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da Costa Rodrigues K, da Conceição Oliveira M, Dos Santos BF, de Campos Domingues NL, Fronza MG, Savegnago L, Wilhelm EA, Luchese C. Mechanisms involved in the antidepressant-like action of orally administered 5-((4-methoxyphenyl)thio)benzo[c][1,2,5]thiadiazole (MTDZ) in male and female mice. Psychopharmacology (Berl) 2024:10.1007/s00213-024-06647-0. [PMID: 39008059 DOI: 10.1007/s00213-024-06647-0] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/27/2023] [Accepted: 07/02/2024] [Indexed: 07/16/2024]
Abstract
RATIONALE The compound 5-((4-methoxyphenyl)thio)benzo[c][1,2,5]thiadiazole (MTDZ) has recently been shown to inhibit in vitro acetylcholinesterase activity, reduce cognitive damage, and improve neuropsychic behavior in mice, making it a promising molecule to treat depression. OBJECTIVES This study investigated the antidepressant-like action of MTDZ in mice and its potential mechanisms of action. RESULTS Molecular docking assays were performed and suggested a potential inhibition of monoamine oxidase A (MAO-A) by MTDZ. The toxicity study revealed that MTDZ displayed no signs of toxicity, changes in oxidative parameters, or alterations to biochemistry markers, even at a high dose of 300 mg/kg. In behavioral tests, MTDZ administration reduced immobility behavior during the forced swim test (FST) without adjusting the climbing parameter, suggesting it has an antidepressant effect. The antidepressant-like action of MTDZ was negated with the administration of 5-HT1A, 5-HT1A/1B, and 5-HT3 receptor antagonists, implying the involvement of serotonergic pathways. Moreover, the antidepressant-like action of MTDZ was linked to the NO system, as L-arginine pretreatment inhibited its activity. The ex vivo assays indicated that MTDZ normalized ATPase activity, potentially linking this behavior to its antidepressant-like action. MTDZ treatment restricted MAO-A activity in the cerebral cortices and hippocampi of mice, proposing a selective inhibition of MAO-A associated with the antidepressant-like effect of the compound. CONCLUSIONS These findings suggest that MTDZ may serve as a promising antidepressant agent due to its selective inhibition of MAO-A and the involvement of serotonergic and NO pathways.
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Affiliation(s)
- Karline da Costa Rodrigues
- Research Laboratory in Biochemical Pharmacology (LaFarBio), Neurobiotechnology Research Group (GPN), Center for Chemical, Pharmaceutical and Food Sciences, Federal University of Pelotas (UFPel), Campus Capão do Leão, Pelotas, RS, CEP 96010-900, Brazil
| | - Meliza da Conceição Oliveira
- Research Laboratory in Biochemical Pharmacology (LaFarBio), Neurobiotechnology Research Group (GPN), Center for Chemical, Pharmaceutical and Food Sciences, Federal University of Pelotas (UFPel), Campus Capão do Leão, Pelotas, RS, CEP 96010-900, Brazil
| | - Beatriz Fuzinato Dos Santos
- Laboratory of Organic Catalysis and Biocatalysis, Federal University of Grande Dourados, Dourados, MS, Brazil
| | | | - Mariana Gallio Fronza
- Graduate Program in Biotechnology (GPN), Technological Development Center, Federal University of Pelotas (UFPel), Pelotas, RS, CEP 96010-900, Brazil
| | - Lucielli Savegnago
- Graduate Program in Biotechnology (GPN), Technological Development Center, Federal University of Pelotas (UFPel), Pelotas, RS, CEP 96010-900, Brazil
| | - Ethel Antunes Wilhelm
- Research Laboratory in Biochemical Pharmacology (LaFarBio), Neurobiotechnology Research Group (GPN), Center for Chemical, Pharmaceutical and Food Sciences, Federal University of Pelotas (UFPel), Campus Capão do Leão, Pelotas, RS, CEP 96010-900, Brazil
| | - Cristiane Luchese
- Research Laboratory in Biochemical Pharmacology (LaFarBio), Neurobiotechnology Research Group (GPN), Center for Chemical, Pharmaceutical and Food Sciences, Federal University of Pelotas (UFPel), Campus Capão do Leão, Pelotas, RS, CEP 96010-900, Brazil.
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Trunnell ER, Baines J, Farghali S, Jackson T, Jayne K, Smith R, Stibbe T. The need for guidance in antidepressant drug development: Revisiting the role of the forced swim test and tail suspension test. Regul Toxicol Pharmacol 2024; 151:105666. [PMID: 38942190 DOI: 10.1016/j.yrtph.2024.105666] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/09/2024] [Revised: 05/21/2024] [Accepted: 06/24/2024] [Indexed: 06/30/2024]
Abstract
Depressive disorders are one of the most common mental disorders globally and progress in treating these disorders has been hampered, in part, by a lack of suitable nonclinical efficacy tests. Two common tests used in nonclinical efficacy studies of antidepressants-the forced swim test (FST) and tail suspension test (TST)-have come under criticism in recent years for their inconsistency and lack of validity, yet they continue to be used in the pharmaceutical industry. In this review, we provide a rationale for why international pharmaceutical regulatory and guidance agencies should begin issuing direction on methods for non-clinical efficacy testing that traditionally use the FST and TST, particularly considering that some regulators, such as those in the U.S. and E.U., allow the authorization of clinical trials to proceed without requiring tests in animals. The area of antidepressant drug discovery represents an important opportunity for reducing the attrition of psychiatric drugs, harmonizing regulatory requirements, and reducing animal use. Specific recommendations for the International Council for Harmonisation of Technical Requirements for Pharmaceuticals for Human Use (ICH) have been provided.
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Affiliation(s)
- Emily R Trunnell
- People for the Ethical Treatment of Animals (PETA) U.S., 1536 16th St. N.W., Washington, DC, 20036, USA.
| | - Julia Baines
- PETA U.K., Society Building, 8 All Saints Street, London, N1 9RL, UK
| | - Stephen Farghali
- Physicians Committee for Responsible Medicine, 5100 Wisconsin Ave # 400, Washington, DC, 20016, USA.
| | - Tara Jackson
- New Zealand Anti-Vivisection Society, PO BOX 9387, Tower Junction, Christchurch, 8149, New Zealand.
| | - Kimberley Jayne
- PETA U.K., Society Building, 8 All Saints Street, London, N1 9RL, UK.
| | - Rachel Smith
- Animal-Free Science Advocacy, PO Box 15, Fitzroy Vic, 3065, Australia.
| | - Tina Stibbe
- PETA Deutschland e.V., Friolzheimer Strasse 3, 70499, Stuttgart, Germany.
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Norris MR, Becker LJ, Bilbily J, Chang YH, Borges G, Dunn SS, Madasu MK, Vazquez CR, Cariello SA, Al-Hasani R, Creed MC, McCall JG. Spared nerve injury decreases motivation in long-access homecage-based operant tasks in mice. Pain 2024; 165:1247-1265. [PMID: 38015628 PMCID: PMC11095834 DOI: 10.1097/j.pain.0000000000003123] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/20/2022] [Accepted: 10/10/2023] [Indexed: 11/30/2023]
Abstract
ABSTRACT Neuropathic pain causes both sensory and emotional maladaptation. Preclinical animal studies of neuropathic pain-induced negative affect could result in novel insights into the mechanisms of chronic pain. Modeling pain-induced negative affect, however, is variable across research groups and conditions. The same injury may or may not produce robust negative affective behavioral responses across different species, strains, and laboratories. Here, we sought to identify negative affective consequences of the spared nerve injury model on C57BL/6J male and female mice. We found no significant effect of spared nerve injury across a variety of approach-avoidance conflict, hedonic choice, and coping strategy assays. We hypothesized these inconsistencies may stem in part from the short test duration of these assays. To test this hypothesis, we used the homecage-based Feeding Experimentation Device version 3 to conduct 12-hour, overnight progressive ratio testing to determine whether mice with chronic spared nerve injury had decreased motivation to earn palatable food rewards. Our data demonstrate that despite equivalent task learning, spared nerve injury mice are less motivated to work for a sugar pellet than sham controls. Furthermore, when we normalized behavioral responses across all the behavioral assays we tested, we found that a combined normalized behavioral score is predictive of injury state and significantly correlates with mechanical thresholds. Together, these results suggest that homecage-based operant behaviors provide a useful platform for modeling nerve injury-induced negative affect and that valuable pain-related information can arise from agglomerative data analyses across behavioral assays-even when individual inferential statistics do not demonstrate significant mean differences.
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Affiliation(s)
- Makenzie R. Norris
- Department of Anesthesiology, Washington University in St. Louis, St. Louis, MO, USA; Department of Pharmaceutical and Administrative Sciences, St. Louis College of Pharmacy, St. Louis, MO, USA; Center for Clinical Pharmacology, St. Louis College of Pharmacy and Washington University School of Medicine, St. Louis, MO, USA; Washington University Pain Center, Washington University in St. Louis, St. Louis, MO, USA
- Division of Biology and Biomedical Sciences, Washington University School of Medicine, St. Louis, MO, USA
| | - Léa J. Becker
- Department of Anesthesiology, Washington University in St. Louis, St. Louis, MO, USA; Department of Pharmaceutical and Administrative Sciences, St. Louis College of Pharmacy, St. Louis, MO, USA; Center for Clinical Pharmacology, St. Louis College of Pharmacy and Washington University School of Medicine, St. Louis, MO, USA; Washington University Pain Center, Washington University in St. Louis, St. Louis, MO, USA
| | - John Bilbily
- Department of Anesthesiology, Washington University in St. Louis, St. Louis, MO, USA; Department of Pharmaceutical and Administrative Sciences, St. Louis College of Pharmacy, St. Louis, MO, USA; Center for Clinical Pharmacology, St. Louis College of Pharmacy and Washington University School of Medicine, St. Louis, MO, USA; Washington University Pain Center, Washington University in St. Louis, St. Louis, MO, USA
- Department of Psychiatry, Washington University in St. Louis, St. Louis, MO, USA
| | - Yu-Hsuan Chang
- Department of Anesthesiology, Washington University in St. Louis, St. Louis, MO, USA; Department of Pharmaceutical and Administrative Sciences, St. Louis College of Pharmacy, St. Louis, MO, USA; Center for Clinical Pharmacology, St. Louis College of Pharmacy and Washington University School of Medicine, St. Louis, MO, USA; Washington University Pain Center, Washington University in St. Louis, St. Louis, MO, USA
- Division of Biology and Biomedical Sciences, Washington University School of Medicine, St. Louis, MO, USA
| | - Gustavo Borges
- Department of Anesthesiology, Washington University in St. Louis, St. Louis, MO, USA; Department of Pharmaceutical and Administrative Sciences, St. Louis College of Pharmacy, St. Louis, MO, USA; Center for Clinical Pharmacology, St. Louis College of Pharmacy and Washington University School of Medicine, St. Louis, MO, USA; Washington University Pain Center, Washington University in St. Louis, St. Louis, MO, USA
| | - Samantha S. Dunn
- Department of Anesthesiology, Washington University in St. Louis, St. Louis, MO, USA; Department of Pharmaceutical and Administrative Sciences, St. Louis College of Pharmacy, St. Louis, MO, USA; Center for Clinical Pharmacology, St. Louis College of Pharmacy and Washington University School of Medicine, St. Louis, MO, USA; Washington University Pain Center, Washington University in St. Louis, St. Louis, MO, USA
- Division of Biology and Biomedical Sciences, Washington University School of Medicine, St. Louis, MO, USA
| | - Manish K. Madasu
- Department of Anesthesiology, Washington University in St. Louis, St. Louis, MO, USA; Department of Pharmaceutical and Administrative Sciences, St. Louis College of Pharmacy, St. Louis, MO, USA; Center for Clinical Pharmacology, St. Louis College of Pharmacy and Washington University School of Medicine, St. Louis, MO, USA; Washington University Pain Center, Washington University in St. Louis, St. Louis, MO, USA
| | - Chayla R. Vazquez
- Department of Anesthesiology, Washington University in St. Louis, St. Louis, MO, USA; Department of Pharmaceutical and Administrative Sciences, St. Louis College of Pharmacy, St. Louis, MO, USA; Center for Clinical Pharmacology, St. Louis College of Pharmacy and Washington University School of Medicine, St. Louis, MO, USA; Washington University Pain Center, Washington University in St. Louis, St. Louis, MO, USA
- Division of Biology and Biomedical Sciences, Washington University School of Medicine, St. Louis, MO, USA
| | - Solana A. Cariello
- Department of Anesthesiology, Washington University in St. Louis, St. Louis, MO, USA; Department of Pharmaceutical and Administrative Sciences, St. Louis College of Pharmacy, St. Louis, MO, USA; Center for Clinical Pharmacology, St. Louis College of Pharmacy and Washington University School of Medicine, St. Louis, MO, USA; Washington University Pain Center, Washington University in St. Louis, St. Louis, MO, USA
| | - Ream Al-Hasani
- Department of Anesthesiology, Washington University in St. Louis, St. Louis, MO, USA; Department of Pharmaceutical and Administrative Sciences, St. Louis College of Pharmacy, St. Louis, MO, USA; Center for Clinical Pharmacology, St. Louis College of Pharmacy and Washington University School of Medicine, St. Louis, MO, USA; Washington University Pain Center, Washington University in St. Louis, St. Louis, MO, USA
- Division of Biology and Biomedical Sciences, Washington University School of Medicine, St. Louis, MO, USA
| | - Meaghan C. Creed
- Department of Anesthesiology, Washington University in St. Louis, St. Louis, MO, USA; Department of Pharmaceutical and Administrative Sciences, St. Louis College of Pharmacy, St. Louis, MO, USA; Center for Clinical Pharmacology, St. Louis College of Pharmacy and Washington University School of Medicine, St. Louis, MO, USA; Washington University Pain Center, Washington University in St. Louis, St. Louis, MO, USA
- Division of Biology and Biomedical Sciences, Washington University School of Medicine, St. Louis, MO, USA
- Department of Psychiatry, Washington University in St. Louis, St. Louis, MO, USA
| | - Jordan G. McCall
- Department of Anesthesiology, Washington University in St. Louis, St. Louis, MO, USA; Department of Pharmaceutical and Administrative Sciences, St. Louis College of Pharmacy, St. Louis, MO, USA; Center for Clinical Pharmacology, St. Louis College of Pharmacy and Washington University School of Medicine, St. Louis, MO, USA; Washington University Pain Center, Washington University in St. Louis, St. Louis, MO, USA
- Division of Biology and Biomedical Sciences, Washington University School of Medicine, St. Louis, MO, USA
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Sheng JA, Tobet SA. Maternal immune activation with toll-like receptor 7 agonist during mid-gestation alters juvenile and adult developmental milestones and behavior. J Neuroendocrinol 2024:e13417. [PMID: 38822791 DOI: 10.1111/jne.13417] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/08/2023] [Revised: 05/07/2024] [Accepted: 05/15/2024] [Indexed: 06/03/2024]
Abstract
Infections during pregnancy are associated with increased risk for adult neuropsychiatric disease, such as major depressive disorder, schizophrenia, and autism spectrum disorder. In mouse models of maternal immune activation (MIA), different toll-like receptors (TLRs) are stimulated to initiate inflammatory responses in mother and fetus. The goal of this study was to determine sex-dependent aspects of MIA using a TLR7/8 agonist, Resiquimod (RQ), on neurodevelopment. RQ was administered to timed-pregnant mice on embryonic day (E) 12.5. At E15, maternal/fetal plasma cytokines were measured by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA). Maternal cytokines interleukin (IL)-6 and IL-10 were higher while tumor necrosis factor (TNF)-α and IL-17 were lower in pregnant dams exposed to RQ. Fetal cytokines (E15) were altered at the same timepoint with fetal plasma IL-6 and IL-17 greater after RQ compared to vehicle, while IL-10 and TNF-α were higher in male fetuses but not female. Other timed-pregnant dams were allowed to give birth. MIA with RQ did not alter the female to male ratio of offspring born per litter. Body weights were reduced significantly in both sexes at birth, and over the next 5 weeks. Offspring from RQ-injected mothers opened their eyes 5 days later than controls. Similarly, female offspring from RQ-injected mothers exhibited pubertal delay based on vaginal opening 2-3 days later than control females. On the behavioral side, juvenile and adult male and female MIA offspring exhibited less social-like behavior in a social interaction test. Anhedonia-like behavior was greater in MIA adult female mice. This study provides support for sex-dependent influences of fetal antecedents for altered brain development and behavioral outputs that could be indicative of increased susceptibility for adult disorders through immune mechanisms. Future studies are needed to determine neural cellular and molecular mechanisms for such programming effects.
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Affiliation(s)
- Julietta A Sheng
- Department of Biomedical Sciences, Colorado State University, Fort Collins, Colorado, USA
| | - Stuart A Tobet
- Department of Biomedical Sciences, Colorado State University, Fort Collins, Colorado, USA
- Department of Psychiatry, Mass General Hospital, Harvard Medical School, Boston, Massachusetts, USA
- School of Biomedical Engineering, Colorado State University, Fort Collins, Colorado, USA
- Innovation Center on Sex Differences in Medicine, Mass General Hospital, Boston, Massachusetts, USA
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5
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Pimenta J, Da Silva Oliveira B, Lima ALD, Machado CA, De Souza Barbosa Lacerda L, Rossi L, Queiroz-Junior CM, De Souza-Costa LP, Andrade ACSP, Gonçalves MR, Mota B, Marim FM, Aguiar RS, Guimarães PPG, Teixeira AL, Vieira LB, Guatimosim C, Teixeira MM, De Miranda AS, Costa VV. A suitable model to investigate acute neurological consequences of coronavirus infection. Inflamm Res 2023; 72:2073-2088. [PMID: 37837557 DOI: 10.1007/s00011-023-01798-w] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/02/2023] [Revised: 09/06/2023] [Accepted: 09/13/2023] [Indexed: 10/16/2023] Open
Abstract
OBJECTIVE AND DESIGN The present study aimed to investigate the neurochemical and behavioral effects of the acute consequences after coronavirus infection through a murine model. MATERIAL Wild-type C57BL/6 mice were infected intranasally (i.n) with the murine coronavirus 3 (MHV-3). METHODS Mice underwent behavioral tests. Euthanasia was performed on the fifth day after infection (5 dpi), and the brain tissue was subjected to plaque assays for viral titration, ELISA, histopathological, immunohistochemical and synaptosome analysis. RESULTS Increased viral titers and mild histological changes, including signs of neuronal degeneration, were observed in the cerebral cortex of infected mice. Importantly, MHV-3 infection induced an increase in cortical levels of glutamate and calcium, which is indicative of excitotoxicity, as well as increased levels of pro-inflammatory cytokines (IL-6, IFN-γ) and reduced levels of neuroprotective mediators (BDNF and CX3CL1) in the mice brain. Finally, behavioral analysis showed impaired motor, anhedonia-like and anxiety-like behaviors in animals infected with MHV-3. CONCLUSIONS In conclusion, the data presented emulate many aspects of the acute neurological outcomes seen in patients with COVID-19. Therefore, this model may provide a preclinical platform to study acute neurological sequelae induced by coronavirus infection and test possible therapies.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jordane Pimenta
- Department of Morphology, Institute of Biological Sciences, Universidade Federal de Minas Gerais, Avenida Presidente Antônio Carlos, 6627, Belo Horizonte, MG, 31270-901, Brazil
| | - Bruna Da Silva Oliveira
- Department of Morphology, Institute of Biological Sciences, Universidade Federal de Minas Gerais, Avenida Presidente Antônio Carlos, 6627, Belo Horizonte, MG, 31270-901, Brazil
| | - Anna Luiza Diniz Lima
- Department of Physiology and Biophysics, Institute of Biological Sciences, Universidade Federal de Minas Gerais, Belo Horizonte, MG, Brazil
| | - Caroline Amaral Machado
- Department of Morphology, Institute of Biological Sciences, Universidade Federal de Minas Gerais, Avenida Presidente Antônio Carlos, 6627, Belo Horizonte, MG, 31270-901, Brazil
| | - Larisse De Souza Barbosa Lacerda
- Department of Morphology, Institute of Biological Sciences, Universidade Federal de Minas Gerais, Avenida Presidente Antônio Carlos, 6627, Belo Horizonte, MG, 31270-901, Brazil
| | - Leonardo Rossi
- Department of Morphology, Institute of Biological Sciences, Universidade Federal de Minas Gerais, Avenida Presidente Antônio Carlos, 6627, Belo Horizonte, MG, 31270-901, Brazil
| | - Celso Martins Queiroz-Junior
- Department of Morphology, Institute of Biological Sciences, Universidade Federal de Minas Gerais, Avenida Presidente Antônio Carlos, 6627, Belo Horizonte, MG, 31270-901, Brazil
| | - Luiz Pedro De Souza-Costa
- Department of Biochemistry and Immunology, Institute of Biological Sciences, Universidade Federal de Minas Gerais, Belo Horizonte, MG, Brazil
| | - Ana Claudia Santos Pereira Andrade
- Department of Morphology, Institute of Biological Sciences, Universidade Federal de Minas Gerais, Avenida Presidente Antônio Carlos, 6627, Belo Horizonte, MG, 31270-901, Brazil
| | - Matheus Rodrigues Gonçalves
- Department of Microbiology, Institute of Biological Sciences, Universidade Federal de Minas Gerais, Belo Horizonte, MG, Brazil
| | - Bárbara Mota
- Department of Morphology, Institute of Biological Sciences, Universidade Federal de Minas Gerais, Avenida Presidente Antônio Carlos, 6627, Belo Horizonte, MG, 31270-901, Brazil
| | - Fernanda Martins Marim
- Department of Genetics, Ecology and Evolution, Institute of Biological Sciences, Universidade Federal de Minas Gerais, Belo Horizonte, MG, Brazil
| | - Renato Santana Aguiar
- Department of Genetics, Ecology and Evolution, Institute of Biological Sciences, Universidade Federal de Minas Gerais, Belo Horizonte, MG, Brazil
| | - Pedro Pires Goulart Guimarães
- Department of Physiology and Biophysics, Institute of Biological Sciences, Universidade Federal de Minas Gerais, Belo Horizonte, MG, Brazil
| | - Antônio Lúcio Teixeira
- Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences, McGovern Medical Houston, The University of Texas Health Science Center at Houston, Houston, TX, USA
| | - Luciene Bruno Vieira
- Department of Physiology and Biophysics, Institute of Biological Sciences, Universidade Federal de Minas Gerais, Belo Horizonte, MG, Brazil
| | - Cristina Guatimosim
- Department of Morphology, Institute of Biological Sciences, Universidade Federal de Minas Gerais, Avenida Presidente Antônio Carlos, 6627, Belo Horizonte, MG, 31270-901, Brazil
| | - Mauro Martins Teixeira
- Department of Biochemistry and Immunology, Institute of Biological Sciences, Universidade Federal de Minas Gerais, Belo Horizonte, MG, Brazil
| | - Aline Silva De Miranda
- Department of Morphology, Institute of Biological Sciences, Universidade Federal de Minas Gerais, Avenida Presidente Antônio Carlos, 6627, Belo Horizonte, MG, 31270-901, Brazil.
| | - Vivian Vasconcelos Costa
- Department of Morphology, Institute of Biological Sciences, Universidade Federal de Minas Gerais, Avenida Presidente Antônio Carlos, 6627, Belo Horizonte, MG, 31270-901, Brazil.
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6
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Reiber M, von Schumann L, Buchecker V, Boldt L, Gass P, Bleich A, Talbot SR, Potschka H. Evidence-based comparative severity assessment in young and adult mice. PLoS One 2023; 18:e0285429. [PMID: 37862304 PMCID: PMC10588901 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0285429] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/28/2022] [Accepted: 04/21/2023] [Indexed: 10/22/2023] Open
Abstract
In animal-based research, welfare assessments are essential for ethical and legal reasons. However, accurate assessment of suffering in laboratory animals is often complicated by the multidimensional character of distress and pain and the associated affective states. The present study aimed to design and validate multidimensional composite measure schemes comprising behavioral and biochemical parameters based on a bioinformatics approach. Published data sets from induced and genetic mouse models of neurological and psychiatric disorders were subjected to a bioinformatics workflow for cross-model analyses. ROC analyses pointed to a model-specific discriminatory power of selected behavioral parameters. Principal component analyses confirmed that the composite measure schemes developed for adult or young mice provided relevant information with the level of group separation reflecting the expected severity levels. Finally, the validity of the composite measure schemes developed for adult and young mice was further confirmed by k-means-based clustering as a basis for severity classification. The classification systems allowed the allocation of individual animals to different severity levels and a direct comparison of animal groups and other models. In conclusion, the bioinformatics approach confirmed the suitability of the composite measure schemes for evidence-based comparative severity assessment in adult and young mice. In particular, we demonstrated that the composite measure schemes provide a basis for an individualized severity classification in control and experimental groups allowing direct comparison of severity levels across different induced or genetic models. An online tool (R package) is provided, allowing the application of the bioinformatics approach to severity assessment data sets regardless of the parameters or models used. This tool can also be used to validate refinement measures.
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Affiliation(s)
- Maria Reiber
- Institute of Pharmacology, Toxicology, and Pharmacy, Ludwig-Maximilians-University (LMU), Munich, Germany
| | - Lara von Schumann
- Institute of Pharmacology, Toxicology, and Pharmacy, Ludwig-Maximilians-University (LMU), Munich, Germany
| | - Verena Buchecker
- Institute of Pharmacology, Toxicology, and Pharmacy, Ludwig-Maximilians-University (LMU), Munich, Germany
| | - Lena Boldt
- Institute of Pharmacology, Toxicology, and Pharmacy, Ludwig-Maximilians-University (LMU), Munich, Germany
| | - Peter Gass
- RG Animal Models in Psychiatry, Department of Psychiatry and Psychotherapy, Central Institute of Mental Health, Medical Faculty Mannheim, Heidelberg University, Mannheim, Germany
| | - Andre Bleich
- Institute for Laboratory Animal Science and Central Animal Facility, Hannover Medical School, Hannover, Germany
| | - Steven Roger Talbot
- Institute for Laboratory Animal Science and Central Animal Facility, Hannover Medical School, Hannover, Germany
| | - Heidrun Potschka
- Institute of Pharmacology, Toxicology, and Pharmacy, Ludwig-Maximilians-University (LMU), Munich, Germany
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7
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Kang J, Park M, Oh CM, Kim T. High-fat diet-induced dopaminergic dysregulation induces REM sleep fragmentation and ADHD-like behaviors. Psychiatry Res 2023; 327:115412. [PMID: 37607442 DOI: 10.1016/j.psychres.2023.115412] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/17/2023] [Revised: 07/27/2023] [Accepted: 08/10/2023] [Indexed: 08/24/2023]
Abstract
Consumption of a high-fat diet (HFD) has been associated with reduced wakefulness and various behavioral deficits, including anxiety, depression, and anhedonia. The dopaminergic system, which plays a crucial role in sleep and ADHD, is known to be vulnerable to chronic HFD. However, the association between HFD-induced behavioral and molecular changes remains unclear. Therefore, we investigated the effects of a HFD on the dopaminergic system and its association with behavioral deficits in male mice. The mice were divided into normal diet and HFD groups and were analyzed for sleep patterns, behavior tests, and transcription levels of dopamine-related genes in the brain. The HFD group showed decreased wakefulness, increased REM sleep with fragmented patterns, decreased time spent in the center zone of the open field test, shorter immobile time in the tail suspension test, impaired visuospatial memory, and reduced sucrose preference. Additionally, the HFD group had decreased mRNA levels of D1R, COMT, and DAT in the nucleus accumbens, which negatively correlated with REM sleep proportion and REM sleep bout count. The results suggest that HFD-induced behavioral deficits were resemblance to ADHD-like behavioral phenotypes and disturbs REM sleep by dysregulating the dopaminergic system.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jiseung Kang
- Department of Biomedical Science and Engineering, Gwangju Institute of Science and Technology, Gwangju 61005, Republic of Korea
| | - Mincheol Park
- Department of Biomedical Science and Engineering, Gwangju Institute of Science and Technology, Gwangju 61005, Republic of Korea
| | - Chang-Myung Oh
- Department of Biomedical Science and Engineering, Gwangju Institute of Science and Technology, Gwangju 61005, Republic of Korea.
| | - Tae Kim
- Department of Biomedical Science and Engineering, Gwangju Institute of Science and Technology, Gwangju 61005, Republic of Korea.
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8
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Suarez LM, Diaz-Del Cerro E, Felix J, Gonzalez-Sanchez M, Ceprian N, Guerra-Perez N, G Novelle M, Martinez de Toda I, De la Fuente M. Sex differences in neuroimmunoendocrine communication. Involvement on longevity. Mech Ageing Dev 2023; 211:111798. [PMID: 36907251 DOI: 10.1016/j.mad.2023.111798] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/18/2022] [Revised: 03/07/2023] [Accepted: 03/07/2023] [Indexed: 03/13/2023]
Abstract
Endocrine, nervous, and immune systems work coordinately to maintain the global homeostasis of the organism. They show sex differences in their functions that, in turn, contribute to sex differences beyond reproductive function. Females display a better control of the energetic metabolism and improved neuroprotection and have more antioxidant defenses and a better inflammatory status than males, which is associated with a more robust immune response than that of males. These differences are present from the early stages of life, being more relevant in adulthood and influencing the aging trajectory in each sex and may contribute to the different life lifespan between sexes.
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Affiliation(s)
- Luz M Suarez
- Department of Genetics, Physiology, and Microbiology (Unit of Animal Physiology), Faculty of Biology, Complutense University, Madrid, Spain.
| | - Estefania Diaz-Del Cerro
- Department of Genetics, Physiology, and Microbiology (Unit of Animal Physiology), Faculty of Biology, Complutense University, Madrid, Spain; Institute of Investigation Hospital 12 Octubre (imas12), Madrid, Spain
| | - Judith Felix
- Department of Genetics, Physiology, and Microbiology (Unit of Animal Physiology), Faculty of Biology, Complutense University, Madrid, Spain; Institute of Investigation Hospital 12 Octubre (imas12), Madrid, Spain
| | - Monica Gonzalez-Sanchez
- Department of Genetics, Physiology, and Microbiology (Unit of Animal Physiology), Faculty of Biology, Complutense University, Madrid, Spain; Institute of Investigation Hospital 12 Octubre (imas12), Madrid, Spain
| | - Noemi Ceprian
- Department of Genetics, Physiology, and Microbiology (Unit of Animal Physiology), Faculty of Biology, Complutense University, Madrid, Spain; Institute of Investigation Hospital 12 Octubre (imas12), Madrid, Spain
| | - Natalia Guerra-Perez
- Department of Genetics, Physiology, and Microbiology (Unit of Animal Physiology), Faculty of Biology, Complutense University, Madrid, Spain; Institute of Investigation Hospital 12 Octubre (imas12), Madrid, Spain
| | - Marta G Novelle
- Department of Genetics, Physiology, and Microbiology (Unit of Animal Physiology), Faculty of Biology, Complutense University, Madrid, Spain
| | - Irene Martinez de Toda
- Department of Genetics, Physiology, and Microbiology (Unit of Animal Physiology), Faculty of Biology, Complutense University, Madrid, Spain; Institute of Investigation Hospital 12 Octubre (imas12), Madrid, Spain
| | - Monica De la Fuente
- Department of Genetics, Physiology, and Microbiology (Unit of Animal Physiology), Faculty of Biology, Complutense University, Madrid, Spain; Institute of Investigation Hospital 12 Octubre (imas12), Madrid, Spain.
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9
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Reiber M, Miljanovic N, Schönhoff K, Palme R, Potschka H. Behavioral phenotyping of young Scn1a haploinsufficient mice. Epilepsy Behav 2022; 136:108903. [PMID: 36240579 DOI: 10.1016/j.yebeh.2022.108903] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/20/2021] [Revised: 08/22/2022] [Accepted: 08/24/2022] [Indexed: 12/14/2022]
Abstract
Dravet syndrome is a rare, severe, infancy-onset epileptic encephalopathy associated with a high premature mortality. In most patients, Dravet syndrome is caused by a heterozygous loss-of-function mutation in the SCN1A gene encoding the alpha 1 subunit of the sodium channel. Of the variety of SCN1A variants identified in patients with Dravet syndrome, SCN1A missense mutations occur in one-third of cases. The novel Scn1a-A1783V mouse model of Dravet syndrome carries the human Ala1783Val missense variant. Recently, the behavioral phenotype of Scn1a-A1783V haploinsufficient adult mice has been characterized, which may provide a valuable basis for assessment of novel therapeutic approaches. However, there is still limited information on the developmental course of behavioral alterations in the Scn1a-A1783V mouse model, which is of particular relevance for conclusions about face validity and severity classification of the model. Based on reference data from young wildtype mice, we analyzed selected behavioral parameters and fecal corticosterone metabolites in the Scn1a-A1783V mouse model during post-weaning development. Differences in the preference for a sweet saccharin solution between Dravet mice and wildtype mice were observed once mice reached sexual maturity. Nest building behavior was already influenced by the Scn1a genotype during prepubescence. Sexually mature Dravet mice showed a significantly reduced burrowing performance as compared to their wildtype littermates. In the open-field test, pronounced hyperactivity and increased thigmotactic behavior were evident in prepubescent and sexually mature Dravet mice. Analysis of Irwin scores revealed several genotype-dependent changes in handling-associated parameters during the course of adolescence. The information obtained provides insight into the age-dependence of behavioral patterns in the novel Scn1a-A1783V mouse model of Dravet syndrome. In addition, the dataset confirms the suitability of the applied behavioral composite measure scheme for evidence-based assessment of cumulative severity in genetic mouse lines.
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Affiliation(s)
- Maria Reiber
- Institute of Pharmacology, Toxicology, and Pharmacy, Ludwig-Maximilians-University (LMU), Munich, Germany
| | - Nina Miljanovic
- Institute of Pharmacology, Toxicology, and Pharmacy, Ludwig-Maximilians-University (LMU), Munich, Germany; Graduate School of Systemic Neurosciences (GSN), Ludwig-Maximilians-University (LMU), Munich, Germany
| | - Katharina Schönhoff
- Institute of Pharmacology, Toxicology, and Pharmacy, Ludwig-Maximilians-University (LMU), Munich, Germany
| | - Rupert Palme
- Department of Biomedical Sciences, Unit of Physiology, Pathophysiology and Experimental Endocrinology, University of Veterinary Medicine, Vienna, Austria
| | - Heidrun Potschka
- Institute of Pharmacology, Toxicology, and Pharmacy, Ludwig-Maximilians-University (LMU), Munich, Germany.
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10
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Reiber M, Stirling H, Sprengel R, Gass P, Palme R, Potschka H. Phenotyping Young GluA1 Deficient Mice – A Behavioral Characterization in a Genetic Loss-of-Function Model. Front Behav Neurosci 2022; 16:877094. [PMID: 35722188 PMCID: PMC9204703 DOI: 10.3389/fnbeh.2022.877094] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/16/2022] [Accepted: 04/29/2022] [Indexed: 12/25/2022] Open
Abstract
Alterations of glutamatergic neurotransmission have been implicated in neurodevelopmental and neuropsychiatric disorders. Mice lacking the GluA1 AMPA receptor subunit, encoded by the Gria1 gene, display multiple phenotypical features associated with glutamatergic dysfunction. While the phenotype of adult GluA1 deficient (Gria1–/–) mice has been studied comprehensively, there are relevant gaps in knowledge about the course and the onset of behavioral alterations in the Gria1 knockout mouse model during post-weaning development. Based on former investigations in young wild-type mice, we exposed female and male adolescent Gria1–/– mice to a behavioral home-cage based testing battery designed for the purpose of severity assessment. Data obtained from mice with a constitutive loss of GluA1 were compared with those from wild-type littermates. We identified several genotype-dependent behavioral alterations in young Gria1–/– mice. While the preference for sweetness was not affected by genotype during adolescence, Gria1–/– mice displayed limited burrowing performance, and reached lower nest complexity scores. Analysis of home-cage based voluntary wheel running performance failed to confirm genotype-dependent differences. In contrast, when exposed to the open field test, Gria1–/– mice showed pronounced hyperlocomotion in early and late adolescence, and female Gria1–/– mice exhibited thigmotaxis when prepubescent. We found increased corticosterone metabolite levels in fecal samples of adolescent Gria1–/– mice with females exhibiting increased adrenocortical activity already in prepubescence. Considering the course of behavioral modifications in early and late adolescence, the results do not support a persistent level of distress associated with GluA1 deficiency in the line. In contrast, the laboratory-specific readouts indicate transient, mild impairments of behavioral patterns relevant to animal welfare, and suggest a mild overall burden of the line.
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Affiliation(s)
- Maria Reiber
- Institute of Pharmacology, Toxicology, and Pharmacy, Ludwig Maximilian University of Munich, Munich, Germany
| | - Helen Stirling
- Institute of Pharmacology, Toxicology, and Pharmacy, Ludwig Maximilian University of Munich, Munich, Germany
| | - Rolf Sprengel
- Max Planck Institute for Medical Research, Heidelberg, Germany
| | - Peter Gass
- RG Animal Models in Psychiatry, Department of Psychiatry and Psychotherapy, Central Institute of Mental Health, Medical Faculty Mannheim, Heidelberg University, Mannheim, Germany
| | - Rupert Palme
- Unit of Physiology, Pathophysiology and Experimental Endocrinology, Department of Biomedical Sciences, University of Veterinary Medicine Vienna, Vienna, Austria
| | - Heidrun Potschka
- Institute of Pharmacology, Toxicology, and Pharmacy, Ludwig Maximilian University of Munich, Munich, Germany
- *Correspondence: Heidrun Potschka,
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11
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Pitzer C, Kurpiers B, Eltokhi A. Sex Differences in Depression-Like Behaviors in Adult Mice Depend on Endophenotype and Strain. Front Behav Neurosci 2022; 16:838122. [PMID: 35368297 PMCID: PMC8969904 DOI: 10.3389/fnbeh.2022.838122] [Citation(s) in RCA: 13] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/17/2021] [Accepted: 02/14/2022] [Indexed: 12/27/2022] Open
Abstract
Depression affects women nearly twice as frequently as men. In contrast, rodent models of depression have shown inconsistent results regarding sex bias, often reporting more depression-like behaviors in males. This sex discrepancy in rodents modeling depression may rely on differences in the baseline activity of males and females in depression-related behavioral tests. We previously showed that the baseline despair and anhedonia behaviors, major endophenotypes of depression, are not sex biased in young adolescent wild-type mice of C57BL/6N, DBA/2, and FVB/N strains. Since the prevalence of depression in women peaks in their reproductive years, we here investigated sex differences of the baseline depression-like behaviors in adult mice using these three strains. Similar to the results in young mice, no difference was found between adult male and female mice in behavioral tests measuring despair in both tail suspension and forced swim tests, and anhedonia in the sucrose preference test. We then extended our study and tested apathy, another endophenotype of depression, using the splash test. Adult male and female mice showed significantly different results in the baseline apathy-like behaviors depending on the investigated strain. This study dissects the complex sex effects of different depression endophenotypes, stresses the importance of considering strain, and puts forward a hypothesis of the inconsistency of results between different laboratories investigating rodent models of depression.
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Affiliation(s)
- Claudia Pitzer
- Interdisciplinary Neurobehavioral Core, Heidelberg University, Heidelberg, Germany
- *Correspondence: Claudia Pitzer,
| | - Barbara Kurpiers
- Interdisciplinary Neurobehavioral Core, Heidelberg University, Heidelberg, Germany
| | - Ahmed Eltokhi
- Department of Pharmacology, University of Washington, Seattle, WA, United States
- Ahmed Eltokhi,
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12
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Development of behavioral patterns in young C57BL/6J mice: a home cage-based study. Sci Rep 2022; 12:2550. [PMID: 35169182 PMCID: PMC8847349 DOI: 10.1038/s41598-022-06395-1] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/02/2021] [Accepted: 01/24/2022] [Indexed: 11/23/2022] Open
Abstract
Evidence exists that behavioral patterns only stabilize once mice reach adulthood. Detailed information about the course of behavioral patterns is of particular relevance for neuroscientific research and for the assessment of cumulative severity in genetically modified mice. The analysis considered five age groups focusing on behavioral assessments in the animals’ familiar home cage environment during the adolescence phase. We confirmed age- and sex-specific differences for several of the behavioral parameters and fecal corticosterone metabolites. Interestingly, an age-dependent decline in saccharin preference was detected in female mice. Regardless of sex, relevant levels of burrowing activity were only observed during later developmental phases. The development of nest complexity following the offer of new material was affected by age in female mice. In female and male mice, an age-dependency was evident for wheel running reaching a peak at P 50. A progressive increase with age was also observed for Open field activity. The data sets provide guidance for behavioral studies and for development of composite measure schemes for evidence-based severity assessment in young mice. Except for the burrowing test, the different behavioral tests can be applied in different age groups during post-weaning development. However, age- and sex-specific characteristics need to be considered.
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