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Chanana V, Zafer D, Kintner DB, Chandrashekhar JH, Eickhoff J, Ferrazzano PA, Levine JE, Cengiz P. TrkB-mediated neuroprotection in female hippocampal neurons is autonomous, estrogen receptor alpha-dependent, and eliminated by testosterone: a proposed model for sex differences in neonatal hippocampal neuronal injury. Biol Sex Differ 2024; 15:30. [PMID: 38566248 PMCID: PMC10988865 DOI: 10.1186/s13293-024-00596-1] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/19/2023] [Accepted: 02/20/2024] [Indexed: 04/04/2024] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Neonatal hypoxia ischemia (HI) related brain injury is one of the major causes of learning disabilities and memory deficits in children. In both human and animal studies, female neonate brains are less susceptible to HI than male brains. Phosphorylation of the nerve growth factor receptor TrkB has been shown to provide sex-specific neuroprotection following in vivo HI in female mice in an estrogen receptor alpha (ERα)-dependent manner. However, the molecular and cellular mechanisms conferring sex-specific neonatal neuroprotection remain incompletely understood. Here, we test whether female neonatal hippocampal neurons express autonomous neuroprotective properties and assess the ability of testosterone (T) to alter this phenotype. METHODS We cultured sexed hippocampal neurons from ERα+/+ and ERα-/- mice and subjected them to 4 h oxygen glucose deprivation and 24 h reoxygenation (4-OGD/24-REOX). Sexed hippocampal neurons were treated either with vehicle control (VC) or the TrkB agonist 7,8-dihydroxyflavone (7,8-DHF) following in vitro ischemia. End points at 24 h REOX were TrkB phosphorylation (p-TrkB) and neuronal survival assessed by immunohistochemistry. In addition, in vitro ischemia-mediated ERα gene expression in hippocampal neurons were investigated following testosterone (T) pre-treatment and TrkB antagonist therapy via q-RTPCR. Multifactorial analysis of variance was conducted to test for significant differences between experimental conditions. RESULTS Under normoxic conditions, administration of 3 µM 7,8-DHF resulted an ERα-dependent increase in p-TrkB immunoexpression that was higher in female, as compared to male neurons. Following 4-OGD/24-REOX, p-TrkB expression increased 20% in both male and female ERα+/+ neurons. However, with 3 µM 7,8-DHF treatment p-TrkB expression increased further in female neurons by 2.81 ± 0.79-fold and was ERα dependent. 4-OGD/24-REOX resulted in a 56% increase in cell death, but only female cells were rescued with 3 µM 7,8-DHF, again in an ERα dependent manner. Following 4-OGD/3-REOX, ERα mRNA increased ~ 3 fold in female neurons. This increase was blocked with either the TrkB antagonist ANA-12 or pre-treatment with T. Pre-treatment with T also blocked the 7,8-DHF- dependent sex-specific neuronal survival in female neurons following 4-OGD/24-REOX. CONCLUSIONS OGD/REOX results in sex-dependent TrkB phosphorylation in female neurons that increases further with 7,8-DHF treatment. TrkB phosphorylation by 7,8-DHF increased ERα mRNA expression and promoted cell survival preferentially in female hippocampal neurons. The sex-dependent neuroprotective actions of 7,8-DHF were blocked by either ANA-12 or by T pre-treatment. These results are consistent with a model for a female-specific neuroprotective pathway in hippocampal neurons in response to hypoxia. The pathway is activated by 7,8-DHF, mediated by TrkB phosphorylation, dependent on ERα and blocked by pre-exposure to T.
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Affiliation(s)
- Vishal Chanana
- Waisman Center, University of Wisconsin, Madison, WI, USA
- Department of Pediatrics, Division of Pediatric Critical Care Medicine, University of Wisconsin, 1500 Highland Ave - T505, Madison, WI, 53705-9345, USA
| | - Dila Zafer
- Waisman Center, University of Wisconsin, Madison, WI, USA
- Department of Pediatrics, Division of Pediatric Critical Care Medicine, University of Wisconsin, 1500 Highland Ave - T505, Madison, WI, 53705-9345, USA
| | - Douglas B Kintner
- Waisman Center, University of Wisconsin, Madison, WI, USA
- Department of Pediatrics, Division of Pediatric Critical Care Medicine, University of Wisconsin, 1500 Highland Ave - T505, Madison, WI, 53705-9345, USA
| | - Jayadevi H Chandrashekhar
- Waisman Center, University of Wisconsin, Madison, WI, USA
- University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign, Champaign, IL, USA
| | - Jens Eickhoff
- Department of Statistics and Bioinformatics, University of Wisconsin School of Medicine and Public Health, Madison, WI, USA
| | - Peter A Ferrazzano
- Waisman Center, University of Wisconsin, Madison, WI, USA
- Department of Pediatrics, Division of Pediatric Critical Care Medicine, University of Wisconsin, 1500 Highland Ave - T505, Madison, WI, 53705-9345, USA
| | - Jon E Levine
- Department of Neuroscience, University of Wisconsin, Madison, WI, USA
- Wisconsin National Primate Research Center, Madison, WI, USA
| | - Pelin Cengiz
- Waisman Center, University of Wisconsin, Madison, WI, USA.
- Department of Pediatrics, Division of Pediatric Critical Care Medicine, University of Wisconsin, 1500 Highland Ave - T505, Madison, WI, 53705-9345, USA.
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Amirkhosravi L, Khaksari M, Sanjari M, Khorasani P. The nongenomic neuroprotective effects of estrogen, E2-BSA, and G1 following traumatic brain injury: PI3K/Akt and histopathological study. Horm Mol Biol Clin Investig 2024; 45:1-15. [PMID: 38507353 DOI: 10.1515/hmbci-2023-0066] [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: 09/19/2023] [Accepted: 02/28/2024] [Indexed: 03/22/2024]
Abstract
OBJECTIVES Studies suggest that both genomic and nongenomic pathways are involved in mediating the salutary effects of steroids following traumatic brain injury (TBI). This study investigated the nongenomic effects of 17β-estradiol (E2) mediated by the PI3K/p-Akt pathway after TBI. METHODS Ovariectomized rats were apportioned to E2, E2-BSA (E2 conjugated to bovine serum albumin), G1 [G-protein-coupled estrogen receptor agonist (GPER)] or their vehicle was injected following TBI, whereas ICI (classical estrogen receptor antagonist), G15 (GPER antagonist), ICI + G15, and their vehicles were injected before the induction of TBI and injection of drugs. Diffuse TBI was induced by the Marmarou model. Evans blue (EBC, 5 h), brain water contents (BWC), histopathological changes, and brain PI3K and p-Akt protein expressions were measured 24 h after TBI. The veterinary comma scale (VCS) was assessed before and at different times after TBI. RESULTS The results showed a reduction in BWC and EBC and increased VCS in the E2, E2-BSA, and G1 groups. Also, E2, E2-BSA, and G1 reduced brain edema, inflammation, and apoptosis. The ICI and G15 inhibited the beneficial effects of E2, E2-BSA, and G1 on these parameters. All drugs, following TBI, prevented the reduction of brain PI3K/p-Akt expression. The individual or combined use of ICI and G15 eliminated the beneficial effects of E2, E2-BSA, and G1 on PI3K/p-Akt expressions. CONCLUSIONS These findings indicated that PI3K/p-Akt pathway plays a critical role in mediating the salutary effects of estradiol on histopathological changes and neurological outcomes following TBI, suggesting that GPER and classic ERs are involved in regulating the expression of PI3K/p-Akt.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ladan Amirkhosravi
- Endocrinology and Metabolism Research Center, Kerman University of Medical Sciences, Kerman, Iran
| | - Mohammad Khaksari
- Physiology Research Center, Institute of Neuropharmacology, 48463 Kerman University of Medical Sciences , Kerman, Iran
| | - Mojgan Sanjari
- Endocrinology and Metabolism Research Center, Kerman University of Medical Sciences, Kerman, Iran
| | - Parisa Khorasani
- Pathology and Stem Cell Research Center, 48463 Kerman University of Medical Sciences , Kerman, Iran
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Di Benedetto MG, Landi P, Mencacci C, Cattaneo A. Depression in Women: Potential Biological and Sociocultural Factors Driving the Sex Effect. Neuropsychobiology 2024; 83:2-16. [PMID: 38272005 PMCID: PMC10871691 DOI: 10.1159/000531588] [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: 05/16/2022] [Accepted: 05/24/2023] [Indexed: 01/27/2024]
Abstract
Important sex-related differences have been observed in the onset, prevalence, and clinical phenotype of depression, based on several epidemiological studies. Social, behavioural, and educational factors have a great role in underlying this bias; however, also several biological factors are extensively involved. Indeed, sexually dimorphic biological systems might represent the underlying ground for these disparities, including cerebral structures and neural correlates, reproductive hormones, stress response pathways, the immune system and inflammatory reaction, metabolism, and fat distribution. Furthermore, in this perspective, it is also important to consider and focus the attention on specific ages and life stages of individuals: indeed, women experience during their life specific periods of reproductive transitional phases, which are not found in men, that represent windows of particular psychological vulnerability. In addition to these, other biologically related risk factors, including the occurrence of sleep disturbances and the exposure to childhood trauma, which are found to differentially affect men and women, are also putative underlying mechanisms of the clinical bias of depression. Overall, by taking into account major differences which characterize men and women it might be possible to improve the diagnostic process, as well as treat more efficiently depressed individuals, based on a more personalized medicine and research.
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Affiliation(s)
- Maria Grazia Di Benedetto
- Department of Pharmacological and Biomolecular Sciences, University of Milan, Milan, Italy,
- Biological Psychiatry Unit, IRCCS Istituto Centro San Giovanni di Dio Fatebenefratelli, Brescia, Italy,
| | - Paola Landi
- Department of Neuroscience, ASST Fatebenefratelli Sacco, Milan, Italy
| | - Claudio Mencacci
- Department of Neuroscience, ASST Fatebenefratelli Sacco, Milan, Italy
| | - Annamaria Cattaneo
- Department of Pharmacological and Biomolecular Sciences, University of Milan, Milan, Italy
- Biological Psychiatry Unit, IRCCS Istituto Centro San Giovanni di Dio Fatebenefratelli, Brescia, Italy
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Mu E, Gurvich C, Kulkarni J. Estrogen and psychosis - a review and future directions. Arch Womens Ment Health 2024:10.1007/s00737-023-01409-x. [PMID: 38221595 DOI: 10.1007/s00737-023-01409-x] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/03/2023] [Accepted: 12/02/2023] [Indexed: 01/16/2024]
Abstract
The link between sex hormones and schizophrenia has been suspected for over a century; however, scientific evidence supporting the pharmacotherapeutic effects of exogenous estrogen has only started to emerge during the past three decades. Accumulating evidence from epidemiological and basic research suggests that estrogen has a protective effect in women vulnerable to schizophrenia. Such evidence has led multiple researchers to investigate the role of estrogen in schizophrenia and its use in treatment. This narrative review provides an overview of the effects of estrogen as well as summarizes the recent work regarding estrogen as a treatment for schizophrenia, particularly the use of new-generation selective estrogen receptor modulators.
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Affiliation(s)
- Eveline Mu
- HER Centre Australia, Central Clinical School, Monash University, Melbourne, Victoria, Australia.
| | - Caroline Gurvich
- HER Centre Australia, Central Clinical School, Monash University, Melbourne, Victoria, Australia
| | - Jayashri Kulkarni
- HER Centre Australia, Central Clinical School, Monash University, Melbourne, Victoria, Australia
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Zheng M, Ye H, Yang X, Shen L, Dang X, Liu X, Gong Y, Wu Q, Wang L, Ge X, Fang X, Hou B, Zhang P, Tang R, Zheng K, Huang XF, Yu Y. Probiotic Clostridium butyricum ameliorates cognitive impairment in obesity via the microbiota-gut-brain axis. Brain Behav Immun 2024; 115:565-587. [PMID: 37981012 DOI: 10.1016/j.bbi.2023.11.016] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 9.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/25/2023] [Revised: 11/06/2023] [Accepted: 11/13/2023] [Indexed: 11/21/2023] Open
Abstract
Obesity is a risk factor for cognitive dysfunction and neurodegenerative disease, including Alzheimer's disease (AD). The gut microbiota-brain axis is altered in obesity and linked to cognitive impairment and neurodegenerative disorders. Here, we targeted obesity-induced cognitive impairment by testing the impact of the probiotic Clostridium butyricum, which has previously shown beneficial effects on gut homeostasis and brain function. Firstly, we characterized and analyzed the gut microbial profiles of participants with obesity and the correlation between gut microbiota and cognitive scores. Then, using an obese mouse model induced by a Western-style diet (high-fat and fiber-deficient diet), the effects of Clostridium butyricum on the microbiota-gut-brain axis and hippocampal cognitive function were evaluated. Finally, fecal microbiota transplantation was performed to assess the functional link between Clostridium butyricum remodeling gut microbiota and hippocampal synaptic protein and cognitive behaviors. Our results showed that participants with obesity had gut microbiota dysbiosis characterized by an increase in phylum Proteobacteria and a decrease in Clostridium butyricum, which were closely associated with cognitive decline. In diet-induced obese mice, oral Clostridium butyricum supplementation significantly alleviated cognitive impairment, attenuated the deficit of hippocampal neurite outgrowth and synaptic ultrastructure, improved hippocampal transcriptome related to synapses and dendrites; a comparison of the effects of Clostridium butyricum in mice against human AD datasets revealed that many of the genes changes in AD were reversed by Clostridium butyricum; concurrently, Clostridium butyricum also prevented gut microbiota dysbiosis, colonic barrier impairment and inflammation, and attenuated endotoxemia. Importantly, fecal microbiota transplantation from donor-obese mice with Clostridium butyricum supplementation facilitated cognitive variables and colonic integrity compared with from donor obese mice, highlighting that Clostridium butyricum's impact on cognitive function is largely due to its ability to remodel gut microbiota. Our findings provide the first insights into the neuroprotective effects of Clostridium butyricum on obesity-associated cognitive impairments and neurodegeneration via the gut microbiota-gut-brain axis.
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Affiliation(s)
- Mingxuan Zheng
- Jiangsu Key Laboratory of Immunity and Metabolism, Jiangsu International Laboratory of Immunity and Metabolism, Department of Pathogen Biology and Immunology, Xuzhou Medical University, Xuzhou, Jiangsu 221004, China
| | - Huaiyu Ye
- Jiangsu Key Laboratory of Immunity and Metabolism, Jiangsu International Laboratory of Immunity and Metabolism, Department of Pathogen Biology and Immunology, Xuzhou Medical University, Xuzhou, Jiangsu 221004, China
| | - Xiaoying Yang
- Jiangsu Key Laboratory of Immunity and Metabolism, Jiangsu International Laboratory of Immunity and Metabolism, Department of Pathogen Biology and Immunology, Xuzhou Medical University, Xuzhou, Jiangsu 221004, China
| | - Lijun Shen
- Jiangsu Key Laboratory of Immunity and Metabolism, Jiangsu International Laboratory of Immunity and Metabolism, Department of Pathogen Biology and Immunology, Xuzhou Medical University, Xuzhou, Jiangsu 221004, China
| | - Xuemei Dang
- Jiangsu Key Laboratory of Immunity and Metabolism, Jiangsu International Laboratory of Immunity and Metabolism, Department of Pathogen Biology and Immunology, Xuzhou Medical University, Xuzhou, Jiangsu 221004, China
| | - Xiaoli Liu
- Jiangsu Key Laboratory of Immunity and Metabolism, Jiangsu International Laboratory of Immunity and Metabolism, Department of Pathogen Biology and Immunology, Xuzhou Medical University, Xuzhou, Jiangsu 221004, China
| | - Yuying Gong
- Jiangsu Key Laboratory of Immunity and Metabolism, Jiangsu International Laboratory of Immunity and Metabolism, Department of Pathogen Biology and Immunology, Xuzhou Medical University, Xuzhou, Jiangsu 221004, China
| | - Qingyuan Wu
- Jiangsu Key Laboratory of Immunity and Metabolism, Jiangsu International Laboratory of Immunity and Metabolism, Department of Pathogen Biology and Immunology, Xuzhou Medical University, Xuzhou, Jiangsu 221004, China
| | - Li Wang
- Affiliated Hospital of Liaoning University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Shenyang 110033, China
| | - Xing Ge
- Jiangsu Key Laboratory of Immunity and Metabolism, Jiangsu International Laboratory of Immunity and Metabolism, Department of Pathogen Biology and Immunology, Xuzhou Medical University, Xuzhou, Jiangsu 221004, China
| | - Xiaoli Fang
- Department of Neurology, Affiliated Hospital of Xuzhou Medical University, Jiangsu 221004, China
| | - Benchi Hou
- Affiliated Hospital of Liaoning University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Shenyang 110033, China
| | - Peng Zhang
- Jiangsu Key Laboratory of Immunity and Metabolism, Jiangsu International Laboratory of Immunity and Metabolism, Department of Pathogen Biology and Immunology, Xuzhou Medical University, Xuzhou, Jiangsu 221004, China
| | - Renxian Tang
- Jiangsu Key Laboratory of Immunity and Metabolism, Jiangsu International Laboratory of Immunity and Metabolism, Department of Pathogen Biology and Immunology, Xuzhou Medical University, Xuzhou, Jiangsu 221004, China
| | - Kuiyang Zheng
- Jiangsu Key Laboratory of Immunity and Metabolism, Jiangsu International Laboratory of Immunity and Metabolism, Department of Pathogen Biology and Immunology, Xuzhou Medical University, Xuzhou, Jiangsu 221004, China; National Experimental Demonstration Center for Basic Medicine Education, Xuzhou Medical University, Xuzhou, Jiangsu 221004, China
| | - Xu-Feng Huang
- Illawarra Health and Medical Research Institute (IHMRI) and School of Medicine, University of Wollongong, NSW 2522, Australia
| | - Yinghua Yu
- Jiangsu Key Laboratory of Immunity and Metabolism, Jiangsu International Laboratory of Immunity and Metabolism, Department of Pathogen Biology and Immunology, Xuzhou Medical University, Xuzhou, Jiangsu 221004, China.
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Shimada Y, Kumazoe M, Otsuka Y, Tetsuzen R, Fujimura Y, Tachibana H. Neuroprotective effect of isovaleraldehyde accompanied with upregulation of BDNF and CREB phosphorylation via the PKA pathway. J Nat Med 2024; 78:208-215. [PMID: 38063995 DOI: 10.1007/s11418-023-01763-1] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/03/2023] [Accepted: 11/12/2023] [Indexed: 01/04/2024]
Abstract
Recently, the number of patients diagnosed with dementia has increased. The World Health Organization (WHO) estimates that 50 million patients suffer from dementia. Although several therapeutic strategies have been proposed, currently, there is no curative approach for treating dementia. Neurodegeneration is an irreversible process. As this disease gradually progresses over 15-20 years, a low-cost and sustainable method for preventing these diseases is desired. Cacao nib is consumed in many countries, and a recent clinical study indicated that cocoa intake upregulates brain-derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF), which plays a significant role in memory formation and neuronal cell survival. In the present study, neural cells were treated with cacao nib extract or the 17 characteristic components of cacao nib. Treatment with Cacao nib extract upregulates BDNF mRNA expression. In addition, cacao nib extract elicits the phosphorylation of cAMP-response-element-binding protein (CREB), which regulates the transcription of BDNF. Among the 17 species screened, isovaleraldehyde (IVA), also known as an aroma component of cacao nibs extract, improved BDNF mRNA expression without SH-SY5Y cell toxicity. IVA also promoted CREB phosphorylation through a cAMP-dependent protein kinase (PKA)-dependent mechanism. In conclusion, IVA could be responsible for the BDNF upregulation effect of cacao nib, and IVA upregulated BDNF expression via the PKA-CREB axis.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yu Shimada
- Division of Applied Biological Chemistry, Department of Bioscience and Biotechnology, Faculty of Agriculture, Kyushu University, 744 Motooka, Nishi-Ku, Fukuoka, 819-0395, Japan
| | - Motofumi Kumazoe
- Division of Applied Biological Chemistry, Department of Bioscience and Biotechnology, Faculty of Agriculture, Kyushu University, 744 Motooka, Nishi-Ku, Fukuoka, 819-0395, Japan
| | - Yushi Otsuka
- Division of Applied Biological Chemistry, Department of Bioscience and Biotechnology, Faculty of Agriculture, Kyushu University, 744 Motooka, Nishi-Ku, Fukuoka, 819-0395, Japan
| | - Rin Tetsuzen
- Meiji Innovation Center, Meiji Co., Ltd, 1-29-1, Nanakuni, Hachioji, Tokyo, 192-0919, Japan
| | - Yoshinori Fujimura
- Division of Applied Biological Chemistry, Department of Bioscience and Biotechnology, Faculty of Agriculture, Kyushu University, 744 Motooka, Nishi-Ku, Fukuoka, 819-0395, Japan
| | - Hirofumi Tachibana
- Division of Applied Biological Chemistry, Department of Bioscience and Biotechnology, Faculty of Agriculture, Kyushu University, 744 Motooka, Nishi-Ku, Fukuoka, 819-0395, Japan.
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Burguete MC, Jover-Mengual T, Castelló-Ruiz M, López-Morales MA, Centeno JM, Aliena-Valero A, Alborch E, Torregrosa G, Salom JB. Cerebroprotective Effect of 17β-Estradiol Replacement Therapy in Ovariectomy-Induced Post-Menopausal Rats Subjected to Ischemic Stroke: Role of MAPK/ERK1/2 Pathway and PI3K-Independent Akt Activation. Int J Mol Sci 2023; 24:14303. [PMID: 37762606 PMCID: PMC10531725 DOI: 10.3390/ijms241814303] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/21/2023] [Revised: 09/11/2023] [Accepted: 09/15/2023] [Indexed: 09/29/2023] Open
Abstract
Despite the overwhelming advances in the understanding of the pathogenesis of stroke, a devastating disease affecting millions of people worldwide, currently there are only a limited number of effective treatments available. Preclinical and clinical studies show that stroke is a sexually dimorphic disorder, affecting males and females differently. Strong experimental evidence indicates that estrogen may play a role in this difference and that exogenous 17β-estradiol (E2) is neuroprotective against stroke in both male and female rodents. However, the molecular mechanisms by which E2 intervenes in ischemia-induced cell death, revealing these sex differences, remain unclear. The present study was aimed to determine, in female rats, the molecular mechanisms of two well-known pro-survival signaling pathways, MAPK/ERK1/2 and PI3K/Akt, that mediate E2 neuroprotection in response to acute ischemic stroke. E2 pretreatment reduced brain damage and attenuated apoptotic cell death in ovariectomized female rats after an ischemic insult. Moreover, E2 decreased phosphorylation of ERK1/2 and prevented ischemia/reperfusion-induced dephosphorylation of both Akt and the pro-apoptotic protein, BAD. However, MAPK/ERK1/2 inhibitor PD98059, but not the PI3K inhibitor LY294002, attenuated E2 neuroprotection. Thus, these results suggested that E2 pretreatment in ovariectomized female rats modulates MAPK/ERK1/2 and activates Akt independently of PI3K to promote cerebroprotection in ischemic stroke. A better understanding of the mechanisms and the influence of E2 in the female sex paves the way for the design of future successful hormone replacement therapies.
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Affiliation(s)
- María C. Burguete
- Unidad Mixta de Investigación Cerebrovascular, Instituto de Investigación Sanitaria La Fe, Universitat de València, 46100 Burjassot, Spain; (M.C.B.); (M.C.-R.); (M.A.L.-M.); (J.M.C.); (A.A.-V.); (E.A.); (G.T.); (J.B.S.)
- Departamento de Fisiología, Universitat de València, 46100 Burjassot, Spain
| | - Teresa Jover-Mengual
- Unidad Mixta de Investigación Cerebrovascular, Instituto de Investigación Sanitaria La Fe, Universitat de València, 46100 Burjassot, Spain; (M.C.B.); (M.C.-R.); (M.A.L.-M.); (J.M.C.); (A.A.-V.); (E.A.); (G.T.); (J.B.S.)
- Departamento de Fisiología, Universitat de València, 46100 Burjassot, Spain
| | - María Castelló-Ruiz
- Unidad Mixta de Investigación Cerebrovascular, Instituto de Investigación Sanitaria La Fe, Universitat de València, 46100 Burjassot, Spain; (M.C.B.); (M.C.-R.); (M.A.L.-M.); (J.M.C.); (A.A.-V.); (E.A.); (G.T.); (J.B.S.)
- Departamento de Biología Celular, Biología Funcional y Antropología Física, Universitat de València, 46100 Burjassot, Spain
| | - Mikahela A. López-Morales
- Unidad Mixta de Investigación Cerebrovascular, Instituto de Investigación Sanitaria La Fe, Universitat de València, 46100 Burjassot, Spain; (M.C.B.); (M.C.-R.); (M.A.L.-M.); (J.M.C.); (A.A.-V.); (E.A.); (G.T.); (J.B.S.)
- Hospital Universitari i Politècnic La Fe, 46026 Valencia, Spain
| | - José M. Centeno
- Unidad Mixta de Investigación Cerebrovascular, Instituto de Investigación Sanitaria La Fe, Universitat de València, 46100 Burjassot, Spain; (M.C.B.); (M.C.-R.); (M.A.L.-M.); (J.M.C.); (A.A.-V.); (E.A.); (G.T.); (J.B.S.)
- Departamento de Fisiología, Universitat de València, 46100 Burjassot, Spain
| | - Alicia Aliena-Valero
- Unidad Mixta de Investigación Cerebrovascular, Instituto de Investigación Sanitaria La Fe, Universitat de València, 46100 Burjassot, Spain; (M.C.B.); (M.C.-R.); (M.A.L.-M.); (J.M.C.); (A.A.-V.); (E.A.); (G.T.); (J.B.S.)
- Hospital Universitari i Politècnic La Fe, 46026 Valencia, Spain
| | - Enrique Alborch
- Unidad Mixta de Investigación Cerebrovascular, Instituto de Investigación Sanitaria La Fe, Universitat de València, 46100 Burjassot, Spain; (M.C.B.); (M.C.-R.); (M.A.L.-M.); (J.M.C.); (A.A.-V.); (E.A.); (G.T.); (J.B.S.)
- Departamento de Fisiología, Universitat de València, 46100 Burjassot, Spain
| | - Germán Torregrosa
- Unidad Mixta de Investigación Cerebrovascular, Instituto de Investigación Sanitaria La Fe, Universitat de València, 46100 Burjassot, Spain; (M.C.B.); (M.C.-R.); (M.A.L.-M.); (J.M.C.); (A.A.-V.); (E.A.); (G.T.); (J.B.S.)
- Hospital Universitari i Politècnic La Fe, 46026 Valencia, Spain
| | - Juan B. Salom
- Unidad Mixta de Investigación Cerebrovascular, Instituto de Investigación Sanitaria La Fe, Universitat de València, 46100 Burjassot, Spain; (M.C.B.); (M.C.-R.); (M.A.L.-M.); (J.M.C.); (A.A.-V.); (E.A.); (G.T.); (J.B.S.)
- Departamento de Fisiología, Universitat de València, 46100 Burjassot, Spain
- Hospital Universitari i Politècnic La Fe, 46026 Valencia, Spain
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Ehtezazi T, Rahman K, Davies R, Leach AG. The Pathological Effects of Circulating Hydrophobic Bile Acids in Alzheimer's Disease. J Alzheimers Dis Rep 2023; 7:173-211. [PMID: 36994114 PMCID: PMC10041467 DOI: 10.3233/adr-220071] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 02/19/2023] Open
Abstract
Recent clinical studies have revealed that the serum levels of toxic hydrophobic bile acids (deoxy cholic acid, lithocholic acid [LCA], and glycoursodeoxycholic acid) are significantly higher in patients with Alzheimer's disease (AD) and amnestic mild cognitive impairment (aMCI) when compared to control subjects. The elevated serum bile acids may be the result of hepatic peroxisomal dysfunction. Circulating hydrophobic bile acids are able to disrupt the blood-brain barrier and promote the formation of amyloid-β plaques through enhancing the oxidation of docosahexaenoic acid. Hydrophobic bile acid may find their ways into the neurons via the apical sodium-dependent bile acid transporter. It has been shown that hydrophobic bile acids impose their pathological effects by activating farnesoid X receptor and suppressing bile acid synthesis in the brain, blocking NMDA receptors, lowering brain oxysterol levels, and interfering with 17β-estradiol actions such as LCA by binding to E2 receptors (molecular modelling data exclusive to this paper). Hydrophobic bile acids may interfere with the sonic hedgehog signaling through alteration of cell membrane rafts and reducing brain 24(S)-hydroxycholesterol. This article will 1) analyze the pathological roles of circulating hydrophobic bile acids in the brain, 2) propose therapeutic approaches, and 3) conclude that consideration be given to reducing/monitoring toxic bile acid levels in patients with AD or aMCI, prior/in combination with other treatments.
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Affiliation(s)
- Touraj Ehtezazi
- School of Pharmacy and Biomolecular Sciences, Liverpool John Moores University, Liverpool, UK
| | - Khalid Rahman
- School of Pharmacy and Biomolecular Sciences, Liverpool John Moores University, Liverpool, UK
| | - Rhys Davies
- The Walton Centre, NHS Foundation Trust, Liverpool, UK
| | - Andrew G Leach
- School of Pharmacy, University of Manchester, Manchester, UK
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Wnuk A, Przepiórska K, Pietrzak BA, Kajta M. Emerging Evidence on Membrane Estrogen Receptors as Novel Therapeutic Targets for Central Nervous System Pathologies. Int J Mol Sci 2023; 24:ijms24044043. [PMID: 36835454 PMCID: PMC9968034 DOI: 10.3390/ijms24044043] [Citation(s) in RCA: 13] [Impact Index Per Article: 13.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/24/2023] [Revised: 02/06/2023] [Accepted: 02/15/2023] [Indexed: 02/19/2023] Open
Abstract
Nuclear- and membrane-initiated estrogen signaling cooperate to orchestrate the pleiotropic effects of estrogens. Classical estrogen receptors (ERs) act transcriptionally and govern the vast majority of hormonal effects, whereas membrane ERs (mERs) enable acute modulation of estrogenic signaling and have recently been shown to exert strong neuroprotective capacity without the negative side effects associated with nuclear ER activity. In recent years, GPER1 was the most extensively characterized mER. Despite triggering neuroprotective effects, cognitive improvements, and vascular protective effects and maintaining metabolic homeostasis, GPER1 has become the subject of controversy, particularly due to its participation in tumorigenesis. This is why interest has recently turned toward non-GPER-dependent mERs, namely, mERα and mERβ. According to available data, non-GPER-dependent mERs elicit protective effects against brain damage, synaptic plasticity impairment, memory and cognitive dysfunctions, metabolic imbalance, and vascular insufficiency. We postulate that these properties are emerging platforms for designing new therapeutics that may be used in the treatment of stroke and neurodegenerative diseases. Since mERs have the ability to interfere with noncoding RNAs and to regulate the translational status of brain tissue by affecting histones, non-GPER-dependent mERs appear to be attractive targets for modern pharmacotherapy for nervous system diseases.
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Affiliation(s)
- Agnieszka Wnuk
- Correspondence: (A.W.); (M.K.); Tel.: +48-12-662-3339 (A.W.); +48-12-662-3235 (M.K.); Fax: +48-12-637-4500 (A.W. & M.K.)
| | | | | | - Małgorzata Kajta
- Correspondence: (A.W.); (M.K.); Tel.: +48-12-662-3339 (A.W.); +48-12-662-3235 (M.K.); Fax: +48-12-637-4500 (A.W. & M.K.)
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10
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Anti-Inflammatory Actions of G-Protein-Coupled Estrogen Receptor 1 (GPER) and Brain-Derived Estrogen Following Cerebral Ischemia in Ovariectomized Rats. BIOLOGY 2023; 12:biology12010099. [PMID: 36671793 PMCID: PMC9855882 DOI: 10.3390/biology12010099] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/15/2022] [Revised: 12/13/2022] [Accepted: 01/03/2023] [Indexed: 01/12/2023]
Abstract
Global cerebral ischemia can elicit rapid innate neuroprotective mechanisms that protect against delayed neuronal death. Brain-derived 17β-estradiol (BDE2), an endogenous neuroprotectant, is synthesized from testosterone by the enzyme aromatase (Aro) and is upregulated by brain ischemia and inflammation. Our recent study revealed that G1, a specific G-protein-coupled estrogen receptor 1 (GPER) agonist, exerts anti-inflammatory and anti-apoptotic roles after global cerebral ischemia (GCI). Herein, we aimed to elucidate whether G1 modulates the early inflammatory process and the potential underlying mechanisms in the ovariectomized rat hippocampal CA1 region. G1 was found to markedly reduce pro-inflammatory (iNOS, MHCII, and CD68) and to enhance anti-inflammatory (CD206, Arginase 1, IL1RA, PPARγ, and BDNF) markers after 1 and 3 days of reperfusion after GCI. Intriguingly, the neuroprotection of G1 was blocked by the Aro inhibitor, letrozole. Conversely, the GPER antagonist, G36, inhibited Aro-BDE2 signaling and exacerbated neuronal damage. As a whole, this work demonstrates a novel anti-inflammatory role of GPER, involving a synergistic mediation with BDE2 during the early stage of GCI.
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11
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Jiang XH, Li HF, Chen ML, Zhang YX, Chen HB, Chen RH, Xiao YC, Liu N. Treadmill exercise exerts a synergistic effect with bone marrow mesenchymal stem cell-derived exosomes on neuronal apoptosis and synaptic-axonal remodeling. Neural Regen Res 2022; 18:1293-1299. [PMID: 36453414 PMCID: PMC9838147 DOI: 10.4103/1673-5374.357900] [Citation(s) in RCA: 12] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/27/2022] Open
Abstract
Treadmill exercise and mesenchymal stem cell transplantation are both practical and effective methods for the treatment of cerebral ischemia. However, whether there is a synergistic effect between the two remains unclear. In this study, we established rat models of ischemia/reperfusion injury by occlusion of the middle cerebral artery for 2 hours and reperfusion for 24 hours. Rat models were perfused with bone marrow mesenchymal stem cell-derived exosomes (MSC-exos) via the tail vein and underwent 14 successive days of treadmill exercise. Neurological assessment, histopathology, and immunohistochemistry results revealed decreased neuronal apoptosis and cerebral infarct volume, evident synaptic formation and axonal regeneration, and remarkably recovered neurological function in rats subjected to treadmill exercise and MSC-exos treatment. These effects were superior to those in rats subjected to treadmill exercise or MSC-exos treatment alone. Mechanistically, further investigation revealed that the activation of JNK1/c-Jun signaling pathways regulated neuronal apoptosis and synaptic-axonal remodeling. These findings suggest that treadmill exercise may exhibit a synergistic effect with MSC-exos treatment, which may be related to activation of the JNK1/c-Jun signaling pathway. This study provides novel theoretical evidence for the clinical application of treadmill exercise combined with MSC-exos treatment for ischemic cerebrovascular disease.
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Affiliation(s)
- Xin-Hong Jiang
- Department of Rehabilitation, Fujian Medical University Union Hospital, Fuzhou, Fujian Province, China,Fujian Institute of Cerebrovascular Disease, Fuzhou, Fujian Province, China,Key Laboratory of Brain Aging and Neurodegenerative Diseases, Fujian Key Laboratory of Molecular Neurology, Fujian Medical University, Fuzhou, Fujian Province, China
| | - Hang-Feng Li
- Department of Neurology, Longyan First Hospital of Fujian Medical University, Longyan, Fujian Province, China
| | - Man-Li Chen
- Fujian Institute of Cerebrovascular Disease, Fuzhou, Fujian Province, China,Key Laboratory of Brain Aging and Neurodegenerative Diseases, Fujian Key Laboratory of Molecular Neurology, Fujian Medical University, Fuzhou, Fujian Province, China,Department of Neurology, Fujian Medical University Union Hospital, Fuzhou, Fujian Province, China
| | - Yi-Xian Zhang
- Department of Rehabilitation, Fujian Medical University Union Hospital, Fuzhou, Fujian Province, China,Fujian Institute of Cerebrovascular Disease, Fuzhou, Fujian Province, China,Key Laboratory of Brain Aging and Neurodegenerative Diseases, Fujian Key Laboratory of Molecular Neurology, Fujian Medical University, Fuzhou, Fujian Province, China
| | - Hong-Bin Chen
- Fujian Institute of Cerebrovascular Disease, Fuzhou, Fujian Province, China,Key Laboratory of Brain Aging and Neurodegenerative Diseases, Fujian Key Laboratory of Molecular Neurology, Fujian Medical University, Fuzhou, Fujian Province, China,Department of Neurology, Fujian Medical University Union Hospital, Fuzhou, Fujian Province, China
| | - Rong-Hua Chen
- Fujian Institute of Cerebrovascular Disease, Fuzhou, Fujian Province, China,Key Laboratory of Brain Aging and Neurodegenerative Diseases, Fujian Key Laboratory of Molecular Neurology, Fujian Medical University, Fuzhou, Fujian Province, China,Department of Neurology, Fujian Medical University Union Hospital, Fuzhou, Fujian Province, China
| | - Ying-Chun Xiao
- Fujian Institute of Cerebrovascular Disease, Fuzhou, Fujian Province, China,Key Laboratory of Brain Aging and Neurodegenerative Diseases, Fujian Key Laboratory of Molecular Neurology, Fujian Medical University, Fuzhou, Fujian Province, China,Department of Neurology, Fujian Medical University Union Hospital, Fuzhou, Fujian Province, China
| | - Nan Liu
- Department of Rehabilitation, Fujian Medical University Union Hospital, Fuzhou, Fujian Province, China,Fujian Institute of Cerebrovascular Disease, Fuzhou, Fujian Province, China,Key Laboratory of Brain Aging and Neurodegenerative Diseases, Fujian Key Laboratory of Molecular Neurology, Fujian Medical University, Fuzhou, Fujian Province, China,Department of Neurology, Fujian Medical University Union Hospital, Fuzhou, Fujian Province, China,Correspondence to: Nan Liu, .
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12
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Hosseinzadeh Sahafi O, Rezayof A, Ghasemzadeh Z, Alijanpour S, Rahimian S. Ameliorating effect offluoxetine on tamoxifen-induced memory loss: The role of corticolimbic NMDA receptors and CREB/BDNF/cFos signaling pathways in rats. Brain Res 2022; 1794:148058. [PMID: 36007581 DOI: 10.1016/j.brainres.2022.148058] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/27/2022] [Revised: 08/16/2022] [Accepted: 08/17/2022] [Indexed: 11/02/2022]
Abstract
Tamoxifen-induced cognitive dysfunction may lead to fluoxetine consumption in patients with breast cancer. Since the brain mechanisms are unclear in tamoxifen/fluoxetine therapy, the blockade effect of hippocampal/amygdala/prefrontal cortical NMDA receptors was examined in fluoxetine/tamoxifen-induced memory retrieval. We also assessed the corticolimbic signaling pathways in memory retrieval under the drug treatment in adult male Wistar rats. Using the Western blot technique, the expression levels of the cAMP response element-binding protein (CREB), brain-derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF), and cFos were evaluated in the corticolimbic regions. The results showed that pre-test administration of fluoxetine (3 and 5 mg/kg, i.p.) improved tamoxifen-induced memory impairment in the passive avoidance learning task. Pre-test bilateral microinjection of D-AP5, a selective NMDA receptor antagonist, into the dorsal hippocampal CA1 regions and the central amygdala (CeA), but not the medial prefrontal cortex (mPFC), inhibited the improving effect of fluoxetine on tamoxifen response. It is important to note that the microinjection of D-AP5 into the different sites by itself did not affect memory retrieval. Memory retrieval increased the signaling pathway of pCREB/CREB/BDNF/cFos in the corticolimbic regions. Tamoxifen-induced memory impairment decreased the hippocampal/PFC BDNF level and the amygdala level of pCREB/CREB/cFos. The improving effect of fluoxetine on tamoxifen significantly increased the hippocampal/PFC expression levels of BDNF, the PFC/amygdala expression levels of cFos, and the ratio of pCREB/CREB in all targeted areas. Thus, NMDA receptors' activity in the different corticolimbic regions mediates fluoxetine/tamoxifen memory retrieval. The corticolimbic synaptic plasticity changes likely accompany the improving effect of fluoxetine on tamoxifen response.
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Affiliation(s)
- Oveis Hosseinzadeh Sahafi
- Department of Animal Biology, School of Biology, College of Science, University of Tehran, Tehran, Iran; Department of Neurophysiology, Graduate School of Medicine, The University of Tokyo, Tokyo, 113-0033, Japan
| | - Ameneh Rezayof
- Department of Animal Biology, School of Biology, College of Science, University of Tehran, Tehran, Iran.
| | - Zahra Ghasemzadeh
- Department of Animal Biology, School of Biology, College of Science, University of Tehran, Tehran, Iran
| | - Sakineh Alijanpour
- Department of Biology, Faculty of Science, Gonbad Kavous University, Gonbad Kavous, Iran
| | - Sepehrdad Rahimian
- Department of Animal Biology, School of Biology, College of Science, University of Tehran, Tehran, Iran
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13
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Almohaimeed HM, Hamed S, Seleem HS, Batawi AH, Mohammedsaleh ZM, Balgoon MJ, Ali SS, Al Jaouni S, Ayuob N. An Ethanolic Extract of Cucurbita pepo L. Seeds Modifies Neuroendocrine Disruption in Chronic Stressed Rats and Adrenal Expression of Inflammatory Markers and HSP70. Front Pharmacol 2021; 12:749766. [PMID: 34867356 PMCID: PMC8636010 DOI: 10.3389/fphar.2021.749766] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/29/2021] [Accepted: 09/30/2021] [Indexed: 11/13/2022] Open
Abstract
Background: Pumpkins (Cucurbita pepo L.) were described to have antioxidant, anti-inflammatory, anti-fatigue, and antidepressant-like effect. The adrenal gland is an important stress-responsive organ that maintains homeostasis during stress. Objectives: This study aimed to assess the efficacy of the administration of Cucurbita pepo L. (CP) extract in relieving behavioral, biochemical, and structural changes in the adrenal gland induced by exposure to chronic unpredictable mild stress (CUMS) and to explore the mechanism behind this impact. Materials and Methods: Forty male albino rats were divided into 4 groups (n = 10): control, CUMS, fluoxetine-treated, and CP-treated groups. Behavioral changes, corticosterone level, pro-inflammatory cytokines TNF-α and IL-6, and oxidant/antioxidant profile were assessed in the serum at the end of the experiment. Adrenal glands were processed for histopathological and immunohistochemical assessment. Gene expression of caspase-3 and Ki67 and heat shock protein 70 (HSP70) were assessed in adrenal glands using RT-PCR. Results: The CP extract significantly reduced the corticosterone level (p < 0.001), immobility time (p < 0.001), and inflammatory and oxidative changes associated with CUMS-induced depression compared to the untreated group. The CP extract alleviated CUMS-induced adrenal histopathological changes and significantly reduced apoptosis (p < 0.001) and significantly upregulated antioxidant levels in the serum. Conclusion:Cucurbita pepo L. effectively ameliorated the chronic stress-induced behavioral, biochemical, and adrenal structural changes mostly through its antioxidant and anti-inflammatory effects.
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Affiliation(s)
- Hailah M Almohaimeed
- Department of Basic Science, College of Medicine, Princess Nourah Bint Abdulrahman University (PNU), Riyadh, Saudi Arabia
| | - Shereen Hamed
- Department of Medical Histology and Cell Biology, Faculty of Medicine, Mansoura University, Mansoura, Egypt
| | - Hanan S Seleem
- Histology Department, Faculty of Medicine, Menoufia University, Shebin ElKoum, Egypt.,Department of Basic Medical Sciences, Unaizah College of Medicine and Medical Sciences, Qassim University, Buraydah, Saudi Arabia
| | - Ashwaq H Batawi
- Department of Biological Science, Faculty of Science, King Abdulaziz University, Jeddah, Saudi Arabia
| | - Zuhair M Mohammedsaleh
- Department of Medical Laboratory Technology, Faculty of Applied Medical Sciences, University of Tabuk, Tabuk, Saudi Arabia
| | - Maha Jameal Balgoon
- Department of Biochemistry, Faculty of Science, King Abdulaziz University, Jeddah, Saudi Arabia
| | - Soad S Ali
- Department of Histology and Cell Biology, Faculty of Medicine, Assuit University, Asyut, Egypt.,Yousef Abdullatif Jameel Chair of Prophetic Medical Applications (YAJCPMA), Faculty of Medicine, King Abdulaziz University, Jeddah, Saudi Arabia
| | - Soad Al Jaouni
- Yousef Abdullatif Jameel Chair of Prophetic Medical Applications (YAJCPMA), Faculty of Medicine, King Abdulaziz University, Jeddah, Saudi Arabia.,Department of Hematology/Pediatric Oncology, King Abdulaziz University Hospital (KAUH), Faculty of Medicine, King Abdulaziz University, Jeddah, Saudi Arabia
| | - Nasra Ayuob
- Department of Medical Histology, Faculty of Medicine, Damietta University, Damietta, Egypt
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14
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Intranasal administration of DHED protects against exhaustive exercise-induced brain injury in rats. Brain Res 2021; 1772:147665. [PMID: 34562473 DOI: 10.1016/j.brainres.2021.147665] [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: 03/21/2021] [Revised: 09/07/2021] [Accepted: 09/18/2021] [Indexed: 11/24/2022]
Abstract
DHED (10β,17β-dihydroxyestra-1,4-dien-3-one) is a brain-selective prodrug of 17β-estradiol and has been reported to have a strong neuroprotective effect. In this study, the exhaustive swimming rat model was used to investigate the therapeutic effects and mechanisms of intranasal DHED treatment. Male eight-week-old healthy Sprague Dawley rats were randomly divided into three groups: control group (Cont), exhaustive swimming (ES), and DHED + exhaustive swimming (DHED). The open-field test and beam-walking test were performed to measure exploratory behavior and general activity in rats. Immunofluorescence staining, western blotting, ELISA analysis and related assay kits were applied to measure brain damage, inflammatory cytokines, and apoptosis pathways. Behavioral data shows that DHED intranasal administration can prevent neurobehavioral impairment caused by exhaustive swimming. Using a series of bioanalytical assays, we demonstrated that DHED markedly abated neuronal injury compared to the exhaustive swimming group, as evidenced by the reduced expression of apoptosis-regulated proteins, the improvement of neural survival, and the prevention of myelin loss. In addition, mitochondrial fission was attenuated distinctly, and a dynamic equilibrium was restored. Intranasal administration of DHED likewise significantly suppressed reactive gliosis and the release of inflammatory cytokines in the rat cerebral motor cortex. Consistent with previous reports, DHED treatment ameliorated changes of excitatory neurotransmitters. These results provide strong support for the promising therapeutic effects of DHED on neuroprotection during exhaustive swimming. The underlying mechanisms may rely on mitochondrial dynamics, neuroinflammation, and the balance of neurotransmitters.
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15
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Willems S, Zaienne D, Merk D. Targeting Nuclear Receptors in Neurodegeneration and Neuroinflammation. J Med Chem 2021; 64:9592-9638. [PMID: 34251209 DOI: 10.1021/acs.jmedchem.1c00186] [Citation(s) in RCA: 30] [Impact Index Per Article: 10.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 02/07/2023]
Abstract
Nuclear receptors, also known as ligand-activated transcription factors, regulate gene expression upon ligand signals and present as attractive therapeutic targets especially in chronic diseases. Despite the therapeutic relevance of some nuclear receptors in various pathologies, their potential in neurodegeneration and neuroinflammation is insufficiently established. This perspective gathers preclinical and clinical data for a potential role of individual nuclear receptors as future targets in Alzheimer's disease, Parkinson's disease, and multiple sclerosis, and concomitantly evaluates the level of medicinal chemistry targeting these proteins. Considerable evidence suggests the high promise of ligand-activated transcription factors to counteract neurodegenerative diseases with a particularly high potential of several orphan nuclear receptors. However, potent tools are lacking for orphan receptors, and limited central nervous system exposure or insufficient selectivity also compromises the suitability of well-studied nuclear receptor ligands for functional studies. Medicinal chemistry efforts are needed to develop dedicated high-quality tool compounds for the therapeutic validation of nuclear receptors in neurodegenerative pathologies.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sabine Willems
- Institute of Pharmaceutical Chemistry, Goethe University Frankfurt, Max-von-Laue-Strasse 9, 60438 Frankfurt, Germany
| | - Daniel Zaienne
- Institute of Pharmaceutical Chemistry, Goethe University Frankfurt, Max-von-Laue-Strasse 9, 60438 Frankfurt, Germany
| | - Daniel Merk
- Institute of Pharmaceutical Chemistry, Goethe University Frankfurt, Max-von-Laue-Strasse 9, 60438 Frankfurt, Germany
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16
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Gross KS, Alf RL, Polzin TR, Frick KM. 17β-estradiol activation of dorsal hippocampal TrkB is independent of increased mature BDNF expression and is required for enhanced memory consolidation in female mice. Psychoneuroendocrinology 2021; 125:105110. [PMID: 33352471 PMCID: PMC7904635 DOI: 10.1016/j.psyneuen.2020.105110] [Citation(s) in RCA: 12] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/07/2020] [Revised: 10/06/2020] [Accepted: 12/08/2020] [Indexed: 01/15/2023]
Abstract
The potent estrogen 17β-estradiol (E2) is known to enhance hippocampal memory and plasticity, however the molecular mechanisms underlying these effects remain unclear. Brain derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF) and its receptor tropomyosin receptor kinase B (TrkB) are regulated by E2, but the potential mechanistic roles of neurotrophic signaling in E2-induced enhancement of memory are not well understood. Here, we examined the effects of hippocampal TrkB signaling on E2-induced enhancement of memory consolidation in the object placement and recognition tasks. Bilateral infusion of the TrkB antagonist ANA-12 into the dorsal hippocampus of ovariectomized female mice blocked E2-induced enhancement of memory consolidation, supporting a role for TrkB-mediated signaling in estrogenic regulation of memory. Although dorsal hippocampal E2 infusion increased levels of phospho-TrkB and mature BDNF (mBDNF) in the dorsal hippocampus within 4-6 h, E2-induced increases in hippocampal mBDNF expression were not required for hippocampal TrkB activation and were not inhibited by TrkB antagonism. Thus, E2 regulates TrkB signaling to facilitate memory consolidation in a manner independent of mBDNF expression. Together these results provide the first direct evidence that E2 modulation of hippocampal TrkB signaling is required for its beneficial effects on memory consolidation and provide additional characterization of the ways in which TrkB/BDNF signaling is regulated by E2 in the hippocampus.
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Affiliation(s)
| | | | | | - Karyn M. Frick
- Corresponding author: Karyn M. Frick, Ph.D., Department of Psychology, University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee, 2441 E. Hartford Ave, Milwaukee, WI 53211, Phone: 414-229-6615, Fax: 414-229-5219,
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17
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Taherian N, Vaezi G, Neamati A, Etemad L, Hojjati V, Gorji-Valokola M. Vitamin B12 and estradiol benzoate improve memory retrieval through activation of the hippocampal AKT, BDNF, and CREB proteins in a rat model of multiple sclerosis. IRANIAN JOURNAL OF BASIC MEDICAL SCIENCES 2021; 24:256-263. [PMID: 33953866 PMCID: PMC8061324 DOI: 10.22038/ijbms.2021.51469.11681] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/24/2020] [Accepted: 12/14/2020] [Indexed: 11/29/2022]
Abstract
OBJECTIVES Multiple sclerosis (MS) causes extensive damage in the hippocampus. Vitamin B12 (vit B12) and estradiol benzoate (EB) have anti-inflammatory and re-myelination properties that make them proper in improvement of cognitive impairment. This study aimed to evaluate the effects of these compounds on learning and memory disturbances. MATERIALS AND METHODS 77 adult male rats were implanted with stainless steel guide cannula bilaterally into the hippocampal area. The animals received 3 μl intrahippocampal EtB 0.01% and were randomly divided into eleven groups (7 rats/group). The groups included control, peanut oil (sham1), distilled water (sham 2), vit B12 (0.25, 0.5, 1 mg/kg), EB (25 and 50 mg/kg), vit B12 (0.25 mg/kg) plus EB (25 mg/kg), vit B12 (0.5 mg/kg) plus EB (25 mg/kg), and vit B12 (1 mg/kg) plus EB (50 mg/kg). The control group received intrahippocampal saline (as solvent). The locomotor activity and learning and memory functions were evaluated by open-field and shuttle-box tests, respectively. AKT, CREB, and BDNF levels were analyzed by Western blotting. RESULTS This study has found significant deficit in passive avoidance learning, locomotor activity, as well as decrease in the levels of phosphorylated AKT, BDNF, and CREB in groups that received EtB. Vit B12 (1 mg/kg), EB (50 mg/kg), and their combination markedly improved these side effects. CONCLUSION This study demonstrated that vit B12 and estradiol benzoate, especially in combination therapy, can be helpful in treatment of memory problems and MS-induced dysfunction through activation of the hippocampal AKT, BDNF, and CREB proteins.
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Affiliation(s)
- Narjes Taherian
- Department of Biology, Damghan Branch, Islamic Azad University, Damghan, Iran
| | - Gholamhassan Vaezi
- Department of Biology, Damghan Branch, Islamic Azad University, Damghan, Iran
| | - Ali Neamati
- Department of Biology, Mashhad Branch, Islamic Azad University, Mashhad, Iran
| | - Leila Etemad
- Medical Toxicology Research Center, Mashhad University of Medical Sciences, Mashhad, Iran
| | - Vida Hojjati
- Department of Biology, Damghan Branch, Islamic Azad University, Damghan, Iran
| | - Mahmoud Gorji-Valokola
- Department of Pharmacodynamics and Toxicology, School of Pharmacy, Mashhad University of Medical Sciences, Mashhad, Iran
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18
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Shu Y, He Q, Xie Y, Zhang W, Zhai S, Wu T. Cognitive Gains of Aerobic Exercise in Patients With Ischemic Cerebrovascular Disorder: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis. Front Cell Dev Biol 2020; 8:582380. [PMID: 33392183 PMCID: PMC7775417 DOI: 10.3389/fcell.2020.582380] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/11/2020] [Accepted: 12/03/2020] [Indexed: 12/20/2022] Open
Abstract
Background: Cognitive impairment has become an important problem in ischemic cerebrovascular disorder survivors as disease related deaths have been significantly reduced. Aerobic exercise, the most prevalent mode of physical activity, positively contributes to cognition in both healthy population and people with cognitive impairment. However, studies on its associations with cognitive gains in patients with ischemic cerebrovascular disease showed mixed findings. Objective: To explore the cognitive effects of aerobic exercise on ischemic cerebrovascular disorder survivors and investigate the possible moderators on exercise benefits. Method: Randomized controlled trials investigating the effects of sole aerobic exercise on cognitive function in population with ischemic intracranial vascular disorder compared to any control group who did not receive the intervention were enrolled in this systematic review and meta-analysis. Four online database (Pubmed, Cochrane Library, Embase, and Web of Science) were searched. Results: The initial search returned 1,522 citations and ultimately 11 studies were included in the systematic review. Analysis of seven studies showed the beneficial but not statistically significant impact of aerobic exercise on global cognitive function (0.13; 95% Cl -0.09 to 0.35; p = 0.25). Participants already with cognitive impairment benefited more from this intervention (0.31; 95% Cl 0.07-0.55; p = 0.01) and moderate intensity might be the optimal choice (0.34; 95% Cl -0.01 to 0.69; p = 0.06). The program duration and initiation time after stroke occurrence did not predict better cognitive outcome. Aerobic exercise was not associated with improvement of processing speed and executive function, the two subdomains of cognitive function. Conclusions: Aerobic exercise may contribute to cognitive gains in survivors of ischemic cerebrovascular disorder, especially for population already with cognitive decline. Our findings suggest that the adoption of moderate intensity aerobic exercise might improve cognition in such population.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yimei Shu
- Department of Neurology, The First Affiliated Hospital of Nanjing Medical University, Nanjing, China
| | - Qing He
- Department of Neurology, Xuzhou First People's Hospital, The Affiliated Xuzhou Municipal Hospital of Xuzhou Medical University, Xuzhou, China
| | - Yi Xie
- Department of Neurology, The First Affiliated Hospital of Nanjing Medical University, Nanjing, China
| | - Wanrong Zhang
- Department of Neurology, The First Affiliated Hospital of Nanjing Medical University, Nanjing, China
| | - Shuang Zhai
- Department of Neurology, The First Affiliated Hospital of Nanjing Medical University, Nanjing, China
| | - Ting Wu
- Department of Neurology, The First Affiliated Hospital of Nanjing Medical University, Nanjing, China
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19
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Vahidinia Z, Karimian M, Joghataei MT. Neurosteroids and their receptors in ischemic stroke: From molecular mechanisms to therapeutic opportunities. Pharmacol Res 2020; 160:105163. [DOI: 10.1016/j.phrs.2020.105163] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/16/2020] [Revised: 08/17/2020] [Accepted: 08/17/2020] [Indexed: 01/09/2023]
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20
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Neuron-Derived Estrogen Is Critical for Astrocyte Activation and Neuroprotection of the Ischemic Brain. J Neurosci 2020; 40:7355-7374. [PMID: 32817249 PMCID: PMC7534920 DOI: 10.1523/jneurosci.0115-20.2020] [Citation(s) in RCA: 62] [Impact Index Per Article: 15.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/15/2020] [Revised: 07/09/2020] [Accepted: 07/15/2020] [Indexed: 02/08/2023] Open
Abstract
17β-Estradiol (E2) is produced from androgens via the action of the enzyme aromatase. E2 is known to be made in neurons in the brain, but the functions of neuron-derived E2 in the ischemic brain are unclear. Here, we used a forebrain neuron-specific aromatase KO (FBN-ARO-KO) mouse model to deplete neuron-derived E2 in the forebrain and determine its roles after global cerebral ischemia. We demonstrated that ovariectomized female FBN-ARO-KO mice exhibited significantly attenuated astrocyte activation, astrocytic aromatization, and decreased hippocampal E2 levels compared with FLOX mice. Furthermore, FBN-ARO-KO mice had exacerbated neuronal damage and worse cognitive dysfunction after global cerebral ischemia. Similar results were observed in intact male mice. RNA-seq analysis revealed alterations in pathways and genes associated with astrocyte activation, neuroinflammation, and oxidative stress in FBN-ARO-KO mice. The compromised astrocyte activation in FBN-ARO-KO mice was associated with robust downregulation of the astrocyte-derived neurotrophic factors, BDNF and IGF-1, as well as the astrocytic glutamate transporter, GLT-1. Νeuronal FGF2, which acts in a paracrine manner to suppress astrocyte activation, was increased in FBN-ARO-KO neurons. Interestingly, blocking FGF2 signaling by central injection of FGFR3-neutralizing antibody was able to reverse the diminishment in neuroprotective astrocyte reactivity, and attenuate neuronal damage in FBN-ARO-KO mice. Moreover, in vivo E2 replacement suppressed FGF2 signaling and rescued the compromised reactive astrogliosis and cognitive deficits. Collectively, our data provide novel genetic evidence for a beneficial role of neuron-derived E2 in astrocyte activation, neuroprotection, and cognitive preservation following ischemic injury to the brain. SIGNIFICANCE STATEMENT Following cerebral ischemia, astrocytes become highly reactive and can exert neuroprotection through the release of neurotrophic factors and clearance of neurotoxic glutamate. The current study advances our understanding of this process by demonstrating that neuron-derived 17β-estradiol (E2) is neuroprotective and critical for induction of reactive astrocytes and their ability to produce astrocyte-derived neurotrophic factors, BDNF and IGF-1, and the glutamate transporter, GLT-1 after ischemic brain damage. These beneficial effects of neuron-derived E2 appear to be due, at least in part, to suppression of neuronal FGF2 signaling, which is a known suppressor of astrocyte activation. These findings suggest that neuron-derived E2 is neuroprotective after ischemic brain injury via a mechanism that involves suppression of neuronal FGF2 signaling, thereby facilitating astrocyte activation.
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Bettio LEB, Thacker JS, Rodgers SP, Brocardo PS, Christie BR, Gil-Mohapel J. Interplay between hormones and exercise on hippocampal plasticity across the lifespan. Biochim Biophys Acta Mol Basis Dis 2020; 1866:165821. [PMID: 32376385 DOI: 10.1016/j.bbadis.2020.165821] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/20/2019] [Revised: 04/19/2020] [Accepted: 04/25/2020] [Indexed: 12/15/2022]
Abstract
The hippocampus is a brain structure known to play a central role in cognitive function (namely learning and memory) as well as mood regulation and affective behaviors due in part to its ability to undergo structural and functional changes in response to intrinsic and extrinsic stimuli. While structural changes are achieved through modulation of hippocampal neurogenesis as well as alterations in dendritic morphology and spine remodeling, functional (i.e., synaptic) changes can be noted through the strengthening (i.e., long-term potentiation) or weakening (i.e., long-term depression) of the synapses. While age, hormone homeostasis, and levels of physical activity are some of the factors known to module these forms of hippocampal plasticity, the exact mechanisms through which these factors interact with each other at a given moment in time are not completely understood. It is well known that hormonal levels vary throughout the lifespan of an individual and it is also known that physical exercise can impact hormonal homeostasis. Thus, it is reasonable to speculate that hormone modulation might be one of the various mechanisms through which physical exercise differently impacts hippocampal plasticity throughout distinct periods of an individual's life. The present review summarizes the potential relationship between physical exercise and different types of hormones (namely sex, metabolic, and stress hormones) and how this relationship may mediate the effects of physical activity during three distinct life periods, adolescence, adulthood, and senescence. Overall, the vast majority of studies support a beneficial role of exercise in maintaining hippocampal hormonal levels and consequently, hippocampal plasticity, cognition, and mood regulation.
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Affiliation(s)
- Luis E B Bettio
- Division of Medical Sciences and Neuroscience Graduate Program, University of Victoria, Victoria, BC, Canada
| | - Jonathan S Thacker
- Division of Medical Sciences and Neuroscience Graduate Program, University of Victoria, Victoria, BC, Canada
| | - Shaefali P Rodgers
- Developmental, Cognitive & Behavioral Neuroscience Program, Department of Psychology, Texas Institute for Measurement, Evaluation, and Statistics, University of Houston, TX, USA
| | - Patricia S Brocardo
- Department of Morphological Sciences, Centre of Biological Sciences, Federal University of Santa Catarina, Florianópolis, SC, Brazil
| | - Brian R Christie
- Division of Medical Sciences and Neuroscience Graduate Program, University of Victoria, Victoria, BC, Canada; Island Medical Program, Faculty of Medicine, University of British Columbia, Victoria, BC, Canada
| | - Joana Gil-Mohapel
- Division of Medical Sciences and Neuroscience Graduate Program, University of Victoria, Victoria, BC, Canada; Island Medical Program, Faculty of Medicine, University of British Columbia, Victoria, BC, Canada.
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Pukos N, McTigue DM. Delayed short-term tamoxifen treatment does not promote remyelination or neuron sparing after spinal cord injury. PLoS One 2020; 15:e0235232. [PMID: 32735618 PMCID: PMC7394399 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0235232] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/09/2020] [Accepted: 06/10/2020] [Indexed: 12/18/2022] Open
Abstract
The tamoxifen-dependent Cre/lox system in transgenic mice has become an important research tool across all scientific disciplines for manipulating gene expression in specific cell types. In these mouse models, Cre-recombination is not induced until tamoxifen is administered, which allows researchers to have temporal control of genetic modifications. Interestingly, tamoxifen has been identified as a potential therapy for spinal cord injury (SCI) and traumatic brain injury patients due to its neuroprotective properties. It is also reparative in that it stimulates oligodendrocyte differentiation and remyelination after toxin-induced demyelination. However, it is unknown whether tamoxifen is neuroprotective and neuroreparative when administration is delayed after SCI. To properly interpret data from transgenic mice in which tamoxifen treatment is delayed after SCI, it is necessary to identify the effects of tamoxifen alone on anatomical and functional recovery. In this study, female and male mice received a moderate mid-thoracic spinal cord contusion. Mice were then gavaged with corn oil or a high dose of tamoxifen from 19-22 days post-injury, and sacrificed 42 days post-injury. All mice underwent behavioral testing for the duration of the study, which revealed that tamoxifen treatment did not impact hindlimb motor recovery. Similarly, histological analyses revealed that tamoxifen had no effect on white matter sparing, total axon number, axon sprouting, glial reactivity, cell proliferation, oligodendrocyte number, or myelination, but tamoxifen did decrease the number of neurons in the dorsal and ventral horn. Semi-thin sections confirmed that axon demyelination and remyelination were unaffected by tamoxifen. Sex-specific responses to tamoxifen were also assessed, and there were no significant differences between female and male mice. These data suggest that delayed tamoxifen administration after SCI does not change functional recovery or improve tissue sparing in female or male mice.
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Affiliation(s)
- Nicole Pukos
- Neuroscience Graduate Program, The Ohio State University, Columbus, OH, United States of America
- Belford Center for Spinal Cord Injury, The Ohio State University, Columbus, OH, United States of America
| | - Dana M. McTigue
- Belford Center for Spinal Cord Injury, The Ohio State University, Columbus, OH, United States of America
- Department of Neuroscience, Wexner Medical Center, Ohio State University, Columbus, OH, United States of America
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Loss of Estrogen Efficacy Against Hippocampus Damage in Long-Term OVX Mice Is Related to the Reduction of Hippocampus Local Estrogen Production and Estrogen Receptor Degradation. Mol Neurobiol 2020; 57:3540-3551. [PMID: 32542593 DOI: 10.1007/s12035-020-01960-z] [Citation(s) in RCA: 12] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/21/2020] [Accepted: 05/28/2020] [Indexed: 10/24/2022]
Abstract
Postmenopausal women experience a higher risk for neurodegenerative diseases, including cognitive impairment and ischemic stroke. Many preclinical studies have indicated that estrogen replacement therapy (ERT) may provide protective effects against these neurological diseases. However, the results of Women's Health Initiative (WHI) studies have led to the proposal of "critical period hypothesis," which states that there is a precise window of opportunity for administering beneficial hormone therapy following menopause. However, the underlying molecular mechanisms require further characterization. Here, we explored the effects of ERT on cognition decline and global cerebral ischemia (GCI)-induced hippocampal neuronal damage in mice that had experienced both short-term (ovariectomized (OVX) 1 week) and long-term (OVX 10 weeks) estrogen deprivation. We also further explored the concentration of 17β-estradiol (E2) in the circulation and hippocampus and the expression of aromatase and estrogen receptors (ERα, ERα-Ser118, and ERβ). We found that the neuroprotective effectiveness of ERT against hippocampus damage exhibited in OVX1w mice was totally absent in OVX10w mice. Interestingly, the concentration of hippocampal E2 was irreversibly reduced in OVX10w mice, which was related to the decrease of aromatase expression in the hippocampus. In addition, long-term estrogen deprivation (LTED) led to a decrease in estrogen receptor proteins in the hippocampus. Thus, we concluded that the loss of ERT neuroprotection against hippocampus injury in LTED mice was related to the reduction in hippocampus E2 production and estrogen receptor degradation. These results provide several intervention targets to restore the effectiveness of ERT neuroprotection in elderly post-menopausal women.
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Pajarillo E, Rizor A, Lee J, Aschner M, Lee E. The role of astrocytic glutamate transporters GLT-1 and GLAST in neurological disorders: Potential targets for neurotherapeutics. Neuropharmacology 2019; 161:107559. [PMID: 30851309 PMCID: PMC6731169 DOI: 10.1016/j.neuropharm.2019.03.002] [Citation(s) in RCA: 206] [Impact Index Per Article: 41.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/01/2018] [Revised: 02/28/2019] [Accepted: 03/02/2019] [Indexed: 12/12/2022]
Abstract
Glutamate is the primary excitatory neurotransmitter in the central nervous system (CNS) which initiates rapid signal transmission in the synapse before its re-uptake into the surrounding glia, specifically astrocytes. The astrocytic glutamate transporters glutamate-aspartate transporter (GLAST) and glutamate transporter-1 (GLT-1) and their human homologs excitatory amino acid transporter 1 (EAAT1) and 2 (EAAT2), respectively, are the major transporters which take up synaptic glutamate to maintain optimal extracellular glutamic levels, thus preventing accumulation in the synaptic cleft and ensuing excitotoxicity. Growing evidence has shown that excitotoxicity is associated with various neurological disorders, including amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS), Alzheimer's disease (AD), Parkinson's disease (PD), manganism, ischemia, schizophrenia, epilepsy, and autism. While the mechanisms of neurological disorders are not well understood, the dysregulation of GLAST/GLT-1 may play a significant role in excitotoxicity and associated neuropathogenesis. The expression and function of GLAST/GLT-1 may be dysregulated at the genetic, epigenetic, transcriptional or translational levels, leading to high levels of extracellular glutamate and excitotoxicity. Consequently, understanding the regulatory mechanisms of GLAST/GLT-1 has been an area of interest in developing therapeutics for the treatment of neurological disorders. Pharmacological agents including β-lactam antibiotics, estrogen/selective estrogen receptor modulators (SERMs), growth factors, histone deacetylase inhibitors (HDACi), and translational activators have shown significant efficacy in enhancing the expression and function of GLAST/GLT-1 and glutamate uptake both in vitro and in vivo. This comprehensive review will discuss the regulatory mechanisms of GLAST/GLT-1, their association with neurological disorders, and the pharmacological agents which mediate their expression and function. This article is part of the issue entitled 'Special Issue on Neurotransmitter Transporters'.
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Affiliation(s)
- Edward Pajarillo
- Department of Pharmaceutical Sciences, College of Pharmacy, Florida A&M University, Tallahassee, FL, 32301, USA
| | - Asha Rizor
- Department of Pharmaceutical Sciences, College of Pharmacy, Florida A&M University, Tallahassee, FL, 32301, USA
| | - Jayden Lee
- Department of Speech, Language & Hearing Sciences, Boston University, Boston, MA, 02215, USA
| | - Michael Aschner
- Department of Molecular Pharmacology, Albert Einstein College of Medicine, Bronx, NY, 10461, USA
| | - Eunsook Lee
- Department of Pharmaceutical Sciences, College of Pharmacy, Florida A&M University, Tallahassee, FL, 32301, USA.
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Azcoitia I, Barreto GE, Garcia-Segura LM. Molecular mechanisms and cellular events involved in the neuroprotective actions of estradiol. Analysis of sex differences. Front Neuroendocrinol 2019; 55:100787. [PMID: 31513774 DOI: 10.1016/j.yfrne.2019.100787] [Citation(s) in RCA: 35] [Impact Index Per Article: 7.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/29/2019] [Revised: 08/27/2019] [Accepted: 09/07/2019] [Indexed: 12/12/2022]
Abstract
Estradiol, either from peripheral or central origin, activates multiple molecular neuroprotective and neuroreparative responses that, being mediated by estrogen receptors or by estrogen receptor independent mechanisms, are initiated at the membrane, the cytoplasm or the cell nucleus of neural cells. Estrogen-dependent signaling regulates a variety of cellular events, such as intracellular Ca2+ levels, mitochondrial respiratory capacity, ATP production, mitochondrial membrane potential, autophagy and apoptosis. In turn, these molecular and cellular actions of estradiol are integrated by neurons and non-neuronal cells to generate different tissue protective responses, decreasing blood-brain barrier permeability, oxidative stress, neuroinflammation and excitotoxicity and promoting synaptic plasticity, axonal growth, neurogenesis, remyelination and neuroregeneration. Recent findings indicate that the neuroprotective and neuroreparative actions of estradiol are different in males and females and further research is necessary to fully elucidate the causes for this sex difference.
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Affiliation(s)
- Iñigo Azcoitia
- Department of Cell Biology, Faculty of Biology, Universidad Complutense de Madrid, 28040 Madrid, Spain; Centro de Investigación Biomédica en Red Fragilidad y Envejecimiento Saludables (CIBERFES), Instituto de Salud Carlos III, Avenida Monforte de Lemos, 3-5, 28029 Madrid, Spain.
| | - George E Barreto
- Department of Biological Sciences, School of Natural Sciences, University of Limerick, Limerick, Ireland.
| | - Luis M Garcia-Segura
- Centro de Investigación Biomédica en Red Fragilidad y Envejecimiento Saludables (CIBERFES), Instituto de Salud Carlos III, Avenida Monforte de Lemos, 3-5, 28029 Madrid, Spain; Instituto Cajal, CSIC, Avenida Doctor Arce 37, 28002 Madrid, Spain.
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Calcitriol alleviates global cerebral ischemia-induced cognitive impairment by reducing apoptosis regulated by VDR/ERK signaling pathway in rat hippocampus. Brain Res 2019; 1724:146430. [PMID: 31479649 DOI: 10.1016/j.brainres.2019.146430] [Citation(s) in RCA: 20] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/06/2019] [Revised: 08/29/2019] [Accepted: 08/30/2019] [Indexed: 12/12/2022]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Vitamin D (VD) has important neuroprotective functions in the central nervous system. However, further exploration is still needed in the neuroprotective effects of VD monomer therapy on global cerebral ischemia (GCI) and its potential molecular mechanism. OBJECTIVE To investigate whether calcitriol, a biologically active metabolite of VD, could alleviate cognitive impairment induced by GCI via reducing cell apoptosis and activating the extracellular signal-regulated kinase (ERK) signaling pathway. METHODS A total of 145 adult male Sprague Dawley rats were randomly divided into five groups: Sham group (n = 45), GCI group (n = 45), calcitriol treatment group (GCI + calcitriol, n = 45), PD98059 treatment group (n = 5) and vehicle group (n = 5). Morris water maze test was used for evaluating spatial learning and memory functions. Neurological Severity Score and wet-dry weight method were applied to detect neurological deficits and brain water content, respectively. Hematoxylin and eosin staining, transmission electron microscopy, and terminal deoxynucleotidyl transferase deoxyuridine triphosphate nick end-labeling staining were performed for evaluating the changes of hippocampal CA1 neurons. Immunocytochemistry, immunofluorescence chemistry, and western blot analysis were performed for evaluating the changes of related proteins. RESULTS Calcitriol significantly ameliorated the spatial learning and memory impairments, improved neurological function, attenuated brain edema, and improved the morphological defects in the CA1 area of the hippocampus. Besides, calcitriol reduced GCI-induced cell apoptosis and reversed the up-regulation of pro-apoptotic proteins (Caspase-3 and Bax) and the down-regulation of anti-apoptotic protein (Bcl-2). Furthermore, calcitriol also increased the expression of VD receptors (VDR) and activated the ERK signaling pathway. Moreover, the p-ERK1/2 inhibitor PD98059 reversed the effect of calcitriol on the expression of apoptosis-related proteins. CONCLUSIONS Calcitriol may have a protective effect against GCI-induced cognitive impairments via inhibition of apoptotic cascade by activating the VDR/ERK signaling pathway.
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Perez SM, Donegan JJ, Lodge DJ. Effect of estrous cycle on schizophrenia-like behaviors in MAM exposed rats. Behav Brain Res 2019; 362:258-265. [PMID: 30660776 PMCID: PMC6394843 DOI: 10.1016/j.bbr.2019.01.031] [Citation(s) in RCA: 17] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/21/2018] [Revised: 12/20/2018] [Accepted: 01/16/2019] [Indexed: 11/28/2022]
Abstract
Although there are clear sex differences in individuals with schizophrenia, preclinical research has historically favored the use of male rats for behavioral studies. The methylazoxymethanol acetate (MAM) model is a gestational disruption model of schizophrenia and has been reported to produce robust behavioral, neurophysiological and anatomical alterations in male rats; however, whether similar effects are observed in female rats is less well known. In this study, we characterize the behavioral, electrophysiological and molecular alterations induced by prenatal MAM administration in female rats while also examining the potential effects of the estrous cycle on schizophrenia-like behaviors. Specifically, MAM-treated female offspring demonstrated deficits in sensorimotor gating, latent inhibition, and social interaction, consistent with those observed in male animals. Interestingly, amphetamine-induced locomotor activity, latent inhibition, and social interaction were also affected by the estrous cycle. To examine the potential cellular mechanisms associated with these behavioral alterations, we analyzed hippocampal parvalbumin (PV) interneurons. Deficits in PV interneuron number and high-frequency gamma oscillations were disrupted in female MAM-treated rats regardless of the stage of the estrous cycle; however, alterations in PV protein expression were more prominent during metestrus/diestrus. Taken together, these data suggest that prenatal MAM exposure in female rats produces robust behavioral, molecular, and physiological deficits consistent with those observed in the male MAM model of schizophrenia. Moreover, our results also suggest that specific schizophrenia-like symptoms can also be influenced by the estrous cycle, and further emphasize the importance of sex as a biological variable when using preclinical models.
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Affiliation(s)
- Stephanie M Perez
- UT Health San Antonio, Department of Pharmacology, Center for Biomedical Neuroscience, 7703 Floyd Curl Drive, MC 7764, San Antonio, TX, 78229, USA.
| | - Jennifer J Donegan
- UT Health San Antonio, Department of Pharmacology, Center for Biomedical Neuroscience, 7703 Floyd Curl Drive, MC 7764, San Antonio, TX, 78229, USA.
| | - Daniel J Lodge
- UT Health San Antonio, Department of Pharmacology, Center for Biomedical Neuroscience, 7703 Floyd Curl Drive, MC 7764, San Antonio, TX, 78229, USA.
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Oliveira MA, Lima WG, Schettini DA, Tilelli CQ, Chaves VE. Is calcitonin gene-related peptide a modulator of menopausal vasomotor symptoms? Endocrine 2019; 63:193-203. [PMID: 30306319 DOI: 10.1007/s12020-018-1777-z] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/25/2018] [Accepted: 09/29/2018] [Indexed: 12/19/2022]
Abstract
PURPOSE Calcitonin gene-related peptide (CGRP) is a neuropeptide widely distributed in the central and peripheral nervous systems, which is known as a potent vasodilator. Postmenopausal women who experience hot flushes have high levels of plasma CGRP, suggesting its involvement in menopausal vasomotor symptoms. METHODS In this review, we describe the biochemical aspects of CGRP and its effects associated with deficiencies of sexual hormones on skin temperature, vasodilatation, and sweating as well as the possible peripheral and central mechanisms involved in these events. RESULTS Several studies have shown that the effects of CGRP on increasing skin temperature and inducing vasodilatation are potentiated by a deficiency of sex hormones, a common condition of postmenopausal women. Additionally, the medial preoptic area of the hypothalamus, involved in thermoregulation, contains over 25-fold more CGRP-immunoreactive cells in female rodents compared with male rodents, reinforcing the role of female sex hormones on the action of CGRP. Some studies suggest that ovarian hormone deficiency decreases circulating endogenous CGRP, inducing an upregulation of CGRP receptors. Consequently, the high CGRP receptor density, especially in blood vessels, amplifies the stimulatory effects of this neuropeptide to raise skin temperature in postmenopausal women during hot flushes. CONCLUSIONS The duration of the perception of each hot flush in a woman is brief, while local reddening after intradermal administration of α-CGRP persists for 1 to 6 h. This contrast remains unclear.
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Affiliation(s)
- Maria Alice Oliveira
- Laboratory of Physiology, Federal University of São João del-Rei, Divinópolis, Minas Gerais, Brazil
| | - William Gustavo Lima
- Laboratory of Physiology, Federal University of São João del-Rei, Divinópolis, Minas Gerais, Brazil
| | | | - Cristiane Queixa Tilelli
- Laboratory of Physiology, Federal University of São João del-Rei, Divinópolis, Minas Gerais, Brazil
| | - Valéria Ernestânia Chaves
- Laboratory of Physiology, Federal University of São João del-Rei, Divinópolis, Minas Gerais, Brazil.
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Zafer D, Aycan N, Ozaydin B, Kemanli P, Ferrazzano P, Levine JE, Cengiz P. Sex differences in Hippocampal Memory and Learning following Neonatal Brain Injury: Is There a Role for Estrogen Receptor-α? Neuroendocrinology 2019; 109:249-256. [PMID: 30884486 PMCID: PMC6893032 DOI: 10.1159/000499661] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/25/2018] [Accepted: 03/17/2019] [Indexed: 01/11/2023]
Abstract
Neonatal encephalopathy due to hypoxia-ischemia (HI) leads to severe, life-long morbidities in thousands of neonates born in the USA and worldwide each year. Varying capacities of long-term episodic memory, verbal working memory, and learning can present without cerebral palsy and have been associated with the severity of neonatal encephalopathy sustained at birth. Among children who sustain a moderate degree of HI at birth, girls have larger hippocampal volumes compared to boys. Clinical studies indicate that female neonatal brains are more resistant to the effects of neonatal HI, resulting in better long-term cognitive outcomes compared to males with comparable brain injury. Our most recent mechanistic studies have addressed the origins and cellular basis of sex differences in hippocampal neuroprotection following neonatal HI-related brain injury and implicate estrogen receptor-α (ERα) in the neurotrophin receptor-mediated hippocampal neuroprotection in female mice. This review summarizes the recent findings on ERα-dependent, neurotrophin-mediated hippocampal neuroprotection and weighs the evidence that this mechanism plays an important role in preservation of long-term memory and learning following HI in females.
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Affiliation(s)
- Dila Zafer
- Waisman Center, University of Wisconsin, Madison, Wisconsin, USA
| | - Nur Aycan
- Waisman Center, University of Wisconsin, Madison, Wisconsin, USA
| | - Burak Ozaydin
- Waisman Center, University of Wisconsin, Madison, Wisconsin, USA
| | - Pinar Kemanli
- Waisman Center, University of Wisconsin, Madison, Wisconsin, USA
| | - Peter Ferrazzano
- Waisman Center, University of Wisconsin, Madison, Wisconsin, USA
- Division of Pediatric Critical Care Medicine, Department of Pediatrics, University of Wisconsin, Madison, Wisconsin, USA
| | - Jon E Levine
- Department of Neuroscience, University of Wisconsin, Madison, Wisconsin, USA
- Wisconsin National Primate Research Center, Madison, Wisconsin, USA
| | - Pelin Cengiz
- Waisman Center, University of Wisconsin, Madison, Wisconsin, USA,
- Division of Pediatric Critical Care Medicine, Department of Pediatrics, University of Wisconsin, Madison, Wisconsin, USA,
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Selvaraj UM, Zuurbier KR, Whoolery CW, Plautz EJ, Chambliss KL, Kong X, Zhang S, Kim SH, Katzenellenbogen BS, Katzenellenbogen JA, Mineo C, Shaul PW, Stowe AM. Selective Nonnuclear Estrogen Receptor Activation Decreases Stroke Severity and Promotes Functional Recovery in Female Mice. Endocrinology 2018; 159:3848-3859. [PMID: 30256928 PMCID: PMC6203892 DOI: 10.1210/en.2018-00600] [Citation(s) in RCA: 23] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/20/2018] [Accepted: 09/18/2018] [Indexed: 12/21/2022]
Abstract
Estrogens provide neuroprotection in animal models of stroke, but uterotrophic effects and cancer risk limit translation. Classic estrogen receptors (ERs) serve as transcription factors, whereas nonnuclear ERs govern numerous cell processes and exert beneficial cardiometabolic effects without uterine or breast cancer growth in mice. Here, we determined how nonnuclear ER stimulation with pathway-preferential estrogen (PaPE)-1 affects stroke outcome in mice. Ovariectomized female mice received vehicle, estradiol (E2), or PaPE-1 before and after transient middle cerebral artery occlusion (tMCAo). Lesion severity was assessed with MRI, and poststroke motor function was evaluated through 2 weeks after tMCAo. Circulating, spleen, and brain leukocyte subpopulations were quantified 3 days after tMCAo by flow cytometry, and neurogenesis and angiogenesis were evaluated histologically 2 weeks after tMCAo. Compared with vehicle, E2 and PaPE-1 reduced infarct volumes at 3 days after tMCAo, though only PaPE-1 reduced leukocyte infiltration into the ischemic brain. Unlike E2, PaPE-1 had no uterotrophic effect. Both interventions had negligible effect on long-term poststroke neuronal or vascular plasticity. All mice displayed a decline in motor performance at 2 days after tMCAo, and vehicle-treated mice did not improve thereafter. In contrast, E2 and PaPE-1 treatment afforded functional recovery at 6 days after tMCAo and beyond. Thus, the selective activation of nonnuclear ER by PaPE-1 decreased stroke severity and improved functional recovery in mice without undesirable uterotrophic effects. The beneficial effects of PaPE-1 are also associated with attenuated neuroinflammation in the brain. PaPE-1 and similar molecules may warrant consideration as efficacious ER modulators providing neuroprotection without detrimental effects on the uterus or cancer risk.
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Affiliation(s)
- Uma Maheswari Selvaraj
- Department of Neurology and Neurotherapeutics, University of Texas Southwestern Medical Center, Dallas, Texas
| | - Kielen R Zuurbier
- Department of Neurology and Neurotherapeutics, University of Texas Southwestern Medical Center, Dallas, Texas
| | - Cody W Whoolery
- Department of Neurology and Neurotherapeutics, University of Texas Southwestern Medical Center, Dallas, Texas
| | - Erik J Plautz
- Department of Neurology and Neurotherapeutics, University of Texas Southwestern Medical Center, Dallas, Texas
| | - Ken L Chambliss
- Center for Pulmonary and Vascular Biology, Department of Pediatrics, University of Texas Southwestern Medical Center, Dallas, Texas
| | - Xiangmei Kong
- Department of Neurology and Neurotherapeutics, University of Texas Southwestern Medical Center, Dallas, Texas
| | - Shanrong Zhang
- Advanced Imaging Research Center, University of Texas Southwestern Medical Center, Dallas, Texas
| | - Sung Hoon Kim
- Department of Chemistry, University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign, Urbana, Illinois
| | - Benita S Katzenellenbogen
- Department of Molecular and Integrative Physiology, University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign, Urbana, Illinois
| | | | - Chieko Mineo
- Center for Pulmonary and Vascular Biology, Department of Pediatrics, University of Texas Southwestern Medical Center, Dallas, Texas
| | - Philip W Shaul
- Center for Pulmonary and Vascular Biology, Department of Pediatrics, University of Texas Southwestern Medical Center, Dallas, Texas
- Correspondence: Philip W. Shaul, MD, Center for Pulmonary and Vascular Biology, Department of Pediatrics, University of Texas Southwestern Medical Center, 5323 Harry Hines Boulevard, Dallas, Texas 75390. ; or Ann M. Stowe, PhD, Department of Neurology, University of Kentucky College of Medicine, 741 South Limestone, Lexington, Kentucky 40536. E-mail:
| | - Ann M Stowe
- Department of Neurology and Neurotherapeutics, University of Texas Southwestern Medical Center, Dallas, Texas
- Department of Neurology, University of Kentucky, Lexington, Kentucky
- Correspondence: Philip W. Shaul, MD, Center for Pulmonary and Vascular Biology, Department of Pediatrics, University of Texas Southwestern Medical Center, 5323 Harry Hines Boulevard, Dallas, Texas 75390. ; or Ann M. Stowe, PhD, Department of Neurology, University of Kentucky College of Medicine, 741 South Limestone, Lexington, Kentucky 40536. E-mail:
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Estrogen and propofol combination therapy inhibits endoplasmic reticulum stress and remarkably attenuates cerebral ischemia-reperfusion injury and OGD injury in hippocampus. Biomed Pharmacother 2018; 108:1596-1606. [PMID: 30372862 DOI: 10.1016/j.biopha.2018.09.167] [Citation(s) in RCA: 42] [Impact Index Per Article: 7.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/26/2018] [Revised: 09/27/2018] [Accepted: 09/28/2018] [Indexed: 01/06/2023] Open
Abstract
AIM Endoplasmic reticulum stress (ERS) is vital in inducing apoptosis via caspase-12 and C/EBP homologous protein (CHOP) apoptotic pathway in the hippocampus after ischemia-reperfusion injury. The study aimed to estimate the efficacy of estrogen and propofol combination therapy against ERS-induced apoptosis after cerebral ischemia-reperfusion injury and oxygen-glucose deprivation (OGD) injury in the hippocampus in vivo and in vitro. METHODS Rat model of cerebral ischemia-reperfusion injury was generated by middle cerebral artery occlusion (MCAO) strategy with ischemic intervention for 90 min and reperfusion for 24 h. Propofol processing ischemia-reperfusion group (Propofol group) infused 50 mg/kg/h of propofol via the femoral vein at the onset of reperfusion for 30 min. Estrogen processing ischemia-reperfusion group (estrogen group) received 0.0125 mg/kg of estrogen via tail vein at 30 min prior to MCAO. Combination therapy for ischemia-reperfusion group (combination group) received simultaneous processing with propofol and estrogen. In vitro, brain slices were randomly exposed to dimethylsulfoxide (DSMO), 10 μm of propofol, 10 nm of estrogen, or propofol and estrogen. Changes in the orthodromic population spike (OPS) at the end of reoxygenation were recorded. Neurological deficit examination, Nissl staining, and 2,3,5-triphenyltetrazolium chloride (TTC) staining were employed to evaluate the level of cerebral ischemia-reperfusion injury. The expression of caspase-3, caspase-12, glucose-regulated protein 78 (GRP78), and CHOP were investigated by Western blot and immunofluorescence staining assays. Neural apoptotic rate in hippocampus was detected by the flow cytometry trial. RESULTS Neurological deficit score, infarct volume, the expression of caspase-3 (P < 0.05), caspase-12, GRP78, CHOP, and neural apoptotic rate of I/R group increased markedly (P < 0.01). When obtaining drug treatment, neurological deficit score (P < 0.05), infarct volume, the expression levels of caspase-12 and GRP78, and neural apoptotic rate of the propofol group decreased significantly (P < 0.01). Furthermore, neurological deficit score, infarct volume, expression levels of caspase-3, caspase-12, GRP78, and CHOP (P < 0.05), and neural apoptotic rate decreased in the estrogen group (P < 0.01) and especially in the combination group (P < 0.01). Compared with the propofol group, the neurological deficit score (P < 0.05), infarct volume, caspase-3, caspase-12, GRP78, CHOP, and neural apoptotic rate of the combination group decreased (P < 0.01). Compared with the estrogen group, the infarct volume, caspase-3 (P < 0.05), GRP78, CHOP, and neural apoptotic rate (P < 0.05) of the combination group decreased (P < 0.01). Compared with the propofol group, the infarct volume, caspase-3, caspase-12 (P < 0.05), and GRP78 (P < 0.05) of the estrogen group decreased (P < 0.01). Propofol and estrogen treatment can delay the abolishing time of OPS and increase the recovery rate and amplitude of OPS, compared with OGD group (P < 0.01), especially in the combination therapy (P < 0.01). CONCLUSION The neuroprotection of propofol and estrogen combination therapy inhibited excessive ERS-induced apoptosis against cerebral ischemia-reperfusion injury and OGD injury in the hippocampus of rats. Furthermore, the outcomes demonstrated that combination therapy yielded synergistic effects.
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Dominguez R, Zitting M, Liu Q, Patel A, Babadjouni R, Hodis DM, Chow RH, Mack WJ. Estradiol Protects White Matter of Male C57BL6J Mice against Experimental Chronic Cerebral Hypoperfusion. J Stroke Cerebrovasc Dis 2018; 27:1743-1751. [PMID: 29602614 PMCID: PMC5972054 DOI: 10.1016/j.jstrokecerebrovasdis.2018.01.030] [Citation(s) in RCA: 18] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/14/2017] [Revised: 01/03/2018] [Accepted: 01/25/2018] [Indexed: 12/14/2022] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND AND PURPOSE Estradiol is a sex steroid hormone known to protect the brain against damage related to transient and global cerebral ischemia. In the present study, we leverage an experimental murine model of bilateral carotid artery stenosis (BCAS) to examine the putative effects of estradiol therapy on chronic cerebral hypoperfusion. We hypothesize that long-term estradiol therapy protects against white matter injury and declarative memory deficits associated with chronic cerebral hypoperfusion. METHODS Adult male C57BL/6J mice underwent either surgical BCAS or sham procedures. Two days after surgery, the mice were given oral estradiol (Sham+E, BCAS+E) or placebo (Sham+P, BCAS+P) treatments daily for 31-34 days. All mice underwent Novel Object Recognition (NOR) testing 31-34 days after the start of oral treatments. Following sacrifice, blood was collected and brains fixed, sliced, and prepared for histological examination of white matter injury and extracellular signal-regulated kinase (ERK) expression. RESULTS Animals receiving long-term oral estradiol therapy (BCAS-E2 and Sham-E2) had higher plasma estradiol levels than those receiving placebo treatment (BCAS-P and Sham-P). BCAS-E2 mice demonstrated less white matter injury (Klüver-Barrera staining) and performed better on the NOR task compared to BCAS-P mice. ERK expression in the brain was increased in the BCAS compared to sham cohorts. Among the BCAS mice, the BCAS-E2 cohort had a greater number of ERK + cells. CONCLUSION This study demonstrates a potentially protective role for oral estradiol therapy in the setting of white matter injury and declarative memory deficits secondary to murine chronic cerebral hypoperfusion.
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Affiliation(s)
- Reymundo Dominguez
- Zilkha Neurogenetic Institute, Keck School of Medicine, University of Southern California, Los Angeles, California
| | - Madison Zitting
- Zilkha Neurogenetic Institute, Keck School of Medicine, University of Southern California, Los Angeles, California
| | - Qinghai Liu
- Zilkha Neurogenetic Institute, Keck School of Medicine, University of Southern California, Los Angeles, California
| | - Arati Patel
- Zilkha Neurogenetic Institute, Keck School of Medicine, University of Southern California, Los Angeles, California
| | - Robin Babadjouni
- Zilkha Neurogenetic Institute, Keck School of Medicine, University of Southern California, Los Angeles, California
| | - Drew M Hodis
- Zilkha Neurogenetic Institute, Keck School of Medicine, University of Southern California, Los Angeles, California
| | - Robert H Chow
- Zilkha Neurogenetic Institute, Keck School of Medicine, University of Southern California, Los Angeles, California
| | - William J Mack
- Zilkha Neurogenetic Institute, Keck School of Medicine, University of Southern California, Los Angeles, California.
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Congdon EE. Sex Differences in Autophagy Contribute to Female Vulnerability in Alzheimer's Disease. Front Neurosci 2018; 12:372. [PMID: 29988365 PMCID: PMC6023994 DOI: 10.3389/fnins.2018.00372] [Citation(s) in RCA: 38] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/29/2018] [Accepted: 05/14/2018] [Indexed: 12/11/2022] Open
Abstract
Alzheimer's disease (AD) is the most common form of dementia, with over 5. 4 million cases in the US alone (Alzheimer's Association, 2016). Clinically, AD is defined by the presence of plaques composed of Aβ and neurofibrillary pathology composed of the microtubule associated protein tau. Another key feature is the dysregulation of autophagy at key steps in the pathway. In AD, disrupted autophagy contributes to disease progression through the failure to clear pathological protein aggregates, insulin resistance, and its role in the synthesis of Aβ. Like many psychiatric and neurodegenerative diseases, the risk of developing AD, and disease course are dependent on the sex of the patient. One potential mechanism through which these differences occur, is the effects of sex hormones on autophagy. In women, the loss of hormones with menopause presents both a risk factor for developing AD, and an obvious example of where sex differences in AD can stem from. However, because AD pathology can begin decades before menopause, this does not provide the full answer. We propose that sex-based differences in autophagy regulation during the lifespan contribute to the increased risk of AD, and greater severity of pathology seen in women.
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Affiliation(s)
- Erin E Congdon
- Neuroscience and Physiology, School of Medicine, New York University, New York City, NY, United States
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Zhang M, Zhai Y, Sun Y, Zhang W, Li Q, Brann D, Wang R. Swimming improves cognitive reserve in ovariectomized rats and enhances neuroprotection after global cerebral ischemia. Brain Res 2018; 1692:110-117. [PMID: 29778778 DOI: 10.1016/j.brainres.2018.05.020] [Citation(s) in RCA: 11] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/09/2018] [Revised: 05/02/2018] [Accepted: 05/17/2018] [Indexed: 12/14/2022]
Abstract
Cognitive reserve has been proposed to account for different responses to brain damage or pathology. Factors implicated to influence cognitive reserve include cognitive engagement, physical activity, leisure activities, stress levels, and diet. Furthermore, long-term ovariectomy (OVX), such as occurs in women that have underwent surgical menopause, has been reported to increase the risk of cognitive impairment. In the current study, we examined whether swimming improves cognitive function in long-term OVX-rats. We also examined the neuroprotective effect of swimming after global cerebral ischemia (GCI) and explored the effect of swimming preconditioning on activation of the MAPK cascade signaling pathway, synaptic proteins and brain-derived growth factor (BDNF) - all factors implicated in regulating synaptic plasticity and neuroprotection in the brain. Adult Sprague-Dawley OVX-rats were randomly assigned into four groups: Sham (Sh), Sham + Swimming (Sh + Sw), Ischemia/Reperfusion (IR) and IR + Sw. Our results revealed that (1) Morris water maze and shuttle box test analysis revealed that swimming improved cognitive function in OVX-rats, (2) The levels of PSD95 and synaptophysin, as well as the protein expression of p-ERK, p-CREB and BDNF were all increased in the hippocampus after swimming with or without GCI, and (3) Swimming also increased the number of surviving neurons and IL4 protein expression, while decreasing the Iba1 (a microglia marker) level in the hippocampus. In conclusion, our study demonstrates that swimming improves memory in OVX-rats, and that swimming preconditioning enhances the neuroprotective ERK1/2/CREB/BDNF pathway signaling and ameliorates brain damage after GCI in OVX-rats, which may be closely related to induction of an IL4-mediated anti-inflammatory mechanism.
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Affiliation(s)
- Meng Zhang
- Neurobiology Institute of Medical Research Center, International Science & Technology Cooperation Base of Geriatric Medicine, North China University of Science and Technology, Tangshan 063210, China
| | - Yating Zhai
- Neurobiology Institute of Medical Research Center, International Science & Technology Cooperation Base of Geriatric Medicine, North China University of Science and Technology, Tangshan 063210, China
| | - Yaping Sun
- Neurobiology Institute of Medical Research Center, International Science & Technology Cooperation Base of Geriatric Medicine, North China University of Science and Technology, Tangshan 063210, China
| | - Wenli Zhang
- Neurobiology Institute of Medical Research Center, International Science & Technology Cooperation Base of Geriatric Medicine, North China University of Science and Technology, Tangshan 063210, China
| | - Qian Li
- Neurobiology Institute of Medical Research Center, International Science & Technology Cooperation Base of Geriatric Medicine, North China University of Science and Technology, Tangshan 063210, China
| | - Darrell Brann
- Department of Neuroscience and Regenerative Medicine, Medical College of Georgia, Augusta University, Augusta 30912, USA
| | - Ruimin Wang
- Neurobiology Institute of Medical Research Center, International Science & Technology Cooperation Base of Geriatric Medicine, North China University of Science and Technology, Tangshan 063210, China.
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Thakkar R, Wang R, Wang J, Vadlamudi RK, Brann DW. 17 β-Estradiol Regulates Microglia Activation and Polarization in the Hippocampus Following Global Cerebral Ischemia. OXIDATIVE MEDICINE AND CELLULAR LONGEVITY 2018; 2018:4248526. [PMID: 29849895 PMCID: PMC5932444 DOI: 10.1155/2018/4248526] [Citation(s) in RCA: 40] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/03/2017] [Revised: 01/16/2018] [Accepted: 02/13/2018] [Indexed: 02/08/2023]
Abstract
17β-Estradiol (E2) is a well-known neuroprotective hormone, but its role in regulation of neuroinflammation is less understood. Recently, our lab demonstrated that E2 could regulate the NLRP3 (NOD-like receptor protein 3) inflammasome pathway in the hippocampus following global cerebral ischemia (GCI). Here, we examined the ability of E2 to regulate activation and polarization of microglia phenotype in the hippocampus after global cerebral ischemia (GCI). Our in vivo study in young adult ovariectomized rats showed that exogenous low-dose E2 profoundly suppressed microglia activation and quantitatively shifted microglia from their "activated," amoeboid morphology to a "resting," ramified morphology after GCI. Further studies using M1 "proinflammatory" and M2 "anti-inflammatory" phenotype markers showed that E2 robustly suppressed the "proinflammatory" M1 phenotype, while enhancing the "anti-inflammatory" M2 microglia phenotype in the hippocampus after GCI. These effects of E2 may be mediated directly upon microglia, as E2 suppressed the M1 while enhancing the M2 microglia phenotype in LPS- (lipopolysaccharide-) activated BV2 microglia cells in vitro. E2 also correspondingly suppressed proinflammatory while enhancing anti-inflammatory cytokine gene expression in the LPS-treated BV2 microglia cells. Finally, E2 treatment abolished the LPS-induced neurotoxic effects of BV2 microglia cells upon hippocampal HT-22 neurons. Collectively, our study findings suggest a novel E2-mediated neuroprotective effect via regulation of microglia activation and promotion of the M2 "anti-inflammatory" phenotype in the brain.
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Affiliation(s)
- Roshni Thakkar
- Department of Neuroscience and Regenerative Medicine, Medical College of Georgia, Augusta University, Augusta, GA, USA
| | - Ruimin Wang
- Department of Neurobiology, North China University of Science and Technology, Tangshan, Hebei, China
| | - Jing Wang
- Department of Neuroscience and Regenerative Medicine, Medical College of Georgia, Augusta University, Augusta, GA, USA
| | - Ratna K. Vadlamudi
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, University of Texas Health, San Antonio, TX, USA
| | - Darrell W. Brann
- Department of Neuroscience and Regenerative Medicine, Medical College of Georgia, Augusta University, Augusta, GA, USA
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36
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Saraceno GE, Bellini MJ, Garcia-Segura LM, Capani F. Estradiol Activates PI3K/Akt/GSK3 Pathway Under Chronic Neurodegenerative Conditions Triggered by Perinatal Asphyxia. Front Pharmacol 2018; 9:335. [PMID: 29686616 PMCID: PMC5900006 DOI: 10.3389/fphar.2018.00335] [Citation(s) in RCA: 18] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/15/2018] [Accepted: 03/22/2018] [Indexed: 11/24/2022] Open
Abstract
Perinatal asphyxia (PA) remains as one of the most important causes of short-term mortality, psychiatric and neurological disorders in children, without an effective treatment. In previous studies we have observed that the expression of different neurodegenerative markers increases in CA1 hippocampal area of 4-months-old male rats born by cesarean section and exposed for 19 min to PA. We have also shown that a late treatment with 17β estradiol (daily dose of 250 μg/kg for 3 days) was able to revert the brain alterations observed in those animals. Based on these previous results, the main aim of the present study was to explore the mechanism by which the estrogenic treatment is involved in the reversion of the chronic neurodegenerative conditions induced by PA. We demonstrated that estradiol treatment of adult PA exposed animals induced an increase in estrogen receptor (ER) α and insulin-like growth factor receptor (IGF-1R) protein levels, an activation of the phosphatidylinositol 3-kinase/Akt/glycogen synthase kinase 3 beta/β-catenin signaling pathway and an increase in Bcl-2/Bax ratio in the hippocampus in comparison to PA exposed animals treated with vehicle. Taking together, our data suggest that the interaction between ERα and IGF-IR, with the subsequent downstream activation, underlies the beneficial effects of estradiol observed in late treatment of PA.
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Affiliation(s)
- G Ezequiel Saraceno
- Laboratorio de Citoarquitectura y Plasticidad Neuronal, Instituto de Investigaciones Cardiológicas "Prof. Dr. Alberto C. Taquini", Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas, Universidad de Buenos Aires, Buenos Aires, Argentina.,Interdisciplinary Institute for Neuroscience, Centre Broca Nouvelle-Aquitaine, UMR 5297, Université de Bordeaux, Bordeaux, France
| | - Maria J Bellini
- Instituto de Investigaciones Bioquímicas de La Plata, Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas, Universidad Nacional de La Plata, La Plata, Argentina
| | - Luis M Garcia-Segura
- Instituto Cajal, Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas, Madrid, Spain.,Centro de Investigación Biomédica en Red de Fragilidad y Envejecimiento Saludable, Instituto de Salud Carlos III, Madrid, Spain
| | - Francisco Capani
- Laboratorio de Citoarquitectura y Plasticidad Neuronal, Instituto de Investigaciones Cardiológicas "Prof. Dr. Alberto C. Taquini", Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas, Universidad de Buenos Aires, Buenos Aires, Argentina.,Universidad Autónoma de Chile, Santiago, Chile
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Sheppard PAS, Koss WA, Frick KM, Choleris E. Rapid actions of oestrogens and their receptors on memory acquisition and consolidation in females. J Neuroendocrinol 2018; 30. [PMID: 28489296 PMCID: PMC6543823 DOI: 10.1111/jne.12485] [Citation(s) in RCA: 31] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/01/2017] [Revised: 05/03/2017] [Accepted: 05/04/2017] [Indexed: 12/20/2022]
Abstract
Increased attention has been paid in recent years to the ways in which oestrogens and oestrogen receptors rapidly affect learning and memory. These rapid effects occur within a timeframe that is too narrow for the classical genomic mode of action of oestrogen, thus suggesting nonclassical effects as underlying mechanisms. The present review examines recent developments in the study of the rapid effects of 17β-oestradiol and oestrogen receptor (ER) agonists on learning and memory tasks in female rodents, including social recognition, object recognition, object placement (spatial memory) and social learning. By comparing studies utilising systemic or intracranial treatments, as well as pre- and post-acquisition administration of oestradiol or ER agonists, the respective contributions of individual ERs within specific brain regions to various forms of learning and memory can be determined. The first part of this review explores the effects of systemic administration of 17β-oestradiol and ER agonists on memory when administered either pre- or post-acquisition. The second part not only focuses on the effects of pre- and post-acquisition infusions of 17β-oestradiol or ER agonists into the dorsal hippocampus on memory, but also discusses the contributions of other brain regions, including the medial amygdala, medial prefrontal cortex and paraventricular nucleus of the hypothalamus. The cellular mechanisms mediating the rapid effects of 17β-oestradiol on memory, including activation of intracellular signalling cascades and epigenetic processes, are discussed. Finally, the review concludes by comparing pre- and post-acquisition findings and effects of 17β-oestradiol and ER agonists in different brain regions.
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Affiliation(s)
- P A S Sheppard
- Department of Psychology and Neuroscience Program, University of Guelph, Guelph, ON, Canada
| | - W A Koss
- Department of Psychology, University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee, Milwaukee, WI, USA
| | - K M Frick
- Department of Psychology, University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee, Milwaukee, WI, USA
| | - E Choleris
- Department of Psychology and Neuroscience Program, University of Guelph, Guelph, ON, Canada
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38
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Bálint M, Jeszenői N, Horváth I, Ábrahám IM, Hetényi C. Dynamic changes in binding interaction networks of sex steroids establish their non-classical effects. Sci Rep 2017; 7:14847. [PMID: 29093525 PMCID: PMC5665952 DOI: 10.1038/s41598-017-14840-9] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/13/2017] [Accepted: 10/17/2017] [Indexed: 11/21/2022] Open
Abstract
Non-classical signaling in the intracellular second messenger system plays a pivotal role in the cytoprotective effect of estradiol. Estrogen receptor is a common target of sex steroids and important in mediating estradiol-induced neuroprotection. Whereas the mechanism of genomic effects of sex steroids is fairly understood, their non-classical effects have not been elucidated completely. We use real time molecular dynamics calculations to uncover the interaction network of estradiol and activator estren. Besides steroid interactions, we also investigate the co-activation of the receptor. We show how steroid binding to the alternative binding site of the non-classical action is facilitated by the presence of a steroid in the classical binding site and the absence of the co-activator peptide. Uncovering such dynamic mechanisms behind steroid action will help the structure-based design of new drugs with non-classical responses and cytoprotective potential.
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Affiliation(s)
- Mónika Bálint
- Department of Pharmacology and Pharmacotherapy, University of Pécs, Szigeti út 12, 7624, Pécs, Hungary.,Department of Biochemistry, Eötvös Loránd University, Pázmány Péter sétány 1/C, 1117, Budapest, Hungary
| | - Norbert Jeszenői
- MTA NAP-B Molecular Neuroendocrinology Group, Institute of Physiology, Szentágothai Research Center, Center for Neuroscience, University of Pécs, Szigeti út 12, 7624, Pécs, Hungary
| | - István Horváth
- Chemistry Doctoral School, University of Szeged, Dugonics tér 13, 6720, Szeged, Hungary
| | - István M Ábrahám
- MTA NAP-B Molecular Neuroendocrinology Group, Institute of Physiology, Szentágothai Research Center, Center for Neuroscience, University of Pécs, Szigeti út 12, 7624, Pécs, Hungary.
| | - Csaba Hetényi
- Department of Pharmacology and Pharmacotherapy, University of Pécs, Szigeti út 12, 7624, Pécs, Hungary.
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Estrogen Receptor β Mediated Neuroprotective Efficacy of Cicer microphyllum Seed Extract in Global Hypoxia. Neurochem Res 2017; 42:3474-3489. [DOI: 10.1007/s11064-017-2395-5] [Citation(s) in RCA: 11] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/21/2017] [Revised: 08/17/2017] [Accepted: 08/23/2017] [Indexed: 10/19/2022]
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40
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Huang L, Hu J, Huang S, Wang B, Siaw-Debrah F, Nyanzu M, Zhang Y, Zhuge Q. Nanomaterial applications for neurological diseases and central nervous system injury. Prog Neurobiol 2017; 157:29-48. [PMID: 28743465 DOI: 10.1016/j.pneurobio.2017.07.003] [Citation(s) in RCA: 31] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/16/2015] [Revised: 07/18/2017] [Accepted: 07/18/2017] [Indexed: 12/20/2022]
Abstract
The effectiveness of noninvasive treatment for neurological disease is generally limited by the poor entry of therapeutic agents into the central nervous system (CNS). Most CNS drugs cannot permeate into the brain parenchyma because of the blood-brain barrier thus, overcoming this problem has become one of the most significant challenges in the development of neurological therapeutics. Nanotechnology has emerged as an innovative alternative for treating neurological diseases. In fact, rapid advances in nanotechnology have provided promising solutions to this challenge. This review highlights the applications of nanomaterials in the developing neurological field and discusses the evidence for their efficacies.
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Affiliation(s)
- Lijie Huang
- Department of Neurosurgery, First Affiliated Hospital of Wenzhou Medical University, Wenzhou City, Zhejiang Province, 325000, PR China; Zhejiang Provincial Key Laboratory of Aging and Neurological Disorder Research, First Affiliated Hospital, Wenzhou Medical University, Wenzhou City, Zhejiang Province, 325000, PR China
| | - Jiangnan Hu
- Center for Neuroscience Discovery, Institute for Healthy Aging, University of North Texas Health Science Center, Fort Worth, TX 76107, USA; Zhejiang Provincial Key Laboratory of Aging and Neurological Disorder Research, First Affiliated Hospital, Wenzhou Medical University, Wenzhou City, Zhejiang Province, 325000, PR China
| | - Shengwei Huang
- Department of Neurosurgery, First Affiliated Hospital of Wenzhou Medical University, Wenzhou City, Zhejiang Province, 325000, PR China; Zhejiang Provincial Key Laboratory of Aging and Neurological Disorder Research, First Affiliated Hospital, Wenzhou Medical University, Wenzhou City, Zhejiang Province, 325000, PR China
| | - Brian Wang
- Center for Neuroscience Discovery, Institute for Healthy Aging, University of North Texas Health Science Center, Fort Worth, TX 76107, USA
| | - Felix Siaw-Debrah
- Department of Neurosurgery, First Affiliated Hospital of Wenzhou Medical University, Wenzhou City, Zhejiang Province, 325000, PR China
| | - Mark Nyanzu
- Department of Neurosurgery, First Affiliated Hospital of Wenzhou Medical University, Wenzhou City, Zhejiang Province, 325000, PR China
| | - Yu Zhang
- Department of Neurosurgery, First Affiliated Hospital of Wenzhou Medical University, Wenzhou City, Zhejiang Province, 325000, PR China
| | - Qichuan Zhuge
- Department of Neurosurgery, First Affiliated Hospital of Wenzhou Medical University, Wenzhou City, Zhejiang Province, 325000, PR China; Zhejiang Provincial Key Laboratory of Aging and Neurological Disorder Research, First Affiliated Hospital, Wenzhou Medical University, Wenzhou City, Zhejiang Province, 325000, PR China.
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Chen LC, Yang AC, Su TP, Bai YM, Li CT, Chang WH, Chen TJ, Tsai SJ, Chen MH. Symptomatic menopausal transition and subsequent bipolar disorder among midlife women with major depression: a nationwide longitudinal study. Arch Womens Ment Health 2017; 20:463-468. [PMID: 28429098 DOI: 10.1007/s00737-017-0725-x] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/16/2016] [Accepted: 04/10/2017] [Indexed: 12/21/2022]
Abstract
Previous studies suggested that menopausal transition played an important role in the clinical course of major depression and bipolar disorder. However, the role of symptomatic menopausal transition in diagnostic conversion from major depression to bipolar disorder was still unknown. Using the Taiwan National Health Insurance Research Database, 50,273 midlife women aged between 40 and 60 years in 2002∼2008 with major depression were enrolled in our study and divided into two subgroups based on the presence (n = 21,120) or absence (n = 29,153) of symptomatic menopausal transition. Subjects who had subsequent bipolar disorder during the follow-up were identified. Midlife women with major depression and symptomatic menopausal transition had a higher incidence of the diagnostic conversion to bipolar disorder (7.3 vs. 6.6%, p = 0.003) than those with major depression alone. Cox regression analysis after adjusting for demographic data and psychiatric comorbidities further showed that symptomatic menopausal transition was associated with an increased risk of developing bipolar disorder (HR 1.14, 95% CI 1.07∼1.23) among midlife women with major depression. Sensitivity test after excluding the 1-year and 3-year observation exhibited the consistent findings (HR 1.18, 95% CI 1.09∼1.28; HR 1.20, 95% CI 1.08∼1.34). Midlife women with the dual diagnoses of major depression and symptomatic menopausal transition had an increased risk of the diagnostic conversion to bipolar disorder compared to those with major depression alone. Further studies may be required to investigate the underlying mechanisms among menopausal transition and the diagnostic conversion from major depression to bipolar disorder.
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Affiliation(s)
- Li-Chi Chen
- Department of Psychiatry, Taipei Veterans General Hospital, No. 201, Shih-Pai Road, Sec. 2, 11217, Taipei, Taiwan
| | - Albert C Yang
- Department of Psychiatry, Taipei Veterans General Hospital, No. 201, Shih-Pai Road, Sec. 2, 11217, Taipei, Taiwan
- Division of Psychiatry, School of Medicine, National Yang-Ming University, Taipei, Taiwan
| | - Tung-Ping Su
- Department of Psychiatry, Taipei Veterans General Hospital, No. 201, Shih-Pai Road, Sec. 2, 11217, Taipei, Taiwan
- Division of Psychiatry, School of Medicine, National Yang-Ming University, Taipei, Taiwan
| | - Ya-Mei Bai
- Department of Psychiatry, Taipei Veterans General Hospital, No. 201, Shih-Pai Road, Sec. 2, 11217, Taipei, Taiwan
- Division of Psychiatry, School of Medicine, National Yang-Ming University, Taipei, Taiwan
| | - Cheng-Ta Li
- Department of Psychiatry, Taipei Veterans General Hospital, No. 201, Shih-Pai Road, Sec. 2, 11217, Taipei, Taiwan
- Division of Psychiatry, School of Medicine, National Yang-Ming University, Taipei, Taiwan
| | - Wen-Han Chang
- Department of Psychiatry, Taipei Veterans General Hospital, No. 201, Shih-Pai Road, Sec. 2, 11217, Taipei, Taiwan
| | - Tzeng-Ji Chen
- Department of Family Medicine, Taipei Veterans General Hospital, Taipei, Taiwan
- Institute of Hospital and Health Care Administration, National Yang-Ming University, Taipei, Taiwan
| | - Shih-Jen Tsai
- Department of Psychiatry, Taipei Veterans General Hospital, No. 201, Shih-Pai Road, Sec. 2, 11217, Taipei, Taiwan
- Division of Psychiatry, School of Medicine, National Yang-Ming University, Taipei, Taiwan
| | - Mu-Hong Chen
- Division of Psychiatry, School of Medicine, National Yang-Ming University, Taipei, Taiwan.
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Zhang ZL, Qin P, Liu Y, Zhang LX, Guo H, Deng YL, Yizhao-Liu, Hou YS, Wang LY, Miao Y, Ma YL, Hou WG. Alleviation of ischaemia-reperfusion injury by endogenous estrogen involves maintaining Bcl-2 expression via the ERα signalling pathway. Brain Res 2017; 1661:15-23. [DOI: 10.1016/j.brainres.2017.02.004] [Citation(s) in RCA: 23] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/23/2016] [Revised: 02/04/2017] [Accepted: 02/06/2017] [Indexed: 10/20/2022]
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Protective Effect of 17β-Estradiol Upon Hippocampal Spine Density and Cognitive Function in an Animal Model of Vascular Dementia. Sci Rep 2017; 7:42660. [PMID: 28205591 PMCID: PMC5311994 DOI: 10.1038/srep42660] [Citation(s) in RCA: 41] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/10/2016] [Accepted: 01/12/2017] [Indexed: 12/14/2022] Open
Abstract
The current study examined whether the steroid hormone, 17β-estradiol (E2) can exert long-lasting beneficial effects upon axonal health, synaptic plasticity, dementia-related amyloid-beta (Aβ) protein expression, and hippocampal-dependent cognitive function in an animal model of chronic cerebral hypoperfusion and vascular dementia (VaD). Chronic cerebral hypoperfusion and VaD was induced by bilateral common carotid artery occlusion (BCCAO) in adult male Sprague Dawley rats. Low dose E2 administered for the first 3-months after BCCAO exerted long-lasting beneficial effects, including significant neuroprotection of hippocampal CA1 neurons and preservation of hippocampal-dependent cognitive function when examined at 6-months after BCCAO. E2 treatment also prevented BCCAO-induced damage to hippocampal myelin sheaths and oligodendrocytes, enhanced expression of the synaptic proteins synaptophysin and PSD95 in the hippocampus, and prevented BCCAO-induced loss of total and mushroom dendritic spines in the hippocampal CA1 region. Furthermore, E2-treatment also reduced BCCAO induction of dementia-related proteins expression such as p-tau (PHF1), total ubiquitin, and Aβ1-42, when examined at 6 m after BCCAO. Taken as a whole, the results suggest that low-dose E2 replacement might be a potentially promising therapeutic modality to attenuate or block negative neurological consequences of chronic cerebral hypoperfusion and VaD.
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Farman HH, Wu J, Gustafsson KL, Windahl SH, Kim SH, Katzenellenbogen JA, Ohlsson C, Lagerquist MK. Extra-nuclear effects of estrogen on cortical bone in males require ERαAF-1. J Mol Endocrinol 2017; 58:105-111. [PMID: 28057769 PMCID: PMC5278601 DOI: 10.1530/jme-16-0209] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/19/2016] [Accepted: 01/05/2017] [Indexed: 01/02/2023]
Abstract
Estradiol (E2) signaling via estrogen receptor alpha (ERα) is important for the male skeleton as demonstrated by ERα inactivation in both mice and man. ERα mediates estrogenic effects not only by translocating to the nucleus and affecting gene transcription but also by extra-nuclear actions e.g., triggering cytoplasmic signaling cascades. ERα contains various domains, and the role of activation function 1 (ERαAF-1) is known to be tissue specific. The aim of this study was to determine the importance of extra-nuclear estrogen effects for the skeleton in males and to determine the role of ERαAF-1 for mediating these effects. Five-month-old male wild-type (WT) and ERαAF-1-inactivated (ERαAF-10) mice were orchidectomized and treated with equimolar doses of 17β-estradiol (E2) or an estrogen dendrimer conjugate (EDC), which is incapable of entering the nucleus and thereby only initiates extra-nuclear ER actions or their corresponding vehicles for 3.5 weeks. As expected, E2 treatment increased cortical thickness and trabecular bone volume per total volume (BV/TV) in WT males. EDC treatment increased cortical thickness in WT males, whereas no effect was detected in trabecular bone. In ERαAF-10 males, E2 treatment increased cortical thickness, but did not affect trabecular bone. Interestingly, the effect of EDC on cortical bone was abolished in ERαAF-10 mice. In conclusion, extra-nuclear estrogen signaling affects cortical bone mass in males, and this effect is dependent on a functional ERαAF-1. Increased knowledge regarding estrogen signaling mechanisms in the regulation of the male skeleton may aid the development of new treatment options for male osteoporosis.
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Affiliation(s)
- H H Farman
- Centre for Bone and Arthritis ResearchInstitute of Medicine, Sahlgrenska Academy, University of Gothenburg, Gothenburg, Sweden
| | - J Wu
- Centre for Bone and Arthritis ResearchInstitute of Medicine, Sahlgrenska Academy, University of Gothenburg, Gothenburg, Sweden
| | - K L Gustafsson
- Centre for Bone and Arthritis ResearchInstitute of Medicine, Sahlgrenska Academy, University of Gothenburg, Gothenburg, Sweden
| | - S H Windahl
- Centre for Bone and Arthritis ResearchInstitute of Medicine, Sahlgrenska Academy, University of Gothenburg, Gothenburg, Sweden
| | - S H Kim
- Department of ChemistryUniversity of Illinois, Urbana, Illinois, USA
| | | | - C Ohlsson
- Centre for Bone and Arthritis ResearchInstitute of Medicine, Sahlgrenska Academy, University of Gothenburg, Gothenburg, Sweden
| | - M K Lagerquist
- Centre for Bone and Arthritis ResearchInstitute of Medicine, Sahlgrenska Academy, University of Gothenburg, Gothenburg, Sweden
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Brotfain E, Gruenbaum SE, Boyko M, Kutz R, Zlotnik A, Klein M. Neuroprotection by Estrogen and Progesterone in Traumatic Brain Injury and Spinal Cord Injury. Curr Neuropharmacol 2017; 14:641-53. [PMID: 26955967 PMCID: PMC4981744 DOI: 10.2174/1570159x14666160309123554] [Citation(s) in RCA: 151] [Impact Index Per Article: 21.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/12/2015] [Revised: 12/31/2015] [Accepted: 02/25/2016] [Indexed: 12/25/2022] Open
Abstract
In recent years there has been a growing body of clinical and laboratory evidence demonstrating the neuroprotective effects of estrogen and progesterone after traumatic brain injury (TBI) and spinal cord injury (SCI). In humans, women have been shown to have a lower incidence of morbidity and mortality after TBI compared with age-matched men. Similarly, numerous laboratory studies have demonstrated that estrogen and progesterone administration is associated with a mortality reduction, improvement in neurological outcomes, and a reduction in neuronal apoptosis after TBI and SCI. Here, we review the evidence that supports hormone-related neuroprotection and discuss possible underlying mechanisms. Estrogen and progesterone-mediated neuroprotection are thought to be related to their effects on hormone receptors, signaling systems, direct antioxidant effects, effects on astrocytes and microglia, modulation of the inflammatory response, effects on cerebral blood flow and metabolism, and effects on mediating glutamate excitotoxicity. Future laboratory research is needed to better determine the mechanisms underlying the hormones' neuroprotective effects, which will allow for more clinical studies. Furthermore, large randomized clinical control trials are needed to better assess their role in human neurodegenerative conditions.
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Affiliation(s)
- Evgeni Brotfain
- Department of Anesthesiology and Critical Care, Soroka Medical Center, Ben-Gurion University of the Negev, Beer-Sheva, Israel.
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Crider A, Pillai A. Estrogen Signaling as a Therapeutic Target in Neurodevelopmental Disorders. J Pharmacol Exp Ther 2016; 360:48-58. [PMID: 27789681 DOI: 10.1124/jpet.116.237412] [Citation(s) in RCA: 42] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/23/2016] [Accepted: 10/18/2016] [Indexed: 12/19/2022] Open
Abstract
Estrogens, the primary female sex hormones, were originally characterized through their important role in sexual maturation and reproduction. However, recent studies have shown that estrogens play critical roles in a number of brain functions, including cognition, learning and memory, neurodevelopment, and adult neuroplasticity. A number of studies from both clinical as well as preclinical research suggest a protective role of estrogen in neurodevelopmental disorders including autism spectrum disorder (ASD) and schizophrenia. Alterations in the levels of estrogen receptors have been found in subjects with ASD or schizophrenia, and adjunctive estrogen therapy has been shown to be effective in enhancing the treatment of schizophrenia. This review summarizes the findings on the role of estrogen in the pathophysiology of neurodevelopmental disorders with a focus on ASD and schizophrenia. We also discuss the potential of estrogen as a therapeutic target in the above disorders.
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Affiliation(s)
- Amanda Crider
- Department of Psychiatry and Health Behavior, Medical College of Georgia, Augusta University, Augusta, Georgia
| | - Anilkumar Pillai
- Department of Psychiatry and Health Behavior, Medical College of Georgia, Augusta University, Augusta, Georgia
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NLRP3 Inflammasome Activation in the Brain after Global Cerebral Ischemia and Regulation by 17 β-Estradiol. OXIDATIVE MEDICINE AND CELLULAR LONGEVITY 2016; 2016:8309031. [PMID: 27843532 PMCID: PMC5097821 DOI: 10.1155/2016/8309031] [Citation(s) in RCA: 62] [Impact Index Per Article: 7.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/30/2016] [Revised: 08/23/2016] [Accepted: 09/07/2016] [Indexed: 01/23/2023]
Abstract
17β-Estradiol (E2) is a well-known neuroprotective factor in the brain. Recently, our lab demonstrated that the neuroprotective and cognitive effects of E2 require mediation by the estrogen receptor (ER) coregulator protein and proline-, glutamic acid-, and leucine-rich protein 1 (PELP1). In the current study, we examined whether E2, acting via PELP1, can exert anti-inflammatory effects in the ovariectomized rat and mouse hippocampus to regulate NLRP3 inflammasome activation after global cerebral ischemia (GCI). Activation of the NLRP3 inflammasome pathway and expression of its downstream products, cleaved caspase-1 and IL-1β, were robustly increased in the hippocampus after GCI, with peak levels observed at 6-7 days. Expression of P2X7 receptor, an upstream regulator of NLRP3, was also increased after GCI. E2 markedly inhibited NLRP3 inflammasome pathway activation, caspase-1, and proinflammatory cytokine production, as well as P2X7 receptor expression after GCI (at both the mRNA and protein level). Intriguingly, the ability of E2 to exert these anti-inflammatory effects was lost in PELP1 forebrain-specific knockout mice, indicating a key role for PELP1 in E2 anti-inflammatory signaling. Collectively, our study demonstrates that NLRP3 inflammasome activation and proinflammatory cytokine production are markedly increased in the hippocampus after GCI, and that E2 signaling via PELP1 can profoundly inhibit these proinflammatory effects.
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Li XZ, Sui CY, Chen Q, Zhuang YS, Zhang H, Zhou XP. The effects and mechanism of estrogen on rats with Parkinson's disease in different age groups. Am J Transl Res 2016; 8:4134-4146. [PMID: 27829998 PMCID: PMC5095307] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/24/2016] [Accepted: 07/10/2016] [Indexed: 06/06/2023]
Abstract
OBJECTIVE In order to investigate the effect and mechanism of estrogen in rotenone-induced Parkinson's disease (PD) rats in different age groups. METHODS we established rat models of PD by rotenone at different interventions. Then, behavioral tests, immunohistochemistry, western blot, high-performance liquid chromatography-electrochemical detector (HPLC-ECD) and electron microscopy were performed. RESULTS Results revealed the following: (1) Rotenone significantly reduced rotarod latencies in senile rats, prolonged their climbing pole time, and decreased TH positive cells, DA and its metabolite, DOPAC. Estrogen ameliorated this effect, in which weaker effects were observed in younger rats compared with older rats. (2) Rotenone increased the expression of LC3-II in older rats, but estrogen and tamoxifen did not show the same effect. (3) Rotenone increased the number of autophagosomes, but estrogen increased the proportion of autolysosomes/autophagosomes in the rotenone-treated group. (4) U0126 could reduce the number of autophagosomes in the rotenone-treated group, but this did not change the proportion of autolysosome/autophagosome in combining rotenone with the estrogen group. Rapamycin did not increase the number of autophagosomes in the rotenone-treated group, but combining rapamycin with estrogen and rotenone was able to further increase the proportion of autolysome/autophagosomes. Therefore, we speculate that the senile rat model of PD was more reliable than that in young rats. CONCLUSIONS In addition, estrogen could promote autophagy maturation through the ERK pathway, and had an obvious therapeutic effect on the rat model of PD.
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Affiliation(s)
- Xue-Zhong Li
- Department of Neurology, Jiangsu University Affiliated People's Hospital Jiangsu, China
| | - Chen-Yan Sui
- Department of Neurology, Jiangsu University Affiliated People's Hospital Jiangsu, China
| | - Qiang Chen
- Department of Neurology, Jiangsu University Affiliated People's Hospital Jiangsu, China
| | - Yuan-Su Zhuang
- Department of Neurology, Jiangsu University Affiliated People's Hospital Jiangsu, China
| | - Hong Zhang
- Department of Neurology, Jiangsu University Affiliated People's Hospital Jiangsu, China
| | - Xiao-Ping Zhou
- Department of Neurology, Jiangsu University Affiliated People's Hospital Jiangsu, China
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Jeong HJ, Yang SY, Kim HY, Kim NR, Jang JB, Kim HM. Chelidonic acid evokes antidepressant-like effect through the up-regulation of BDNF in forced swimming test. Exp Biol Med (Maywood) 2016; 241:1559-67. [PMID: 27037280 PMCID: PMC4994898 DOI: 10.1177/1535370216642044] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/26/2015] [Accepted: 03/09/2016] [Indexed: 12/27/2022] Open
Abstract
Depression is usually accompanied by neuro-inflammatory reactions. Chelidonic acid, in particular, has shown anti-inflammatory effects. The objective of this study was to evaluate the anti-depressant effects of chelidonic acid and to discuss the potential mechanisms of a forced swimming test. Chelidonic acid was administered orally once a day for 14 days. On the 14th day, chelidonic acid resulted in a significant decrease in immobility time during the forced swimming test without alteration of locomotor activity, in an open field test. Chelidonic acid also increased the number of nissl bodies in the hippocampus. Brain-derived neurotrophic factor expression and extracellular signal-regulated protein kinase phosphorylation in the hippocampus were up-regulated by the administration of chelidonic acid. Chelidonic acid administration significantly increased the mRNA expression of hippocampal estrogen receptor-β. The levels of hippocampal interleukin (IL)-1β, IL-6, and tumor necrosis factor-α were effectively attenuated by the administration of chelidonic acid. In addition, chelidonic acid significantly increased the levels of 5-hydroxytryptamine (serotonin), dopamine, and norepinephrine compared with those levels for the mice that were administered distilled water in the hippocampus. These results suggest that chelidonic acid might serve as a new therapeutic strategy for the regulation of depression associated with inflammation.
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Affiliation(s)
- Hyun-Ja Jeong
- Department of Food Technology and NanoBio Tronics, Hoseo University, Asan 336-795, Republic of Korea
| | - Shi-Young Yang
- Professional Graduate School of Flexible and Printable Electronics, Center for R&D Strategy, Chonbuk National University, Jeonju 561-756, Republic of Korea
| | - Hee-Yun Kim
- Department of Pharmacology, College of Korean Medicine, Kyung Hee University, Seoul 130-701, Republic of Korea
| | - Na-Rae Kim
- Department of Pharmacology, College of Korean Medicine, Kyung Hee University, Seoul 130-701, Republic of Korea
| | - Jae-Bum Jang
- Regional Innovation Center and Inflammatory Disease Research Center, Hoseo University, Asan 336-795, Republic of Korea *The first two authors contributed equally to this work
| | - Hyung-Min Kim
- Department of Pharmacology, College of Korean Medicine, Kyung Hee University, Seoul 130-701, Republic of Korea
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Su Q, Cheng Y, Jin K, Cheng J, Lin Y, Lin Z, Wang L, Shao B. Estrogen therapy increases BDNF expression and improves post-stroke depression in ovariectomy-treated rats. Exp Ther Med 2016; 12:1843-1848. [PMID: 27602095 DOI: 10.3892/etm.2016.3531] [Citation(s) in RCA: 25] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/14/2015] [Accepted: 09/09/2015] [Indexed: 12/28/2022] Open
Abstract
The present study investigated the effect of exogenous estrogen on post-stroke depression. Rats were exposed to chronic mild stress following middle cerebral artery occlusion. The occurrence of post-stroke depression was evaluated according to the changes in preference for sucrose and performance in a forced swimming test. Estrogen therapy significantly improved these neurological symptoms, indicating that estrogen is effective in treating post-stroke depression. Increased brain-derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF) expression was reported in the hippocampus of rats that had been treated with estrogen for two weeks, suggesting that BDNF expression may be an important contributor to the improvement of post-stroke depression that is observed following estrogen therapy.
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Affiliation(s)
- Qiaoer Su
- Department of Pediatrics, The First Affiliated Hospital of Wenzhou Medical University, Wenzhou, Zhejiang 325000, P.R. China
| | - Yifan Cheng
- Department of Neurology, The First Affiliated Hospital of Wenzhou Medical University, Wenzhou, Zhejiang 325000, P.R. China
| | - Kunlin Jin
- University of North Texas Health Science Center, Fort Worth, TX 76107, USA
| | - Jianhua Cheng
- Department of Neurology, The First Affiliated Hospital of Wenzhou Medical University, Wenzhou, Zhejiang 325000, P.R. China
| | - Yuanshao Lin
- Department of Neurology, The First Affiliated Hospital of Wenzhou Medical University, Wenzhou, Zhejiang 325000, P.R. China
| | - Zhenzhen Lin
- Department of Neurology, The First Affiliated Hospital of Wenzhou Medical University, Wenzhou, Zhejiang 325000, P.R. China
| | - Liuqing Wang
- Department of Neurology, The First Affiliated Hospital of Wenzhou Medical University, Wenzhou, Zhejiang 325000, P.R. China
| | - Bei Shao
- Department of Neurology, The First Affiliated Hospital of Wenzhou Medical University, Wenzhou, Zhejiang 325000, P.R. China
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