Implementation of environmental enrichment after middle age promotes healthy aging

Environmental Enrichment Improves Motor Function and Muscle Transcriptome of Aged Mice

Aging results in the progressive decline of muscle strength. Interventions to maintain muscle strength may mitigate the age-related loss of physical function, thus maximizing health span. The work on environmental enrichment (EE), an experimental paradigm recapitulating aspects of an active lifestyle, has revealed EE-induced metabolic benefits mediated by a brain-fat axis across the lifespan of mice. EE initiated at 18-month of age shows a trend toward an increased mean lifespan. While previous work described EE's influences on the aging dynamics of several central-peripheral processes, its influence on muscle remained understudied. Here, the impact of EE is investigated on motor function, neuromuscular physiology, and the skeletal muscle transcriptome. EE is initiated in 20-month-old mice for a five-month period. EE mice exhibit greater relative lean mass that is associated with improved mobility and hindlimb grip strength. Transcriptomic profiling of muscle tissue reveals an EE-associated enrichment of gene expression within several metabolic pathways related to oxidative phosphorylation and the TCA cycle. Many mitochondrial-related genes-several of which participate in the electron transport chain-are upregulated. Stress-responsive signaling pathways are downregulated because of EE. The results suggest that EE improves motor function-possibly through preservation of mitochondrial function-even late in life.

Effects of combined physical and cognitive program performed in socially enriched environment on older people's cognitive abilities and quality of life (StimCoAPS): study protocol for a randomized controlled trial

The number of older people worldwide is constantly increasing. However, ageing is accompanied by a decline in cognitive ability that can affect quality of life. Cognitive, physical and social activities can all slow this decline but social factors and their contribution to the well-being remain under-researched. The aim of this study is to analyse how the practice environment can foster these social relations and thus enhance well-being and to identify the psychological dimensions that are activated by social relations. This study is a 3-year randomised controlled trial designed to assess the effects on participants' cognitive abilities and quality of life of a combined (ie, physical and cognitive) training programme in different social practice environments. A total of 159 older people (≥65 years old) will be recruited and randomly assigned to one of three practice environments: individual practice at home (n=53), group practice in a gymnasium (n=53) and group practice in an enriched environment (n=53). All participants will complete 12-week combined training sessions and will be assessed four times: before the start, in the middle, at the end and 6 months after the end of the programme. They will undergo cognitive function (episodic memory and executive functions), physical capacity (aerobic fitness, muscle strength and dynamic balance) and psychosocial assessments (indicators of psychological well-being, social support, self-esteem, anxiety, depression and achievement goal strategies), as well as semistructured interviews. Statistical analyses will be conducted to assess the effect of the practice environment on the perceived benefits of this programme in terms of cognitive abilities and quality of life, and to determine the role of psychosocial factors in this relationship. This protocol has been approved by an institutional review board (CERSTAPS: IRB00012476-2022-20-01-146). Trials registration number: NCT05721508.

Reduction of restricted repetitive behavior by environmental enrichment: Potential neurobiological mechanisms

Restricted repetitive behaviors (RRB) are one of two diagnostic criteria for autism spectrum disorder and common in other neurodevelopmental and psychiatric disorders. The term restricted repetitive behavior refers to a wide variety of inflexible patterns of behavior including stereotypy, self-injury, restricted interests, insistence on sameness, and ritualistic and compulsive behavior. However, despite their prevalence in clinical populations, their underlying causes remain poorly understood hampering the development of effective treatments. Intriguingly, numerous animal studies have demonstrated that these behaviors are reduced by rearing in enriched environments (EE). Understanding the processes responsible for the attenuation of repetitive behaviors by EE should offer insights into potential therapeutic approaches, as well as shed light on the underlying neurobiology of repetitive behaviors. This review summarizes the current knowledge of the relationship between EE and RRB and discusses potential mechanisms for EE's attenuation of RRB based on the broader EE literature. Existing gaps in the literature and future directions are also discussed.

Neuroprotection in metabolic syndrome by environmental enrichment. A lifespan perspective

Metabolic syndrome (MetS) is defined by the concurrence of different metabolic conditions: obesity, hypertension, dyslipidemia, and hyperglycemia. Its incidence has been increasingly rising over the past decades and has become a global health problem. MetS has deleterious consequences on the central nervous system (CNS) and neurological development. MetS can last several years or be lifelong, affecting the CNS in different ways and treatments can help manage condition, though there is no known cure. The early childhood years are extremely important in neurodevelopment, which extends beyond, encompassing a lifetime. Neuroplastic changes take place all life through - childhood, adolescence, adulthood, and old age - are highly sensitive to environmental input. Environmental factors have an important role in the etiopathogenesis and treatment of MetS, so environmental enrichment (EE) stands as a promising non-invasive therapeutic approach. While the EE paradigm has been designed for animal housing, its principles can be and actually are applied in cognitive, sensory, social, and physical stimulation programs for humans. Here, we briefly review the central milestones in neurodevelopment at each life stage, along with the research studies carried out on how MetS affects neurodevelopment at each life stage and the contributions that EE models can provide to improve health over the lifespan.

MSK1 is required for the beneficial synaptic and cognitive effects of enriched experience across the lifespan

Positive experiences, such as social interaction, cognitive training and physical exercise, have been shown to ameliorate some of the harms to cognition associated with ageing. Animal models of positive interventions, commonly known as environmental enrichment, strongly influence neuronal morphology and synaptic function and enhance cognitive performance. While the profound structural and functional benefits of enrichment have been appreciated for decades, little is known as to how the environment influences neurons to respond and adapt to these positive sensory experiences. We show that adult and aged male wild-type mice that underwent a 10-week environmental enrichment protocol demonstrated improved performance in a variety of behavioural tasks, including those testing spatial working and spatial reference memory, and an enhancement in hippocampal LTP. Aged animals in particular benefitted from enrichment, performing spatial memory tasks at levels similar to healthy adult mice. Many of these benefits, including in gene expression, were absent in mice with a mutation in an enzyme, MSK1, which is activated by BDNF, a growth factor implicated in rodent and human cognition. We conclude that enrichment is beneficial across the lifespan and that MSK1 is required for the full extent of these experience-induced improvements of cognitive abilities, synaptic plasticity and gene expression.

Enriched environment during adolescence modulates lipid metabolism and emotion-related behaviors in mice

Enriched environment (EE) is an important animal experimental paradigm to decipher gene-environment interaction. It is thought to be efficient in aiding recovery from certain metabolism disorders or cognitive impairments. Recently, the effects of EE during adolescence in mice gradually draw much attention. We first established an EE model in adolescent mice, dissected lipid metabolism, and further examined baseline level of anxiety and depression by multiple behavioral tests, including open field test (OFT), elevated zero maze (EZM), tail suspension test (TST), and forced swimming test (FST). EE mice exhibited lower weights, lower cholesterol than standard housing (SH) mice. Behaviorally, EE mice traveled more distance and had higher velocity than SH mice in OFT and EZM. Besides, EE mice showed reduced anxiety levels in OFT and EZM. Furthermore, EE mice also had less immobility time than SH mice in TST and FST. Thus, these results suggest that EE during adolescence has metabolic and behavioral benefits in mice.

Hypothalamic TrkB.FL overexpression improves metabolic outcomes in the BTBR mouse model of autism

BTBR T+ Itpr3tf/J (BTBR) mice are used as a model of autism spectrum disorder (ASD), displaying similar behavioral and physiological deficits observed in patients with ASD. Our recent study found that implementation of an enriched environment (EE) in BTBR mice improved metabolic and behavioral outcomes. Brain-derived neurotrophic factor (Bdnf) and its receptor tropomyosin kinase receptor B (Ntrk2) were upregulated in the hypothalamus, hippocampus, and amygdala by implementing EE in BTBR mice, suggesting that BDNF-TrkB signaling plays a role in the EE-BTBR phenotype. Here, we used an adeno-associated virus (AAV) vector to overexpress the TrkB full-length (TrkB.FL) BDNF receptor in the BTBR mouse hypothalamus in order to assess whether hypothalamic BDNF-TrkB signaling is responsible for the improved metabolic and behavioral phenotypes associated with EE. Normal chow diet (NCD)-fed and high fat diet (HFD)-fed BTBR mice were randomized to receive either bilateral injections of AAV-TrkB.FL or AAV-YFP as control, and were subjected to metabolic and behavioral assessments up to 24 weeks post-injection. Both NCD and HFD TrkB.FL overexpressing mice displayed improved metabolic outcomes, characterized as reduced percent weight gain and increased energy expenditure. NCD TrkB.FL mice showed improved glycemic control, reduced adiposity, and increased lean mass. In NCD mice, TrkB.FL overexpression altered the ratio of TrkB.FL/TrkB.T1 protein expression and increased phosphorylation of PLCγ in the hypothalamus. TrkB.FL overexpression also upregulated expression of hypothalamic genes involved in energy regulation and altered expression of genes involved in thermogenesis, lipolysis, and energy expenditure in white adipose tissue and brown adipose tissue. In HFD mice, TrkB.FL overexpression increased phosphorylation of PLCγ. TrkB.FL overexpression in the hypothalamus did not improve behavioral deficits in either NCD or HFD mice. Together, these results suggest that enhancing hypothalamic TrkB.FL signaling improves metabolic health in BTBR mice.

Environmental enrichment and the aging brain: is it time for standardization?

Aging entails a progressive decline of cognitive abilities. However, since the brain is endowed with considerable plasticity, adequate stimulation can delay or partially compensate for age-related structural and functional impairment. Environmental enrichment (EE) has been reported to determine a wide range of cerebral changes. Although most findings have been obtained in young and adult animals, research has recently turned to aged individuals. Notably, EE can contribute identifying key lifestyle factors whose change can help extend the "mind-span", i.e., the time an individual lives in a healthy cognitive condition. Here we discuss specific methodological issues that can affect the outcomes of EE interventions applied to aged rodents, summarize the main variables that would need standardization (e.g., timing and duration, enrichment items, control animals and setting), and offer some suggestions on how this goal may be achieved. Reaching a consensus on EE experiment design would significantly reduce differences between and within laboratories, enable constructive discussions among researchers, and improve data interpretation.

Neurogenesis in aging and age-related neurodegenerative diseases

Adult neurogenesis, the process by which neurons are generated in certain areas of the adult brain, declines in an age-dependent manner and is one potential target for extending cognitive healthspan. Aging is a major risk factor for neurodegenerative diseases and, as lifespans are increasing, these health challenges are becoming more prevalent. An age-associated loss in neural stem cell number and/or activity could cause this decline in brain function, so interventions that reverse aging in stem cells might increase the human cognitive healthspan. In this review, we describe the involvement of adult neurogenesis in neurodegenerative diseases and address the molecular mechanistic aspects of neurogenesis that involve some of the key aggregation-prone proteins in the brain (i.e., tau, Aβ, α-synuclein, …). We summarize the research pertaining to interventions that increase neurogenesis and regulate known targets in aging research, such as mTOR and sirtuins. Lastly, we share our outlook on restoring the levels of neurogenesis to physiological levels in elderly individuals and those with neurodegeneration. We suggest that modulating neurogenesis represents a potential target for interventions that could help in the fight against neurodegeneration and cognitive decline.

Environmental Enrichment Effects on the Brain-Derived Neurotrophic Factor Expression in Healthy Condition, Alzheimer's Disease, and Other Neurodegenerative Disorders

Brain-derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF), a protein belonging to the neurotrophin family, is known to be heavily involved in synaptic plasticity processes that support brain development, post-lesion regeneration, and cognitive performances, such as learning and memory. Evidence indicates that BDNF expression can be epigenetically regulated by environmental stimuli and thus can mediate the experience-dependent brain plasticity. Environmental enrichment (EE), an experimental paradigm based on the exposure to complex stimulations, constitutes an efficient means to investigate the effects of high-level experience on behavior, cognitive processes, and neurobiological correlates, as the BDNF expression. In fact, BDNF exerts a key role in mediating and promoting EE-induced plastic changes and functional improvements in healthy and pathological conditions. This review is specifically aimed at providing an updated framework of the available evidence on the EE effects on brain and serum BDNF levels, by taking into account both changes in protein expression and regulation of gene expression. A further purpose of the present review is analyzing the potential of BDNF regulation in coping with neurodegenerative processes characterizing Alzheimer's disease (AD), given BDNF expression alterations are described in AD patients. Moreover, attention is also paid to EE effects on BDNF expression in other neurodegenerative disease. To investigate such a topic, evidence provided by experimental studies is considered. A deeper understanding of environmental ability in modulating BDNF expression in the brain may be fundamental in designing more tuned and effective applications of complex environmental stimulations as managing approaches to AD.

Environmental Enrichment Mitigates Age-Related Metabolic Decline and Lewis Lung Carcinoma Growth in Aged Female Mice

Aging is a complex physiological process that leads to the progressive decline of metabolic and immune function, among other biological mechanisms. As global life expectancy increases, it is important to understand determinants of healthy aging-including environmental and genetic factors-and thus slow the onset or progression of age-related disease. Environmental enrichment (EE) is a housing environment wherein laboratory animals engage with complex physical and social stimulation. EE is a prime model to understand environmental influences on aging dynamics, as it confers an antiobesity and anticancer phenotype that has been implicated in healthy aging and health span extension. Although EE is frequently used to study malignancies in young mice, fewer studies characterize EE-cancer outcomes in older mice. Here, we used young (3-month-old) and aged (14-month-old) female C57BL/6 mice to determine whether EE would be able to mitigate age-related deficiencies in metabolic function and thus alter Lewis lung carcinoma (LLC) growth. Overall, EE improved metabolic function, resulting in reduced fat mass, increased lean mass, and improved glycemic processing; many of these effects were stronger in the aged cohort than in the young cohort, indicating an age-driven effect on metabolic responses. In the aged-EE cohort, subcutaneously implanted LLC tumor growth was inhibited and tumors exhibited alterations in various markers of apoptosis, proliferation, angiogenesis, inflammation, and malignancy. These results validate EE as an anticancer model in aged mice and underscore the importance of understanding environmental influences on cancer malignancy in aged populations. PREVENTION RELEVANCE: Environmental enrichment (EE) serves as a model of complex physical and social stimulation. This study validates EE as an anticancer intervention paradigm in aged mice and underscores the importance of understanding environmental influences on cancer malignancy in aged populations.

Reduced ccl11/eotaxin mediates the beneficial effects of environmental stimulation on the aged hippocampus

A deterioration in cognitive performance accompanies brain aging, even in the absence of neurodegenerative pathologies. However, the rate of cognitive decline can be slowed down by enhanced cognitive and sensorimotor stimulation protocols, such as environmental enrichment (EE). Understanding how EE exerts its beneficial effects on the aged brain pathophysiology can help in identifying new therapeutic targets. In this regard, the inflammatory chemokine ccl11/eotaxin-1 is a marker of aging with a strong relevance for neurodegenerative processes. Here, we demonstrate that EE in both elderly humans and aged mice decreases circulating levels of ccl11. Interfering, in mice, with the ccl11 decrease induced by EE ablated the beneficial effects on long-term memory retention, hippocampal neurogenesis, activation of local microglia and of ribosomal protein S6. On the other hand, treatment of standard-reared aged mice with an anti-ccl11 antibody resulted in EE-like improvements in spatial memory, hippocampal neurogenesis, and microglial activation. Taken together, our findings point to a decrease in circulating ccl11 concentration as a key mediator of the enhanced hippocampal function resulting from exposure to EE.

An Enriched Environment Alters DNA Repair and Inflammatory Responses After Radiation Exposure

After the Fukushima Daiichi Nuclear Power Plant accident, there is growing concern about radiation-induced carcinogenesis. In addition, living in a long-term shelter or temporary housing due to disasters might cause unpleasant stress, which adversely affects physical and mental health. It's been experimentally demonstrated that "eustress", which is rich and comfortable, has beneficial effects for health using mouse models. In a previous study, mice raised in the enriched environment (EE) has shown effects such as suppression of tumor growth and enhancement of drug sensitivity during cancer treatment. However, it's not yet been evaluated whether EE affects radiation-induced carcinogenesis. Therefore, to evaluate whether EE suppresses a radiation-induced carcinogenesis after radiation exposure, in this study, we assessed the serum leptin levels, radiation-induced DNA damage response and inflammatory response using the mouse model. In brief, serum and tissues were collected and analyzed over time in irradiated mice after manipulating the raising environment during the juvenile or adult stage. To assess the radiation-induced DNA damage response, we performed immunostaining for phosphorylated H2AX which is a marker of DNA double-strand break. Focusing on the polarization of macrophages in the inflammatory reaction that has an important role in carcinogenesis, we performed analysis using tissue immunofluorescence staining and RT-qPCR. Our data confirmed that EE breeding before radiation exposure improved the responsiveness to radiation-induced DNA damage and basal immunity, further suppressing the chronic inflammatory response, and that might lead to a reduction of the risk of radiation-induced carcinogenesis.

Enhancing Effects of Environmental Enrichment on the Functions of Natural Killer Cells in Mice

The environment of an organism can convey a powerful influence over its biology. Environmental enrichment (EE), as a eustress model, has been used extensively in neuroscience to study neurogenesis and brain plasticity. EE has also been used as an intervention for the treatment and prevention of neurological and psychiatric disorders with limited clinical application. By contrast, the effects of EE on the immune system are relatively less investigated. Recently, accumulating evidence has demonstrated that EE can robustly impact immune function. In this review, we summarize the major components of EE, the impact of EE on natural killer (NK) cells, EE's immunoprotective roles in cancer, and the underlying mechanisms of EE-induced NK cell regulation. Moreover, we discuss opportunities for translational application based on insights from animal research of EE-induced NK cell regulation.

Environmental activation of a hypothalamic BDNF-adipocyte IL-15 axis regulates adipose-natural killer cells

Physical and social environments influence immune homeostasis within adipose tissue, yet the mechanisms remain poorly defined. We report that an enriched environment (EE) housing modulates the immune cell population in white adipose tissue of mice including an increase in the abundance of natural killer (NK) cells. EE upregulates the expression of IL-15 and its receptor IL-15Rα specifically within mature adipocytes. Mechanistically, we show that hypothalamic brain-derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF) upregulates IL-15 production in adipocytes via sympathetic β-adrenergic signaling. Overexpressing BDNF mediated by recombinant adeno-associated virus (rAAV) vector in the hypothalamus expands adipose NK cells. Conversely, inhibition of hypothalamic BDNF signaling via gene transfer of a dominant negative TrkB receptor suppresses adipose NK cells. In white adipose tissue, overexpression of IL-15 using an adipocyte-specific rAAV vector stimulates adipose NK cells and inhibits the progression of subcutaneous melanoma, whereas local IL-15 knockdown blocks the EE effect. These results suggest that bio-behavioral factors regulate adipose NK cells via a hypothalamic BDNF-sympathoneural-adipocyte IL-15 axis. Targeting this pathway may have therapeutic significance for cancer.

Efficacy of choline and DHA supplements or enriched environment exposure during early adult obesity in mitigating its adverse impact through aging in rats

Introduction

The aim of this study was to assess the efficacy of choline and DHA or exposure to environmental enrichment in obese adult and aging rats on alterations in body mass index, serum lipid profile and arterial wall changes, despite stopping high fat diet consumption and interventions during adulthood.

Methods

21 day old male Sprague Dawley rats were assigned as Experiment-1 & 2 - PND rats were divided into 4 groups with interventions for 7 months (n = 8/group). NC- Normal control fed normal chow diet; OB- Obese group, fed high fat diet; OB + CHO + DHA- fed high fat diet and oral supplementation of choline, DHA. OB + EE- fed high fat diet along with exposure to enriched environment .Experiment-2 had similar groups and interventions as experiment 1 but for next 5 months were fed normal chow diet without any interventions. Body mass index was assessed and blood was analyzed for serum lipid profile. Common Carotid Artery (CCA) was processed for Haematoxylin and eosin, Verhoff Vangeison stains. Images of tissue sections were analyzed and quantified using image J and tissue quant software.

Results

In experiment.1, mean body mass index (p < 0.001), serum lipid profile (p < 0.01), thickness of tunica intima (p < 0.05), tunica media (p < 0.01) and percentage of collagen fibers (p < 0.01) of CCA were significantly increased in OB compared to NC. These were significantly attenuated in OB + CHO + DHA and OB + EE compared to OB. In experiment.2, mean body mass index (p < 0.01), serum lipid profile (p < 0.05) and thickness of tunica media of CCA (p < 0.01) were significantly increased in OB compared to NC. In OB + CHO + DHA and OB + EE, significant attenuation was observed in mean body mass index and mean thickness of tunica media compared to same in OB.

Conclusion

Adult obesity has negative impact on body mass index, serum lipid profile and arterial wall structure that persists through aging. Supplementation of choline and DHA or exposure to enriched environment during obesity attenuates these negative impacts through aging.

Enriched environment enhances NK cell maturation through hypothalamic BDNF in male mice

Macroenvironmental factors, including a patient's physical and social environment, play a role in cancer risk and progression. Our previous preclinical studies have shown that the enriched environment (EE) confers anti-obesity and anti-cancer phenotypes that are associated with enhanced adaptive immunity and are mediated by brain-derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF). Natural killer (NK) cells have anti-cancer and anti-viral properties, and their absence or depletion is associated with inferior clinical outcomes. In this study, we investigated the effects of EE on NK cell maturation following their depletion. Mice living in EE displayed a higher proportion of NK cells in the spleen, bone marrow, and blood, compared to those living in the standard environment (SE). EE enhanced NK cell maturation in the spleen and was associated with upregulation of BDNF expression in the hypothalamus. Hypothalamic BDNF overexpression reproduced the EE effects on NK cell maturation in secondary lymphoid tissues. Conversely, hypothalamic BDNF knockdown blocked the EE modulation on NK cell maturation. Our results demonstrate that a bio-behavior intervention enhanced NK cell maturation and was mediated at least in part by hypothalamic BDNF.

Hypothalamic gene transfer of BDNF promotes healthy aging

The aging process and age-related diseases all involve metabolic decline and impaired ability to cope with adversity. Environmental enrichment (EE)-a housing environment which recapitulates aspects of active lifestyle-exerts a wide range of health benefits in laboratory rodents. Brain-derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF) in the hypothalamus orchestrates autonomic and neuroendocrine processes, serving as one key brain mediator of EE-induced resistance to obesity, cancer, and autoimmunity. Recombinant adeno-associated virus (AAV)-mediated hypothalamic BDNF gene transfer alleviates obesity, diabetes, and metabolic syndromes in both diet-induced and genetic models. One recent study by our lab demonstrates the efficacy and safety of a built-in autoregulatory system to control transgene BDNF expression, mimicking the body's natural feedback systems in middle-age mice. Twelve-month old mice were treated with autoregulatory BDNF vector and monitored for 7months. BDNF gene transfer prevented age-associated metabolic decline by: reducing adiposity, preventing the decline of brown fat activity, increasing adiponectin while reducing leptin and insulin in circulation, improving glucose tolerance, increasing energy expenditure, alleviating hepatic steatosis, and suppressing inflammatory genes in the hypothalamus and adipose tissues. Furthermore, BDNF treatment reduced anxiety-like and depression-like behaviors. This chapter summarizes this work and discusses potential roles that hypothalamic BDNF might play in promoting healthy aging.

Changing Functional Signatures of Microglia along the Axis of Brain Aging

Microglia, the innate immune cells of the brain, are commonly perceived as resident macrophages of the central nervous system (CNS). This definition, however, requires further specification, as under healthy homeostatic conditions, neither morphological nor functional properties of microglia mirror those of classical macrophages. Indeed, microglia adapt exceptionally well to their microenvironment, becoming a legitimate member of the cellular brain architecture. The ramified or surveillant microglia in the young adult brain are characterized by specific morphology (small cell body and long, thin motile processes) and physiology (a unique pattern of Ca²⁺ signaling, responsiveness to various neurotransmitters and hormones, in addition to classic “immune” stimuli). Their numerous physiological functions far exceed and complement their immune capabilities. As the brain ages, the respective changes in the microglial microenvironment impact the functional properties of microglia, triggering further rounds of adaptation. In this review, we discuss the recent data showing how functional properties of microglia adapt to age-related changes in brain parenchyma in a sex-specific manner, with a specific focus on early changes occurring at middle age as well as some strategies counteracting the aging of microglia.

Behavioral impact of experience based on environmental enrichment: Influence of age and duration of exposure in male NMRI mice

Prior studies have suggested that short periods of exposure to environmental enrichment (EE) in rodents induce physiological and behavioral effects. In the present study, our aim was to evaluate if the impact of experiences based on EE could be modulated by the age of onset and the developmental period of exposure. NMRI male mice (n = 64) were exposed to EE or standard environment (SE) and behavioral changes (anxiety, exploration, memory and social interaction) were evaluated. Groups compared were: (a) SE: exposure to SE on post-natal day (PND) 28 and lasting 6 months; (b) EE-6: exposure to EE on PND 28 and lasting 6 months; (c) EE-4: exposure to EE on PND 91 and lasting 4 months; (d) EE-2: exposure to EE on PND 154 and lasting 2 months. Results indicated that in the hole-board task the decrease in exploratory behavior reached significance when EE was initiated at adolescence whereas anxiolytic effects in the elevated plus-maze tend to diminish after a longer period of EE. No significant effects of EE on aggressive behavior or novel object recognition were obtained. Taking these results into account, further studies are needed in order to determine the possible modulating role of age and duration of exposure to enriched environments on behavior. Results obtained could explain some discrepancies reported in previous studies, providing new evidence that could contribute to the design of future research related to the benefits of complex and enriched environments.

Lifestyle modifications with anti-neuroinflammatory benefits in the aging population

Aging-associated microglial priming results in the potential for an exaggerated neuroinflammatory response to a subsequent inflammatory challenge in regions of the brain known to support learning and memory. This excessive neuroinflammation in the aging brain is known to occur following a variety of peripheral insults, including infection and surgery, where it has been associated with precipitous declines in cognition and memory. As the average lifespan increases worldwide, identifying interventions to prevent and treat aging-associated excessive neuroinflammation and ensuing cognitive impairments is of critical importance. Lifestyle has emerged as a potential non-pharmacological target in this endeavor. Here, we review important and recent preclinical and clinical literature demonstrating the anti-inflammatory effects of lifestyle modifications such as exercise, diet, and environmental enrichment in the context of aging and memory. Importantly, we focus on research indicating that these lifestyle modifications do not need to be lifelong, suggesting that such interventions may be efficacious in the prevention and treatment of aging- and neuroinflammation-associated cognitive impairment, even when initiated in older age.

Adipose PTEN acts as a downstream mediator of a brain-fat axis in environmental enrichment

Background/Objectives

Environmental enrichment (EE) is a physiological model to investigate brain-fat interactions. We previously discovered that EE activates the hypothalamic-sympathoneural adipocyte (HSA) axis via induction of brain-derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF), thus leading to sympathetic stimulation of white adipose tissue (WAT) and an anti-obesity phenotype. Here, we investigate whether PTEN acts as a downstream mediator of the HSA axis in the EE.

Methods

Mice were housed in EE for 4- and 16-week periods to determine how EE regulates adipose PTEN. Hypothalamic injections of adeno-associated viral (AAV) vectors expressing BDNF and a dominant negative form of its receptor were performed to assess the role of the HSA axis in adipose PTEN upregulation. A β-blocker, propranolol, and a denervation agent, 6-hydroydopamine, were administered to assess sympathetic signaling in the observed EE-PTEN phenotype. To determine whether inducing PTEN is sufficient to reproduce certain EE adipose remodeling, we overexpressed PTEN in WAT using an AAV vector. To determine whether adipose PTEN is necessary for the EE-mediated reduction in adipocyte size, we injected a rAAV vector expressing Cre recombinase to the WAT of adult PTEN^flox mice and placed the mice in EE.

Results

EE upregulated adipose PTEN expression, which was associated with suppression of AKT and ERK phosphorylation, increased hormone-sensitive lipase (HSL) phosphorylation, and reduced adiposity. PTEN regulation was found to be controlled by the HSA axis—with the hypothalamic BDNF acting as the upstream mediator—and dependent on sympathetic innervation. AAV-mediated adipose PTEN overexpression recapitulated EE-mediated adipose changes including suppression of AKT and ERK phosphorylation, increased HSL phosphorylation, and reduced adipose mass, whereas PTEN knockdown blocked the EE-induced reduction of adipocyte size.

Conclusions

These data suggest that adipose PTEN responds to environmental stimuli and serves as downstream mediator of WAT remodeling in the EE paradigm, resulting in decreased adipose mass and decreased adipocyte size.

•

Environmental enrichment (EE) induces adipose PTEN expression and is associated with (1) suppression of AKT phosphorylation, (2) increased hormone-sensitive lipase phosphorylation, and (3) decreased adiposity

•

The hypothalamic-sympathoneural-adipocyte (HSA) axis mediates EE-induced adipose PTEN

•

rAAV-mediated gene delivery of PTEN to adipose tissues mimics EE-related adipose remodeling

•

Knockdown of adipose PTEN blocks EE-induced reductions in adipocyte size

Regulation of aging and cancer by enhanced environmental activation of a hypothalamic-sympathoneural-adipocyte axis

Social and environmental factors impact cancer and energy balance profoundly. Years ago, our lab established the existence of a novel brain-fat interaction we termed the "hypothalamic-sympathoneural-adipocyte (HSA) axis", through which complex environmental stimuli provided by an enriched environment regulate body composition, energy balance, and development of cancer. We have spent a significant portion of the past decade to further characterize the broad health benefits of an enriched environment (for example, leanness, enhanced immune function, and cancer resistance), and to identify mediators in the brain and periphery along the HSA axis. This review summarizes our recent work regarding the interface between endocrinology, immunology, cancer biology, aging, and neuroscience. We will discuss the interplay between these systemic phenomena and how the HSA axis can be targeted for regulation of cancer and aging.

Enriched environment ameliorates dexamethasone effects on emotional reactivity and metabolic parameters in mice

Convincing evidence shows that stress is associated with the development and course of psychiatric and metabolic disorders. The hypothalamic-pituitary-adrenal (HPA) axis mediates the stress response, a cascade of events that culminate in the release of glucocorticoids from the adrenal cortex. Chronic hypercortisolism typically characterizes stress-related illnesses, such as depression, anxiety, and metabolic syndrome. Considering previous studies pointing that environmental enrichment (EE) mitigates the deleterious effects of stress on neurobiological systems, we hypothesized that EE can confer resiliency against prolonged glucocorticoid administration-induced behavioral and metabolic alterations in mice. In this regard, three-month-old male Swiss mice were exposed to a four-week period of standard environment (SE) or EE. After this period, still in the respective environments, dexamethasone was administered intraperitoneally (i.p.) at a dose of 4 mg/kg, for 21 consecutive days, in order to generate the emotional-related behavioral outcomes, as previously described. It is demonstrated herein that EE prevents the dexamethasone-induced anxiety-like and passive stress-coping behaviors, as observed in the open field and tail suspension tests. Moreover, EE mitigated the hyperproteinemia and body weight loss induced by excess dexamethasone and decreased basal glucose levels. Taken together, these results support the hypothesis that EE attenuates the effects of chronic administration of synthetic glucocorticoids in mice, a strategy that may be translated to the clinical perspective.

Improvements to Healthspan Through Environmental Enrichment and Lifestyle Interventions: Where Are We Now?

Environmental enrichment (EE) is an experimental paradigm that is used to explore how a complex, stimulating environment can impact overall health. In laboratory animal experiments, EE housing conditions typically include larger-than-standard cages, abundant bedding, running wheels, mazes, toys, and shelters which are rearranged regularly to further increase stimulation. EE has been shown to improve multiple aspects of health, including but not limited to metabolism, learning and cognition, anxiety and depression, and immunocompetence. Recent advances in lifespan have led some researchers to consider aging as a risk factor for disease. As such, there is a pressing need to understand the processes by which healthspan can be increased. The natural and predictable changes during aging can be reversed or decreased through EE and its underlying mechanisms. Here, we review the use of EE in laboratory animals to understand mechanisms involved in aging, and comment on relative areas of strength and weakness in the current literature. We additionally address current efforts toward applying EE-like lifestyle interventions to human health to extend healthspan. Although increasing lifespan is a clear goal of medical research, improving the quality of this added time also deserves significant attention. Despite hurdles in translating experimental results toward clinical application, we argue there is great potential in using features of EE toward improving human healthy life expectancy or healthspan, especially in the context of increased global longevity.

CSF1R inhibitor PLX5622 and environmental enrichment additively improve metabolic outcomes in middle-aged female mice

As the elderly population grows, chronic metabolic dysfunction including obesity and diabetes are becoming increasingly common comorbidities. Hypothalamic inflammation through CNS resident microglia serves as a common pathway between developing obesity and developing systemic aging pathologies. Despite understanding aging as a life-long process involving interactions between individuals and their environment, limited studies address the dynamics of environment interactions with aging or aging therapeutics. We previously demonstrated environmental enrichment (EE) is an effective model for studying improved metabolic health and overall healthspan in mice, which acts through a brain-fat axis. Here we investigated the CSF1R inhibitor PLX5622 (PLX), which depletes microglia, and its effects on metabolic decline in aging in interaction with EE. PLX in combination with EE substantially improved metabolic outcomes in middle-aged female mice over PLX or EE alone. Chronic PLX treatment depleted 75% of microglia from the hypothalamus and reduced markers of inflammation without affecting brain-derived neurotrophic factor levels induced by EE. Adipose tissue remodeling and adipose tissue macrophage modulation were observed in response to CSF1R inhibition, which may contribute to the combined benefits seen in EE with PLX. Our study suggests benefits exist from combined drug and lifestyle interventions in aged animals.

Environmental enrichment improves metabolic and behavioral health in the BTBR mouse model of autism

BTBR T + Itpr3tf/J (BTBR) mice are an Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD)-like model that exhibit behavioral and physiological deficits similar to those observed in patients with ASD. While behavioral therapy is a first line of treatment in ASD patients, comparable non-pharmacological treatments are less explored in murine models. Here, we administer a bio-behavioral intervention for BTBR mice by way of environmental enrichment (EE) - an experimental housing paradigm previously shown to improve systemic metabolism, learning/memory, anxious behavior, neurogenesis, locomotion, and immunocompetence in C57BL/6 mice. Juvenile BTBR mice were randomized to standard or EE housing and were subjected to metabolic and behavioral assessments up to 17 weeks. Following EE exposure, we report an EE-induced metabolic and behavioral phenotype. Male BTBR mice responded metabolically to EE, displaying reduced adiposity, increased lean mass, improved glycemic control, and decreased circulating leptin. The gene expressions of brain-derived neurotrophic factor (Bdnf) and its receptor (Ntrk2/TrkB) were upregulated in several brain areas in EE-BTBR males. EE-BTBR females showed modest reduction of adiposity and no changes in glycemic control, circulating leptin, or Bdnf/Ntrk2 gene expression. With regard to behavior, EE resulted in decreased anxiety, and increased social affiliation. Together, these results suggest that EE improves metabolic and behavioral health in BTBR mice.

Enriched environment inhibits breast cancer progression in obese models with intact leptin signaling

Obesity is becoming a global epidemic and is a risk factor for breast cancer. Environmental enrichment (EE), a model recapitulating an active lifestyle, leads to leanness, resistance to diet-induced obesity (DIO) and cancer. One mechanism is the activation of the hypothalamic-sympathoneural-adipocyte (HSA) axis. This results in the release of norepinephrine onto adipose tissue inducing a drop of leptin. This study aimed to test the effects of EE on breast cancer onset and progression while considering the effect of leptin by utilizing the transgenic MMTV-PyMT model as well as several models of varied leptin signaling. EE was highly effective at reducing weight gain, regardless of the presence of leptin. However, the effects of EE on tumor progression were dependent on leptin signaling. EE decreased leptin and reduced mammary tumor growth rate in MMTV-PyMT spontaneous and DIO transplantation models; in contrast, the absence of leptin in ob/ob mice resulted in increased tumor growth likely due to elevated norepinephrine levels. Our results suggest that the microenvironment is critical in breast tumorigenesis and that the drop in leptin is an important peripheral mediator of the EE anti-breast cancer effects, offsetting the potential pro-tumorigenic effects of norepinephrine responding to a complex environment.

Long-term environmental enrichment affects microglial morphology in middle age mice

Aging is associated with increased central nervous system inflammation, in large part due to dysfunctional microglia. Environmental enrichment (EE) provides a model for studying the dynamics of lifestyle factors in the development of age-related neuroinflammation and microglial dysfunction. EE results in improvements in learning and memory, metabolism, and mental health in a variety of animal models. We recently reported that implementing EE in middle age promotes healthy aging. In the present study, we investigated whether EE influences microglial morphology, and whether EE is associated with changes in expression of microglial and neuroinflammatory markers. Inflammatory cytokines and MHC-II were reduced following 12-month EE in 10-month-old mice. Long-term EE for 7.5 months resulted in broad increases in Iba1 expression in hippocampus, hypothalamus, and amygdala detected by immunohistochemistry. Quantification of microglial morphology reveal both hypertrophy and ramification in these three brain regions, without increases in microglial cell density. These data indicate that long-term EE implemented in middle age results in a microglial state distinct from that of normal aging in standard laboratory housing, in specific brain regions, associated with reduced neuroinflammatory markers and improvement of systemic metabolism.

Four Principles Regarding an Effective Treatment of Aging

The question whether aging is a disease or not, has been asked by many professionals who are involved in the study of age-related degeneration. However, not only an agreement on this remains elusive, but also effective clinical treatments against human aging have not been forthcoming. In this Opinion paper I suggest that the complexity involved in aging is such that we need to remodel our thinking to involve a much more 'systems-oriented' approach. I explore four main principles which should be employed by those who are working on finding treatments against agerelated degeneration. First, I discuss the problems encountered in translating laboratory research into effective therapies for humans. Second, I propose that a 'systems-thinking' method needs to be more extensively employed, instead of relying exclusively on the current reductionist one. Third, it is submitted that we must learn from the history of life-extension research, and not blindly follow contemporary paradigms, which may lead us into yet more 'dead ends' with regards to therapies. Finally, I suggest that, we may need to employ certain universal notions and use these in order to gain insights into the mechanics of a possible therapy against age-related degeneration. Examples may be the principle of hormesis, those of degeneracy, exaptation, and others from cybernetic or systems science domains. By using this four-pronged approach we liberate our thinking from the shackles of existing common mistakes and fallacies, and we open the way for a fresh approach that may lead us towards entirely new paradigms for providing clinically effective therapies against agerelated degeneration.