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Yan L, Han X, Zhang M, Kou H, Liu H, Cheng T. Melatonin exerts neuroprotective effects in mice with spinal cord injury by activating the Nrf2/Keap1 signaling pathway via the MT2 receptor. Exp Ther Med 2024; 27:37. [PMID: 38125360 PMCID: PMC10731399 DOI: 10.3892/etm.2023.12325] [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: 06/29/2023] [Accepted: 09/21/2023] [Indexed: 12/23/2023] Open
Abstract
Spinal cord injury (SCI) is a devastating event that often leads to severe disability, and effective treatments for SCI are currently limited. The present study investigated the potential effects and specific mechanisms of melatonin treatment in SCI. Mice were divided into Sham (Sham), Vehicle (Veh), Melatonin (Mel), and Melatonin + 4-phenyl-2-propionamidotetralin (4P-PDOT) (Mel + 4PP) groups based on randomized allocation. The expression of MT2 and the nuclear factor-erythroid 2-related factor 2 (Nrf2)/Keap1 signaling pathways were examined, along with oxidative stress indicators, inflammatory factors and GFAP-positive cells near the injury site. The polarization of microglial cells in different inflammatory microenvironments was also observed. Cell survival, motor function recovery and spinal cord tissue morphology were assessed using staining and Basso Mouse Scale scores. On day 7 after SCI, the results revealed that melatonin treatment increased MT2 protein expression and activated the Nrf2/Keap1 signaling pathway. It also reduced GFAP-positive cells, mitigated oxidative stress, and suppressed inflammatory responses around the injury site. Furthermore, melatonin treatment promoted the polarization of microglia toward the M2 type, increased the number of neutrophil-positive cells, and modulated the transcription of Bax and Bcl2 in the injured spinal cord. Melatonin treatment alleviated the severity of spinal injuries and facilitated functional recovery in mice with SCI. Notably, blocking MT2 with 4P-PDOT partially reversed the neuroprotective effects of melatonin in SCI, indicating that the activation of the MT2/Nrf2/Keap1 signaling pathway contributes to the neuroprotective properties of melatonin in SCI. The therapeutic and translational potentials of melatonin in SCI warrant further investigation.
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Affiliation(s)
- Liyan Yan
- Department of Orthopedics, The First Affiliated Hospital of Zhengzhou University, Zhengzhou, Henan 450052, P.R. China
| | - Xiaonan Han
- Department of Orthopedics, The First Affiliated Hospital of Zhengzhou University, Zhengzhou, Henan 450052, P.R. China
| | - Mingkang Zhang
- Department of Orthopedics, The First Affiliated Hospital of Zhengzhou University, Zhengzhou, Henan 450052, P.R. China
| | - Hongwei Kou
- Department of Orthopedics, The First Affiliated Hospital of Zhengzhou University, Zhengzhou, Henan 450052, P.R. China
| | - Hongjian Liu
- Department of Orthopedics, The First Affiliated Hospital of Zhengzhou University, Zhengzhou, Henan 450052, P.R. China
| | - Tian Cheng
- Department of Orthopedics, The First Affiliated Hospital of Zhengzhou University, Zhengzhou, Henan 450052, P.R. China
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Xu L, Choi S, Zhao Y, Li M, Rogers BP, Anderson A, Gore JC, Gao Y, Ding Z. Seasonal variations of functional connectivity of human brains. Sci Rep 2023; 13:16898. [PMID: 37803105 PMCID: PMC10558480 DOI: 10.1038/s41598-023-43152-4] [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: 06/02/2023] [Accepted: 09/20/2023] [Indexed: 10/08/2023] Open
Abstract
Seasonal variations have long been observed in various aspects of human life. While there is an abundance of research that has characterized seasonality effects in, for example, cognition, mood, and behavior, including studies of underlying biophysical mechanisms, direct measurements of seasonal variations of brain functional activities have not gained wide attention. We have quantified seasonal effects on functional connectivity as derived from MRI scans. A cohort of healthy human subjects was divided into four groups based on the seasons of their scanning dates as documented in the image database of the Human Connectome Project. Sinusoidal functions were used as regressors to determine whether there were significant seasonal variations in measures of brain activities. We began with the analysis of seasonal variations of the fractional amplitudes of low frequency fluctuations of regional functional signals, followed by the seasonal variations of functional connectivity in both global- and network-level. Furthermore, relevant environmental factors, including average temperature and daylength, were found to be significantly associated with brain functional activities, which may explain how the observed seasonal fluctuations arise. Finally, topological properties of the brain functional network also showed significant variations across seasons. All the observations accumulated revealed seasonality effects of human brain activities in a resting-state, which may have important practical implications for neuroimaging research.
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Affiliation(s)
- Lyuan Xu
- Vanderbilt University Institute of Imaging Science, Vanderbilt University Medical Center, Nashville, TN, USA
- Department of Electrical and Computer Engineering, Vanderbilt University, Nashville, TN, USA
| | - Soyoung Choi
- Vanderbilt University Institute of Imaging Science, Vanderbilt University Medical Center, Nashville, TN, USA
| | - Yu Zhao
- Vanderbilt University Institute of Imaging Science, Vanderbilt University Medical Center, Nashville, TN, USA
- Department of Radiology and Radiological Sciences, Vanderbilt University Medical Center, Nashville, TN, USA
| | - Muwei Li
- Vanderbilt University Institute of Imaging Science, Vanderbilt University Medical Center, Nashville, TN, USA
- Department of Radiology and Radiological Sciences, Vanderbilt University Medical Center, Nashville, TN, USA
| | - Baxter P Rogers
- Vanderbilt University Institute of Imaging Science, Vanderbilt University Medical Center, Nashville, TN, USA
- Department of Radiology and Radiological Sciences, Vanderbilt University Medical Center, Nashville, TN, USA
- Department of Biomedical Engineering, Vanderbilt University, Nashville, TN, USA
- Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences, Vanderbilt University Medical Center, Nashville, TN, USA
| | - Adam Anderson
- Vanderbilt University Institute of Imaging Science, Vanderbilt University Medical Center, Nashville, TN, USA
- Department of Radiology and Radiological Sciences, Vanderbilt University Medical Center, Nashville, TN, USA
- Department of Biomedical Engineering, Vanderbilt University, Nashville, TN, USA
| | - John C Gore
- Vanderbilt University Institute of Imaging Science, Vanderbilt University Medical Center, Nashville, TN, USA
- Department of Radiology and Radiological Sciences, Vanderbilt University Medical Center, Nashville, TN, USA
- Department of Biomedical Engineering, Vanderbilt University, Nashville, TN, USA
| | - Yurui Gao
- Vanderbilt University Institute of Imaging Science, Vanderbilt University Medical Center, Nashville, TN, USA
- Department of Biomedical Engineering, Vanderbilt University, Nashville, TN, USA
| | - Zhaohua Ding
- Vanderbilt University Institute of Imaging Science, Vanderbilt University Medical Center, Nashville, TN, USA.
- Department of Electrical and Computer Engineering, Vanderbilt University, Nashville, TN, USA.
- Department of Biomedical Engineering, Vanderbilt University, Nashville, TN, USA.
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Hu G, Zhang M, Wang Y, Yu M, Zhou Y. Potential of Heterogeneous Compounds as Antidepressants: A Narrative Review. Int J Mol Sci 2022; 23:ijms232213776. [PMID: 36430254 PMCID: PMC9692659 DOI: 10.3390/ijms232213776] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/14/2022] [Revised: 10/30/2022] [Accepted: 11/05/2022] [Indexed: 11/11/2022] Open
Abstract
Depression is a globally widespread disorder caused by a complicated interplay of social, psychological, and biological factors. Approximately 280 million people are suffering from depression worldwide. Traditional frontline antidepressants targeting monoamine neurotransmitters show unsatisfactory effects. The development and application of novel antidepressants for dissimilar targets are on the agenda. This review characterizes the antidepressant effects of multiple endogenous compounds and/or their targets to provide new insight into the working mechanism of antidepressants. We also discuss perspectives and challenges for the generation of novel antidepressants.
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Affiliation(s)
- Gonghui Hu
- Department of Rehabilitation Medicine, Affiliated Hospital of Qingdao University, Qingdao 266000, China
- Department of Physiology and Pathophysiology, School of Basic Medical Sciences, Qingdao University, Qingdao 266071, China
- Institute of Brain Sciences and Related Disorders, Qingdao University, Qingdao 266071, China
| | - Meng Zhang
- Department of Physiology and Pathophysiology, School of Basic Medical Sciences, Qingdao University, Qingdao 266071, China
- Institute of Brain Sciences and Related Disorders, Qingdao University, Qingdao 266071, China
| | - Yuyang Wang
- Department of Rehabilitation Medicine, Affiliated Hospital of Qingdao University, Qingdao 266000, China
| | - Ming Yu
- Neuroscience and Neurorehabilitation Institute, University of Health and Rehabilitation Sciences, Qingdao 266000, China
| | - Yu Zhou
- Department of Rehabilitation Medicine, Affiliated Hospital of Qingdao University, Qingdao 266000, China
- Department of Physiology and Pathophysiology, School of Basic Medical Sciences, Qingdao University, Qingdao 266071, China
- Institute of Brain Sciences and Related Disorders, Qingdao University, Qingdao 266071, China
- Neuroscience and Neurorehabilitation Institute, University of Health and Rehabilitation Sciences, Qingdao 266000, China
- Correspondence:
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Jordan S, Zielinski M, Kortylewski M, Kuhn T, Bystritsky A. Noninvasive Delivery of Biologicals to the Brain. FOCUS (AMERICAN PSYCHIATRIC PUBLISHING) 2022; 20:64-70. [PMID: 35746928 PMCID: PMC9063603 DOI: 10.1176/appi.focus.20210028] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/03/2023]
Abstract
In the past, psychotherapy and neuropharmacological approaches have been the most common treatments for disordered thoughts, moods, and behaviors. One new path of brain therapeutics is in the deployment of noninvasive approaches designed to reprogram brain function at the cellular level. Treatment at the cellular level may be considered for a wide array of disorders, ranging from mood disorders to neurodegenerative disorders. Brain-targeted biological therapy may provide minimally invasive and accurate delivery of treatment. The present article discusses the hurdles and advances that characterize the pathway to this goal.
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Wang YQ, Jiang YJ, Zou MS, Liu J, Zhao HQ, Wang YH. Antidepressant actions of melatonin and melatonin receptor agonist: Focus on pathophysiology and treatment. Behav Brain Res 2021; 420:113724. [PMID: 34929236 DOI: 10.1016/j.bbr.2021.113724] [Citation(s) in RCA: 20] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/15/2021] [Revised: 11/15/2021] [Accepted: 12/15/2021] [Indexed: 12/27/2022]
Abstract
Depression has become one of the most commonly prevalent neuropsychiatric disorders, and the main characteristics of depression are sleep disorders and melatonin secretion disorders caused by circadian rhythm disorders. Abnormal endogenous melatonin alterations can contribute to the occurrence and development of depression. However, molecular mechanisms underlying this abnormality remain ambiguous. The present review summarizes the mechanisms underlying the antidepressant effects of melatonin, which is related to its functions in the regulation of the hypothalamic-pituitary-adrenal axis, inhibition of neuroinflammation, inhibition of oxidative stress, alleviation of autophagy, and upregulation of neurotrophic, promotion of neuroplasticity and upregulation of the levels of neurotransmitters, etc. Also, melatonin receptor agonists, such as agomelatine, ramelteon, piromelatine, tasimelteon, and GW117, have received considerable critical attention and are highly implicated in treating depression and comorbid disorders. This review focuses on melatonin and various melatonin receptor agonists in the pathophysiology and treatment of depression, aiming to provide further insight into the pathogenesis of depression and explore potential targets for novel agent development.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ye-Qing Wang
- Institute of Innovation and Applied Research, Hunan University of Chinese Medicine, Changsha, Hunan Province, China
| | - Ya-Jie Jiang
- Institute of Innovation and Applied Research, Hunan University of Chinese Medicine, Changsha, Hunan Province, China
| | - Man-Shu Zou
- Institute of Innovation and Applied Research, Hunan University of Chinese Medicine, Changsha, Hunan Province, China
| | - Jian Liu
- The First Hospital, Hunan University of Chinese Medicine, Changsha, Hunan Province, China
| | - Hong-Qing Zhao
- Institute of Innovation and Applied Research, Hunan University of Chinese Medicine, Changsha, Hunan Province, China.
| | - Yu-Hong Wang
- Institute of Innovation and Applied Research, Hunan University of Chinese Medicine, Changsha, Hunan Province, China.
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Contribution of Neuronal and Glial Two-Pore-Domain Potassium Channels in Health and Neurological Disorders. Neural Plast 2021; 2021:8643129. [PMID: 34434230 PMCID: PMC8380499 DOI: 10.1155/2021/8643129] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/28/2021] [Accepted: 08/03/2021] [Indexed: 02/05/2023] Open
Abstract
Two-pore-domain potassium (K2P) channels are widespread in the nervous system and play a critical role in maintaining membrane potential in neurons and glia. They have been implicated in many stress-relevant neurological disorders, including pain, sleep disorder, epilepsy, ischemia, and depression. K2P channels give rise to leaky K+ currents, which stabilize cellular membrane potential and regulate cellular excitability. A range of natural and chemical effectors, including temperature, pressure, pH, phospholipids, and intracellular signaling molecules, substantially modulate the activity of K2P channels. In this review, we summarize the contribution of K2P channels to neuronal excitability and to potassium homeostasis in glia. We describe recently discovered functions of K2P channels in glia, such as astrocytic passive conductance and glutamate release, microglial surveillance, and myelin generation by oligodendrocytes. We also discuss the potential role of glial K2P channels in neurological disorders. In the end, we discuss current limitations in K2P channel researches and suggest directions for future studies.
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Manz KM, Siemann JK, McMahon DG, Grueter BA. Patch-clamp and multi-electrode array electrophysiological analysis in acute mouse brain slices. STAR Protoc 2021; 2:100442. [PMID: 33899023 PMCID: PMC8056272 DOI: 10.1016/j.xpro.2021.100442] [Citation(s) in RCA: 15] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/23/2022] Open
Abstract
Patch-clamp and multi-electrode array electrophysiology techniques are used to measure dynamic functional properties of neurons. Whole-cell and cell-attached patch-clamp recordings in brain slices can be performed in voltage-clamp and current-clamp configuration to reveal cell-type-specific synaptic and cellular parameters governing neurotransmission. Multi-electrode array electrophysiology can provide spike activity recordings from multiple neurons, enabling larger sample sizes, and long-term recordings. We provide our guide to preparing acute rodent brain slices with example experiments and analyses intended for novice and expert electrophysiologists. For complete details on the use and execution of this protocol, please refer to Manz et al. (2020b). Viable and efficient preparation of mouse brain tissue Comprehensive material source for acute brain slice electrophysiology Detailed approach to whole-cell patch-clamp recording of neurons Utility and application of multi-electrode array electrophysiology in mouse brain
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Affiliation(s)
- Kevin M Manz
- Medical Scientist Training Program, Vanderbilt University, Nashville, TN 37232, USA.,Vanderbilt Brain Institute, Vanderbilt University, Nashville, TN 37232, USA.,Department of Anesthesiology, Vanderbilt University Medical Center, Nashville, TN 37232, USA
| | - Justin K Siemann
- Vanderbilt Brain Institute, Vanderbilt University, Nashville, TN 37232, USA.,Department of Biological Sciences, Vanderbilt University, Nashville, TN 3732, USA
| | - Douglas G McMahon
- Vanderbilt Brain Institute, Vanderbilt University, Nashville, TN 37232, USA.,Department of Biological Sciences, Vanderbilt University, Nashville, TN 3732, USA.,Department of Pharmacology, Vanderbilt University, Nashville, TN 37232, USA
| | - Brad A Grueter
- Vanderbilt Brain Institute, Vanderbilt University, Nashville, TN 37232, USA.,Department of Anesthesiology, Vanderbilt University Medical Center, Nashville, TN 37232, USA.,Vanderbilt Center for Addiction Research, Vanderbilt University, Nashville, TN 37232, USA.,Department of Molecular Physiology and Biophysics, Vanderbilt University, Nashville, TN 37232, USA.,Anesthesiology Research Division, Vanderbilt University School of Medicine, 2213 Garland Avenue, P435H MRB IV, Nashville, TN 37232-0413, USA
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Siemann JK, Grueter BA, McMahon DG. Rhythms, Reward, and Blues: Consequences of Circadian Photoperiod on Affective and Reward Circuit Function. Neuroscience 2020; 457:220-234. [PMID: 33385488 DOI: 10.1016/j.neuroscience.2020.12.010] [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: 08/27/2020] [Revised: 12/07/2020] [Accepted: 12/08/2020] [Indexed: 02/01/2023]
Abstract
Circadian disruptions, along with altered affective and reward states, are commonly associated with psychiatric disorders. In addition to genetics, the enduring influence of environmental factors in programming neural networks is of increased interest in assessing the underpinnings of mental health. The duration of daylight or photoperiod is known to impact both the serotonin and dopamine systems, which are implicated in mood and reward-based disorders. This review first examines the effects of circadian disruption and photoperiod in the serotonin system in both human and preclinical studies. We next highlight how brain regions crucial for the serotoninergic system (i.e., dorsal raphe nucleus; DRN), and dopaminergic (i.e., nucleus accumbens; NAc and ventral tegmental area; VTA) system are intertwined in overlapping circuitry, and play influential roles in the pathology of mood and reward-based disorders. We then focus on human and animal studies that demonstrate the impact of circadian factors on the dopaminergic system. Lastly, we discuss how environmental factors such as circadian photoperiod can impact the neural circuits that are responsible for regulating affective and reward states, offering novel insights into the biological mechanisms underlying the pathophysiology, systems, and therapeutic treatments necessary for mood and reward-based disorders.
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Affiliation(s)
- Justin K Siemann
- Department of Biological Sciences, Vanderbilt University, Nashville, TN 37235, USA; Kennedy Center for Research on Human Development, Vanderbilt University, Nashville, TN 37235, USA
| | - Brad A Grueter
- Department of Pharmacology, Vanderbilt University, Nashville, TN 37235, USA; Department of Anesthesiology, Vanderbilt University, Nashville, TN 37235, USA; Vanderbilt Center for Addiction Research, Vanderbilt University, Nashville, TN 37235, USA; Kennedy Center for Research on Human Development, Vanderbilt University, Nashville, TN 37235, USA
| | - Douglas G McMahon
- Department of Biological Sciences, Vanderbilt University, Nashville, TN 37235, USA; Department of Pharmacology, Vanderbilt University, Nashville, TN 37235, USA; Kennedy Center for Research on Human Development, Vanderbilt University, Nashville, TN 37235, USA.
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