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Fattahi AS, Khalili A, Hashemi SA, Najafizadeh P, Mazloom R, Khodayar S, Bayat G. A trend over time study of hepatic Farnesoid-X-activated receptor and its downstream targets modulation by valproic acid in mice. Toxicol Mech Methods 2024; 34:920-925. [PMID: 39319528 DOI: 10.1080/15376516.2024.2364192] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/29/2024] [Revised: 05/27/2024] [Accepted: 05/31/2024] [Indexed: 09/26/2024]
Abstract
Valproic acid (VA) is a broad-spectrum anticonvulsant agent that acts through several molecular mechanisms to control different types of seizures. The main concern of the drug is its liver toxicity. Considering the regulatory roles of the Farnesoid nuclear receptors and the nuclear transcription factor Nrf2 in modifying and neutralizing the harmful effects of oxidative damage, the present study was designed to evaluate the role of FXR-Nrf2 and some downstream target gene alterations in hepatotoxicity induced by VA. Thirty-five eight-week-old male albino mice were randomly divided into five groups, including a control group, and four groups were assigned to receive VA (300 mg/kg/day; oral) for 3, 7, 10, and 14 days. Serum levels of ALT, AST, ALP, and total and direct bilirubin (TB, DB) were measured. Liver histology and the expression of FXR, Nrf2, α-GST, SOD, and TNF-α were assessed using H&E staining and real-time RT-PCR techniques. Maximum extent of biochemical and histopathological damage was observed on the 14th day, but changes in the expression of FXR, Nrf2, α-GST, and SOD were seen at three points: a significant upregulation on the 3rd day, a remarkable downregulation on the 10th day, and a second-time upregulation on the 14th day. In conclusion, considering the observed dysregulation in FXR-Nrf2 cascade expression during VA administration, it seems that downregulation in this pathway and consequently its downstream detoxification and antioxidant genes may play a role in liver toxicity.
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Affiliation(s)
- Amir Saamaan Fattahi
- Department of Pharmacology and Toxicology, Faculty of Pharmacy, Pharmaceutical Sciences Branch, Islamic Azad University, Tehran, Iran
| | - Azadeh Khalili
- Evidence-based Phytotherapy and Complementary Medicine Research Center, Alborz University of Medical Sciences, Karaj, Iran
- Department of Physiology-Pharmacology-Medical Physics, School of Medicine, Alborz University of Medical Sciences, Karaj, Iran
| | - Seyed Ali Hashemi
- Department of Pathology, School of Medicine, Alborz University of Medical Sciences, Karaj, Iran
| | - Parvaneh Najafizadeh
- Department of Pharmacology and Toxicology, Faculty of Pharmacy, Pharmaceutical Sciences Branch, Islamic Azad University, Tehran, Iran
- Department of Pharmacology, School of Medicine, Iran University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran
| | - Roham Mazloom
- Department of Physiology-Pharmacology-Medical Physics, School of Medicine, Alborz University of Medical Sciences, Karaj, Iran
| | - Sara Khodayar
- Department of Microbiology and Virology, School of Medicine, Alborz University of Medical Sciences, Karaj, Iran
| | - Gholamreza Bayat
- Evidence-based Phytotherapy and Complementary Medicine Research Center, Alborz University of Medical Sciences, Karaj, Iran
- Department of Physiology-Pharmacology-Medical Physics, School of Medicine, Alborz University of Medical Sciences, Karaj, Iran
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Sommerfeld-Klatta K, Jiers W, Rzepczyk S, Nowicki F, Łukasik-Głębocka M, Świderski P, Zielińska-Psuja B, Żaba Z, Żaba C. The Effect of Neuropsychiatric Drugs on the Oxidation-Reduction Balance in Therapy. Int J Mol Sci 2024; 25:7304. [PMID: 39000411 PMCID: PMC11242277 DOI: 10.3390/ijms25137304] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/21/2024] [Revised: 06/30/2024] [Accepted: 07/01/2024] [Indexed: 07/16/2024] Open
Abstract
The effectiveness of available neuropsychiatric drugs in the era of an increasing number of patients is not sufficient, and the complexity of neuropsychiatric disease entities that are difficult to diagnose and therapeutically is increasing. Also, discoveries about the pathophysiology of neuropsychiatric diseases are promising, including those initiating a new round of innovations in the role of oxidative stress in the etiology of neuropsychiatric diseases. Oxidative stress is highly related to mental disorders, in the treatment of which the most frequently used are first- and second-generation antipsychotics, mood stabilizers, and antidepressants. Literature reports on the effect of neuropsychiatric drugs on oxidative stress are divergent. They are starting with those proving their protective effect and ending with those confirming disturbances in the oxidation-reduction balance. The presented publication reviews the state of knowledge on the role of oxidative stress in the most frequently used therapies for neuropsychiatric diseases using first- and second-generation antipsychotic drugs, i.e., haloperidol, clozapine, risperidone, olanzapine, quetiapine, or aripiprazole, mood stabilizers: lithium, carbamazepine, valproic acid, oxcarbazepine, and antidepressants: citalopram, sertraline, and venlafaxine, along with a brief pharmacological characteristic, preclinical and clinical studies effects.
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Affiliation(s)
- Karina Sommerfeld-Klatta
- Department of Toxicology, Poznań University of Medical Sciences, 3 Rokietnicka Street, 60-806 Poznań, Poland
| | - Wiktoria Jiers
- Department of Toxicology, Poznań University of Medical Sciences, 3 Rokietnicka Street, 60-806 Poznań, Poland
| | - Szymon Rzepczyk
- Department of Forensic Medicine, Poznań University of Medical Sciences, 10 Rokietnicka Street, 60-806 Poznań, Poland
| | - Filip Nowicki
- Department of Forensic Medicine, Poznań University of Medical Sciences, 10 Rokietnicka Street, 60-806 Poznań, Poland
| | - Magdalena Łukasik-Głębocka
- Department of Emergency Medicine, Poznań University of Medical Sciences, 7 Rokietnicka Street, 60-806 Poznań, Poland
| | - Paweł Świderski
- Department of Forensic Medicine, Poznań University of Medical Sciences, 10 Rokietnicka Street, 60-806 Poznań, Poland
| | - Barbara Zielińska-Psuja
- Department of Toxicology, Poznań University of Medical Sciences, 3 Rokietnicka Street, 60-806 Poznań, Poland
| | - Zbigniew Żaba
- Department of Emergency Medicine, Poznań University of Medical Sciences, 7 Rokietnicka Street, 60-806 Poznań, Poland
| | - Czesław Żaba
- Department of Forensic Medicine, Poznań University of Medical Sciences, 10 Rokietnicka Street, 60-806 Poznań, Poland
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Margedari P, Goudarzi I, Sepehri H. The protective role of prenatal administration of ascorbic acid on autistic-like behavior in a rat model of autism. IBRO Neurosci Rep 2024; 16:78-85. [PMID: 38274439 PMCID: PMC10809097 DOI: 10.1016/j.ibneur.2023.11.002] [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: 03/08/2023] [Revised: 10/08/2023] [Accepted: 11/01/2023] [Indexed: 01/27/2024] Open
Abstract
Background Autism is a complicated neurodevelopmental disorder characterized by several behavioral impairments. The pathology of autism is complex and not fully known. Several recent studies have shown alterations in the activities of antioxidant enzymes in autism. Vitamin C is a potent antioxidant that is present in high concentrations in the brain and acts as a neuromodulator. Prefrontal abnormality has been hypothesized to underlie autistic symptoms. The present study investigated the protective effect of prenatally Vitamin C on autistic-like behaviors, oxidative stress status, and histopathological change of prefrontal in valproic acid (VPA) rat model of autism. Method The model of autism was induced by subcutaneous administration of Valproic acid (600 mg/kg) to pregnant rats at gestational day 12.5. Vitamin C was administered 600 mg/L in drinking water from the 5th day of gestaion (GD5) up to postnatal day 23 (PND23). Thirty-two rat offspring were divided into four groups: Control, Vitamin C, VPA, and Vitamin C + VPA. The offspring were tested for repetitive behaviors and cognitive ability with a Y-maze task and social interaction with a play behavior task on 31st of Postnatal days. Glutathione (GSH), superoxide dismutase (SOD) activity, and the histological change in the prefrontal lobe were assessed at the end of the study. The number of neurons from the left prefrontal lobe was counted in duplicate from slides stained with hematoxylin-eosin. Results In the Y-maze apparatus, spontaneous alteration significantly decreased in the prenatal VPA treated rats compared to control rats showing autistic-like behavior; pre and postnatal Vitamin C treatment increased the alternation indicated benefit effect of Vitamin C. Prenatal VPA treatment impaired play behavior such as sniffing, grooming and darting. Vitamin C treatment attenuated the problems in male offspring social behavior. Histological examination showed an increase in the number of cells in the prefrontal cortex of valproic acid offspring rats compared to other groups. Moreover, prenatal VPA decreased antioxidant enzyme activities in the cortex (PFC) attenuated by Vitamin C administration. Conclusion The present study showed that valproic acid induced oxidative stress and neural changes in the prefrontal lobe when administered prenatally which in turn may cause the development of some autistic-like behaviors, and vitamin C may reduce this symptom with its antioxidant effects.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Iran Goudarzi
- School of Biology, Damghan University, Damghan, Iran
| | - Hamid Sepehri
- Neuroscience Research Center, Department of Physiology, Faculty of Medicine, Golestan University of Medical Sciences, Gorgan, Iran
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Piorczynski TB, Calixto J, Henry HC, England K, Cowley S, Hansen JM, Hill JT, Hansen JM. Valproic Acid Causes Redox-Regulated Post-Translational Protein Modifications That Are Dependent upon P19 Cellular Differentiation States. Antioxidants (Basel) 2024; 13:560. [PMID: 38790665 PMCID: PMC11117966 DOI: 10.3390/antiox13050560] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/02/2024] [Revised: 04/25/2024] [Accepted: 04/28/2024] [Indexed: 05/26/2024] Open
Abstract
Valproic acid (VPA) is a common anti-epileptic drug and known neurodevelopmental toxicant. Although the exact mechanism of VPA toxicity remains unknown, recent findings show that VPA disrupts redox signaling in undifferentiated cells but has little effect on fully differentiated neurons. Redox imbalances often alter oxidative post-translational protein modifications and could affect embryogenesis if developmentally critical proteins are targeted. We hypothesize that VPA causes redox-sensitive post-translational protein modifications that are dependent upon cellular differentiation states. Undifferentiated P19 cells and P19-derived neurons were treated with VPA alone or pretreated with D3T, an inducer of the nuclear factor erythroid 2-related factor 2 (NRF2) antioxidant pathway, prior to VPA exposure. Undifferentiated cells treated with VPA alone exhibited an oxidized glutathione redox couple and increased overall protein oxidation, whereas differentiated neurons were protected from protein oxidation via increased S-glutathionylation. Pretreatment with D3T prevented the effects of VPA exposure in undifferentiated cells. Taken together, our findings support redox-sensitive post-translational protein alterations in undifferentiated cells as a mechanism of VPA-induced developmental toxicity and propose NRF2 activation as a means to preserve proper neurogenesis.
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Affiliation(s)
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | - Jason M. Hansen
- Department of Cell Biology and Physiology, Brigham Young University, Provo, UT 84602, USA; (T.B.P.); (J.C.); (H.C.H.); (K.E.); (S.C.); (J.M.H.); (J.T.H.)
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Jackson BL, Shafique S, Natale BV, Natale DRC, Winn LM. Investigating the effects of valproic acid on placental epigenetic modifications and development in the CD-1 mouse model. Reprod Toxicol 2024; 124:108551. [PMID: 38280688 DOI: 10.1016/j.reprotox.2024.108551] [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: 11/02/2023] [Revised: 01/20/2024] [Accepted: 01/23/2024] [Indexed: 01/29/2024]
Abstract
Gestational exposure to the anticonvulsant drug valproic acid (VPA) is associated with congenital malformations and neurodevelopmental disorders through its action as a histone deacetylase inhibitor. VPA can elicit placental toxicity and affect placental growth and development. The objective of this study was to evaluate the impact of maternal exposure to VPA on the mouse placenta following exposure on gestational day (GD) 13 since previous studies have shown that mice exposed at this time during gestation give birth to offspring with an autism spectrum disorder-like phenotype. We exposed CD-1 dams to a teratogenic dose (600 mg/kg) of VPA or saline on GD13 and assessed fetoplacental growth and development on GD18. We evaluated epigenetic modifications, including acetylated histone H4 (H4ac), methylated H3K4 (H3K4me2) using immunohistochemistry, and global DNA methylation in the placenta at 1, 3, and 24 h following maternal exposure on GD13. In utero exposure to VPA on GD13 significantly decreased placental weight and increased fetal resorptions. Moreover, VPA significantly increased the staining intensity of histone H4 acetylation and H3K4 di-methylation across the placenta at 1 and 3 h post maternal dose. Our results also demonstrate that VPA significantly decreased global DNA methylation levels in placental tissue. These results show that gestational exposure to VPA interferes with placental growth and elicits epigenetic modifications, which may play a vital role in VPA-induced developmental toxicity.
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Affiliation(s)
- Brianna L Jackson
- Queen's University, Kingston, Ontario K7L 3N6, Canada; Department of Biomedical and Molecular Sciences, Kingston, Ontario K7L 3N6, Canada
| | - Sidra Shafique
- Queen's University, Kingston, Ontario K7L 3N6, Canada; Department of Biomedical and Molecular Sciences, Kingston, Ontario K7L 3N6, Canada
| | - Bryony V Natale
- Queen's University, Kingston, Ontario K7L 3N6, Canada; Department of Biomedical and Molecular Sciences, Kingston, Ontario K7L 3N6, Canada
| | - David R C Natale
- Queen's University, Kingston, Ontario K7L 3N6, Canada; Department of Biomedical and Molecular Sciences, Kingston, Ontario K7L 3N6, Canada
| | - Louise M Winn
- Queen's University, Kingston, Ontario K7L 3N6, Canada; Department of Biomedical and Molecular Sciences, Kingston, Ontario K7L 3N6, Canada; School of Environmental Studies, Queen's University, Kingston, Ontario K7L 3N6, Canada.
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Sharma AR, Batra G, Dhir N, Jain A, Modi T, Saini L, Thakur N, Mishra A, Singh RS, Singh A, Singla R, Prakash A, Goyal M, Bhatia A, Medhi B, Modi M. "Comparative evaluation of different chemical agents induced Autism Spectrum Disorder in experimental Wistar rats". Behav Brain Res 2024; 458:114728. [PMID: 37923221 DOI: 10.1016/j.bbr.2023.114728] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/30/2023] [Revised: 10/04/2023] [Accepted: 10/18/2023] [Indexed: 11/07/2023]
Abstract
Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD) is a complex neurodevelopmental condition with uncertain etiology and pathophysiology. Several studies revealed that the commonly used animal models like Valproic Acid (VPA) and Propionic Acid (PPA) do not precisely represent the disease as the human patient does. The current study was conducted on different chemically (VPA, PPA, Poly I:C, Dioxin (2,3,7,8-Tetrachlorodibenzo-p-dioxin (TCDD)) & Chlorpyrifos (CPF)) induced ASD-like animal models and validated the best suitable experimental animal model, which would closely resemble with clinical features of the ASD. This validated model might help to explore the pathophysiology of ASD. This study included rat pups prenatally exposed to VPA, PPA, Poly I:C, Dioxin & CPF within GD9 to GD15 doses. The model groups were validated through developmental and behavioral parameters, Gene Expressions, Oxidative Stress, and Pro-inflammatory and Anti-inflammatory cytokines levels. Developmental and neurobehavioral parameters showed significant changes in model groups compared to the control. In oxidative stress parameters and neuro-inflammatory cytokines levels, model groups exhibited high oxidative stress and neuro-inflammation compared to control groups. Gene expression profile of ASD-related genes showed significant downregulation in model groups compared to the control group. Moreover, the Poly I:C group showed more significant results than other model groups. The comparison of available ASD-like experimental animal models showed that the Poly I:C induced model represented the exact pathophysiology of ASD as the human patient does. Poly I:C was reported in the maternal immune system activation via the inflammatory cytokines pathway, altering embryonic development and causing ASD in neonates.
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Affiliation(s)
- Amit Raj Sharma
- Department of Neurology, Post Graduate Institute Medical Education and Research, Chandigarh, India
| | - Gitika Batra
- Department of Neurology, Post Graduate Institute Medical Education and Research, Chandigarh, India
| | - Neha Dhir
- Department of Pharmacology, Post Graduate Institute Medical Education and Research, Chandigarh, India
| | - Ashish Jain
- Department of Pharmacology, Post Graduate Institute Medical Education and Research, Chandigarh, India
| | - Tanish Modi
- Clinical Trainee, Department of Neurology, PGIMER, Chandigarh, India
| | - Lokesh Saini
- All India Institute of Medical Sciences, Paediatric Neurology, Jodhpur, India
| | - Neetika Thakur
- Department of Endocrinology, Post Graduate Institute Medical Education and Research, Chandigarh, India
| | - Abhishek Mishra
- University of Minnesota Twin Cities, Department of Biomedical Sciences, USA
| | - Rahul Solomon Singh
- Department of Pharmacology, Post Graduate Institute Medical Education and Research, Chandigarh, India
| | - Ashutosh Singh
- Department of Pharmacology, Post Graduate Institute Medical Education and Research, Chandigarh, India
| | - Rubal Singla
- University of Minnesota Twin Cities, Department of Biomedical Sciences, USA
| | - Ajay Prakash
- Department of Pharmacology, Post Graduate Institute Medical Education and Research, Chandigarh, India
| | - Manoj Goyal
- Department of Neurology, Post Graduate Institute Medical Education and Research, Chandigarh, India
| | - Alka Bhatia
- Department of Experimental Medicine and Biotechnology, Post Graduate Institute Medical Education and Research, Chandigarh, India
| | - Bikash Medhi
- Department of Pharmacology, Post Graduate Institute Medical Education and Research, Chandigarh, India
| | - Manish Modi
- Department of Neurology, Post Graduate Institute Medical Education and Research, Chandigarh, India.
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Liang Y, Wang Y, Zhang X, Jin S, Guo Y, Yu Z, Xu X, Shuai Q, Feng Z, Chen B, Liang T, Ao R, Li J, Zhang J, Cao R, Zhao H, Chen Z, Liu Z, Xie J. Melatonin alleviates valproic acid-induced neural tube defects by modulating Src/PI3K/ERK signaling and oxidative stress. Acta Biochim Biophys Sin (Shanghai) 2024; 56:23-33. [PMID: 38062774 PMCID: PMC10875364 DOI: 10.3724/abbs.2023234] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/23/2023] [Accepted: 07/27/2023] [Indexed: 01/26/2024] Open
Abstract
Neural tube defects (NTDs) represent a developmental disorder of the nervous system that can lead to significant disability in children and impose substantial social burdens. Valproic acid (VPA), a widely prescribed first-line antiepileptic drug for epilepsy and various neurological conditions, has been associated with a 4-fold increase in the risk of NTDs when used during pregnancy. Consequently, urgent efforts are required to identify innovative prevention and treatment approaches for VPA-induced NTDs. Studies have demonstrated that the disruption in the delicate balance between cell proliferation and apoptosis is a crucial factor contributing to NTDs induced by VPA. Encouragingly, our current data reveal that melatonin (MT) significantly inhibits apoptosis while promoting the restoration of neuroepithelial cell proliferation impaired by VPA. Moreover, further investigations demonstrate that MT substantially reduces the incidence of neural tube malformations resulted from VPA exposure, primarily by suppressing apoptosis through the modulation of intracellular reactive oxygen species levels. In addition, the Src/PI3K/ERK signaling pathway appears to play a pivotal role in VPA-induced NTDs, with significant inhibition observed in the affected samples. Notably, MT treatment successfully reinstates Src/PI3K/ERK signaling, thereby offering a potential underlying mechanism for the protective effects of MT against VPA-induced NTDs. In summary, our current study substantiates the considerable protective potential of MT in mitigating VPA-triggered NTDs, thereby offering valuable strategies for the clinical management of VPA-related birth defects.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yuxiang Liang
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular BiologyShanxi Key Laboratory of Birth Defect and Cell RegenerationMOE Key Laboratory of Coal Environmental Pathogenicity and PreventionShanxi Medical UniversityTaiyuan030001China
- Experimental Animal Center of Shanxi Medical UniversityShanxi Key Laboratory of Human Disease and Animal ModelsTaiyuan030001China
| | - Ying Wang
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular BiologyShanxi Key Laboratory of Birth Defect and Cell RegenerationMOE Key Laboratory of Coal Environmental Pathogenicity and PreventionShanxi Medical UniversityTaiyuan030001China
| | - Xiao Zhang
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular BiologyShanxi Key Laboratory of Birth Defect and Cell RegenerationMOE Key Laboratory of Coal Environmental Pathogenicity and PreventionShanxi Medical UniversityTaiyuan030001China
- School of PharmacyShanxi Medical UniversityTaiyuan030001China
| | - Shanshan Jin
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular BiologyShanxi Key Laboratory of Birth Defect and Cell RegenerationMOE Key Laboratory of Coal Environmental Pathogenicity and PreventionShanxi Medical UniversityTaiyuan030001China
| | - Yuqian Guo
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular BiologyShanxi Key Laboratory of Birth Defect and Cell RegenerationMOE Key Laboratory of Coal Environmental Pathogenicity and PreventionShanxi Medical UniversityTaiyuan030001China
| | - Zhaowei Yu
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular BiologyShanxi Key Laboratory of Birth Defect and Cell RegenerationMOE Key Laboratory of Coal Environmental Pathogenicity and PreventionShanxi Medical UniversityTaiyuan030001China
- School of PharmacyShanxi Medical UniversityTaiyuan030001China
| | - Xinrui Xu
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular BiologyShanxi Key Laboratory of Birth Defect and Cell RegenerationMOE Key Laboratory of Coal Environmental Pathogenicity and PreventionShanxi Medical UniversityTaiyuan030001China
| | - Qizhi Shuai
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular BiologyShanxi Key Laboratory of Birth Defect and Cell RegenerationMOE Key Laboratory of Coal Environmental Pathogenicity and PreventionShanxi Medical UniversityTaiyuan030001China
| | - Zihan Feng
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular BiologyShanxi Key Laboratory of Birth Defect and Cell RegenerationMOE Key Laboratory of Coal Environmental Pathogenicity and PreventionShanxi Medical UniversityTaiyuan030001China
| | - Binghong Chen
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular BiologyShanxi Key Laboratory of Birth Defect and Cell RegenerationMOE Key Laboratory of Coal Environmental Pathogenicity and PreventionShanxi Medical UniversityTaiyuan030001China
| | - Ting Liang
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular BiologyShanxi Key Laboratory of Birth Defect and Cell RegenerationMOE Key Laboratory of Coal Environmental Pathogenicity and PreventionShanxi Medical UniversityTaiyuan030001China
| | - Ruifang Ao
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular BiologyShanxi Key Laboratory of Birth Defect and Cell RegenerationMOE Key Laboratory of Coal Environmental Pathogenicity and PreventionShanxi Medical UniversityTaiyuan030001China
| | - Jianting Li
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular BiologyShanxi Key Laboratory of Birth Defect and Cell RegenerationMOE Key Laboratory of Coal Environmental Pathogenicity and PreventionShanxi Medical UniversityTaiyuan030001China
| | - Juan Zhang
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular BiologyShanxi Key Laboratory of Birth Defect and Cell RegenerationMOE Key Laboratory of Coal Environmental Pathogenicity and PreventionShanxi Medical UniversityTaiyuan030001China
| | - Rui Cao
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular BiologyShanxi Key Laboratory of Birth Defect and Cell RegenerationMOE Key Laboratory of Coal Environmental Pathogenicity and PreventionShanxi Medical UniversityTaiyuan030001China
| | - Hong Zhao
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular BiologyShanxi Key Laboratory of Birth Defect and Cell RegenerationMOE Key Laboratory of Coal Environmental Pathogenicity and PreventionShanxi Medical UniversityTaiyuan030001China
| | - Zhaoyang Chen
- Experimental Animal Center of Shanxi Medical UniversityShanxi Key Laboratory of Human Disease and Animal ModelsTaiyuan030001China
| | - Zhizhen Liu
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular BiologyShanxi Key Laboratory of Birth Defect and Cell RegenerationMOE Key Laboratory of Coal Environmental Pathogenicity and PreventionShanxi Medical UniversityTaiyuan030001China
| | - Jun Xie
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular BiologyShanxi Key Laboratory of Birth Defect and Cell RegenerationMOE Key Laboratory of Coal Environmental Pathogenicity and PreventionShanxi Medical UniversityTaiyuan030001China
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Zarate-Lopez D, Torres-Chávez AL, Gálvez-Contreras AY, Gonzalez-Perez O. Three Decades of Valproate: A Current Model for Studying Autism Spectrum Disorder. Curr Neuropharmacol 2024; 22:260-289. [PMID: 37873949 PMCID: PMC10788883 DOI: 10.2174/1570159x22666231003121513] [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: 08/04/2023] [Revised: 08/30/2023] [Accepted: 08/30/2023] [Indexed: 10/25/2023] Open
Abstract
Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD) is a neurodevelopmental disorder with increased prevalence and incidence in recent decades. Its etiology remains largely unclear, but it seems to involve a strong genetic component and environmental factors that, in turn, induce epigenetic changes during embryonic and postnatal brain development. In recent decades, clinical studies have shown that inutero exposure to valproic acid (VPA), a commonly prescribed antiepileptic drug, is an environmental factor associated with an increased risk of ASD. Subsequently, prenatal VPA exposure in rodents has been established as a reliable translational model to study the pathophysiology of ASD, which has helped demonstrate neurobiological changes in rodents, non-human primates, and brain organoids from human pluripotent stem cells. This evidence supports the notion that prenatal VPA exposure is a valid and current model to replicate an idiopathic ASD-like disorder in experimental animals. This review summarizes and describes the current features reported with this animal model of autism and the main neurobiological findings and correlates that help elucidate the pathophysiology of ASD. Finally, we discuss the general framework of the VPA model in comparison to other environmental and genetic ASD models.
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Affiliation(s)
- David Zarate-Lopez
- Laboratory of Neuroscience, School of Psychology, University of Colima, Colima 28040, México
- Physiological Science Ph.D. Program, School of Medicine, University of Colima, Colima 28040, Mexico
| | - Ana Laura Torres-Chávez
- Laboratory of Neuroscience, School of Psychology, University of Colima, Colima 28040, México
- Physiological Science Ph.D. Program, School of Medicine, University of Colima, Colima 28040, Mexico
| | - Alma Yadira Gálvez-Contreras
- Department of Neuroscience, Centro Universitario de Ciencias de la Salud, University of Guadalajara, Guadalajara 44340, México
| | - Oscar Gonzalez-Perez
- Laboratory of Neuroscience, School of Psychology, University of Colima, Colima 28040, México
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9
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Piri F, Salmani ME, Sepehri H. Improvement of autistic-like behaviors in adult rats prenatally exposed to valproic acid through early suppression of orexin receptor. Ann Med Surg (Lond) 2024; 86:166-171. [PMID: 38222731 PMCID: PMC10783284 DOI: 10.1097/ms9.0000000000000788] [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: 03/02/2023] [Accepted: 04/28/2023] [Indexed: 01/16/2024] Open
Abstract
Introduction Autism spectrum disorder (ASD) is a disabling psychiatric disease characterized by impairments in communication and social skills. The pathophysiology of autism is complex and not fully known. Considering the incidence of sleep disorders in individuals with ASD and the important role of orexin in sleep, it is possible to hypothesize that an alteration of the orexinergic system could be implicated in the pathogenesis of autism symptoms. The present study was conducted to investigate the effect of suvorexant [dual orexin receptor antagonists (DORAs)] on autism-like behavior in prenatally valproic acid (VPA)-exposed rats]. Methods Wistar female rats were administered VPA [600 mg/kg, intraperitoneally (i.p.)] or normal saline (10 ml/kg, i.p.; vehicle control) on gestational day 12.5. Thirty-two male offspring were divided into four groups: Control, VPA, Suvorexant+VPA, and VPA+Risperidone. The pups were given suvorexant [20 ml/kg, by mouth/orally (p.o.)] or risperidone (1 ml/kg, p.o.) daily from postnatal day (PND) (40-54). The offspring were tested for repetitive behaviors and cognitive ability with a Y-maze task on PND 55, and social interaction was assessed by play behavior in the open field on PND 56. And anxiety with using the three-chamber social assay on PND 56. Results In the Y-maze apparatus, spontaneous alteration significantly decreased in the prenatal VPA-treated rats compared to control rats showing autistic-like behavior, and 2-week suvorexant increased the alternation, indicating the beneficial effect of suvorexant. Prenatal treatment with VPA, impaired play behavior (sniffing, grooming, and darting), and increased anxiety-related behavior. Suvorexant treatment attenuated the problems in male offspring's social behavior. Conclusion Our results showed that suvorexant improved ASD-associated behaviors in the VPA-treated rats, and the orexinergic system may be associated with the pathogenesis of autism symptoms.
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Affiliation(s)
| | | | - Hamid Sepehri
- Neuroscience Research Center, Department of Physiology, Faculty of Medicine, Golestan University of Medical Sciences, Gorgan, Iran
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10
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Berhane A, Belachew T. Determinants of neural tube defects among women who gave birth in hospitals in Eastern Ethiopia: evidence from a matched case control study. BMC Womens Health 2023; 23:662. [PMID: 38071290 PMCID: PMC10710723 DOI: 10.1186/s12905-023-02796-0] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/13/2023] [Accepted: 11/21/2023] [Indexed: 12/18/2023] Open
Abstract
INTRODUCTION Neural tube defects (NTDs) are severe birth defects caused by nutritional, genetic or environmental factors. Because NTDs continue to have a significant health and economic impact on children and community at large, it is crucial to investigate potential risk factors in order to develop novel approaches to NTDs prevention. Determinants for the development of NTDs differ by country, region as well as within the country. The objective of this study was to identify the determinants of NTDs among newborns delivered in three hospitals found in eastern Ethiopia. METHODS A hospital-based matched case-control study was conducted among 138 cases and 138 control women who delivered in three teaching hospitals in Eastern Ethiopia in 2021. Data were collected using a structured and pre-tested interviewer-administered questionnaire. Cases were mothers who delivered a neonate with any type of NTDs regardless of gestational age or fetal viability, whereas controls were mothers who delivered an apparently healthy newborn. Chi-square was used to assess the significant difference between the two groups. Conditional logistic regression model was used to generate adjusted odds ratio with its corresponding 95% confidence intervals and compare the two groups. RESULTS Anencephaly (51.4%) and spinal bifida (34.1%) were the most frequently observed NTDs. None of study participants took preconception folic acid supplementation. Being a non-formal mothers (AOR = 0.34, 95% CI: 0.12-0.92, P = 0.034), rural residence, (AOR = 3.4, 95% CI: 1.18-9.78, P = 0.023), history of spontaneous abortion (AOR = 2.95, 95% CI: 1.15-7.55, P = 0.023), having severe anemia (AOR = 3.4, 95% CI: 1.17-9.87, P = 0.024), history of fever or cold (AOR = 2.75; 95% CI: 1.05-7.15, P = 0.038), and an exposure to various agro-chemicals (AOR = 3.39, 95% CI: 1.11-10.3, P = 0.032) were independent determinants of NTDs. CONCLUSION AND RECOMMENDATION In this study, NTDs were associated to several determinant factors in the area, including residential area, history of spontaneous abortion, severe anemia, fever/cold, antibiotic use before or during early pregnancy, and exposure to agrochemicals. Addressing the identified determinants is critical in averting the incidence of NTDs in the study area. Moreover, more research is needed to investigate women's dietary practices as well as the practice of preconception folic acid supplementation for pregnant women in Ethiopia's current health care system.
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Affiliation(s)
- Anteneh Berhane
- Department of Public Health, College of Medicine and Health Science, Dire Dawa University, Dire Dawa, Ethiopia.
- Department of Nutrition and Dietetics, Faculty of Public Health, Institute of Health, Jimma University, Jimma, Ethiopia.
| | - Tefera Belachew
- Department of Nutrition and Dietetics, Faculty of Public Health, Institute of Health, Jimma University, Jimma, Ethiopia
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11
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Lee JH, Shaker MR, Park SH, Sun W. Transcriptional Signature of Valproic Acid-Induced Neural Tube Defects in Human Spinal Cord Organoids. Int J Stem Cells 2023; 16:385-393. [PMID: 37643760 PMCID: PMC10686804 DOI: 10.15283/ijsc23012] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/09/2023] [Revised: 05/15/2023] [Accepted: 06/20/2023] [Indexed: 08/31/2023] Open
Abstract
In vertebrates, the entire central nervous system is derived from the neural tube, which is formed through a conserved early developmental morphogenetic process called neurulation. Although the perturbations in neurulation caused by genetic or environmental factors lead to neural tube defects (NTDs), the most common congenital malformation and the precise molecular pathological cascades mediating NTDs are not well understood. Recently, we have developed human spinal cord organoids (hSCOs) that recapitulate some aspects of human neurulation and observed that valproic acid (VPA) could cause neurulation defects in an organoid model. In this study, we identified and verified the significant changes in cell-cell junctional genes/proteins in VPA-treated organoids using transcriptomic and immunostaining analysis. Furthermore, VPA-treated mouse embryos exhibited impaired gene expression and NTD phenotypes, similar to those observed in the hSCO model. Collectively, our data demonstrate that hSCOs provide a valuable biological resource for dissecting the molecular pathways underlying the currently unknown human neurulation process using destructive biological analysis tools.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ju-Hyun Lee
- Department of Anatomy, Brain Korea 21 Plus Program for Biomedical Science, Korea University College of Medicine, Seoul, Korea
| | - Mohammed R. Shaker
- Department of Anatomy, Brain Korea 21 Plus Program for Biomedical Science, Korea University College of Medicine, Seoul, Korea
| | - Si-Hyung Park
- Department of Anatomy, Brain Korea 21 Plus Program for Biomedical Science, Korea University College of Medicine, Seoul, Korea
| | - Woong Sun
- Department of Anatomy, Brain Korea 21 Plus Program for Biomedical Science, Korea University College of Medicine, Seoul, Korea
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Saadat M, Taherian AA, Aldaghi MR, Raise‐Abdullahi P, Sameni HR, Vafaei AA. Prangos ferulacea (L.) ameliorates behavioral alterations, hippocampal oxidative stress markers, and apoptotic deficits in a rat model of autism induced by valproic acid. Brain Behav 2023; 13:e3224. [PMID: 37596045 PMCID: PMC10636422 DOI: 10.1002/brb3.3224] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/06/2023] [Revised: 08/02/2023] [Accepted: 08/05/2023] [Indexed: 08/20/2023] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Prenatal exposure to valproic acid (VPA) may enhance the risk of autism spectrum disorder (ASD) in children. This study investigated the effect of Prangos ferulacea (L.) on behavioral alterations, hippocampal oxidative stress markers, and apoptotic deficits in a rat model of autism induced by valproic acid. METHODS Pregnant rats received VPA (600 mg/kg, intraperitoneally [i.p.]) or saline on gestational day 12.5 (E 12.5). Starting from the 30th postnatal day (PND 30), the pups were i.p. administered Prangos ferulacea (PF, 100 and 200 mg/kg), or the vehicle, daily until PND 58. On PND 30 and 58, various behavioral tasks were used to evaluate pups, including the open field, elevated plus-maze, hot-plate, and rotarod test. On PND 65, the animals were euthanized, and their brains were removed for histopathological and biochemical assay. RESULTS Prenatal exposure to VPA caused significant behavioral changes in the offspring, reversed by administering an extract of Prangos ferulacea (L.). Additionally, prenatal VPA administration resulted in increased levels of malondialdehyde and deficits in antioxidant enzyme activities in the hippocampus, including catalase and glutathione, ameliorated by PF. Likewise, postnatal treatment with PF improved VPA-induced dysregulation of Bax and Blc2 in the hippocampus and reduced neuronal death in CA1, CA3, and dentate gyrus. CONCLUSION The findings of this study suggest that postnatal administration of PF can prevent VPA-induced ASD-like behaviors by exhibiting antiapoptotic and antioxidant properties. Therefore, PF may have the potential as an adjunct in the management of ASD.
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Affiliation(s)
- Maryam Saadat
- Department of Anatomical Sciences, School of MedicineSemnan University of Medical SciencesSemnanIran
| | - Abbas Ali Taherian
- Department of Anatomical Sciences, School of MedicineSemnan University of Medical SciencesSemnanIran
- Research Center of PhysiologySemnan University of Medical SciencesSemnanIran
| | - Mohammad Reza Aldaghi
- Nervous System Stem Cells Research CenterSemnan University of Medical SciencesSemnanIran
- Department of Anatomical Sciences, School of MedicineSemnan University of Medical SciencesSemnanIran
| | | | - Hamid Reza Sameni
- Nervous System Stem Cells Research CenterSemnan University of Medical SciencesSemnanIran
- Department of Anatomical Sciences, School of MedicineSemnan University of Medical SciencesSemnanIran
| | - Abbas Ali Vafaei
- Research Center of PhysiologySemnan University of Medical SciencesSemnanIran
- Department of Physiology, School of MedicineSemnan University of Medical SciencesSemnanIran
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13
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Nihad M, Sen U, Chaudhury D, Das UN, Shenoy P S, Bose B. Arachidonic acid modulates the cellular energetics of human pluripotent stem cells and protects the embryoid bodies from embryotoxicity effects in vitro. Reprod Toxicol 2023; 120:108438. [PMID: 37454977 DOI: 10.1016/j.reprotox.2023.108438] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/07/2023] [Revised: 07/05/2023] [Accepted: 07/07/2023] [Indexed: 07/18/2023]
Abstract
Arachidonic acid (AA), an ω-6 polyunsaturated fatty acid involved in signalling pathways that drive cell fate decisions, has an enhancing role in the immunomodulatory effect on mesenchymal stem cells and the vasculogenesis of embryonic stem cells. 3D embryoid bodies (EBs) from pluripotent stem cells (PSCs) have been used as in vitro models for embryotoxicity for various compounds/drugs. Valproic acid (VA), a common anti-epileptic drug, is known to be embryotoxic and cause malformations in embryos. As early embryogenesis depends on AA, we investigated the embryo protective effects of AA against the embryotoxic drug VA in this study. The effects of AA on the proliferation and cell cycle parameters of PSCs were studied. In particular, the potential of AA to abrogate VA-induced embryotoxicity in vitro was evaluated using ROS detection and antioxidant assays. In response to AA, we observed modulation in cell proliferation of induced pluripotent stem cells (iPSCs) and pluripotent NTERA-2 embryonal carcinoma (EC) cells. The present study substantiates the cytoprotective effects of AA against VA. These results imply that AA plays a critical role in the proliferation and differentiation of iPSCs and EC cells and protects the EBs from cytotoxic damage, thereby ensuring normal embryogenesis. Thus, the bioactive lipid AA may be explored for supplementation to benefit pregnant women treated with long-term anti-epileptic drugs to prevent in-utero fetal growth malformations.
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Affiliation(s)
- Muhammad Nihad
- Stem Cells and Regenerative Medicine Centre, Yenepoya Research Centre, Yenepoya Deemed to be University, Mangalore 575018, Karnataka, India
| | - Utsav Sen
- Department of Oncological Sciences, Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai, 1425 Madison Avenue, 15th Floor, New York, NY 10029, USA
| | - Debajit Chaudhury
- Stem Cells and Regenerative Medicine Centre, Yenepoya Research Centre, Yenepoya Deemed to be University, Mangalore 575018, Karnataka, India
| | - Undurti N Das
- BioScience Research Centre, Department of Medicine, GVP Medical College and Hospital, Visakhapatnam 530048, India; UND Life Sciences, 2221 NW 5th St., Battle Ground, WA 98604, USA
| | - Sudheer Shenoy P
- Stem Cells and Regenerative Medicine Centre, Yenepoya Research Centre, Yenepoya Deemed to be University, Mangalore 575018, Karnataka, India
| | - Bipasha Bose
- Stem Cells and Regenerative Medicine Centre, Yenepoya Research Centre, Yenepoya Deemed to be University, Mangalore 575018, Karnataka, India.
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Lapehn S, Colacino JA, Harris C. Spatiotemporal protein dynamics during early organogenesis in mouse conceptuses treated with valproic acid. Neurotoxicol Teratol 2023; 99:107286. [PMID: 37442398 PMCID: PMC10697214 DOI: 10.1016/j.ntt.2023.107286] [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: 04/30/2022] [Revised: 05/29/2023] [Accepted: 07/05/2023] [Indexed: 07/15/2023]
Abstract
Valproic acid (VPA) is an anti-epileptic medication that increases the risk of neural tube defect (NTD) outcomes in infants exposed during gestation. Previous studies into VPA's mechanism of action have focused on alterations in gene expression and metabolism but have failed to consider how exposure changes the abundance of critical developmental proteins over time. This study evaluates the effects of VPA on protein abundance in the developmentally distinct tissues of the mouse visceral yolk sac (VYS) and embryo proper (EMB) using mouse whole embryo culture. Embryos were exposed to 600 μM VPA at 2 h intervals over 10 h during early organogenesis with the aim of identifying protein pathways relevant to VPA's mechanism of action in failed NTC. Protein abundance was measured through tandem mass tag (TMT) labeling followed by liquid chromatography and mass spectrometry. Overall, there were over 1500 proteins with altered abundance after VPA exposure in the EMB or VYS with 428 of these proteins showing previous gene expression associations with VPA exposure. Limited overlap of significant proteins between tissues supported the conclusion of independent roles for the VYS and EMB in response to VPA. Pathway analysis of proteins with increased or decreased abundance identified multiple pathways with mechanistic relevance to NTC and embryonic development including convergent extension, Wnt Signaling/planar cell polarity, cellular migration, cellular proliferation, cell death, and cytoskeletal organization processes as targets of VPA. Clustering of co-regulated proteins to identify shared patterns of protein abundance over time highlighted 4 h and 6/10 h as periods of divergent protein abundance between control and VPA-treated samples in the VYS and EMB, respectively. Overall, this study demonstrated that VPA temporally alters protein content in critical developmental pathways in the VYS and the EMB during early organogenesis in mice.
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Affiliation(s)
- Samantha Lapehn
- Department of Environmental Health Sciences, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, MI, United States.
| | - Justin A Colacino
- Department of Environmental Health Sciences, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, MI, United States
| | - Craig Harris
- Department of Environmental Health Sciences, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, MI, United States
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15
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Uzel G, Oylumlu E, Durmus L, Ciraci C. Duality of Valproic Acid Effects on Inflammation, Oxidative Stress and Autophagy in Human Eosinophilic Cells. Int J Mol Sci 2023; 24:13446. [PMID: 37686250 PMCID: PMC10487571 DOI: 10.3390/ijms241713446] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/30/2023] [Revised: 08/23/2023] [Accepted: 08/28/2023] [Indexed: 09/10/2023] Open
Abstract
Eosinophils function in rapid innate immune responses and allergic reactions. Recent research has raised the possibility that the histone deacetylase inhibitor valproic acid (VPA) may be a promising therapeutic agent for treatment of allergic responses and certain cancers. However, its effects on eosinophils remain unclear. Utilizing the EoL-1 human eosinophil cell line as a model, we investigated the effects of VPA on oxidative stress- and autophagy-mediated immune responses. We found that VPA induced reactive oxidative species (ROS) generation and eosinophil activation without affecting cell viability. Moreover, VPA treatment suppressed the negative regulator of antioxidant transcription factor Nrf2, which is known to activate antioxidant defense. Interestingly, VPA was able to increase autophagic markers, as well as NLRP3 and NLRC4 mRNA activation, in Eol-1 cells in a dose-dependent manner. Collectively, our results indicate that VPA could increase the severity of allergic responses, and if so, it clearly would not be a suitable drug for the treatment of allergic reactions. However, VPA does have the potential to induce autophagy and to regulate the inflammatory responses via inflammasome-driven caspase-1 deactivation in a dose-dependent manner.
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Affiliation(s)
| | | | | | - Ceren Ciraci
- Molecular Biology and Genetics Department, Istanbul Technical University, 34469 Istanbul, Turkey; (G.U.); (E.O.); (L.D.)
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16
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Eaves LA, Choi G, Hall E, Sillé FC, Fry RC, Buckley JP, Keil AP. Prenatal Exposure to Toxic Metals and Neural Tube Defects: A Systematic Review of the Epidemiologic Evidence. ENVIRONMENTAL HEALTH PERSPECTIVES 2023; 131:86002. [PMID: 37647124 PMCID: PMC10467818 DOI: 10.1289/ehp11872] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/18/2022] [Revised: 05/31/2023] [Accepted: 07/25/2023] [Indexed: 09/01/2023]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Neural tube defects (NTDs) affect > 300,000 pregnancies worldwide annually. Few nongenetic factors, other than folate deficiency, have been identified that may provide intervenable solutions to reduce the burden of NTDs. Prenatal exposure to toxic metals [arsenic (As), cadmium (Cd), mercury (Hg), manganese (Mn) and lead (Pb)] may increase the risk of NTDs. Although a growing epidemiologic literature has examined associations, to our knowledge no systematic review has been conducted to date. OBJECTIVE Through adaptation of the Navigation Guide systematic review methodology, we aimed to answer the question "does exposure to As, Cd, Hg, Mn, or Pb during gestation increase the risk of NTDs?" and to assess challenges to evaluating this question given the current evidence. METHODS We selected available evidence on prenatal As, Cd, Hg, Mn, or Pb exposure and risk of specific NTDs (e.g., spina bifida, anencephaly) or all NTDs via a comprehensive search across MEDLINE, Embase, Web of Science, and TOXLINE databases and applied inclusion/exclusion criteria. We rated the quality and strength of the evidence for each metal. We applied a customized risk of bias protocol and evaluated the sufficiency of evidence of an effect of each metal on NTDs. RESULTS We identified 30 studies that met our criteria. Risk of bias for confounding and selection was high in most studies, but low for missing data. We determined that, although the evidence was limited, the literature supported an association between prenatal exposure to Hg or Mn and increased risk of NTDs. For the remaining metals, the evidence was inadequate to establish or rule out an effect. CONCLUSION The role of gestational As, Cd, or Pb exposure in the etiology of NTDs remains unclear and warrants further investigation in high-quality studies, with a particular focus on controlling confounding, mitigating selection bias, and improving exposure assessment. https://doi.org/10.1289/EHP11872.
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Affiliation(s)
- Lauren A. Eaves
- Department of Environmental Sciences and Engineering, Gillings School of Global Public Health, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill (UNC-Chapel Hill), Chapel Hill, North Carolina, USA
- Institute for Environmental Health Solutions, Gillings School of Global Public Health, UNC-Chapel Hill, Chapel Hill, North Carolina, USA
| | - Giehae Choi
- Department of Environmental Health and Engineering, Bloomberg School of Public Health, Johns Hopkins University, Baltimore, Maryland, USA
| | - Emily Hall
- Department of Environmental Health and Engineering, Bloomberg School of Public Health, Johns Hopkins University, Baltimore, Maryland, USA
- Department of Epidemiology, Bloomberg School of Public Health, Johns Hopkins University, Baltimore, Maryland, USA
| | - Fenna C.M. Sillé
- Department of Environmental Health and Engineering, Bloomberg School of Public Health, Johns Hopkins University, Baltimore, Maryland, USA
| | - Rebecca C. Fry
- Department of Environmental Sciences and Engineering, Gillings School of Global Public Health, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill (UNC-Chapel Hill), Chapel Hill, North Carolina, USA
- Institute for Environmental Health Solutions, Gillings School of Global Public Health, UNC-Chapel Hill, Chapel Hill, North Carolina, USA
| | - Jessie P. Buckley
- Department of Environmental Health and Engineering, Bloomberg School of Public Health, Johns Hopkins University, Baltimore, Maryland, USA
- Department of Epidemiology, Bloomberg School of Public Health, Johns Hopkins University, Baltimore, Maryland, USA
| | - Alexander P. Keil
- Department of Epidemiology, Gillings School of Global Public Health, UNC-Chapel Hill, Chapel Hill, North Carolina, USA
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Zahedi E, Sadr SS, Sanaeierad A, Roghani M. Valproate-induced murine autism spectrum disorder is associated with dysfunction of amygdala parvalbumin interneurons and downregulation of AMPK/SIRT1/PGC1α signaling. Metab Brain Dis 2023; 38:2093-2103. [PMID: 37184727 DOI: 10.1007/s11011-023-01227-1] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/23/2023] [Accepted: 04/27/2023] [Indexed: 05/16/2023]
Abstract
Autism spectrum disorder (ASD) is a neurodevelopmental condition that is characterized by difficulty in social behavior and restricted behaviors. Also, in ASD, several accompanying disorders such as anxiety are observed. Considering the important role of amygdala in the pathophysiology of ASD, the present study focused on the neuronal changes and it possible signaling pathway in amygdala. After prenatal exposure to valproate (VPA; 600 mg/kg, i.p, on embryonic day 12.5), amount of ROS, MMP, caspase-3 activity, AMPK, SIRT1 and PGC1α proteins, and parvalbumin interneurons in the amygdala were assessed following evaluation of ASD and anxiety-like behaviors. Amygdala analysis revealed ROS accumulation and decreased MMP in autistic rats. In addition, caspase-3 activation elevated and immunoreactivity for parvalbumin interneurons decreased. These were accompanied by anxiety and autistic-like behaviors in open field test, elevated zero maze and U-Shaped 2 Choice Field maze. Also, our data showed that in the valproate group, protein levels of AMPK, SIRT1 and PGC1α reduced. Collectively, our results indicate that prenatal exposure to valproate leads to anxiety and autistic-like behaviors, partly through its targeting amygdala parvalbumin interneurons dysfunction and this might be affected by disturbed AMPK/SIRT1/PGC1α signaling pathway.
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Affiliation(s)
- Elham Zahedi
- Department of Physiology, School of Medicine, Tehran University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran
| | - Seyed Shahabeddin Sadr
- Department of Physiology, School of Medicine, Tehran University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran.
- Electrophysiology Research Center, Neuroscience Institute, Tehran University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran.
| | - Ashkan Sanaeierad
- Department of Physiology, Faculty of Medical Sciences, Tarbiat Modares University, Tehran, Iran
| | - Mehrdad Roghani
- Neurophysiology Research Center, Shahed University, Tehran, Iran.
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Takla TN, Luo J, Sudyk R, Huang J, Walker JC, Vora NL, Sexton JZ, Parent JM, Tidball AM. A Shared Pathogenic Mechanism for Valproic Acid and SHROOM3 Knockout in a Brain Organoid Model of Neural Tube Defects. Cells 2023; 12:1697. [PMID: 37443734 PMCID: PMC10340169 DOI: 10.3390/cells12131697] [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: 04/11/2023] [Revised: 06/17/2023] [Accepted: 06/19/2023] [Indexed: 07/15/2023] Open
Abstract
Neural tube defects (NTDs), including anencephaly and spina bifida, are common major malformations of fetal development resulting from incomplete closure of the neural tube. These conditions lead to either universal death (anencephaly) or severe lifelong complications (spina bifida). Despite hundreds of genetic mouse models of neural tube defect phenotypes, the genetics of human NTDs are poorly understood. Furthermore, pharmaceuticals, such as antiseizure medications, have been found clinically to increase the risk of NTDs when administered during pregnancy. Therefore, a model that recapitulates human neurodevelopment would be of immense benefit to understand the genetics underlying NTDs and identify teratogenic mechanisms. Using our self-organizing single rosette cortical organoid (SOSR-COs) system, we have developed a high-throughput image analysis pipeline for evaluating the SOSR-CO structure for NTD-like phenotypes. Similar to small molecule inhibition of apical constriction, the antiseizure medication valproic acid (VPA), a known cause of NTDs, increases the apical lumen size and apical cell surface area in a dose-responsive manner. GSK3β and HDAC inhibitors caused similar lumen expansion; however, RNA sequencing suggests VPA does not inhibit GSK3β at these concentrations. The knockout of SHROOM3, a well-known NTD-related gene, also caused expansion of the lumen, as well as reduced f-actin polarization. The increased lumen sizes were caused by reduced cell apical constriction, suggesting that impingement of this process is a shared mechanism for VPA treatment and SHROOM3-KO, two well-known causes of NTDs. Our system allows the rapid identification of NTD-like phenotypes for both compounds and genetic variants and should prove useful for understanding specific NTD mechanisms and predicting drug teratogenicity.
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Affiliation(s)
- Taylor N. Takla
- Department of Neurology, Medical School, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, MI 48109, USA (R.S.)
| | - Jinghui Luo
- Department of Neurology, Medical School, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, MI 48109, USA (R.S.)
| | - Roksolana Sudyk
- Department of Neurology, Medical School, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, MI 48109, USA (R.S.)
| | - Joy Huang
- Department of Neurology, Medical School, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, MI 48109, USA (R.S.)
| | - John Clayton Walker
- Department of Neurology, Medical School, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, MI 48109, USA (R.S.)
| | - Neeta L. Vora
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Division of Maternal-Fetal Medicine, School of Medicine, University of North Carolina, Chapel Hill, NC 27599, USA
| | - Jonathan Z. Sexton
- Department of Internal Medicine, Medical School, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, MI 48109, USA
- Department of Medicinal Chemistry, College of Pharmacy, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, MI 48109, USA
- Center for Drug Repurposing, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, MI 48109, USA
| | - Jack M. Parent
- Department of Neurology, Medical School, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, MI 48109, USA (R.S.)
- Michigan Neuroscience Institute, Medical School, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, MI 48109, USA
- VA Ann Arbor Healthcare System, Ann Arbor, MI 48105, USA
| | - Andrew M. Tidball
- Department of Neurology, Medical School, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, MI 48109, USA (R.S.)
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Davies BM, Katayama JK, Monsivais JE, Adams JR, Dilts ME, Eberting AL, Hansen JM. Real-time analysis of dynamic compartmentalized GSH redox shifts and H 2O 2 availability in undifferentiated and differentiated cells. Biochim Biophys Acta Gen Subj 2023; 1867:130321. [PMID: 36870547 DOI: 10.1016/j.bbagen.2023.130321] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/30/2022] [Revised: 01/26/2023] [Accepted: 01/29/2023] [Indexed: 03/06/2023]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Glutathione (GSH) is the most abundant, small biothiol antioxidant. GSH redox state (Eh) supports developmental processes, yet with disrupted GSH Eh, poor developmental outcomes may occur. The role of subcellular, compartmentalized redox environments in the context of redox regulation of differentiation is not well understood. Here, using the P19 neurogenesis model of cellular differentiation, kinetics of subcellular H2O2 availability and GSH Eh were evaluated following oxidant exposure. METHODS Stably transfected P19 cell lines expressing H2O2 availability or GSH Eh sensors, Orp1-roGFP or Grx1-roGFP, respectively, targeted to the cytosol, mitochondria, or nucleus were used. Dynamic, compartmentalized changes in H2O2 availability and GSH Eh were measured via spectrophotometric and confocal microscopy over 120 min following treatment with H2O2 (100 μM) in both differentiated and undifferentiated cells. RESULTS Generally, treated undifferentiated cells showed a greater degree and duration of both H2O2 availability and GSH Eh disruption than differentiated neurons. In treated undifferentiated cells, H2O2 availability was similar in all compartments. Interestingly, in treated undifferentiated cells, mitochondrial GSH Eh was most affected in both the initial oxidation and the rebound kinetics compared to other compartments. Pretreatment with an Nrf2 inducer prevented H2O2-induced effects in all compartments of undifferentiated cells. CONCLUSIONS Disruption of redox-sensitive developmental pathways is likely stage specific, where cells that are less differentiated and/or are actively differentiating are most affected. GENERAL SIGNIFICANCE Undifferentiated cells are more susceptible to oxidant-induced redox dysregulation but are protected by chemicals that induce Nrf2. This may preserve developmental programs and diminish the potential for poor developmental outcomes.
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Affiliation(s)
- Brandon M Davies
- Cell Biology and Physiology Department, Brigham Young University, Provo, UT 84602, USA
| | - Jenna K Katayama
- Cell Biology and Physiology Department, Brigham Young University, Provo, UT 84602, USA
| | - Joshua E Monsivais
- Cell Biology and Physiology Department, Brigham Young University, Provo, UT 84602, USA
| | - James R Adams
- Cell Biology and Physiology Department, Brigham Young University, Provo, UT 84602, USA
| | - Miriam E Dilts
- Cell Biology and Physiology Department, Brigham Young University, Provo, UT 84602, USA
| | - Arielle L Eberting
- Cell Biology and Physiology Department, Brigham Young University, Provo, UT 84602, USA
| | - Jason M Hansen
- Cell Biology and Physiology Department, Brigham Young University, Provo, UT 84602, USA.
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20
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Takla TN, Luo J, Sudyk R, Huang J, Walker JC, Vora NL, Sexton JZ, Parent JM, Tidball AM. A Shared Pathogenic Mechanism for Valproic Acid and SHROOM3 Knockout in a Brain Organoid Model of Neural Tube Defects. BIORXIV : THE PREPRINT SERVER FOR BIOLOGY 2023:2023.04.11.536245. [PMID: 37090564 PMCID: PMC10120643 DOI: 10.1101/2023.04.11.536245] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 04/25/2023]
Abstract
Neural tube defects (NTDs) including anencephaly and spina bifida are common major malformations of fetal development resulting from incomplete closure of the neural tube. These conditions lead to either universal death (anencephaly) or life-long severe complications (spina bifida). Despite hundreds of genetic mouse models having neural tube defect phenotypes, the genetics of human NTDs are poorly understood. Furthermore, pharmaceuticals such as antiseizure medications have been found clinically to increase the risk of NTDs when administered during pregnancy. Therefore, a model that recapitulates human neurodevelopment would be of immense benefit to understand the genetics underlying NTDs and identify teratogenic mechanisms. Using our self-organizing single rosette spheroid (SOSRS) brain organoid system, we have developed a high-throughput image analysis pipeline for evaluating SOSRS structure for NTD-like phenotypes. Similar to small molecule inhibition of apical constriction, the antiseizure medication valproic acid (VPA), a known cause of NTDs, increases the apical lumen size and apical cell surface area in a dose-responsive manner. This expansion was mimicked by GSK3β and HDAC inhibitors; however, RNA sequencing suggests VPA does not inhibit GSK3β at these concentrations. Knockout of SHROOM3, a well-known NTD-related gene, also caused expansion of the lumen as well as reduced f-actin polarization. The increased lumen sizes were caused by reduced cell apical constriction suggesting that impingement of this process is a shared mechanism for VPA treatment and SHROOM3-KO, two well-known causes of NTDs. Our system allows the rapid identification of NTD-like phenotypes for both compounds and genetic variants and should prove useful for understanding specific NTD mechanisms and predicting drug teratogenicity.
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Affiliation(s)
- Taylor N. Takla
- Department of Neurology, University of Michigan Medical School, Ann Arbor, MI
| | - Jinghui Luo
- Department of Neurology, University of Michigan Medical School, Ann Arbor, MI
| | - Roksolana Sudyk
- Department of Neurology, University of Michigan Medical School, Ann Arbor, MI
| | - Joy Huang
- Department of Neurology, University of Michigan Medical School, Ann Arbor, MI
| | - J. Clayton Walker
- Department of Neurology, University of Michigan Medical School, Ann Arbor, MI
| | - Neeta L. Vora
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Division of Maternal-Fetal Medicine, University of North Carolina School of Medicine, Chapel Hill, NC
| | - Jonathan Z. Sexton
- Department of Internal Medicine, University of Michigan Medical School, Ann Arbor, MI
- Department of Medicinal Chemistry, University of Michigan College of Pharmacy, Ann Arbor, MI
- Center for Drug Repurposing, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, MI
| | - Jack M. Parent
- Department of Neurology, University of Michigan Medical School, Ann Arbor, MI
- Michigan Neuroscience Institute, University of Michigan Medical School, Ann Arbor, MI
- VA Ann Arbor Healthcare System, Ann Arbor, MI
| | - Andrew M. Tidball
- Department of Neurology, University of Michigan Medical School, Ann Arbor, MI
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Hussein AM, Mahmoud SA, Elazab KM, Abouelnaga AF, Abass M, Mosa AAH, Hussein MAM, Elsayed MEG. Possible Mechanisms of the Neuroprotective Actions of Date Palm Fruits Aqueous Extracts against Valproic Acid-Induced Autism in Rats. Curr Issues Mol Biol 2023; 45:1627-1643. [PMID: 36826050 PMCID: PMC9954972 DOI: 10.3390/cimb45020105] [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: 01/09/2023] [Revised: 01/31/2023] [Accepted: 02/03/2023] [Indexed: 02/16/2023] Open
Abstract
The current study aimed to determine how palm date aqueous fruit extracts (AFE) affected the autistic-like behaviors brought on by valproic acid (VPA) injection, as well as any potential contributions from Sirt-1, oxidative stress, apoptosis, and autophagy. The pregnant Sprague Dawley females were treated with VPA at 12.5th gestation day and pregnant females and their offspring were treated with AFE orally at doses of 4 mg/Kg by gastric gavage for 45 days after birth. The elevated plus-T maze, water maze, and rotarod tests were used to examine autism-like behaviors. At the end of the study, the expression of Nrf2, heme oxygenase (HO-1), Sirt-1, caspase-3 (a marker of apoptosis), LC3 (a marker of autophagy), and NFκB (inflammatory cytokines) were evaluated along with the oxidative stress in brain tissues and the histological changes in the cerebellum and hippocampus. The neurobehavioral assessments significantly declined due to VPA, which also significantly increased oxidative stress in the brain tissues and significantly decreased Nrf2 and HO-1 expression. Additionally, VPA administration caused significant increase in the expression of caspase-3 in the cerebellar cortex, not in the hippocampus; LC3 and NFκB in the hippocampus, not in the cerebellar cortex; and significant reduction in the expression of Sirt-1 in the hippocampus, not in the cerebellum. On the other hand, AFE treatment significantly improved the neurobehavioral changes as well as it improved significantly the oxidative stress and the expression of LC3, NFκB, NrF2, HO-1, and Sirt-1 in the cerebellum and hippocampus. Conclusions: AFE administration might improve the autistic-like symptoms induced by VPA in rats via attenuation of the oxidative stress, upregulation of Nrf2 and HO-1, Sirt-1 and LC3 expression with downregulation of caspase-3, and NFκB expression in the cerebellum and hippocampus.
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Affiliation(s)
- Abdelaziz M. Hussein
- Department of Medical Physiology, Faculty of Medicine, Mansoura University, Mansoura 35516, Egypt
- Correspondence: ; Tel.: +20-10-02421140; Fax: +20-5-02263717
| | | | | | - Ahmed F. Abouelnaga
- Department of Animal Husbandry and Development of Animal Wealth, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Mansoura University, Mansoura 35516, Egypt
| | - Marwa Abass
- Department of Surgery, Anesthesiology and Radiology, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Mansoura University, Mansoura 35516, Egypt
| | - Ahmed A. H. Mosa
- Department of Neurology, Faculty of Medicine, Delta University for Science and Technology, Gamasa 11152, Egypt
| | | | - Mohamed E. G. Elsayed
- Department of Psychiatry and Psychotherapy III, University of Ulm, 89075 Ulm, Germany
- Department of Psychiatry, School of Medicine and Health Sciences, Carl von Ossietzky University Oldenburg, 26129 Oldenburg, Germany
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Chaudhary S, Parvez S. Neuroprotective Effects of Natural Antioxidants Against Branched-Chain Fatty Acid-Induced Oxidative Stress in Cerebral Cortex and Cerebellum Regions of the Rat Brain. ACS OMEGA 2022; 7:38269-38276. [PMID: 36340064 PMCID: PMC9631910 DOI: 10.1021/acsomega.2c00163] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 06/16/2023]
Abstract
Valproic acid (VPA) is short branched-chain fatty acid (BCFA) derived from valeric acids which are naturally produced by Valeriana officinalis (flowering plant). Neurotoxicity caused by BCFA-like VPA may be mediated by oxidative stress, according to research involving the cerebral cortex and cerebellum. In the present study, we explored the possible protective effect of different antioxidants such as melatonin, quercetin, and piperine on VPA exposure by using a supernatant preparation of the cerebral cortex and cerebellum regions of the rat brain. The present study revealed that melatonin, quercetin, and piperine significantly prevented VPA-induced oxidative stress in the cerebral cortex and cerebellum regions. VPA was also observed to lower the level of reduced glutathione, and this effect was significantly mitigated by these antioxidants. Melatonin, quercetin, and piperine also ameliorated and altered the activities of AChE, Na+, K+ATPase, and MAO in the cerebral cortex and cerebellum. Results of this study also suggest that prior treatment of antioxidants like melatonin, quercetin, and piperine helps in combating the oxidative stress induced by VPA in the cerebral cortex and cerebellum region of the rat brain. Thus, sufficient dietary intake of these antioxidants by individuals at high risk of VPA exposure could prove beneficial in combating the adverse effect of VPA.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Suhel Parvez
- . Phone: +91 11 26059688x5573. Fax: +91 11 26059663
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23
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Protective effects of L-carnitine against valproic acid-induced memory impairment and anxiety-like behavior in adult rat. Physiol Behav 2022; 253:113853. [PMID: 35609723 DOI: 10.1016/j.physbeh.2022.113853] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/04/2022] [Revised: 05/08/2022] [Accepted: 05/19/2022] [Indexed: 11/24/2022]
Abstract
This study was designed to explore the effects of valproic acid (VPA) on spatial and passive avoidance learning and memory as well as to assess the protective effects of L-Carnitine (LC) against VPA-induced memory deficit in the rat. Male Wistar rats received VPA (300 mg/kg/daily by i.p. injection), or LC (50 mg/kg/ daily by i.p. injection), or co-treatment with VPA and LC for 28 days. Following 28 days, Elevated Plus-Maze (EPM), Morris Water Maze (MWM), and Passive Avoidance Learning (PAL) tasks were used to evaluate the anxiety-like behavior and spatial and passive learning and memory, respectively. Our results showed that VPA has no effect on memory acquisition (in both MWM and PAL) but induced reference memory impairment. We demonstrated that treatment with LC partially ameliorated the impairment in the retrieval of reference memory and passive avoidance learning. Moreover, VPA increased anxiety-like behavior, which was partially reversed by the administration of LC. In conclusion, these results show that LC is effective in counteracting the anxiety-like behavior and reference memory impairment caused by VPA. Therefore, LC may serve as a possible therapeutic agent for VPA-induced memory change.
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Manthos K, Theotokis P, Dermitzakis I, Avramidou E, Meditskou S, Manthou ME, Emmanouil‐Nikoloussi E. Valproic acid induced selective apoptosis of ocular fibrous tunic in mice fetuses. Birth Defects Res 2022; 114:1257-1265. [DOI: 10.1002/bdr2.2076] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/04/2022] [Revised: 07/13/2022] [Accepted: 07/21/2022] [Indexed: 11/11/2022]
Affiliation(s)
- Kyriakos Manthos
- Department of Histology‐Embryology, School of Medicine Aristotle University of Thessaloniki Thessaloniki Greece
| | - Paschalis Theotokis
- Department of Histology‐Embryology, School of Medicine Aristotle University of Thessaloniki Thessaloniki Greece
- Laboratory of Experimental Neurology and Neuroimmunology, Second Department of Neurology AHEPA University Hospital Thessaloniki Greece
| | - Iasonas Dermitzakis
- Department of Histology‐Embryology, School of Medicine Aristotle University of Thessaloniki Thessaloniki Greece
| | - Eleni Avramidou
- Department of Histology‐Embryology, School of Medicine Aristotle University of Thessaloniki Thessaloniki Greece
| | - Soultana Meditskou
- Department of Histology‐Embryology, School of Medicine Aristotle University of Thessaloniki Thessaloniki Greece
| | - Maria Eleni Manthou
- Department of Histology‐Embryology, School of Medicine Aristotle University of Thessaloniki Thessaloniki Greece
| | - Elpida‐Niki Emmanouil‐Nikoloussi
- Department of Histology‐Embryology, School of Medicine Aristotle University of Thessaloniki Thessaloniki Greece
- Department of Histology‐Embryology, Department of Dentistry, School of Medicine European University of Cyprus Nicosia Cyprus
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25
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Sivasangari K, Rajan KE. Prenatal exposure to valproic acid alters Reelin, NGF expressing neuron architecture and impairs social interaction in their autistic-like phenotype male offspring. Exp Brain Res 2022; 240:2005-2016. [PMID: 35648200 DOI: 10.1007/s00221-022-06386-8] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/01/2022] [Accepted: 05/08/2022] [Indexed: 11/26/2022]
Abstract
Maternal exposure to anti-epileptic drug Valproic acid (VPA) during pregnancy increases the risk for the development of autism spectrum disorders (ASD). In this study, we have examined whether prenatal exposure to VPA will alter expression of key genes, synaptic morphology of nerve growth factor (NGF) and Reelin expressing neurons in the cortex of male offspring. To characterize in animal models, rat fetuses were exposed to VPA on 12.5 gestational day. The offspring of the VPA-exposed individuals (42%) resembles ASD-related phenotype (facial malformation, crooked-like tail, flattened paw, toenails and in-turning-ankles). Furthermore, we have observed deficit in social interaction accompanied by deregulation in expression of genes such as Caspase-3, focal adhesion kinase (FAK), Reelin, glial fibrillary acidic protein (GFAP), proliferating cell nuclear antigen (PCNA) and NGF. Subsequently, immunohistochemistry analysis revealed that exposure to VPA alters the cytoarchitecture (area, diameter) and reduced the dendritic arborization of Reelin, NGF expressing neurons in cortex. The compromised neurodevelopment by altered expression of Caspase-3, FAK, Reelin, GFAP, PCNA and NGF may cause defects in neuronal architecture, synaptic formation, synaptic plasticity and neuronal communication which could be linked with observed ASD-like phenotype and deficit social interaction.
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Affiliation(s)
- Karunanithi Sivasangari
- Behavioural Neuroscience Laboratory, Department of Animal Science, School of Life Sciences, Bharathidasan University, Tiruchirappalli, 620024, Tamil Nadu, India
| | - Koilmani Emmanuvel Rajan
- Behavioural Neuroscience Laboratory, Department of Animal Science, School of Life Sciences, Bharathidasan University, Tiruchirappalli, 620024, Tamil Nadu, India.
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26
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Elesawy RO, El-Deeb OS, Eltokhy AK, Arakeep HM, Ali DA, Elkholy SS, Kabel AM. Postnatal baicalin ameliorates behavioral and neurochemical alterations in valproic acid-induced rodent model of autism: The possible implication of sirtuin-1/mitofusin-2/ Bcl-2 pathway. Biomed Pharmacother 2022; 150:112960. [PMID: 35447549 DOI: 10.1016/j.biopha.2022.112960] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/09/2022] [Revised: 03/30/2022] [Accepted: 04/11/2022] [Indexed: 11/19/2022] Open
Abstract
Autism spectrum disorder (ASD) is characterized by pervasive impairments in social communication along with repetitive or stereotyped behaviors. Although its distinctive etiology isn`t completely understood, genetic and environmental risk factors were incriminated. Being a flavonoid of high biomedical value, baicalin was recently verified as an emerging medicinal herb with numerous pharmacological activities. The objective of this study was to investigate the feasible effects of baicalin on valproic acid (VPA)-induced autism regarding its potential mitochondrial modulatory, antioxidant, and antiapoptotic effects. The present study was performed using a rodent model of autism by exposing rat fetuses to VPA on the 12.5th day of gestation. Ten male Wistar rats that were born from control pregnant females were considered as group I (control group). Twenty male Wistar rats that were born from prenatal VPA- treated females were further divided into two groups: Group II (VPA- induced ASD) and group III (VPA + Baicalin). Postnatal baicalin promoted postnatal growth and maturation. In addition, it improved motor development and ameliorated repetitive behavior as well as social deficits in prenatally exposed VPA rats. Moreover, baicalin enhanced neuronal mitochondrial functions as evidenced by elevation of mitochondrial adenosine triphosphate (ATP) level and promotion of mitofusin-2 expression. Furthermore, baicalin elevated sirtuin-1 (SIRT1) level in VPA rats' brain tissues and restored the antioxidant defense mechanisms. Besides, it abrogated the neuronal histopathological changes in the brain tissues. Based on the data herein, baicalin may provide a promising pre-clinical therapeutic line in ASD as a mitochondrial function modulator, antioxidant and anti-apoptotic agent.
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Affiliation(s)
- Rasha O Elesawy
- Pharmacology Department, Faculty of Medicine, Tanta University, Tanta, Egypt
| | - Omnia S El-Deeb
- Medical Biochemistry Department, Faculty of Medicine, Tanta University, Tanta, Egypt
| | - Amira K Eltokhy
- Medical Biochemistry Department, Faculty of Medicine, Tanta University, Tanta, Egypt
| | - Heba M Arakeep
- Anatomy and Embryology Department, Faculty of Medicine, Tanta University, Tanta, Egypt
| | - Dina A Ali
- Clinical Pathology Department, Faculty of Medicine, Tanta University, Tanta, Egypt
| | - Sanad S Elkholy
- Physiology Department, Faculty of Medicine, Kafrelsheikh University, Kafr El-Shaikh, Egypt
| | - Ahmed M Kabel
- Pharmacology Department, Faculty of Medicine, Tanta University, Tanta, Egypt.
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Mehra S, Ul Ahsan A, Seth E, Chopra M. Critical Evaluation of Valproic Acid-Induced Rodent Models of Autism: Current and Future Perspectives. J Mol Neurosci 2022; 72:1259-1273. [DOI: 10.1007/s12031-022-02033-7] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/27/2022] [Accepted: 05/21/2022] [Indexed: 11/29/2022]
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Santos-Terra J, Deckmann I, Carello-Collar G, Nunes GDF, Bauer-Negrini G, Schwingel GB, Fontes-Dutra M, Riesgo R, Gottfried C. Resveratrol Prevents Cytoarchitectural and Interneuronal Alterations in the Valproic Acid Rat Model of Autism. Int J Mol Sci 2022; 23:ijms23084075. [PMID: 35456893 PMCID: PMC9027778 DOI: 10.3390/ijms23084075] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/16/2022] [Revised: 03/31/2022] [Accepted: 04/02/2022] [Indexed: 12/27/2022] Open
Abstract
Autism spectrum disorder (ASD) is a prevalent neurodevelopmental disorder characterized by several alterations, including disorganized brain cytoarchitecture and excitatory/inhibitory (E/I) imbalance. We aimed to analyze aspects associated with the inhibitory components in ASD, using bioinformatics to develop notions about embryonic life and tissue analysis for postnatal life. We analyzed microarray and RNAseq datasets of embryos from different ASD models, demonstrating that regions involved in neuronal development are affected. We evaluated the effect of prenatal treatment with resveratrol (RSV) on the neuronal organization and quantity of parvalbumin-positive (PV+), somatostatin-positive (SOM+), and calbindin-positive (CB+) GABAergic interneurons, besides the levels of synaptic proteins and GABA receptors in the medial prefrontal cortex (mPFC) and hippocampus (HC) of the ASD model induced by valproic acid (VPA). VPA increased the total number of neurons in the mPFC, while it reduced the number of SOM+ neurons, as well as the proportion of SOM+, PV+, and CB+ neurons (subregion-specific manner), with preventive effects of RSV. In summary, metabolic alterations or gene expression impairments could be induced by VPA, leading to extensive damage in the late developmental stages. By contrast, due to its antioxidant, neuroprotective, and opposite action on histone properties, RSV may avoid damages induced by VPA.
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Affiliation(s)
- Júlio Santos-Terra
- Translational Research Group in Autism Spectrum Disorder—GETTEA, Universidade Federal do Rio Grande do Sul (UFRGS), Porto Alegre 90040-060, Brazil; (J.S.-T.); (I.D.); (G.C.-C.); (G.D.-F.N.); (G.B.-N.); (G.B.S.); (M.F.-D.); (R.R.)
- Department of Biochemistry, Universidade Federal do Rio Grande do Sul (UFRGS), Porto Alegre 90040-060, Brazil
- National Institute of Science and Technology in Neuroimmunomodulation—INCT-NIM, Rio de Janeiro 21040-900, Brazil
- Autism Wellbeing and Research Development—AWARD—Initiative BR-UK-CA, Porto Alegre 90040-060, Brazil
| | - Iohanna Deckmann
- Translational Research Group in Autism Spectrum Disorder—GETTEA, Universidade Federal do Rio Grande do Sul (UFRGS), Porto Alegre 90040-060, Brazil; (J.S.-T.); (I.D.); (G.C.-C.); (G.D.-F.N.); (G.B.-N.); (G.B.S.); (M.F.-D.); (R.R.)
- Department of Biochemistry, Universidade Federal do Rio Grande do Sul (UFRGS), Porto Alegre 90040-060, Brazil
- National Institute of Science and Technology in Neuroimmunomodulation—INCT-NIM, Rio de Janeiro 21040-900, Brazil
- Autism Wellbeing and Research Development—AWARD—Initiative BR-UK-CA, Porto Alegre 90040-060, Brazil
| | - Giovanna Carello-Collar
- Translational Research Group in Autism Spectrum Disorder—GETTEA, Universidade Federal do Rio Grande do Sul (UFRGS), Porto Alegre 90040-060, Brazil; (J.S.-T.); (I.D.); (G.C.-C.); (G.D.-F.N.); (G.B.-N.); (G.B.S.); (M.F.-D.); (R.R.)
- Department of Biochemistry, Universidade Federal do Rio Grande do Sul (UFRGS), Porto Alegre 90040-060, Brazil
- National Institute of Science and Technology in Neuroimmunomodulation—INCT-NIM, Rio de Janeiro 21040-900, Brazil
| | - Gustavo Della-Flora Nunes
- Translational Research Group in Autism Spectrum Disorder—GETTEA, Universidade Federal do Rio Grande do Sul (UFRGS), Porto Alegre 90040-060, Brazil; (J.S.-T.); (I.D.); (G.C.-C.); (G.D.-F.N.); (G.B.-N.); (G.B.S.); (M.F.-D.); (R.R.)
- Department of Biochemistry, Universidade Federal do Rio Grande do Sul (UFRGS), Porto Alegre 90040-060, Brazil
- National Institute of Science and Technology in Neuroimmunomodulation—INCT-NIM, Rio de Janeiro 21040-900, Brazil
| | - Guilherme Bauer-Negrini
- Translational Research Group in Autism Spectrum Disorder—GETTEA, Universidade Federal do Rio Grande do Sul (UFRGS), Porto Alegre 90040-060, Brazil; (J.S.-T.); (I.D.); (G.C.-C.); (G.D.-F.N.); (G.B.-N.); (G.B.S.); (M.F.-D.); (R.R.)
- Department of Biochemistry, Universidade Federal do Rio Grande do Sul (UFRGS), Porto Alegre 90040-060, Brazil
- National Institute of Science and Technology in Neuroimmunomodulation—INCT-NIM, Rio de Janeiro 21040-900, Brazil
- Autism Wellbeing and Research Development—AWARD—Initiative BR-UK-CA, Porto Alegre 90040-060, Brazil
| | - Gustavo Brum Schwingel
- Translational Research Group in Autism Spectrum Disorder—GETTEA, Universidade Federal do Rio Grande do Sul (UFRGS), Porto Alegre 90040-060, Brazil; (J.S.-T.); (I.D.); (G.C.-C.); (G.D.-F.N.); (G.B.-N.); (G.B.S.); (M.F.-D.); (R.R.)
- Department of Biochemistry, Universidade Federal do Rio Grande do Sul (UFRGS), Porto Alegre 90040-060, Brazil
- National Institute of Science and Technology in Neuroimmunomodulation—INCT-NIM, Rio de Janeiro 21040-900, Brazil
- Autism Wellbeing and Research Development—AWARD—Initiative BR-UK-CA, Porto Alegre 90040-060, Brazil
| | - Mellanie Fontes-Dutra
- Translational Research Group in Autism Spectrum Disorder—GETTEA, Universidade Federal do Rio Grande do Sul (UFRGS), Porto Alegre 90040-060, Brazil; (J.S.-T.); (I.D.); (G.C.-C.); (G.D.-F.N.); (G.B.-N.); (G.B.S.); (M.F.-D.); (R.R.)
- Department of Biochemistry, Universidade Federal do Rio Grande do Sul (UFRGS), Porto Alegre 90040-060, Brazil
- National Institute of Science and Technology in Neuroimmunomodulation—INCT-NIM, Rio de Janeiro 21040-900, Brazil
- Autism Wellbeing and Research Development—AWARD—Initiative BR-UK-CA, Porto Alegre 90040-060, Brazil
| | - Rudimar Riesgo
- Translational Research Group in Autism Spectrum Disorder—GETTEA, Universidade Federal do Rio Grande do Sul (UFRGS), Porto Alegre 90040-060, Brazil; (J.S.-T.); (I.D.); (G.C.-C.); (G.D.-F.N.); (G.B.-N.); (G.B.S.); (M.F.-D.); (R.R.)
- National Institute of Science and Technology in Neuroimmunomodulation—INCT-NIM, Rio de Janeiro 21040-900, Brazil
- Autism Wellbeing and Research Development—AWARD—Initiative BR-UK-CA, Porto Alegre 90040-060, Brazil
- Child Neurology Unit, Department of Pediatrics, Hospital de Clínicas de Porto Alegre, Porto Alegre 90035-903, Brazil
| | - Carmem Gottfried
- Translational Research Group in Autism Spectrum Disorder—GETTEA, Universidade Federal do Rio Grande do Sul (UFRGS), Porto Alegre 90040-060, Brazil; (J.S.-T.); (I.D.); (G.C.-C.); (G.D.-F.N.); (G.B.-N.); (G.B.S.); (M.F.-D.); (R.R.)
- Department of Biochemistry, Universidade Federal do Rio Grande do Sul (UFRGS), Porto Alegre 90040-060, Brazil
- National Institute of Science and Technology in Neuroimmunomodulation—INCT-NIM, Rio de Janeiro 21040-900, Brazil
- Autism Wellbeing and Research Development—AWARD—Initiative BR-UK-CA, Porto Alegre 90040-060, Brazil
- Correspondence:
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AZİRAK S, BİLGİÇ S, TAŞTEMİR KORKMAZ D, SEVİMLİ M, ÖZER MK. Timokinon’un sıçanların pankreas dokusunda valproik asidin neden olduğu hasarı iyileştirmeye etkisi. CUKUROVA MEDICAL JOURNAL 2022. [DOI: 10.17826/cumj.1020753] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/12/2022] Open
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Kuo HY, Liu FC. Pathophysiological Studies of Monoaminergic Neurotransmission Systems in Valproic Acid-Induced Model of Autism Spectrum Disorder. Biomedicines 2022; 10:560. [PMID: 35327362 PMCID: PMC8945169 DOI: 10.3390/biomedicines10030560] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/07/2022] [Revised: 02/21/2022] [Accepted: 02/22/2022] [Indexed: 01/27/2023] Open
Abstract
Autism spectrum disorder (ASD) is a neurodevelopmental disorder with complex etiology. The core syndromes of ASD are deficits in social communication and self-restricted interests and repetitive behaviors. Social communication relies on the proper integration of sensory and motor functions, which is tightly interwoven with the limbic function of reward, motivation, and emotion in the brain. Monoamine neurotransmitters, including serotonin, dopamine, and norepinephrine, are key players in the modulation of neuronal activity. Owing to their broad distribution, the monoamine neurotransmitter systems are well suited to modulate social communication by coordinating sensory, motor, and limbic systems in different brain regions. The complex and diverse functions of monoamine neurotransmission thus render themselves as primary targets of pathophysiological investigation of the etiology of ASD. Clinical studies have reported that children with maternal exposure to valproic acid (VPA) have an increased risk of developing ASD. Extensive animal studies have confirmed that maternal treatments of VPA include ASD-like phenotypes, including impaired social communication and repetitive behavior. Here, given that ASD is a neurodevelopmental disorder, we begin with an overview of the neural development of monoaminergic systems with their neurochemical properties in the brain. We then review and discuss the evidence of human clinical and animal model studies of ASD with a focus on the VPA-induced pathophysiology of monoamine neurotransmitter systems. We also review the potential interactions of microbiota and monoamine neurotransmitter systems in ASD pathophysiology. Widespread and complex changes in monoamine neurotransmitters are detected in the brains of human patients with ASD and validated in animal models. ASD animal models are not only essential to the characterization of pathogenic mechanisms, but also provide a preclinical platform for developing therapeutic approaches to ASD.
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Affiliation(s)
- Hsiao-Ying Kuo
- Institute of Anatomy and Cell Biology, National Yang Ming Chiao Tung University, Taipei 11221, Taiwan
| | - Fu-Chin Liu
- Institute of Neuroscience, National Yang Ming Chiao Tung University, Taipei 11221, Taiwan
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Epilepsy in Pregnancy—Management Principles and Focus on Valproate. Int J Mol Sci 2022; 23:ijms23031369. [PMID: 35163292 PMCID: PMC8836209 DOI: 10.3390/ijms23031369] [Citation(s) in RCA: 18] [Impact Index Per Article: 9.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/20/2021] [Revised: 01/18/2022] [Accepted: 01/22/2022] [Indexed: 02/06/2023] Open
Abstract
An estimated 60 million people worldwide suffer from epilepsy, half of whom are women. About one-third of women with epilepsy are of childbearing age. The childbirth rate in women with epilepsy is about 20–40% lower compared to that of the general population, which may be partly due to a lower number of these women being in relationships. Lower fertility in women with epilepsy may be linked to the disease itself, but it is mainly a result of the treatment provided. Valproate, as an antiepileptic drug inhibiting histone deacetylases, may affect the expression of genes associated with cell cycle control and cellular differentiation. Evidently, this drug is associated with the risk of malformations although other antiepileptic drugs (AEDs) may also trigger birth defects, however, to a lower degree. Valproate (and to a certain degree other AEDs) may induce autism spectrum disorders and attention deficit hyperactivity disorder. The main mechanism responsible for all negative effects of prenatal exposure to valproate seems inhibition of histone deacetylases. Animal studies show a reduction in the expression of genes involved in social behavior and an increase in hippocampal cytokines. Valproate-induced oxidative stress may also contribute to neural tube defects. Interestingly, paternal exposure to this AED in mice may trigger neurodevelopmental disorders as well although a population-based cohort study does not confirm this effect. To lower the risk of congenital malformations and neurodevelopmental disorders, a single AED at the optimal dose and supplementation with folic acid is recommended. VPA should be avoided in women of childbearing age and especially during pregnancy.
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Hansen JM, Lucas SM, Ramos CD, Green EJ, Nuttall DJ, Clark DS, Marchant ED, Hancock CR, Piorczynski TB. Valproic acid promotes SOD2 acetylation: A potential mechanism of valproic acid-induced oxidative stress in developing systems. Free Radic Res 2021; 55:1130-1144. [PMID: 34895005 DOI: 10.1080/10715762.2021.2017913] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 10/19/2022]
Abstract
Valproic acid (VPA) is an antiepileptic, bipolar and migraine medication, which is associated with embryonic dysmorphology, more specifically neural tube defects (NTDs), if taken while pregnant. One mechanism by which VPA may cause NTDs is through oxidative stress that cause disruption of cell signaling. However, mechanisms of VPA-induced oxidative stress are not fully understood. Since VPA is a deacetylase inhibitor, we propose that VPA promotes mitochondrial superoxide dismutase-2 (SOD2) acetylation, decreasing SOD2 activity and increasing oxidant levels. Using the pluripotent embryonal carcinoma cell line, P19, VPA effects were evaluated in undifferentiated and neurodifferentiated cells. VPA treatments increased oxidant levels, oxidized the glutathione (GSH)/glutathione disulfide (GSSG) redox couple, and decreased total SOD and SOD2 activity in undifferentiated P19 cells but not in differentiated P19 cells. VPA caused a specific increase in mitochondrial oxidants in undifferentiated P19 cells, VPA did not alter respirometry measurements. Immunoblot analyses demonstrated that VPA increased acetylation of SOD2 at lysine68 (AcK68 SOD2) in undifferentiated P19 cells but not in differentiated P19 cells. Pretreatments with the Nrf2 inducer, dithiol-3-thione (D3T), in undifferentiated P19 cells prevented increased oxidant levels, GSH/GSSG redox oxidation and restored total SOD and SOD2 activity, correlating with a decrease in AcK68 SOD2 levels. In embryos, VPA decreased total SOD and SOD2 activity and increased levels of AcK68 SOD2, and D3T pretreatments prevented VPA effects, increasing total SOD and SOD2 activity and lowering levels of AcK68 SOD2. These data demonstrate a potential, contributing oxidizing mechanism by which VPA incites teratogenesis in developing systems. Moreover, these data also suggest that Nrf2 interventions may serve as a means to protect developmental signaling and inhibit VPA-induced malformations.
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Affiliation(s)
| | | | | | | | | | | | - Erik D Marchant
- Department of Nutrition, Dietetics and Food Science, College of Life Sciences, Brigham Young University, Provo, Utah, USA
| | - Chad R Hancock
- Department of Nutrition, Dietetics and Food Science, College of Life Sciences, Brigham Young University, Provo, Utah, USA
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NRF2 activation protects against valproic acid-induced disruption of neurogenesis in P19 cells. Differentiation 2021; 123:18-29. [PMID: 34902770 DOI: 10.1016/j.diff.2021.12.002] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/04/2021] [Revised: 11/25/2021] [Accepted: 12/06/2021] [Indexed: 12/30/2022]
Abstract
Valproic acid (VPA) is a commonly prescribed antiepileptic drug that causes fetal valproate syndrome (FVS) in developing embryos exposed to it. Symptoms of FVS include neural tube defects (NTDs), musculoskeletal abnormalities, and neurodevelopmental difficulties. One proposed mechanism of VPA-induced developmental toxicity is via oxidative stress, defined as the disruption of redox-sensitive cell signaling. We propose that redox imbalances caused by VPA exposure result in improper cellular differentiation that may contribute to FVS. In undifferentiated P19 mouse embryonal carcinoma cells treated with VPA, glutathione disulfide (GSSG) concentrations were higher and the glutathione (GSH)/GSSG redox potential (Eh) was more oxidizing compared to vehicle-treated control cells, both of which are indications of potential intracellular oxidative stress. Interestingly, VPA had no effect on GSH or GSSG levels in differentiated P19 neurons. Undifferentiated cells pretreated with 3H-1,2-dithiole-3-thione (D3T), an inducer of the nuclear factor erythroid 2-related factor 2 (NRF2) antioxidant response that combats cellular redox disruption, were protected from VPA-induced alterations to the GSH/GSSG system. To assess differential periods of susceptibility, P19 cells were exposed to VPA at various time points during their neuronal differentiation. Cells exposed to VPA early in the differentiation process did not undergo normal neurogenesis as measured by POU domain, class 5, transcription factor 1 (OCT4) and tubulin beta-3 chain (βIII-tubulin), markers of cell stemness and neuronal differentiation, respectively. Neurogenesis was improved with D3T pretreatments prior to VPA exposure. Furthermore, differentiating P19 cells treated with VPA exhibited increased protein oxidation that was diminished with D3T pretreatment. These findings demonstrate that VPA inhibits neurogenesis and propose NRF2-mediated redox homeostasis as a means to promote normal neuronal differentiation, thereby potentially decreasing the prevalence of FVS outcomes.
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Liu M, Wang D, Wang C, Yin S, Pi X, Li Z, Wang L, Liu J, Yin C, Jin L, Ren A. High concentrations of aluminum in maternal serum and placental tissue are associated with increased risk for fetal neural tube defects. CHEMOSPHERE 2021; 284:131387. [PMID: 34217934 DOI: 10.1016/j.chemosphere.2021.131387] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/15/2021] [Revised: 06/21/2021] [Accepted: 06/28/2021] [Indexed: 06/13/2023]
Abstract
Aluminum (Al)1 is ubiquitously present in the environment, and human exposure to Al is common. Al has been reported to be involved in various human diseases and adverse pregnancy outcomes, including neural tube defects (NTDs). This study aimed to examine the association between prenatal Al exposure and the risk for NTDs using Al concentrations in maternal serum and placental tissue. The subjects were recruited from six counties/cities in the Shanxi province of northern China from 2003 to 2016. Al concentrations in both types of specimens were assessed using inductively coupled plasma-mass spectrometry. In the maternal serum cohort (200 cases and 400 controls), compared to the lowest tertile concentration of Al, the highest Al tertile was associated with 2.42-fold (95% confidence interval, 1.23-4.87) increased risk after adjustment for confounding factors. In the placental tissue cohort (408 cases and 593 controls), the highest tertile of Al also tended to be associated with an elevated risk for NTDs [adjusted odds ratio, 1.60 (0.94-2.70)]. When analyzed by NTD subtypes, the highest Al tertile was associated with an increased risk for anencephaly in both cohorts after adjustment for confounders [odds ratio, 1.97 (1.15-3.48) in the maternal serum cohort; odds ratio, 4.75 (2.01-12.00) in the placental tissue cohort]. Taken together, using concentrations of Al in maternal serum and placental tissue as exposure markers, we found that prenatal exposure to higher levels of Al is a risk factor for fetal NTDs, especially for the anencephaly subtype.
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Affiliation(s)
- Mengyuan Liu
- Institute of Reproductive and Child Health/Key Laboratory of Reproductive Health, National Health Commission of the People's Republic of China, Peking University, Beijing, China; Department of Epidemiology and Biostatistics, School of Public Health, Peking University, Beijing, China.
| | - Di Wang
- Institute of Reproductive and Child Health/Key Laboratory of Reproductive Health, National Health Commission of the People's Republic of China, Peking University, Beijing, China; Department of Epidemiology and Biostatistics, School of Public Health, Peking University, Beijing, China.
| | - Chengrong Wang
- Institute of Reproductive and Child Health/Key Laboratory of Reproductive Health, National Health Commission of the People's Republic of China, Peking University, Beijing, China; Department of Epidemiology and Biostatistics, School of Public Health, Peking University, Beijing, China; Beijing Obstetrics and Gynecology Hospital, Capital Medical University, Beijing, China.
| | - Shengju Yin
- Institute of Reproductive and Child Health/Key Laboratory of Reproductive Health, National Health Commission of the People's Republic of China, Peking University, Beijing, China; Department of Epidemiology and Biostatistics, School of Public Health, Peking University, Beijing, China.
| | - Xin Pi
- Institute of Reproductive and Child Health/Key Laboratory of Reproductive Health, National Health Commission of the People's Republic of China, Peking University, Beijing, China; Department of Social Medicine and Health Education, School of Public Health, Peking University, Beijing, China.
| | - Zhiwen Li
- Institute of Reproductive and Child Health/Key Laboratory of Reproductive Health, National Health Commission of the People's Republic of China, Peking University, Beijing, China; Department of Epidemiology and Biostatistics, School of Public Health, Peking University, Beijing, China.
| | - Linlin Wang
- Institute of Reproductive and Child Health/Key Laboratory of Reproductive Health, National Health Commission of the People's Republic of China, Peking University, Beijing, China; Department of Epidemiology and Biostatistics, School of Public Health, Peking University, Beijing, China.
| | - Jufen Liu
- Institute of Reproductive and Child Health/Key Laboratory of Reproductive Health, National Health Commission of the People's Republic of China, Peking University, Beijing, China; Department of Epidemiology and Biostatistics, School of Public Health, Peking University, Beijing, China.
| | - Chenghong Yin
- Beijing Obstetrics and Gynecology Hospital, Capital Medical University, Beijing, China.
| | - Lei Jin
- Institute of Reproductive and Child Health/Key Laboratory of Reproductive Health, National Health Commission of the People's Republic of China, Peking University, Beijing, China; Department of Epidemiology and Biostatistics, School of Public Health, Peking University, Beijing, China.
| | - Aiguo Ren
- Institute of Reproductive and Child Health/Key Laboratory of Reproductive Health, National Health Commission of the People's Republic of China, Peking University, Beijing, China; Department of Epidemiology and Biostatistics, School of Public Health, Peking University, Beijing, China.
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Melatonin Ameliorates Valproic Acid-Induced Neurogenesis Impairment: The Role of Oxidative Stress in Adult Rats. OXIDATIVE MEDICINE AND CELLULAR LONGEVITY 2021; 2021:9997582. [PMID: 34804374 PMCID: PMC8604576 DOI: 10.1155/2021/9997582] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/18/2021] [Revised: 10/04/2021] [Accepted: 10/26/2021] [Indexed: 11/17/2022]
Abstract
Background Valproic acid (anticonvulsant medication) has been found to inhibit histone deacetylase activity and suppress hippocampal neurogenesis, which causes memory impairment in both humans and rodents. The neurohormone melatonin, which regulates mammalian seasonal and circadian physiology, has recently been shown to have neuroprotective properties, counteracting memory impairment associated with VPA-caused hippocampal neurogenesis reduction. This study is aimed at investigating the molecular mechanisms of melatonin associated with VPA-induced hippocampal neurogenesis and memory impairment. Methods Male Spraque-Dawley rats received VPA (300 mg/kg) twice daily or melatonin (8 mg/kg/day) or some rats were given melatonin for 14 days during VPA administration. Results The VPA-treated rats showed a significant increase in malondialdehyde (MDA) levels in the hippocampus and p21-positive cells in the subgranular zone (SGZ) of the dentate gyrus (DG) but decreased superoxide dismutase (SOD), catalase, and glutathione peroxidase (GPx) activities. Moreover, VPA significantly decreased levels of nestin, Notchl, nuclear factor erythroid 2-related factor 2 (Nrf2), doublecortin (DCX), sex determining region Y-box 2 (SOX2), and brain-derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF). Conclusions We found that melatonin was able to counteract these neurotoxic effects, acting as a neuroprotectant in VPA-induced memory hippocampal neurogenesis impairment by preventing intracellular oxidative stress and increasing antioxidant activity.
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Kakebeen AD, Niswander L. Micronutrient imbalance and common phenotypes in neural tube defects. Genesis 2021; 59:e23455. [PMID: 34665506 PMCID: PMC8599664 DOI: 10.1002/dvg.23455] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/16/2021] [Revised: 08/31/2021] [Accepted: 09/03/2021] [Indexed: 12/24/2022]
Abstract
Neural tube defects (NTDs) are among the most common birth defects, with a prevalence of close to 19 per 10,000 births worldwide. The etiology of NTDs is complex involving the interplay of genetic and environmental factors. Since nutrient deficiency is a risk factor and dietary changes are the major preventative measure to reduce the risk of NTDs, a more detailed understanding of how common micronutrient imbalances contribute to NTDs is crucial. While folic acid has been the most discussed environmental factor due to the success that population-wide fortification has had on prevention of NTDs, folic acid supplementation does not prevent all NTDs. The imbalance of several other micronutrients has been implicated as risks for NTDs by epidemiological studies and in vivo studies in animal models. In this review, we highlight recent literature deciphering the multifactorial mechanisms underlying NTDs with an emphasis on mouse and human data. Specifically, we focus on advances in our understanding of how too much or too little retinoic acid, zinc, and iron alter gene expression and cellular processes contributing to the pathobiology of NTDs. Synthesis of the discussed literature reveals common cellular phenotypes found in embryos with NTDs resulting from several micronutrient imbalances. The goal is to combine knowledge of these common cellular phenotypes with mechanisms underlying micronutrient imbalances to provide insights into possible new targets for preventative measures against NTDs.
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Affiliation(s)
- Anneke Dixie Kakebeen
- Department of Molecular, Cellular, and Developmental Biology, University of Colorado Boulder, Boulder, Colorado, USA
| | - Lee Niswander
- Department of Molecular, Cellular, and Developmental Biology, University of Colorado Boulder, Boulder, Colorado, USA
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Piorczynski TB, Lapehn S, Ringer KP, Allen SA, Johnson GA, Call K, Lucas SM, Harris C, Hansen JM. NRF2 activation inhibits valproic acid-induced neural tube defects in mice. Neurotoxicol Teratol 2021; 89:107039. [PMID: 34737154 DOI: 10.1016/j.ntt.2021.107039] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/30/2020] [Revised: 10/14/2021] [Accepted: 10/17/2021] [Indexed: 01/02/2023]
Abstract
Valproic acid (VPA) is a widely prescribed medication that has traditionally been used to treat epilepsy, yet embryonic exposure to VPA increases the risk of the fetus developing neural tube defects (NTDs). While the mechanism by which VPA causes NTDs is unknown, we hypothesize that VPA causes dysmorphogenesis through the disruption of redox-sensitive signaling pathways that are critical for proper embryonic development, and that protection from the redox disruption may decrease the prevalence of NTDs. Time-bred CD-1 mice were treated with 3H-1,2-dithiole-3-thione (D3T), an inducer of nuclear factor erythroid 2-related factor 2 (NRF2)-a transcription factor that activates the intracellular antioxidant response to prevent redox disruptions. Embryos were then collected for whole embryo culture and subsequently treated with VPA in vitro. The glutathione (GSH)/glutathione disulfide (GSSG) redox potential (Eh), a measure of the intracellular redox environment, was measured in the developing mouse embryos. Embryos treated with VPA exhibited a transiently oxidizing GSH/GSSG Eh, while those that received D3T pretreatment prior to VPA exposure showed no differences compared to controls. Moving to an in utero mouse model, time-bred C57BL/6 J dams were pretreated with or without D3T and then exposed to VPA, after which all embryos were collected for morphological analyses. The prevalence of open neural tubes in embryos treated with VPA significantly decreased with D3T pretreatment, as did the severity of the observed defects evaluated by a morphological assessment. These data show that NRF2 induction via D3T pretreatment protects against VPA-induced redox dysregulation and decreases the prevalence of NTDs in developing mouse embryos.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ted B Piorczynski
- Department of Cell Biology and Physiology, Brigham Young University, Provo, UT 84602, USA
| | - Samantha Lapehn
- Department of Environmental Health Sciences, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, MI 48109, USA
| | - Kelsey P Ringer
- Department of Cell Biology and Physiology, Brigham Young University, Provo, UT 84602, USA
| | - Spencer A Allen
- Department of Cell Biology and Physiology, Brigham Young University, Provo, UT 84602, USA
| | - Garett A Johnson
- Department of Cell Biology and Physiology, Brigham Young University, Provo, UT 84602, USA
| | - Krista Call
- Department of Cell Biology and Physiology, Brigham Young University, Provo, UT 84602, USA
| | - S Marc Lucas
- Department of Cell Biology and Physiology, Brigham Young University, Provo, UT 84602, USA
| | - Craig Harris
- Department of Environmental Health Sciences, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, MI 48109, USA
| | - Jason M Hansen
- Department of Cell Biology and Physiology, Brigham Young University, Provo, UT 84602, USA.
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Shafique S, Winn LM. Characterizing the effects of in utero valproic acid exposure on murine fetoplacental development. Placenta 2021; 112:141-152. [PMID: 34352490 DOI: 10.1016/j.placenta.2021.07.299] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/25/2021] [Revised: 06/01/2021] [Accepted: 07/27/2021] [Indexed: 10/20/2022]
Abstract
INTRODUCTION Valproic acid (VPA) is an effective anti-epileptic drug clinically used to treat seizures, bipolar disorders and neuropathic pain in women of reproductive age. Current approval of VPA for psychiatric conditions and migraine has increased the number of VPA exposed pregnancies. VPA crosses the placental barrier and induces birth defects in about 10% of exposed pregnancies. In addition, VPA exposure results in neurodevelopmental disorders in children without any overt birth defects. The current study was designed to investigate the effects of in utero VPA exposure on fetoplacental growth in a mouse model. METHODS Pregnant CD-1 dams were exposed to a single teratogenic dose of 400 mg/kg VPA or saline via subcutaneous injection on gestational day (GD) 9 and fetuses were harvested on GD 13, 15, 17 and 19, respectively. Resorptions, gross malformations, fetal weight, fetal head weight, fetal crown-rump length, fetal head transverse and anteroposterior diameters, placental weight and placental diameter were noted. RESULTS VPA exposure led to multiple external deformities including exencephaly, open eye defect, subcutaneous hemorrhage and underdevelopment of tail. All fetoplacental growth parameters fetal weight, fetal head weight, fetal crown-rump length, placental weight and placental diameter were significantly reduced in VPA-exposed fetuses with and without congenital malformations such as exencephaly, compared to control fetuses. DISCUSSION In conclusion, the effects of in utero VPA exposure on fetal and placental growth persisted throughout pregnancy and our results suggest that the effects of VPA on placental growth may play a role in VPA-induced toxicity.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sidra Shafique
- Department of Biomedical and Molecular Sciences, Queen's University, Kingston, Ontario, K7L 3N6, Canada
| | - Louise M Winn
- Department of Biomedical and Molecular Sciences, Queen's University, Kingston, Ontario, K7L 3N6, Canada; School of Environmental Studies, Queen's University, Kingston, Ontario, K7L 3N6, Canada.
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Adewole KE, Attah AF, Osawe SO. Exploring phytotherapeutic approach in the management of valproic acid-induced toxicity. ADVANCES IN TRADITIONAL MEDICINE 2021. [DOI: 10.1007/s13596-021-00575-6] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/18/2022]
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Özyer S, Ozel S, Karabulut E, Kahyaoglu S, Neselioglu S, Erel O, Engin-Ustun Y. Oxidative-Antioxidative Markers in Pregnant Women with Fetal Neural Tube Defects. Fetal Pediatr Pathol 2021; 40:93-102. [PMID: 31762366 DOI: 10.1080/15513815.2019.1686783] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 10/25/2022]
Abstract
We compared markers of oxidative stress (OS) in mothers with and without fetal neural tube defects (NTDs). Methods: Pregnant mothers in the second trimester with NTD-affected fetuses and age, gestational age, and body mass index-matched control mothers with unaffected fetuses were included. Maternal serum thiol-disulfide homeostasis parameters and ischemia-modified albumin (IMA) were measured. Results: In 30 affected mothers compared to 31 controls, disulfide levels, disulfide/native thiol, and disulfide/total thiol ratios were higher; native and total thiol levels and native thiol/total thiol ratios were lower (p < 0.001). Mothers with NTD-affected fetuses had higher levels of IMA than controls (p = 0.025). Conclusion: The thiol-disulfide homeostasis balance was shifted in favor of disulfide, suggesting increased thiol oxidation and OS in the second trimester of NTD-affected pregnancies. Maternal levels of IMA, an oxidatively altered form of albumin, thus a measure of OS, were higher in NTD-affected second trimester pregnancies compared to controls.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sebnem Özyer
- University of Health Sciences, Zekai Tahir Burak Women's Health, Health Application and Research Center, Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Ankara, Turkey
| | - Sule Ozel
- University of Health Sciences, Zekai Tahir Burak Women's Health, Health Application and Research Center, Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Ankara, Turkey
| | - Ercan Karabulut
- Yildirim Beyazit University, Faculty of Medicine, Department of Pharmacology, Ankara, Turkey
| | - Serkan Kahyaoglu
- University of Health Sciences, Zekai Tahir Burak Women's Health, Health Application and Research Center, Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Ankara, Turkey
| | - Salim Neselioglu
- Yildirim Beyazit University, Faculty of Medicine, Department of Pharmacology, Ankara, Turkey
| | - Ozcan Erel
- Yildirim Beyazit University, Faculty of Medicine, Department of Clinical Biochemistry, Ankara, Turkey
| | - Yaprak Engin-Ustun
- University of Health Sciences, Zekai Tahir Burak Women's Health, Health Application and Research Center, Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Ankara, Turkey
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Lapehn S, Piorczynski TB, Hansen JM, Harris C. Spatiotemporal evaluation of the mouse embryonic redox environment and histiotrophic nutrition following treatment with valproic acid and 1,2-dithiole-3-thione during early organogenesis. Reprod Toxicol 2021; 101:81-92. [PMID: 33713778 PMCID: PMC8110175 DOI: 10.1016/j.reprotox.2021.03.001] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/16/2021] [Revised: 02/26/2021] [Accepted: 03/02/2021] [Indexed: 12/27/2022]
Abstract
Redox regulation during metazoan development ensures that coordinated metabolic reprogramming and developmental signaling are orchestrated with high fidelity in the hypoxic embryonic environment. Valproic acid (VPA), an anti-seizure medication, is known to increase markers of oxidation and also increase the risk of neural tube defects (NTDs) when taken during pregnancy. It is unknown, however, whether oxidation plays a direct role in failed neural tube closure (NTC). Spatial and temporal fluctuations in total glutathione (GSH) and total cysteine (Cys) redox steady states were seen during a 24 h period of CD-1 mouse organogenesis in untreated conceptuses and following exposure to VPA and the Nrf2 antioxidant pathway inducer, 1,2-dithiole-3-thione (D3T). Glutathione, glutathione disulfide (GSSG), and Cys, cystine (CySS) concentrations, measured in conceptal tissues (embryo/visceral yolk sac) and fluids (yolk sac fluid/amniotic fluid) showed that VPA did not cause extensive and prolonged oxidation during the period of NTC, but instead produced transient periods of oxidation, as assessed by GSH:GSSG redox potentials, which revealed oxidation in all four conceptal compartments at 4, 10, and 14 h, corresponding to the period of heartbeat activation and NTC. Other changes were tissue and time specific. VPA treatment also reduced total FITC-Ab clearance from the medium over 3 h, indicating potential disruption of nutritive amino acid supply. Overall, these results indicated that VPA's ability to affect cellular redox status may be limited to tissue-specific windows of sensitivity during the period of NTC. The safety evaluation of drugs used during pregnancy should consider time and tissue specific redox factors.
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Affiliation(s)
- Samantha Lapehn
- Department of Environmental Health Sciences, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, MI, 48109, United States.
| | - Ted B Piorczynski
- Department of Physiology and Developmental Biology, Brigham Young University, Provo, UT, 84602, United States
| | - Jason M Hansen
- Department of Physiology and Developmental Biology, Brigham Young University, Provo, UT, 84602, United States
| | - Craig Harris
- Department of Environmental Health Sciences, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, MI, 48109, United States
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Emerging mechanisms of valproic acid-induced neurotoxic events in autism and its implications for pharmacological treatment. Biomed Pharmacother 2021; 137:111322. [PMID: 33761592 DOI: 10.1016/j.biopha.2021.111322] [Citation(s) in RCA: 31] [Impact Index Per Article: 10.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/04/2020] [Revised: 01/15/2021] [Accepted: 01/18/2021] [Indexed: 12/16/2022] Open
Abstract
Autism spectrum disorder (ASD) is a sort of mental disorder marked by deficits in cognitive and communication abilities. To date no effective cure for this pernicious disease has been available. Valproic acid (VPA) is a broad-spectrum, antiepileptic drug, and it is also a potent teratogen. Epidemiological studies have shown that children exposed to VPA are at higher risk for ASD during the first trimester of their gestational development. Several animal and human studies have demonstrated important behavioral impairments and morphological changes in the brain following VPA treatment. However, the mechanism of VPA exposure-induced ASD remains unclear. Several factors are involved in the pathological phase of ASD, including aberrant excitation/inhibition of synaptic transmission, neuroinflammation, diminished neurogenesis, oxidative stress, etc. In this review, we aim to outline the current knowledge of the critical pathophysiological mechanisms underlying VPA exposure-induced ASD. This review will give insight toward understanding the complex nature of VPA-induced neuronal toxicity and exploring a new path toward the development of novel pharmacological treatment against ASD.
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Shafique S, Winn LM. Characterizing the effects of in utero valproic acid exposure on NF-κB signaling in CD-1 mouse embryos during neural tube closure. Neurotoxicol Teratol 2020; 83:106941. [PMID: 33212164 DOI: 10.1016/j.ntt.2020.106941] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/11/2020] [Revised: 11/09/2020] [Accepted: 11/11/2020] [Indexed: 12/26/2022]
Abstract
Nuclear factor kappa B (NF-κB) is a heterodimer of protein subunits p65 and p50, that regulates the expression of a large number of genes related to cell growth and proliferation. The p65 subunit is activated after phosphorylation by Pim-1, while the p50 subunit is the cleaved product of its precursor molecule p105. Valproic acid (VPA), an antiepileptic drug, is a known teratogen and its exposure during pregnancy is associated with 1-2% of neural tube defects in the offspring. The current study aimed at investigating the effects of in utero VPA exposure on the key components of the NF-κB signaling pathway including p65, p50, and Pim-1 in CD-1 mouse embryos during the critical period of neural tube closure. Here we report that p65, Pim-1 and p105/p50 mRNA were significantly (p < 0.05) downregulated at 1 and 3 h following in utero exposure to a teratogenic dose (400 mg/kg) of VPA in gestational day (GD)9 exposed embryos. At GD13 heads of control, non-exencephalic and exencephalic embryos were used for analysis and we found significant upregulation of p65 protein expression in non-exencephalic GD13 heads while p50 protein levels were significantly downregulated in both non-exencephalic and exencephalic groups. On the other hand, p65 and p50 protein levels remained unchanged in the nuclear extracts of the VPA-exposed non-exencephalic and exencephalic GD13 embryo heads. The reported results suggest that VPA exposure perturbates p65, p105/p50, Pim-1 transcript and p65/p50 protein levels in mouse embryos.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sidra Shafique
- Department of Biomedical and Molecular Sciences, Queen's University, Kingston, Ontario K7L 3N6, Canada
| | - Louise M Winn
- Department of Biomedical and Molecular Sciences, Queen's University, Kingston, Ontario K7L 3N6, Canada; School of Environmental Studies, Queen's University, Kingston, Ontario K7L 3N6, Canada.
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Luo K, Carmella SG, Zhao Y, Tang MK, Hecht SS. Identification and quantification of phenanthrene ortho-quinones in human urine and their association with lipid peroxidation. ENVIRONMENTAL POLLUTION (BARKING, ESSEX : 1987) 2020; 266:115342. [PMID: 32805605 PMCID: PMC8892176 DOI: 10.1016/j.envpol.2020.115342] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/24/2020] [Revised: 07/11/2020] [Accepted: 07/28/2020] [Indexed: 06/11/2023]
Abstract
Although human exposure to polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAH) has been associated with in vivo oxidative damage, and hydroxyPAH metabolites have been used as biomarkers to assess PAH-induced oxidative stress, few studies have looked at the likely causative compounds for oxidative stress in humans - PAH quinones. We developed a method using pre-column derivatization - liquid chromatography-heated electrospray ionization-tandem mass spectrometry (LC-HESI-MS/MS) to analyze ortho-phenanthrene quinones (PheQs) in human urine. 1,2-PheQ and 3,4-PheQ were identified and quantified in 3 mL of human urine; their total concentrations were higher in cigarette smokers (0.79 ± 0.98 nmol/6h urine) than in nonsmokers (0.20 ± 0.98 nmol/6h urine) (p < 0.01). The total of 1,2-PheQ and 3,4-PheQ were more strongly correlated with urinary (Z)-7-[1R,2R,3R,5S)-3,5-dihydroxy-2-[(E,3S)-3-hydroxyoct-1-enyl]cyclopentyl]hept-5-enoic acid (8-iso-PGF2α), a biomarker of lipid peroxidation (R2 = 0.53, p < 0.001), than the other phenanthrene metabolites including phenanthrene tetraol (PheT), phenanthrene-1,2-dihydrodiol (1,2-PheD), and total phenanthrene phenols (OHPhe), consistent with the concept that PheQs and likely other PAH quinones play a causal role in the generation of reactive oxygen species (ROS) in humans. Thus, PheQs may be suitable as biomarkers to assess human exposure to oxygenated PAH and the subsequent oxidative damage. This study provides unique support, by analysis of human urinary metabolites, for the PAH quinone mediated oxidative damage hypothesis of PAH carcinogenesis.
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Affiliation(s)
- Kai Luo
- Masonic Cancer Center, University of Minnesota, Minneapolis, MN, USA.
| | - Steven G Carmella
- Masonic Cancer Center, University of Minnesota, Minneapolis, MN, USA
| | - Yingchun Zhao
- Masonic Cancer Center, University of Minnesota, Minneapolis, MN, USA
| | - Mei Kuen Tang
- Masonic Cancer Center, University of Minnesota, Minneapolis, MN, USA
| | - Stephen S Hecht
- Masonic Cancer Center, University of Minnesota, Minneapolis, MN, USA
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Markoula S, Siarava E, Kostoulas C, Zikopoulos A, Georgiou I. An open study of valproate in subfertile men with epilepsy. Acta Neurol Scand 2020; 142:317-322. [PMID: 33378111 DOI: 10.1111/ane.13311] [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: 05/08/2020] [Revised: 06/17/2020] [Accepted: 06/28/2020] [Indexed: 01/02/2023]
Abstract
OBJECTIVES The aim of the study was to assess whether, male patients with epilepsy, switching from valproic acid (VPA) to levetiracetam (LEV) or lamotrigine (LMG) critically improves sperm counts and parameters, increasing chance of patients' female partners to spontaneously conceive. MATERIALS AND METHODS This is an observational prospective study recruiting all consecutive infertile male patients with epilepsy followed up at the outpatient Epilepsy Clinic of University Hospital of Ioannina, Northwest Greece. Infertile couples were referred to the Laboratory of Assisted Reproduction and Treatment of the University Hospital of Ioannina to conduct semen analysis. The first sample was collected while the patients were receiving VPA, and the second semen sample was collected after the patients were switched to LEV or LMG. RESULTS Seventeen infertile male patients were recruited in the study. Nine patients were switched to LEV, and eight patients were switched to LMG. The mean sperm count increased after VPA withdraw P = .06. Motility was improved with an increase of total motility and non-progressive motility (P = .02 and P = .03, accordingly), whether sperm defects were decreased, mainly head defects (P = .03). Differences between patients switched to LEV or LMG were minimal and showed no significant findings. Spontaneous pregnancies were reported in three of the patients' partners, without any other clinical intervention offered to the couple. CONCLUSION Switching from valproic acid to levetiracetam or lamotrigine improved sperm counts and other sperm parameters in subfertile male patients and increased the chance of spontaneously conceiving in subfertile couples.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sofia Markoula
- Department of Neurology University of Ioannina Ioannina Greece
- University Hospital of Ioannina Ioannina Greece
| | - Eleftheria Siarava
- Department of Neurology University of Ioannina Ioannina Greece
- University Hospital of Ioannina Ioannina Greece
| | | | | | - Ioannis Georgiou
- Laboratory of Assisted Reproduction University of Ioannina Ioannina Greece
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Salimi A, Alyan N, Akbari N, Jamali Z, Pourahmad J. Selenium and L-carnitine protects from valproic acid-Induced oxidative stress and mitochondrial damages in rat cortical neurons. Drug Chem Toxicol 2020; 45:1150-1157. [PMID: 32885679 DOI: 10.1080/01480545.2020.1810259] [Citation(s) in RCA: 13] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/12/2022]
Abstract
Oxidative stress and mitochondrial dysfunction have been associated with valproic acid (VPA) induced neurotoxicity. Mitochondria are vulnerable to oxidative damage and are also a major source of superoxide free radicals. Therefore, the need for mitochondrial protective and antioxidant agents for reducing valporic acid toxicity in central nerve system (CNS) is essential. In the present study, we investigated the potential beneficial effects of sodium selenite (SS) and L-carnitine (LC) against valproic acid -induced oxidative stress and mitochondrial dysfunction in isolated rat cortical neurons. Valproic acid (50, 100 and 200 µM) treatment caused a significant decrease in cellular viability, which was accompanied by increases in reactive oxygen species (ROS) generation, GSSG and GSH content, lipid peroxidation and lysosomal and mitochondrial damages. Sodium selenite (1 µM) and L-carnitine (1 mM) pretreatment attenuated valproic acid-induced decrease in cell viability. In addition, sodium selenite (1 µM) and L-carnitine (1 mM) pretreatment significantly protected against valproic acid-induced raise in oxidative stress, mitochondrial and lysosomal dysfunction, lipid peroxidation levels and depletion of GSH content. Our results in the current study provided insights into the protective mechanism by L-carnitine and sodium selenite, which is liked, to neuronal ROS generation and mitochondrial and lysosomal damages.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ahmad Salimi
- Department of Pharmacology and Toxicology, School of Pharmacy, Ardabil University of Medical Sciences, Ardabil, Iran
| | - Nasrin Alyan
- Department of Pharmacology and Toxicology, Faculty of Pharmacy, Shahid Beheshti University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran
| | - Nasim Akbari
- Department of Pharmacology and Toxicology, Faculty of Pharmacy, Shahid Beheshti University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran
| | - Zhaleh Jamali
- Student Research Committee, School of Medicine, Shahroud University of Medical Sciences, Shahroud, Iran.,Department of Addiction Studies, School of Medicine, Shahroud University of Medical Sciences, Shahroud, Iran
| | - Jalal Pourahmad
- Department of Pharmacology and Toxicology, Faculty of Pharmacy, Shahid Beheshti University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran
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Morales-Navas M, Castaño-Castaño S, Pérez-Fernández C, Sánchez-Gil A, Teresa Colomina M, Leinekugel X, Sánchez-Santed F. Similarities between the Effects of Prenatal Chlorpyrifos and Valproic Acid on Ultrasonic Vocalization in Infant Wistar Rats. INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF ENVIRONMENTAL RESEARCH AND PUBLIC HEALTH 2020; 17:ijerph17176376. [PMID: 32882988 PMCID: PMC7504564 DOI: 10.3390/ijerph17176376] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/13/2020] [Revised: 08/25/2020] [Accepted: 08/29/2020] [Indexed: 01/13/2023]
Abstract
Background: In recent years, ultrasonic vocalizations (USV) in pups has become established as a good tool for evaluating behaviors related to communication deficits and emotional states observed in autism spectrum disorder (ASD). Prenatal valproic acid (VPA) exposure leads to impairments and social behavior deficits associated with autism, with the effects of VPA being considered as a reliable animal model of ASD. Some studies also suggest that prenatal exposure to chlorpyrifos (CPF) could enhance autistic-like behaviors. Methods: In order to explore these similarities, in the present study we tested whether prenatal exposure to CPF at GD12.5–14.5 produces effects that are comparable to those produced by prenatal VPA exposure at GD12.5 in infant Wistar rats. Using Deep Squeek software, we evaluated total number of USVs, latency to the first call, mean call duration, principal frequency peak, high frequency peak, and type of calls. Results: Consistent with our hypothesis, we found that exposure to both CPF and VPA leads to a significantly smaller number of calls along with a longer latency to produce the first call. No significant effects were found for the remaining dependent variables. Conclusions: These results suggest that prenatal exposure to CPF could produce certain behaviors that are reminiscent of those observed in ASD patients.
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Affiliation(s)
- Miguel Morales-Navas
- Department of Psychology and Health Research Center, University of Almería, Ctra. Sacramento, s/n, 04120 Almería, Spain; (S.C.-C.); (C.P.-F.); (A.S.-G.)
- Correspondence: (M.M.-N.); (F.S.-S.); Tel.: +34-950-214631 (F.S.-S)
| | - Sergio Castaño-Castaño
- Department of Psychology and Health Research Center, University of Almería, Ctra. Sacramento, s/n, 04120 Almería, Spain; (S.C.-C.); (C.P.-F.); (A.S.-G.)
- Department of Health Sciences, Universidad Europea del Atlántico, Calle Isabel Torres, 21, 39011 Santander, Spain
| | - Cristian Pérez-Fernández
- Department of Psychology and Health Research Center, University of Almería, Ctra. Sacramento, s/n, 04120 Almería, Spain; (S.C.-C.); (C.P.-F.); (A.S.-G.)
| | - Ainhoa Sánchez-Gil
- Department of Psychology and Health Research Center, University of Almería, Ctra. Sacramento, s/n, 04120 Almería, Spain; (S.C.-C.); (C.P.-F.); (A.S.-G.)
| | - María Teresa Colomina
- Department of Psychology and Research Center for Behavior Assessment (CRAMC), Universitat Rovira i Virgili, C/Carretera de Valls, s/n, 43007 Tarragona, Spain;
| | - Xavier Leinekugel
- Institut de Neurobiologie de la Mediterranée (INMED), INSERM UMR1249, Aix-Marseille University, Parc Scientifique de Luminy BP.13, CEDEX 09, 13273 Marseille, France;
| | - Fernando Sánchez-Santed
- Department of Psychology and Health Research Center, University of Almería, Ctra. Sacramento, s/n, 04120 Almería, Spain; (S.C.-C.); (C.P.-F.); (A.S.-G.)
- Correspondence: (M.M.-N.); (F.S.-S.); Tel.: +34-950-214631 (F.S.-S)
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Turkyilmaz IB, Bilgin Sokmen B, Yanardag R. Alpha‐lipoic acid prevents brain injury in rats administered with valproic acid. J Biochem Mol Toxicol 2020; 34:e22580. [DOI: 10.1002/jbt.22580] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/12/2020] [Revised: 05/21/2020] [Accepted: 06/30/2020] [Indexed: 12/19/2022]
Affiliation(s)
- Ismet Burcu Turkyilmaz
- Department of Chemistry, Faculty of Engineering Istanbul University‐Cerrahpasa Istanbul Turkey
| | - Bahar Bilgin Sokmen
- Department of Chemistry, Faculty of Arts and Sciences Giresun University Giresun Turkey
| | - Refiye Yanardag
- Department of Chemistry, Faculty of Engineering Istanbul University‐Cerrahpasa Istanbul Turkey
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Ardianto C, Wardani HA, Nurrahmi N, Rahmadi M, Khotib J. Alpha-lipoic acid ameliorates sodium valproate-induced liver injury in mice. Vet World 2020; 13:963-966. [PMID: 32636594 PMCID: PMC7311888 DOI: 10.14202/vetworld.2020.963-966] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/19/2019] [Accepted: 04/16/2020] [Indexed: 01/05/2023] Open
Abstract
Aim: This study examines the effect of alpha-lipoic acid (ALA) on sodium valproate-induced liver injury through histological features of mice liver tissue. Materials and Methods: Mice were divided into three groups; (1) vehicle group, (2) sodium valproate group, and (3) sodium valproate-ALA group. The vehicle group was injected with saline intraperitoneal (i.p.) for 28 days. The sodium valproate group was injected with sodium valproate 300 mg/kg, i.p. daily for 2 weeks, after which the vehicle was administered daily until day 28. The sodium valproate-ALA group was injected with sodium valproate 300 mg/kg daily for 2 weeks before the administration of ALA 100 mg/kg i.p. until day 28. The mice were euthanized, and the liver was extracted for histopathological examination. Results: Histopathological examination of the liver section of the vehicle group showed a normal structure of the liver. Two weeks after the administration of sodium valproate, histopathological examination showed an abnormal structure of the liver, with necrotic appearance and inflammatory cells. Moreover, treatment with ALA after the administration of sodium valproate notably ameliorated hepatic histopathological lesions and the liver structure corresponded to a normal liver structure. Conclusion: ALA ameliorates sodium valproate-induced liver injury in mice.
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Affiliation(s)
- Chrismawan Ardianto
- Department of Clinical Pharmacy, Faculty of Pharmacy, Universitas Airlangga, Surabaya 60115, Indonesia
| | - Hijrawati Ayu Wardani
- Department of Clinical Pharmacy, Faculty of Pharmacy, Universitas Airlangga, Surabaya 60115, Indonesia
| | - Nurrahmi Nurrahmi
- Department of Clinical Pharmacy, Faculty of Pharmacy, Universitas Airlangga, Surabaya 60115, Indonesia
| | - Mahardian Rahmadi
- Department of Clinical Pharmacy, Faculty of Pharmacy, Universitas Airlangga, Surabaya 60115, Indonesia
| | - Junaidi Khotib
- Department of Clinical Pharmacy, Faculty of Pharmacy, Universitas Airlangga, Surabaya 60115, Indonesia
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Lefter R, Ciobica A, Antioch I, Ababei DC, Hritcu L, Luca AC. Oxytocin Differentiated Effects According to the Administration Route in a Prenatal Valproic Acid-Induced Rat Model of Autism. ACTA ACUST UNITED AC 2020; 56:medicina56060267. [PMID: 32485966 PMCID: PMC7353871 DOI: 10.3390/medicina56060267] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/14/2020] [Revised: 05/14/2020] [Accepted: 05/25/2020] [Indexed: 12/31/2022]
Abstract
Background and objectives: The hormone oxytocin (OXT) has already been reported in both human and animal studies for its promising therapeutic potential in autism spectrum disorder (ASD), but the comparative effectiveness of various administration routes, whether central or peripheral has been insufficiently studied. In the present study, we examined the effects of intranasal (IN) vs. intraperitoneal (IP) oxytocin in a valproic-acid (VPA) autistic rat model, focusing on cognitive and mood behavioral disturbances, gastrointestinal transit and central oxidative stress status. Materials and Methods: VPA prenatally-exposed rats (500 mg/kg; age 90 days) in small groups of 5 (n = 20 total) were given OXT by IP injection (10 mg/kg) for 8 days consecutively or by an adapted IN pipetting protocol (12 IU/kg, 20 μL/day) for 4 consecutive days. Behavioral tests were performed during the last three days of OXT treatment, and OXT was administrated 20 minutes before each behavioral testing for each rat. Biochemical determination of oxidative stress markers in the temporal area included superoxide dismutase (SOD), glutathione peroxidase (GPx) and malondialdehyde (MDA). A brief quantitative assessment of fecal discharge over a period of 24 hours was performed at the end of the OXT treatment to determine differences in intestinal transit. Results: OXT improved behavioral and oxidative stress status in both routes of administration, but IN treatment had significantly better outcome in improving short-term memory, alleviating depressive manifestations and mitigating lipid peroxidation in the temporal lobes. Significant correlations were also found between behavioral parameters and oxidative stress status in rats after OXT administration. The quantitative evaluation of the gastrointestinal (GI) transit indicated lower fecal pellet counts in the VPA group and homogenous average values for the control and both OXT treated groups. Conclusions: The data from the present study suggest OXT IN administration to be more efficient than IP injections in alleviating autistic cognitive and mood dysfunctions in a VPA-induced rat model. OXT effects on the cognitive and mood behavior of autistic rats may be associated with its effects on oxidative stress. Additionally, present results provide preliminary evidence that OXT may have a balancing effect on gastrointestinal motility.
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Affiliation(s)
- Radu Lefter
- Center of Biomedical Research, Romanian Academy, B dul Carol I, No 8, 700505 Iasi, Romania;
| | - Alin Ciobica
- Department of Research, Faculty of Biology, Alexandru Ioan Cuza University, B dul Carol I, No 11, 700506 Iasi, Romania;
- Correspondence: (A.C.); (L.H.)
| | - Iulia Antioch
- Department of Research, Faculty of Biology, Alexandru Ioan Cuza University, B dul Carol I, No 11, 700506 Iasi, Romania;
| | - Daniela Carmen Ababei
- “Grigore T.Popa” University of Medicine and Pharmacy, 16, Universitatii Street, 700115 Iasi, Romania; (D.C.A.); (A.-C.L.)
| | - Luminita Hritcu
- Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, University of Agricultural Sciencies and Veterinary Medicine “Ion Ionescu de la Brad” of Iasi, 3rd Mihail Sadoveanu Alley, 700490 Iasi, Romania
- Correspondence: (A.C.); (L.H.)
| | - Alina-Costina Luca
- “Grigore T.Popa” University of Medicine and Pharmacy, 16, Universitatii Street, 700115 Iasi, Romania; (D.C.A.); (A.-C.L.)
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