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Covault J, Tennen H, Feinn R. Randomized Placebo-Controlled Clinical Trial of Dutasteride for Reducing Heavy Drinking in Men. J Clin Psychopharmacol 2024; 44:223-231. [PMID: 38684046 PMCID: PMC11060692 DOI: 10.1097/jcp.0000000000001849] [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] [Indexed: 05/02/2024]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Prior studies indicate that neuroactive steroids mediate some of alcohol's effects. Dutasteride, widely used to treat benign prostatic hypertrophy, is an inhibitor of 5-alpha reductase enzymes, which play a central role in the production of 5α-reduced neuroactive steroids. The purpose of this study was to test dutasteride's tolerability and efficacy for reducing drinking. METHODS Men (n = 142) with heavy drinking (>24 drinks per week) and a goal to either stop or reduce drinking to nonhazardous levels were randomized to placebo or 1 mg dutasteride daily for 12 weeks. We hypothesized that dutasteride-treated patients would be more successful in reducing drinking. RESULTS Generalized linear mixed models that included baseline drinking, treatment, time and their 2-way interaction identified significant interactions of treatment-time, such that dutasteride treatment reduced drinking more than placebo. During the last month of treatment, 25% of dutasteride-treated participants had no hazardous drinking (no heavy drinking days and not more than 14 drinks per week) compared with 6% of placebo-treated participants (P = 0.006; NNT = 6). Sensitivity analysis identified baseline drinking to cope as a factor associated with larger reductions in drinking for dutasteride compared with placebo-treated participants. Dutasteride was well tolerated. Adverse events more common in the dutasteride group were stomach discomfort and reduced libido. CONCLUSION Dutasteride 1 mg daily was efficacious in reducing the number of heavy drinking days and drinks per week in treatment-seeking men. The benefit of dutasteride compared with placebo was greatest for participants with elevated baseline drinking to cope motives.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jonathan Covault
- Alcohol Research Center, Department of Psychiatry, University of Connecticut School of Medicine, Farmington, CT 06030
- Institute for Systems Genomics, University of Connecticut, Storrs, CT 06269
| | - Howard Tennen
- Alcohol Research Center, Department of Psychiatry, University of Connecticut School of Medicine, Farmington, CT 06030
- Department of Public Health Sciences, University of Connecticut School of Medicine, Farmington, CT 06030
| | - Richard Feinn
- Frank Netter School of Medicine, Quinnipiac University, Hamden, CT 06518
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Milivojevic V, Sullivan L, Tiber J, Fogelman N, Simpson C, Hermes G, Sinha R. Pregnenolone effects on provoked alcohol craving, anxiety, HPA axis, and autonomic arousal in individuals with alcohol use disorder. Psychopharmacology (Berl) 2023; 240:101-114. [PMID: 36445398 PMCID: PMC10630889 DOI: 10.1007/s00213-022-06278-3] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 7.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/04/2022] [Accepted: 11/10/2022] [Indexed: 11/30/2022]
Abstract
RATIONALE Chronic alcohol intake down-regulates GABAergic transmission and reduces levels of neuroactive steroids. These changes are associated with greater stress dysregulation and high alcohol craving which in turn increases relapse risk. OBJECTIVES This study tested whether potentiation of the neurosteroid system with pregnenolone (PREG), a precursor to neuroactive steroids and known to increase GABAergic transmission, will normalize chronic alcohol-related stress adaptations in the hypothalamic-pituitary-adrenal (HPA) axis and autonomic responses and reduce alcohol craving to significantly impact relapse risk. METHODS Forty-three treatment-seeking individuals with alcohol use disorder (AUD) were randomized to placebo (PBO) or supraphysiologic pregnenolone doses of 300 mg or 500 mg treatment using a parallel-between subject design as part of a larger 8-week pilot clinical trial. In week 2, they participated in a 3-day laboratory experiment where on each day they self-administered the assigned study drug in the laboratory and were then exposed to 5-min personalized guided imagery provocation of stress, alcohol, or neutral/relaxing cues, one condition per day on separate days, in a random, counterbalanced order. Repeated assessments of alcohol craving, anxiety, HPA axis, heart rate (HR), systolic (SBP), and diastolic blood pressure (DBP) and serum pregnenolone levels were made on each day. RESULTS Pregnenolone levels were significantly increased in the PREG groups versus PBO. PREG treatment decreased stress- and alcohol cue- induced craving and dose-specifically reduced stress-induced anxiety in the 300 mg/day group. Both PREG doses compared to PBO also normalized CORT/ACTH and increased stress-induced HR, stress- and cue-induced SBP, and in the 300 mg PREG group cue-induced DBP responses relative to neutral condition. CONCLUSIONS Findings indicate that pregnenolone decreases stress- and alcohol cue-provoked craving and normalizes HPA axis and autonomic arousal in individuals with AUD, thereby supporting the need for further assessment of pregnenolone in the treatment of AUD.
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Affiliation(s)
- Verica Milivojevic
- The Yale Stress Center, Department of Psychiatry, Yale University School of Medicine, New Haven, CT, 06519, USA.
| | - Liam Sullivan
- The Yale Stress Center, Department of Psychiatry, Yale University School of Medicine, New Haven, CT, 06519, USA
| | - Jessica Tiber
- The Yale Stress Center, Department of Psychiatry, Yale University School of Medicine, New Haven, CT, 06519, USA
| | - Nia Fogelman
- The Yale Stress Center, Department of Psychiatry, Yale University School of Medicine, New Haven, CT, 06519, USA
| | - Christine Simpson
- Department of Internal Medicine, Yale University School of Medicine, New Haven, CT, USA
| | - Gretchen Hermes
- The Yale Stress Center, Department of Psychiatry, Yale University School of Medicine, New Haven, CT, 06519, USA
| | - Rajita Sinha
- The Yale Stress Center, Department of Psychiatry, Yale University School of Medicine, New Haven, CT, 06519, USA
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3
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Milivojevic V, Charron L, Fogelman N, Hermes G, Sinha R. Pregnenolone Reduces Stress-Induced Craving, Anxiety, and Autonomic Arousal in Individuals with Cocaine Use Disorder. Biomolecules 2022; 12:biom12111593. [PMID: 36358943 PMCID: PMC9687893 DOI: 10.3390/biom12111593] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/20/2022] [Revised: 10/24/2022] [Accepted: 10/27/2022] [Indexed: 11/16/2022] Open
Abstract
Chronic cocaine use leads to adaptations in stress biology and in neuroactive steroid system. These adaptations are associated with high cocaine craving and increased relapse risk. This study tested whether potentiation of the neuroactive steroid system with the precursor pregnenolone (PREG) affects stress- and cue-induced cocaine craving, anxiety and autonomic response in individuals with cocaine use disorder (CUD). Thirty treatment-seeking individuals (21 Male, 9 Female) with CUD were randomized to placebo (PBO) or supraphysiologic PREG doses of 300 mg or 500 mg per day for 8 weeks. After 2 weeks of treatment, participants were exposed to 5-min personalized guided imagery provocation of stress, cocaine, or neutral/relaxing cues in a 3-day experiment, one condition per day on separate days, in a random, counterbalanced order. Repeated assessment of cocaine craving, anxiety, heart rate (HR), systolic (SBP) and diastolic blood pressure (DBP) were assessed on each day. PREG significantly increased pregnenolone levels compared to PBO. Both PREG doses decreased stress- and cocaine cue-induced craving and reduced both stress- and cue-induced anxiety only in the 500 mg/day group. The 500 mg/day PREG group also displayed decreased stress-induced HR, SBP and DBP. Findings indicate that pregnenolone decreases stress- and cocaine cue-provoked craving and anxiety and reduces stress-induced autonomic arousal in individuals with CUD.
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4
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Yang JH, Choi CK, Kim HY, Heo YR, Shin MH. Association between Alcohol Drinking Status and Depressive Symptoms in Korean Adults. Chonnam Med J 2021; 57:68-75. [PMID: 33537222 PMCID: PMC7840350 DOI: 10.4068/cmj.2021.57.1.68] [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: 08/26/2020] [Revised: 09/18/2020] [Accepted: 09/20/2020] [Indexed: 11/22/2022] Open
Abstract
We investigated the association between alcohol drinking status and depressive symptoms in a representative sample of South Korean adults using data from the 2017 Korea Community Health Survey (KCHS), which included 216,771 participants (99,845 men and 116,926 women). Depression was defined as a Patient Health Questionnaire-9 score of ≥10. Multivariate logistic regression using sampling weights was used to assess the relationship between alcohol drinking status and depression after adjusting for potential confounders. Alcohol intake was nonlinearly associated with depression; the risk of depression was the lowest in men who were moderate drinkers and women who were light drinkers. In men, heavy drinkers (odds ratio [OR] 1.41, 95% confidence interval [CI] 1.19–1.67), light drinkers (OR 1.13, 95% CI 0.94–1.36), infrequent drinkers (OR 1.31, 95% CI 1.00–1.73), and lifetime abstainers (OR 1.38, 95% CI 1.09–1.75) were at a higher risk of depression than moderate drinkers. In women, moderate drinkers (OR 1.19, 95% CI 1.02–1.40) and heavy drinkers (OR 1.56, 95% CI 1.33–1.84) were at a higher risk of depression than light drinkers; however, infrequent drinkers and lifetime abstainers were not at a high risk of depression. In both men and women, former drinkers were at a higher risk of depression (OR 1.61, 95% CI 1.34–1.93 and OR 1.25, 95% CI 1.09–1.43, respectively). In conclusion, the association between alcohol drinking status and depression was nonlinear in both sexes. Further investigation of age- and sex-specific factors related to the association between alcohol use and depression is needed.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jung-Hwa Yang
- Department of Food and Nutrition, Chonnam National University, Gwangju, Korea
| | - Chang Kyun Choi
- Department of Preventive Medicine, Chonnam National University Medical School, Gwangju, Korea
| | - Hye-Yeon Kim
- Gwangju-Jeonnam Regional Cardiocerebrovascular Center, Chonnam National University Hospital, Gwangju, Korea
| | - Young-Ran Heo
- Department of Food and Nutrition, Chonnam National University, Gwangju, Korea
| | - Min-Ho Shin
- Department of Preventive Medicine, Chonnam National University Medical School, Gwangju, Korea
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5
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Scarnati MS, Boreland AJ, Joel M, Hart RP, Pang ZP. Differential sensitivity of human neurons carrying μ opioid receptor (MOR) N40D variants in response to ethanol. Alcohol 2020; 87:97-109. [PMID: 32561311 PMCID: PMC7958146 DOI: 10.1016/j.alcohol.2020.05.004] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/26/2020] [Revised: 05/15/2020] [Accepted: 05/25/2020] [Indexed: 12/11/2022]
Abstract
The acute and chronic effects of alcohol on the brain and behavior are linked to alterations in inhibitory synaptic transmission. Alcohol's most consistent effect at the synaptic level is probably a facilitation of γ-aminobutyric acid (GABA) release, as seen from several rodent studies. The impact of alcohol on GABAergic neurotransmission in human neurons is unknown, due to a lack of a suitable experimental model. Human neurons can also be used to model effects of genetic variants linked with alcohol use disorders (AUDs). The A118G single nucleotide polymorphism (SNP rs1799971) of the OPRM1 gene encoding the N40D (D40 minor allele) mu-opioid receptor (MOR) variant has been linked with individuals who have an AUD. However, while N40D is clearly associated with other drugs of abuse, involvement with AUDs is controversial. In this study, we employed Ascl1-and Dlx2-induced inhibitory neuronal cells (AD-iNs) generated from human iPS cell lines carrying N40D variants, and investigated the impact of ethanol acutely and chronically on GABAergic synaptic transmission. We found that N40 AD-iNs display a stronger facilitation (versus D40) of spontaneous and miniature inhibitory postsynaptic current frequency in response to acute ethanol application. Quantitative immunocytochemistry of Synapsin 1+ synaptic puncta revealed a similar synapse number between N40 and D40 iNs, suggesting an ethanol modulation of presynaptic GABA release without affecting synapse density. Interestingly, D40 iNs exposed to chronic intermittent ethanol application caused a significant increase in mIPSC frequency, with only a modest enhancement observed in N40 iNs. These data suggest that the MOR genotype may confer differential sensitivity to synaptic output, which depends on ethanol exposure time and concentration for AD-iNs and may help explain alcohol dependence in individuals who carry the MOR D40 SNPs. Furthermore, this study supports the use of human neuronal cells carrying risk-associated genetic variants linked to disease, as in vitro models to assay the synaptic actions of alcohol on human neuronal cells.
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Affiliation(s)
- Matthew S Scarnati
- Child Health Institute of New Jersey, Rutgers Robert Wood Johnson Medical School, Rutgers University, New Brunswick, NJ, 08901, USA; Department of Neuroscience and Cell Biology, Rutgers Robert Wood Johnson Medical School, Rutgers University, New Brunswick, NJ, 08901, USA
| | - Andrew J Boreland
- Child Health Institute of New Jersey, Rutgers Robert Wood Johnson Medical School, Rutgers University, New Brunswick, NJ, 08901, USA; Department of Neuroscience and Cell Biology, Rutgers Robert Wood Johnson Medical School, Rutgers University, New Brunswick, NJ, 08901, USA
| | - Marisa Joel
- Child Health Institute of New Jersey, Rutgers Robert Wood Johnson Medical School, Rutgers University, New Brunswick, NJ, 08901, USA; Department of Cell Biology and Neuroscience, Rutgers University, Piscataway, NJ, 08854, USA
| | - Ronald P Hart
- Department of Cell Biology and Neuroscience, Rutgers University, Piscataway, NJ, 08854, USA; Human Genetics Institute of New Jersey, Piscataway, NJ, 08854, USA
| | - Zhiping P Pang
- Child Health Institute of New Jersey, Rutgers Robert Wood Johnson Medical School, Rutgers University, New Brunswick, NJ, 08901, USA; Department of Neuroscience and Cell Biology, Rutgers Robert Wood Johnson Medical School, Rutgers University, New Brunswick, NJ, 08901, USA.
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6
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Li Y, Ramoz N, Derrington E, Dreher JC. Hormonal responses in gambling versus alcohol abuse: A review of human studies. Prog Neuropsychopharmacol Biol Psychiatry 2020; 100:109880. [PMID: 32004637 DOI: 10.1016/j.pnpbp.2020.109880] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/28/2019] [Revised: 01/01/2020] [Accepted: 01/27/2020] [Indexed: 01/23/2023]
Abstract
The endocrine system plays an essential role in communication between various organs of the body to maintain homeostasis. Both substance use disorders (SUDs) and non-substance abuse disrupt this system and lead to hormonal dysregulations. Here, we focus on the comparison between the function of the endocrine system in gambling disorders and alcohol addiction to understand the commonalities and differences in their neurobiological and psychological underpinnings. We review human research to compare findings on gambling addiction and alcohol dependence pertaining to the dynamic interplay between testosterone and cortisol. Understanding and classifying similarities in hormonal responses between behavioural addiction and SUDs may facilitate development of treatments and therapeutic interventions across different types of addictive disorders, while describing differences may shed light on therapeutic interventions for specific disorders. Although research on gambling addiction is in its infancy, such evaluation may still have a positive effect for addiction research, thereby stimulating discovery of "crossover" pharmacotherapies with benefits for both SUDs and nonsubstance addictions.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yansong Li
- Competition, Addiction and Social Neuroscience Lab, Department of Psychology, School of Social and Behavioral Sciences, Nanjing University, Nanjing, China; Institute for Brain Sciences, Nanjing University, Nanjing, China.
| | - Nicolas Ramoz
- Vulnerability of Psychiatric and Addictive Disorders, Institute of Psychiatry and Neuroscience of Paris, INSERM UMRS1266, Paris, France.
| | - Edmund Derrington
- Neuroeconomics Laboratory, Institut des Sciences Cognitives Marc Jeannerod, CNRS UMR 5229, Bron, France
| | - Jean-Claude Dreher
- Neuroeconomics Laboratory, Institut des Sciences Cognitives Marc Jeannerod, CNRS UMR 5229, Bron, France.
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7
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Selvaraj K, Manickam N, Kumaran E, Thangadurai K, Elumalai G, Sekar A, Radhakrishnan RK, Kandasamy M. Deterioration of neuroregenerative plasticity in association with testicular atrophy and dysregulation of the hypothalamic-pituitary-gonadal (HPG) axis in Huntington's disease: A putative role of the huntingtin gene in steroidogenesis. J Steroid Biochem Mol Biol 2020; 197:105526. [PMID: 31715317 DOI: 10.1016/j.jsbmb.2019.105526] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/18/2019] [Revised: 10/25/2019] [Accepted: 10/30/2019] [Indexed: 12/22/2022]
Abstract
Huntington's disease (HD) is an autosomal dominant progressive neurodegenerative disorder mainly affecting the structure and functions of the striatum, cerebral cortex and hippocampus leading to movement disorders, cognitive dysfunctions and emotional disturbances. The onset of HD has been linked to a pathogenic CAG repeat expansion in the huntingtin (HTT) gene that encodes for the polyglutamine (polyQ) stretches in the huntingtin (Htt) protein. Notably, the neuropathogenic events of the mutant HTT gene appear to be primed during adulthood and magnified along the ageing process. While the normal Htt protein is vital for the neuronal differentiation and neuroprotection, experimental HD models and postmortem human HD brains have been characterized by neurodegeneration and defects in neuroregenerative plasticity in the basal ganglia and limbic system including the hippocampus. Besides gonadal dysfunctions, reduced androgen levels and abnormal hypothalamic-pituitary-gonadal (HPG) axis have increasingly been evident in HD. Recently, ageing-related changes in levels of steroid sex hormones have been proposed to play a detrimental effect on the regulation of hippocampal neurogenesis in the adult brain. Considering its adult-onset nature, a potential relationship between dysregulation in the synthesis of sex steroid hormones and the pathogenesis of the mutant HTT gene appears to be an important clinical issue in HD. While the hippocampus and testis are the major sites of steroidogenesis, the presence of Htt in both areas is conclusively evident. Hence, the expression of the normal HTT gene may take part in the steroidogenic events in aforementioned organs in the physiological state, whereas the mutant HTT gene may cause defects in steroidogenesis in HD. Therefore, this review article comprehends the potential relationship between the gonadal dysfunctions and abnormal hippocampal plasticity in HD and represents a hypothesis for the putative role of the HTT gene in the regulation of steroidogenesis in gonads and in the brain.
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Affiliation(s)
- Kaviya Selvaraj
- School of Life Sciences, Bharathidasan University, Tiruchirappalli 620024, Tamil Nadu, India
| | - Nivethitha Manickam
- Laboratory of Stem Cells and Neuroregeneration, Department of Animal Science, School of Life Sciences, Bharathidasan University, Tiruchirappalli 620024, Tamil Nadu, India
| | - Elamathi Kumaran
- School of Life Sciences, Bharathidasan University, Tiruchirappalli 620024, Tamil Nadu, India
| | - Kayalvizhi Thangadurai
- Department of Bio-Medical Science, Bharathidasan University, Tiruchirappalli, 620024, Tamil Nadu, India
| | - Gokul Elumalai
- Laboratory of Stem Cells and Neuroregeneration, Department of Animal Science, School of Life Sciences, Bharathidasan University, Tiruchirappalli 620024, Tamil Nadu, India
| | - Aravinthan Sekar
- Department of Biotechnology, Bharathidasan University, Tiruchirappalli 620024, Tamil Nadu, India
| | - Risna Kanjirassery Radhakrishnan
- Laboratory of Stem Cells and Neuroregeneration, Department of Animal Science, School of Life Sciences, Bharathidasan University, Tiruchirappalli 620024, Tamil Nadu, India
| | - Mahesh Kandasamy
- School of Life Sciences, Bharathidasan University, Tiruchirappalli 620024, Tamil Nadu, India; Laboratory of Stem Cells and Neuroregeneration, Department of Animal Science, School of Life Sciences, Bharathidasan University, Tiruchirappalli 620024, Tamil Nadu, India; Faculty Recharge Programme, University Grants Commission (UGC-FRP), New Delhi, India.
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8
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Lu X, Zorumski CF, Mennerick S. Lack of Neurosteroid Selectivity at δ vs. γ2-Containing GABA A Receptors in Dentate Granule Neurons. Front Mol Neurosci 2020; 13:6. [PMID: 32038169 PMCID: PMC6989425 DOI: 10.3389/fnmol.2020.00006] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/01/2019] [Accepted: 01/09/2020] [Indexed: 11/17/2022] Open
Abstract
GABAA receptors mediate a large fraction of inhibitory neurotransmission in the central nervous system. Two major classes of GABAA receptors are γ2-containing receptors and δ-containing receptors, which are largely located synaptically and extrasynaptically, respectively. Neuroactive steroids such as allopregnanolone (3α5αP) and allotetrahydrodeoxycorticosterone (THDOC) are hypothesized to selectively affect δ-containing receptors over γ2-containing receptors. However, the selectivity of neurosteroids on GABAA receptor classes is controversial. In this study, we re-examined this issue using mice with picrotoxin resistance associated with either the δ or γ2 subunit. Our results show that 3α5αP potentiated phasic inhibition of GABAA receptors, and this is mainly through γ2-containing receptors. 3α5αP, with or without exogenous GABA, potentiated tonic inhibition through GABAA receptors. Surprisingly, potentiation arose from both γ2- and δ-containing receptors, even when a δ selective agonist THIP was used to activate current. Although ethanol has been proposed to act through neurosteroids and to act selectively at δ receptors, we found no evidence for ethanol potentiation of GABAA receptor function at 50 mM under our experimental conditions. Finally, we found that the actions of pentobarbital exhibited very similar effects on tonic current as 3α5αP, emphasizing the broad spectrum nature of neurosteroid potentiation. Overall, using chemogenetic analysis, our evidence suggests that in a cell population enriched for δ-containing receptors, neurosteroids act through both δ-containing and non-δ-containing receptors.
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Affiliation(s)
- Xinguo Lu
- Department of Psychiatry, Washington University School of Medicine, St. Louis, MO, United States
| | - Charles F Zorumski
- Department of Psychiatry, Washington University School of Medicine, St. Louis, MO, United States.,Department of Neuroscience, Washington University School of Medicine, St. Louis, MO, United States.,Taylor Family Institute for Innovative Psychiatric Research, Washington University School of Medicine, St. Louis, MO, United States
| | - Steven Mennerick
- Department of Psychiatry, Washington University School of Medicine, St. Louis, MO, United States.,Department of Neuroscience, Washington University School of Medicine, St. Louis, MO, United States.,Taylor Family Institute for Innovative Psychiatric Research, Washington University School of Medicine, St. Louis, MO, United States
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9
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Tomaselli G, Vallée M. Stress and drug abuse-related disorders: The promising therapeutic value of neurosteroids focus on pregnenolone-progesterone-allopregnanolone pathway. Front Neuroendocrinol 2019; 55:100789. [PMID: 31525393 DOI: 10.1016/j.yfrne.2019.100789] [Citation(s) in RCA: 24] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/17/2019] [Revised: 08/14/2019] [Accepted: 09/09/2019] [Indexed: 02/06/2023]
Abstract
The pregnenolone-progesterone-allopregnanolone pathway is receiving increasing attention in research on the role of neurosteroids in pathophysiology, particularly in stress-related and drug use disorders. These disorders involve an allostatic change that may result from deficiencies in allostasis or adaptive responses, and may be downregulated by adjustments in neurotransmission by neurosteroids. The following is an overview of findings that assess how pregnenolone and/or allopregnanolone concentrations are altered in animal models of stress and after consumption of alcohol or cannabis-type drugs, as well as in patients with depression, anxiety, post-traumatic stress disorder or psychosis and/or in those diagnosed with alcohol or cannabis use disorders. Preclinical and clinical evidence shows that pregnenolone and allopregnanolone, operating according to a different or common pharmacological profile involving GABAergic and/or endocannabinoid system, may be relevant biomarkers of psychiatric disorders for therapeutic purposes. Hence, ongoing clinical trials implicate synthetic analogs of pregnenolone or allopregnanolone, and also modulators of neurosteroidogenesis.
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Affiliation(s)
- Giovanni Tomaselli
- INSERM U1215, Neurocentre Magendie, Group "Physiopathology and Therapeutic Approaches of Stress-Related Disease", 146 Rue Léo Saignat, 33000 Bordeaux, France; University of Bordeaux, 33000 Bordeaux, France
| | - Monique Vallée
- INSERM U1215, Neurocentre Magendie, Group "Physiopathology and Therapeutic Approaches of Stress-Related Disease", 146 Rue Léo Saignat, 33000 Bordeaux, France; University of Bordeaux, 33000 Bordeaux, France.
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10
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Shen WW. Anticraving therapy for alcohol use disorder: A clinical review. Neuropsychopharmacol Rep 2019; 38:105-116. [PMID: 30175522 PMCID: PMC7292332 DOI: 10.1002/npr2.12028] [Citation(s) in RCA: 29] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/10/2018] [Revised: 06/11/2018] [Accepted: 06/11/2018] [Indexed: 12/13/2022] Open
Abstract
Aim In this review, the author focused on anticraving therapy for alcohol use disorder (AUD) defined by DMS‐5. A comprehensive review was carried out on the available published papers on anticraving drugs for treating AUD patients. Methods The author described all drugs with anticraving benefits for treating AUD patients approved by the Food and Drug Administration of the United States (US FDA) and European Medicines Agency of the European Union. Then, the commonly prescribed anticraving drugs and those under development were also described. Results The US FDA‐approved anticraving drugs included acamprosate and naltrexone, and those approved by European Medicines Agency were gamma‐hydroxybutyrate and nalmefene. The author also highlighted topiramate, gabapentin, ondansetron, LY196044, ifenprodil, varenicline, ABT‐436, mifepristone, citicoline, and baclofen. The putative mechanisms of action of and the use in clinical practice of those anticraving drugs were also described. Conclusion Although slowly developing, the field of anticraving drugs is getting into shape as a promising entity of a pharmaceutical class of drugs. Then, the author addressed on the underused issues of those recommended, and suggested anticraving drugs by the practice guideline of the American Psychiatric Association. The author urges that clinicians should be more “adventurous” in prescribing those promising drugs because benefits of those anticraving drugs are far‐outweighing the possible side effects of anticraving drugs, or the harms of untreated AUD itself.
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Affiliation(s)
- Winston W Shen
- Department of Psychiatry, Wan Fang Medical Center, Taipei Medical University, Taipei, Taiwan.,Department of Psychiatry, College of Medicine, Taipei Medical University, Taipei, Taiwan
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11
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Van Skike CE, Goodlett C, Matthews DB. Acute alcohol and cognition: Remembering what it causes us to forget. Alcohol 2019; 79:105-125. [PMID: 30981807 DOI: 10.1016/j.alcohol.2019.03.006] [Citation(s) in RCA: 44] [Impact Index Per Article: 8.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/09/2019] [Revised: 03/14/2019] [Accepted: 03/18/2019] [Indexed: 12/17/2022]
Abstract
Addiction has been conceptualized as a specific form of memory that appropriates typically adaptive neural mechanisms of learning to produce the progressive spiral of drug-seeking and drug-taking behavior, perpetuating the path to addiction through aberrant processes of drug-related learning and memory. From that perspective, to understand the development of alcohol use disorders, it is critical to identify how a single exposure to alcohol enters into or alters the processes of learning and memory, so that involvement of and changes in neuroplasticity processes responsible for learning and memory can be identified early. This review characterizes the effects produced by acute alcohol intoxication as a function of brain region and memory neurocircuitry. In general, exposure to ethanol doses that produce intoxicating effects causes consistent impairments in learning and memory processes mediated by specific brain circuitry, whereas lower doses either have no effect or produce a facilitation of memory under certain task conditions. Therefore, acute ethanol does not produce a global impairment of learning and memory, and can actually facilitate particular types of memory, perhaps particular types of memory that facilitate the development of excessive alcohol use. In addition, the effects on cognition are dependent on brain region, task demands, dose received, pharmacokinetics, and tolerance. Additionally, we explore the underlying alterations in neurophysiology produced by acute alcohol exposure that help to explain these changes in cognition and highlight future directions for research. Through understanding the impact that acute alcohol intoxication has on cognition, the preliminary changes potentially causing a problematic addiction memory can better be identified.
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Affiliation(s)
- Candice E Van Skike
- Department of Cellular and Integrative Physiology and The Barshop Institute for Longevity and Aging Studies, University of Texas Health Science Center at San Antonio, San Antonio, TX, 78245, United States
| | - Charles Goodlett
- Department of Psychology, Indiana University-Purdue University Indianapolis, Indianapolis, IN, 46202, United States
| | - Douglas B Matthews
- Division of Psychology, University of Wisconsin - Eau Claire, Eau Claire, WI, 54702, United States.
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Abstract
Ethanol produces intoxication through actions on numerous molecular and cellular targets. Adaptations involving these and other targets contribute to chronic drug actions that underlie continued and problematic drinking. Among the mechanisms involved in these ethanol actions are alterations in presynaptic mechanisms of synaptic transmission, including presynaptic protein function and excitation-secretion coupling. At synapses in the central nervous system (CNS), excitation-secretion coupling involves ion channel activation followed by vesicle fusion and neurotransmitter release. These mechanisms are altered by presynaptic neurotransmitter receptors and prominently by G protein-coupled receptors (GPCRs). Studies over the last 20-25 years have revealed that acute ethanol exposure alters neurotransmitter secretion, with especially robust effects on synapses that use the neurotransmitter gamma-aminobutyric acid (GABA). Intracellular signaling pathways involving second messengers such as cyclic AMP and calcium are implicated in these acute ethanol actions. Ethanol-induced release of neuropeptides and small molecule neurotransmitters that act on presynaptic GPCRs also contribute to presynaptic potentiation at synapses in the amygdala and hippocampus and inhibition of GABA release in the striatum. Prolonged exposure to ethanol alters neurotransmitter release at many CNS GABAergic and glutamatergic synapses, and changes in GPCR function are implicated in many of these neuroadaptations. These presynaptic neuroadaptations appear to involve compensation for acute drug effects at some synapses, but "allostatic" effects that result in long-term resetting of synaptic efficacy occur at others. Current investigations are determining how presynaptic neuroadaptations contribute to behavioral changes at different stages of alcohol drinking, with increasing focus on circuit adaptations underlying these behaviors. This chapter will discuss the acute and chronic presynaptic effects of ethanol in the CNS, as well as some of the consequences of these effects in amygdala and corticostriatal circuits that are related to excessive seeking/drinking and ethanol abuse.
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Affiliation(s)
- David M Lovinger
- Laboratory for Integrative Neuroscience, Division of Intramural Clinical and Biological Research, National Institute on Alcohol Abuse and Alcoholism, Bethesda, MD, USA.
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13
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Abstract
The term neurosteroid refers to rapid membrane actions of steroid hormones and their derivatives that can modulate physiological functions and behavior via their interactions with ligand-gated ion channels. This chapter will highlight recent advances pertaining to the modulatory effects of a select group of neurosteroids that are primarily potent positive allosteric modulators of γ-aminobutyric acidA receptors (GABAARs). Nanomolar concentrations of neurosteroids, which occur in vivo, potentiate phasic and tonic forms of GABAAR-mediated inhibition, indicating that both synaptic and extrasynaptic GABAARs possess sensitivity to neurosteroids and contribute to the overall ability of neurosteroids to modulate central nervous system excitability. Common effects of alcohol and neurosteroids at GABAARs have stimulated research on the ability of neurosteroids to modulate alcohol's acute and chronic effects. Background on neurosteroid pharmacology and biosynthetic enzymes will be provided as it relates to experimental findings. Data will be summarized on alcohol and neurosteroid interactions across neuroanatomical regions and models of intoxication, consumption, dependence, and withdrawal. Evidence supports independent regulation of neurosteroid synthesis between periphery and brain as well as across brain regions following acute alcohol administration and during withdrawal. Local mechanisms for fine-tuning neuronal excitability via manipulation of neurosteroid synthesis exert predicted behavioral and electrophysiological responses on GABAAR-mediated inhibition. Collectively, targeting neurosteroidogenesis may be a beneficial treatment strategy for alcohol use disorders.
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14
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Darnieder LM, Melón LC, Do T, Walton NL, Miczek KA, Maguire JL. Female-specific decreases in alcohol binge-like drinking resulting from GABA A receptor delta-subunit knockdown in the VTA. Sci Rep 2019; 9:8102. [PMID: 31147611 PMCID: PMC6542821 DOI: 10.1038/s41598-019-44286-0] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/28/2019] [Accepted: 05/08/2019] [Indexed: 02/07/2023] Open
Abstract
Binge drinking is short-term drinking that achieves blood alcohol levels of 0.08 g/dl or above. It exhibits well-established sex differences in GABAergic inhibitory neurotransmission, including extrasynaptic δ subunit-containing GABAA receptors (δ-GABAARs) that mediate tonic inhibition, or synaptic γ2-containing GABAARs which underlie fast, synaptic, phasic inhibition have been implicated in sex differences in binge drinking. Ovarian hormones regulate δ-GABAARs, further implicating these receptors in potential sex differences. Here, we explored the contribution of extrasynaptic δ-GABAARs to male and female binge-like drinking in a critical area of mesolimbic circuitry-the ventral tegmental area (VTA). Quantitative PCR revealed higher Gabrd transcript levels and larger tonic currents in the VTA of females compared to males. In contrast, male and female Gabrg2 transcript levels and measures of phasic inhibition were equivalent. Intra-VTA infusion of AAV-Cre-GFP in floxed Gabrd mice downregulated δ-GABAARs and decreased binge-like drinking in females. There was no significant difference in either male or female mice after GABAAR γ2 subunit reduction in the VTA following AAV-Cre-GFP infusion in floxed Gabrg2 mice. Collectively, these findings suggest sex differences and GABAAR subunit specificity in alcohol intake.
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Affiliation(s)
- L M Darnieder
- Graduate Program in Neuroscience, Sackler School of Graduate Biomedical Sciences, Tufts University, Boston, MA, 02111, USA
| | - L C Melón
- Tufts University School of Medicine, Department of Neuroscience, Boston, MA, 02111, USA
| | - T Do
- Northeastern University, Bouvé College of Health Sciences, Boston, MA, 02115, USA
| | - N L Walton
- University of Massachusetts Boston, Honors College of Nursing and Health Sciences, Boston, MA, 02125, USA
| | - K A Miczek
- Tufts University School of Medicine, Department of Neuroscience, Boston, MA, 02111, USA
- Tufts University, Psychology Department, Medford, MA, 02155, USA
| | - J L Maguire
- Tufts University School of Medicine, Department of Neuroscience, Boston, MA, 02111, USA.
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15
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Antkowiak B, Rammes G. GABA(A) receptor-targeted drug development -New perspectives in perioperative anesthesia. Expert Opin Drug Discov 2019; 14:683-699. [DOI: 10.1080/17460441.2019.1599356] [Citation(s) in RCA: 11] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/27/2022]
Affiliation(s)
- Bernd Antkowiak
- Department of Anesthesiology and Intensive Care, Experimental Anesthesiology Section, Eberhard-Karls-University,
Tübingen, Germany
- Department of Anaesthesiology and Intensive Care, Experimental Anaesthesiology Section, Werner Reichardt Center for Integrative Neuroscience, Tübingen,
Germany
| | - Gerhard Rammes
- University Hospital rechts der Isar, Department of Anesthesiology, München,
Germany
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16
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Maguire J. Neuroactive Steroids and GABAergic Involvement in the Neuroendocrine Dysfunction Associated With Major Depressive Disorder and Postpartum Depression. Front Cell Neurosci 2019; 13:83. [PMID: 30906252 PMCID: PMC6418819 DOI: 10.3389/fncel.2019.00083] [Citation(s) in RCA: 60] [Impact Index Per Article: 12.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/14/2019] [Accepted: 02/19/2019] [Indexed: 12/21/2022] Open
Abstract
Stress and previous adverse life events are well-established risk factors for depression. Further, neuroendocrine disruptions are associated with both major depressive disorder (MDD) and postpartum depression (PPD). However, the mechanisms whereby stress contributes to the underlying neurobiology of depression remains poorly understood. The hypothalamic-pituitary-adrenal (HPA) axis, which mediates the body's neuroendocrine response to stress, is tightly controlled by GABAergic signaling and there is accumulating evidence that GABAergic dysfunction contributes to the impact of stress on depression. GABAergic signaling plays a critical role in the neurobiological effects of stress, not only by tightly controlling the activity of the HPA axis, but also mediating stress effects in stress-related brain regions. Deficits in neuroactive steroids and neurosteroids, some of which are positive allosteric modulators of GABAA receptors (GABAARs), such as allopregnanolone and THDOC, have also been implicated in MDD and PPD, further supporting a role for GABAergic signaling in depression. Alterations in neurosteroid levels and GABAergic signaling are implicated as potential contributing factors to neuroendocrine dysfunction and vulnerability to MDD and PPD. Further, potential novel treatment strategies targeting these proposed underlying neurobiological mechanisms are discussed. The evidence summarized in the current review supports the notion that MDD and PPD are stress-related psychiatric disorders involving neurosteroids and GABAergic dysfunction.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jamie Maguire
- Neuroscience Department, Tufts University School of Medicine, Boston, MA, United States
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17
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Melón LC, Nasman JT, John AS, Mbonu K, Maguire JL. Interneuronal δ-GABA A receptors regulate binge drinking and are necessary for the behavioral effects of early withdrawal. Neuropsychopharmacology 2019; 44:425-434. [PMID: 30089884 PMCID: PMC6300562 DOI: 10.1038/s41386-018-0164-z] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/23/2018] [Revised: 07/16/2018] [Accepted: 07/20/2018] [Indexed: 12/12/2022]
Abstract
Extensive evidence points to a role for GABAergic signaling in the amygdala in mediating the effects of alcohol, including presynaptic changes in GABA release, suggesting effects on GABAergic neurons. However, the majority of studies focus solely on the effects of alcohol on principal neurons. Here we demonstrate that δ-GABAARs, which have been suggested to confer ethanol sensitivity, are expressed at a high density on parvalbumin (PV) interneurons in the basolateral amygdala (BLA). Thus, we hypothesized that δ-GABAARs on PV interneurons may represent both an initial pharmacological target for alcohol and a site for plasticity associated with the expression of various behavioral maladaptations during withdrawal from binge drinking. To investigate this, we used a mouse model of voluntary alcohol intake (Drinking-in-the-Dark-Multiple Scheduled Access) to induce escalating heavy binge drinking and anxiety-like behavior in mice. This pattern of intake was associated with increased δ protein expression on parvalbumin positive interneurons in both the BLA and hippocampus. Loss of δ-GABAARs specifically in PV interneurons (PV:δ-/-) increased binge drinking behavior, reduced sensitivity to alcohol-induced motor incoordination, enhanced sensitivity to alcohol-induced hyperlocomotion and blocked the expression of withdrawal from binge drinking. This study is the first to demonstrate a role for δGABAARs specifically in PV-expressing interneurons in modulating binge alcohol intake and withdrawal-induced anxiety.
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Affiliation(s)
- Laverne C. Melón
- 0000 0000 8934 4045grid.67033.31Department of Neuroscience, Tufts University School of Medicine, Boston, MA 02111 USA
| | - James T. Nasman
- 0000 0000 8934 4045grid.67033.31Building Diversity in Biomedical Sciences, Tufts University School of Medicine, Boston, MA 02111 USA
| | - Ashley St. John
- 0000 0000 8934 4045grid.67033.31Building Diversity in Biomedical Sciences, Tufts University School of Medicine, Boston, MA 02111 USA
| | - Kenechukwu Mbonu
- 0000 0000 8934 4045grid.67033.31Building Diversity in Biomedical Sciences, Tufts University School of Medicine, Boston, MA 02111 USA
| | - Jamie L. Maguire
- 0000 0000 8934 4045grid.67033.31Department of Neuroscience, Tufts University School of Medicine, Boston, MA 02111 USA
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18
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Nipper MA, Jensen JP, Helms ML, Ford MM, Crabbe JC, Rossi DJ, Finn DA. Genotype Differences in Sensitivity to the Anticonvulsant Effect of the Synthetic Neurosteroid Ganaxolone during Chronic Ethanol Withdrawal. Neuroscience 2018; 397:127-137. [PMID: 30513375 DOI: 10.1016/j.neuroscience.2018.11.045] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/21/2018] [Revised: 11/26/2018] [Accepted: 11/28/2018] [Indexed: 01/05/2023]
Abstract
Sensitivity to anticonvulsant effects of the γ-aminobutyric acidA receptor-active neurosteroid allopregnanolone (ALLO) during ethanol withdrawal varies across genotypes, with high sensitivity in genotypes with mild withdrawal and low sensitivity in genotypes with high withdrawal. The present studies determined whether the resistance to ALLO during withdrawal in mouse genotypes with high handling-induced convulsions (HICs) during withdrawal could be overcome with use of ganaxolone (GAN), the metabolically stable derivative of ALLO. In separate studies, male and female Withdrawal Seizure-Prone (WSP-1) and DBA/2J (D2) mice were exposed to air (controls) or 72-h ethanol vapor and then were scored for HICs during withdrawal (hourly for the first 12 h, then at hours 24 and 25). After the HIC scoring at hours 5 and 9, mice were injected with 10 mg/kg GAN or vehicle. Area under the HIC curve (AUC) for hours 5-12 was analyzed. In control WSP-1 mice, GAN significantly reduced AUC by 52% (males) and 63% (females), with effects that were absent or substantially reduced during withdrawal. In contrast, GAN significantly reduced AUC in both control and ethanol-withdrawing male and female D2 mice. AUC was decreased by 81% (males) and 70% (females) in controls and by 35% (males) and 21% (females) during withdrawal. The significant anticonvulsant effect of GAN during withdrawal in D2 but not WSP-1 mice suggests that different mechanisms may contribute to ALLO insensitivity during withdrawal in these two genotypes. Importantly, the results in D2 mice suggest that GAN may be a useful treatment for ethanol withdrawal-induced seizures.
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Affiliation(s)
- Michelle A Nipper
- Department of Behavioral Neuroscience, Oregon Health & Science University, Portland, OR 97239, United States.
| | - Jeremiah P Jensen
- Department of Behavioral Neuroscience, Oregon Health & Science University, Portland, OR 97239, United States
| | - Melinda L Helms
- Department of Behavioral Neuroscience, Oregon Health & Science University, Portland, OR 97239, United States
| | - Matthew M Ford
- Department of Behavioral Neuroscience, Oregon Health & Science University, Portland, OR 97239, United States; Division of Neuroscience, Oregon National Primate Research Center, Oregon Health & Science University, Beaverton, OR 97006, United States
| | - John C Crabbe
- Department of Behavioral Neuroscience, Oregon Health & Science University, Portland, OR 97239, United States; Portland Alcohol Research Center, VA Portland Health Care System, Portland, OR 97239, United States
| | - David J Rossi
- Department of Behavioral Neuroscience, Oregon Health & Science University, Portland, OR 97239, United States; Department of Integrative Physiology and Neuroscience, Washington State University, Pullman, WA 99164, United States
| | - Deborah A Finn
- Department of Behavioral Neuroscience, Oregon Health & Science University, Portland, OR 97239, United States; Portland Alcohol Research Center, VA Portland Health Care System, Portland, OR 97239, United States
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19
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Popoola DO, Cameron NM. Maternal care-related differences in males and females rats' sensitivity to ethanol and the associations between the GABAergic system and steroids in males. Dev Psychobiol 2018; 60:380-394. [PMID: 29442358 DOI: 10.1002/dev.21607] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/04/2017] [Accepted: 11/20/2017] [Indexed: 02/06/2023]
Abstract
This study investigated the effect of maternal care on adolescent ethanol consumption, sensitivity to ethanol-induced hypnosis, as well as gonadal hormones and γ-aminobutyric acid type-A (GABAA ) systems. Long Evans rat dams were categorized by maternal licking/grooming (LG) frequency into High- and Low-LG mothers. Both female and male offspring from Low-LG rats demonstrated a greater sensitivity to ethanol-induced hypnosis in the loss-of-righting-reflex test at ethanol doses of 3.0 and 3.5 g/kg during late-adolescence (postnatal Day 50) but not at mid-adolescence (postnatal Day 42). However, we found no effect of maternal care on consumption of a 5% ethanol solution in a two-bottle choice test. We further investigated the association between the observed variations in sensitivity to ethanol-induced hypnosis and baseline hormonal levels in males. In male offspring from Low-LG mothers compared to High-LG mothers, baseline plasma corticosterone and progesterone levels were higher. GABAA α1 and δ subunit expressions were also higher in the cerebral cortex of Low-LG males but lower in the cerebellar synaptosomal fraction. Early environmental influences on adolescent sensitivity to ethanol-induced hypnosis, consumption, and preference may be mediated by gonadal hormones and possibly through GABAergic functions.
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Affiliation(s)
- Daniel O Popoola
- Department of Psychology, Center for Developmental and Behavioral Neuroscience, Binghamton University, Binghamton, New York.,Developmental Exposure Alcohol Research Center, Binghamton University, Binghamton, New York.,Behavioral Neuropharmacology and Neuroimaging Laboratory on Addictions, Research Institute on Addictions, University of Buffalo, Buffalo, New York
| | - Nicole M Cameron
- Department of Psychology, Center for Developmental and Behavioral Neuroscience, Binghamton University, Binghamton, New York.,Developmental Exposure Alcohol Research Center, Binghamton University, Binghamton, New York
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20
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Asorey LG, Carbone S, Gonzalez BJ, Cutrera RA. Behavioral effects of the combined use of alcohol and energy drinks on alcohol hangover in an experimental mice model. Neurosci Lett 2018; 670:1-7. [PMID: 29355695 DOI: 10.1016/j.neulet.2018.01.030] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/05/2017] [Revised: 01/07/2018] [Accepted: 01/16/2018] [Indexed: 11/16/2022]
Abstract
In last few years it has been a significant increase in the consumption of alcohol combined with energy drink. The aim of this work was to study the effect of this mixture in motor and affective behaviors during an alcohol hangover episode. Male Swiss mice received one of the following treatments: saline + sucrose; saline + energy drink; ethanol + sucrose; ethanol + energy drink. Ethanol dose was 3.8 g/kg BW (i.p.) and energy drink dose was 18 ml/kg BW (gavage) at ZT1 (8 am) (ZT: Zeitgeber time; ZT0: 7 am; lights on). The behavioral tests used were tight rope test to determine motor coordination; hanging wire test to study muscular strength; elevated plus maze and open field tests to evaluate anxiety like-behavior and locomotor activity. Tests were carried out at basal point that matched with lights onset and every 6 h up to 18 h after treatments. Hangover onset was established at ZT7 when blood alcohol concentration (BAC) was almost zero. Our results showed that the mixture of alcohol and energy drink altered significantly motor skills. Specifically, a significant decrease was observed in the performance of the animals in the tightrope and hanging wire tests in groups treated with the mixture of alcohol and energy drink. A significant impairment in the anxiety-like behavior was observed mainly at the beginning of alcohol hangover. These findings suggest that energy drink added to alcohol extends motor disabilities observed during an alcohol hangover episode in comparison with animals that received alcohol alone.
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Affiliation(s)
- Lucas G Asorey
- Universidad de Buenos Aires, CONICET, Instituto de Fisiología y Biofísica "Bernardo Houssay" (IFIBIO), Buenos Aires, Argentina
| | - Silvia Carbone
- Universidad de Buenos Aires, CONICET, Departamento de Ciencias Fisiológicas, Buenos Aires, Argentina
| | - Bárbara J Gonzalez
- Universidad de Buenos Aires, CONICET, Departamento de Ciencias Fisiológicas, Buenos Aires, Argentina
| | - Rodolfo A Cutrera
- Universidad de Buenos Aires, CONICET, Instituto de Fisiología y Biofísica "Bernardo Houssay" (IFIBIO), Buenos Aires, Argentina.
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21
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Lieberman R, Kranzler HR, Levine ES, Covault J. Examining the effects of alcohol on GABA A receptor mRNA expression and function in neural cultures generated from control and alcohol dependent donor induced pluripotent stem cells. Alcohol 2018; 66:45-53. [PMID: 29156239 PMCID: PMC5743620 DOI: 10.1016/j.alcohol.2017.08.005] [Citation(s) in RCA: 19] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/21/2017] [Revised: 08/03/2017] [Accepted: 08/05/2017] [Indexed: 02/07/2023]
Abstract
Factors influencing the development of alcohol-use disorder (AUD) are complex and heterogeneous. While animal models have been crucial to identifying actions of alcohol on neural cells, human-derived in vitro systems that reflect an individual's genetic background hold promise in furthering our understanding of the molecular and functional effects of alcohol exposure and the pathophysiology of AUD. In this report, we utilized induced pluripotent stem cell (iPSCs)-derived neural cell cultures obtained from healthy individuals (CTLs) and those with alcohol dependence (ADs) to 1) examine the effect of 21-day alcohol exposure on mRNA expression of three genes encoding GABAA receptor subunits (GABRA1, GABRG2, and GABRD) using quantitative PCR, and 2) examine the effect of acute and chronic alcohol exposure on GABA-evoked currents using whole-cell patch-clamp electrophysiology. iPSCs from CTLs and ADs were differentiated into neural cultures enriched for forebrain-type excitatory glutamate neurons. Following 21-day alcohol exposure, significant treatment effects were observed in GABRA1, GABRG2, and GABRD mRNA expression. A modestly significant interaction between treatment and donor phenotype was observed for GABRD, which was increased in cell cultures derived from ADs. No effect of acute or chronic alcohol was observed on GABA-evoked currents in neurons from either CTLs or ADs. This work extends findings examining the effects of alcohol on the GABAA receptor in human cell in vitro model systems.
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Affiliation(s)
- Richard Lieberman
- Alcohol Research Center, Department of Psychiatry, University of Connecticut School of Medicine, Farmington, CT, 06030-1410, USA
| | - Henry R Kranzler
- Center for Studies of Addiction, Department of Psychiatry, Perelman School of Medicine of the University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, PA, 19104, USA; VISN4 MIRECC, Crescenz Philadelphia VAMC, Philadelphia, PA, 19104, USA
| | - Eric S Levine
- Department of Neuroscience, University of Connecticut School of Medicine, Farmington, CT, 06030, USA
| | - Jonathan Covault
- Alcohol Research Center, Department of Psychiatry, University of Connecticut School of Medicine, Farmington, CT, 06030-1410, USA; Institute for Systems Genomics, University of Connecticut, Storrs, CT, 06268, USA.
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22
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Cuzon Carlson VC. GABA and Glutamate Synaptic Coadaptations to Chronic Ethanol in the Striatum. Handb Exp Pharmacol 2018; 248:79-112. [PMID: 29460153 DOI: 10.1007/164_2018_98] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 06/08/2023]
Abstract
Alcohol (ethanol) is a widely used and abused drug with approximately 90% of adults over the age of 18 consuming alcohol at some point in their lifetime. Alcohol exerts its actions through multiple neurotransmitter systems within the brain, most notably the GABAergic and glutamatergic systems. Alcohol's actions on GABAergic and glutamatergic neurotransmission have been suggested to underlie the acute behavioral effects of ethanol. The striatum is the primary input nucleus of the basal ganglia that plays a role in motor and reward systems. The effect of ethanol on GABAergic and glutamatergic neurotransmission within striatal circuitry has been thought to underlie ethanol taking, seeking, withdrawal and relapse. This chapter reviews the effects of ethanol on GABAergic and glutamatergic transmission, highlighting the dynamic changes in striatal circuitry from acute to chronic exposure and withdrawal.
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23
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Beattie MC, Reguyal CS, Porcu P, Daunais JB, Grant KA, Morrow AL. Neuroactive Steroid (3α,5α)3-hydroxypregnan-20-one (3α,5α-THP) and Pro-inflammatory Cytokine MCP-1 Levels in Hippocampus CA1 are Correlated with Voluntary Ethanol Consumption in Cynomolgus Monkey. Alcohol Clin Exp Res 2017; 42:12-20. [PMID: 29112774 DOI: 10.1111/acer.13545] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/21/2017] [Accepted: 10/27/2017] [Indexed: 01/14/2023]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Neuroactive steroids such as (3α,5α)3-hydroxypregnan-20-one (3α,5α-THP, allopregnanolone) are potent neuromodulators that enhance GABAergic neurotransmission and produce inhibitory neurobehavioral and anti-inflammatory effects. Chronic ethanol (EtOH) consumption reduces 3α,5α-THP levels in human plasma, but has brain region- and species-specific effects on central nervous system levels of 3α,5α-THP. We explored the relationship between 3α,5α-THP levels in the hippocampus and voluntary EtOH consumption in the cynomolgus monkey following daily self-administration of EtOH for 12 months and further examined the relationship with hypothalamic-pituitary-adrenal (HPA) axis function prior to EtOH exposure. We simultaneously explored hippocampus levels of monocyte chemoattractant protein 1 (MCP-1), a pro-inflammatory cytokine that plays an important role in the neuroimmune response to EtOH, following chronic self-administration. METHODS Monkeys were subjected to scheduled induction of water and EtOH consumption (0 to 1.5 g/kg) over 4 months, followed by free access to EtOH or water for 22 h/d over 12 months. Immunohistochemistry was performed using an anti-3α,5α-THP or anti-MCP-1 antibody. Prolonged voluntary drinking resulted in individual differences in EtOH consumption that ranged from 1.2 to 4.2 g/kg/d over 12 months. RESULTS Prolonged EtOH consumption increased cellular 3α,5α-THP immunoreactivity by 12 ± 2% (p < 0.05) and reduced MCP-1 immunoreactivity by 23 ± 9% (p < 0.05) in the hippocampus CA1. In both cases, the effect of EtOH was most pronounced in heavy drinkers that consumed ≥3 g/kg for ≥20% of days. 3α,5α-THP immunoreactivity was positively correlated with average daily EtOH intake (Spearman r = 0.76, p < 0.05) and dexamethasone inhibition of HPA axis function (Spearman r = 0.9, p < 0.05). In contrast, MCP-1 immunoreactivity was negatively correlated with average daily EtOH intake (Spearman r = -0.78, p < 0.05) and dexamethasone suppression of HPA axis function (Spearman r = -0.76, p < 0.05). Finally, 3α,5α-THP and MCP-1 immunoreactivity were inversely correlated with each other (Spearman r = -0.68, p < 0.05). CONCLUSIONS These data indicate that voluntary, long-term EtOH consumption results in higher levels of 3α,5α-THP, while decreasing levels of MCP-1 in the CA1 hippocampus, and that both changes may be linked to HPA axis function and the magnitude of voluntary EtOH consumption.
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Affiliation(s)
- Matthew C Beattie
- Department of Psychiatry and Pharmacology, Bowles Center for Alcohol Studies, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, Chapel Hill, North Carolina
| | - Christopher S Reguyal
- Department of Psychiatry and Pharmacology, Bowles Center for Alcohol Studies, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, Chapel Hill, North Carolina
| | - Patrizia Porcu
- Department of Psychiatry and Pharmacology, Bowles Center for Alcohol Studies, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, Chapel Hill, North Carolina
| | - James B Daunais
- Department of Physiology and Pharmacology, Wake Forest School of Medicine, Winston Salem, North Carolina
| | - Kathleen A Grant
- Division of Neuroscience, Oregon National Primate Research Center, Oregon Health & Science University, Beaverton, Oregon
| | - A Leslie Morrow
- Department of Psychiatry and Pharmacology, Bowles Center for Alcohol Studies, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, Chapel Hill, North Carolina
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24
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Beattie MC, Maldonado-Devincci AM, Porcu P, O'Buckley TK, Daunais JB, Grant KA, Morrow AL. Voluntary ethanol consumption reduces GABAergic neuroactive steroid (3α,5α)3-hydroxypregnan-20-one (3α,5α-THP) in the amygdala of the cynomolgus monkey. Addict Biol 2017; 22:318-330. [PMID: 26625954 DOI: 10.1111/adb.12326] [Citation(s) in RCA: 21] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/23/2015] [Revised: 08/31/2015] [Accepted: 10/04/2015] [Indexed: 01/27/2023]
Abstract
Neuroactive steroids such as (3α,5α)3-hydroxypregnan-20-one (3α,5α-THP, allopregnanolone) enhance the gamma-aminobutyric acid (GABA)-ergic effects of ethanol and modulate excessive drinking in rodents. Moreover, chronic ethanol consumption reduces 3α,5α-THP levels in human plasma, rat hippocampus and mouse limbic regions. We explored the relationship between 3α,5α-THP levels in limbic brain areas and voluntary ethanol consumption in the cynomolgus monkey following daily self-administration of ethanol for 12 months and further examined the relationship to hypothalamic-pituitary-adrenal (HPA) axis function prior to ethanol exposure. Monkeys were subjected to scheduled induction of ethanol consumption followed by free access to ethanol or water for 22 h/day over 12 months. Immunohistochemistry was performed using an anti-3α,5α-THP antibody. Prolonged voluntary drinking resulted in individual differences in ethanol consumption that ranged from 1.2 to 4.2 g/kg/day over 12 months. Prolonged ethanol consumption reduced cellular 3α,5α-THP immunoreactivity by 13 ± 2 percent (P < 0.05) in the lateral amygdala and 17 ± 2 percent (P < 0.05) in the basolateral amygdala. The effect of ethanol was most pronounced in heavy drinkers that consumed ≥3 g/kg ≥ 20 percent of days. Consequently, 3α,5α-THP immunoreactivity in both the lateral and basolateral amygdala was inversely correlated with average daily ethanol intake (Spearman r = -0.87 and -0.72, respectively, P < 0.05). However, no effect of ethanol and no correlation between drinking and 3α,5α-THP immunoreactivity were observed in the basomedial amygdala. 3α,5α-THP immunoreactivity following ethanol exposure was also correlated with HPA axis function prior to ethanol exposure. These data indicate that voluntary ethanol drinking reduces amygdala levels of 3α,5α-THP in non-human primates and that amygdala 3α,5α-THP levels may be linked to HPA axis function.
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Affiliation(s)
- Matthew C. Beattie
- Department of Psychiatry and Pharmacology, Bowles Center for Alcohol Studies; University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill; Chapel Hill NC USA
| | - Antoniette M. Maldonado-Devincci
- Department of Psychiatry and Pharmacology, Bowles Center for Alcohol Studies; University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill; Chapel Hill NC USA
| | - Patrizia Porcu
- Department of Psychiatry and Pharmacology, Bowles Center for Alcohol Studies; University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill; Chapel Hill NC USA
- Neuroscience Institute; National Research Council of Italy (CNR); Italy
| | - Todd K. O'Buckley
- Department of Psychiatry and Pharmacology, Bowles Center for Alcohol Studies; University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill; Chapel Hill NC USA
| | - James B. Daunais
- Department of Physiology and Pharmacology; Wake Forest School of Medicine; Winston Salem NC USA
| | - Kathleen A. Grant
- Division of Neuroscience, Oregon National Primate Research Center; Oregon Health and Science University; Beaverton OR USA
| | - A. Leslie Morrow
- Department of Psychiatry and Pharmacology, Bowles Center for Alcohol Studies; University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill; Chapel Hill NC USA
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25
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Hasirci AS, Maldonado-Devincci AM, Beattie MC, O'Buckley TK, Morrow AL. Cellular GABAergic Neuroactive Steroid (3α,5α)-3-Hydroxy-Pregnan-20-One (3α,5α-THP) Immunostaining Levels Are Increased in the Ventral Tegmental Area of Human Alcohol Use Disorder Patients: A Postmortem Study. Alcohol Clin Exp Res 2017; 41:299-311. [PMID: 28068457 DOI: 10.1111/acer.13300] [Citation(s) in RCA: 12] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/27/2016] [Accepted: 11/26/2016] [Indexed: 01/31/2023]
Abstract
BACKGROUND The GABAergic neuroactive steroid (3α,5α)-3-hydroxy-pregnan-20-one (3α,5α-THP; allopregnanolone) enhances GABAergic activity and produces subjective effects similar to ethanol (EtOH). The effect of chronic alcohol exposure on 3α,5α-THP concentrations has been studied in mouse, rat, and monkey limbic brain areas. Chronic EtOH exposure produced divergent brain region and cell-specific changes in 3α,5α-THP concentrations in animal studies. However, 3α,5α-THP levels in similar human brain regions have never been examined in individuals diagnosed with alcohol use disorder (AUD). Therefore, we used immunohistochemistry (IHC) to examine 3α,5α-THP levels in the ventral tegmental area (VTA), substantia nigra pars medialis (SNM), and amygdala of human postmortem brains of patients diagnosed with AUD compared with social drinkers. The effects of sex and liver disease on 3α,5α-THP concentrations were examined in the aforementioned brain regions. METHODS Human postmortem brains of AUD patients and age-matched controls were obtained from the New South Wales Brain Tissue Resource Center. IHC was performed using anti-3α,5α-THP antibody on formalin-fixed paraffin-embedded brain sections to detect cellular 3α,5α-THP levels. Immunoreactivity was analyzed by pixel density/mm2 for the comparison between AUD patients and controls. RESULTS 3α,5α-THP immunoreactivity was increased by 23.2 ± 9% in the VTA of AUD patients compared with age-matched controls (p = 0.014). Moreover, a 29.6 ± 10% increase in 3α,5α-THP immunoreactivity was observed in the SNM of male AUD patients compared with male controls (p < 0.01), but not in female subjects. 3α,5α-THP immunoreactivity in the VTA and SNM regions did not differ between noncirrhotic and cirrhotic AUD patients. A sex difference in 3α,5α-THP immunoreactivity (female 51 ± 18% greater than male) was observed among control subjects in the SNM, but no other brain region. 3α,5α-THP immunoreactivity in the basolateral amygdala and lateral amygdala was negatively correlated with the length of the tissue fixation time as well as the age of the subjects, precluding assessment of the effect of AUD. CONCLUSIONS Cellular 3α,5α-THP levels in VTA are increased in human AUD patients, an effect that is likely independent of sex and liver disease. The differences between animal models and human studies should be factored into the interpretation of the physiological significance of elevated 3α,5α-THP levels in humans.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ahmet Sait Hasirci
- Bowles Center for Alcohol Studies, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, Chapel Hill, North Carolina
| | | | - Matthew C Beattie
- Bowles Center for Alcohol Studies, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, Chapel Hill, North Carolina
| | - Todd K O'Buckley
- Bowles Center for Alcohol Studies, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, Chapel Hill, North Carolina
| | - A Leslie Morrow
- Bowles Center for Alcohol Studies, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, Chapel Hill, North Carolina.,Department of Psychiatry, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, Chapel Hill, North Carolina.,Department of Pharmacology, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, Chapel Hill, North Carolina
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26
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Stephens DN, King SL, Lambert JJ, Belelli D, Duka T. GABAAreceptor subtype involvement in addictive behaviour. GENES BRAIN AND BEHAVIOR 2016; 16:149-184. [DOI: 10.1111/gbb.12321] [Citation(s) in RCA: 62] [Impact Index Per Article: 7.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/31/2016] [Revised: 07/19/2016] [Accepted: 08/15/2016] [Indexed: 12/17/2022]
Affiliation(s)
| | - S. L. King
- School of Psychology; University of Sussex; Brighton UK
| | - J. J. Lambert
- Division of Neuroscience; University of Dundee; Dundee UK
| | - D. Belelli
- Division of Neuroscience; University of Dundee; Dundee UK
| | - T. Duka
- School of Psychology; University of Sussex; Brighton UK
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27
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Sun Y, Jiang SY, Ni J, Luo YJ, Chen CR, Hong ZY, Yanagawa Y, Qu WM, Wang L, Huang ZL. Ethanol inhibits histaminergic neurons in mouse tuberomammillary nucleus slices via potentiating GABAergic transmission onto the neurons at both pre- and postsynaptic sites. Acta Pharmacol Sin 2016; 37:1325-1336. [PMID: 27498778 DOI: 10.1038/aps.2016.66] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/04/2016] [Accepted: 05/24/2016] [Indexed: 12/13/2022] Open
Abstract
AIM Ethanol, one of the most frequently used and abused substances in our society, has a profound impact on sedation. However, the neuronal mechanisms underlying its sedative effect remain unclear. In this study, we investigated the effects of ethanol on histaminergic neurons in the tuberomammillary nucleus (TMN), a brain region thought to be critical for wakefulness. METHODS Coronal brain slices (250 μm thick) containing the TMN were prepared from GAD67-GFP knock-in mice. GAD67-GFP was used to identify histaminergic neurons in the TMN. The spontaneous firing and membrane potential of histaminergic neurons, and GABAergic transmission onto these neurons were recorded using whole-cell patch-clamp recordings. Drugs were applied through superfusion. RESULTS Histaminergic and GAD67-expressing neurons in the TMN of GAD67-GFP mice were highly co-localized. TMN GFP-positive neurons exhibited a regular spontaneous discharge at a rate of 2-4 Hz without burst firing. Brief superfusion of ethanol (64, 190, and 560 mmol/L) dose-dependently and reversibly suppressed the spontaneous firing of the neurons in the TMN; when synaptic transmission was blocked by tetrodotoxin (1 μmol/L), ethanol caused hyperpolarization of the membrane potential. Furthermore, superfusion of ethanol markedly increased the frequency and amplitude of spontaneous and miniature inhibitory postsynaptic currents (sIPSCs and mIPSCs), which were abolished in the presence of the GABAA receptor antagonist bicuculline (20 μmol/L). Finally, ethanol-mediated enhancement of sIPSCs and mIPSCs was significantly attenuated when the slices were pretreated with the GABAB agonist baclofen (30 μmol/L). CONCLUSION Ethanol inhibits the excitability of histaminergic neurons in mouse TMN slices, possibly via potentiating GABAergic transmission onto the neurons at both pre- and postsynaptic sites.
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28
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Humble SR. Neurosteroids are reduced in diabetic neuropathy and may be associated with the development of neuropathic pain. F1000Res 2016; 5:1923. [PMID: 28357038 PMCID: PMC5345788 DOI: 10.12688/f1000research.9034.1] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Accepted: 07/29/2016] [Indexed: 01/10/2023] Open
Abstract
Introduction: Peripheral and central sensitisation are implicated in the development of neuropathic pain. Hypersensitivity of pain pathway neurons has been described in animal models of diabetic neuropathy, which is postulated to be related to an imbalance between inhibitory and excitatory signals within the spinal cord. GABAergic neurons within the pain pathway are vital for the transmission of painful stimuli to higher centres. A developmental change in the rate of exponential decay of GABAergic synaptic events has been observed in other types of neurons and this may be associated with fluctuations in endogenous neurosteroid tone. Methods: The whole-cell patch-clamp technique was used on slices of neural tissue. Electrophysiological recordings were obtained from wild type mice between the ages of 6 and 80 days in the spinal cord, the nucleus reticularis of the thalamus and the cerebral cortex. Recordings were also obtained from mice with diabetic neuropathy (ob/ob and db/db) between the ages of 60 and 80 days. Behavioural experiments were performed to examine mechanical and thermal nociception. Results: Electrophysiological recordings from cortical pain pathway neurons from mature type-2 diabetic mice revealed that the endogenous neurosteroid tone is reduced compared to control. However, selected neurosteroid compounds had a more pronounced effect on the GABA
A receptors of these diabetic mice. ob/ob mice exhibit mechanical hyperalgesia and allodynia, which was reduced by neurosteroids applied exogenously. Conclusions: The reduced endogenous neurosteroid tone in ob/ob mice may be linked to their hypersensitivity. Neurosteroids may exert analgesic effects in pathological pain states by attempting to restore the physiological GABAergic inhibitory tone.
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Affiliation(s)
- Stephen R Humble
- Department of Anaesthetics and Pain Management, Charing Cross Hospital, Imperial College NHS Healthcare Trust London, London, W6 8RF, UK
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29
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Kärkkäinen O, Häkkinen MR, Auriola S, Kautiainen H, Tiihonen J, Storvik M. Increased steroid hormone dehydroepiandrosterone and pregnenolone levels in post-mortem brain samples of alcoholics. Alcohol 2016; 52:63-70. [PMID: 27139239 DOI: 10.1016/j.alcohol.2016.03.002] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/08/2015] [Revised: 03/03/2016] [Accepted: 03/04/2016] [Indexed: 11/29/2022]
Abstract
Intra-tissue levels of steroid hormones (e.g., dehydroepiandrosterone [DHEA], pregnenolone [PREGN], and testosterone [T]) may influence the pathological changes seen in neurotransmitter systems of alcoholic brains. Our aim was to compare levels of these steroid hormones between the post-mortem brain samples of alcoholics and non-alcoholic controls. We studied steroid levels with quantitative liquid chromatography-tandem mass spectrometry (LC-MS/MS) in post-mortem brain samples of alcoholics (N = 14) and non-alcoholic controls (N = 10). Significant differences were observed between study groups in DHEA and PREGN levels (p values 0.0056 and 0.019, respectively), but not in T levels. Differences between the study groups were most prominent in the nucleus accumbens (NAC), anterior cingulate cortex (ACC), and anterior insula (AINS). DHEA levels were increased in most alcoholic subjects compared to controls. However, only a subgroup of alcoholics showed increased PREGN levels. Negative Spearman correlations between tissue levels of PREGN and previous reports of [(3)H]naloxone binding to μ-opioid receptors were observed in the AINS, ACC, NAC, and frontal cortex (R values between -0.6 and -0.8; p values ≤ 0.002), suggesting an association between the opioid system and brain PREGN levels. Although preliminary, and from relatively small diagnostic groups, these results show significantly increased levels of DHEA and PREGN in the brains of alcoholics, and could be associated with the pathology of alcoholism.
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Affiliation(s)
- Olli Kärkkäinen
- Pharmacology and Toxicology, University of Eastern Finland, P.O. Box 1627, FI-70211 Kuopio, Finland.
| | - Merja R Häkkinen
- Pharmaceutical Chemistry, University of Eastern Finland, P.O. Box 1627, FI-70211 Kuopio, Finland
| | - Seppo Auriola
- Pharmaceutical Chemistry, University of Eastern Finland, P.O. Box 1627, FI-70211 Kuopio, Finland
| | - Hannu Kautiainen
- General Practice, University of Helsinki, FI-00014 Helsinki, Finland; Unit of Primary Health Care, Kuopio University Hospital, FI-70029 Kuopio, Finland
| | - Jari Tiihonen
- Forensic Psychiatry, University of Eastern Finland, Niuvanniemi Hospital, FI-70240 Kuopio, Finland; Clinical Neuroscience, Karolinska Institutet, S-171 76 Stockholm, Sweden
| | - Markus Storvik
- Pharmacology and Toxicology, University of Eastern Finland, P.O. Box 1627, FI-70211 Kuopio, Finland
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30
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Milivojevic V, Fox HC, Sofuoglu M, Covault J, Sinha R. Effects of progesterone stimulated allopregnanolone on craving and stress response in cocaine dependent men and women. Psychoneuroendocrinology 2016; 65:44-53. [PMID: 26716877 PMCID: PMC4752896 DOI: 10.1016/j.psyneuen.2015.12.008] [Citation(s) in RCA: 51] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/21/2015] [Revised: 12/11/2015] [Accepted: 12/11/2015] [Indexed: 11/30/2022]
Abstract
OBJECTIVES Fluctuations in progesterone levels during the menstrual cycle have been shown to affect physiological and subjective effects of cocaine. Furthermore, our laboratory has demonstrated that following drug-cue exposure, cocaine dependent women with high levels of circulating progesterone display lower diastolic and systolic blood pressure responses and report lower levels of anxiety and drug craving compared to cocaine dependent women with low levels of progesterone. In the current study we examined the role of the progesterone derived neuroactive steroid allopregnanolone (ALLO) on stress arousal, inhibitory control and drug craving in cocaine dependent subjects. METHODS Plasma levels of ALLO were measured using GC/MS in 46 treatment-seeking cocaine dependent men and women on day 5 of a 7-day treatment regimen of micronized progesterone (15M/8F) (400mg/day) or placebo (14M/9F) administered in a double blind, randomized manner. As a control, levels of the testosterone derived neurosteroid androstanediol (ADIOL) were also measured. All subjects participated in laboratory sessions on days 5-7 of progesterone/placebo administration in which they were exposed to a series of 5-min personalized guided imagery of either a stressful situation, cocaine use or of a neutral setting and dependent variables including subjective craving, mood, Stroop task as a measure of inhibitory control performance and plasma cortisol were assessed. Participants were grouped by high or low ALLO level and levels of dependent variables compared between ALLO groups. RESULTS Progesterone relative to placebo significantly increased ALLO levels with no sex differences. There were no effects of micronized progesterone on the testosterone derived ADIOL. Individuals in the high versus the low ALLO group showed decreased levels of cortisol at baseline, and a higher cortisol response to stress; higher positive mood scores at baseline and improved Stroop performance in the drug-cue and stress conditions, and reduced cocaine craving across all imagery conditions. CONCLUSIONS As expected, cocaine dependent individuals administered progesterone showed significantly higher ALLO plasma levels. High levels of ALLO appeared to normalize basal and stress response levels of cortisol, decrease cocaine craving and also contribute to improvements in positive emotion and Stroop performance in response to stress and drug-cue exposures. These findings suggest that the neuroactive steroid ALLO plays a significant role in mediating the positive effects of progesterone on stress arousal, cognitive performance and drug craving in cocaine dependence.
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Affiliation(s)
- Verica Milivojevic
- The Connecticut Mental Health Center, Yale University School of Medicine, Department of Psychiatry, 34 Park Street, New Haven, CT 06519, USA; The Yale Stress Center, Yale University School of Medicine, Department of Psychiatry 2 Church Street South, Suite 209, New Haven, CT 06519, USA.
| | - Helen C. Fox
- The Connecticut Mental Health Center, Yale University School of Medicine, Department of Psychiatry, 34 Park Street, New Haven, CT 06519, USA,The Yale Stress Center, Yale University School of Medicine, Department of Psychiatry 2 Church Street South, Suite 209, New Haven, CT 06519, USA
| | - Mehmet Sofuoglu
- VA Medical Center, 950 Campbell Ave, # 36, West Haven, CT 06516, USA
| | - Jonathan Covault
- Alcohol Research Center, Department of Psychiatry, University of Connecticut School of Medicine, Farmington, CT 06030, USA
| | - Rajita Sinha
- The Yale Stress Center, Yale University School of Medicine, Department of Psychiatry 2 Church Street South, Suite 209, New Haven, CT 06519, USA
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31
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Effects of pre-natal alcohol exposure on hippocampal synaptic plasticity: Sex, age and methodological considerations. Neurosci Biobehav Rev 2016; 64:12-34. [PMID: 26906760 DOI: 10.1016/j.neubiorev.2016.02.014] [Citation(s) in RCA: 60] [Impact Index Per Article: 7.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/09/2015] [Revised: 01/14/2016] [Accepted: 02/18/2016] [Indexed: 12/28/2022]
Abstract
The consumption of alcohol during gestation is detrimental to the developing central nervous system (CNS). The severity of structural and functional brain alterations associated with alcohol intake depends on many factors including the timing and duration of alcohol consumption. The hippocampal formation, a brain region implicated in learning and memory, is highly susceptible to the effects of developmental alcohol exposure. Some of the observed effects of alcohol on learning and memory may be due to changes at the synaptic level, as this teratogen has been repeatedly shown to interfere with hippocampal synaptic plasticity. At the molecular level alcohol interferes with receptor proteins and can disrupt hormones that are important for neuronal signaling and synaptic plasticity. In this review we examine the consequences of prenatal and early postnatal alcohol exposure on hippocampal synaptic plasticity and highlight the numerous factors that can modulate the effects of alcohol. We also discuss some potential mechanisms responsible for these changes as well as emerging therapeutic avenues that are beginning to be explored.
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32
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Porcu P, Barron AM, Frye CA, Walf AA, Yang SY, He XY, Morrow AL, Panzica GC, Melcangi RC. Neurosteroidogenesis Today: Novel Targets for Neuroactive Steroid Synthesis and Action and Their Relevance for Translational Research. J Neuroendocrinol 2016; 28:12351. [PMID: 26681259 PMCID: PMC4769676 DOI: 10.1111/jne.12351] [Citation(s) in RCA: 120] [Impact Index Per Article: 15.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/09/2015] [Revised: 12/12/2015] [Accepted: 12/12/2015] [Indexed: 12/19/2022]
Abstract
Neuroactive steroids are endogenous neuromodulators synthesised in the brain that rapidly alter neuronal excitability by binding to membrane receptors, in addition to the regulation of gene expression via intracellular steroid receptors. Neuroactive steroids induce potent anxiolytic, antidepressant, anticonvulsant, sedative, analgesic and amnesic effects, mainly through interaction with the GABAA receptor. They also exert neuroprotective, neurotrophic and antiapoptotic effects in several animal models of neurodegenerative diseases. Neuroactive steroids regulate many physiological functions, such as the stress response, puberty, the ovarian cycle, pregnancy and reward. Their levels are altered in several neuropsychiatric and neurological diseases and both preclinical and clinical studies emphasise a therapeutic potential of neuroactive steroids for these diseases, whereby symptomatology ameliorates upon restoration of neuroactive steroid concentrations. However, direct administration of neuroactive steroids has several challenges, including pharmacokinetics, low bioavailability, addiction potential, safety and tolerability, which limit its therapeutic use. Therefore, modulation of neurosteroidogenesis to restore the altered endogenous neuroactive steroid tone may represent a better therapeutic approach. This review summarises recent approaches that target the neuroactive steroid biosynthetic pathway at different levels aiming to promote neurosteroidogenesis. These include modulation of neurosteroidogenesis through ligands of the translocator protein 18 kDa and the pregnane xenobiotic receptor, as well as targeting of specific neurosteroidogenic enzymes such as 17β-hydroxysteroid dehydrogenase type 10 or P450 side chain cleavage. Enhanced neurosteroidogenesis through these targets may be beneficial not only for neurodegenerative diseases, such as Alzheimer's disease and age-related dementia, but also for neuropsychiatric diseases, including alcohol use disorders.
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Affiliation(s)
- Patrizia Porcu
- Neuroscience Institute, National Research Council of Italy (CNR), Cagliari, Italy
| | - Anna M. Barron
- Molecular Imaging Center, National Institute of Radiological Sciences, Anagawa, Inage-ku, Chiba, Japan
| | - Cheryl Anne Frye
- Institute of Arctic Biology, The University of Alaska–Fairbanks, Fairbanks, AK, USA
- The University at Albany, Albany, NY, USA
| | - Alicia A. Walf
- Institute of Arctic Biology, The University of Alaska–Fairbanks, Fairbanks, AK, USA
- The University at Albany, Albany, NY, USA
- Department of Cognitive Science, Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute, Troy, NY, USA
| | - Song-Yu Yang
- Department of Developmental Biochemistry, NYS Institute for Basic Research in Developmental Disabilities, Staten Island, NY, USA
| | - Xue-Ying He
- Department of Developmental Biochemistry, NYS Institute for Basic Research in Developmental Disabilities, Staten Island, NY, USA
| | - A. Leslie Morrow
- Departments of Psychiatry and Pharmacology, Bowles Center for Alcohol Studies, University of North Carolina School of Medicine, Chapel Hill, NC, USA
| | - Gian Carlo Panzica
- Department of Neuroscience, University of Turin, and NICO - Neuroscience Institute Cavalieri Ottolenghi, Orbassano, Italy
| | - Roberto C. Melcangi
- Dipartimento di Scienze Farmacologiche e Biomolecolari, Università degli Studi di Milano, Milan, Italy
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Follesa P, Floris G, Asuni GP, Ibba A, Tocco MG, Zicca L, Mercante B, Deriu F, Gorini G. Chronic Intermittent Ethanol Regulates Hippocampal GABA(A) Receptor Delta Subunit Gene Expression. Front Cell Neurosci 2015; 9:445. [PMID: 26617492 PMCID: PMC4637418 DOI: 10.3389/fncel.2015.00445] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/27/2015] [Accepted: 10/26/2015] [Indexed: 12/26/2022] Open
Abstract
Chronic ethanol consumption causes structural and functional reorganization in the hippocampus and induces alterations in the gene expression of gamma-aminobutyric acid type A receptors (GABAARs). Distinct forced intermittent exposure models have been used previously to investigate changes in GABAAR expression, with contrasting results. Here, we used repeated cycles of a Chronic Intermittent Ethanol paradigm to examine the relationship between voluntary, dependence-associated ethanol consumption, and GABAAR gene expression in mouse hippocampus. Adult male C57BL/6J mice were exposed to four 16-h ethanol vapor (or air) cycles in inhalation chambers alternated with limited-access two-bottle choice between ethanol (15%) and water consumption. The mice exposed to ethanol vapor showed significant increases in ethanol consumption compared to their air-matched controls. GABAAR alpha4 and delta subunit gene expression were measured by qRT-PCR at different stages. There were significant changes in GABAAR delta subunit transcript levels at different time points in ethanol-vapor exposed mice, while the alpha4 subunit levels remained unchanged. Correlated concurrent blood ethanol concentrations suggested that GABAAR delta subunit mRNA levels fluctuate depending on ethanol intoxication, dependence, and withdrawal state. Using a vapor-based Chronic Intermittent Ethanol procedure with combined two-bottle choice consumption, we corroborated previous evidences showing that discontinuous ethanol exposure affects GABAAR delta subunit expression but we did not observe changes in alpha4 subunit. These findings indicate that hippocampal GABAAR delta subunit expression changes transiently over the course of a Chronic Intermittent Ethanol paradigm associated with voluntary intake, in response to ethanol-mediated disturbance of GABAergic neurotransmission.
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Affiliation(s)
- Paolo Follesa
- Department of Life and Environmental Sciences, University of Cagliari Cagliari, Italy
| | - Gabriele Floris
- Department of Life and Environmental Sciences, University of Cagliari Cagliari, Italy
| | - Gino P Asuni
- Department of Life and Environmental Sciences, University of Cagliari Cagliari, Italy
| | - Antonio Ibba
- Department of Public Health, Clinical and Molecular Medicine, University of Cagliari Cagliari, Italy
| | - Maria G Tocco
- Department of Public Health, Clinical and Molecular Medicine, University of Cagliari Cagliari, Italy
| | - Luca Zicca
- Department of Public Health, Clinical and Molecular Medicine, University of Cagliari Cagliari, Italy
| | | | - Franca Deriu
- Department of Biomedical Sciences, University of Sassari Sassari, Italy
| | - Giorgio Gorini
- Department of Life and Environmental Sciences, University of Cagliari Cagliari, Italy
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Plasticity of GABAA Receptors during Pregnancy and Postpartum Period: From Gene to Function. Neural Plast 2015; 2015:170435. [PMID: 26413323 PMCID: PMC4568036 DOI: 10.1155/2015/170435] [Citation(s) in RCA: 16] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/21/2015] [Revised: 07/27/2015] [Accepted: 08/16/2015] [Indexed: 11/22/2022] Open
Abstract
Pregnancy needs complex pathways that together play a role in proper growth and protection of the fetus preventing its premature loss. Changes during pregnancy and postpartum period include the manifold machinery of neuroactive steroids that plays a crucial role in neuronal excitability by local modulation of specific inhibitory receptors: the GABAA receptors. Marked fluctuations in both blood and brain concentration of neuroactive steroids strongly contribute to GABAA receptor function and plasticity. In this review, we listed several interesting results regarding the regulation and plasticity of GABAA receptor function during pregnancy and postpartum period in rats. The increase in brain levels of neuroactive steroids during pregnancy and their sudden decrease immediately before delivery are causally related to changes in the expression/function of specific GABAA receptor subunits in the hippocampus. These data suggest that alterations in GABAA receptor expression and function may be related to neurological and psychiatric disorders associated with crucial periods in women. These findings could help to provide potential new treatments for these women's disabling syndromes.
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Izumi Y, O'Dell KA, Zorumski CF. Corticosterone enhances the potency of ethanol against hippocampal long-term potentiation via local neurosteroid synthesis. Front Cell Neurosci 2015; 9:254. [PMID: 26190975 PMCID: PMC4490241 DOI: 10.3389/fncel.2015.00254] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/22/2015] [Accepted: 06/22/2015] [Indexed: 01/05/2023] Open
Abstract
Corticosterone is known to accumulate in brain after various stressors including alcohol intoxication. Just as severe alcohol intoxication is typically required to impair memory formation only high concentrations of ethanol (60 mM) acutely inhibit long-term potentiation (LTP), a cellular memory mechanism, in naïve hippocampal slices. This LTP inhibition involves synthesis of neurosteroids, including allopregnanolone, and appears to involve a form of cellular stress. In the CA1 region of rat hippocampal slices, we examined whether a lower concentration of ethanol (20 mM) inhibits LTP in the presence of corticosterone, a stress-related modulator, and whether corticosterone stimulates local neurosteroid synthesis. Although low micromolar corticosterone alone did not inhibit LTP induction, we found that 20 mM ethanol inhibited LTP in the presence of corticosterone. At 20 mM, ethanol alone did not stimulate neurosteroid synthesis or inhibit LTP. LTP inhibition by corticosterone plus ethanol was blocked by finasteride, an inhibitor of 5α-reductase, suggesting a role for neurosteroid synthesis. We also found that corticosterone alone enhanced neurosteroid immunostaining in CA1 pyramidal neurons and that this immunostaining was further augmented by 20 mM ethanol. The enhanced neurosteroid staining was blocked by finasteride and the N-methyl-D-aspartate antagonist, 2-amino-5-phosphonovalerate (APV). These results indicate that corticosterone promotes neurosteroid synthesis in hippocampal pyramidal neurons and can participate in ethanol-mediated synaptic dysfunction even at moderate ethanol levels. These effects may contribute to the influence of stress on alcohol-induced cognitive impairment.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yukitoshi Izumi
- Department of Psychiatry, Taylor Family Institute for Innovative Psychiatric Research, Washington University School of Medicine St. Louis, MO, USA
| | - Kazuko A O'Dell
- Department of Psychiatry, Taylor Family Institute for Innovative Psychiatric Research, Washington University School of Medicine St. Louis, MO, USA
| | - Charles F Zorumski
- Department of Psychiatry, Taylor Family Institute for Innovative Psychiatric Research, Washington University School of Medicine St. Louis, MO, USA
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Romo-Parra H, Blaesse P, Sosulina L, Pape HC. Neurosteroids increase tonic GABAergic inhibition in the lateral section of the central amygdala in mice. J Neurophysiol 2015; 113:3421-31. [PMID: 25787948 DOI: 10.1152/jn.00045.2015] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/16/2015] [Accepted: 03/12/2015] [Indexed: 01/12/2023] Open
Abstract
Neurosteroids are formed de novo in the brain and can modulate both inhibitory and excitatory neurotransmission. Recent evidence suggests that the anxiolytic effects of neurosteroids are mediated by the amygdala, a key structure for emotional and cognitive behaviors. Tonic inhibitory signaling via extrasynaptic type A γ-aminobutyric acid receptors (GABA(A)Rs) is known to be crucially involved in regulating network activity in various brain regions including subdivisions of the amygdala. Here we provide evidence for the existence of tonic GABAergic inhibition generated by the activation of δ-subunit-containing GABA(A)Rs in neurons of the lateral section of the mouse central amygdala (CeAl). Furthermore, we show that neurosteroids play an important role in the modulation of tonic GABAergic inhibition in the CeAl. Taken together, these findings provide new mechanistic insights into the effects of pharmacologically relevant neurosteroids in the amygdala and might be extrapolated to the regulation of anxiety.
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Affiliation(s)
- H Romo-Parra
- Institute of Physiology I, Westfälische Wilhelms-Universität Münster, Münster, Germany
| | - P Blaesse
- Institute of Physiology I, Westfälische Wilhelms-Universität Münster, Münster, Germany
| | - L Sosulina
- Institute of Physiology I, Westfälische Wilhelms-Universität Münster, Münster, Germany
| | - H-C Pape
- Institute of Physiology I, Westfälische Wilhelms-Universität Münster, Münster, Germany
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Korkotian E, Botalova A, Odegova T, Segal M. Chronic exposure to alcohol alters network activity and morphology of cultured hippocampal neurons. Neurotoxicology 2015; 47:62-71. [PMID: 25655208 DOI: 10.1016/j.neuro.2015.01.005] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/03/2014] [Revised: 01/15/2015] [Accepted: 01/26/2015] [Indexed: 11/16/2022]
Abstract
The effects of chronic exposure to moderate concentrations of ethanol were studied in cultured hippocampal neurons. Network activity, assessed by imaging of [Ca(2+)]i variations, was markedly suppressed following 5 days of exposure to 0.25-1% ethanol. The reduced activity was sustained following extensive washout of ethanol, but the activity recovered by blockade of inhibition with bicuculline. This reduction of network activity was associated with a reduction in rates of mEPSCs, but not in a change in inhibitory synaptic activity. Chronic exposure to ethanol caused a significant reduction in the density of mature dendritic spines, without an effect on dendritic length or arborization. These results indicate that chronic exposure to ethanol causes a reduction in excitatory network drive in hippocampal neurons adding another dimension to the chronic effects of alcohol abuse.
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Affiliation(s)
- Eduard Korkotian
- Department of Neurobiology, The Weizmann Institute, Rehovot, Israel.
| | - Alena Botalova
- Neurobiological Research Center, Perm State Pharmaceutical Academy, Perm, Russia
| | - Tatiana Odegova
- Department of Microbiology, Perm State Pharmaceutical Academy, Perm, Russia
| | - Menahem Segal
- Department of Neurobiology, The Weizmann Institute, Rehovot, Israel
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GABAA receptor-acting neurosteroids: a role in the development and regulation of the stress response. Front Neuroendocrinol 2015; 36:28-48. [PMID: 24929099 PMCID: PMC4349499 DOI: 10.1016/j.yfrne.2014.06.001] [Citation(s) in RCA: 102] [Impact Index Per Article: 11.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/11/2014] [Revised: 05/26/2014] [Accepted: 06/01/2014] [Indexed: 12/22/2022]
Abstract
Regulation of hypothalamic-pituitary-adrenocortical (HPA) axis activity by stress is a fundamental survival mechanism and HPA-dysfunction is implicated in psychiatric disorders. Adverse early life experiences, e.g. poor maternal care, negatively influence brain development and programs an abnormal stress response by encoding long-lasting molecular changes, which may extend to the next generation. How HPA-dysfunction leads to the development of affective disorders is complex, but may involve GABAA receptors (GABAARs), as they curtail stress-induced HPA axis activation. Of particular interest are endogenous neurosteroids that potently modulate the function of GABAARs and exhibit stress-protective properties. Importantly, neurosteroid levels rise rapidly during acute stress, are perturbed in chronic stress and are implicated in the behavioural changes associated with early-life adversity. We will appraise how GABAAR-active neurosteroids may impact on HPA axis development and the orchestration of the stress-evoked response. The significance of these actions will be discussed in the context of stress-associated mood disorders.
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Adams JM, Thomas P, Smart TG. Modulation of neurosteroid potentiation by protein kinases at synaptic- and extrasynaptic-type GABAA receptors. Neuropharmacology 2015; 88:63-73. [PMID: 25278033 PMCID: PMC4239298 DOI: 10.1016/j.neuropharm.2014.09.021] [Citation(s) in RCA: 24] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/23/2014] [Revised: 09/08/2014] [Accepted: 09/18/2014] [Indexed: 01/21/2023]
Abstract
GABAA receptors are important for inhibition in the CNS where neurosteroids and protein kinases are potent endogenous modulators. Acting individually, these can either enhance or depress receptor function, dependent upon the type of neurosteroid or kinase and the receptor subunit combination. However, in vivo, these modulators probably act in concert to fine-tune GABAA receptor activity and thus inhibition, although how this is achieved remains unclear. Therefore, we investigated the relationship between these modulators at synaptic-type α1β3γ2L and extrasynaptic-type α4β3δ GABAA receptors using electrophysiology. For α1β3γ2L, potentiation of GABA responses by tetrahydro-deoxycorticosterone was reduced after inhibiting protein kinase C, and enhanced following its activation, suggesting this kinase regulates neurosteroid modulation. In comparison, neurosteroid potentiation was reduced at α1β3(S408A,S409A)γ2L receptors, and unaltered by PKC inhibitors or activators, indicating that phosphorylation of β3 subunits is important for regulating neurosteroid activity. To determine whether extrasynaptic-type GABAA receptors were similarly modulated, α4β3δ and α4β3(S408A,S409A)δ receptors were investigated. Neurosteroid potentiation was reduced at both receptors by the kinase inhibitor staurosporine. By contrast, neurosteroid-mediated potentiation at α4(S443A)β3(S408A,S409A)δ receptors was unaffected by protein kinase inhibition, strongly suggesting that phosphorylation of α4 and β3 subunits is required for regulating neurosteroid activity at extrasynaptic receptors. Western blot analyses revealed that neurosteroids increased phosphorylation of β3(S408,S409) implying that a reciprocal pathway exists for neurosteroids to modulate phosphorylation of GABAA receptors. Overall, these findings provide important insight into the regulation of GABAA receptors in vivo, and into the mechanisms by which GABAergic inhibitory transmission may be simultaneously tuned by two endogenous neuromodulators.
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Affiliation(s)
- Joanna M Adams
- Department of Neuroscience, Physiology & Pharmacology, UCL, Gower Street, London WC1E 6BT, UK
| | - Philip Thomas
- Department of Neuroscience, Physiology & Pharmacology, UCL, Gower Street, London WC1E 6BT, UK
| | - Trevor G Smart
- Department of Neuroscience, Physiology & Pharmacology, UCL, Gower Street, London WC1E 6BT, UK.
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Tanchuck-Nipper MA, Ford MM, Hertzberg A, Beadles-Bohling A, Cozzoli DK, Finn DA. Sex Differences in Ethanol's Anxiolytic Effect and Chronic Ethanol Withdrawal Severity in Mice with a Null Mutation of the 5α-Reductase Type 1 Gene. Behav Genet 2014; 45:354-67. [PMID: 25355320 DOI: 10.1007/s10519-014-9691-5] [Citation(s) in RCA: 19] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/30/2014] [Accepted: 10/16/2014] [Indexed: 02/04/2023]
Abstract
Manipulation of endogenous levels of the GABAergic neurosteroid allopregnanolone alters sensitivity to some effects of ethanol. Chronic ethanol withdrawal decreases activity and expression of 5α-reductase-1, an important enzyme in allopregnanolone biosynthesis encoded by the 5α-reductase-1 gene (Srd5a1). The present studies examined the impact of Srd5a1 deletion in male and female mice on several acute effects of ethanol and on chronic ethanol withdrawal severity. Genotype and sex did not differentially alter ethanol-induced hypothermia, ataxia, hypnosis, or metabolism, but ethanol withdrawal was significantly lower in female versus male mice. On the elevated plus maze, deletion of the Srd5a1 gene significantly decreased ethanol's effect on total entries versus wildtype (WT) mice and significantly decreased ethanol's anxiolytic effect in female knockout (KO) versus WT mice. The limited sex differences in the ability of Srd5a1 genotype to modulate select ethanol effects may reflect an interaction between developmental compensations to deletion of the Srd5a1 gene with sex hormones and levels of endogenous neurosteroids.
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Affiliation(s)
- Michelle A Tanchuck-Nipper
- Department of Behavioral Neuroscience, VAMC Research (R&D-49), Oregon Health & Science University, 3710 SW, U.S. Veterans Hospital Road, Portland, OR, 97239, USA,
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Maldonado-Devincci AM, Cook JB, O'Buckley TK, Morrow DH, McKinley RE, Lopez MF, Becker HC, Morrow AL. Chronic intermittent ethanol exposure and withdrawal alters (3α,5α)-3-hydroxy-pregnan-20-one immunostaining in cortical and limbic brain regions of C57BL/6J mice. Alcohol Clin Exp Res 2014; 38:2561-71. [PMID: 25293837 DOI: 10.1111/acer.12530] [Citation(s) in RCA: 24] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/10/2014] [Accepted: 07/15/2014] [Indexed: 02/03/2023]
Abstract
BACKGROUND The GABAergic neuroactive steroid (3α,5α)-3-hydroxy-pregnan-20-one (3α,5α-THP; allopregnanolone) has been studied during withdrawal from ethanol (EtOH) in humans, rats, and mice. Serum 3α,5α-THP levels decreased, and brain levels were not altered following acute EtOH administration (2 g/kg) in male C57BL/6J mice; however, the effects of chronic intermittent ethanol (CIE) exposure on 3α,5α-THP levels have not been examined. Given that CIE exposure changes subsequent voluntary EtOH drinking in a time-dependent fashion following repeated cycles of EtOH exposure, we conducted a time-course analysis of CIE effects on 3α,5α-THP levels in specific brain regions known to influence drinking behavior. METHODS Adult male C57BL/6J mice were exposed to 4 cycles of CIE to induce EtOH dependence. All mice were sacrificed and perfused at 1 of 2 time points, 8 or 72 hours following the final exposure cycle. Free-floating brain sections (40 μm; 3 to 5 sections/region/animal) were immunostained and analyzed to determine relative levels of cellular 3α,5α-THP. RESULTS Withdrawal from CIE exposure produced time-dependent and region-specific effects on immunohistochemical detection of 3α,5α-THP levels across cortical and limbic brain regions. A transient reduction in 3α,5α-THP immunoreactivity was observed in the central nucleus of the amygdala 8 hours after withdrawal from CIE (-31.4 ± 9.3%). Decreases in 3α,5α-THP immunoreactivity were observed 72 hours following withdrawal in the medial prefrontal cortex (-25.0 ± 9.3%), nucleus accumbens core (-29.9 ± 6.6%), and dorsolateral striatum (-18.5 ± 6.0%), while an increase was observed in the CA3 pyramidal cell layer of the hippocampus (+42.8 ± 19.5%). Sustained reductions in 3α,5α-THP immunoreactivity were observed at both time points in the lateral amygdala (8 hours -28.3 ± 12.8%; 72 hours -27.5 ± 12.4%) and in the ventral tegmental area (8 hours -26.5 ± 9.9%; 72 hours -31.6 ± 13.8%). CONCLUSIONS These data suggest that specific neuroadaptations in 3α,5α-THP levels may be present in regions of brain that mediate anxiety, stress, and reinforcement relevant to EtOH dependence. The changes that occur at different time points likely modulate neurocircuitry involved in EtOH withdrawal as well as the elevated drinking observed after CIE exposure.
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Affiliation(s)
- Antoniette M Maldonado-Devincci
- Curriculum in Toxicology, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, Chapel Hill, North Carolina; Bowles Center for Alcohol Studies, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, Chapel Hill, North Carolina
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Ramachandran B, Ahmed S, Zafar N, Dean C. Ethanol inhibits long-term potentiation in hippocampal CA1 neurons, irrespective of lamina and stimulus strength, through neurosteroidogenesis. Hippocampus 2014; 25:106-18. [PMID: 25155179 DOI: 10.1002/hipo.22356] [Citation(s) in RCA: 13] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Accepted: 08/19/2014] [Indexed: 11/09/2022]
Abstract
Ethanol inhibits memory encoding and the induction of long-term potentiation (LTP) in CA1 neurons of the hippocampus. Hippocampal LTP at Schaffer collateral synapses onto CA1 pyramidal neurons has been widely studied as a cellular model of learning and memory, but there is striking heterogeneity in the underlying molecular mechanisms in distinct regions and in response to distinct stimuli. Basal and apical dendrites differ in terms of innervation, input specificity, and molecular mechanisms of LTP induction and maintenance, and different stimuli determine distinct molecular pathways of potentiation. However, lamina or stimulus-dependent effects of ethanol on LTP have not been investigated. Here, we tested the effect of acute application of 60 mM ethanol on LTP induction in distinct dendritic compartments (apical versus basal) of CA1 neurons, and in response to distinct stimulation paradigms (single versus repeated, spaced high frequency stimulation). We found that ethanol completely blocks LTP in apical dendrites, whereas it reduces the magnitude of LTP in basal dendrites. Acute ethanol treatment for just 15 min altered pre- and post-synaptic protein expression. Interestingly, ethanol increases the neurosteroid allopregnanolone, which causes ethanol-dependent inhibition of LTP, more prominently in apical dendrites, where ethanol has greater effects on LTP. This suggests that ethanol has general effects on fundamental properties of synaptic plasticity, but the magnitude of its effect on LTP differs depending on hippocampal sub-region and stimulus strength.
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Affiliation(s)
- Binu Ramachandran
- Trans-Synaptic Signaling Group, European Neuroscience Institute (ENI), Grisebachstrasse 5, 37077, Goettingen, Germany
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Effects of the neuroactive steroid allopregnanolone on intracranial self-stimulation in C57BL/6J mice. Psychopharmacology (Berl) 2014; 231:3415-3423. [PMID: 24810108 PMCID: PMC4692244 DOI: 10.1007/s00213-014-3600-8] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/23/2013] [Accepted: 04/20/2014] [Indexed: 10/25/2022]
Abstract
RATIONALE The neuroactive steroid (3α,5α)-3-hydroxy-pregnan-20-one (3α,5α-THP, allopregnanolone) has effects on reward-related behaviors in mice and rats that suggest that it may activate brain reward circuits. Intracranial self-stimulation (ICSS) is an operant behavioral technique that detects changes in the sensitivity of brain reward circuitry following drug administration. OBJECTIVE To examine the effects of the neuroactive steroid allopregnanolone on ICSS and to compare these effects to those of cocaine. METHODS Male C57BL/6J mice implanted with stimulating electrodes implanted into the medial forebrain bundle responded for reinforcement by electrical stimulation (brain stimulation reward (BSR)). Mice received cocaine (n = 11, 3.0-30.0 mg/kg, intraperitoneal (i.p.)) or the neuroactive steroid allopregnanolone (n = 11, 3.0-17.0 mg/kg, i.p.). BSR thresholds (θ 0) and maximum (MAX) operant response rates after drug treatments were compared to those after vehicle injections. RESULTS Cocaine and allopregnanolone dose dependently lowered BSR thresholds relative to vehicle injections. Cocaine was maximally effective (80 % reduction) in the second 15 min following the 30 mg/kg dose, while allopregnanolone was maximally effective (30 % reduction) 15-45 min after the 17 mg/kg dose. Neither drug had significant effects on MAX response rates. CONCLUSIONS The effects of allopregnanolone on BSR thresholds are consistent with the previously reported effects of benzodiazepines and alcohol, suggesting that positive modulation of GABAA receptors can facilitate reward-related behaviors in C57BL/6J mice.
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Vallée M. Structure-activity relationship studies on neuroactive steroids in memory, alcohol and stress-related functions: a crucial benefit from endogenous level analysis. Psychopharmacology (Berl) 2014; 231:3243-55. [PMID: 24781520 DOI: 10.1007/s00213-014-3593-3] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/15/2014] [Accepted: 04/11/2014] [Indexed: 02/07/2023]
Abstract
RATIONALE New research findings in the field of neuroactive steroids strongly suggest that to understand their role in physiopathology, it is essential to accurately measure their tissue levels. Through his broad chemical expertise and extensive knowledge of steroids, Dr. Robert H. Purdy pioneered structure-activity relationship studies on these compounds and developed innovative detection assays that are essential to assess their function in biological tissues. OBJECTIVE The goal of the present paper is to point out the specific contributions of Dr. Purdy and his collaborators to the current knowledge on the role of neuroactive steroids in the modulation of memory and alcohol- and stress-related effects with particular emphasis on the detection assays he developed to assess their endogenous levels. Reviewed here are the major results as well as the original and valuable methodological strategies issued by the long-term collaboration between Dr Purdy and many scientists worldwide on the investigation of the structure-activity relationship of neuroactive steroids. RESULTS Altogether, the data presented herein put forward the original notion that knowledge of the chemical structure of steroids is essential for their detection and the understanding of their role in physiological and pathological conditions, including the stress response. CONCLUSIONS The current challenge is to identify and quantify using appropriate methods neuroactive steroids in the context of both animal and clinical studies in order to reveal how their levels change under physiological and disease states. Dr. Purdy passed away in September 2012, but scientists all over the world will always be grateful for his pioneering work on steroid chemistry and for his great enthusiasm in research.
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Affiliation(s)
- Monique Vallée
- INSERM U862, Neurocentre Magendie, Pathophysiology of Addiction, Bordeaux, 33077, France,
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Milivojevic V, Feinn R, Kranzler HR, Covault J. Variation in AKR1C3, which encodes the neuroactive steroid synthetic enzyme 3α-HSD type 2 (17β-HSD type 5), moderates the subjective effects of alcohol. Psychopharmacology (Berl) 2014; 231:3597-608. [PMID: 24838369 PMCID: PMC4135039 DOI: 10.1007/s00213-014-3614-2] [Citation(s) in RCA: 14] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/02/2013] [Accepted: 04/30/2014] [Indexed: 10/25/2022]
Abstract
RATIONALE Animal models suggest that neuroactive steroids contribute to alcohol's acute effects. We previously reported that a common nonsynonymous polymorphism, AKR1C3 2 in the gene encoding the enzyme 3α-HSD2/17β-HSD5, and a synonymous single nucleotide polymorphism (SNP), rs248793, in SRD5A1, which encodes 5α-reductase, were associated with alcohol dependence (AD). OBJECTIVES The aim of the study was to investigate whether these polymorphisms moderate subjective effects of alcohol in humans and whether AKR1C3 2 affects neuroactive steroid synthesis. METHODS Sixty-five Caucasian men (34 lighter and 31 heavier drinkers; mean age 26.2 years) participated in a double-blind laboratory study where they consumed drinks containing no ethanol or 0.8 g/kg of ethanol. Breath alcohol, heart rate (HR), and self-reported alcohol effects were measured at 40-min intervals, and genotype was examined as a moderator of alcohol's effects. Levels of the neuroactive steroid 5α-androstane-3α,17β-diol and its precursors, 3α,5α-androsterone and dihydrotestosterone, were measured at study entry using GC/MS. RESULTS Initially, carriers of the AD-protective AKR1C3 2 G allele had higher levels of 5α-androstane-3α,17β-diol relative to the precursor 3α,5α-androsterone than C allele homozygotes. AKR1C3 2 G allele carriers exhibited greater increases in heart rate and stimulant and sedative effects of alcohol than C allele homozygotes. The genotype effects on sedation were observed only in heavier drinkers. The only effect of the SRD5A1 SNP was to moderate HR. There were no interactive effects of the two SNPs. CONCLUSIONS The observed effects of variation in a gene encoding a neuroactive steroid biosynthetic enzyme on the rate of 17β-reduction of androsterone relative to androstanediol and on alcohol's sedative effects may help to explain the association of AKR1C3 2 with AD.
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Affiliation(s)
- Verica Milivojevic
- Alcohol Research Center, Department of Psychiatry, University of Connecticut School of Medicine, 263 Farmington Avenue, Farmington, CT, 06030-1410, USA
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Covault J, Pond T, Feinn R, Arias AJ, Oncken C, Kranzler HR. Dutasteride reduces alcohol's sedative effects in men in a human laboratory setting and reduces drinking in the natural environment. Psychopharmacology (Berl) 2014; 231:3609-18. [PMID: 24557088 PMCID: PMC4181572 DOI: 10.1007/s00213-014-3487-4] [Citation(s) in RCA: 27] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/02/2013] [Accepted: 01/22/2014] [Indexed: 01/27/2023]
Abstract
RATIONALE Preclinical studies support the hypothesis that endogenous neuroactive steroids mediate some effects of alcohol. OBJECTIVES The aim of this study was to examine the effect of dutasteride inhibition of 5α-reduced neuroactive steroid production on subjective responses to alcohol in adult men. METHODS Using a within-subject factorial design, 70 men completed four randomly ordered monthly sessions in which pretreatment with 4 mg dutasteride or placebo was paired with a moderate dose of alcohol (0.8 g/kg) or placebo beverage. The pharmacologic effect of dutasteride was measured by an assay of serum androstanediol glucuronide. Self-reports of alcohol effects were obtained at 40-min intervals following alcohol administration using the Biphasic Alcohol Effects Scale (BAES) and the Alcohol Sensation Scale (SS). We used linear mixed models to examine the effects of dutasteride and alcohol on BAES and SS responses and the interaction of dutasteride with the GABRA2 alcohol dependence-associated polymorphism rs279858. We also examined whether exposure to dutasteride influenced drinking in the weeks following each laboratory session. RESULTS A single 4-mg dose of dutasteride produced a 70 % reduction in androstanediol glucuronide. Dutasteride pretreatment reduced alcohol effects on the BAES sedation and SS anesthesia scales. There was no interaction of dutasteride with rs279858. Heavy drinkers had fewer heavy drinking days during the 2 weeks following the dutasteride sessions and fewer total drinks in the first week after dutasteride. CONCLUSIONS These results provide evidence that neuroactive steroids mediate some of the sedative effects of alcohol in adult men and that dutasteride may reduce drinking, presumably through its effects on neuroactive steroid concentrations.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jonathan Covault
- Alcohol Research Center, Department of Psychiatry, University of Connecticut School of Medicine, Farmington, CT, USA,
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Effects of different ethanol-administration regimes on mRNA and protein levels of steroid 5α-reductase isozymes in prefrontal cortex of adolescent male rats. Psychopharmacology (Berl) 2014; 231:3273-80. [PMID: 24714925 DOI: 10.1007/s00213-014-3558-6] [Citation(s) in RCA: 11] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/13/2013] [Accepted: 03/17/2014] [Indexed: 12/17/2022]
Abstract
RATIONALE Underage drinking is a leading public health problem in developed countries. An increasing proportion of adolescents consume alcoholic beverages every weekend. Increased anxiety, irritability, and depression among adolescents may induce them to seek for the anxiolytic and rewarding properties of alcohol. Allopregnanolone (AlloP) shares rewarding effects of ethanol and modulates ethanol intake. The rate-limiting enzyme in the biosynthesis of AlloP is steroid 5α-reductase (5α-R), which is expressed as three isozymes, 5α-R1, 5α-R2, and 5α-R3. OBJECTIVE The objective of this study was to quantify the expression levels of 5α-R isozymes in prefrontal cortex (PFC) of adolescent male rats after three different regimes of ethanol administration. METHODS Adolescent male Wistar rats were administered with ethanol (4 g/kg) or saline intraperitoneally for 1 day (acute), for 7 days (chronic), or every 72 h for 14 days (chronic intermittent). Messenger (m)RNA and protein levels of 5α-R isozymes were measured by quantitative RT-PCR and Western blot, respectively. RESULTS Ethanol significantly increased mRNA and protein levels of 5α-R1, 5α-R2, and 5α-R3 in the three different regimes of ethanol administration, being higher in the chronic intermittent regime in comparison with the others. CONCLUSIONS The expression of the AlloP-biosynthetic enzyme 5α-Rs increases in the prefrontal cortex of adolescent male rats under acute, chronic, and chronic intermittent regime of ethanol administration. The latter is very interesting because it mimics the teenage drinking behavior.
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Porcu P, Morrow AL. Divergent neuroactive steroid responses to stress and ethanol in rat and mouse strains: relevance for human studies. Psychopharmacology (Berl) 2014; 231:3257-72. [PMID: 24770626 PMCID: PMC4135033 DOI: 10.1007/s00213-014-3564-8] [Citation(s) in RCA: 31] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/17/2014] [Accepted: 03/25/2014] [Indexed: 01/09/2023]
Abstract
RATIONALE Neuroactive steroids are endogenous or synthetic steroids that rapidly alter neuronal excitability via membrane receptors, primarily γ-aminobutyric acid type A (GABAA) receptors. Neuroactive steroids regulate many physiological processes including hypothalamic-pituitary-adrenal (HPA) axis function, ovarian cycle, pregnancy, aging, and reward. Moreover, alterations in neuroactive steroid synthesis are implicated in several neuropsychiatric disorders. OBJECTIVES This review will summarize the pharmacological properties and physiological regulation of neuroactive steroids, with a particular focus on divergent neuroactive steroid responses to stress and ethanol in rats, mice, and humans. RESULTS GABAergic neuroactive steroids exert a homeostatic regulation of the HPA axis in rats and humans, whereby the increase in neuroactive steroid levels following acute stress counteracts HPA axis hyperactivity and restores homeostasis. In contrast, in C57BL/6J mice, acute stress decreases neurosteroidogenesis and neuroactive steroids exert paradoxical excitatory effects upon the HPA axis. Rats, mice, and humans also differ in the neuroactive steroid responses to ethanol. Genetic variation in neurosteroidogenesis may explain the different neuroactive steroid responses to stress or ethanol. CONCLUSIONS Rats and mouse strains show divergent effects of stress and ethanol on neuroactive steroids in both plasma and brain. The study of genetic variation in the various processes that determine neuroactive steroids levels as well as their effects on cell signaling may underlie these differences and may play a relevant role for the potential therapeutic benefits of neuroactive steroids.
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Affiliation(s)
- Patrizia Porcu
- Neuroscience Institute, National Research Council of Italy (CNR), Cittadella Universitaria, 09042, Monserrato, Cagliari, Italy,
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Teng Y, Litchfield LM, Ivanova MM, Prough RA, Clark BJ, Klinge CM. Dehydroepiandrosterone-induces miR-21 transcription in HepG2 cells through estrogen receptor β and androgen receptor. Mol Cell Endocrinol 2014; 392:23-36. [PMID: 24845419 PMCID: PMC4074919 DOI: 10.1016/j.mce.2014.05.007] [Citation(s) in RCA: 25] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/17/2014] [Revised: 05/02/2014] [Accepted: 05/09/2014] [Indexed: 12/15/2022]
Abstract
Although oncomiR miR-21 is highly expressed in liver and overexpressed in hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC), its regulation is uncharacterized. We examined the effect of physiologically relevant nanomolar concentrations of dehydroepiandrosterone (DHEA) and DHEA sulfate (DHEA-S) on miR-21 expression in HepG2 human hepatoma cells. 10nM DHEA and DHEA-S increase pri-miR-21 transcription in HepG2 cells. Dietary DHEA increased miR-21 in vivo in mouse liver. siRNA and inhibitor studies suggest that DHEA-S requires desulfation for activity and that DHEA-induced pri-miR-21 transcription involves metabolism to androgen and estrogen receptor (AR and ER) ligands. Activation of ERβ and AR by DHEA metabolites androst-5-ene-3,17-dione (ADIONE), androst-5-ene-3β,17β-diol (ADIOL), dihydrotestosterone (DHT), and 5α-androstane-3β,17β-diol (3β-Adiol) increased miR-21 transcription. DHEA-induced miR-21 increased cell proliferation and decreased Pdcd4 protein, a bona fide miR-21. Estradiol (E2) inhibited miR-21 expression via ERα. DHEA increased ERβ and AR recruitment to the miR-21 promoter within the VMP1/TMEM49 gene, with possible significance in hepatocellular carcinoma.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yun Teng
- Department of Biochemistry & Molecular Biology, Center for Genetics and Molecular Medicine, University of Louisville School of Medicine, Louisville, KY 40292, USA
| | - Lacey M Litchfield
- Department of Biochemistry & Molecular Biology, Center for Genetics and Molecular Medicine, University of Louisville School of Medicine, Louisville, KY 40292, USA
| | - Margarita M Ivanova
- Department of Biochemistry & Molecular Biology, Center for Genetics and Molecular Medicine, University of Louisville School of Medicine, Louisville, KY 40292, USA
| | - Russell A Prough
- Department of Biochemistry & Molecular Biology, Center for Genetics and Molecular Medicine, University of Louisville School of Medicine, Louisville, KY 40292, USA
| | - Barbara J Clark
- Department of Biochemistry & Molecular Biology, Center for Genetics and Molecular Medicine, University of Louisville School of Medicine, Louisville, KY 40292, USA
| | - Carolyn M Klinge
- Department of Biochemistry & Molecular Biology, Center for Genetics and Molecular Medicine, University of Louisville School of Medicine, Louisville, KY 40292, USA.
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Cook JB, Nelli SM, Neighbors MR, Morrow DH, O'Buckley TK, Maldonado-Devincci AM, Morrow AL. Ethanol alters local cellular levels of (3α,5α)-3-hydroxypregnan-20-one (3α,5α-THP) independent of the adrenals in subcortical brain regions. Neuropsychopharmacology 2014; 39:1978-87. [PMID: 24566803 PMCID: PMC4059907 DOI: 10.1038/npp.2014.46] [Citation(s) in RCA: 14] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/06/2013] [Revised: 01/14/2014] [Accepted: 02/03/2014] [Indexed: 11/09/2022]
Abstract
The neuroactive steroid (3α,5α)-3-hydroxypregnan-20-one (3α,5α-THP or allopregnanolone) is a positive modulator of GABAA receptors synthesized in the brain, adrenal glands, and gonads. In rats, ethanol activates the hypothalamic-pituitary-adrenal axis and elevates 3α,5α-THP in plasma, cerebral cortex, and hippocampus. In vivo, these effects are dependent on both the pituitary and adrenal glands. In vitro, however, ethanol locally increases 3α,5α-THP in hippocampal slices, in the absence of adrenal influence. Therefore, it is not known whether ethanol can change local brain levels of 3α,5α-THP in vivo, independent of the adrenals. To directly address this controversy, we administered ethanol (2 g/kg) or saline to rats that underwent adrenalectomy (ADX) or received sham surgery and performed immunohistochemistry for 3α,5α-THP. In the medial prefrontal cortex (mPFC), ethanol increased 3α,5α-THP after sham surgery, compared with saline controls, with no ethanol-induced change in 3α,5α-THP following ADX. In subcortical regions, 3α,5α-THP was increased independent of adrenals in the CA1 pyramidal cell layer, dentate gyrus polymorphic layer, bed nucleus of the stria terminalis, and paraventricular nucleus of the hypothalamus. Furthermore, ethanol decreased 3α,5α-THP labeling in the nucleus accumbens shore and central nucleus of the amygdala, independent of the adrenal glands. These data indicate that ethanol dynamically regulates local 3α,5α-THP levels in several subcortical regions; however, the adrenal glands contribute to 3α,5α-THP elevations in the mPFC. Using double immunofluorescent labeling we determined that adrenal dependence of 3α,5α-THP induction by ethanol is not due to a lack of colocalization of 3α,5α-THP with the cholesterol transporters steroidogenic acute regulatory protein (StAR) or translocator protein (TSPO).
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Affiliation(s)
- Jason B Cook
- Bowles Center for Alcohol Studies, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, Chapel Hill, NC, USA,Curriculum in Neurobiology, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, Chapel Hill, NC, USA
| | - Stephanie M Nelli
- Bowles Center for Alcohol Studies, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, Chapel Hill, NC, USA
| | - Mackenzie R Neighbors
- Bowles Center for Alcohol Studies, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, Chapel Hill, NC, USA
| | - Danielle H Morrow
- Bowles Center for Alcohol Studies, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, Chapel Hill, NC, USA
| | - Todd K O'Buckley
- Bowles Center for Alcohol Studies, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, Chapel Hill, NC, USA
| | | | - A Leslie Morrow
- Bowles Center for Alcohol Studies, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, Chapel Hill, NC, USA,Curriculum in Neurobiology, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, Chapel Hill, NC, USA,Department of Psychiatry and Pharmacology, School of Medicine, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, Chapel Hill, NC, USA,Department of Psychiatry and Pharmacology, School of Medicine, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, 3027 Thurston Bowles CB no. 7178, Chapel Hill, NC 27599, USA, Tel: +1 919 966 7682, Fax: +1 919 966 9099, E-mail:
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