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Afshari M, Gharibzadeh S, Pouretemad H, Roghani M. Promising therapeutic effects of high-frequency repetitive transcranial magnetic stimulation (HF-rTMS) in addressing autism spectrum disorder induced by valproic acid. Front Neurosci 2024; 18:1385488. [PMID: 39238929 PMCID: PMC11374774 DOI: 10.3389/fnins.2024.1385488] [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: 02/12/2024] [Accepted: 08/08/2024] [Indexed: 09/07/2024] Open
Abstract
Introduction Autism spectrum disorder (ASD) is a neurodevelopmental condition that affects various regions of the brain. Repetitive transcranial magnetic stimulation (rTMS) is a safe and non-invasive method utilized for stimulating different brain areas. Our objective is to alleviate ASD symptoms using high-frequency rTMS (HF-rTMS) in a rat model of ASD induced by valproic acid (VPA). Methods In this investigation, we applied HF-rTMS for ASD treatment, focusing on the hippocampus. Behavioral assessments encompassed core ASD behaviors, as well as memory and recognition tests, alongside evaluations of anxiety and stress coping strategies. Additionally, we analyzed oxidative stress and a related inflammation marker, as well as other biochemical components. We assessed brain-derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF), Microtubule-associated protein-2 (MAP-2), and synaptophysin (SYN). Finally, we examined dendritic spine density in the CA1 area of the hippocampus. Results The results demonstrated that HF-rTMS successfully mitigated ASD symptoms, reducing oxidative stress and improving various biochemical factors, along with an increase in dendritic spine density. Discussion Collectively, our data suggests that HF-rTMS may effectively alleviate ASD symptoms. These findings could be valuable in clinical research and contribute to a better understanding of the mechanisms underlying ASD.
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Affiliation(s)
- Masoud Afshari
- Department of Cognitive Psychology, Institute for Cognitive and Brain Sciences, Shahid Beheshti University, Tehran, Iran
| | - Shahriar Gharibzadeh
- Department of Cognitive Psychology, Institute for Cognitive and Brain Sciences, Shahid Beheshti University, Tehran, Iran
| | - Hamidreza Pouretemad
- Department of Cognitive Psychology, Institute for Cognitive and Brain Sciences, Shahid Beheshti University, Tehran, Iran
| | - Mehrdad Roghani
- Neurophysiology Research Center, Shahed University, Tehran, Iran
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Camussi D, Naef V, Brogi L, Della Vecchia S, Marchese M, Nicoletti F, Santorelli FM, Licitra R. Delving into the Complexity of Valproate-Induced Autism Spectrum Disorder: The Use of Zebrafish Models. Cells 2024; 13:1349. [PMID: 39195239 DOI: 10.3390/cells13161349] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/13/2024] [Revised: 08/07/2024] [Accepted: 08/13/2024] [Indexed: 08/29/2024] Open
Abstract
Autism spectrum disorder (ASD) is a multifactorial neurodevelopmental condition with several identified risk factors, both genetic and non-genetic. Among these, prenatal exposure to valproic acid (VPA) has been extensively associated with the development of the disorder. The zebrafish, a cost- and time-effective model, is useful for studying ASD features. Using validated VPA-induced ASD zebrafish models, we aimed to provide new insights into VPA exposure effects during embryonic development and to identify new potential biomarkers associated with ASD-like features. Dose-response analyses were performed in vivo to study larval phenotypes and mechanisms underlying neuroinflammation, mitochondrial dysfunction, oxidative stress, microglial cell status, and motor behaviour. Wild-type and transgenic Tg(mpeg1:EGFP) zebrafish were water-exposed to VPA doses (5 to 500 µM) from 6 to 120 h post-fertilisation (hpf). Embryos and larvae were monitored daily to assess survival and hatching rates, and numerous analyses and tests were conducted from 24 to 120 hpf. VPA doses higher than 50 µM worsened survival and hatching rates, while doses of 25 µM or more altered morphology, microglial status, and larval behaviours. VPA 50 µM also affected mRNA expression of inflammatory cytokines and neurogenesis-related genes, mitochondrial respiration, and reactive oxygen species accumulation. The study confirmed that VPA alters brain homeostasis, synaptic interconnections, and neurogenesis-related signalling pathways, contributing to ASD aetiopathogenesis. Further studies are essential to identify novel ASD biomarkers for developing new drug targets and tailored therapeutic interventions for ASD.
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Affiliation(s)
- Diletta Camussi
- Department of Neurobiology and Molecular Medicine, IRCCS Stella Maris Foundation, 56128 Pisa, Italy
| | - Valentina Naef
- Department of Neurobiology and Molecular Medicine, IRCCS Stella Maris Foundation, 56128 Pisa, Italy
| | - Letizia Brogi
- Bio@SNS, Department of Neurosciences, Scuola Normale Superiore, 56126 Pisa, Italy
| | - Stefania Della Vecchia
- Department of Neurobiology and Molecular Medicine, IRCCS Stella Maris Foundation, 56128 Pisa, Italy
| | - Maria Marchese
- Department of Neurobiology and Molecular Medicine, IRCCS Stella Maris Foundation, 56128 Pisa, Italy
| | - Ferdinando Nicoletti
- Department of Physiology and Pharmacology Vittorio Erspamer, "La Sapienza" University of Rome, 00185 Rome, Italy
- IRCSS Neuromed, "La Sapienza" University of Rome, 86077 Pozzilli, Italy
| | - Filippo M Santorelli
- Department of Neurobiology and Molecular Medicine, IRCCS Stella Maris Foundation, 56128 Pisa, Italy
| | - Rosario Licitra
- Department of Neurobiology and Molecular Medicine, IRCCS Stella Maris Foundation, 56128 Pisa, Italy
- Department of Veterinary Sciences, University of Pisa, 56124 Pisa, Italy
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Wang J, Zou L, Jiang P, Yao M, Xu Q, Hong Q, Zhu J, Chi X. Vitamin A ameliorates valproic acid-induced autism-like symptoms in developing zebrafish larvae by attenuating oxidative stress and apoptosis. Neurotoxicology 2024; 101:93-101. [PMID: 38191030 DOI: 10.1016/j.neuro.2023.12.015] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/09/2023] [Revised: 12/11/2023] [Accepted: 12/20/2023] [Indexed: 01/10/2024]
Abstract
Autism spectrum disorder (ASD) is a neurodevelopmental disorder characterized by social deficits and repetitive/stereotyped behaviors. Prenatal exposure to valproic acid (VPA) has been reported to induce ASD-like symptoms in human and rodents. However, the etiology and pathogenesis of ASD have not been well elucidated. This study aimed to explore the mechanisms underlying VPA-induced ASD-like behaviors using zebrafish model and investigated whether vitamin A could prevent VPA-induced neurotoxicity. Here, zebrafish embryos were exposed to 0, 25 and 50 μM VPA from 4 to 96 h post fertilization (hpf) and the neurotoxicity was assessed. Our results showed that VPA affected the normal development of zebrafish larvae and induced ASD-like behaviors, including reduced locomotor activity, decreased distance near conspecifics, impaired social interaction and repetitive swimming behaviors. Exposure to VPA decreased the GFP signal in transgenic HuC:egfp zebrafish according to the negative effect of VPA on the expression of neurodevelopmental genes. In addition, VPA enhanced oxidative stress by promoting the production of reactive oxygen species (ROS) and hydrogen peroxide (H2O2) and inhibiting the activity of superoxide dismutase, then triggered apoptosis by upregulation of apoptotic genes. These adverse outcomes were mitigated by vitamin A, suggesting that vitamin A rescued VPA-induced ASD-like symptoms by inhibiting oxidative stress and apoptosis. Overall, this study identified vitamin A as a promising strategy for future therapeutic regulator of VPA-induced ASD-like behaviors.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jingyu Wang
- Women's Hospital of Nanjing Medical University (Nanjing Maternity and Child Health Care Hospital), Nanjing 210004, PR China
| | - Li Zou
- Women's Hospital of Nanjing Medical University (Nanjing Maternity and Child Health Care Hospital), Nanjing 210004, PR China; Department of Pediatrics, The First Affiliated Hospital of Nanjing Medical University, Nanjing 210036, PR China
| | - Peiyun Jiang
- Women's Hospital of Nanjing Medical University (Nanjing Maternity and Child Health Care Hospital), Nanjing 210004, PR China
| | - Mengmeng Yao
- Women's Hospital of Nanjing Medical University (Nanjing Maternity and Child Health Care Hospital), Nanjing 210004, PR China
| | - Qu Xu
- Women's Hospital of Nanjing Medical University (Nanjing Maternity and Child Health Care Hospital), Nanjing 210004, PR China
| | - Qin Hong
- Women's Hospital of Nanjing Medical University (Nanjing Maternity and Child Health Care Hospital), Nanjing 210004, PR China
| | - Jiansheng Zhu
- Department of Public Health, School of Medicine & Holistic Integrative Medicine, Nanjing University of Chinese Medicine, Nanjing 210023, PR China.
| | - Xia Chi
- Women's Hospital of Nanjing Medical University (Nanjing Maternity and Child Health Care Hospital), Nanjing 210004, PR China.
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Shnayder NA, Grechkina VV, Trefilova VV, Efremov IS, Dontceva EA, Narodova EA, Petrova MM, Soloveva IA, Tepnadze LE, Reznichenko PA, Al-Zamil M, Altynbekova GI, Strelnik AI, Nasyrova RF. Valproate-Induced Metabolic Syndrome. Biomedicines 2023; 11:biomedicines11051499. [PMID: 37239168 DOI: 10.3390/biomedicines11051499] [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: 05/03/2023] [Revised: 05/18/2023] [Accepted: 05/19/2023] [Indexed: 05/28/2023] Open
Abstract
Valproic acid (VPA) and its salts (sodium calcium magnesium and orotic) are psychotropic drugs that are widely used in neurology and psychiatry. The long-term use of VPA increases the risk of developing adverse drug reactions (ADRs), among which metabolic syndrome (MetS) plays a special role. MetS belongs to a cluster of metabolic conditions such as abdominal obesity, high blood pressure, high blood glucose, high serum triglycerides, and low serum high-density lipoprotein. Valproate-induced MetS (VPA-MetS) is a common ADR that needs an updated multidisciplinary approach to its prevention and diagnosis. In this review, we consider the results of studies of blood (serum and plasma) and the urinary biomarkers of VPA-MetS. These metabolic biomarkers may provide the key to the development of a new multidisciplinary personalized strategy for the prevention and diagnosis of VPA-MetS in patients with neurological diseases, psychiatric disorders, and addiction diseases.
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Affiliation(s)
- Natalia A Shnayder
- Institute of Personalized Psychiatry and Neurology, Shared Core Facilities, V.M. Bekhterev National Medical Research Centre for Psychiatry and Neurology, 192019 Saint Petersburg, Russia
- Shared Core Facilities "Molecular and Cell Technologies", V.F. Voino-Yasenetsky Krasnoyarsk State Medical University, 660022 Krasnoyarsk, Russia
| | - Violetta V Grechkina
- Institute of Personalized Psychiatry and Neurology, Shared Core Facilities, V.M. Bekhterev National Medical Research Centre for Psychiatry and Neurology, 192019 Saint Petersburg, Russia
| | - Vera V Trefilova
- Institute of Personalized Psychiatry and Neurology, Shared Core Facilities, V.M. Bekhterev National Medical Research Centre for Psychiatry and Neurology, 192019 Saint Petersburg, Russia
- Department of Neurology, Hospital for War Veterans, 193079 Saint Petersburg, Russia
| | - Ilya S Efremov
- Department of Psychiatry and Narcology, Bashkir State Medical University, 450008 Ufa, Russia
| | - Evgenia A Dontceva
- Shared Core Facilities "Molecular and Cell Technologies", V.F. Voino-Yasenetsky Krasnoyarsk State Medical University, 660022 Krasnoyarsk, Russia
- Federal Centre for Neurosurgery, 630087 Novosibirsk, Russia
| | - Ekaterina A Narodova
- Shared Core Facilities "Molecular and Cell Technologies", V.F. Voino-Yasenetsky Krasnoyarsk State Medical University, 660022 Krasnoyarsk, Russia
| | - Marina M Petrova
- Shared Core Facilities "Molecular and Cell Technologies", V.F. Voino-Yasenetsky Krasnoyarsk State Medical University, 660022 Krasnoyarsk, Russia
| | - Irina A Soloveva
- Shared Core Facilities "Molecular and Cell Technologies", V.F. Voino-Yasenetsky Krasnoyarsk State Medical University, 660022 Krasnoyarsk, Russia
| | - Liia E Tepnadze
- Shared Core Facilities "Molecular and Cell Technologies", V.F. Voino-Yasenetsky Krasnoyarsk State Medical University, 660022 Krasnoyarsk, Russia
| | - Polina A Reznichenko
- Shared Core Facilities "Molecular and Cell Technologies", V.F. Voino-Yasenetsky Krasnoyarsk State Medical University, 660022 Krasnoyarsk, Russia
| | - Mustafa Al-Zamil
- Department of Physiotherapy, Faculty of Continuing Medical Education, Peoples' Friendship University of Russia, 117198 Moscow, Russia
| | - Gulnara I Altynbekova
- Department of Psychiatry and Narcology, S.D. Asfendiarov Kazakh National Medical University, Almaty 050022, Kazakhstan
| | - Anna I Strelnik
- International Centre for Education and Research in Neuropsychiatry, Samara State Medical University, 443016 Samara, Russia
| | - Regina F Nasyrova
- Institute of Personalized Psychiatry and Neurology, Shared Core Facilities, V.M. Bekhterev National Medical Research Centre for Psychiatry and Neurology, 192019 Saint Petersburg, Russia
- International Centre for Education and Research in Neuropsychiatry, Samara State Medical University, 443016 Samara, Russia
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