1
|
Liang X, Liang X, Zhao Y, Ding Y, Zhu X, Zhou J, Qiu J, Shen X, Xie W. Dysregulation of the Suprachiasmatic Nucleus Disturbs the Circadian Rhythm and Aggravates Epileptic Seizures by Inducing Hippocampal GABAergic Dysfunction in C57BL/6 Mice. J Pineal Res 2024; 76:e12993. [PMID: 39054842 DOI: 10.1111/jpi.12993] [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: 04/29/2024] [Revised: 07/03/2024] [Accepted: 07/10/2024] [Indexed: 07/27/2024]
Abstract
The interplay between circadian rhythms and epilepsy has gained increasing attention. The suprachiasmatic nucleus (SCN), which acts as the master circadian pacemaker, regulates physiological and behavioral rhythms through its complex neural networks. However, the exact role of the SCN and its Bmal1 gene in the development of epilepsy remains unclear. In this study, we utilized a lithium-pilocarpine model to induce epilepsy in mice and simulated circadian disturbances by creating lesions in the SCN and specifically knocking out the Bmal1 gene in the SCN neurons. We observed that the pilocarpine-induced epileptic mice experienced increased daytime seizure frequency, irregular oscillations in core body temperature, and circadian gene alterations in both the SCN and the hippocampus. Additionally, there was enhanced activation of GABAergic projections from the SCN to the hippocampus. Notably, SCN lesions intensified seizure activity, concomitant with hippocampal neuronal damage and GABAergic signaling impairment. Further analyses using the Gene Expression Omnibus database and gene set enrichment analysis indicated reduced Bmal1 expression in patients with medial temporal lobe epilepsy, potentially affecting GABA receptor pathways. Targeted deletion of Bmal1 in SCN neurons exacerbated seizures and pathology in epilepsy, as well as diminished hippocampal GABAergic efficacy. These results underscore the crucial role of the SCN in modulating circadian rhythms and GABAergic function in the hippocampus, aggravating the severity of seizures. This study provides significant insights into how circadian rhythm disturbances can influence neuronal dysfunction and epilepsy, highlighting the therapeutic potential of targeting SCN and the Bmal1 gene within it in epilepsy management.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Xiaoshan Liang
- Department of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Nanfang Hospital, Southern Medical University, Guangzhou, China
| | - Xiaotao Liang
- School of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Southern Medical University, Guangzhou, China
| | - Yunyan Zhao
- Department of Critical Care Medicine, The Afflliated Traditional Chinese Medicine Hospital of Guangzhou Medical University, Guangzhou, China
| | - Yuewen Ding
- Department of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Nanfang Hospital, Southern Medical University, Guangzhou, China
- School of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Southern Medical University, Guangzhou, China
| | - Xiaoyu Zhu
- School of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Southern Medical University, Guangzhou, China
| | - Jieli Zhou
- School of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Southern Medical University, Guangzhou, China
| | - Jing Qiu
- School of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Southern Medical University, Guangzhou, China
| | - Xiaoqin Shen
- School of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Southern Medical University, Guangzhou, China
| | - Wei Xie
- Department of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Nanfang Hospital, Southern Medical University, Guangzhou, China
- School of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Southern Medical University, Guangzhou, China
| |
Collapse
|
2
|
Abdelmissih S, Hosny SA, Elwi HM, Sayed WM, Eshra MA, Shaker OG, Samir NF. Chronic Caffeine Consumption, Alone or Combined with Agomelatine or Quetiapine, Reduces the Maximum EEG Peak, As Linked to Cortical Neurodegeneration, Ovarian Estrogen Receptor Alpha, and Melatonin Receptor 2. Psychopharmacology (Berl) 2024:10.1007/s00213-024-06619-4. [PMID: 38842700 DOI: 10.1007/s00213-024-06619-4] [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: 07/31/2023] [Accepted: 05/16/2024] [Indexed: 06/07/2024]
Abstract
RATIONALE Evidence of the effects of chronic caffeine (CAFF)-containing beverages, alone or in combination with agomelatine (AGO) or quetiapine (QUET), on electroencephalography (EEG), which is relevant to cognition, epileptogenesis, and ovarian function, remains lacking. Estrogenic, adenosinergic, and melatonergic signaling is possibly linked to the dynamics of these substances. OBJECTIVES The brain and ovarian effects of CAFF were compared with those of AGO + CAFF and QUET + CAFF. The implications of estrogenic, adenosinergic, and melatonergic signaling and the brain-ovarian crosstalk were investigated. METHODS Adult female rats were administered AGO (10 mg/kg), QUET (10 mg/kg), CAFF, AGO + CAFF, or QUET + CAFF, once daily for 8 weeks. EEG, estrous cycle progression, and microstructure of the brain and ovaries were examined. Brain and ovarian 17β-estradiol (E2), antimullerian hormone (AMH), estrogen receptor alpha (E2Rα), adenosine receptor 2A (A2AR), and melatonin receptor 2 (MT2R) were assessed. RESULTS CAFF, alone or combined with AGO or QUET, reduced the maximum EEG peak, which was positively linked to ovarian E2Rα, negatively correlated to cortical neurodegeneration and ovarian MT2R, and associated with cystic ovaries. A large corpus luteum emerged with AGO + CAFF and QUET + CAFF, antagonizing the CAFF-mediated increased ovarian A2AR and reduced cortical E2Rα. AGO + CAFF provoked TTP delay and increased ovarian AMH, while QUET + CAFF slowed source EEG frequency to δ range and increased brain E2. CONCLUSIONS CAFF treatment triggered brain and ovarian derangements partially antagonized with concurrent AGO or QUET administration but with no overt affection of estrus cycle progression. Estrogenic, adenosinergic, and melatonergic signaling and brain-ovarian crosstalk may explain these effects.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Sherine Abdelmissih
- Department of Medical Pharmacology, Faculty of Medicine Kasr Al-Ainy, Cairo University, Cairo, Egypt.
| | - Sara Adel Hosny
- Department of Medical Histology, Faculty of Medicine Kasr Al-Ainy, Cairo University, Cairo, Egypt
| | - Heba M Elwi
- Department of Medical Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, Faculty of Medicine Kasr Al-Ainy, Cairo University, Cairo, Egypt
| | - Walaa Mohamed Sayed
- Department of Anatomy and Embryology, Faculty of Medicine Kasr Al-Ainy, Cairo University, Cairo, Egypt
| | - Mohamed Ali Eshra
- Department of Medical Physiology, Faculty of Medicine Kasr Al-Ainy, Cairo University, Cairo, Egypt
| | - Olfat Gamil Shaker
- Department of Medical Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, Faculty of Medicine Kasr Al-Ainy, Cairo University, Cairo, Egypt
| | - Nancy F Samir
- Department of Medical Physiology, Faculty of Medicine Kasr Al-Ainy, Cairo University, Cairo, Egypt
| |
Collapse
|
3
|
Abstract
INTRODUCTION Exogenous melatonin is regulated as a drug in the UK and EU but is available as an over-the-counter dietary supplement in the US and Canada. In the last 15 years, melatonin use has increased rapidly in many countries, in particular, in children and adolescents who frequently have many years of continuous exposure. Despite this, the potential risks associated with extended use continue to be unclear, and there remains a lack of systematically assessed safety data from long-term prospective trials. AREAS COVERED This review focuses on adverse event data reported in long-term (≥6 months) prospective trials of melatonin. METHODS The Embase and Medline electronic databases were searched from inception to 12 September 2022 for long-term studies of melatonin, in which adverse events were systematically monitored and reported. EXPERT OPINION Although the reported frequency of possible adverse events associated with long-term melatonin use is low and few clinically significant adverse events have been reported, the scarcity of data from double-blind randomized placebo-controlled trials should caution against complacency. Ideally, analysis of data from large well-established research databases should be conducted to provide good quality evidence on which to base a more rigorous evaluation of the safety profile.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Frank M C Besag
- Child and Adolescent Mental Health Services, East London NHS Foundation Trust, Bedford, UK.,School of Pharmacy, University College London, London, UK.,Department of Psychiatry, Psychology and Neuroscience, King's College London, London, UK
| | | |
Collapse
|
4
|
Liu M, Ding J, Wang X. The interaction between circadian rhythm and epilepsy. ACTA EPILEPTOLOGICA 2022. [DOI: 10.1186/s42494-022-00094-0] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/10/2022] Open
Abstract
AbstractEvidence about the interaction between circadian rhythms (CR) and epilepsy has been expanded with the application of advanced detection technology. An adequate understanding of how circadian system and epilepsy interact with each other could contribute to more accurate seizure prediction as well as rapid development of potential treatment timed to specific phases of CR. In this review, we present the reciprocal relationship between CR and epileptic activities from aspects of sleep effect, genetic modulation and brain biochemistry. It has been found that sleep-wake patterns, circadian timing systems and multidien rhythms have essential roles in seizure activities and interictal epileptiform discharge (IED). For instance, specific distribution patterns of seizures and IED have been reported, i.e., lighter non-rapid eye movement (NREM) sleep stage (stage 2) induces seizures while deeper NREM sleep stage (stage 3) activates IEDs. Furthermore, the epilepsy type, seizure type and seizure onset zone can significantly affect the rhythms of seizure occurrence. Apart from the common seizure types, several specific epilepsy syndromes also have a close correlation with sleep-wakefulness patterns. Sleep influences the epilepsy rhythm, and conversely, epilepsy alters the sleep rhythm through multiple pathways. Clock genes accompanied by two feedback loops of regulation have an important role in cortical excitability and seizure occurrence, which may be involved in the mTORopathy. The suprachiasmatic nuclei (SCN) has a rhythm of melatonin and cortisol secretion under the circadian pattern, and then these hormones can feed back into a central oscillator to affect the SCN-dependent rhythms, leading to variable but prominent influence on epilepsy. Furthermore, we discuss the precise predictive algorithms and chronotherapy strategies based on different temporal patterns of seizure occurrence for patients with epilepsy, which may offer a valuable indication for non-invasive closed-loop treatment system. Optimization of the time and dose of antiseizure medications, and resynchronization of disturbed CR (by hormone therapy, light exposure, ketogenic diet, novel small molecules) would be beneficial for epileptic patients in the future. Before formal clinical practice, future large-scale studies are urgently needed to assist prediction and treatment of circadian seizure activities and address unsolved restrictions.
Collapse
|
5
|
The Zebrafish, an Outstanding Model for Biomedical Research in the Field of Melatonin and Human Diseases. Int J Mol Sci 2022; 23:ijms23137438. [PMID: 35806441 PMCID: PMC9267299 DOI: 10.3390/ijms23137438] [Citation(s) in RCA: 11] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/01/2022] [Revised: 06/30/2022] [Accepted: 07/01/2022] [Indexed: 02/06/2023] Open
Abstract
The zebrafish has become an excellent model for the study of human diseases because it offers many advantages over other vertebrate animal models. The pineal gland, as well as the biological clock and circadian rhythms, are highly conserved in zebrafish, and melatonin is produced in the pineal gland and in most organs and tissues of the body. Zebrafish have several copies of the clock genes and of aanat and asmt genes, the latter involved in melatonin synthesis. As in mammals, melatonin can act through its membrane receptors, as with zebrafish, and through mechanisms that are independent of receptors. Pineal melatonin regulates peripheral clocks and the circadian rhythms of the body, such as the sleep/wake rhythm, among others. Extrapineal melatonin functions include antioxidant activity, inducing the endogenous antioxidants enzymes, scavenging activity, removing free radicals, anti-inflammatory activity through the regulation of the NF-κB/NLRP3 inflammasome pathway, and a homeostatic role in mitochondria. In this review, we introduce the utility of zebrafish to analyze the mechanisms of action of melatonin. The data here presented showed that the zebrafish is a useful model to study human diseases and that melatonin exerts beneficial effects on many pathophysiological processes involved in these diseases.
Collapse
|
6
|
Pavkovic IM, Kothare SV. Pharmacologic Approaches to Insomnia and Other Sleep Disorders in Children. Curr Treat Options Neurol 2022. [DOI: 10.1007/s11940-022-00712-9] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/03/2022]
|
7
|
Uludag İ, Demirtaş B, Şener U, Zorlu Y. Comparison of awake electroencephalography, electroencephalography after sleep deprivation, and melatonin-induced sleep electroencephalography sensitivity in the diagnosis of epilepsy in adults. NEUROL SCI NEUROPHYS 2022. [DOI: 10.4103/nsn.nsn_101_22] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/23/2022] Open
|
8
|
Bonilla-Jaime H, Zeleke H, Rojas A, Espinosa-Garcia C. Sleep Disruption Worsens Seizures: Neuroinflammation as a Potential Mechanistic Link. Int J Mol Sci 2021; 22:12531. [PMID: 34830412 PMCID: PMC8617844 DOI: 10.3390/ijms222212531] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/23/2021] [Revised: 11/16/2021] [Accepted: 11/18/2021] [Indexed: 12/13/2022] Open
Abstract
Sleep disturbances, such as insomnia, obstructive sleep apnea, and daytime sleepiness, are common in people diagnosed with epilepsy. These disturbances can be attributed to nocturnal seizures, psychosocial factors, and/or the use of anti-epileptic drugs with sleep-modifying side effects. Epilepsy patients with poor sleep quality have intensified seizure frequency and disease progression compared to their well-rested counterparts. A better understanding of the complex relationship between sleep and epilepsy is needed, since approximately 20% of seizures and more than 90% of sudden unexpected deaths in epilepsy occur during sleep. Emerging studies suggest that neuroinflammation, (e.g., the CNS immune response characterized by the change in expression of inflammatory mediators and glial activation) may be a potential link between sleep deprivation and seizures. Here, we review the mechanisms by which sleep deprivation induces neuroinflammation and propose that neuroinflammation synergizes with seizure activity to worsen neurodegeneration in the epileptic brain. Additionally, we highlight the relevance of sleep interventions, often overlooked by physicians, to manage seizures, prevent epilepsy-related mortality, and improve quality of life.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Herlinda Bonilla-Jaime
- Departamento de Biología de la Reproducción, Área de Biología Conductual y Reproductiva, Universidad Autónoma Metropolitana-Iztapalapa, Ciudad de Mexico CP 09340, Mexico;
| | - Helena Zeleke
- Neuroscience and Behavioral Biology Program, College of Arts and Sciences, Emory University, Atlanta, GA 30322, USA;
| | - Asheebo Rojas
- Department of Pharmacology and Chemical Biology, School of Medicine, Emory University, Atlanta, GA 30322, USA
| | - Claudia Espinosa-Garcia
- Department of Pharmacology and Chemical Biology, School of Medicine, Emory University, Atlanta, GA 30322, USA
| |
Collapse
|
9
|
Melatonin Pretreatment Protects Against Status epilepticus, Glutamate Transport, and Oxidative Stress Induced by Kainic Acid in Zebrafish. Mol Neurobiol 2021; 59:266-275. [PMID: 34665406 DOI: 10.1007/s12035-021-02579-4] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/09/2021] [Accepted: 09/24/2021] [Indexed: 02/07/2023]
Abstract
Status epilepticus (SE) develops from abnormal electrical discharges, resulting in neuronal damage. Current treatments include antiepileptic drugs. However, the most common drugs used to treat seizures may sometimes be ineffective and have many side effects. Melatonin is an endogenous physiological hormone that is considered an alternative treatment for neurological disorders because of its free radical scavenging property. Thus, this study aimed to determine the effects of melatonin pretreatment on SE by inducing glutamatergic hyperstimulation in zebrafish. Seizures were induced in zebrafish using kainic acid (KA), a glutamate analog, and the seizure intensity was recorded for 60 min. Melatonin treatment for 7 days showed a decrease in seizure intensity (28%), latency to reach score 5 (14 min), and duration of SE (29%). In addition, melatonin treatment attenuated glutamate transporter levels, which significantly decreased in the zebrafish brain after 12 h of KA-induced seizures. Melatonin treatment reduced the increase in oxidative stress by reactive oxygen species formation through thiobarbituric acid reactive substances and 2',7'-dichiorofluorescin, induced by KA-seizure. An imbalance of antioxidant enzyme activities such as superoxide dismutase and catalase was influenced by melatonin and KA-induced seizures. Our study indicates that melatonin promotes a neuroprotective response against the epileptic profile in zebrafish. These effects could be related to the modulation of glutamatergic neurotransmission, recovery of glutamate uptake, and oxidative stress parameters in the zebrafish brain.
Collapse
|