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Tabaka O, Lawal S, Del Rio Triana R, Hou M, Fraser A, Gallagher A, San Agustin Ruiz K, Marmarcz M, Dickinson M, Oliveira MM, Klann E, Shrestha P. Aberrant TSC-Rheb axis in Oxytocin receptor+ cells mediate stress-induced anxiety. BIORXIV : THE PREPRINT SERVER FOR BIOLOGY 2024:2024.06.25.600464. [PMID: 38979197 PMCID: PMC11230205 DOI: 10.1101/2024.06.25.600464] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 07/10/2024]
Abstract
Stress is a major risk for the onset of several maladaptive processes including pathological anxiety, a diffuse state of heightened apprehension over anticipated threats1. Pathological anxiety is prevalent in up to 59% of patients with Tuberous Sclerosis complex (TSC)2, a neurodevelopmental disorder (NDD) caused by loss-of-function mutations in genes for Tuberin (Tsc2) and/or Hamartin (Tsc1) that together comprise the eponymous protein complex. Here, we generated cell type-specific heterozygous knockout of Tsc2 in cells expressing oxytocin receptor (OTRCs) to model pathological anxiety-like behaviors observed in TSC patient population. The stress of prolonged social isolation induces a sustained negative affective state that precipitates behavioral avoidance, often by aberrant oxytocin signaling in the limbic forebrain3,4. In response to social isolation, there were striking sex differences in stress susceptibility in conditional heterozygote mice when encountering situations of approach-avoidance conflict. Socially isolated male mutants exhibited behavioral avoidance in anxiogenic environments and sought more social interaction for buffering of stress. In contrast, female mutants developed resilience during social isolation and approached anxiogenic environments, while devaluing social interaction. Systemic and medial prefrontal cortex (mPFC)-specific inhibition of downstream effector of TSC, the integrated stress response (ISR), rescued behavioral approach toward anxiogenic environments and conspecifics in male and female mutant mice respectively. Further, we found that Tsc2 deletion in OTRCs leads to OTR-signaling elicited network suppression, i.e., hypofrontality, in male mPFC, which is relieved by inhibiting the ISR. Our findings present evidence in support of a sexually dimorphic role of prefrontal OTRCs in regulating emotional responses in anxiogenic environments, which goes awry in TSC. Our work has broader implications for developing effective treatments for subtypes of anxiety disorders that are characterized by cell-autonomous ISR and prefrontal network suppression.
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Affiliation(s)
- Olivia Tabaka
- Department of Neurobiology & Behavior, Stony Brook University, Stony Brook, NY 11794
| | - Saheed Lawal
- Department of Neurobiology & Behavior, Stony Brook University, Stony Brook, NY 11794
| | | | - Mian Hou
- Center for Neural Science, New York University, New York, NY 10003
| | - Alexandra Fraser
- Department of Neurobiology & Behavior, Stony Brook University, Stony Brook, NY 11794
| | - Andrew Gallagher
- Department of Neurobiology & Behavior, Stony Brook University, Stony Brook, NY 11794
| | | | - Maggie Marmarcz
- Center for Neural Science, New York University, New York, NY 10003
| | - Matthew Dickinson
- Department of Neurobiology & Behavior, Stony Brook University, Stony Brook, NY 11794
| | | | - Eric Klann
- Center for Neural Science, New York University, New York, NY 10003
| | - Prerana Shrestha
- Department of Neurobiology & Behavior, Stony Brook University, Stony Brook, NY 11794
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2
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Zhang S, Zhang YD, Shi DD, Wang Z. Therapeutic uses of oxytocin in stress-related neuropsychiatric disorders. Cell Biosci 2023; 13:216. [PMID: 38017588 PMCID: PMC10683256 DOI: 10.1186/s13578-023-01173-6] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/20/2023] [Accepted: 11/18/2023] [Indexed: 11/30/2023] Open
Abstract
Oxytocin (OXT), produced and secreted in the paraventricular nucleus and supraoptic nucleus of magnocellular and parvocellular neurons. The diverse presence and activity of oxytocin suggests a potential for this neuropeptide in the pathogenesis and treatment of stress-related neuropsychiatric disorders (anxiety, depression and post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD)). For a more comprehensive understanding of the mechanism of OXT's anti-stress action, the signaling cascade of OXT binding to targeting stress were summarized. Then the advance of OXT treatment in depression, anxiety, PTSD and the major projection region of OXT neuron were discussed. Further, the efficacy of endogenous and exogenous OXT in stress responses were highlighted in this review. To augment the level of OXT in stress-related neuropsychiatric disorders, current biological strategies were summarized to shed a light on the treatment of stress-induced psychiatric disorders. We also conclude some of the major puzzles in the therapeutic uses of OXT in stress-related neuropsychiatric disorders. Although some questions remain to be resolved, OXT has an enormous potential therapeutic use as a hormone that regulates stress responses.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sen Zhang
- Shanghai Mental Health Center, Shanghai Jiao Tong University School of Medicine, 600 Wan Ping Nan Road, Shanghai, 200030, China
- College of Physical Education and Health, East China Normal University, Shanghai, China
| | - Ying-Dan Zhang
- Shanghai Mental Health Center, Shanghai Jiao Tong University School of Medicine, 600 Wan Ping Nan Road, Shanghai, 200030, China
| | - Dong-Dong Shi
- Shanghai Mental Health Center, Shanghai Jiao Tong University School of Medicine, 600 Wan Ping Nan Road, Shanghai, 200030, China.
- Shanghai Key Laboratory of Psychotic Disorders, Shanghai Mental Health Center, Shanghai Jiao Tong University School of Medicine, Shanghai, China.
| | - Zhen Wang
- Shanghai Mental Health Center, Shanghai Jiao Tong University School of Medicine, 600 Wan Ping Nan Road, Shanghai, 200030, China.
- Shanghai Key Laboratory of Psychotic Disorders, Shanghai Mental Health Center, Shanghai Jiao Tong University School of Medicine, Shanghai, China.
- Institute of Psychological and Behavioral Science, Shanghai Jiao Tong University, Shanghai, China.
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3
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Althammer F, Roy RK, Kirchner MK, Lira EC, Schimmer S, Charlet A, Grinevich V, Stern JE. Impaired oxytocin signaling in the central amygdala in rats with chronic heart failure. BIORXIV : THE PREPRINT SERVER FOR BIOLOGY 2023:2023.11.22.568271. [PMID: 38045233 PMCID: PMC10690294 DOI: 10.1101/2023.11.22.568271] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/05/2023]
Abstract
Aims Heart failure (HF) patients often suffer from cognitive decline, depression, and mood impairments, but the molecular signals and brain circuits underlying these effects remain elusive. The hypothalamic neuropeptide oxytocin (OT) is critically involved in the regulation of mood, and OTergic signaling in the central amygdala (CeA) is a key mechanism controlling emotional responses including anxiety-like behaviors. Based on this, we used in this study a well-established ischemic rat HF model and aimed to study alterations in the hypothalamus-to-CeA OTergic circuit. Methods and Results To study potential HF-induced changes in the hypothalamus-to-CeA OTertic circuit, we combined patch-clamp electrophysiology, immunohistochemical analysis, RNAScope assessment of OTR mRNA, brain region-specific stereotaxic injections of viral vectors and retrograde tracing, optogenetic stimulation and OT biosensors in the ischemic HF model. We found that most of OTergic innervation of the central amygdala (CeA) originated from the hypothalamic supraoptic nucleus (SON). While no differences in the numbers of SON→CeA OTertic neurons (or their OT content) was observed between sham and HF rats, we did observe a blunted content and release of OT from axonal terminals within the CeA. Moreover, we report downregulation of neuronal and astrocytic OT receptors, and impaired OTR-driven GABAergic synaptic activity within the CeA microcircuit of rats with HF. Conclusions Our study provides first evidence that HF rats display various perturbations in the hypothalamus-to-amygdala OTergic circuit, and lays the foundation for future translational studies targeting either the OT system or GABAergic amygdala GABA microcircuit to ameliorate depression or mood impairments in rats or patients with chronic HF.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ferdinand Althammer
- Center for Neuroinflammation and Cardiometabolic Diseases, Georgia State University, Atlanta, GA, USA
- Institute of Human Genetics, Heidelberg University, Heidelberg
| | - Ranjan K. Roy
- Center for Neuroinflammation and Cardiometabolic Diseases, Georgia State University, Atlanta, GA, USA
- Neuroscience Institute, Georgia State University, Atlanta, GA, USA
| | - Matthew K. Kirchner
- Center for Neuroinflammation and Cardiometabolic Diseases, Georgia State University, Atlanta, GA, USA
- Neuroscience Institute, Georgia State University, Atlanta, GA, USA
| | - Elba Campos Lira
- Center for Neuroinflammation and Cardiometabolic Diseases, Georgia State University, Atlanta, GA, USA
- Neuroscience Institute, Georgia State University, Atlanta, GA, USA
| | - Stephanie Schimmer
- Department of Neuropeptide Research in Psychiatry, Central Institute of Mental Health, Heidelberg University, Mannheim, Germany
| | - Alexandre Charlet
- Centre National de la Recherche Scientifique and University of Strasbourg, Institute of Cellular and Integrative Neuroscience, Strasbourg, France
| | - Valery Grinevich
- Department of Neuropeptide Research in Psychiatry, Central Institute of Mental Health, Heidelberg University, Mannheim, Germany
| | - Javier E. Stern
- Center for Neuroinflammation and Cardiometabolic Diseases, Georgia State University, Atlanta, GA, USA
- Neuroscience Institute, Georgia State University, Atlanta, GA, USA
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4
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Jin Y, Song D, Yan Y, Quan Z, Qing H. The Role of Oxytocin in Early-Life-Stress-Related Neuropsychiatric Disorders. Int J Mol Sci 2023; 24:10430. [PMID: 37445607 DOI: 10.3390/ijms241310430] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/23/2023] [Revised: 06/16/2023] [Accepted: 06/19/2023] [Indexed: 07/15/2023] Open
Abstract
Early-life stress during critical periods of brain development can have long-term effects on physical and mental health. Oxytocin is a critical social regulator and anti-inflammatory hormone that modulates stress-related functions and social behaviors and alleviates diseases. Oxytocin-related neural systems show high plasticity in early postpartum and adolescent periods. Early-life stress can influence the oxytocin system long term by altering the expression and signaling of oxytocin receptors. Deficits in social behavior, emotional control, and stress responses may result, thus increasing the risk of anxiety, depression, and other stress-related neuropsychiatric diseases. Oxytocin is regarded as an important target for the treatment of stress-related neuropsychiatric disorders. Here, we describe the history of oxytocin and its role in neural circuits and related behaviors. We then review abnormalities in the oxytocin system in early-life stress and the functions of oxytocin in treating stress-related neuropsychiatric disorders.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yue Jin
- Key Laboratory of Molecular Medicine and Biotherapy, School of Life Science, Beijing Institute of Technology, Beijing 100081, China
| | - Da Song
- Key Laboratory of Molecular Medicine and Biotherapy, School of Life Science, Beijing Institute of Technology, Beijing 100081, China
| | - Yan Yan
- Key Laboratory of Molecular Medicine and Biotherapy, School of Life Science, Beijing Institute of Technology, Beijing 100081, China
| | - Zhenzhen Quan
- Key Laboratory of Molecular Medicine and Biotherapy, School of Life Science, Beijing Institute of Technology, Beijing 100081, China
| | - Hong Qing
- Key Laboratory of Molecular Medicine and Biotherapy, School of Life Science, Beijing Institute of Technology, Beijing 100081, China
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5
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Yang S, Zhang B, Wang D, Hu S, Wang W, Liu C, Wu Z, Yang C. Role of GABAergic system in the comorbidity of pain and depression. Brain Res Bull 2023:110691. [PMID: 37331640 DOI: 10.1016/j.brainresbull.2023.110691] [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: 04/13/2023] [Revised: 05/23/2023] [Accepted: 06/16/2023] [Indexed: 06/20/2023]
Abstract
Patients with chronic pain often suffer with depressive symptoms, and these two conditions can be aggravated by each other over time, leading to an increase in symptom intensity and duration. The comorbidity of pain and depression poses a significant challenge to human health and quality of life, as it is often difficult to diagnose early and treat effectively. Therefore, exploring the molecular mechanisms underlying the comorbidity of chronic pain and depression is crucial to identifying new therapeutic targets for treatment. However, understanding the pathogenesis of comorbidity requires examining interactions among multiple factors, which calls for an integrative perspective. While several studies have explored the role of the GABAergic system in pain and depression, fewer have examined its interactions with other systems involved in their comorbidity. Here, we review the evidence that the role of GABAergic system in the comorbidity of chronic pain and depression, as well as the interactions between the GABAergic system and other secondary systems involved in pain and depression comorbidity, providing a comprehensive understanding of their intricate interplay.
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Affiliation(s)
- Siqi Yang
- Department of Anesthesiology and Perioperative Medicine, The First Affiliated Hospital of Nanjing Medical University, Nanjing 210029. China
| | - Bingyuan Zhang
- Department of Anesthesiology, Taizhou People's Hospital Affiliated to Nanjing Medical University, No. 399 Hailing South Road, Taizhou City, 225300, Jiangsu Province, China
| | - Di Wang
- Department of Anesthesiology and Perioperative Medicine, The First Affiliated Hospital of Nanjing Medical University, Nanjing 210029. China
| | - Suwan Hu
- Department of Anesthesiology and Perioperative Medicine, The First Affiliated Hospital of Nanjing Medical University, Nanjing 210029. China
| | - Wenli Wang
- Department of Anesthesiology and Perioperative Medicine, The First Affiliated Hospital of Nanjing Medical University, Nanjing 210029. China
| | - Cunming Liu
- Department of Anesthesiology and Perioperative Medicine, The First Affiliated Hospital of Nanjing Medical University, Nanjing 210029. China
| | - Zifeng Wu
- Department of Anesthesiology and Perioperative Medicine, The First Affiliated Hospital of Nanjing Medical University, Nanjing 210029. China.
| | - Chun Yang
- Department of Anesthesiology and Perioperative Medicine, The First Affiliated Hospital of Nanjing Medical University, Nanjing 210029. China.
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6
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Jiang J, Yang M, Tian M, Chen Z, Xiao L, Gong Y. Intertwined associations between oxytocin, immune system and major depressive disorder. Biomed Pharmacother 2023; 163:114852. [PMID: 37163778 PMCID: PMC10165244 DOI: 10.1016/j.biopha.2023.114852] [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: 02/06/2023] [Revised: 04/28/2023] [Accepted: 05/04/2023] [Indexed: 05/12/2023] Open
Abstract
Major depressive disorder (MDD) is a prominent psychiatric disorder with a high prevalence rate. The recent COVID-19 pandemic has exacerbated the already high prevalence of MDD. Unfortunately, a significant proportion of patients are unresponsive to conventional treatments, necessitating the exploration of novel therapeutic strategies. Oxytocin, an endogenous neuropeptide, has emerged as a promising candidate with anxiolytic and antidepressant properties. Oxytocin has been shown to alleviate emotional disorders by modulating the hypothalamic-pituitary-adrenal (HPA) axis and the central immune system. The dysfunction of the immune system has been strongly linked to the onset and progression of depression. The central immune system is believed to be a key target of oxytocin in ameliorating emotional disorders. In this review, we examine the evidence regarding the interactions between oxytocin, the immune system, and depressive disorder. Moreover, we summarize and speculate on the potential roles of the intertwined association between oxytocin and the central immune system in treating emotional disorders.
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Affiliation(s)
- Junliang Jiang
- Department of Orthopedics and Traumatology, Affiliated Hospital of Yunnan University, Yunnan University, Kunming, China; Department of Critical Care Medicine and Neurosurgery of Huashan Hospital, State Key Laboratory of Medical Neurobiology and MOE Frontiers Center for Brain Science, Institutes of Brain Science, Fudan University, Shanghai, China
| | - Miaoxian Yang
- Department of Critical Care Medicine and Neurosurgery of Huashan Hospital, State Key Laboratory of Medical Neurobiology and MOE Frontiers Center for Brain Science, Institutes of Brain Science, Fudan University, Shanghai, China
| | - Mi Tian
- Department of Critical Care Medicine and Neurosurgery of Huashan Hospital, State Key Laboratory of Medical Neurobiology and MOE Frontiers Center for Brain Science, Institutes of Brain Science, Fudan University, Shanghai, China
| | - Zhong Chen
- Department of Orthopedics and Traumatology, Affiliated Hospital of Yunnan University, Yunnan University, Kunming, China.
| | - Lei Xiao
- Department of Critical Care Medicine and Neurosurgery of Huashan Hospital, State Key Laboratory of Medical Neurobiology and MOE Frontiers Center for Brain Science, Institutes of Brain Science, Fudan University, Shanghai, China.
| | - Ye Gong
- Department of Critical Care Medicine and Neurosurgery of Huashan Hospital, State Key Laboratory of Medical Neurobiology and MOE Frontiers Center for Brain Science, Institutes of Brain Science, Fudan University, Shanghai, China.
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7
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Anker JJ, Thuras P, Shuai R, Hogarth L, Kushner MG. Evidence for an alcohol-related "harm paradox" in individuals with internalizing disorders: Test and replication in two independent community samples. Alcohol Clin Exp Res 2023; 47:713-723. [PMID: 37115410 PMCID: PMC10416809 DOI: 10.1111/acer.15036] [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: 10/14/2022] [Revised: 01/05/2023] [Accepted: 02/06/2023] [Indexed: 04/29/2023]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Internalizing (anxiety and mood) disorders (INTD) commonly co-occur (are "comorbid") with alcohol use disorder (AUD). The literature suggests that excessive alcohol use aimed at coping with INTD symptoms is, at best, a partial explanation for the high comorbidity rates observed. We hypothesized that individuals with INTD experience greater susceptibility to developing AUD symptoms due to the partially shared neurobiological dysfunctions underlying both conditions. We probe this hypothesis by testing the prediction that, after accounting for the volume of alcohol intake, individuals with INTD experience higher levels of alcohol-related symptoms. METHODS Data from the National Epidemiological Survey on Alcohol-Related Conditions (NESARC) Wave 3 were used for the primary analyses, and NESARC Wave 1 data were used for independent replication analyses. Individuals who reported any alcohol use in the prior year were categorized as: (1) never having had an INTD diagnosis ("INTD-Never"); (2) having a remitted INTD diagnosis only ("INTD-Remitted"); or (3) having current INTD diagnosis ("INTD-Current"). Between-group contrasts of alcohol-related symptoms controlled for total alcohol intake (past year), drinking pattern (e.g., binging) and variables previously shown to mark exaggerated AUD symptoms relative to drinking amount (e.g., SES, gender, and family history). RESULTS With all covariates in the model, individuals in the INTD-Current group and the INTD-Remitted group reported significantly greater alcohol-related symptoms than those in the INTD-Never group but did not themselves differ in level of alcohol-related symptoms. These results were replicated in the NESARC 1 dataset. CONCLUSIONS Individuals with INTD experience more alcohol-related symptoms than those who drink at the same level. While considering other explanations, we argue that this "harm paradox" is best explained by the view that INTD confers a neurobiologically mediated susceptibility to the development of AUD symptoms.
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Affiliation(s)
- Justin J. Anker
- Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences, University of Minnesota – Minneapolis, Minneapolis, Minnesota, USA
| | - Paul Thuras
- Minneapolis VA Medical Center, Minneapolis, Minneapolis, Minnesota, USA
| | | | - Lee Hogarth
- School of Psychology, University of Exeter, Exeter, UK
| | - Matt G. Kushner
- Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences, University of Minnesota – Minneapolis, Minneapolis, Minnesota, USA
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8
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Mancini GF, Meijer OC, Campolongo P. Stress in adolescence as a first hit in stress-related disease development: Timing and context are crucial. Front Neuroendocrinol 2023; 69:101065. [PMID: 37001566 DOI: 10.1016/j.yfrne.2023.101065] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/07/2022] [Revised: 03/22/2023] [Accepted: 03/25/2023] [Indexed: 04/06/2023]
Abstract
The two-hit stress model predicts that exposure to stress at two different time-points in life may increase or decrease the risk of developing stress-related disorders later in life. Most studies based on the two-hit stress model have investigated early postnatal stress as the first hit with adult stress as the second hit. Adolescence, however, represents another highly sensitive developmental window during which exposure to stressful events may affect programming outcomes following exposure to stress in adulthood. Here, we discuss the programming effects of different types of stressors (social and nonsocial) occurring during adolescence (first hit) and how such stressors affect the responsiveness toward an additional stressor occurring during adulthood (second hit) in rodents. We then provide a comprehensive overview of the potential mechanisms underlying interindividual and sex differences in the resilience/susceptibility to developing stress-related disorders later in life when stress is experienced in two different life stages.
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Affiliation(s)
- Giulia F Mancini
- Dept. of Physiology and Pharmacology, Sapienza University of Rome, 00185 Rome, Italy; Department of Medicine, Division of Endocrinology, Leiden University Medical Center, 2333 ZA Leiden, The Netherlands
| | - Onno C Meijer
- Department of Medicine, Division of Endocrinology, Leiden University Medical Center, 2333 ZA Leiden, The Netherlands
| | - Patrizia Campolongo
- Dept. of Physiology and Pharmacology, Sapienza University of Rome, 00185 Rome, Italy; Neuropsychopharmacology Unit, IRCSS Fondazione Santa Lucia, 00143 Rome, Italy.
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9
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Dimonte S, Sikora V, Bove M, Morgese MG, Tucci P, Schiavone S, Trabace L. Social isolation from early life induces anxiety-like behaviors in adult rats: Relation to neuroendocrine and neurochemical dysfunctions. Biomed Pharmacother 2023; 158:114181. [PMID: 36592494 DOI: 10.1016/j.biopha.2022.114181] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/07/2022] [Revised: 12/21/2022] [Accepted: 12/28/2022] [Indexed: 01/01/2023] Open
Abstract
Subjects suffering from psychosis frequently experience anxiety. However, mechanisms underlying this comorbidity remain still unclear. We investigated whether neurochemical and neuroendocrine dysfunctions were involved in the development of anxiety-like behavior in a rodent model of psychotic-like symptoms, obtained by exposing male rats to social isolation rearing from postnatal day 21 to postnatal day 70. In the elevated zero maze test, isolated rats showed a significant reduction in the time spent in the open arms, as well as an increase in the time spent in the closed arms, compared to controls. An increased grooming time in the open field test was also observed in isolated animals. Isolation-induced anxiety-like behavior was accompanied by a decrease of plasmatic oxytocin, prolactin, ghrelin and melatonin levels, whereas plasmatic amount of Neuropeptide S was not altered. Social isolation also caused a reduction of noradrenaline, serotonin and GABA levels, together with an increase of serotonin turnover and glutamate levels in the amygdala of isolated animals. No significant differences were found in noradrenaline and serotonin levels, as well as in serotonin turnover in hippocampus, while glutamate amount was increased and GABA levels were reduced in isolated rats. Furthermore, there was a reduction in plasmatic serotonin content, and an increase in plasmatic kynurenine levels following social isolation, while no significant changes in serotonin turnover were observed. Taken together, our data provide novel insights in the neurobiological alterations underlying the comorbidity between psychosis and anxiety, and open new perspectives for multi-target therapies acting on both neurochemical and neuroendocrine pathways. DATA AVAILABILITY STATEMENT: The data presented in this study are available on request from the corresponding author.
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Affiliation(s)
- Stefania Dimonte
- Departement of Clinical and Experimental Medicine, University of Foggia, Via Napoli, 20, 71122, Foggia, Italy.
| | - Vladyslav Sikora
- Departement of Clinical and Experimental Medicine, University of Foggia, Via Napoli, 20, 71122, Foggia, Italy; Department of Pathology, Sumy State University, 2, Rymskogo-Korsakova st., Sumy 40007, Ukraine.
| | - Maria Bove
- Departement of Clinical and Experimental Medicine, University of Foggia, Via Napoli, 20, 71122, Foggia, Italy.
| | - Maria Grazia Morgese
- Departement of Clinical and Experimental Medicine, University of Foggia, Via Napoli, 20, 71122, Foggia, Italy.
| | - Paolo Tucci
- Departement of Clinical and Experimental Medicine, University of Foggia, Via Napoli, 20, 71122, Foggia, Italy.
| | - Stefania Schiavone
- Departement of Clinical and Experimental Medicine, University of Foggia, Via Napoli, 20, 71122, Foggia, Italy.
| | - Luigia Trabace
- Departement of Clinical and Experimental Medicine, University of Foggia, Via Napoli, 20, 71122, Foggia, Italy.
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10
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Carollo A, Bizzego A, Gabrieli G, Wong KKY, Raine A, Esposito G. Self-perceived loneliness and depression during the Covid-19 pandemic: a two-wave replication study. UCL OPEN. ENVIRONMENT 2022; 4:e051. [PMID: 37228475 PMCID: PMC10171408 DOI: 10.14324/111.444/ucloe.000051] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/08/2021] [Accepted: 09/23/2022] [Indexed: 05/27/2023]
Abstract
The global Covid-19 pandemic has forced countries to impose strict lockdown restrictions and mandatory stay-at-home orders with varying impacts on individual's health. Combining a data-driven machine learning paradigm and a statistical approach, our previous paper documented a U-shaped pattern in levels of self-perceived loneliness in both the UK and Greek populations during the first lockdown (17 April to 17 July 2020). The current paper aimed to test the robustness of these results by focusing on data from the first and second lockdown waves in the UK. We tested a) the impact of the chosen model on the identification of the most time-sensitive variable in the period spent in lockdown. Two new machine learning models - namely, support vector regressor (SVR) and multiple linear regressor (MLR) were adopted to identify the most time-sensitive variable in the UK dataset from Wave 1 (n = 435). In the second part of the study, we tested b) whether the pattern of self-perceived loneliness found in the first UK national lockdown was generalisable to the second wave of the UK lockdown (17 October 2020 to 31 January 2021). To do so, data from Wave 2 of the UK lockdown (n = 263) was used to conduct a graphical inspection of the week-by-week distribution of self-perceived loneliness scores. In both SVR and MLR models, depressive symptoms resulted to be the most time-sensitive variable during the lockdown period. Statistical analysis of depressive symptoms by week of lockdown resulted in a U-shaped pattern between weeks 3 and 7 of Wave 1 of the UK national lockdown. Furthermore, although the sample size by week in Wave 2 was too small to have a meaningful statistical insight, a graphical U-shaped distribution between weeks 3 and 9 of lockdown was observed. Consistent with past studies, these preliminary results suggest that self-perceived loneliness and depressive symptoms may be two of the most relevant symptoms to address when imposing lockdown restrictions.
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Affiliation(s)
- Alessandro Carollo
- Department of Psychology and Cognitive Science, University of Trento, Rovereto, Italy
| | - Andrea Bizzego
- Department of Psychology and Cognitive Science, University of Trento, Rovereto, Italy
| | - Giulio Gabrieli
- School of Social Sciences, Nanyang Technological University, Singapore, Singapore
| | - Keri Ka-Yee Wong
- Department of Psychology and Human Development, University College London, London, UK
| | - Adrian Raine
- Departments of Criminology, Psychiatry, and Psychology, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, PA, USA
| | - Gianluca Esposito
- Department of Psychology and Cognitive Science, University of Trento, Rovereto, Italy
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11
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Rouzer SK, Diaz MR. Moderate prenatal alcohol exposure modifies sex-specific CRFR1 activity in the central amygdala and anxiety-like behavior in adolescent offspring. Neuropsychopharmacology 2022; 47:2140-2149. [PMID: 35478009 PMCID: PMC9556708 DOI: 10.1038/s41386-022-01327-z] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/29/2021] [Revised: 04/04/2022] [Accepted: 04/06/2022] [Indexed: 02/08/2023]
Abstract
Anxiety disorders are highly prevalent among individuals with a history of prenatal alcohol exposure (PAE), and adolescent rodents demonstrate anxiety-like behavior following moderate PAE on Gestational Day (G) 12. A likely systemic target of PAE is the stress peptide corticotropin-releasing factor (CRF), as activation of CRF receptor 1 (CRFR1) in the medial nucleus of the central amygdala (CeM) is known to increase anxiety-like behavior in adults. To determine if CRF-CRFR1 interactions underly PAE-induced anxiety, functional changes in CRF system activity were investigated in adolescent male and female Sprague Dawley rats following G12 PAE. Compared to air-exposed controls, PAE increased basal spontaneous (s) inhibitory postsynaptic current (IPSC) frequency in the CeM of males, but not females. Furthermore, PAE blunted CRFR1-regulated miniature (m) IPSCs in a sex- and concentration-specific manner, and only PAE males demonstrated tonic CRFR1 activity in the CeM. It was further determined that G12 PAE decreased CRFR1 mRNA in the CeM of males while increasing regional expression in females. Finally, infusion of a CRFR1 agonist into the CeM of adolescents produced a blunted expression of CRFR1-induced anxiety-like behavior exclusively in PAE males, mirroring the blunted physiology demonstrated by PAE males. Cumulatively, these data suggest that CRFR1 function within the CeM is age- and sex-specific, and PAE not only increases the expression of anxiety-like behavior, but may reduce the efficacy of treatment for PAE-induced anxiety through CRFR1-associated mechanisms. Therefore, future research will be necessary to develop targeted treatment of anxiety disorders in individuals with a history of PAE.
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Affiliation(s)
- Siara Kate Rouzer
- Department of Psychology, Center for Development and Behavioral Neuroscience, Binghamton University, Binghamton, NY, 13902, USA
- Developmental Exposure Alcohol Research Center, Binghamton University, Binghamton, NY, 13902, USA
| | - Marvin R Diaz
- Department of Psychology, Center for Development and Behavioral Neuroscience, Binghamton University, Binghamton, NY, 13902, USA.
- Developmental Exposure Alcohol Research Center, Binghamton University, Binghamton, NY, 13902, USA.
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12
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Oxytocin-based therapies for treatment of Prader-Willi and Schaaf-Yang syndromes: evidence, disappointments, and future research strategies. Transl Psychiatry 2022; 12:318. [PMID: 35941105 PMCID: PMC9360032 DOI: 10.1038/s41398-022-02054-1] [Citation(s) in RCA: 15] [Impact Index Per Article: 7.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/14/2022] [Revised: 06/23/2022] [Accepted: 07/01/2022] [Indexed: 11/09/2022] Open
Abstract
The prosocial neuropeptide oxytocin is being developed as a potential treatment for various neuropsychiatric disorders including autism spectrum disorder (ASD). Early studies using intranasal oxytocin in patients with ASD yielded encouraging results and for some time, scientists and affected families placed high hopes on the use of intranasal oxytocin for behavioral therapy in ASD. However, a recent Phase III trial obtained negative results using intranasal oxytocin for the treatment of behavioral symptoms in children with ASD. Given the frequently observed autism-like behavioral phenotypes in Prader-Willi and Schaaf-Yang syndromes, it is unclear whether oxytocin treatment represents a viable option to treat behavioral symptoms in these diseases. Here we review the latest findings on intranasal OT treatment, Prader-Willi and Schaaf-Yang syndromes, and propose novel research strategies for tailored oxytocin-based therapies for affected individuals. Finally, we propose the critical period theory, which could explain why oxytocin-based treatment seems to be most efficient in infants, but not adolescents.
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13
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Kuniishi H, Nakatake Y, Sekiguchi M, Yamada M. Adolescent social isolation induces distinct changes in the medial and lateral OFC-BLA synapse and social and emotional alterations in adult mice. Neuropsychopharmacology 2022; 47:1597-1607. [PMID: 35697823 PMCID: PMC9283446 DOI: 10.1038/s41386-022-01358-6] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/18/2022] [Revised: 05/17/2022] [Accepted: 05/31/2022] [Indexed: 11/09/2022]
Abstract
Early-life social isolation is associated with social and emotional problems in adulthood. However, neural mechanisms underlying how social deprivation impairs social and emotional development are poorly understood. Recently, the orbitofrontal cortex (OFC) and basolateral amygdala (BLA) have been highlighted as key nodes for social and emotional functions. Hence, we hypothesize that early social deprivation disrupts the information processing in the OFC-BLA pathway and leads to social and emotional dysfunction. Here, we examined the effects of adolescent social isolation on the OFC-BLA synaptic transmission by optogenetic and whole-cell patch-clamp methods in adult mice. Adolescent social isolation decreased social preference and increased passive stress-coping behaviour in adulthood. Then, we examined excitatory synaptic transmissions to BLA from medial or lateral subregions of the OFC (mOFC or lOFC). Notably, adolescent social isolation decreased the AMPA/NMDA ratio in the mOFC-BLA synapse in adulthood, while the ratio was increased in the lOFC-BLA synapse. Furthermore, we optogenetically manipulated the mOFC-BLA or lOFC-BLA transmission in behaving mice and examined the effects on social and stress-coping behaviours. Optogenetic manipulation of the mOFC-BLA transmission altered social behaviour without affecting passive stress-coping behaviour, while optogenetic manipulation of the lOFC-BLA transmission altered passive stress-coping behaviour without affecting social behaviour. Our results suggest that adolescent social isolation induces distinct postsynaptic changes in the mOFC-BLA and lOFC-BLA synapses, and these changes may separately contribute to abnormalities in social and emotional development.
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Affiliation(s)
- Hiroshi Kuniishi
- Department of Neuropsychopharmacology, National Institute of Mental Health, National Center of Neurology and Psychiatry, Kodaira, Tokyo, Japan. .,United Graduate School of Child Development, Osaka University, Kanazawa University, Hamamatsu University School of Medicine, Chiba University and University of Fukui, Osaka University, Osaka, Japan. .,Division of Development of Mental Functions, Research Center for Child Mental Development, University of Fukui, Fukui, Japan.
| | - Yuko Nakatake
- grid.419280.60000 0004 1763 8916Department of Neuropsychopharmacology, National Institute of Mental Health, National Center of Neurology and Psychiatry, Kodaira, Tokyo Japan
| | - Masayuki Sekiguchi
- grid.419280.60000 0004 1763 8916Department of Neuropsychopharmacology, National Institute of Mental Health, National Center of Neurology and Psychiatry, Kodaira, Tokyo Japan ,grid.419280.60000 0004 1763 8916Department of Degenerative Neurological Diseases, National Institute of Neuroscience, National Center of Neurology and Psychiatry, Kodaira, Tokyo Japan
| | - Mitsuhiko Yamada
- grid.419280.60000 0004 1763 8916Department of Neuropsychopharmacology, National Institute of Mental Health, National Center of Neurology and Psychiatry, Kodaira, Tokyo Japan
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14
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Possible oxytocin-related biomarkers in anxiety and mood disorders. Prog Neuropsychopharmacol Biol Psychiatry 2022; 116:110531. [PMID: 35150782 DOI: 10.1016/j.pnpbp.2022.110531] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/22/2021] [Revised: 12/30/2021] [Accepted: 02/05/2022] [Indexed: 02/08/2023]
Abstract
Anxiety and mood disorders are prevalent, disabling, and frequently difficult to treat. Such disorders are often comorbid and share similar characteristics. For more accurate diagnosis and improved treatment, a deeper understanding of the pathophysiology of anxiety and mood disorders is important. Oxytocin, a neuropeptide synthesized in the hypothalamus, affects human psychology and behaviors such as social and affiliative behaviors, fear and emotion processing, and stress regulation. Thus, oxytocin is believed to exert anxiolytic and antidepressant-like effects. This review article provides an overview of clinical studies on relationships between the oxytocin system and anxiety and mood disorders, focusing on oxytocin-related biomarker findings. Biomarkers used in such studies include central and peripheral oxytocin levels, analysis of oxytocin-related genes, and expression levels of oxytocin and oxytocin receptor genes in postmortem brains. Although a growing number of studies support the presence of oxytocinergic effects on anxiety and mood disorders, study results are heterogeneous and inconclusive. Moderating factors such as the characteristics of study populations, including sex, age, context, early life adversity, and attachment styles in patient cohorts, might affect the heterogeneity of the study results. Limitations in existing research such as small sample sizes, large dependence on peripheral sources of oxytocin, and inconsistent results between immunoassay methods complicate the interpretation of existing findings.
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15
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Ludwig B, Carlberg L, Kienesberger K, Swoboda P, Swoboda MMM, Bernegger A, Koller R, Inaner M, Fuxjäger M, Zotter M, Schmelzle N, Senft B, Meisner L, Fischer-Hansal D, Huber J, Schoenthaler S, Kapusta ND, Haslacher H, Aigner M, Weinhaeusel A, Kasper S, Schosser A. Oxytocin receptor gene methylation as a molecular marker for severity of depressive symptoms in affective disorder patients. BMC Psychiatry 2022; 22:381. [PMID: 35672748 PMCID: PMC9172116 DOI: 10.1186/s12888-022-04031-w] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/25/2021] [Accepted: 05/27/2022] [Indexed: 12/13/2022] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Oxytocin (OXT) is a neuropeptide and hormone involved in emotional functioning and also seems to play a role in moderating the stress response. Both preclinical and clinical studies point to an increased methylation status of the Oxytocin receptor (OXTR) promoter region with concomitant deficits in social, cognitive and emotional functioning. We hypothesize that methylation levels (%) of the oxytocin receptor promoter region correlate with the severity of depression symptoms and/or with the severity of childhood trauma within this present sample of affective disorder patients. METHODOLOGY Eight hundred forty six (846) affective disorder patients of Central European origin were recruited at the Department of Psychiatry and Psychotherapy of the Medical University Vienna, the Karl Landsteiner University for Health and Science and Zentren für seelische Gesundheit, BBRZ-Med Leopoldau. Psychiatric assessment included a semi-structured diagnostic interview (Schedules for Clinical Assessment in Neuropsychiatry), the Hamilton Depression Scale and the Childhood Trauma Questionnaire. Concomitantly DNA samples of peripheral blood cells were collected for Multiplexed and Sensitive DNA Methylation Testing. RESULTS Our data suggests a positive but not significant association between OXTR promoter Exons 1-3 methylation levels and severity of depression symptoms as well as severity of emotional neglect in affective disorder patients and no association with childhood trauma. CONCLUSIONS Our findings contribute to elucidate the role of OXTR in affective disorders, but further longitudinal studies in particular are necessary to broaden the current state of knowledge.
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Affiliation(s)
- Birgit Ludwig
- grid.22937.3d0000 0000 9259 8492Department of Psychiatry and Psychotherapy, Medical University of Vienna, Vienna, Austria ,grid.22937.3d0000 0000 9259 8492Department of Neurology, Medical University of Vienna, Vienna, Austria
| | - Laura Carlberg
- grid.22937.3d0000 0000 9259 8492Department of Psychiatry and Psychotherapy, Medical University of Vienna, Vienna, Austria
| | - Klemens Kienesberger
- grid.22937.3d0000 0000 9259 8492Department of Psychiatry and Psychotherapy, Medical University of Vienna, Vienna, Austria ,grid.22937.3d0000 0000 9259 8492Department of Laboratory Medicine, Medical University of Vienna, Vienna, Austria
| | - Patrick Swoboda
- grid.22937.3d0000 0000 9259 8492Department of Psychiatry and Psychotherapy, Medical University of Vienna, Vienna, Austria
| | - Marleen M. M. Swoboda
- grid.22937.3d0000 0000 9259 8492Department of Psychiatry and Psychotherapy, Medical University of Vienna, Vienna, Austria ,Department of Psychiatry and Psychotherapy, Karl Landsteiner University for Health and Science, Tulln, Austria
| | - Alexandra Bernegger
- grid.22937.3d0000 0000 9259 8492Department of Psychiatry and Psychotherapy, Medical University of Vienna, Vienna, Austria ,grid.490543.f0000 0001 0124 884XSt. John of God Hospital, Vienna, Austria
| | - Romina Koller
- grid.22937.3d0000 0000 9259 8492Department of Psychiatry and Psychotherapy, Medical University of Vienna, Vienna, Austria
| | - Michelle Inaner
- grid.22937.3d0000 0000 9259 8492Department of Psychiatry and Psychotherapy, Medical University of Vienna, Vienna, Austria
| | - Monika Fuxjäger
- grid.22937.3d0000 0000 9259 8492Department of Psychiatry and Psychotherapy, Medical University of Vienna, Vienna, Austria
| | - Melanie Zotter
- grid.22937.3d0000 0000 9259 8492Department of Psychiatry and Psychotherapy, Medical University of Vienna, Vienna, Austria ,grid.503049.bZentren Für Seelische Gesundheit, BBRZ-Med, Vienna, Austria
| | - Nicolas Schmelzle
- grid.22937.3d0000 0000 9259 8492Department of Psychiatry and Psychotherapy, Medical University of Vienna, Vienna, Austria
| | - Birgit Senft
- grid.503049.bZentren Für Seelische Gesundheit, BBRZ-Med, Vienna, Austria
| | - Lisa Meisner
- grid.503049.bZentren Für Seelische Gesundheit, BBRZ-Med, Vienna, Austria
| | | | - Jasmin Huber
- grid.4332.60000 0000 9799 7097Health & Environment Department, Molecular Diagnostics Unit, AIT Austrian Institute of Technology, Vienna, Austria
| | - Silvia Schoenthaler
- grid.4332.60000 0000 9799 7097Health & Environment Department, Molecular Diagnostics Unit, AIT Austrian Institute of Technology, Vienna, Austria
| | - Nestor D. Kapusta
- grid.22937.3d0000 0000 9259 8492Department of Psychoanalysis and Psychotherapy, Medical University of Vienna, Vienna, Austria
| | - Helmuth Haslacher
- grid.22937.3d0000 0000 9259 8492Department of Laboratory Medicine, Medical University of Vienna, Vienna, Austria
| | - Martin Aigner
- Department of Psychiatry and Psychotherapy, Karl Landsteiner University for Health and Science, Tulln, Austria
| | - Andreas Weinhaeusel
- grid.4332.60000 0000 9799 7097Health & Environment Department, Molecular Diagnostics Unit, AIT Austrian Institute of Technology, Vienna, Austria
| | - Siegfried Kasper
- grid.22937.3d0000 0000 9259 8492Department of Psychiatry and Psychotherapy, Medical University of Vienna, Vienna, Austria ,grid.22937.3d0000 0000 9259 8492Center for Brain Research, Medical University of Vienna, Vienna, Austria
| | - Alexandra Schosser
- Department of Psychiatry and Psychotherapy, Medical University of Vienna, Vienna, Austria. .,Zentren Für Seelische Gesundheit, BBRZ-Med, Vienna, Austria. .,Faculty of Medicine, Sigmund Freud University, Vienna, Austria. .,Arbeitsgemeinschaft Für Verhaltensmodifikation, Salzburg, Austria.
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16
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Differences in the Functional Activity and Redox Homeostasis Between the Left and Right Adrenal Gland of Rats Exposed to Chronic Isolation Stress. ACTA VET-BEOGRAD 2022. [DOI: 10.2478/acve-2022-0018] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/20/2022] Open
Abstract
Abstract
The aim of this study was to examine whether there are differences in adrenomedullary function in respect to the left and right sides in chronic stress conditions. We investigated how chronic stress isolation (CSI 12 weeks) affected the protein levels of key enzymes involved in adrenaline (A) synthesis (phenyl ethanolamine N-methyltransferase -PNMT), storage (vesicular monoamine transporters 2 - VMAT2) and degradation (catechol-O-methyltransferase - COMT), as well as the concentrations of A as an index for adrenomedullary function in the left and right adrenal medulla. Also, we examined the concentrations of malondialdehyde (MDA), protein levels of nuclear factor κB (NF-κB), and activity of catalase (CAT) in the left and right adrenal medulla. The investigated parameters were quantified by Western blot analysis, assay of enzymatic activity, and CAT Research ELISA kits. We found that CSI pro duced significantly increased levels of PNMT protein, and VMAT2 protein, as well as increased concentrations of A in the right adrenal medulla. However, we recorded that CSI increased protein levels of COMT and NF-κB, as well as the concentrations of MDA in the left adrenal medulla. Also, CSI decreased the activity of CAT only in the left adrenal medulla. Based on these results, it may be concluded that adrenomedullary function is different in respect to the left and right sides in chronic stress conditions.
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17
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Shou Q, Yamada J, Nishina K, Matsunaga M, Kiyonari T, Takagishi H. Is oxytocin a trust hormone? Salivary oxytocin is associated with caution but not with general trust. PLoS One 2022; 17:e0267988. [PMID: 35522616 PMCID: PMC9075672 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0267988] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/21/2022] [Accepted: 04/19/2022] [Indexed: 01/08/2023] Open
Abstract
Studies on the association between trust and oxytocin, a neuropeptide of the central nervous system, have not reached a consensus, thereby challenging the possibility of a direct association between the two. However, previous studies have not examined how oxytocin is correlated with trust, based on its categorization into different factors in the field of social science. For instance, based on Yamagishi’s trust theory, trust can be categorized into two factors: general trust and caution. General trust refers to beliefs about the trustworthiness of others, whereas caution refers to the belief that caution is needed when dealing with high social uncertainty. In this study, to examine the relationship between these two factors and oxytocin, we analyzed data of 197 adults (men = 98, women = 99; mean age = 41.7 years; standard deviation for age = 10.4 years) and examined the relationships between these two factors of trust and endogenous salivary oxytocin levels. We found that oxytocin was positively correlated with caution rather than with general trust thereby suggesting that oxytocin plays a role in regulating caution rather than general trust among the components of trust. The present study demonstrated that salivary oxytocin level can act as a biomarker that partially predicts one’s trust, especially as reflected by caution.
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18
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Vitale EM, Smith AS. Neurobiology of Loneliness, Isolation, and Loss: Integrating Human and Animal Perspectives. Front Behav Neurosci 2022; 16:846315. [PMID: 35464141 PMCID: PMC9029604 DOI: 10.3389/fnbeh.2022.846315] [Citation(s) in RCA: 26] [Impact Index Per Article: 13.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/31/2021] [Accepted: 02/21/2022] [Indexed: 12/30/2022] Open
Abstract
In social species such as humans, non-human primates, and even many rodent species, social interaction and the maintenance of social bonds are necessary for mental and physical health and wellbeing. In humans, perceived isolation, or loneliness, is not only characterized by physical isolation from peers or loved ones, but also involves negative perceptions about social interactions and connectedness that reinforce the feelings of isolation and anxiety. As a complex behavioral state, it is no surprise that loneliness and isolation are associated with dysfunction within the ventral striatum and the limbic system - brain regions that regulate motivation and stress responsiveness, respectively. Accompanying these neural changes are physiological symptoms such as increased plasma and urinary cortisol levels and an increase in stress responsivity. Although studies using animal models are not perfectly analogous to the uniquely human state of loneliness, studies on the effects of social isolation in animals have observed similar physiological symptoms such as increased corticosterone, the rodent analog to human cortisol, and also display altered motivation, increased stress responsiveness, and dysregulation of the mesocortical dopamine and limbic systems. This review will discuss behavioral and neuropsychological components of loneliness in humans, social isolation in rodent models, and the neurochemical regulators of these behavioral phenotypes with a neuroanatomical focus on the corticostriatal and limbic systems. We will also discuss social loss as a unique form of social isolation, and the consequences of bond disruption on stress-related behavior and neurophysiology.
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Affiliation(s)
- Erika M. Vitale
- Department of Pharmacology and Toxicology, School of Pharmacy, University of Kansas, Lawrence, KS, United States
| | - Adam S. Smith
- Department of Pharmacology and Toxicology, School of Pharmacy, University of Kansas, Lawrence, KS, United States
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19
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Gołyszny M, Obuchowicz E, Zieliński M. Neuropeptides as regulators of the hypothalamus-pituitary-gonadal (HPG) axis activity and their putative roles in stress-induced fertility disorders. Neuropeptides 2022; 91:102216. [PMID: 34974357 DOI: 10.1016/j.npep.2021.102216] [Citation(s) in RCA: 12] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/20/2020] [Revised: 09/21/2021] [Accepted: 10/05/2021] [Indexed: 11/24/2022]
Abstract
Neuropeptides being regulators of the hypothalamus-pituitary-adrenal (HPA) axis activity, also affect the function of the hypothalamus-pituitary-gonadal (HPG) axis by regulating gonadotrophin-releasing hormone (GnRH) secretion from hypothalamic neurons. Here, we review the available data on how neuropeptides affect HPG axis activity directly or indirectly via their influence on the HPA axis. The putative role of neuropeptides in stress-induced infertility, such as polycystic ovary syndrome, is also described. This review discusses both well-known neuropeptides (i.e., kisspeptin, Kp; oxytocin, OT; arginine-vasopressin, AVP) and more recently discovered peptides (i.e., relaxin-3, RLN-3; nesfatin-1, NEFA; phoenixin, PNX; spexin, SPX). For the first time, we present an up-to-date review of all published data regarding interactions between the aforementioned neuropeptide systems. The reviewed literature suggest new pathophysiological mechanisms leading to fertility disturbances that are induced by stress.
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Affiliation(s)
- Miłosz Gołyszny
- Department of Pharmacology, Faculty of Medical Sciences in Katowice, Medical University of Silesia, Medyków 18 Street, 40-752 Katowice, Poland.
| | - Ewa Obuchowicz
- Department of Pharmacology, Faculty of Medical Sciences in Katowice, Medical University of Silesia, Medyków 18 Street, 40-752 Katowice, Poland.
| | - Michał Zieliński
- Department of Pharmacology, Faculty of Medical Sciences in Katowice, Medical University of Silesia, Medyków 18 Street, 40-752 Katowice, Poland.
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20
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Lee J, Kwon H, Cho E, Jeon J, Lee IK, Cho WS, Park SJ, Lee S, Kim DH, Jung JW. Hydrangea macrophylla and Thunberginol C Attenuate Stress-Induced Anxiety in Mice. Antioxidants (Basel) 2022; 11:antiox11020234. [PMID: 35204117 PMCID: PMC8868050 DOI: 10.3390/antiox11020234] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/29/2021] [Revised: 01/19/2022] [Accepted: 01/23/2022] [Indexed: 12/19/2022] Open
Abstract
Stress is an important neurological input for successful life. However, chronic stress and stress hormones could be a cause of various neurological disorders including anxiety disorders. Therefore, there have been many efforts to find effective materials for curing stress-induced neurological disorders. In this study, we examined the effect of Hydrangea macrophylla (HM) on corticosterone-induced neurotoxicity, stress-induced anxiety in mice and suggested a possible active ingredient of HM. HM protected cortical neurons against neurotoxicity of corticosterone (CORT), a stress hormone. HM also blocked CORT-induced hippocampal synaptic deficit via regulating Akt signaling. Oral administration of HM improved chronic restraint stress-induced anxiety in Elevated Plus maze test along with reduction of plasma corticosterone and TNF-α levels. Moreover, HM reduced stress-induced neuroinflammation and oxidative stress. Thunberginol C, an active ingredient of HM, also prevented CORT-induced neuronal cell death and restraint stress-induced anxiety. Moreover, thunberginol C reduced plasma TNF-α level and neuroinflammation and oxidative stress. Collectively, HM could be a good candidate for preventing stress-induced neurological disorders and thunberginol C may be an active ingredient of HM for this purpose.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jihye Lee
- Division of Endocrinology, School of Medicine, Kyungpook National University, Daegu 41944, Korea;
| | - Huiyoung Kwon
- Department of Health Sciences, The Graduate School of Dong-A University, Dong-A University, Busan 49315, Korea; (H.K.); (W.-S.C.)
| | - Eunbi Cho
- Department of Pharmacology and Department of Advanced Translational Medicine, School of Medicine, Konkuk University, Seoul 05029, Korea; (E.C.); (J.J.)
| | - Jieun Jeon
- Department of Pharmacology and Department of Advanced Translational Medicine, School of Medicine, Konkuk University, Seoul 05029, Korea; (E.C.); (J.J.)
| | - In-Kyu Lee
- Department of Internal Medicine, School of Medicine, Kyungpook National University Hospital, Kyungpook National University, Daegu 41944, Korea;
| | - Wan-Seob Cho
- Department of Health Sciences, The Graduate School of Dong-A University, Dong-A University, Busan 49315, Korea; (H.K.); (W.-S.C.)
| | - Se Jin Park
- Department of Food Biotechnology and Environmental Science, School of Natural Resources and Environmental Sciences, Kangwon National University, Chuncheon 24341, Korea;
| | - Seungheon Lee
- Department of Marine Life Sciences, Jeju National University, Jeju 63243, Korea;
| | - Dong Hyun Kim
- Department of Pharmacology and Department of Advanced Translational Medicine, School of Medicine, Konkuk University, Seoul 05029, Korea; (E.C.); (J.J.)
- Correspondence: (D.H.K.); (J.W.J.)
| | - Ji Wook Jung
- Department of Herbal Medicinal Pharmacology, College of Herbal Bio-Industry, Daegu Haany University, Kyungsan 38610, Korea
- Correspondence: (D.H.K.); (J.W.J.)
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21
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Faraji J, Lotfi H, Moharrerie A, Jafari SY, Soltanpour N, Tamannaiee R, Marjani K, Roudaki S, Naseri F, Moeeini R, Metz GAS. Regional Differences in BDNF Expression and Behavior as a Function of Sex and Enrichment Type: Oxytocin Matters. Cereb Cortex 2022; 32:2985-2999. [DOI: 10.1093/cercor/bhab395] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/19/2021] [Revised: 10/04/2021] [Accepted: 10/05/2021] [Indexed: 01/01/2023] Open
Abstract
Abstract
The early environment is critical to brain development, but the relative contribution of physical versus social stimulation is unclear. Here, we investigated in male and female rats the response to early physical and social environmental enrichment in relation to oxytocin (OT) and brain-derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF) expression. The findings show that males and females respond differently to prolonged sensorimotor stimulation from postnatal days 21–110 in terms of functional, structural, and molecular changes in the hippocampus versus medial prefrontal cortex (mPFC). Physical enrichment promoted motor and cognitive functions and hippocampal BDNF mRNA and protein expression in both sexes. Combined physical and social enrichment, however, promoted functional and structural gain in females. These changes were accompanied by elevated plasma oxytocin (OT) levels and BDNF mRNA expression in the mPFC, while the hippocampus was not affected. Administration of an OT antagonist in females blocked the beneficial effects of enrichment and led to reduced cortical BDNF signaling. These findings suggest that an OT-based mechanism selectively stimulates a region-specific BDNF response which is dependent on the type of experience.
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22
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Takayanagi Y, Onaka T. Roles of Oxytocin in Stress Responses, Allostasis and Resilience. Int J Mol Sci 2021; 23:ijms23010150. [PMID: 35008574 PMCID: PMC8745417 DOI: 10.3390/ijms23010150] [Citation(s) in RCA: 33] [Impact Index Per Article: 11.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/19/2021] [Revised: 12/17/2021] [Accepted: 12/19/2021] [Indexed: 02/06/2023] Open
Abstract
Oxytocin has been revealed to work for anxiety suppression and anti-stress as well as for psychosocial behavior and reproductive functions. Oxytocin neurons are activated by various stressful stimuli. The oxytocin receptor is widely distributed within the brain, and oxytocin that is released or diffused affects behavioral and neuroendocrine stress responses. On the other hand, there has been an increasing number of reports on the role of oxytocin in allostasis and resilience. It has been shown that oxytocin maintains homeostasis, shifts the set point for adaptation to a changing environment (allostasis) and contributes to recovery from the shifted set point by inducing active coping responses to stressful stimuli (resilience). Recent studies have suggested that oxytocin is also involved in stress-related disorders, and it has been shown in clinical trials that oxytocin provides therapeutic benefits for patients diagnosed with stress-related disorders. This review includes the latest information on the role of oxytocin in stress responses and adaptation.
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Wilkialis L, Rodrigues NB, Cha DS, Siegel A, Majeed A, Lui LMW, Tamura JK, Gill B, Teopiz K, McIntyre RS. Social Isolation, Loneliness and Generalized Anxiety: Implications and Associations during the COVID-19 Quarantine. Brain Sci 2021; 11:1620. [PMID: 34942920 PMCID: PMC8699379 DOI: 10.3390/brainsci11121620] [Citation(s) in RCA: 19] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/09/2021] [Revised: 12/03/2021] [Accepted: 12/06/2021] [Indexed: 12/15/2022] Open
Abstract
The COVID-19 pandemic has resulted in a predominantly global quarantine response that has been associated with social isolation, loneliness, and anxiety. The foregoing experiences have been amply documented to have profound impacts on health, morbidity, and mortality. This narrative review uses the extant neurobiological and theoretical literature to explore the association between social isolation, loneliness, and anxiety in the context of quarantine during the COVID-19 pandemic. Emerging evidence suggests that distinct health issues (e.g., a sedentary lifestyle, a diminished overall sense of well-being) are associated with social isolation and loneliness. The health implications of social isolation and loneliness during quarantine have a heterogenous and comorbid nature and, as a result, form a link to anxiety. The limbic system plays a role in fear and anxiety response; the bed nucleus of the stria terminalis, amygdala, HPA axis, hippocampus, prefrontal cortex, insula, and locus coeruleus have an impact in a prolonged anxious state. In the conclusion, possible solutions are considered and remarks are made on future areas of exploration.
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Affiliation(s)
- Linas Wilkialis
- Mood Disorders Psychopharmacology Unit, University Health Network, Toronto, ON M5T 2S8, Canada; (L.W.); (N.B.R.); (D.S.C.); (A.S.); (A.M.); (L.M.W.L.); (J.K.T.); (B.G.); (K.T.)
| | - Nelson B. Rodrigues
- Mood Disorders Psychopharmacology Unit, University Health Network, Toronto, ON M5T 2S8, Canada; (L.W.); (N.B.R.); (D.S.C.); (A.S.); (A.M.); (L.M.W.L.); (J.K.T.); (B.G.); (K.T.)
| | - Danielle S. Cha
- Mood Disorders Psychopharmacology Unit, University Health Network, Toronto, ON M5T 2S8, Canada; (L.W.); (N.B.R.); (D.S.C.); (A.S.); (A.M.); (L.M.W.L.); (J.K.T.); (B.G.); (K.T.)
| | - Ashley Siegel
- Mood Disorders Psychopharmacology Unit, University Health Network, Toronto, ON M5T 2S8, Canada; (L.W.); (N.B.R.); (D.S.C.); (A.S.); (A.M.); (L.M.W.L.); (J.K.T.); (B.G.); (K.T.)
| | - Amna Majeed
- Mood Disorders Psychopharmacology Unit, University Health Network, Toronto, ON M5T 2S8, Canada; (L.W.); (N.B.R.); (D.S.C.); (A.S.); (A.M.); (L.M.W.L.); (J.K.T.); (B.G.); (K.T.)
| | - Leanna M. W. Lui
- Mood Disorders Psychopharmacology Unit, University Health Network, Toronto, ON M5T 2S8, Canada; (L.W.); (N.B.R.); (D.S.C.); (A.S.); (A.M.); (L.M.W.L.); (J.K.T.); (B.G.); (K.T.)
| | - Jocelyn K. Tamura
- Mood Disorders Psychopharmacology Unit, University Health Network, Toronto, ON M5T 2S8, Canada; (L.W.); (N.B.R.); (D.S.C.); (A.S.); (A.M.); (L.M.W.L.); (J.K.T.); (B.G.); (K.T.)
| | - Barjot Gill
- Mood Disorders Psychopharmacology Unit, University Health Network, Toronto, ON M5T 2S8, Canada; (L.W.); (N.B.R.); (D.S.C.); (A.S.); (A.M.); (L.M.W.L.); (J.K.T.); (B.G.); (K.T.)
| | - Kayla Teopiz
- Mood Disorders Psychopharmacology Unit, University Health Network, Toronto, ON M5T 2S8, Canada; (L.W.); (N.B.R.); (D.S.C.); (A.S.); (A.M.); (L.M.W.L.); (J.K.T.); (B.G.); (K.T.)
| | - Roger S. McIntyre
- Mood Disorders Psychopharmacology Unit, University Health Network, Toronto, ON M5T 2S8, Canada; (L.W.); (N.B.R.); (D.S.C.); (A.S.); (A.M.); (L.M.W.L.); (J.K.T.); (B.G.); (K.T.)
- Institute of Medical Science, University of Toronto, Toronto, ON M5S 1A8, Canada
- Department of Pharmacology, University of Toronto, Toronto, ON M5S 1A8, Canada
- Department of Psychiatry, University of Toronto, Toronto, ON M5T 1R8, Canada
- Brain and Cognition Discovery Foundation, Toronto, ON M4W 3W4, Canada
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Taheri Zadeh Z, Rahmani S, Alidadi F, Joushi S, Esmaeilpour K. Depresssion, anxiety and other cognitive consequences of social isolation: Drug and non-drug treatments. Int J Clin Pract 2021; 75:e14949. [PMID: 34614276 DOI: 10.1111/ijcp.14949] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/21/2021] [Accepted: 10/04/2021] [Indexed: 12/17/2022] Open
Abstract
OBJECTIVE During the COVID-19 pandemic, quarantine and staying at home is advised. The social relationship between people has become deficient, and human social isolation (SI) has become the consequence of this situation. It was shown that SI has made changes in hippocampal neuroplasticity, which will lead to poor cognitive function and behavioural abnormalities. There is a connection between SI, learning, and memory impairments. In addition, anxiety-like behaviour and increased aggressive mood in long-term isolation have been revealed during the COVID-19 outbreak. METHODS Term searches was done in Google Scholar, Scopus, ScienceDirect, Web of Science and PubMed databases as well as hand searching in key resource journals from 1979 to 2020. RESULTS Studies have shown that some drug administrations may positively affect or even prevent social isolation consequences in animal models. These drug treatments have included opioid drugs, anti-depressants, Antioxidants, and herbal medications. In addition to drug interventions, there are non-drug treatments that include an enriched environment, regular exercise, and music. CONCLUSION This manuscript aims to review improved cognitive impairments induced by SI during COVID-19.
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Affiliation(s)
- Zahra Taheri Zadeh
- Student Research Committee, Faculty of Pharmacy, Kerman University of Medical Sciences, Kerman, Iran
- Neuroscience Research Center, Institute of Neuropharmacology, Kerman University of Medical Sciences, Kerman, Iran
| | - Shayan Rahmani
- Student Research Committee, School of Medicine, Shahid Beheshti University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran
| | | | - Sara Joushi
- Neuroscience Research Center, Institute of Neuropharmacology, Kerman University of Medical Sciences, Kerman, Iran
| | - Khadijeh Esmaeilpour
- Neuroscience Research Center, Institute of Neuropharmacology, Kerman University of Medical Sciences, Kerman, Iran
- Department of Physics and Astronomy, University of Waterloo, Waterloo, Canada
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Onaka T, Takayanagi Y. The oxytocin system and early-life experience-dependent plastic changes. J Neuroendocrinol 2021; 33:e13049. [PMID: 34713517 PMCID: PMC9286573 DOI: 10.1111/jne.13049] [Citation(s) in RCA: 15] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/03/2021] [Revised: 09/28/2021] [Accepted: 09/30/2021] [Indexed: 02/06/2023]
Abstract
Early-life experience influences social and emotional behaviour in adulthood. Affiliative tactile stimuli in early life facilitate the development of social and emotional behaviour, whereas early-life adverse stimuli have been shown to increase the risk of various diseases in later life. On the other hand, oxytocin has been shown to have organizational actions during early-life stages. However, the detailed mechanisms of the effects of early-life experience and oxytocin remain unclear. Here, we review the effects of affiliative tactile stimuli during the neonatal period and neonatal oxytocin treatment on the activity of the oxytocin-oxytocin receptor system and social or emotional behaviour in adulthood. Both affiliative tactile stimuli and early-life adverse stimuli in the neonatal period acutely activate the oxytocin-oxytocin receptor system in the brain but modulate social behaviour and anxiety-related behaviour apparently in an opposite direction in adulthood. Accumulating evidence suggests that affiliative tactile stimuli and exogenous application of oxytocin in early-life stages induce higher activity of the oxytocin-oxytocin receptor system in adulthood, although the effects are dependent on experimental procedures, sex, dosages and brain regions examined. On the other hand, early-life stressful stimuli appear to induce reduced activity of the oxytocin-oxytocin receptor system, possibly leading to adverse actions in adulthood. It is possible that activation of a specific oxytocin system can induce beneficial actions against early-life maltreatments and thus could be used for the treatment of developmental psychiatric disorders.
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Affiliation(s)
- Tatsushi Onaka
- Division of Brain and NeurophysiologyDepartment of PhysiologyJichi Medical UniversityTochigiJapan
| | - Yuki Takayanagi
- Division of Brain and NeurophysiologyDepartment of PhysiologyJichi Medical UniversityTochigiJapan
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Oxytocin, Erectile Function and Sexual Behavior: Last Discoveries and Possible Advances. Int J Mol Sci 2021; 22:ijms221910376. [PMID: 34638719 PMCID: PMC8509000 DOI: 10.3390/ijms221910376] [Citation(s) in RCA: 12] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/09/2021] [Revised: 09/20/2021] [Accepted: 09/23/2021] [Indexed: 12/30/2022] Open
Abstract
A continuously increasing amount of research shows that oxytocin is involved in numerous central functions. Among the functions in which oxytocin is thought to be involved are those that play a role in social and sexual behaviors, and the involvement of central oxytocin in erectile function and sexual behavior was indeed one of the first to be discovered in laboratory animals in the 1980s. The first part of this review summarizes the results of studies done in laboratory animals that support a facilitatory role of oxytocin in male and female sexual behavior and reveal mechanisms through which this ancient neuropeptide participates in concert with other neurotransmitters and neuropeptides in this complex function, which is fundamental for the species reproduction. The second part summarizes the results of studies done mainly with intranasal oxytocin in men and women with the aim to translate the results found in laboratory animals to humans. Unexpectedly, the results of these studies do not appear to confirm the facilitatory role of oxytocin found in male and female sexual behavior in animals, both in men and women. Possible explanations for the failure of oxytocin to improve sexual behavior in men and women and strategies to attempt to overcome this impasse are considered.
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Rogers FD, Freeman SM, Anderson M, Palumbo MC, Bales KL. Compositional variation in early-life parenting structures alters oxytocin and vasopressin 1a receptor development in prairie voles (Microtus ochrogaster). J Neuroendocrinol 2021; 33:e13001. [PMID: 34189787 PMCID: PMC8486352 DOI: 10.1111/jne.13001] [Citation(s) in RCA: 14] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/23/2020] [Revised: 05/31/2021] [Accepted: 05/31/2021] [Indexed: 12/27/2022]
Abstract
Paternal absence can significantly alter bio-behavioural development in many biparental species. This effect has generally been demonstrated by comparing the development of offspring reared under biparental care with those reared by a single mother. However, studies employing this design conflate two significant modifications to early-life experience: removal of father-specific qualities and the general reduction of offspring-directed care. In the socially monogamous prairie vole (Microtus ochrogaster), the experience of paternal absence without substitution during development inhibits partner preference formation in adulthood, a hallmark of social monogamy, in females and males. Employing alloparents as substitutes for fathers, our previous work demonstrated that paternal absence affects pair-bond formation in female offspring via reduced quantity of care, although it affects pair-bond formation in male offspring by means of a missing paternal quality (or qualities). Here, we present evidence that paternal absence (with and without alloparental substitution) may alter the ontogeny of neural oxytocin receptor (OXTR) and/or vasopressin 1a receptor (AVPR1a) distribution in male and female prairie voles. Compared to biparentally reared controls (BPC), male offspring reared in mother only (MON) and maternal-plus-alloparental (MPA) conditions show lower densities of OXTR in the central amygdala; and MPA males show lower densities of OXTR in the caudate putamen and nucleus accumbens. Early-life experience was not associated with differences in AVPR1a density in males. However, MON and MPA females show greater densities of AVPR1a in the medial amygdala than BPC; and MPA females show greater densities of AVPR1a in the ventromedial nucleus of the hypothalamus. We also demonstrate with corticosterone concentrations that MON and MPA offspring are not differentially susceptible to a stressor (ie, social isolation) than BPC offspring. These findings suggest that paternal absence, although likely not a salient early-life stressor, has neuroendocrine consequences for offspring, some of which may affect partner preference formation.
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Affiliation(s)
- Forrest D Rogers
- Psychology Graduate Program, University of California, Davis, CA, USA
- Department of Psychology, University of California, Davis, CA, USA
| | - Sara M Freeman
- Department of Psychology, University of California, Davis, CA, USA
- California National Primate Research Center, Davis, CA, USA
- Department of Biology, Utah State University, Logan, UT, USA
| | - Marina Anderson
- Department of Psychology, University of California, Davis, CA, USA
- California National Primate Research Center, Davis, CA, USA
| | - Michelle C Palumbo
- Department of Psychology, University of California, Davis, CA, USA
- California National Primate Research Center, Davis, CA, USA
- Department of Behavioral Neuroscience, Oregon Health & Science University, Portland, OR, USA
| | - Karen L Bales
- Department of Psychology, University of California, Davis, CA, USA
- California National Primate Research Center, Davis, CA, USA
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28
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Chuang HJ, Chang CY, Ho HP, Chou MY. Oxytocin Signaling Acts as a Marker for Environmental Stressors in Zebrafish. Int J Mol Sci 2021; 22:7459. [PMID: 34299078 PMCID: PMC8303627 DOI: 10.3390/ijms22147459] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/25/2021] [Revised: 06/24/2021] [Accepted: 07/09/2021] [Indexed: 12/16/2022] Open
Abstract
The oxytocin system plays a role in stress responses and behavior modulation. However, the effects of oxytocin signaling on stress adaptation remain unclear. Here, we demonstrated the roles of oxytocin signaling as a biomarker under stress conditions in the peripheral tissues (the gills) and central nervous system (the brain). All the environmental stressors downregulated the expression of oxytocin receptors in the gills, and the alteration of the expression of oxytocin receptors was also found in the brain after the acidic (AC) and high-ammonia (HA) treatments. The number of oxytocin neurons was increased after double-deionized (DI) treatment. By transgenic line, Tg(oxtl:EGFP), we also investigated the projections of oxytocin neurons and found oxytocin axon innervations in various nuclei that might regulate the anxiety levels and aggressiveness of adult zebrafish under different environmental stresses. The oxytocin system integrates physiological responses and behavioral outcomes to ensure environmental adaptation in adult zebrafish. Our study provides insight into oxytocin signaling as a stress indicator upon environmental stressors.
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Affiliation(s)
| | | | | | - Ming-Yi Chou
- Department of Life Science, National Taiwan University, Taipei 10617, Taiwan; (H.-J.C.); (C.-Y.C.); (H.-P.H.)
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29
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Xie S, Hu Y, Fang L, Chen S, Botchway BOA, Tan X, Fang M, Hu Z. The association of oxytocin with major depressive disorder: role of confounding effects of antidepressants. Rev Neurosci 2021; 33:59-77. [PMID: 33989469 DOI: 10.1515/revneuro-2020-0128] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/07/2020] [Accepted: 04/18/2021] [Indexed: 01/15/2023]
Abstract
Major depressive disorder is a genetic susceptible disease, and a psychiatric syndrome with a high rate of incidence and recurrence. Because of its complexity concerning etiology and pathogenesis, the cure rate of first-line antidepressants is low. In recent years, accumulative evidences revealed that oxytocin act as a physiological or pathological participant in a variety of complex neuropsychological activities, including major depressive disorder. Six electronic databases (Web of Science, PubMed, Scopus, Google Scholar, CNKI, and Wanfang) were employed for researching relevant publications. At last, 226 articles were extracted. The current review addresses the correlation of the oxytocin system and major depressive disorder. Besides, we summarize the mechanisms by which the oxytocin system exerts potential antidepressant effects, including regulating neuronal activity, influencing neuroplasticity and regeneration, altering neurotransmitter release, down regulating hypothalamic-pituitary-adrenal axis, anti-inflammatory, antioxidation, and genetic effects. Increasing evidence shows that oxytocin and its receptor gene may play a potential role in major depressive disorder. Future research should focus on the predictive ability of the oxytocin system as a biomarker, as well as its role in targeted prevention and early intervention of major depressive disorder.
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Affiliation(s)
- Shiyi Xie
- Obstetrics & Gynecology Department, Integrated Chinese and West Medicine Hospital Affiliated to Zhejiang Chinese Medicine University, 208 Huanchendong Road, 310003Hangzhou, China.,Clinical Medical College, Zhejiang Chinese Medical University, 310053Hangzhou, China
| | - Yan Hu
- Clinical Medical College, Zhejiang Chinese Medical University, 310053Hangzhou, China
| | - Li Fang
- Obstetrics & Gynecology Department, Integrated Chinese and West Medicine Hospital Affiliated to Zhejiang Chinese Medicine University, 208 Huanchendong Road, 310003Hangzhou, China
| | - Shijia Chen
- Institute of Neuroscience, Zhejiang University School of Medicine, 310058Hangzhou, China
| | - Benson O A Botchway
- Institute of Neuroscience, Zhejiang University School of Medicine, 310058Hangzhou, China
| | - Xiaoning Tan
- Institute of Neuroscience, Zhejiang University School of Medicine, 310058Hangzhou, China
| | - Marong Fang
- Institute of Neuroscience, Zhejiang University School of Medicine, 310058Hangzhou, China
| | - Zhiying Hu
- Obstetrics & Gynecology Department, Integrated Chinese and West Medicine Hospital Affiliated to Zhejiang Chinese Medicine University, 208 Huanchendong Road, 310003Hangzhou, China
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Chen X, Meng S, Li S, Zhang L, Wu L, Zhu H, Zhang Y. Role of 5-Hydroxytryptamine and Intestinal Flora on Depressive-Like Behavior Induced by Lead Exposure in Rats. BIOMED RESEARCH INTERNATIONAL 2021; 2021:5516604. [PMID: 33996997 PMCID: PMC8110379 DOI: 10.1155/2021/5516604] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/08/2021] [Revised: 03/23/2021] [Accepted: 03/31/2021] [Indexed: 12/12/2022]
Abstract
OBJECTIVE To investigate the effects of 5-hydroxytryptamine (5-HT) and intestinal flora on depression-like behavior induced by lead exposure in rats. METHODS 30 healthy SPF adult male SD rats were randomly divided into control group and lead exposure group. The depression-like behavior of rats was detected. The blood, striatum, and intestinal tissue were collected. The lead content was detected by ICP-MS. The mRNA expressions of ChgA, TPH1, 5-HT, and 5-HT3R were tested by qRT-PCR. The content of 5HT was checked by HPLC-ECD. The content of 5-HT3R was detected by ELISA. The protein expressions of 5-HT, 5-HT3R, ChgA, and TPH were gauged by immunohistochemistry. Fecal samples were collected, and the composition of intestinal flora in experimental rats was analyzed by 16 s RNA metagene sequencing. RESULTS Lead exposure can greatly cause depression. The content of 5-HT in blood and striatum in the lead exposure group decreased, and the expression levels of 5-HT, 5-HT3 R, ChgA, and TPH in the intestine decreased distinctly. Compared with the control group, the distribution of a-polymorphism related indexes Simpson, Chao1, Shannon, and ACE in rats with depressive-like behavior after lead exposure was significantly increased; in the lead exposure group, there were 61 different operational taxonomic units (OUTs) in intestinal flora at the family level. Based on linear discriminant analysis, it was found that the key bacteria were Lactobacillaceae and Bifidobacteriaceae, and their abundance decreased evidently in the lead exposure group. CONCLUSION Lead exposure improves depressive-like behavior by affecting intestinal flora and regulating neurotransmitter 5-HT through the intestinal-brain axis.
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Affiliation(s)
- Xiaojun Chen
- School of Public Health, North China University of Science and Technology, Hebei, China
- Workers' Hospital of Caofeidian District, China
| | | | - Shuang Li
- Experimental Animal Center, North China University of Science and Technology Tangshan, Hebei 063000, China
| | - Lijin Zhang
- School of Public Health, North China University of Science and Technology, Hebei, China
| | - Lei Wu
- School of Public Health, North China University of Science and Technology, Hebei, China
| | - Hao Zhu
- School of Public Health, North China University of Science and Technology, Hebei, China
| | - Yanshu Zhang
- School of Public Health, North China University of Science and Technology, Hebei, China
- Experimental Animal Center, North China University of Science and Technology Tangshan, Hebei 063000, China
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Tsushima H, Zhang Y, Muratsubaki T, Kanazawa M, Fukudo S. Oxytocin antagonist induced visceral pain and corticotropin-releasing hormone neuronal activation in the central nucleus of the amygdala during colorectal distention in mice. Neurosci Res 2021; 168:41-53. [PMID: 33932549 DOI: 10.1016/j.neures.2021.04.011] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/09/2021] [Revised: 04/22/2021] [Accepted: 04/23/2021] [Indexed: 12/19/2022]
Abstract
Activation of neurons containing oxytocin and corticotropin-releasing hormone (CRH) in the paraventricular nucleus (PVN) of the hypothalamus, the anterior cingulate cortex (ACC), and the central nucleus of the amygdala (CeA) during colorectal distention (CRD) is likely to play a crucial role in animal models of irritable bowel syndrome (IBS). Earlier studies in rodents showed that the microbiome is involved in social behavior via oxytocin expression in the brain. However, the detailed mechanism of visceral sensation and oxytocin is largely unknown. We tested the following hypotheses: (1) that oxytocin neurons in the PVN are activated by CRD, and (2) that the activation of oxytocin neurons by CRD is related to anxiety-like behavior, visceral perception, and an activation of CRH CeA neurons or ACC neurons. Oxytocin antagonist caused visceral hypersensitivity and anxiety-like behavior. In the PVN, oxytocin neurons were activated by CRD. Noxious CRD activated the CeA, basolateral nucleus of the amygdala (BLA), and ACC. High-dose oxytocin antagonist suppressed ACC activity and activated CRH CeA neurons. These results support our hypotheses. Oxytocin likely regulates CRH CeA neurons in an inhibitory manner and the ACC in an excitatory manner. Further research into the interaction of oxytocin and CRH in visceral pain and anxiety is warranted.
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Affiliation(s)
- Hiromichi Tsushima
- Department of Behavioral Medicine, Tohoku University Graduate School of Medicine, Sendai, Japan
| | - Yanli Zhang
- Department of Behavioral Medicine, Tohoku University Graduate School of Medicine, Sendai, Japan; Department of Gastroenterology, China-Japan Friendship Hospital, Beijing, China
| | - Tomohiko Muratsubaki
- Department of Behavioral Medicine, Tohoku University Graduate School of Medicine, Sendai, Japan
| | - Motoyori Kanazawa
- Department of Behavioral Medicine, Tohoku University Graduate School of Medicine, Sendai, Japan; Department of Psychosomatic Medicine, Tohoku University Hospital, Sendai, Japan
| | - Shin Fukudo
- Department of Behavioral Medicine, Tohoku University Graduate School of Medicine, Sendai, Japan; Department of Psychosomatic Medicine, Tohoku University Hospital, Sendai, Japan.
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Bardo MT, Hammerslag LR, Malone SG. Effect of early life social adversity on drug abuse vulnerability: Focus on corticotropin-releasing factor and oxytocin. Neuropharmacology 2021; 191:108567. [PMID: 33862030 DOI: 10.1016/j.neuropharm.2021.108567] [Citation(s) in RCA: 19] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/11/2020] [Revised: 02/16/2021] [Accepted: 04/09/2021] [Indexed: 12/20/2022]
Abstract
Early life adversity can set the trajectory for later psychiatric disorders, including substance use disorders. There are a host of neurobiological factors that may play a role in the negative trajectory. The current review examines preclinical evidence suggesting that early life adversity specifically involving social factors (maternal separation, adolescent social isolation and adolescent social defeat) may influence drug abuse vulnerability by strengthening corticotropin-releasing factor (CRF) systems and weakening oxytocin (OT) systems. In adulthood, pharmacological and genetic evidence indicates that both CRF and OT systems are directly involved in drug reward processes. With early life adversity, numerous studies show an increase in drug abuse vulnerability measured in adulthood, along a concomitant strengthening of CRF systems and a weakening of OT systems. Mechanistic studies, while relatively few in number, are generally consistent with the theme that strengthened CRF systems and weakened OT systems mediate, at least in part, the link between early life adversity and drug abuse vulnerability. Establishing a direct role of CRF and OT in mediating the relation between early life social stressors and drug abuse vulnerability will inform clinical researchers and practitioners toward the development of intervention strategies to reduce risk among those suffering from early life adversities. This article is part of the special issue on 'Vulnerabilities to Substance Abuse'.
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Affiliation(s)
- Michael T Bardo
- Department of Psychology, University of Kentucky, Lexington, KY, 40536-0509, USA.
| | - Lindsey R Hammerslag
- Department of Psychology, University of Kentucky, Lexington, KY, 40536-0509, USA
| | - Samantha G Malone
- Department of Psychology, University of Kentucky, Lexington, KY, 40536-0509, USA
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Rae M, Lemos Duarte M, Gomes I, Camarini R, Devi LA. Oxytocin and vasopressin: Signalling, behavioural modulation and potential therapeutic effects. Br J Pharmacol 2021; 179:1544-1564. [PMID: 33817785 DOI: 10.1111/bph.15481] [Citation(s) in RCA: 26] [Impact Index Per Article: 8.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/09/2020] [Revised: 02/24/2021] [Accepted: 03/14/2021] [Indexed: 12/13/2022] Open
Abstract
Oxytocin (OT) and vasopressin (AVP) are endogenous ligands for OT and AVP receptors in the brain and in the peripheral system. Several studies demonstrate that OT and AVP have opposite roles in modulating stress, anxiety and social behaviours. Interestingly, both peptides and their receptors exhibit high sequence homology which could account for the biased signalling interaction of the peptides with OT and AVP receptors. However, how and under which conditions this crosstalk occurs in vivo remains unclear. In this review we shed light on the complexity of the roles of OT and AVP, by focusing on their signalling and behavioural differences and exploring the crosstalk between the receptor systems. Moreover, we discuss the potential of OT and AVP receptors as therapeutic targets to treat human disorders, such as autism, schizophrenia and drug abuse.
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Affiliation(s)
- Mariana Rae
- Departamento de Farmacologia, Instituto de Ciencias Biomedicas, Universidade de Sao Paulo, São Paulo, Brazil.,Department of Pharmacological Sciences, Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai, New York, New York, USA
| | - Mariana Lemos Duarte
- Department of Pharmacological Sciences, Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai, New York, New York, USA
| | - Ivone Gomes
- Department of Pharmacological Sciences, Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai, New York, New York, USA
| | - Rosana Camarini
- Departamento de Farmacologia, Instituto de Ciencias Biomedicas, Universidade de Sao Paulo, São Paulo, Brazil
| | - Lakshmi A Devi
- Department of Pharmacological Sciences, Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai, New York, New York, USA
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Gupta PR, Prabhavalkar K. Combination therapy with neuropeptides for the treatment of anxiety disorder. Neuropeptides 2021; 86:102127. [PMID: 33607407 DOI: 10.1016/j.npep.2021.102127] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/18/2020] [Revised: 12/29/2020] [Accepted: 01/26/2021] [Indexed: 11/29/2022]
Abstract
Anxiety is a neurological disorder that is characterized by excessive, persistent, and unreasonable worry about everyday things like family, work, money, and relationships. The current therapy used for the treatment has many disadvantages like higher cost, severe adverse reactions, and has suboptimal efficiency. There is a need to look for more innovative approaches for the treatment of anxiety disorder which overcomes the disadvantages of conventional treatment. Recent findings suggest a strong correlation of glutamate with anxiety. Some promising drugs which have a novel mechanism for anxiolytic action are currently under clinical development for generalized anxiety disorder, social anxiety disorder, panic disorder, obsessive-compulsive disorder, or post-traumatic stress disorder. Similarly, an interrelation of oxytocin with neuropeptide S or glutamate or vasopressin can also be considered for further evaluation for the development of new drugs for anxiety treatment. Anxiolytic drug development is a multi-target approach, with the idea of more efficiently equilibrating perturbed circuits. This review focuses on targeting unconventional targets like the glutamate system, voltage-gated ion channels, and neuropeptides system either alone or in combination for the treatment of anxiety disorder.
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Affiliation(s)
- Priti Ramakant Gupta
- Department of Pharmacology, SVKM'S Dr. Bhanuben Nanavati College of Pharmacy, Mumbai 400 056, India
| | - Kedar Prabhavalkar
- Department of Pharmacology, SVKM'S Dr. Bhanuben Nanavati College of Pharmacy, Mumbai 400 056, India.
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35
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Dickson PE, Mittleman G. Environmental enrichment influences novelty reactivity, novelty preference, and anxiety via distinct genetic mechanisms in C57BL/6J and DBA/2J mice. Sci Rep 2021; 11:3928. [PMID: 33594184 PMCID: PMC7887236 DOI: 10.1038/s41598-021-83574-6] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/14/2020] [Accepted: 02/04/2021] [Indexed: 11/18/2022] Open
Abstract
Environmental factors such as stress drive the development of drug addiction in genetically vulnerable individuals; the genes underlying this vulnerability are unknown. One strategy for uncovering these genes is to study the impact of environmental manipulation on high-throughput phenotypes that predict drug use and addiction-like behaviors. In the present study, we assessed the viability of this approach by evaluating the relative effects of environmental enrichment and isolation housing on three high-throughput phenotypes known to predict variation on distinct aspects of intravenous drug self-administration. Prior to behavioral testing, male and female C57BL/6J and DBA/2J mice (BXD founders) were housed in enrichment or isolation for ten weeks beginning at weaning. Enrichment significantly reduced novelty reactivity; this effect was significantly more robust in C57BL/6J mice relative to DBA/2J mice. Enrichment significantly reduced novelty preference; this effect was significantly dependent on novel environment characteristics and was significantly more robust in DBA/2J mice relative to C57BL/6J mice. Enrichment significantly increased anxiety; this effect was not strain-dependent. Collectively, these data indicate that (1) environmental enrichment influences novelty reactivity, novelty preference, and anxiety via distinct genetic mechanisms in mice, and (2) the BXD panel can be used to discover the genetic and epigenetic mechanisms underlying this phenomenon.
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Affiliation(s)
- Price E Dickson
- Department of Psychology, University of Memphis, 400 Innovation Drive, Memphis, TN, 38111, USA.
- Department of Biomedical Sciences, Joan C. Edwards School of Medicine, Marshall University, 1700 3rd Ave., Huntington, WV, 25703, USA.
| | - Guy Mittleman
- Department of Psychology, University of Memphis, 400 Innovation Drive, Memphis, TN, 38111, USA
- Department of Psychological Science, Ball State University, North Quad (NQ), room 104, Muncie, IN, 47306, USA
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36
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Astrocytes mediate the effect of oxytocin in the central amygdala on neuronal activity and affective states in rodents. Nat Neurosci 2021; 24:529-541. [PMID: 33589833 DOI: 10.1038/s41593-021-00800-0] [Citation(s) in RCA: 68] [Impact Index Per Article: 22.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/28/2020] [Accepted: 01/13/2021] [Indexed: 12/18/2022]
Abstract
Oxytocin (OT) orchestrates social and emotional behaviors through modulation of neural circuits. In the central amygdala, the release of OT modulates inhibitory circuits and, thereby, suppresses fear responses and decreases anxiety levels. Using astrocyte-specific gain and loss of function and pharmacological approaches, we demonstrate that a morphologically distinct subpopulation of astrocytes expresses OT receptors and mediates anxiolytic and positive reinforcement effects of OT in the central amygdala of mice and rats. The involvement of astrocytes in OT signaling challenges the long-held dogma that OT acts exclusively on neurons and highlights astrocytes as essential components for modulation of emotional states under normal and chronic pain conditions.
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37
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Walker LC. A balancing act: the role of pro- and anti-stress peptides within the central amygdala in anxiety and alcohol use disorders. J Neurochem 2021; 157:1615-1643. [PMID: 33450069 DOI: 10.1111/jnc.15301] [Citation(s) in RCA: 23] [Impact Index Per Article: 7.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/16/2020] [Revised: 12/18/2020] [Accepted: 01/06/2021] [Indexed: 12/21/2022]
Abstract
The central nucleus of the amygdala (CeA) is widely implicated as a structure that integrates both appetitive and aversive stimuli. While intrinsic CeA microcircuits primarily consist of GABAergic neurons that regulate amygdala output, a notable feature of the CeA is the heterogeneity of neuropeptides and neuropeptide/neuromodulator receptors that it expresses. There is growing interest in the role of the CeA in mediating psychopathologies, including stress and anxiety states and their interactions with alcohol use disorders. Within the CeA, neuropeptides and neuromodulators often exert pro- or anti- stress actions, which can influence anxiety and alcohol associated behaviours. In turn, alcohol use can cause adaptions within the CeA, which may render an individual more vulnerable to stress which is a major trigger of relapse to alcohol seeking. This review examines the neurocircuitry, neurochemical phenotypes and how pro- and anti-stress peptide systems act within the CeA to regulate anxiety and alcohol seeking, focusing on preclinical observations from animal models. Furthermore, literature exploring the targeting of genetically defined populations or neuronal ensembles and the role of the CeA in mediating sex differences in stress x alcohol interactions are explored.
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Affiliation(s)
- Leigh C Walker
- Florey Institute of Neuroscience and Mental Health, Parkville, Vic, Australia.,Florey Department of Neuroscience and Mental Health, University of Melbourne, Parkville, Vic, Australia
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38
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Fujita S, Yoshida S, Matsuki T, Jaiswal MK, Seki K. The α1-adrenergic receptors in the amygdala regulate the induction of learned despair through protein kinase C-beta signaling. Behav Pharmacol 2021; 32:73-85. [PMID: 33164996 DOI: 10.1097/fbp.0000000000000605] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/22/2023]
Abstract
Hyperactivity of amygdala is observed in patients with major depressive disorder. Although the role of α1-adrenoceptor in amygdala on fear memory has been well studied, the role of α1-adrenoceptor in amygdala on depression-like behaviors remains unclear. Therefore, we investigated the effect of α1A-adrenoreceptor in amygdala on despair behavior, evaluated by the immobility time during tail suspension test (TST), pharmacological intervention, and immunohistological methods. C57BL6/J mice given a bilateral intra-amygdala injection of artificial cerebrospinal fluid exhibited an increased duration of immobility in the latter half of both trials of TST with a 24-h interval, a phenomenon known as learned despair. Intra-amygdala injection of WB4101 (1.7 nmol/0.1 µl), an α1 adrenoreceptor antagonist, but not propranolol (250 pmol/0.1 µl), a β-adrenoreceptor antagonist, blocked the induction of learned despair during TST. Immunostaining experiments revealed that ~61-75% of α1A-adrenoreceptor-positive neurons were colocalized with GAD65/67 in amygdala, implying that the α1-adrenoceptors in amygdala may enormously regulate the GABA release. Protein kinase C-beta (PKCβ) was predominantly expressed in the α1A-adrenoreceptor-positive neurons in the BLA, whereas protein kinase C-epsilon (PKCε) was highly expressed with the α1A-adrenoreceptor in the Central nucleus of amygdala. Intra-amygdala injection of ruboxistaurin (10 pmol/0.1 µl), a PKCβ inhibitor, blocked the induction of learned despair during TST, whereas neither TAT-εV1-2 (500 ng/0.1 μl), a cell-permeant PKCε inhibitory peptide, nor HBDDE (50 pmol/0.1 µl), an inhibitor of PKCα and -γ, affected the duration of immobility during TST. These data suggest that the α1-adrenoreceptor in amygdala regulates the induction of learned despair via PKCβ.
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Affiliation(s)
- Shisui Fujita
- Department of Pharmacology, School of Pharmaceutical Science, Ohu University, Koriyama, Fukushima
| | - Satomi Yoshida
- Department of Pharmacology, School of Pharmaceutical Science, Ohu University, Koriyama, Fukushima
| | - Tohru Matsuki
- Department of Cellular Pathology, Institute for Developmental Research, Aichi Developmental Disability Center, Kasugai, Aichi, Japan
| | - Manoj Kumar Jaiswal
- Department of Psychiatry, Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai, New York, New York, USA
| | - Kenjiro Seki
- Department of Pharmacology, School of Pharmaceutical Science, Ohu University, Koriyama, Fukushima
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Khodagholi F, Maleki A, Motamedi F, Mousavi MA, Rafiei S, Moslemi M. Oxytocin Prevents the Development of 3-NP-Induced Anxiety and Depression in Male and Female Rats: Possible Interaction of OXTR and mGluR2. Cell Mol Neurobiol 2020; 42:1105-1123. [PMID: 33201416 DOI: 10.1007/s10571-020-01003-0] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/24/2020] [Accepted: 11/07/2020] [Indexed: 01/01/2023]
Abstract
Huntington disease (HD) is a progressive neurological disorder with dominant motor symptoms. It also has psychiatric manifestations, like anxiety and depression, that can emerge themselves before motor symptoms and impose a major burden on patients. Oxytocin (OXT) is a newly emerged treatment for disorders like autism and schizophrenia and recently is using to alleviate depression and anxiety. In the current study, we investigated the behavioral and molecular effects of OXT on the development of anxiety and depression in 3-nitropropionic acid (3-NP)-induced model of HD. Anxiety- and depression-like behaviors as well as the levels of oxytocin receptor (OXTR), metabotropic glutamate receptor (mGluR) 2, mGluR5, and glutathione (GSH) were measured in striatum, hippocampus, prefrontal cortex, and amygdala. Also, we questioned if sex had any modulatory effect. We found that 3-NP increased anxiety and depression compared to controls. It also reduced the levels of OXTR and mGluR2, increased mGluR5, and reduced GSH in studied brain regions. Pretreatment with OXT before the injection of 3-NP ameliorated anxiety and depression. Additionally, it protected the brain from developing low levels of OXTR, mGluR2, and GSH and high levels of mGluR5 in studied regions. The protective effects of OXT were similar between male and female animals. These data suggest that OXTR, mGluR2, mGluR5, and GSH may contribute to psychiatric manifestations of HD. In addition, pretreatment with OXT could prevent the mood changes in male and female rats.
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Affiliation(s)
- Fariba Khodagholi
- Neuroscience Research Center, Shahid Beheshti University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran
| | - Ali Maleki
- Neuroscience Research Center, Shahid Beheshti University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran
| | - Fereshteh Motamedi
- Neuroscience Research Center, Shahid Beheshti University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran
| | - Maryam Alsadat Mousavi
- Neurobiology Research Center, Shahid Beheshti University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran
| | - Shahrbanoo Rafiei
- Neurobiology Research Center, Shahid Beheshti University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran
| | - Mehdi Moslemi
- Neurobiology Research Center, Shahid Beheshti University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran.
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40
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Duque-Wilckens N, Torres LY, Yokoyama S, Minie VA, Tran AM, Petkova SP, Hao R, Ramos-Maciel S, Rios RA, Jackson K, Flores-Ramirez FJ, Garcia-Carachure I, Pesavento PA, Iñiguez SD, Grinevich V, Trainor BC. Extrahypothalamic oxytocin neurons drive stress-induced social vigilance and avoidance. Proc Natl Acad Sci U S A 2020. [PMID: 33020267 DOI: 10.1073/pnas.2011890117/suppl_file/pnas.2011890117.sm01.mp4] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 03/30/2023] Open
Abstract
Oxytocin increases the salience of both positive and negative social contexts and it is thought that these diverse actions on behavior are mediated in part through circuit-specific action. This hypothesis is based primarily on manipulations of oxytocin receptor function, leaving open the question of whether different populations of oxytocin neurons mediate different effects on behavior. Here we inhibited oxytocin synthesis in a stress-sensitive population of oxytocin neurons specifically within the medioventral bed nucleus of the stria terminalis (BNSTmv). Oxytocin knockdown prevented social stress-induced increases in social vigilance and decreases in social approach. Viral tracing of BNSTmv oxytocin neurons revealed fibers in regions controlling defensive behaviors, including lateral hypothalamus, anterior hypothalamus, and anteromedial BNST (BNSTam). Oxytocin infusion into BNSTam in stress naïve mice increased social vigilance and reduced social approach. These results show that a population of extrahypothalamic oxytocin neurons plays a key role in controlling stress-induced social anxiety behaviors.
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Affiliation(s)
- Natalia Duque-Wilckens
- Department of Psychology, University of California, Davis, CA 95616
- Department of Physiology, Michigan State University, East Lansing, MI 48824
- Department of Large Animal Clinical Sciences, Michigan State University, East Lansing, MI 48824
| | - Lisette Y Torres
- Department of Psychology, University of California, Davis, CA 95616
| | - Sae Yokoyama
- Department of Psychology, University of California, Davis, CA 95616
| | - Vanessa A Minie
- Department of Psychology, University of California, Davis, CA 95616
| | - Amy M Tran
- Department of Psychology, University of California, Davis, CA 95616
| | - Stela P Petkova
- Neuroscience Graduate Group, University of California, Davis, CA 95616
| | - Rebecca Hao
- Department of Psychology, University of California, Davis, CA 95616
| | | | - Roberto A Rios
- Department of Psychology, University of California, Davis, CA 95616
| | - Kenneth Jackson
- Department of Pathobiology, Microbiology and Immunology, School of Veterinary Medicine, University of California, Davis, CA 95616
| | | | | | - Patricia A Pesavento
- Department of Pathobiology, Microbiology and Immunology, School of Veterinary Medicine, University of California, Davis, CA 95616
| | - Sergio D Iñiguez
- Department of Psychology, The University of Texas at El Paso, El Paso, TX 79902
| | - Valery Grinevich
- Department of Neuropeptide Research in Psychiatry, Central Institute of Mental Health, Medical Faculty Mannheim, University of Heidelberg, 68159 Mannheim, Germany
| | - Brian C Trainor
- Department of Psychology, University of California, Davis, CA 95616;
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41
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Extrahypothalamic oxytocin neurons drive stress-induced social vigilance and avoidance. Proc Natl Acad Sci U S A 2020; 117:26406-26413. [PMID: 33020267 DOI: 10.1073/pnas.2011890117] [Citation(s) in RCA: 64] [Impact Index Per Article: 16.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/18/2022] Open
Abstract
Oxytocin increases the salience of both positive and negative social contexts and it is thought that these diverse actions on behavior are mediated in part through circuit-specific action. This hypothesis is based primarily on manipulations of oxytocin receptor function, leaving open the question of whether different populations of oxytocin neurons mediate different effects on behavior. Here we inhibited oxytocin synthesis in a stress-sensitive population of oxytocin neurons specifically within the medioventral bed nucleus of the stria terminalis (BNSTmv). Oxytocin knockdown prevented social stress-induced increases in social vigilance and decreases in social approach. Viral tracing of BNSTmv oxytocin neurons revealed fibers in regions controlling defensive behaviors, including lateral hypothalamus, anterior hypothalamus, and anteromedial BNST (BNSTam). Oxytocin infusion into BNSTam in stress naïve mice increased social vigilance and reduced social approach. These results show that a population of extrahypothalamic oxytocin neurons plays a key role in controlling stress-induced social anxiety behaviors.
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42
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Althammer F, Ferreira-Neto HC, Rubaharan M, Roy RK, Patel AA, Murphy A, Cox DN, Stern JE. Three-dimensional morphometric analysis reveals time-dependent structural changes in microglia and astrocytes in the central amygdala and hypothalamic paraventricular nucleus of heart failure rats. J Neuroinflammation 2020; 17:221. [PMID: 32703230 PMCID: PMC7379770 DOI: 10.1186/s12974-020-01892-4] [Citation(s) in RCA: 39] [Impact Index Per Article: 9.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/14/2020] [Accepted: 07/08/2020] [Indexed: 02/07/2023] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Cardiovascular diseases, including heart failure, are the most common cause of death globally. Recent studies support a high degree of comorbidity between heart failure and cognitive and mood disorders resulting in memory loss, depression, and anxiety. While neuroinflammation in the hypothalamic paraventricular nucleus contributes to autonomic and cardiovascular dysregulation in heart failure, mechanisms underlying cognitive and mood disorders in this disease remain elusive. The goal of this study was to quantitatively assess markers of neuroinflammation (glial morphology, cytokines, and A1 astrocyte markers) in the central amygdala, a critical forebrain region involved in emotion and cognition, and to determine its time course and correlation to disease severity during the progression of heart failure. METHODS We developed and implemented a comprehensive microglial/astrocyte profiler for precise three-dimensional morphometric analysis of individual microglia and astrocytes in specific brain nuclei at different time points during the progression of heart failure. To this end, we used a well-established ischemic heart failure rat model. Morphometric studies were complemented with quantification of various pro-inflammatory cytokines and A1/A2 astrocyte markers via qPCR. RESULTS We report structural remodeling of central amygdala microglia and astrocytes during heart failure that affected cell volume, surface area, filament length, and glial branches, resulting overall in somatic swelling and deramification, indicative of a change in glial state. These changes occurred in a time-dependent manner, correlated with the severity of heart failure, and were delayed compared to changes in the hypothalamic paraventricular nucleus. Morphometric changes correlated with elevated mRNA levels of pro-inflammatory cytokines and markers of reactive A1-type astrocytes in the paraventricular nucleus and central amygdala during heart failure. CONCLUSION We provide evidence that in addition to the previously described hypothalamic neuroinflammation implicated in sympathohumoral activation during heart failure, microglia, and astrocytes within the central amygdala also undergo structural remodeling indicative of glial shifts towards pro-inflammatory phenotypes. Thus, our studies suggest that neuroinflammation in the amygdala stands as a novel pathophysiological mechanism and potential therapeutic target that could be associated with emotional and cognitive deficits commonly observed at later stages during the course of heart failure.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ferdinand Althammer
- Center for Neuroinflammation and Cardiometabolic Diseases, Georgia State University, Atlanta, USA
| | | | | | - Ranjan K Roy
- Center for Neuroinflammation and Cardiometabolic Diseases, Georgia State University, Atlanta, USA
| | - Atit A Patel
- Neuroscience Institute, Georgia State University, Atlanta, USA
| | - Anne Murphy
- Neuroscience Institute, Georgia State University, Atlanta, USA
| | - Daniel N Cox
- Neuroscience Institute, Georgia State University, Atlanta, USA
| | - Javier E Stern
- Center for Neuroinflammation and Cardiometabolic Diseases, Georgia State University, Atlanta, USA.
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Tan O, Martin LJ, Bowen MT. Divergent pathways mediate 5-HT 1A receptor agonist effects on close social interaction, grooming and aggressive behaviour in mice: Exploring the involvement of the oxytocin and vasopressin systems. J Psychopharmacol 2020; 34:795-805. [PMID: 32312154 DOI: 10.1177/0269881120913150] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 02/02/2023]
Abstract
BACKGROUND 5-HT1A receptor (5-HT1AR) abnormalities are implicated in aggression, and there has been considerable interest in developing 5-HT1AR agonists for treating aggression. Endogenous oxytocin (OXT) released upon stimulation of 5-HT1ARs in the hypothalamus mediates at least some of the effects of 5-HT1AR agonists on social behaviour. AIMS Given 5-HT1AR, OXT receptor (OXTR) and vasopressin V1a receptor (V1aR) agonists can all reduce aggression, the current study aimed to determine whether the anti-aggressive effects of 5-HT1AR stimulation can also be explained by downstream actions at OXTRs and/or V1aRs in a mouse model of non-territorial, hyper-aggressive behaviour. METHODS Male Swiss mice (N=80) were socially isolated or group housed for six weeks prior to the start of testing. Testing involved placing two unfamiliar weight- and condition-matched mice together in a neutral context for 10 minutes. RESULTS Social isolation led to a pronounced increase in aggressive behaviour, which was dose-dependently inhibited by the 5-HT1AR agonist 8-OH-DPAT (0.1, 0.3 and 1 mg/kg intraperitoneally (i.p.)), with accompanying increases in close social contact (huddling) and grooming. The effects of 8-OH-DPAT on aggression, huddling and grooming were blocked by pretreatment with a selective 5-HT1AR antagonist (WAY-100635; 0.1 mg/kg i.p.). The anti-aggressive effects of 8-OH-DPAT were unaffected by an OXTR antagonist (L-368,899; 10 mg/kg i.p.), whereas the effects on huddling and grooming were inhibited. Pretreatment with a V1aR antagonist (SR49059; 20 mg/kg i.p.) had no effect. CONCLUSIONS Our study suggests that stimulation of endogenous oxytocin is involved in the effects of 5-HT1AR activation on close social contact and grooming but not aggression.
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Affiliation(s)
- Oliver Tan
- The University of Sydney, Brain and Mind Centre, Sydney, Australia.,The University of Sydney, Faculty of Science, School of Psychology, Sydney, Australia
| | - Lewis J Martin
- The University of Sydney, Brain and Mind Centre, Sydney, Australia.,The University of Sydney, Faculty of Science, School of Psychology, Sydney, Australia
| | - Michael T Bowen
- The University of Sydney, Brain and Mind Centre, Sydney, Australia.,The University of Sydney, Faculty of Science, School of Psychology, Sydney, Australia
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Li C, Wang X, Zhang G, Zhang Y, Xia F, Xu S, Shen X. Downregulation of microRNA‑29c reduces pain after child delivery by activating the oxytocin‑GABA pathway. Mol Med Rep 2020; 22:1921-1931. [PMID: 32705167 PMCID: PMC7411447 DOI: 10.3892/mmr.2020.11287] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/30/2018] [Accepted: 04/28/2020] [Indexed: 11/25/2022] Open
Abstract
A significant decrease in the expression of spinal microRNA-29c (miR-29c), which is responsible for the regulation of oxytocin receptor (OXTR) expression, was observed in nerve injury pain during childbirth. The present study investigates whether spinal miR-29c could be a potential target for the treatment of pain, via the oxytocin (OT)-γ-aminobutyric acid (GABA) pathway. A spared nerve injury (SNI) rat model was established to induce neuropathic pain, simulating hyperalgesia. Spinal neurons were treated with OT to mimic the hormonal changes in the central nervous system after delivery. A change in the neuronal miniature inhibitory postsynaptic currents (mIPSCs) was observed in neurons, following the silencing of miR-29c or OT treatment with or without OXTR antagonist. The Von-Frey apparatus was used to measure the animal behaviors. Molecular biological experiments and electrophysical recordings in vivo and in vitro were performed to reveal the potential analgesic mechanisms. miR-29c was significantly downregulated (more than 8-fold) in the spinal dorsal horn of delivery+SNI rats compared with the SNI rats. The silencing of miR-29c resulted in increased pain threshold in SNI rats. Bioinformatics analysis indicated that OXTR was a potential target gene of miR-29c. The delivery+SNI rats presented with higher levels of OT in the cerebrospinal fluid compared with SNI rats, which indicated that the OT signaling pathway may participate in pain relief response. The increased expression of OXTR and GABA in delivery+SNI rats were observed in the miR-29c-silenced SNI rat model, suggesting that the silencing of miR-29c can mediate pain relief by enhancing the OT-GABA pathway. In addition, an electrophysiology assay was performed to assess the mIPSCs in neurons. The silencing of miR-29c in neurons increased the frequency and amplitude of mIPSCs but there was no influence on the decay time, which suggested that the spinal inhibitory neurons became more active, subsequently reducing the feeling of pain. The inhibition of OXTR reversed the enhanced inhibitory postsynaptic currents, indicating a crucial role for OXTR in the miR-29c-associated pain regulation. Taken together, the results of the present study suggested that spinal oxytocinergic inhibitory control plays an important role in pain relief in the neuropathic pain rat model undergoing vaginal delivery. Silencing spinal miR-29c may be a potential target for pain relief through the OT-GABA pathway.
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Affiliation(s)
- Caijuan Li
- Department of Anesthesiology, Women's Hospital of Nanjing Medical University, Nanjing Maternity and Child Health Care Hospital, Nanjing, Jiangsu 210004, P.R. China
| | - Xian Wang
- Department of Anesthesiology, Women's Hospital of Nanjing Medical University, Nanjing Maternity and Child Health Care Hospital, Nanjing, Jiangsu 210004, P.R. China
| | - Guangfen Zhang
- Department of Anesthesiology, Zhongda Hospital, School of Medicine, Southeast University, Nanjing, Jiangsu 210004, P.R. China
| | - Yao Zhang
- Department of Anesthesiology, Women's Hospital of Nanjing Medical University, Nanjing Maternity and Child Health Care Hospital, Nanjing, Jiangsu 210004, P.R. China
| | - Fan Xia
- Department of Anesthesiology, Women's Hospital of Nanjing Medical University, Nanjing Maternity and Child Health Care Hospital, Nanjing, Jiangsu 210004, P.R. China
| | - Shiqin Xu
- Department of Anesthesiology, Women's Hospital of Nanjing Medical University, Nanjing Maternity and Child Health Care Hospital, Nanjing, Jiangsu 210004, P.R. China
| | - Xiaofeng Shen
- Department of Anesthesiology, Women's Hospital of Nanjing Medical University, Nanjing Maternity and Child Health Care Hospital, Nanjing, Jiangsu 210004, P.R. China
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Maltby J, Hunt SA, Ohinata A, Palmer E, Conroy S. Frailty and Social Isolation: Comparing the Relationship between Frailty and Unidimensional and Multifactorial Models of Social Isolation. J Aging Health 2020; 32:1297-1308. [PMID: 32515634 PMCID: PMC8689424 DOI: 10.1177/0898264320923245] [Citation(s) in RCA: 20] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/26/2022]
Abstract
Objective: The aim of the study was to compare uni- and multidimensional
models of social isolation to improve the specificity of determining associations between
social isolation and frailty. Methods: The study included participants aged
≥60 years from the English Longitudinal Study of Ageing assessed for social isolation and
frailty (frailty index and Fried phenotype) over a 4-year period. Factor analysis assessed
whether social isolation was multidimensional. Multiple regression analysis was used to
assess specificity in associations between social isolation and frailty over time.
Results: Social isolation comprises social isolation from nuclear family,
other immediate family, and wider social networks. Over time, social isolation from a
wider social network predicted higher frailty index levels, and higher frailty index and
Fried phenotype levels predicted greater social isolation from a wider social network.
Discussion: Social isolation is multidimensional. The reciprocal
relationship between social isolation from wider social networks and accumulating frailty
deficits, and frailty as a clinical syndrome influencing social isolation from social
networks is discussed.
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Lefter R, Ciobica A, Antioch I, Ababei DC, Hritcu L, Luca AC. Oxytocin Differentiated Effects According to the Administration Route in a Prenatal Valproic Acid-Induced Rat Model of Autism. ACTA ACUST UNITED AC 2020; 56:medicina56060267. [PMID: 32485966 PMCID: PMC7353871 DOI: 10.3390/medicina56060267] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/14/2020] [Revised: 05/14/2020] [Accepted: 05/25/2020] [Indexed: 12/31/2022]
Abstract
Background and objectives: The hormone oxytocin (OXT) has already been reported in both human and animal studies for its promising therapeutic potential in autism spectrum disorder (ASD), but the comparative effectiveness of various administration routes, whether central or peripheral has been insufficiently studied. In the present study, we examined the effects of intranasal (IN) vs. intraperitoneal (IP) oxytocin in a valproic-acid (VPA) autistic rat model, focusing on cognitive and mood behavioral disturbances, gastrointestinal transit and central oxidative stress status. Materials and Methods: VPA prenatally-exposed rats (500 mg/kg; age 90 days) in small groups of 5 (n = 20 total) were given OXT by IP injection (10 mg/kg) for 8 days consecutively or by an adapted IN pipetting protocol (12 IU/kg, 20 μL/day) for 4 consecutive days. Behavioral tests were performed during the last three days of OXT treatment, and OXT was administrated 20 minutes before each behavioral testing for each rat. Biochemical determination of oxidative stress markers in the temporal area included superoxide dismutase (SOD), glutathione peroxidase (GPx) and malondialdehyde (MDA). A brief quantitative assessment of fecal discharge over a period of 24 hours was performed at the end of the OXT treatment to determine differences in intestinal transit. Results: OXT improved behavioral and oxidative stress status in both routes of administration, but IN treatment had significantly better outcome in improving short-term memory, alleviating depressive manifestations and mitigating lipid peroxidation in the temporal lobes. Significant correlations were also found between behavioral parameters and oxidative stress status in rats after OXT administration. The quantitative evaluation of the gastrointestinal (GI) transit indicated lower fecal pellet counts in the VPA group and homogenous average values for the control and both OXT treated groups. Conclusions: The data from the present study suggest OXT IN administration to be more efficient than IP injections in alleviating autistic cognitive and mood dysfunctions in a VPA-induced rat model. OXT effects on the cognitive and mood behavior of autistic rats may be associated with its effects on oxidative stress. Additionally, present results provide preliminary evidence that OXT may have a balancing effect on gastrointestinal motility.
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Affiliation(s)
- Radu Lefter
- Center of Biomedical Research, Romanian Academy, B dul Carol I, No 8, 700505 Iasi, Romania;
| | - Alin Ciobica
- Department of Research, Faculty of Biology, Alexandru Ioan Cuza University, B dul Carol I, No 11, 700506 Iasi, Romania;
- Correspondence: (A.C.); (L.H.)
| | - Iulia Antioch
- Department of Research, Faculty of Biology, Alexandru Ioan Cuza University, B dul Carol I, No 11, 700506 Iasi, Romania;
| | - Daniela Carmen Ababei
- “Grigore T.Popa” University of Medicine and Pharmacy, 16, Universitatii Street, 700115 Iasi, Romania; (D.C.A.); (A.-C.L.)
| | - Luminita Hritcu
- Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, University of Agricultural Sciencies and Veterinary Medicine “Ion Ionescu de la Brad” of Iasi, 3rd Mihail Sadoveanu Alley, 700490 Iasi, Romania
- Correspondence: (A.C.); (L.H.)
| | - Alina-Costina Luca
- “Grigore T.Popa” University of Medicine and Pharmacy, 16, Universitatii Street, 700115 Iasi, Romania; (D.C.A.); (A.-C.L.)
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De Oliveira Sergio T, Frias AT, Vilela-Costa HH, De Oliveira DC, Zuardi AW, Zangrossi H. Serotonin mediates the panicolytic-like effect of oxytocin in the dorsal periaqueductal gray. J Psychopharmacol 2020; 34:383-390. [PMID: 32108540 DOI: 10.1177/0269881120907960] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/23/2023]
Abstract
INTRODUCTION AND OBJECTIVES Oxytocin (OT) has been widely linked to positive social interactions, and there is great interest in OT as a therapy for a variety of neuropsychiatric conditions. Recent evidence also suggests that OT can play an important role in the mediation of anxiety-associated defensive responses, including a role for serotonin (5-HT) neurotransmission in this action. However, it is presently unknown whether OT additionally regulates the expression of panic-related behaviors, such as escape, by acting in the dorsal periaqueductal gray (dPAG), a key panic-regulating area. This study aimed to investigate the consequence of OT injection in the dPAG on escape expression and whether facilitation of 5-HT neurotransmission in this midbrain area is implicated in this action. METHODS Male Wistar rats were injected with OT in the dPAG and tested for escape expression in the elevated T-maze (ETM) and dPAG electrical stimulation tests. Using the latter test, OT's effect was also investigated after previous intra-dPAG injection of the OT receptor antagonist atosiban, the preferential antagonists of 5-HT1A and 5-HT2A receptors, WAY-100635 and ketanserin, respectively, or systemic pretreatment with the 5-HT synthesis inhibitor p-CPA. RESULTS OT impaired escape expression in the two tests used, suggesting a panicolytic-like effect. In the ETM, the peptide also facilitated inhibitory avoidance acquisition, indicating an anxiogenic effect. Previous administration of atosiban, WAY-100635, ketanserin, or p-CPA counteracted OT's anti-escape effect. CONCLUSIONS OT and 5-HT in the dPAG interact in the regulation of panic- and anxiety-related defensive responses. These findings open new perspectives for the development of novel therapeutic strategies for the treatment of anxiety disorders.
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Affiliation(s)
- Thatiane De Oliveira Sergio
- Department of Pharmacology, School of Medicine of Ribeirão Preto, University of São Paulo, São Paulo, Brazil
| | - Alana Tercino Frias
- Department of Pharmacology, School of Medicine of Ribeirão Preto, University of São Paulo, São Paulo, Brazil
| | - Heloisa Helena Vilela-Costa
- Department of Pharmacology, School of Medicine of Ribeirão Preto, University of São Paulo, São Paulo, Brazil
| | - Danielle Cg De Oliveira
- Department of Neurosciences and Behavior, Division of Psychiatry, School of Medicine of Ribeirão Preto, University of São Paulo, Brazil
| | - Antônio W Zuardi
- Department of Neurosciences and Behavior, Division of Psychiatry, School of Medicine of Ribeirão Preto, University of São Paulo, Brazil
| | - Hélio Zangrossi
- Department of Pharmacology, School of Medicine of Ribeirão Preto, University of São Paulo, São Paulo, Brazil
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Zhang H, Chi X, Pan W, Wang S, Zhang Z, Zhao H, Wang Y, Wu Z, Zhou M, Ma S, Zhao Q, Ma K. Antidepressant mechanism of classical herbal formula lily bulb and Rehmannia decoction: insights from gene expression profile of medial prefrontal cortex of mice with stress‐induced depression‐like behavior. GENES BRAIN AND BEHAVIOR 2020; 19:e12649. [DOI: 10.1111/gbb.12649] [Citation(s) in RCA: 11] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/31/2019] [Revised: 02/29/2020] [Accepted: 03/01/2020] [Indexed: 02/07/2023]
Affiliation(s)
- Hongxiu Zhang
- Shandong Co‐Innovation Center of Classic TCM FormulaShandong University of Traditional Chinese Medicine Jinan China
- Institute of VirologyJinan Municipal Center for Disease Control and Prevention Jinan China
| | - Xiansu Chi
- Shandong Co‐Innovation Center of Classic TCM FormulaShandong University of Traditional Chinese Medicine Jinan China
| | - Wenchao Pan
- Shandong Co‐Innovation Center of Classic TCM FormulaShandong University of Traditional Chinese Medicine Jinan China
| | - Shijun Wang
- Shandong Co‐Innovation Center of Classic TCM FormulaShandong University of Traditional Chinese Medicine Jinan China
| | - Zhe Zhang
- Shandong Co‐Innovation Center of Classic TCM FormulaShandong University of Traditional Chinese Medicine Jinan China
| | - Haijun Zhao
- Shandong Co‐Innovation Center of Classic TCM FormulaShandong University of Traditional Chinese Medicine Jinan China
| | - Yuan Wang
- Shandong Co‐Innovation Center of Classic TCM FormulaShandong University of Traditional Chinese Medicine Jinan China
| | - Zhichun Wu
- Shandong Co‐Innovation Center of Classic TCM FormulaShandong University of Traditional Chinese Medicine Jinan China
| | - Miaomiao Zhou
- Shandong Co‐Innovation Center of Classic TCM FormulaShandong University of Traditional Chinese Medicine Jinan China
| | - Shan Ma
- Shandong Co‐Innovation Center of Classic TCM FormulaShandong University of Traditional Chinese Medicine Jinan China
| | - Qitao Zhao
- Shandong Co‐Innovation Center of Classic TCM FormulaShandong University of Traditional Chinese Medicine Jinan China
| | - Ke Ma
- Shandong Co‐Innovation Center of Classic TCM FormulaShandong University of Traditional Chinese Medicine Jinan China
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Alshammari TK, Alghamdi H, Alkhader LF, Alqahtani Q, Alrasheed NM, Yacoub H, Alnaem N, AlNakiyah M, Alshammari MA. Analysis of the molecular and behavioral effects of acute social isolation on rats. Behav Brain Res 2020; 377:112191. [DOI: 10.1016/j.bbr.2019.112191] [Citation(s) in RCA: 17] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/22/2019] [Revised: 08/23/2019] [Accepted: 08/28/2019] [Indexed: 01/07/2023]
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Lozano L, Christian CA. Show Me the Meaning of Being Lonely (and Its Effects on Seizure Burden and Comorbidities). Epilepsy Curr 2019; 20:48-50. [PMID: 31786949 PMCID: PMC7020528 DOI: 10.1177/1535759719890618] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/21/2022] Open
Abstract
Effects of Single Cage Housing on Stress, Cognitive, and Seizure Parameters in the Rat and Mouse Pilocarpine Models of Epilepsy Manouze H, Ghestem A, Poillerat V, Bennis M, Ba-M’hamed S, Benoliel JJ, Becker C, Bernard C. eNeuro. 2019;6(4). doi:10.1523/ENEURO.0179-18.2019. Many experimental approaches require housing rodents in individual cages, including in epilepsy research. However, rats and mice are social animals; and individual housing constitutes a stressful situation. The goal of the present study was to determine the effects of individual housing as compared to conditions maintaining social contact on stress markers and epilepsy. Control male mice socially housed during pretest and then transferred to individual cages for 6 weeks displayed anhedonia, increased anxiety, and biological markers of stress as compared to pretest values or mice kept socially housed during 6 weeks. Pilocarpine (pilo)-treated mice housed together showed increased levels of anhedonia, anxiety, and stress markers as well as decreased cognitive performance as compared to the control group. The differences were more significant in pilo-treated mice housed individually. Anxiety correlated linearly with cognitive performance and stress markers independently of the experimental conditions. In the male rat pilo model, seizures were 16 times more frequent in singly housed animals as compared to animals kept in pairs. Daily interactions with an experimenter in otherwise singly housed animals was sufficient to produce results identical to those found in animals kept in pairs. We propose that social isolation produces a severe phenotype in terms of stress and seizure frequency as compared to animals maintaining social contact (at least in these 2 models), a factor that needs to be taken into account for data interpretation, in particular for preclinical studies.
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