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Ceci FM, Ferraguti G, Petrella C, Greco A, Ralli M, Iannitelli A, Carito V, Tirassa P, Chaldakov GN, Messina MP, Ceccanti M, Fiore M. Nerve Growth Factor in Alcohol Use Disorders. Curr Neuropharmacol 2020; 19:45-60. [PMID: 32348226 PMCID: PMC7903493 DOI: 10.2174/1570159x18666200429003239] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/16/2020] [Revised: 03/19/2020] [Accepted: 04/24/2020] [Indexed: 12/11/2022] Open
Abstract
The nerve growth factor (NGF) belongs to the family of neurotrophic factors. Initially discovered as a signaling molecule involved in the survival, protection, differentiation, and proliferation of sympathetic and peripheral sensory neurons, it also participates in the regulation of the immune system and endocrine system. NGF biological activity is due to the binding of two classes of receptors: the tropomyosin-related kinase A (TrkA) and the low-affinity NGF pan-neurotrophin receptor p75. Alcohol Use Disorders (AUD) are one of the most frequent mental disorders in developed countries, characterized by heavy drinking, despite the negative effects of alcohol on brain development and cognitive functions that cause individual’s work, medical, legal, educational, and social life problems. In addition, alcohol consumption during pregnancy disrupts the development of the fetal brain causing a wide range of neurobehavioral outcomes collectively known as fetal alcohol spectrum disorders (FASD). The rationale of this review is to describe crucial findings on the role of NGF in humans and animals, when exposed to prenatal, chronic alcohol consumption, and on binge drinking.
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Affiliation(s)
- Flavio Maria Ceci
- Department of Experimental Medicine, Sapienza University Hospital of Rome, Italy
| | - Giampiero Ferraguti
- Department of Experimental Medicine, Sapienza University Hospital of Rome, Italy
| | - Carla Petrella
- Institute of Biochemistry and Cell Biology, Section of Neurobiology, National Research Council (IBBC-CNR), Rome, Italy
| | - Antonio Greco
- Department of Sense Organs, Sapienza University Hospital of Rome, Italy
| | - Massimo Ralli
- Department of Sense Organs, Sapienza University Hospital of Rome, Italy
| | - Angela Iannitelli
- Department of Biotechnology and Applied Clinical Sciences, University of L'Aquila, Italy
| | - Valentina Carito
- Institute of Biochemistry and Cell Biology, Section of Neurobiology, National Research Council (IBBC-CNR), Rome, Italy
| | - Paola Tirassa
- Institute of Biochemistry and Cell Biology, Section of Neurobiology, National Research Council (IBBC-CNR), Rome, Italy
| | - George N Chaldakov
- Department of Anatomy and Cell Biology, Medical University, Varna, Bulgaria
| | | | - Mauro Ceccanti
- Centro Riferimento Alcologico Regione Lazio, Sapienza University of Rome, Italy
| | - Marco Fiore
- Institute of Biochemistry and Cell Biology, Section of Neurobiology, National Research Council (IBBC-CNR), Rome, Italy
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Alcohol as an early life stressor: Epigenetics, metabolic, neuroendocrine and neurobehavioral implications. Neurosci Biobehav Rev 2020; 118:654-668. [PMID: 32976915 DOI: 10.1016/j.neubiorev.2020.08.018] [Citation(s) in RCA: 14] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/04/2020] [Revised: 05/18/2020] [Accepted: 08/25/2020] [Indexed: 12/14/2022]
Abstract
Ethanol exposure during gestation is an early life stressor that profoundly dysregulates structure and functions of the embryonal nervous system, altering the cognitive and behavioral development. Such dysregulation is also achieved by epigenetic mechanisms, which, altering the chromatin structure, redraw the entire pattern of gene expression. In parallel, an oxidative stress response at the cellular level and a global upregulation of neuroendocrine stress response, regulated by the HPA axis, exist and persist in adulthood. This neurobehavioral framework matches those observed in other psychiatric diseases such as mood diseases, depression, autism; those early life stressing events, although probably triggered by specific and different epigenetic mechanisms, give rise to largely overlapping neurobehavioral phenotypes. An early diagnosis of prenatal alcohol exposure, using reliable markers of ethanol intake, together with a deeper understanding of the pathogenic mechanisms, some of them reversible by their nature, can offer a temporal "window" of intervention. Supplementing a mother's diet with protective and antioxidant substances in addition to supportive psychological therapies can protect newborns from being affected.
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Wang R, Shen YL, Hausknecht KA, Chang L, Haj-Dahmane S, Vezina P, Shen RY. Prenatal ethanol exposure increases risk of psychostimulant addiction. Behav Brain Res 2018; 356:51-61. [PMID: 30076855 DOI: 10.1016/j.bbr.2018.07.030] [Citation(s) in RCA: 24] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/03/2018] [Revised: 07/04/2018] [Accepted: 07/31/2018] [Indexed: 01/04/2023]
Abstract
Prenatal ethanol exposure (PE) causes many cognitive and behavioral deficits including increased drug addiction risk, demonstrated by enhanced ethanol intake and behavioral phenotypes associated with addiction risk. Additionally, preclinical studies show that PE persistently changes the function of dopaminergic neurons in the ventral tegmental area, a major neural substrate for addiction, and alters these neurons' responses to psychostimulants. Accordingly, PE could also lead to increased risk of addiction to drugs of abuse, other than ethanol. In the present study, addiction risk was examined utilizing paradigms of amphetamine conditioned place preference (CPP) and intravenous self-administration. Ethanol was administered to pregnant dams via intragastric gavage (6 g/kg, during gestational days 8-20). Behavioral tests were conducted in adult male offspring. Amphetamine at a low dose (0.3 mg/kg, i.p.) induced CPP in PE but not control rats, whereas at a higher dose (0.6 mg/kg, i.p.) both groups acquired CPP. There was no group difference in amphetamine-induced CPP reinstatement. Furthermore, PE rats self-administered more amphetamine at a low dose (0.02 mg/kg/infusion) than controls, while no group differences were observed at a higher dose (0.1 mg/kg/infusion). Rats with PE also exhibited greater reactivity to contextual drug cues after extended abstinence and amphetamine-induced reinstatement of drug seeking. These results support that PE persistently leads to increased psychostimulant addiction risk later in life, manifested in many elements of addictive behavior following limited psychostimulant exposure. The observations provide insights into prevention strategies for drug addiction in individuals with fetal alcohol spectrum disorders.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ruixiang Wang
- Research Institute on Addictions and Department of Pharmacology and Toxicology, Jacobs School of Medicine and Biomedical Sciences, University at Buffalo, 1021 Main Street, Buffalo, NY, 14203, USA; Department of Psychology, Park Hall Room 204, University at Buffalo, Buffalo, NY, 14260, USA
| | - Ying-Ling Shen
- Research Institute on Addictions and Department of Pharmacology and Toxicology, Jacobs School of Medicine and Biomedical Sciences, University at Buffalo, 1021 Main Street, Buffalo, NY, 14203, USA; Graduate Institute of Humanities in Medicine, Taipei Medical University, Taipei 11031, Taiwan
| | - Kathryn A Hausknecht
- Research Institute on Addictions and Department of Pharmacology and Toxicology, Jacobs School of Medicine and Biomedical Sciences, University at Buffalo, 1021 Main Street, Buffalo, NY, 14203, USA
| | - Lawrence Chang
- Research Institute on Addictions and Department of Pharmacology and Toxicology, Jacobs School of Medicine and Biomedical Sciences, University at Buffalo, 1021 Main Street, Buffalo, NY, 14203, USA
| | - Samir Haj-Dahmane
- Research Institute on Addictions and Department of Pharmacology and Toxicology, Jacobs School of Medicine and Biomedical Sciences, University at Buffalo, 1021 Main Street, Buffalo, NY, 14203, USA
| | - Paul Vezina
- Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Neuroscience, The University of Chicago, 5841 South Maryland Avenue MC 3077, Chicago, IL, 60637, USA
| | - Roh-Yu Shen
- Research Institute on Addictions and Department of Pharmacology and Toxicology, Jacobs School of Medicine and Biomedical Sciences, University at Buffalo, 1021 Main Street, Buffalo, NY, 14203, USA.
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Poon K, Leibowitz SF. Consumption of Substances of Abuse during Pregnancy Increases Consumption in Offspring: Possible Underlying Mechanisms. Front Nutr 2016; 3:11. [PMID: 27148536 PMCID: PMC4837147 DOI: 10.3389/fnut.2016.00011] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/30/2016] [Accepted: 04/04/2016] [Indexed: 12/16/2022] Open
Abstract
Correlative human observational studies on substances of abuse have been highly dependent on the use of rodent models to determine the neuronal and molecular mechanisms that control behavioral outcomes. This is particularly true for gestational exposure to non-illicit substances of abuse, such as excessive dietary fat, ethanol, and nicotine, which are commonly consumed in our society. Exposure to these substances during the prenatal period has been shown in offspring to increase their intake of these substances, induce other behavioral changes, and affect neurochemical systems in several brain areas that are known to control behavior. More importantly, emerging studies are linking the function of the immune system to these neurochemicals and ingestion of these abused substances. This review article will summarize the prenatal rodent models used to study developmental changes in offspring caused by prenatal exposure to dietary fat, ethanol, or nicotine. We will discuss the various techniques used for the administration of these substances into rodents and summarize the published outcomes induced by prenatal exposure to these substances. Finally, this review will cover some of the recent evidence for the role of immune factors in causing these behavioral and neuronal changes.
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Affiliation(s)
- Kinning Poon
- Laboratory of Behavioral Neurobiology, The Rockefeller University , New York, NY , USA
| | - Sarah F Leibowitz
- Laboratory of Behavioral Neurobiology, The Rockefeller University , New York, NY , USA
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Laufer BI, Kapalanga J, Castellani CA, Diehl EJ, Yan L, Singh SM. Associative DNA methylation changes in children with prenatal alcohol exposure. Epigenomics 2015; 7:1259-74. [DOI: 10.2217/epi.15.60] [Citation(s) in RCA: 70] [Impact Index Per Article: 7.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/20/2022] Open
Abstract
Aim: Prenatal alcohol exposure (PAE) can cause fetal alcohol spectrum disorders (FASD). Previously, we assessed PAE in brain tissue from mouse models, however whether these changes are present in humans remains unknown. Materials & methods: In this report, we show some identical changes in DNA methylation in the buccal swabs of six children with FASD using the 450K array. Results: The changes occur in genes related to protocadherins, glutamatergic synapses, and hippo signaling. The results were found to be similar in another heterogeneous replication group of six FASD children. Conclusion: The replicated results suggest that children born with FASD have unique DNA methylation defects that can be influenced by sex and medication exposure. Ultimately, with future clinical development, assessment of DNA methylation from buccal swabs can provide a novel strategy for the diagnosis of FASD.
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Affiliation(s)
- Benjamin I Laufer
- Molecular Genetics Unit, Department of Biology, The University of Western Ontario, London, ON, N6A 5B7, Canada
| | - Joachim Kapalanga
- Department of Pediatrics, The University of Western Ontario, London, ON, Canada
| | - Christina A Castellani
- Molecular Genetics Unit, Department of Biology, The University of Western Ontario, London, ON, N6A 5B7, Canada
| | - Eric J Diehl
- Molecular Genetics Unit, Department of Biology, The University of Western Ontario, London, ON, N6A 5B7, Canada
| | | | - Shiva M Singh
- Molecular Genetics Unit, Department of Biology, The University of Western Ontario, London, ON, N6A 5B7, Canada
- Department of Pediatrics, The University of Western Ontario, London, ON, Canada
- Program in Neuroscience, The University of Western Ontario, London, ON, Canada
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Lutte AH, Capiotti KM, da Silva NLG, da Silva CSDO, Kist LW, Bogo MR, Da Silva RS. Contributions from extracellular sources of adenosine to the ethanol toxicity in zebrafish larvae. Reprod Toxicol 2015; 53:82-91. [PMID: 25883026 DOI: 10.1016/j.reprotox.2015.04.001] [Citation(s) in RCA: 24] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/19/2014] [Revised: 03/13/2015] [Accepted: 04/03/2015] [Indexed: 12/21/2022]
Abstract
The effects of ethanol exposure on extracellular adenosine sources in zebrafish were evaluated. In the acute treatment, the embryos were exposed to 2% ethanol on day 1 post-fertilization (dpf). In the chronic treatment, the exposure was continued for 2h/day up to 6 dpf. Ecto-5'-nucleotidase activity was assessed by colorimetric method and gene expression determined by RT-qPCR in 7 dpf zebrafish. Body length, ocular distance and surface area of the eyes were registered in animals acutely exposed to ethanol and pretreated with AOPCP (5-500 nM), an ecto-5'-nucleotidase inhibitor, or dipyridamole (10-100 μM), a blocker of nucleoside transport. Both ethanol exposures promoted increased ecto-5'-nucleotidase activity, impaired locomotion and morphology. Ecto-5'-nucleotidase expression was not affected. AOPCP promoted mild prevention of morphological defects caused by acute treatment, while dipyridamole worsened these defects. Early ethanol exposure altered adenosinergic tonus, especially through nucleoside transporters, contributing to morphological defects produced by ethanol in zebrafish.
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Affiliation(s)
- Aline Haab Lutte
- Laboratório de Neuroquímica e Psicofarmacologia, Departamento de Biologia Celular e Molecular, Faculdade de Biociências, Pontifícia Universidade Católica do Rio Grande do Sul, Porto Alegre, RS, Brazil
| | - Katiucia Marques Capiotti
- Laboratório de Neuroquímica e Psicofarmacologia, Departamento de Biologia Celular e Molecular, Faculdade de Biociências, Pontifícia Universidade Católica do Rio Grande do Sul, Porto Alegre, RS, Brazil
| | - Nicole Luize Garcia da Silva
- Laboratório de Neuroquímica e Psicofarmacologia, Departamento de Biologia Celular e Molecular, Faculdade de Biociências, Pontifícia Universidade Católica do Rio Grande do Sul, Porto Alegre, RS, Brazil
| | - Carolina Silveira de Oliveira da Silva
- Laboratório de Neuroquímica e Psicofarmacologia, Departamento de Biologia Celular e Molecular, Faculdade de Biociências, Pontifícia Universidade Católica do Rio Grande do Sul, Porto Alegre, RS, Brazil
| | - Luiza Wilges Kist
- Laboratório de Biologia Genômica e Molecular, Departamento de Biologia Celular e Molecular, Faculdade de Biociências, PUCRS, Porto Alegre, RS, Brazil
| | - Maurício Reis Bogo
- Laboratório de Biologia Genômica e Molecular, Departamento de Biologia Celular e Molecular, Faculdade de Biociências, PUCRS, Porto Alegre, RS, Brazil; Instituto Nacional de Ciência e Tecnologia Translacional em Medicina (INCT-TM), 90035-003, Porto Alegre, RS, Brazil
| | - Rosane Souza Da Silva
- Laboratório de Neuroquímica e Psicofarmacologia, Departamento de Biologia Celular e Molecular, Faculdade de Biociências, Pontifícia Universidade Católica do Rio Grande do Sul, Porto Alegre, RS, Brazil; Instituto Nacional de Ciência e Tecnologia Translacional em Medicina (INCT-TM), 90035-003, Porto Alegre, RS, Brazil.
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Excitatory synaptic function and plasticity is persistently altered in ventral tegmental area dopamine neurons after prenatal ethanol exposure. Neuropsychopharmacology 2015; 40:893-905. [PMID: 25284318 PMCID: PMC4330503 DOI: 10.1038/npp.2014.265] [Citation(s) in RCA: 30] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/02/2014] [Revised: 08/30/2014] [Accepted: 09/12/2014] [Indexed: 12/28/2022]
Abstract
Prenatal ethanol exposure (PE) is one of the developmental factors leading to increased addiction propensity (risk). However, the neuronal mechanisms underlying this effect remain unknown. We examined whether increased excitatory synaptic transmission in ventral tegmental area (VTA) dopamine (DA) neurons, which is associated with drug addiction, was impacted by PE. Pregnant rats were exposed to ethanol (0 or 6 g/kg/day) via intragastric intubation from gestational day 8-20. Amphetamine self-administration, whole-cell recordings, and electron microscopy were performed in male offspring between 2 and 12-week-old. The results showed enhanced amphetamine self-administration in PE animals. In PE animals, we observed a persistent augmentation in calcium-permeable AMPA receptor (CP-AMPAR) expression, indicated by increased rectification and reduced decay time of AMPAR-mediated excitatory postsynaptic currents (AMPAR-EPSCs), enhanced depression of AMPAR-EPSCs by NASPM (a selective CP-AMPAR antagonist), and increased GluA3 subunits in VTA DA neuron dendrites. Increased CP-AMPAR expression in PE animals led to enhanced excitatory synaptic strength and the induction of CP-AMPAR-dependent long-term potentiation (LTP), an anti-Hebbian form of LTP. These observations suggest that, in PE animals, increased excitatory synaptic strength in VTA DA neurons might be susceptible to further strengthening even in the absence of impulse flow. The PE-induced persistent increase in CP-AMPAR expression, the resulting enhancement in excitatory synaptic strength, and CP-AMPAR-dependent LTP are similar to effects observed after repeated exposure to drugs of abuse, conditions known to increase addiction risk. Therefore, these mechanisms could be important neuronal substrates underlying PE-induced enhancement in amphetamine self-administration and increased addiction risk in individuals with fetal alcohol spectrum disorders.
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8
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Bekdash R, Zhang C, Sarkar D. Fetal alcohol programming of hypothalamic proopiomelanocortin system by epigenetic mechanisms and later life vulnerability to stress. Alcohol Clin Exp Res 2014; 38:2323-30. [PMID: 25069392 DOI: 10.1111/acer.12497] [Citation(s) in RCA: 19] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/19/2014] [Accepted: 05/24/2014] [Indexed: 01/01/2023]
Abstract
Hypothalamic proopiomelanocortin (POMC) neurons, one of the major regulators of the hypothalamic-pituitary-adrenal (HPA) axis, immune functions, and energy homeostasis, are vulnerable to the adverse effects of fetal alcohol exposure (FAE). These effects are manifested in POMC neurons by a decrease in Pomc gene expression, a decrement in the levels of its derived peptide β-endorphin and a dysregulation of the stress response in the adult offspring. The HPA axis is a major neuroendocrine system with pivotal physiological functions and mode of regulation. This system has been shown to be perturbed by prenatal alcohol exposure. It has been demonstrated that the perturbation of the HPA axis by FAE is long-lasting and is linked to molecular, neurophysiological, and behavioral changes in exposed individuals. Recently, we showed that the dysregulation of the POMC system function by FAE is induced by epigenetic mechanisms such as hypermethylation of Pomc gene promoter and an alteration in histone marks in POMC neurons. This developmental programming of the POMC system by FAE altered the transcriptome in POMC neurons and induced a hyperresponse to stress in adulthood. These long-lasting epigenetic changes influenced subsequent generations via the male germline. We also demonstrated that the epigenetic programming of the POMC system by FAE was reversed in adulthood with the application of the inhibitors of DNA methylation or histone modifications. Thus, prenatal environmental influences, such as alcohol exposure, could epigenetically modulate POMC neuronal circuits and function to shape adult behavioral patterns. Identifying specific epigenetic factors in hypothalamic POMC neurons that are modulated by fetal alcohol and target Pomc gene could be potentially useful for the development of new therapeutic approaches to treat stress-related diseases in patients with fetal alcohol spectrum disorders.
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Affiliation(s)
- Rola Bekdash
- Endocrinology Program, Department of Animal Sciences, Rutgers, The State University of New Jersey, New Brunswick, New Jersey; Neuroscience Graduate Program, The State University of New Jersey, New Brunswick, New Jersey
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Rivier C. Role of hypothalamic corticotropin-releasing factor in mediating alcohol-induced activation of the rat hypothalamic-pituitary-adrenal axis. Front Neuroendocrinol 2014; 35:221-33. [PMID: 24211830 DOI: 10.1016/j.yfrne.2013.10.005] [Citation(s) in RCA: 34] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/08/2013] [Revised: 10/28/2013] [Accepted: 10/29/2013] [Indexed: 11/18/2022]
Abstract
Alcohol stimulates the hypothalamic-pituitary-adrenal (HPA) axis through brain-based mechanisms in which endogenous corticotropin-releasing factor (CRF) plays a major role. This review first discusses the evidence for this role, as well as the possible importance of intermediates such as vasopressin, nitric oxide and catecholamines. We then illustrate the long-term influence exerted by alcohol on the HPA axis, such as the ability of a first exposure to this drug during adolescence, to permanently blunt neuroendocrine responses to subsequent exposure of the drug. In view of the role played by CRF in addiction, it is likely that a better understanding of the mechanisms through which this drug stimulates the HPA axis may lead to the development of new therapies used in the treatment of alcohol abuse, including clinically relevant CRF antagonists.
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Affiliation(s)
- Catherine Rivier
- The Salk Institute, The Clayton Foundation Laboratories for Peptide Biology, La Jolla, CA 92037, USA.
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10
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Canales L, Gambrell C, Chen J, Neal RE. Prenatal alcohol exposure alters the cerebral cortex proteome in weanling rats. Reprod Toxicol 2013; 39:69-75. [PMID: 23702218 DOI: 10.1016/j.reprotox.2013.04.003] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/30/2012] [Revised: 02/19/2013] [Accepted: 04/09/2013] [Indexed: 12/24/2022]
Abstract
Maternal consumption of alcohol during pregnancy impairs neurodevelopment in offspring. Utilizing a rodent model of continuous moderate dose alcohol exposure throughout gestation [gestation day 1 (GD1)-GD22; BAC ~70 mg/dL], the impact of developmental alcohol exposure on juvenile cerebral cortex protein abundances was determined. At weaning, cerebral cortex tissue was collected from pups for 2D SDS-PAGE based proteome analysis with statistical analysis by Partial Least Squares-Discriminant Analysis (PLS-DA). Gestational alcohol exposure increased the abundance of post-translationally modified forms of cytoskeletal proteins and the abundance of proteins within the small molecule biochemistry (includes glucose metabolism) pathway and proteosome processing pathways though ubiquitin conjugating enzymes and chaperones were decreased in abundance. In weanling offspring exposed prenatally to alcohol, alterations in cytoskeletal protein post-translational modifications were noted. Increased abundance of proteins from the small molecule biochemistry pathway, which includes glucose metabolism, and proteosome processing pathways were also noted. Decreased abundances of ubiquitin conjugating enzyme and chaperone protein were noted in the cerebral cortex of these offspring.
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Affiliation(s)
- Lorena Canales
- Department of Environmental and Occupational Health Sciences, School of Public Health and Information Sciences, University of Louisville, Louisville, KY 40292, USA
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Mantha K, Kleiber M, Singh S. Neurodevelopmental Timing of Ethanol Exposure May Contribute to Observed Heterogeneity of Behavioral Deficits in a Mouse Model of Fetal Alcohol Spectrum Disorder (FASD). ACTA ACUST UNITED AC 2013. [DOI: 10.4236/jbbs.2013.31009] [Citation(s) in RCA: 21] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/20/2022]
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Fetal stress and programming of hypoxic/ischemic-sensitive phenotype in the neonatal brain: mechanisms and possible interventions. Prog Neurobiol 2012; 98:145-65. [PMID: 22627492 DOI: 10.1016/j.pneurobio.2012.05.010] [Citation(s) in RCA: 83] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/01/2012] [Revised: 05/10/2012] [Accepted: 05/11/2012] [Indexed: 12/12/2022]
Abstract
Growing evidence of epidemiological, clinical and experimental studies has clearly shown a close link between adverse in utero environment and the increased risk of neurological, psychological and psychiatric disorders in later life. Fetal stresses, such as hypoxia, malnutrition, and fetal exposure to nicotine, alcohol, cocaine and glucocorticoids may directly or indirectly act at cellular and molecular levels to alter the brain development and result in programming of heightened brain vulnerability to hypoxic-ischemic encephalopathy and the development of neurological diseases in the postnatal life. The underlying mechanisms are not well understood. However, glucocorticoids may play a crucial role in epigenetic programming of neurological disorders of fetal origins. This review summarizes the recent studies about the effects of fetal stress on the abnormal brain development, focusing on the cellular, molecular and epigenetic mechanisms and highlighting the central effects of glucocorticoids on programming of hypoxic-ischemic-sensitive phenotype in the neonatal brain, which may enhance the understanding of brain pathophysiology resulting from fetal stress and help explore potential targets of timely diagnosis, prevention and intervention in neonatal hypoxic-ischemic encephalopathy and other brain disorders.
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Pastor R, Reed C, Meyer PJ, McKinnon C, Ryabinin AE, Phillips TJ. Role of corticotropin-releasing factor and corticosterone in behavioral sensitization to ethanol. J Pharmacol Exp Ther 2012; 341:455-63. [PMID: 22333290 DOI: 10.1124/jpet.111.190595] [Citation(s) in RCA: 17] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/22/2022] Open
Abstract
Neuroadaptations underlying sensitization to drugs of abuse seem to influence compulsive drug pursuit and relapse associated with addiction. Our previous data support a role for the corticotropin-releasing factor (CRF) type-1 receptor (CRF₁) in ethanol (EtOH)-induced psychomotor sensitization. CRF₁ is endogenously activated by CRF and urocortin-1. Because genetic deletion of urocortin-1 did not affect EtOH sensitization, we hypothesized that CRF is the important ligand underlying EtOH sensitization. To test this hypothesis, we used heterozygous and homozygous knockout (KO) mice, which lack one or both copies of the gene coding for CRF, and their respective wild-type controls. EtOH sensitization was normal in heterozygous, but absent in homozygous, CRF KO mice. Corticosterone (CORT) levels were drastically reduced only in CRF KO mice. Because CRF/CRF₁ initiate EtOH-induced activation of the hypothalamic-pituitary-adrenal axis, we investigated CORT effects on EtOH sensitization. The CORT synthesis inhibitor metyrapone prevented the acquisition, but not the expression, of EtOH sensitization. Exogenous CORT administration sensitized the locomotor response to a subsequent EtOH challenge; we observed, however, that the exogenous CORT levels necessary to induce sensitization to EtOH were significantly higher than those produced by EtOH treatment. Therefore, participation of CORT seems to be necessary, but not sufficient, to explain the role of CRF/CRF₁ in the acquisition of sensitization to EtOH. Extra-hypothalamic CRF/CRF₁ mechanisms are suggested to be involved in the expression of EtOH sensitization. The present results are consistent with current theories proposing a key role for CRF and CRF₁ in drug-induced neuroplasticity, dependence, and addictive behavior.
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Affiliation(s)
- Raúl Pastor
- Department of Behavioral Neuroscience, Oregon Health & Science University, Portland, Oregon, USA
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Muhammad A, Kolb B. Mild prenatal stress-modulated behavior and neuronal spine density without affecting amphetamine sensitization. Dev Neurosci 2011; 33:85-98. [PMID: 21576912 DOI: 10.1159/000324744] [Citation(s) in RCA: 56] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/14/2010] [Accepted: 01/29/2011] [Indexed: 12/17/2022] Open
Abstract
The present study investigated the effect of prenatal stress (PS) on juvenile behavior and adult amphetamine (AMPH) sensitization, as well as the effect of the interaction between experience (i.e. PS) and drug (i.e. AMPH) on cortical thickness and neuronal morphology in corticolimbic regions in rats. Juvenile male and female rats, exposed to gestational stress, were tested in behavioral tasks that included open field locomotion, elevated plus maze, novel object recognition, and play fighting behavior. The development and persistence of drug-induced behavioral sensitization in adults were tested by chronic AMPH administration and challenge, respectively. Spine density in corticolimbic regions was examined for structural plasticity. The findings showed that PS produced anxiety-like behavior in males. Furthermore, PS in males resulted in female-like play and enhanced partial rotation defense, whereas in females PS increased the probability of evasion in response to an attack. AMPH administration resulted in gradual increase in behavioral sensitization that persisted at least for 2 weeks; however, PS did not influence AMPH-induced behavioral sensitization in either male or female rats. Moreover, PS increased the spine density in the nucleus accumbens (NAc) and decreased it in the medial prefrontal cortex (mPFC) without any alteration in the orbital frontal cortex (OFC). Similarly, AMPH administration increased spine density in the NAc and mPFC, whereas a decrease was observed in the OFC. However, PS prevented the drug-induced alterations in the spine density observed in controls. In sum, PS modulated juvenile behavior and altered brain morphology without influencing AMPH-induced behavioral sensitization substantially.
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Affiliation(s)
- Arif Muhammad
- Canadian Centre for Behavioural Neuroscience, University of Lethbridge, Lethbridge, Alta., Canada.
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Focus on: neurotransmitter systems. ALCOHOL RESEARCH & HEALTH : THE JOURNAL OF THE NATIONAL INSTITUTE ON ALCOHOL ABUSE AND ALCOHOLISM 2011; 34:106-20. [PMID: 23580048 PMCID: PMC3860557] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/01/2022]
Abstract
Neurotransmitter systems have been long recognized as important targets of the developmental actions of alcohol (i.e., ethanol). Short- and long-term effects of ethanol on amino acid (e.g., γ-aminobutyric acid and glutamate) and biogenic amine (e.g., serotonin and dopamine) neurotransmitters have been demonstrated in animal models of fetal alcohol spectrum disorders (FASD). Researchers have detected ethanol effects after exposure during developmental periods equivalent to the first, second, and third trimesters of human pregnancy. Results support the recommendation that pregnant women should abstain from drinking-even small quantities-as effects of ethanol on neurotransmitter systems have been detected at low levels of exposure. Recent studies have elucidated new mechanisms and/or consequences of the actions of ethanol on amino acid and biogenic amine neuro-transmitter systems. Alterations in these neurotransmitter systems could, in part, be responsible for many of the conditions associated with FASD, including (1) learning, memory, and attention deficits; (2) motor coordination impairments; (3) abnormal responsiveness to stress; and (4) increased susceptibility to neuropsychiatric disorders, such as substance abuse and depression, and also neurological disorders, such as epilepsy and sudden infant death syndrome. However, future research is needed to conclusively establish a causal relationship between these conditions and developmental dysfunctions in neurotransmitter systems.
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