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Rodríguez FD, Sánchez ML, Coveñas R. Neurotensin and Alcohol Use Disorders: Towards a Pharmacological Treatment. Int J Mol Sci 2023; 24:ijms24108656. [PMID: 37240004 DOI: 10.3390/ijms24108656] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/05/2023] [Revised: 05/06/2023] [Accepted: 05/10/2023] [Indexed: 05/28/2023] Open
Abstract
Harmful alcohol use is responsible for a group of disorders collectively named alcohol use disorders (AUDs), according to the DSM-5 classification. The damage induced by alcohol depends on the amount, time, and consumption patterns (continuous and heavy episodic drinking). It affects individual global well-being and social and familial environments with variable impact. Alcohol addiction manifests with different degrees of organ and mental health detriment for the individual, exhibiting two main traits: compulsive drinking and negative emotional states occurring at withdrawal, frequently causing relapse episodes. Numerous individual and living conditions, including the concomitant use of other psychoactive substances, lie in the complexity of AUD. Ethanol and its metabolites directly impact the tissues and may cause local damage or alter the homeostasis of brain neurotransmission, immunity scaffolding, or cell repair biochemical pathways. Brain modulator and neurotransmitter-assembled neurocircuitries govern reward, reinforcement, social interaction, and consumption of alcohol behaviors in an intertwined manner. Experimental evidence supports the participation of neurotensin (NT) in preclinical models of alcohol addiction. For example, NT neurons in the central nucleus of the amygdala projecting to the parabrachial nucleus strengthen alcohol consumption and preference. In addition, the levels of NT in the frontal cortex were found to be lower in rats bred to prefer alcohol to water in a free alcohol-water choice compared to wild-type animals. NT receptors 1 and 2 seem to be involved in alcohol consumption and alcohol effects in several models of knockout mice. This review aims to present an updated picture of the role of NT systems in alcohol addiction and the possible use of nonpeptide ligands modulating the activity of the NT system, applied to experimental animal models of harmful drinking behavior mimicking alcohol addiction leading to health ruin in humans.
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Affiliation(s)
- Francisco D Rodríguez
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, Faculty of Chemical Sciences, University of Salamanca, 37008 Salamanca, Spain
- Group GIR-USAL: BMD (Bases Moleculares del Desarrollo), University of Salamanca, 37008 Salamanca, Spain
| | - Manuel Lisardo Sánchez
- Laboratory of Neuroanatomy of the Peptidergic Systems, Institute of Neurosciences of Castilla and León (INCYL), University of Salamanca, C/Pintor Fernando Gallego 1, 37007 Salamanca, Spain
| | - Rafael Coveñas
- Group GIR-USAL: BMD (Bases Moleculares del Desarrollo), University of Salamanca, 37008 Salamanca, Spain
- Laboratory of Neuroanatomy of the Peptidergic Systems, Institute of Neurosciences of Castilla and León (INCYL), University of Salamanca, C/Pintor Fernando Gallego 1, 37007 Salamanca, Spain
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Fischler PV, Soyka M, Seifritz E, Mutschler J. Off-label and investigational drugs in the treatment of alcohol use disorder: A critical review. Front Pharmacol 2022; 13:927703. [PMID: 36263121 PMCID: PMC9574013 DOI: 10.3389/fphar.2022.927703] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/24/2022] [Accepted: 06/30/2022] [Indexed: 11/13/2022] Open
Abstract
Compounds known to be successful in the treatment of alcohol use disorder include the aversive agent, Disulfiram, the glutamatergic NMDA receptor antagonist, Acamprosate, and the opioid receptor antagonists, Naltrexone and Nalmefene. Although all four are effective in maintaining abstinence or reduction of alcohol consumption, only a small percentage of patients receive pharmacological treatment. In addition, many other medications have been investigated for their therapeutic potential in the treatment of alcohol use disorder. In this review we summarize and compare Baclofen, Gabapentin, Topiramate, Ondansetron, Varenicline, Aripiprazole, Quetiapine, Clozapine, Antidepressants, Lithium, Neuropeptide Y, Neuropeptide S, Corticotropin-releasing factor antagonists, Oxytocin, PF-05190457, Memantine, Ifenprodil, Samidorphan, Ondelopran, ABT-436, SSR149415, Mifepristone, Ibudilast, Citicoline, Rimonabant, Surinabant, AM4113 and Gamma-hydroxybutyrate While some have shown promising results in the treatment of alcohol use disorder, others have disappointed and should be excluded from further investigation. Here we discuss the most promising results and highlight medications that deserve further preclinical or clinical study. Effective, patient-tailored treatment will require greater understanding provided by many more preclinical and clinical studies.
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Affiliation(s)
- Pascal Valentin Fischler
- Department for Gynecology and Obstetrics, Women’s Clinic Lucerne, Cantonal Hospital of Lucerne, Lucerne, Switzerland
- *Correspondence: Pascal Valentin Fischler,
| | - Michael Soyka
- Psychiatric Hospital University of Munich, Munich, Germany
| | - Erich Seifritz
- Director of the Clinic for Psychiatry, Psychotherapy and Psychosomatics, Psychiatric University Clinic Zürich, Zürich, Switzerland
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Curley DE, Webb AE, Sheffler DJ, Haass-Koffler CL. Corticotropin Releasing Factor Binding Protein as a Novel Target to Restore Brain Homeostasis: Lessons Learned From Alcohol Use Disorder Research. Front Behav Neurosci 2021; 15:786855. [PMID: 34912198 PMCID: PMC8667027 DOI: 10.3389/fnbeh.2021.786855] [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: 09/30/2021] [Accepted: 11/08/2021] [Indexed: 11/13/2022] Open
Abstract
Stress is well-known to contribute to the development of many psychiatric illnesses including alcohol and substance use disorder (AUD and SUD). The deleterious effects of stress have also been implicated in the acceleration of biological age, and age-related neurodegenerative disease. The physio-pathology of stress is regulated by the corticotropin-releasing factor (CRF) system, the upstream component of the hypothalamic-pituitary-adrenal (HPA) axis. Extensive literature has shown that dysregulation of the CRF neuroendocrine system contributes to escalation of alcohol consumption and, similarly, chronic alcohol consumption contributes to disruption of the stress system. The CRF system also represents the central switchboard for regulating homeostasis, and more recent studies have found that stress and aberrations in the CRF pathway are implicated in accelerated aging and age-related neurodegenerative disease. Corticotropin releasing factor binding protein (CRFBP) is a secreted glycoprotein distributed in peripheral tissues and in specific brain regions. It neutralizes the effects of CRF by sequestering free CRF, but may also possess excitatory function by interacting with CRF receptors. CRFBP’s dual role in influencing CRF bioavailability and CRF receptor signaling has been shown to have a major part in the HPA axis response. Therefore, CRFBP may represent a valuable target to treat stress-related illness, including: development of novel medications to treat AUD and restore homeostasis in the aging brain. This narrative review focuses on molecular mechanisms related to the role of CRFBP in the progression of addictive and psychiatric disorders, biological aging, and age-related neurodegenerative disease. We provide an overview of recent studies investigating modulation of this pathway as a potential therapeutic target for AUD and age-related neurodegenerative disease.
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Affiliation(s)
- Dallece E Curley
- Center for Alcohol and Addiction Studies, Brown University, Providence, RI, United States.,Neuroscience Graduate Program, Department of Neuroscience, Brown University, Providence, RI, United States
| | - Ashley E Webb
- Department of Molecular Biology, Cell Biology, and Biochemistry, Brown University, Providence, RI, United States.,Carney Institute for Brain Science, Brown University, Providence, RI, United States
| | - Douglas J Sheffler
- Cell and Molecular Biology of Cancer Program, Sanford Burnham Prebys Medical Discovery Institute, La Jolla, CA, United States.,Conrad Prebys Center for Chemical Genomics, Sanford Burnham Prebys Medical Discovery Institute, La Jolla, CA, United States
| | - Carolina L Haass-Koffler
- Center for Alcohol and Addiction Studies, Brown University, Providence, RI, United States.,Carney Institute for Brain Science, Brown University, Providence, RI, United States.,Department of Psychiatry and Human Behavior, Warren Alpert Medical School, Brown University, Providence, RI, United States.,Department of Behavioral and Social Sciences, School of Public Health, Brown University, Providence, RI, United States
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Rodriguez FD. Targeting Epigenetic Mechanisms to Treat Alcohol Use Disorders (AUD). Curr Pharm Des 2021; 27:3252-3272. [PMID: 33535943 PMCID: PMC8778698 DOI: 10.2174/1381612827666210203142539] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/01/2020] [Accepted: 12/08/2020] [Indexed: 12/04/2022]
Abstract
BACKGROUND The impact of abusive alcohol consumption on human health is remarkable. According to the World Health Organization (WHO), approximately 3.3 million people die annually because of harmful alcohol consumption (the figure represents around 5.9% of global deaths). Alcohol Use Disorder (AUD) is a chronic disease where individuals exhibit compulsive alcohol drinking and present negative emotional states when they do not drink. In the most severe manifestations of AUD, the individuals lose control over intake despite a decided will to stop drinking. Given the multiple faces and the specific forms of this disease, the term AUD often appears in the plural (AUDs). Since only a few approved pharmacological treatments are available to treat AUD and they do not apply to all individuals or AUD forms, the search for compounds that may help to eliminate the burden of the disease and complement other therapeutical approaches is necessary. METHODS This work reviews recent research focused on the involvement of epigenetic mechanisms in the pathophysiology of AUD. Excessive drinking leads to chronic and compulsive consumption that eventually damages the organism. The central nervous system is a key target and is the focus of this study. The search for the genetic and epigenetic mechanisms behind the intricated dysregulation induced by ethanol will aid researchers in establishing new therapy approaches. CONCLUSION Recent findings in the field of epigenetics are essential and offer new windows for observation and research. The study of small molecules that inhibit key epienzymes involved in nucleosome architecture dynamics is necessary in order to prove their action and specificity in the laboratory and to test their effectivity and safety in clinical trials with selected patients bearing defined alterations caused by ethanol.
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Affiliation(s)
- F. David Rodriguez
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, Faculty of Chemistry, University of Salamanca and Group GIR BMD (Bases Moleculares del Desarrollo), University of Salamanca, Salamanca, Spain
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Rodriguez FD, Coveñas R. Biochemical Mechanisms Associating Alcohol Use Disorders with Cancers. Cancers (Basel) 2021; 13:cancers13143548. [PMID: 34298760 PMCID: PMC8306032 DOI: 10.3390/cancers13143548] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/17/2021] [Revised: 07/01/2021] [Accepted: 07/14/2021] [Indexed: 02/06/2023] Open
Abstract
Simple Summary Of all yearly deaths attributable to alcohol consumption globally, approximately 12% are due to cancers, representing approximately 0.4 million deceased individuals. Ethanol metabolism disturbs cell biochemistry by targeting the structure and function of essential biomolecules (proteins, nucleic acids, and lipids) and by provoking alterations in cell programming that lead to cancer development and cancer malignancy. A better understanding of the metabolic and cell signaling realm affected by ethanol is paramount to designing effective treatments and preventive actions tailored to specific neoplasias. Abstract The World Health Organization identifies alcohol as a cause of several neoplasias of the oropharynx cavity, esophagus, gastrointestinal tract, larynx, liver, or female breast. We review ethanol’s nonoxidative and oxidative metabolism and one-carbon metabolism that encompasses both redox and transfer reactions that influence crucial cell proliferation machinery. Ethanol favors the uncontrolled production and action of free radicals, which interfere with the maintenance of essential cellular functions. We focus on the generation of protein, DNA, and lipid adducts that interfere with the cellular processes related to growth and differentiation. Ethanol’s effects on stem cells, which are responsible for building and repairing tissues, are reviewed. Cancer stem cells (CSCs) of different origins suffer disturbances related to the expression of cell surface markers, enzymes, and transcription factors after ethanol exposure with the consequent dysregulation of mechanisms related to cancer metastasis or resistance to treatments. Our analysis aims to underline and discuss potential targets that show more sensitivity to ethanol’s action and identify specific metabolic routes and metabolic realms that may be corrected to recover metabolic homeostasis after pharmacological intervention. Specifically, research should pay attention to re-establishing metabolic fluxes by fine-tuning the functioning of specific pathways related to one-carbon metabolism and antioxidant processes.
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Affiliation(s)
- Francisco D. Rodriguez
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, Faculty of Chemistry, University of Salamanca, 37007 Salamanca, Spain
- Group GIR USAL: BMD (Bases Moleculares del Desarrollo), 37007 Salamanca, Spain;
- Correspondence: ; Tel.: +34-677-510-030
| | - Rafael Coveñas
- Group GIR USAL: BMD (Bases Moleculares del Desarrollo), 37007 Salamanca, Spain;
- Institute of Neurosciences of Castilla y León (INCYL), Laboratory of Neuroanatomy of the Peptidergic Systems, University of Salamanca, 37007 Salamanca, Spain
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Czarnecka M, Lu C, Pons J, Maheswaran I, Ciborowski P, Zhang L, Cheema A, Kitlinska J. Neuropeptide Y receptor interactions regulate its mitogenic activity. Neuropeptides 2019; 73:11-24. [PMID: 30503694 PMCID: PMC6532649 DOI: 10.1016/j.npep.2018.11.008] [Citation(s) in RCA: 16] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/17/2018] [Revised: 10/15/2018] [Accepted: 11/26/2018] [Indexed: 12/11/2022]
Abstract
Neuropeptide Y (NPY) is a multifunctional neurotransmitter acting via G protein-coupled receptors - Y1R, Y2R and Y5R. NPY activities, such as its proliferative effects, are mediated by multiple receptors, which have the ability to dimerize. However, the role of this receptor interplay in NPY functions remains unclear. The goal of the current study was to identify NPY receptor interactions, focusing on the ligand-binding fraction, and determine their impact on the mitogenic activity of the peptide. Y1R, Y2R and Y5R expressed in CHO-K1 cells formed homodimers detectable on the cell surface by cross-linking. Moreover, Y1R and Y5R heterodimerized, while no Y2R/Y5R heterodimers were detected. Nevertheless, Y5R failed to block internalization of its cognate receptor in both Y1R/Y5R and Y2R/Y5R transfectants, indicating Y5R transactivation upon stimulation of the co-expressed receptor. These receptor interactions correlated with an augmented mitogenic response to NPY. In Y1R/Y5R and Y2R/Y5R transfectants, the proliferative response started at picomolar NPY concentrations, while nanomolar concentrations were needed to trigger proliferation in cells transfected with single receptors. Thus, our data identify direct and indirect heterotypic NPY receptor interactions as the mechanism amplifying its activity. Understanding these processes is crucial for the design of treatments targeting the NPY system.
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Affiliation(s)
- Magdalena Czarnecka
- Department of Physiology and Biophysics, Georgetown University Medical Center, Washington, DC, USA
| | - Congyi Lu
- Department of Physiology and Biophysics, Georgetown University Medical Center, Washington, DC, USA; New York Genome Center, New York, NY, USA
| | - Jennifer Pons
- Department of Physiology and Biophysics, Georgetown University Medical Center, Washington, DC, USA
| | - Induja Maheswaran
- Department of Physiology and Biophysics, Georgetown University Medical Center, Washington, DC, USA
| | - Pawel Ciborowski
- Department of Pharmacology and Experimental Neuroscience, University of Nebraska Medical Center, Omaha, NE, USA
| | - Lihua Zhang
- Department of Oncology, Lombardi Comprehensive Cancer Center, Georgetown University Medical Center, Washington, DC, USA
| | - Amrita Cheema
- Department of Oncology, Lombardi Comprehensive Cancer Center, Georgetown University Medical Center, Washington, DC, USA
| | - Joanna Kitlinska
- Department of Physiology and Biophysics, Georgetown University Medical Center, Washington, DC, USA; Department of Biochemistry and Molecular & Cellular Biology, Georgetown University Medical Center, Washington, DC, USA.
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Abstract
In this review, the effects of stress on alcohol drinking are discussed. The interactions between biological stress systems and alcohol drinking are examined, with a focus on the hypothalamic pituitary adrenal axis, corticotropin releasing factor, dynorphin, neuropeptide Y, and norepinephrine systems. Findings from animal models suggest that these biological stress systems may be useful targets for medications development for alcohol use disorder and co-occurring stress-related disorders in humans.
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Affiliation(s)
- Marcus M Weera
- Marcus M. Weera, Ph.D., is a postdoctoral fellow in the Department of Physiology, Louisiana State University Health Sciences Center, New Orleans, Louisiana. Nicholas W. Gilpin, Ph.D., is a professor in the Department of Physiology, Louisiana State University Health Sciences Center, New Orleans, Louisiana
| | - Nicholas W Gilpin
- Marcus M. Weera, Ph.D., is a postdoctoral fellow in the Department of Physiology, Louisiana State University Health Sciences Center, New Orleans, Louisiana. Nicholas W. Gilpin, Ph.D., is a professor in the Department of Physiology, Louisiana State University Health Sciences Center, New Orleans, Louisiana
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Okhovatian F, Rezaei Tavirani M, Rostami-Nejad M, Rezaei Tavirani S. Protein-Protein Interaction Network Analysis Revealed a New Prospective of Posttraumatic Stress Disorder. Galen Med J 2018; 7:e1137. [PMID: 34466439 PMCID: PMC8344167 DOI: 10.22086/gmj.v0i0.1137] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/10/2018] [Revised: 03/25/2018] [Accepted: 05/08/2018] [Indexed: 11/30/2022] Open
Abstract
Background Posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD) is known by a number of mental disorders, including recurring memories of trauma, mental appalling, and escaping of sign that make them recall the trauma in question. Clinical interviews serve as the main diagnostic tool for PTSD. With respect to treatment, either pharmacotherapy or psychotherapy or a combination of both is used as a therapeutic method for PTSD. In this study, a number of crucial genes related to PTSD, which can be considered as biomarker candidates, were represented. Materials and Methods The genes related to PTSD were extracted from the STRING database and organized in a protein-protein interaction network with the help of Cytoscape software version 3.6.0. The network was analyzed, and the important genes were introduced based on central indices. The biological processes related to the crucial genes were enriched via gene ontology using ClueGO. Results From a total of 100 genes, 63 genes were extracted that formed the main connected component, and of these, 12 crucial genes-POMC, BDNF, FOS, NR3C1, CRH, IL6, NPS, HTR1A, NPY, CREB1, CRHR1, and TAC1-were introduced. Biological processes were classified into the regulation of corticosterone, regulation of behavior, response to fungus, multicellular organism response to stress, and associative learning. Conclusion The introduced 12 crucial genes can be used as a biomarker panel related to PTSD and can be considered as a diagnostic reagent or drug target; however, more investigations are needed to use these genes as biomarkers.
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Affiliation(s)
- Farshad Okhovatian
- Physiotherapy Research Center, Shahid Beheshti University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran
| | - Mostafa Rezaei Tavirani
- Proteomics Research Center, Faculty of Paramedical Sciences, Shahid Beheshti University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran
| | - Mohammad Rostami-Nejad
- Gastroenterology and Liver Diseases Research Center, Research Institute for Gastroenterology and Liver Diseases, Shahid Beheshti University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran
| | - Sina Rezaei Tavirani
- Proteomics Research Center, Faculty of Paramedical Sciences, Shahid Beheshti University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran
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