Open
Abstract
Microtus ochrogaster is a rodent with a monogamous reproductive strategy characterized by strong pair bond formation after 6 h of mating. Here, we determine whether mating-induced pair bonding increases cell proliferation in the subventricular zone (SVZ), rostral migratory stream (RMS), and dentate gyrus (DG) of the hippocampus in male voles. Males were assigned to one of the four groups: (1) control: males were placed alone in a clean cage; (2) social exposure to a female (SE m/f): males that could see, hear, and smell a sexually receptive female but where physical contact was not possible, because the animals were separated by an acrylic screen with small holes; (3) social exposure to a male (SE m/m): same as group 2 but males were exposed to another male without physical contact; and (4) social cohabitation with mating (SCM): males that mated freely with a receptive female for 6 h. This procedure leads to pair bond formation. Groups 2 and 3 were controls for social interaction. Male prairie voles were injected with 5-bromo-2′-deoxyuridine (BrdU) during the behavioral tests and were sacrificed 48 h later. Brains were processed to identify the new cells (BrdU-positive) and neuron precursor cells (neuroblasts). Our principal findings are that in the dorsal region of the SVZ, SCM and SE m/f and m/m increase the percentage of neuron precursor cells. In the anterior region of the RMS, SE m/f decreases the percentage of neuron precursor cells, and in the medial region SE m/f and m/m decrease the number of new cells and neuron precursor cells. In the infrapyramidal blade of the subgranular zone of the DG, SE m/m and SCM increase the number of new neuron precursor cells and SE m/m increases the percentage of these neurons. Our data suggests that social interaction, as well as sexual stimulation, leads to pair bonding in male voles modulating cell proliferation and differentiation to neuronal precursor cells at the SVZ, RMS, and DG.
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Sánchez-Vidaña DI, Po KKT, Fung TKH, Chow JKW, Lau WKW, So PK, Lau BWM, Tsang HWH. Lavender essential oil ameliorates depression-like behavior and increases neurogenesis and dendritic complexity in rats. Neurosci Lett 2019; 701:180-192. [PMID: 30825591 DOI: 10.1016/j.neulet.2019.02.042] [Citation(s) in RCA: 43] [Impact Index Per Article: 8.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/21/2018] [Revised: 02/11/2019] [Accepted: 02/26/2019] [Indexed: 02/05/2023]
Abstract
Depression is a major health issue that causes severe societal economic and health burden. Aromatherapy, a practice that uses essential oils for preventive and therapeutic purposes, represents a promising therapeutic alternative for the alleviation of depressive symptoms. Lavender essential oil (LEO) has been the focus of clinical studies due to its positive effect on mood. An animal model of chronic administration of high dose corticosterone to induce depression- and anxiety-like behavior and reduced neurogenesis was used to explore the biological changes brought by aromatherapy. Twenty-four adult male Sprague Dawley rats were randomly assigned into four groups: Control, corticosterone (Cort) group with high dose of corticosterone, LEO group with daily exposure to LEO by inhalation, and LEO + Cort. At the end of the 14-day treatment period, behavioral tests were carried out. Serum samples were collected 2-3 days after the 14-day period treatment and before perfusion to carry out biochemical analyses to measure BDNF, corticosterone and oxytocin. After perfusion, brains were collected for immunohistochemical analysis to detect BrdU and DCX positive cells in the hippocampus and subventricular zone. Results showed that treatment with LEO ameliorated the depression-like behavior induced by the chronic administration of corticosterone as observed in the LEO + Cort group. Cort treatment reduced the number of BrdU positive cells in the hippocampus and the subventricular zone. Treatment with LEO prevented the corticosterone-induced reduction in the number of BrdU positive cells (LEO + Cort group) demonstrating the neurogenic effect of LEO under high corticosterone conditions. Chronic administration of high dose of corticosterone significantly reduced the dendritic complexity of immature neurons. On the contrary, treatment with LEO increased dendritic complexity of immature neurons under high corticosterone conditions (LEO + Cort group). The improved neurogenesis and dendritic complexity observed in the LEO + Cort group demonstrated a clear restorative effect of LEO under high corticosterone conditions. However, 2-3 days after the treatment, the levels of BDNF were upregulated in the LEO and LEO + Cort groups. Furthermore, the concentration of oxytocin in serum, 2-3 days after the treatment, showed to be upregulated in the LEO group alone. The present study has provided evidence of the biological effect of LEO on neuroplasticity and neurogenesis. Also, this study contributes to the understanding of the mechanism of action of LEO in an animal model where depression- and anxiety-like behavior and reduced neurogenesis were induced by high corticosterone administration.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Kevin Kai-Ting Po
- Department of Rehabilitation Sciences, The Hong Kong Polytechnic University, Hong Kong, China
| | - Timothy Kai-Hang Fung
- Department of Rehabilitation Sciences, The Hong Kong Polytechnic University, Hong Kong, China
| | - Jason Ka-Wing Chow
- Department of Rehabilitation Sciences, The Hong Kong Polytechnic University, Hong Kong, China
| | - Way Kwok-Wai Lau
- Department of Special Education and Counselling, The Education University of Hong Kong, Hong Kong, China
| | - Pui-Kin So
- University Research Facility in Life Sciences, The Hong Kong Polytechnic University, Hong Kong, China
| | - Benson Wui-Man Lau
- Department of Rehabilitation Sciences, The Hong Kong Polytechnic University, Hong Kong, China.
| | - Hector Wing-Hong Tsang
- Department of Rehabilitation Sciences, The Hong Kong Polytechnic University, Hong Kong, China
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10
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Velazco-Mendoza M, Camacho FJ, Paredes RG, Portillo W. The First Mating Experience Induces New Neurons in the Olfactory Bulb in Male Mice. Neuroscience 2018; 396:166-174. [PMID: 30471356 DOI: 10.1016/j.neuroscience.2018.11.019] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/21/2018] [Revised: 11/12/2018] [Accepted: 11/13/2018] [Indexed: 12/17/2022]
Abstract
In rodents, neurogenesis in the olfactory bulbs (OBs) is enhanced by exposure to olfactory enriched environments including sexually relevant odors. In the present study we evaluated whether sexual stimulation in male mice increases the number of newly generated cells that reach the OB and whether these cells differentiate into neurons. To this end, we used sexually naive male C57BL mice randomly assigned to one of three groups: (1) control, in which animals were left alone in their home cages; (2) exposure, in which animals were exposed to a receptive female precluding any physical contact; and (3) mating, in which males copulated with females. Males were given three injections of the DNA synthesis marker 5-bromo-2'-deoxyuridine (BrdU) 2 h before, at the end and 2 h after the test. Fifteen days after BrdU administration, brains were removed and processed to identify new cells and evaluate if they had differentiated into neurons in the granular (GR), mitral (MI) and glomerular (GL) cell layers of the main and accessory OB (MOB and AOB, respectively). We found an increase in the percentage of new cells that differentiate into neurons in the GL cell layer of the MOB of males from the mating group compared with those from the exposure and control groups. No differences were found in the number of new cells or percentage of new neurons in the rest of the analyzed regions. In male mice, the first sexual experience increases the percentage of new cells that differentiate into neurons in the GL cell layer of the MOB.
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Affiliation(s)
- M Velazco-Mendoza
- Instituto de Neurobiología, Universidad Nacional Autónoma de México, México
| | - F J Camacho
- Instituto de Neurobiología, Universidad Nacional Autónoma de México, México
| | - R G Paredes
- Instituto de Neurobiología, Universidad Nacional Autónoma de México, México
| | - W Portillo
- Instituto de Neurobiología, Universidad Nacional Autónoma de México, México.
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11
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Neis VB, Bettio LB, Moretti M, Rosa PB, Olescowicz G, Fraga DB, Gonçalves FM, Freitas AE, Heinrich IA, Lopes MW, Leal RB, Rodrigues ALS. Single administration of agmatine reverses the depressive-like behavior induced by corticosterone in mice: Comparison with ketamine and fluoxetine. Pharmacol Biochem Behav 2018; 173:44-50. [DOI: 10.1016/j.pbb.2018.08.005] [Citation(s) in RCA: 18] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/22/2018] [Revised: 08/11/2018] [Accepted: 08/15/2018] [Indexed: 12/12/2022]
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12
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Bedos M, Portillo W, Paredes RG. Neurogenesis and sexual behavior. Front Neuroendocrinol 2018; 51:68-79. [PMID: 29438737 DOI: 10.1016/j.yfrne.2018.02.004] [Citation(s) in RCA: 13] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/02/2017] [Revised: 02/06/2018] [Accepted: 02/07/2018] [Indexed: 12/16/2022]
Abstract
Different conditions induce proliferation, migration and integration of new neurons in the adult brain. This process of neurogenesis is a clear example of long lasting plastic changes in the brain of different species. Sexual behavior is a motivated behavior that is crucial for the survival of the species, but an individual can spend all his life without displaying sexual behavior. In the present review, we briefly describe some of the effects of pheromones on neurogenesis. We review in detail studies describing the effects of sexual behavior in both males and females on proliferation, migration and integration of new cells and neurons. It will become evident that most of the studies have been done in rodents, assessing the effects of this behavior on neurogenesis within the dentate gyrus of the hippocampus and in the subventricular zone - rostral migratory stream - olfactory bulb system.
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Affiliation(s)
- M Bedos
- CONACYT - Instituto de Neurobiología - Universidad Nacional Autónoma de México, Blvd Juriquilla 3001, Campus UNAM-Juriquilla, 76230 Querétaro, QRO, México
| | - W Portillo
- Instituto de Neurobiología - Universidad Nacional Autónoma de México, Blvd Juriquilla 3001, Campus UNAM-Juriquilla, 76230 Querétaro, QRO, México
| | - R G Paredes
- Instituto de Neurobiología - Universidad Nacional Autónoma de México, Blvd Juriquilla 3001, Campus UNAM-Juriquilla, 76230 Querétaro, QRO, México.
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13
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Lee JCD, Yau SY, Lee TMC, Lau BWM, So KF. Voluntary Wheel Running Reverses the Decrease in Subventricular Zone Neurogenesis Caused by Corticosterone. Cell Transplant 2018; 25:1979-1986. [PMID: 27393316 DOI: 10.3727/096368916x692195] [Citation(s) in RCA: 19] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/24/2022] Open
Abstract
Adult neurogenesis within the dentate gyrus (DG) of the hippocampus can be increased by voluntary exercise but is suppressed under stress, such as with corticosterone (CORT). However, the effects of exercise and CORT on the cell proliferation of the other traditional neurogenic site, the subventricular zone (SVZ), have been reported with controversial results. In addition, the cotreatment effects of voluntary exercise and CORT have not been investigated. This study aims to determine whether CORT can suppress cell proliferation in the SVZ and whether this can be reversed by voluntary exercise. In the present study, the effect of chronic (4 weeks) CORT treatment and wheel running simultaneously on the SVZ cell proliferation of adult Sprague-Dawley rats was examined. The results showed that cell proliferation indicated by bromodeoxyuridine (BrdU) was increased by voluntary wheel running, whereas it was decreased by CORT treatment within the SVZ of the rats without running. For the rats with both CORT treatment and wheel running, it was found that the number of BrdU-labeled cells was approximately at the same level as the vehicle control group. Furthermore, these proliferating cells expressed doublecortin (DCX), a migrating neuroblast marker. Wheel running increased the percentage of BrdU-labeled cells expressing DCX in the SVZ, whereas CORT treatment decreased this percentage. Thus, chronic injection of CORT can decrease the number of proliferating cells, while wheel running can reverse the decrease in cell proliferation within the SVZ to normal levels. In addition, CORT can suppress the cell differentiation within the SVZ, and this was alleviated by wheel running as indicated by the double labeling of BrdU and DCX.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jada Chia-Di Lee
- Department of Ophthalmology, Li Ka Shing Faculty of Medicine, The University of Hong Kong, Pokfulam, Hong Kong, P.R. China.,School of Biomedical Sciences, Li Ka Shing Faculty of Medicine, The University of Hong Kong, Pokfulam, Hong Kong, P.R. China.,The State Key Laboratory of Brain and Cognitive Sciences, The University of Hong Kong, Pokfulam, Hong Kong, P.R. China
| | - Suk-Yu Yau
- Department of Rehabilitation Sciences, Faculty of Health and Social Sciences, The Hong Kong Polytechnic University, Hong Kong, P.R. China
| | - Tatia M C Lee
- The State Key Laboratory of Brain and Cognitive Sciences, The University of Hong Kong, Pokfulam, Hong Kong, P.R. China.,Laboratory of Neuropsychology, The University of Hong Kong, Hong Kong, P.R. China.,Laboratory of Cognitive Affective Neuroscience, The University of Hong Kong, Hong Kong, P.R. China
| | - Benson Wui-Man Lau
- Department of Rehabilitation Sciences, Faculty of Health and Social Sciences, The Hong Kong Polytechnic University, Hong Kong, P.R. China
| | - Kwok-Fai So
- Department of Ophthalmology, Li Ka Shing Faculty of Medicine, The University of Hong Kong, Pokfulam, Hong Kong, P.R. China.,School of Biomedical Sciences, Li Ka Shing Faculty of Medicine, The University of Hong Kong, Pokfulam, Hong Kong, P.R. China.,The State Key Laboratory of Brain and Cognitive Sciences, The University of Hong Kong, Pokfulam, Hong Kong, P.R. China.,Guangdong-Hong Kong-Macau Institute of CNS Regeneration (GHMICR) and Guangdong Key Laboratory of Brain Function and Diseases, Jinan University, Guangzhou, P.R. China.,Joint International Research Laboratory of CNS Regeneration, Ministry of Education of PRC, Jinan University, Guangzhou, P.R. China
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14
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Po KKT, Leung JWH, Chan JNM, Fung TKH, Sánchez-Vidaña DI, Sin ELL, So KF, Lau BWM, Siu AMH. Protective effect of Lycium Barbarum polysaccharides on dextromethorphan-induced mood impairment and neurogenesis suppression. Brain Res Bull 2017. [PMID: 28645861 DOI: 10.1016/j.brainresbull.2017.06.014] [Citation(s) in RCA: 21] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 02/06/2023]
Abstract
Dextromethorphan (DXM) is one of the common drugs abused by adolescents. It is the active ingredient found in cough medicine which is used for suppressing cough. High dosage of DXM can induce euphoria, dissociative effects and even hallucinations. Chronic use of DXM may also lead to depressive-related symptoms. Lycium barbarum, commonly known as wolfberry, has been used as a traditional Chinese medicine for the treatment of ageing-related neurodegenerative diseases. A recent study has shown the potential beneficial effect of Lycium barbarum to reduce depression-like behavior. In the present study, we investigated the role of Lycium barbarum polysaccharide (LBP) to alleviate DXM-induced emotional distress. Sprague Dawley rats were divided into 4 groups (n=6 per group), including the normal control (vehicles only), DXM-treated group (40 mg/kg DXM), LBP-treated group (1 mg/kg LBP) and DXM+ LBP-treated group (40 mg/kg DXM and 1 mg/kg LBP). After two-week treatment, the DXM-treated group showed increased depression-like and social anxiety-like behaviors in the forced swim test and social interaction test respectively. On the other hand, the adverse behavioral effects induced by DXM were reduced by LBP treatment. Histological results showed that LBP treatment alone did not promote hippocampal neurogenesis when compared to the normal control, but LBP could lessen the suppression of hippocampal neurogenesis induced by DXM. The findings provide insights for the potential use of wolfberry as an adjunct treatment option for alleviating mood disturbances during rehabilitation of cough syrup abusers.
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Affiliation(s)
- Kevin Kai-Ting Po
- Department of Rehabilitation Sciences, The Hong Kong Polytechnic University, Hong Kong
| | - Joseph Wai-Hin Leung
- Department of Rehabilitation Sciences, The Hong Kong Polytechnic University, Hong Kong
| | - Jackie Ngai-Man Chan
- Department of Rehabilitation Sciences, The Hong Kong Polytechnic University, Hong Kong
| | - Timothy Kai-Hang Fung
- Department of Rehabilitation Sciences, The Hong Kong Polytechnic University, Hong Kong
| | | | - Emily Lok-Lam Sin
- Department of Rehabilitation Sciences, The Hong Kong Polytechnic University, Hong Kong
| | - Kwok-Fai So
- Department of Ophthalmology, LKS Faculty of Medicine, The University of Hong Kong, Hong Kong; State Key Laboratory of Brain and Cognitive Science, The University of Hong Kong, Hong Kong; GHM Institute of CNS Regeneration, Jinan University, Guangzhou, China; Co-innovation Center of Neuroregeneration, Nantong University, Jiangsu, PR China; Ministry of Education CNS Regeneration International Collaborative Joint Laboratory, Jinan University, Guangzhou, China
| | - Benson Wui-Man Lau
- Department of Rehabilitation Sciences, The Hong Kong Polytechnic University, Hong Kong.
| | - Andrew Man-Hong Siu
- Department of Rehabilitation Sciences, The Hong Kong Polytechnic University, Hong Kong
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15
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Lau C, Hebert M, Vani MA, Walling S, Hayley S, Lagace DC, Blundell J. Absence of neurogenic response following robust predator-induced stress response. Neuroscience 2016; 339:276-286. [DOI: 10.1016/j.neuroscience.2016.10.001] [Citation(s) in RCA: 13] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/20/2016] [Revised: 09/23/2016] [Accepted: 10/02/2016] [Indexed: 12/27/2022]
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16
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Sánchez-Vidaña DI, Chan NMJ, Chan AH, Hui KK, Lee S, Chan HY, Law YS, Sze MY, Tsui WCS, Fung TK, Lau BWM, Lai CY. Repeated treatment with oxytocin promotes hippocampal cell proliferation, dendritic maturation and affects socio-emotional behavior. Neuroscience 2016; 333:65-77. [DOI: 10.1016/j.neuroscience.2016.07.005] [Citation(s) in RCA: 43] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/29/2016] [Revised: 06/17/2016] [Accepted: 07/02/2016] [Indexed: 11/27/2022]
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17
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Anxiety- and Depression-Like States Lead to Pronounced Olfactory Deficits and Impaired Adult Neurogenesis in Mice. J Neurosci 2016; 36:518-31. [PMID: 26758842 DOI: 10.1523/jneurosci.2817-15.2016] [Citation(s) in RCA: 85] [Impact Index Per Article: 10.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/21/2022] Open
Abstract
UNLABELLED Numerous clinical reports underscore the frequency of olfactory impairments in patients suffering from major depressive disorders (MDDs), yet the underlying physiopathological mechanisms remain poorly understood. We hypothesized that one key link between olfactory deficits and MDD lies in hypercortisolemia, a cardinal symptom of MDD. Corticosterone (CORT) is known to negatively correlate with hippocampal neurogenesis, yet its effects on olfactory neurogenesis and olfaction remain unknown. Here we used a rodent model of anxiety/depression-like states, which is based on chronic CORT administration and studied the effects of the antidepressant fluoxetine (FLX) on behavior, olfaction, and adult neurogenesis in the dentate gyrus (DG), olfactory bulb (OB), and the olfactory epithelium (OE). Chronic CORT had no effect on cell proliferation in the OE or on olfactory sensory neurons projecting to the OB, but induced pronounced deficits in olfactory acuity, fine discrimination of odorants and olfactory memory. These alterations were accompanied by a significant decrease in the number of adult-born neurons in both the DG and OB. Remarkably, FLX not only reversed depression-like states as expected, but also improved olfactory acuity, memory, and restored impaired adult neurogenesis. However, fine olfactory discrimination was not restored. Morphological analysis of adult-born neurons in both the DG and the OB showed that dendritic complexity was not significantly affected by CORT, but was increased by FLX. These findings demonstrate an essential role for glucocorticoids in triggering olfactory impairments in MDD and highlight a novel therapeutic effect of FLX. SIGNIFICANCE STATEMENT Increasing clinical reports show that major depression is characterized by pronounced olfactory deficits, yet the underlying mechanisms remain unknown. In this work, we used an endocrine model of depression to study whether hypothalamic-pituitary-adrenal axis perturbation could be sufficient to provoke olfactory impairments. We found that chronic corticosterone not only induces marked deficits in olfactory acuity, fine discrimination and olfactory memory, but also significantly decreases bulbar and hippocampal neurogenesis. Importantly, the antidepressant fluoxetine restores both adult neurogenesis and depressive states, and improves most olfactory functions. Our data reveal that impairment of hypothalamic-pituitary-adrenal axis during depression can lead to olfactory deficits and that the neurogenic effects of selective serotonin reuptake inhibitor antidepressants can successfully restore certain olfactory functions.
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18
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Unda NM, Portillo W, Corona R, Paredes RG. Sexual Stimulation Increases the Survival of New Cells in the Accessory Olfactory Bulb of the Male Rat. Front Neurosci 2016; 10:65. [PMID: 26973447 PMCID: PMC4771754 DOI: 10.3389/fnins.2016.00065] [Citation(s) in RCA: 14] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/11/2015] [Accepted: 02/10/2016] [Indexed: 12/29/2022] Open
Abstract
Sexual behavior in rodents is modulated by the olfactory system. The olfactory bulb (OB) is a structure that undergoes continues neurogenesis in adulthood. We have previously shown that 15 days after males rats pace the sexual interaction and ejaculate 1 or 3 times, there is an increase in the density of new cells that reach the accessory olfactory bulb (AOB). The aim of the present study was to evaluate if sexual behavior in male rats increases the density of new neurons that survive 45 days after sexual behavior in the AOB and in the main OB (MOB). Male rats were randomly divided in four groups: (1) Control (Ctr), males without sexual interaction; (2) Exposed (Exp), males only exposed to a sexually receptive female; (3) No pacing (NP), males that mated in conditions in which the female paced the sexual interaction; (4) One ejaculation (1E), males that paced the sexual interaction with a receptive female and ejaculated once; and (5) Three ejaculations (3E), males that paced the sexual interaction and were allowed to ejaculate three times. All males were injected with the DNA synthesis marker 5-bromo-2-deoxyuridine (BrdU), and were tested in one of the above conditions. 45 days later they were sacrificed, and the OBs were processed to identify new cells and evaluate if they had differentiated into neurons. Our data indicate that males that ejaculated three times showed an increase in the density of new cells that survive in the posterior part of the granular cell layer of the AOB and have more new neurons that the control group. However, no significant differences were found in the percentage of new cells that differentiate into neurons. No significant increase in the density of new cells was observed in the MOB. Our data show that pacing the sexual interaction until three ejaculations increases the density of new cells and neurons in the granular layer of the AOB, confirming that sexual behavior induces long-lasting plastic changes in the OB.
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Affiliation(s)
- Nancy M Unda
- Neurobiología Conductual y Cognitiva, Instituto de Neurobiología, Universidad Nacional Autónoma de México Juriquilla, Mexico
| | - Wendy Portillo
- Neurobiología Conductual y Cognitiva, Instituto de Neurobiología, Universidad Nacional Autónoma de México Juriquilla, Mexico
| | - Rebeca Corona
- Neurobiología Conductual y Cognitiva, Instituto de Neurobiología, Universidad Nacional Autónoma de México Juriquilla, Mexico
| | - Raúl G Paredes
- Neurobiología Conductual y Cognitiva, Instituto de Neurobiología, Universidad Nacional Autónoma de México Juriquilla, Mexico
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19
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Wang H, Lau BWM, Wang NL, Wang SY, Lu QJ, Chang RCC, So KF. Lycium barbarum polysaccharides promotes in vivo proliferation of adult rat retinal progenitor cells. Neural Regen Res 2016; 10:1976-81. [PMID: 26889185 PMCID: PMC4730821 DOI: 10.4103/1673-5374.172315] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/19/2022] Open
Abstract
Lycium barbarum is a widely used Chinese herbal medicine prescription for protection of optic nerve. However, it remains unclear regarding the effects of Lycium barbarum polysaccharides, the main component of Lycium barbarum, on in vivo proliferation of adult ciliary body cells. In this study, adult rats were intragastrically administered low- and high-dose Lycium barbarum polysaccharides (1 and 10 mg/kg) for 35 days and those intragastrically administered phosphate buffered saline served as controls. The number of Ki-67-positive cells in rat ciliary body in the Lycium barbarum polysaccharides groups, in particular low-dose Lycium barbarum polysaccharides group, was significantly greater than that in the phosphate buffered saline group. Ki-67-positive rat ciliary body cells expressed nestin but they did not express glial fibrillary acidic protein. These findings suggest that Lycium barbarum polysaccharides can promote the proliferation of adult rat retinal progenitor cells and the proliferated cells present with neuronal phenotype.
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Affiliation(s)
- Hua Wang
- Beijing Tongren Eye Center, Beijing Tongren Hospital, Capital Medical University; Beijing Ophthalmology & Visual Sciences Key Laboratory, Beijing, China
| | - Benson Wui-Man Lau
- Department of Rehabilitation Science, The Hong Kong Polytechnic University, Hong Kong Special Administrative Region, China
| | - Ning-Li Wang
- Beijing Tongren Eye Center, Beijing Tongren Hospital, Capital Medical University; Beijing Ophthalmology & Visual Sciences Key Laboratory, Beijing, China
| | - Si-Ying Wang
- Beijing Tongren Eye Center, Beijing Tongren Hospital, Capital Medical University; Beijing Ophthalmology & Visual Sciences Key Laboratory, Beijing, China
| | - Qing-Jun Lu
- Beijing Tongren Eye Center, Beijing Tongren Hospital, Capital Medical University; Beijing Ophthalmology & Visual Sciences Key Laboratory, Beijing, China
| | - Raymond Chuen-Chung Chang
- Department of Anatomy, Li Ka Shing Faculty of Medicine, The University of Hong Kong, Pokfulam, Hong Kong Special Administrative Region, China; The State Key Laboratory of Brain and Cognitive Sciences, The University of Hong Kong, Hong Kong Special Administrative Region, China; Research Centre of Heart, Brain, Hormone and Healthy Aging, Faculty of Medicine, The University of Hong Kong, Pokfulam, Hong Kong Special Administrative Region, China
| | - Kwok-Fai So
- Department of Anatomy, Li Ka Shing Faculty of Medicine, The University of Hong Kong, Pokfulam, Hong Kong Special Administrative Region, China; Department of Ophthalmology, Li Ka Shing Faculty of Medicine, The University of Hong Kong, Pokfulam, Hong Kong Special Administrative Region, China; The State Key Laboratory of Brain and Cognitive Sciences, The University of Hong Kong, Hong Kong Special Administrative Region, China; GMH Institute of Central Nervous System Regeneration, Jinan University, Guangzhou, Guangdong Province, China; Research Centre of Heart, Brain, Hormone and Healthy Aging, Faculty of Medicine, The University of Hong Kong, Pokfulam, Hong Kong Special Administrative Region, China
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20
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Spritzer MD, Curtis MG, DeLoach JP, Maher J, Shulman LM. Sexual interactions with unfamiliar females reduce hippocampal neurogenesis among adult male rats. Neuroscience 2016; 318:143-56. [PMID: 26794592 DOI: 10.1016/j.neuroscience.2016.01.015] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/27/2015] [Revised: 01/05/2016] [Accepted: 01/06/2016] [Indexed: 01/01/2023]
Abstract
Recent experiments have shown that sexual interactions prior to cell proliferation cause an increase in neurogenesis in adult male rats. Because adult neurogenesis is critical for some forms of memory, we hypothesized that sexually induced changes in neurogenesis may be involved in mate recognition. Sexually naive adult male rats were either exposed repeatedly to the same sexual partner (familiar group) or to a series of novel sexual partners (unfamiliar group), while control males never engaged in sexual interactions. Ovariectomized female rats were induced into estrus every four days. Males were given two injections of 5-bromo-2'-deoxyuridine (BrdU) (200mg/kg) to label proliferating cells, and the first sexual interactions occurred three days later. Males in the familiar and unfamiliar groups engaged in four, 30-min sexual interactions at four-day intervals, and brain tissue was collected the day after the last sexual interaction. Immunohistochemistry followed by microscopy was used to quantify BrdU-labeled cells. Sexual interactions with unfamiliar females caused a significant reduction in neurogenesis in the dentate gyrus compared to males that interacted with familiar females and compared to the control group. The familiar group showed no difference in neurogenesis compared to the control group. Males in the familiar group engaged in significantly more sexual behavior (ejaculations and intromissions) than did males in the unfamiliar group, suggesting that level of sexual activity may influence neurogenesis levels. In a second experiment, we tested whether this effect was unique to sexual interactions by replicating the entire procedure using anestrus females. We found that interactions with unfamiliar anestrus females reduced neurogenesis relative to the other groups, but this effect was not statistically significant. In combination, these results indicate that interactions with unfamiliar females reduce adult neurogenesis and the effect is stronger for sexual interactions than for social interactions.
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Affiliation(s)
- M D Spritzer
- Department of Biology, Middlebury College, McCardell Bicentennial Hall, Middlebury, VT 05753, USA; Program in Neuroscience, Middlebury College, McCardell Bicentennial Hall, Middlebury, VT 05753, USA.
| | - M G Curtis
- Program in Neuroscience, Middlebury College, McCardell Bicentennial Hall, Middlebury, VT 05753, USA.
| | - J P DeLoach
- Department of Biology, Middlebury College, McCardell Bicentennial Hall, Middlebury, VT 05753, USA.
| | - J Maher
- Program in Neuroscience, Middlebury College, McCardell Bicentennial Hall, Middlebury, VT 05753, USA.
| | - L M Shulman
- Program in Neuroscience, Middlebury College, McCardell Bicentennial Hall, Middlebury, VT 05753, USA.
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21
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Angoa-Pérez M, Kuhn DM. Neuroanatomical dichotomy of sexual behaviors in rodents: a special emphasis on brain serotonin. Behav Pharmacol 2015; 26:595-606. [PMID: 26110223 PMCID: PMC4777293 DOI: 10.1097/fbp.0000000000000157] [Citation(s) in RCA: 17] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/13/2022]
Abstract
Much of the social behavior in which rodents engage is related to reproduction, such as maintaining a breeding territory, seeking mates, mating, and caring for their young. Rodents belong to the internally fertilizing species that require sexual behavior for reproduction. The dyadic, heterosexual patterns of most mammalian species are sexually dimorphic, but they also share mutual components in both sexes: sexual attraction is reciprocal, sexual initiative is assumed, appetitive behavior is engaged in, and mating involves consummatory and postconsummatory phases in females as well as in males. Serotonin, a phylogenetically ancient molecule, is the most widely distributed neurotransmitter in the brain and its signaling pathways are essential for numerous functions including sexual behavior. Since the late 1960s, brain serotonergic neurotransmission has been considered to exert an inhibitory influence on the neural mechanisms mediating sexual behavior. This contention was based mainly on the observations that a decrease in central serotonergic activity facilitated the elicitation of sexual behavior, whereas an increase in central serotonergic activity attenuated it. However, the discovery of over 14 types of serotonin receptors has added numerous layers of complexity to the study of serotonin and sexual behavior. Evidence shows that, upon activation, certain receptor subtypes facilitate, whereas some others suppress, sexual behavior, as well as sexual arousal and motivation. Furthermore, the role of these receptors has been shown to be different in the male and female sexes. The use of serotonergic pharmacological interventions, mouse strains with genetic polymorphisms causing alterations in the levels of brain serotonin, and animal models with genetic manipulations of various serotonin effectors has helped delineate the fundamental role of this neurotransmitter in the regulation of sexual behavior. This review aims to examine the basics of the components of female and male sexual behavior and the participation of the serotonin system in the modulation of these behaviors, with emphasis on rodents.
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Affiliation(s)
- Mariana Angoa-Pérez
- aResearch & Development Service, John D. Dingell VA Medical Center bDepartment of Psychiatry & Behavioral Neurosciences, Wayne State University School of Medicine, Detroit, Michigan, USA
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22
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Po KT, Siu AMH, Lau BWM, Chan JNM, So KF, Chan CCH. Repeated, high-dose dextromethorphan treatment decreases neurogenesis and results in depression-like behavior in rats. Exp Brain Res 2015; 233:2205-14. [PMID: 25939533 DOI: 10.1007/s00221-015-4290-0] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/13/2014] [Accepted: 04/15/2015] [Indexed: 01/28/2023]
Abstract
Abuse of cough mixture is increasingly prevalent worldwide. Clinical studies showed that chronic consumption of cough mixture at high dosages may lead to psychiatric symptoms, especially affective disturbances, with the underlying mechanisms remain elusive. The present study aims at exploring the effect of repeated, high-dose dextromethorphan (DXM, a common active component of cough mixture) treatment on adult hippocampal neurogenesis, which is associated with pathophysiology of mood disturbances. After treatment with a high-dose of DXM (40 mg/kg/day) for 2 weeks, Sprague-Dawley rats showed increased depression-like behavior when compared to the control animals. Neurogenesis in the hippocampus was suppressed by DXM treatment, which was indicated by decreases in number of proliferative cells and doublecortin (an immature neuron marker)-positive new neurons. Furthermore, the dendritic complexity of the immature neurons was suppressed by DXM treatment. These findings suggest that DXM induces depression- and anxiety-like behavior and suppresses neurogenesis in rats. The current experimental paradigm may serve as an animal model for study on affective effect of cough mixture abuse, rehabilitation treatment options for abusers and the related neurological mechanisms.
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Affiliation(s)
- Kai Ting Po
- ST 507, Department of Rehabilitation Sciences, The Hong Kong Polytechnic University, Hong Kong, China
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23
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Physical exercise-induced hippocampal neurogenesis and antidepressant effects are mediated by the adipocyte hormone adiponectin. Proc Natl Acad Sci U S A 2014; 111:15810-5. [PMID: 25331877 DOI: 10.1073/pnas.1415219111] [Citation(s) in RCA: 225] [Impact Index Per Article: 22.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/15/2022] Open
Abstract
Adiponectin (ADN) is an adipocyte-secreted protein with insulin-sensitizing, antidiabetic, antiinflammatory, and antiatherogenic properties. Evidence is also accumulating that ADN has neuroprotective activities, yet the underlying mechanism remains elusive. Here we show that ADN could pass through the blood-brain barrier, and elevating its levels in the brain increased cell proliferation and decreased depression-like behaviors. ADN deficiency did not reduce the basal hippocampal neurogenesis or neuronal differentiation but diminished the effectiveness of exercise in increasing hippocampal neurogenesis. Furthermore, exercise-induced reduction in depression-like behaviors was abrogated in ADN-deficient mice, and this impairment in ADN-deficient mice was accompanied by defective running-induced phosphorylation of AMP-activated protein kinase (AMPK) in the hippocampal tissue. In vitro analyses indicated that ADN itself could increase cell proliferation of both hippocampal progenitor cells and Neuro2a neuroblastoma cells. The neurogenic effects of ADN were mediated by the ADN receptor 1 (ADNR1), because siRNA targeting ADNR1, but not ADNR2, inhibited the capacity of ADN to enhance cell proliferation. These data suggest that adiponectin may play a significant role in mediating the effects of exercise on hippocampal neurogenesis and depression, possibly by activation of the ADNR1/AMPK signaling pathways, and also raise the possibility that adiponectin and its agonists may represent a promising therapeutic treatment for depression.
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Yuan TF, Slotnick BM. Roles of olfactory system dysfunction in depression. Prog Neuropsychopharmacol Biol Psychiatry 2014; 54:26-30. [PMID: 24879990 DOI: 10.1016/j.pnpbp.2014.05.013] [Citation(s) in RCA: 68] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/20/2014] [Revised: 05/22/2014] [Accepted: 05/22/2014] [Indexed: 01/26/2023]
Abstract
The olfactory system is involved in sensory functions, emotional regulation and memory formation. Olfactory bulbectomy in rat has been employed as an animal model of depression for antidepressant discovery studies for many years. Olfaction is impaired in animals suffering from chronic stress, and patients with clinical depression were reported to have decreased olfactory function. It is believed that the neurobiological bases of depression might include dysfunction in the olfactory system. Further, brain stimulation, including nasal based drug delivery could provide novel therapies for management of depression.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ti-Fei Yuan
- School of Psychology, Nanjing Normal University, China.
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Lee TMC, Wong ML, Lau BWM, Lee JCD, Yau SY, So KF. Aerobic exercise interacts with neurotrophic factors to predict cognitive functioning in adolescents. Psychoneuroendocrinology 2014; 39:214-224. [PMID: 24149089 DOI: 10.1016/j.psyneuen.2013.09.019] [Citation(s) in RCA: 42] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/01/2013] [Revised: 09/17/2013] [Accepted: 09/17/2013] [Indexed: 12/18/2022]
Abstract
Recent findings have suggested that aerobic exercise may have a positive effect on brain functioning, in addition to its well-recognized beneficial effects on human physiology. This study confirmed the cognitive effects of aerobic exercise on the human brain. It also examined the relationships between exercise and the serum levels of neurotrophic factors (BDNF, IGI-1, and VEGF). A total of 91 healthy teens who exercised regularly participated in this study. A between-group design was adopted to compare cognitive functioning subserved by the frontal and temporal brain regions and the serum levels of neurotrophic factors between 45 regular exercisers and 46 matched controls. The exercisers performed significantly better than the controls on the frontal and temporal functioning parameters measured. This beneficial cognitive effect was region-specific because no such positive cognitive effect on task-tapping occipital functioning was observed. With respect to the serum levels of the neurotrophic factors, a negative correlation between neurotrophic factors (BDNF and VEGF) with frontal and medial-temporal lobe function was revealed. Furthermore, the levels of BDNF and VEGF interacted with exercise status in predicting frontal and temporal lobe function. This is the first report of the interaction effects of exercise and neurotrophic factors on cognitive functioning. Herein, we report preliminary evidence of the beneficial effects of regular aerobic exercise in improving cognitive functions in teens. These beneficial effects are region-specific and are associated with the serum levels of neurotrophic factors. Our findings lay the path for future studies looking at ways to translate these beneficial effects to therapeutic strategies for adolescents.
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Affiliation(s)
- Tatia M C Lee
- Laboratory of Neuropsychology, The University of Hong Kong, Hong Kong; Laboratory of Social Cognitive Affective Neuroscience, The University of Hong Kong, Hong Kong; The State Key Laboratory of Brain and Cognitive Sciences, The University of Hong Kong, Hong Kong; Institute of Clinical Neuropsychology, The University of Hong Kong, Hong Kong.
| | | | - Benson Wui-Man Lau
- Department of Rehabilitation Science, The Hong Kong Polytechnic University, Hong Kong
| | - Jada Chia-Di Lee
- Department of Ophthalmology, The University of Hong Kong, Hong Kong
| | - Suk-Yu Yau
- Division of Medical Sciences, The University of Victoria, British Columbia, Canada
| | - Kwok-Fai So
- The State Key Laboratory of Brain and Cognitive Sciences, The University of Hong Kong, Hong Kong; Department of Ophthalmology, The University of Hong Kong, Hong Kong; GMH Institute of CNS Regeneration, and Guangdong Medical Key Laboratory of Brain Function and Diseases, Jinan University, Guangzhou, China
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Pubertally born neurons and glia are functionally integrated into limbic and hypothalamic circuits of the male Syrian hamster. Proc Natl Acad Sci U S A 2013; 110:4792-7. [PMID: 23460698 DOI: 10.1073/pnas.1219443110] [Citation(s) in RCA: 32] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/07/2023] Open
Abstract
During puberty, the brain goes through extensive remodeling, involving the addition of new neurons and glia to brain regions beyond the canonical neurogenic regions (i.e., dentate gyrus and olfactory bulb), including limbic and hypothalamic cell groups associated with sex-typical behavior. Whether these pubertally born cells become functionally integrated into neural circuits remains unknown. To address this question, we gave male Syrian hamsters daily injections of the cell birthdate marker bromodeoxyuridine throughout puberty (postnatal day 28-49). Half of the animals were housed in enriched environments with access to a running wheel to determine whether enrichment increased the survival of pubertally born cells compared with the control environment. At 4 wk after the last BrdU injection, animals were allowed to interact with a receptive female and were then killed 1 h later. Triple-label immunofluorescence for BrdU, the mature neuron marker neuronal nuclear antigen, and the astrocytic marker glial fibrillary acidic protein revealed that a proportion of pubertally born cells in the medial preoptic area, arcuate nucleus, and medial amygdala differentiate into either mature neurons or astrocytes. Double-label immunofluorescence for BrdU and the protein Fos revealed that a subset of pubertally born cells in these regions is activated during sociosexual behavior, indicative of their functional incorporation into neural circuits. Enrichment affected the survival and activation of pubertally born cells in a brain region-specific manner. These results demonstrate that pubertally born cells located outside of the traditional neurogenic regions differentiate into neurons and glia and become functionally incorporated into neural circuits that subserve sex-typical behaviors.
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Zhang E, Yau SY, Lau BWM, Ma H, Lee TMC, Chang RCC, So KF. Synaptic Plasticity, But not Hippocampal Neurogenesis, Mediated the Counteractive Effect of Wolfberry on Depression in Rats. Cell Transplant 2012; 21:2635-49. [DOI: 10.3727/096368912x655181] [Citation(s) in RCA: 24] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/24/2022] Open
Abstract
Depression is a life-threatening psychiatric disorder characterized with a long-term hypercortisolemia in depressed patients. Based on this clinical feature, hypercortisolemia was mimicked in experimental animals to understand the neuropathogy of depression and to explore new therapeutic strategies. Wolfberry, also known as Lycium barbarum, is a type of common fruit produced in mainland China. Accumulated evidence has shown that the extracts from Lycium barbarum (LBP) had a wide range of neuroprotective effects in various neurogenerative models. However, the antidepressant effect of LBP on depression and its mechanism has not yet been explored. In the present study, we investigated the effects of LBP on counteracting depression using an animal model injected with moderate dose (40 mg/kg) or severe dose (50 mg/kg) of corticosterone (CORT) treatments for 14 days. The results showed that CORT significantly increased immobility time and decreased hippocampal cell proliferation. LBP treatment significantly decreased the immobility time in forced swimming test, a test for the intensity of depressive behaviors, both in 40 and 50 mg/kg CORT stressed rats. Moreover, LBP treatment restored the reduced proliferation of neuroprogentior cells in the hippocampus in 40 mg/kg CORT stressed rats and the neuronal differentiation but not the proliferation in 50 mg/kg CORT stressed rats. After ablation of adult neurogenesis with Ara-c infusion, the beneficial effect of LBP treatment in reducing immobility time was not affected in 40 and 50 mg/kg CORT stressed rats. Golgi staining and Western blotting detection showed that LBP treatment restored the reduced spine density and the decreased level of PSD-95 in the hippocampus caused by 40 and 50 mg/kg CORT, respectively, indicating enhanced synaptic plasticity in the hippocampus. The data showed a novel effect of LBP on reducing depression-like behavior and its antidepressant effect may be mediated by enhanced synaptic plasticity, but not hippocampal neurogenesis.
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Affiliation(s)
- Endong Zhang
- Department of Anatomy, LKS Faculty of Medicine, The University of Hong Kong, Hong Kong, China
- State Key Laboratory of Brain and Cognitive Sciences, The University of Hong Kong, Pokfulam, Hong Kong, China
| | - Suk Yu Yau
- Department of Anatomy, LKS Faculty of Medicine, The University of Hong Kong, Hong Kong, China
- State Key Laboratory of Brain and Cognitive Sciences, The University of Hong Kong, Pokfulam, Hong Kong, China
| | - Benson Wui Man Lau
- Department of Anatomy, LKS Faculty of Medicine, The University of Hong Kong, Hong Kong, China
- State Key Laboratory of Brain and Cognitive Sciences, The University of Hong Kong, Pokfulam, Hong Kong, China
| | - Henry Ma
- Department of Anatomy, LKS Faculty of Medicine, The University of Hong Kong, Hong Kong, China
- State Key Laboratory of Brain and Cognitive Sciences, The University of Hong Kong, Pokfulam, Hong Kong, China
| | - Tatia M. C. Lee
- State Key Laboratory of Brain and Cognitive Sciences, The University of Hong Kong, Pokfulam, Hong Kong, China
- Laboratory of Neuropsychology, The University of Hong Kong, Hong Kong, China
| | - Raymond Chuen-Chung Chang
- Department of Anatomy, LKS Faculty of Medicine, The University of Hong Kong, Hong Kong, China
- State Key Laboratory of Brain and Cognitive Sciences, The University of Hong Kong, Pokfulam, Hong Kong, China
- Research Centre of Heart, Brain, Hormone, and Healthy Aging, LKS Faculty of Medicine, The University of Hong Kong, Hong Kong, China
| | - Kwok Fai So
- Department of Anatomy, LKS Faculty of Medicine, The University of Hong Kong, Hong Kong, China
- State Key Laboratory of Brain and Cognitive Sciences, The University of Hong Kong, Pokfulam, Hong Kong, China
- Research Centre of Heart, Brain, Hormone, and Healthy Aging, LKS Faculty of Medicine, The University of Hong Kong, Hong Kong, China
- Joint Laboratory for Brain Function and Health (BFAH), Jinan University and The University of Hong Kong, Guangzhou, China
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Yi LT, Li J, Li HC, Zhou Y, Su BF, Yang KF, Jiang M, Zhang YT. Ethanol extracts from Hemerocallis citrina attenuate the decreases of brain-derived neurotrophic factor, TrkB levels in rat induced by corticosterone administration. JOURNAL OF ETHNOPHARMACOLOGY 2012; 144:328-34. [PMID: 22995443 DOI: 10.1016/j.jep.2012.09.016] [Citation(s) in RCA: 30] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/05/2012] [Revised: 08/27/2012] [Accepted: 09/06/2012] [Indexed: 05/22/2023]
Abstract
ETHNOPHARMACOLOGICAL RELEVANCE Hemerocallis citrina, a traditional herbal medicine, has been used for the improvement of behavioral and emotional status in Eastern-Asia countries. AIM OF THE STUDY Our previous studies have demonstrated that the ethanol extracts of H. citrina flowers (HCE) reversed the behavioral alterations and monoamine neurotransmitter dysfunctions in stressed mice. However, the relation of its antidepressant-like action with neurotrophic molecular expressions remains unknown. MATERIALS AND METHODS To clarify this, we explored the effect of HCE (32.5, 65, 130mg/kg, p.o.) on the behavior, brain-derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF) and its receptor (TrkB) in depression-like rats induced by exogenous administration of the stress hormone corticosterone (40mg/kg, s.c.). RESULTS It was observed that repeated administration of corticosterone induced an elevation on the serum corticosterone levels, which caused the abnormalities observed in the sucrose preference test and forced swimming test (FST). Administration of HCE (65 and 130mg/kg) reversed the changes above and up-regulated the BDNF and TrkB receptor protein expressions in the brain region of frontal cortex and hippocampus. CONCLUSION These findings confirm that HCE produce an antidepressant-like effect in corticosterone-induced depression-like model of rats and this effect is at least partly mediated by BDNF-TrkB signaling in the frontal cortex and hippocampus.
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Affiliation(s)
- Li-Tao Yi
- Department of Chemical and Pharmaceutical Engineering, College of Chemical Engineering, Huaqiao University, Xiamen, Fujian province, PR China.
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Lau BWM, Lee JCD, Li Y, Fung SMY, Sang YH, Shen J, Chang RC, So KF. Polysaccharides from wolfberry prevents corticosterone-induced inhibition of sexual behavior and increases neurogenesis. PLoS One 2012; 7:e33374. [PMID: 22523540 PMCID: PMC3327693 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0033374] [Citation(s) in RCA: 51] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/20/2011] [Accepted: 02/13/2012] [Indexed: 12/31/2022] Open
Abstract
Lycium barbarum, commonly known as wolfberry, has been used as a traditional Chinese medicine for the treatment of infertility and sexual dysfunction. However, there is still a scarcity of experimental evidence to support the pro-sexual effect of wolfberry. The aim of this study is to determine the effect of Lycium barbarum polysaccharides (LBP) on male sexual behavior of rats. Here we report that oral feeding of LBP for 21 days significantly improved the male copulatory performance including increase of copulatory efficiency, increase of ejaculation frequency and shortening of ejaculation latency. Furthermore, sexual inhibition caused by chronic corticosterone was prevented by LBP. Simultaneously, corticosterone suppressed neurogenesis in subventricular zone and hippocampus in adult rats, which could be reversed by LBP. The neurogenic effect of LBP was also shown in vitro. Significant correlation was found between neurogenesis and sexual performance, suggesting that the newborn neurons are associated with reproductive successfulness. Blocking neurogenesis in male rats abolished the pro-sexual effect of LBP. Taken together, these results demonstrate the pro-sexual effect of LBP on normal and sexually-inhibited rats, and LBP may modulate sexual behavior by regulating neurogenesis.
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Affiliation(s)
- Benson Wui-Man Lau
- Department of Anatomy, Li Ka Shing Faculty of Medicine, The University of Hong Kong, Pokfulam, Hong Kong SAR, People's Republic of China
- The State Key Laboratory of Brain and Cognitive Sciences, The University of Hong Kong, Pokfulam, Hong Kong SAR, People's Republic of China
- Research Centre of Heart, Brain, Hormone and Healthy Aging, Faculty of Medicine, The University of Hong Kong, Pokfulam, Hong Kong SAR, People's Republic of China
| | - Jada Chia-Di Lee
- Department of Anatomy, Li Ka Shing Faculty of Medicine, The University of Hong Kong, Pokfulam, Hong Kong SAR, People's Republic of China
- The State Key Laboratory of Brain and Cognitive Sciences, The University of Hong Kong, Pokfulam, Hong Kong SAR, People's Republic of China
- Research Centre of Heart, Brain, Hormone and Healthy Aging, Faculty of Medicine, The University of Hong Kong, Pokfulam, Hong Kong SAR, People's Republic of China
| | - Yue Li
- Research Centre of Heart, Brain, Hormone and Healthy Aging, Faculty of Medicine, The University of Hong Kong, Pokfulam, Hong Kong SAR, People's Republic of China
- School of Chinese Medicine, The University of Hong Kong, Hong Kong SAR, People's Republic of China
| | - Sophia Man-Yuk Fung
- Department of Anatomy, Li Ka Shing Faculty of Medicine, The University of Hong Kong, Pokfulam, Hong Kong SAR, People's Republic of China
| | - Yan-Hua Sang
- Department of Anatomy, Li Ka Shing Faculty of Medicine, The University of Hong Kong, Pokfulam, Hong Kong SAR, People's Republic of China
| | - Jiangang Shen
- Research Centre of Heart, Brain, Hormone and Healthy Aging, Faculty of Medicine, The University of Hong Kong, Pokfulam, Hong Kong SAR, People's Republic of China
- School of Chinese Medicine, The University of Hong Kong, Hong Kong SAR, People's Republic of China
| | - Raymond Chuen-Chung Chang
- Department of Anatomy, Li Ka Shing Faculty of Medicine, The University of Hong Kong, Pokfulam, Hong Kong SAR, People's Republic of China
- The State Key Laboratory of Brain and Cognitive Sciences, The University of Hong Kong, Pokfulam, Hong Kong SAR, People's Republic of China
- Research Centre of Heart, Brain, Hormone and Healthy Aging, Faculty of Medicine, The University of Hong Kong, Pokfulam, Hong Kong SAR, People's Republic of China
- Laboratory of Neurodegenerative Diseases, Department of Anatomy, LKS Faculty of Medicine, The University of Hong Kong, Pokfulam, Hong Kong SAR, People's Republic of China
| | - Kwok-Fai So
- Department of Anatomy, Li Ka Shing Faculty of Medicine, The University of Hong Kong, Pokfulam, Hong Kong SAR, People's Republic of China
- The State Key Laboratory of Brain and Cognitive Sciences, The University of Hong Kong, Pokfulam, Hong Kong SAR, People's Republic of China
- Research Centre of Heart, Brain, Hormone and Healthy Aging, Faculty of Medicine, The University of Hong Kong, Pokfulam, Hong Kong SAR, People's Republic of China
- Joint Laboratory for Brain Function and Health (BFAH), Jinan University and The University of Hong Kong, Guangzhou, People's Republic of China
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Yau SY, Lau BWM, Tong JB, Wong R, Ching YP, Qiu G, Tang SW, Lee TMC, So KF. Hippocampal neurogenesis and dendritic plasticity support running-improved spatial learning and depression-like behaviour in stressed rats. PLoS One 2011; 6:e24263. [PMID: 21935393 PMCID: PMC3174166 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0024263] [Citation(s) in RCA: 110] [Impact Index Per Article: 8.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/18/2011] [Accepted: 08/05/2011] [Indexed: 12/18/2022] Open
Abstract
Exercise promotes hippocampal neurogenesis and dendritic plasticity while stress shows the opposite effects, suggesting a possible mechanism for exercise to counteract stress. Changes in hippocampal neurogenesis and dendritic modification occur simultaneously in rats with stress or exercise; however, it is unclear whether neurogenesis or dendritic remodeling has a greater impact on mediating the effect of exercise on stress since they have been separately examined. Here we examined hippocampal cell proliferation in runners treated with different doses (low: 30 mg/kg; moderate: 40 mg/kg; high: 50 mg/kg) of corticosterone (CORT) for 14 days. Water maze task and forced swim tests were applied to assess hippocampal-dependent learning and depression-like behaviour respectively the day after the treatment. Repeated CORT treatment resulted in a graded increase in depression-like behaviour and impaired spatial learning that is associated with decreased hippocampal cell proliferation and BDNF levels. Running reversed these effects in rats treated with low or moderate, but not high doses of CORT. Using 40 mg/kg CORT-treated rats, we further studied the role of neurogenesis and dendritic remodeling in mediating the effects of exercise on stress. Co-labelling with BrdU (thymidine analog) /doublecortin (immature neuronal marker) showed that running increased neuronal differentiation in vehicle- and CORT-treated rats. Running also increased dendritic length and spine density in CA3 pyramidal neurons in 40 mg/kg CORT-treated rats. Ablation of neurogenesis with Ara-c infusion diminished the effect of running on restoring spatial learning and decreasing depression-like behaviour in 40 mg/kg CORT-treated animals in spite of dendritic and spine enhancement. but not normal runners with enhanced dendritic length. The results indicate that both restored hippocampal neurogenesis and dendritic remodelling within the hippocampus are essential for running to counteract stress.
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Affiliation(s)
- Suk-Yu Yau
- Department of Anatomy, Li Ka Shing Faculty of Medicine, The University of Hong Kong, Hong Kong SAR, China
- State Key Laboratory of Brain and Cognitive Science, Li Ka Shing Faculty of Medicine, The University of Hong Kong, Hong Kong SAR, China
| | - Benson Wui-Man Lau
- Department of Anatomy, Li Ka Shing Faculty of Medicine, The University of Hong Kong, Hong Kong SAR, China
- State Key Laboratory of Brain and Cognitive Science, Li Ka Shing Faculty of Medicine, The University of Hong Kong, Hong Kong SAR, China
| | - Jian-Bin Tong
- Department of Anatomy, Li Ka Shing Faculty of Medicine, The University of Hong Kong, Hong Kong SAR, China
| | - Richard Wong
- Department of Anatomy, Li Ka Shing Faculty of Medicine, The University of Hong Kong, Hong Kong SAR, China
- State Key Laboratory of Brain and Cognitive Science, Li Ka Shing Faculty of Medicine, The University of Hong Kong, Hong Kong SAR, China
| | - Yick-Pang Ching
- Department of Anatomy, Li Ka Shing Faculty of Medicine, The University of Hong Kong, Hong Kong SAR, China
- State Key Laboratory of Brain and Cognitive Science, Li Ka Shing Faculty of Medicine, The University of Hong Kong, Hong Kong SAR, China
| | - Guang Qiu
- Department of Anatomy, Li Ka Shing Faculty of Medicine, The University of Hong Kong, Hong Kong SAR, China
- State Key Laboratory of Brain and Cognitive Science, Li Ka Shing Faculty of Medicine, The University of Hong Kong, Hong Kong SAR, China
| | - Siu-Wa Tang
- Department of Anatomy, Li Ka Shing Faculty of Medicine, The University of Hong Kong, Hong Kong SAR, China
| | - Tatia M. C. Lee
- State Key Laboratory of Brain and Cognitive Science, Li Ka Shing Faculty of Medicine, The University of Hong Kong, Hong Kong SAR, China
- Laboratory of Neuropsychology, The University of Hong Kong, Hong Kong SAR, China
- Laboratory of Cognitive Affective Neuroscience, The University of Hong Kong, Hong Kong SAR, China
- * E-mail: (TMCL); (K-FS)
| | - Kwok-Fai So
- Department of Anatomy, Li Ka Shing Faculty of Medicine, The University of Hong Kong, Hong Kong SAR, China
- State Key Laboratory of Brain and Cognitive Science, Li Ka Shing Faculty of Medicine, The University of Hong Kong, Hong Kong SAR, China
- Research Centre of Heart, Brain, Hormone and Health Aging, Li Ka Shing Faculty of Medicine, The University of Hong Kong, Hong Kong SAR, China
- Joint Laboratory for Brain Function and Health (BFAH), Jinan University and The University of Hong Kong, Guanzhou, China
- * E-mail: (TMCL); (K-FS)
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Caveolin-1 inhibits oligodendroglial differentiation of neural stem/progenitor cells through modulating β-catenin expression. Neurochem Int 2011; 59:114-21. [DOI: 10.1016/j.neuint.2011.05.019] [Citation(s) in RCA: 16] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/30/2011] [Revised: 05/04/2011] [Accepted: 05/09/2011] [Indexed: 02/04/2023]
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