1
|
Özkan-Kotiloğlu S, Kaya-Akyüzlü D, Güven E, Doğan Ö, Ağtaş-Ertan E, Özgür-İlhan İ. A case control study investigating the methylation levels of GHRL and GHSR genes in alcohol use disorder. Mol Biol Rep 2024; 51:663. [PMID: 38771494 DOI: 10.1007/s11033-024-09585-4] [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: 01/15/2024] [Accepted: 04/25/2024] [Indexed: 05/22/2024]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Alcohol use disorder (AUD) is a relapsing disease described as excessive use of alcohol. Evidence of the role of DNA methylation in addiction is accumulating. Ghrelin is an important peptide known as appetite hormone and its role in addictive behavior has been identified. Here we aimed to determine the methylation levels of two crucial genes (GHRL and GHSR) in ghrelin signaling and further investigate the association between methylation ratios and plasma ghrelin levels. METHODS Individuals diagnosed with (n = 71) and without (n = 82) AUD were recruited in this study. DNA methylation levels were measured through methylation-sensitive high-resolution melting (MS-HRM). Acylated ghrelin levels were detected by ELISA. The GHRL rs696217 polymorphism was analyzed by the standard PCR-RFLP method. RESULTS GHRL was significantly hypermethylated (P < 0.0022) in AUD between 25 and 50% methylation than in control subjects but no significant changes of GHSR methylation were observed. Moreover, GHRL showed significant positive correlation of methylation ratio between 25 and 50% with age. A significant positive correlation between GHSR methylation and ghrelin levels in the AUD group was determined (P = 0.037). The level of GHRL methylation and the ghrelin levels showed a significant association in the control subjects (P = 0.042). CONCLUSION GHSR and GHRL methylation levels did not change significantly between control and AUD groups. However, GHRL and GHSR methylations seemed to have associations with plasma ghrelin levels in two groups. This is the first study investigating the DNA methylation of GHRL and GHSR genes in AUD.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Selin Özkan-Kotiloğlu
- Department of Molecular Biology and Genetics, Faculty of Science and Art, Kırşehir Ahi Evran University, Kırşehir, Türkiye.
| | | | - Emine Güven
- Department of Biomedical Engineering, Faculty of Engineering, Düzce University, Düzce, Türkiye
- Neuroscience Institute, Morehouse School of Medicine, Atlanta, USA
| | - Özlem Doğan
- Department of Medical Biochemistry, Faculty of Medicine, Ankara University, Ankara, Türkiye
| | - Ece Ağtaş-Ertan
- Department of Mental Health and Diseases, Faculty of Medicine, Ankara University, Ankara, Türkiye
| | - İnci Özgür-İlhan
- Department of Mental Health and Diseases, Faculty of Medicine, Ankara University, Ankara, Türkiye
| |
Collapse
|
2
|
Hosseinzadeh Sahafi O, Sardari M, Alijanpour S, Rezayof A. Shared Mechanisms of GABAergic and Opioidergic Transmission Regulate Corticolimbic Reward Systems and Cognitive Aspects of Motivational Behaviors. Brain Sci 2023; 13:brainsci13050815. [PMID: 37239287 DOI: 10.3390/brainsci13050815] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 7.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/19/2023] [Revised: 05/12/2023] [Accepted: 05/16/2023] [Indexed: 05/28/2023] Open
Abstract
The functional interplay between the corticolimbic GABAergic and opioidergic systems plays a crucial role in regulating the reward system and cognitive aspects of motivational behaviors leading to the development of addictive behaviors and disorders. This review provides a summary of the shared mechanisms of GABAergic and opioidergic transmission, which modulate the activity of dopaminergic neurons located in the ventral tegmental area (VTA), the central hub of the reward mechanisms. This review comprehensively covers the neuroanatomical and neurobiological aspects of corticolimbic inhibitory neurons that express opioid receptors, which act as modulators of corticolimbic GABAergic transmission. The presence of opioid and GABA receptors on the same neurons allows for the modulation of the activity of dopaminergic neurons in the ventral tegmental area, which plays a key role in the reward mechanisms of the brain. This colocalization of receptors and their immunochemical markers can provide a comprehensive understanding for clinicians and researchers, revealing the neuronal circuits that contribute to the reward system. Moreover, this review highlights the importance of GABAergic transmission-induced neuroplasticity under the modulation of opioid receptors. It discusses their interactive role in reinforcement learning, network oscillation, aversive behaviors, and local feedback or feedforward inhibitions in reward mechanisms. Understanding the shared mechanisms of these systems may lead to the development of new therapeutic approaches for addiction, reward-related disorders, and drug-induced cognitive impairment.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Oveis Hosseinzadeh Sahafi
- Department of Animal Biology, School of Biology, College of Science, University of Tehran, Tehran 14155-6465, Iran
- Department of Neurophysiology, Graduate School of Medicine, The University of Tokyo, Tokyo 113-0033, Japan
| | - Maryam Sardari
- Department of Animal Biology, School of Biology, College of Science, University of Tehran, Tehran 14155-6465, Iran
| | - Sakineh Alijanpour
- Department of Biology, Faculty of Science, Gonbad Kavous University, Gonbad Kavous 4971799151, Iran
| | - Ameneh Rezayof
- Department of Animal Biology, School of Biology, College of Science, University of Tehran, Tehran 14155-6465, Iran
| |
Collapse
|
3
|
Ghrelin/GHS-R1A antagonism in memory test and its effects on central molecular signaling involved in addiction in rats. Pharmacol Biochem Behav 2023; 224:173528. [PMID: 36870422 DOI: 10.1016/j.pbb.2023.173528] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/23/2022] [Revised: 12/23/2022] [Accepted: 02/12/2023] [Indexed: 03/06/2023]
Abstract
Central ghrelin signaling seems to play important role in addiction as well as memory processing. Antagonism of the growth hormone secretagogue receptor (GHS-R1A) has been recently proposed as a promising tool for the unsatisfactory drug addiction therapy. However, molecular aspects of GHS-R1A involvement in specific brain regions remain unclear. The present study demonstrated for the first time that acute as well as subchronic (4 days) administration of the experimental GHS-R1A antagonist JMV2959 in usual intraperitoneal doses including 3 mg/kg, had no influence on memory functions tested in the Morris Water Maze in rats as well as no significant effects on the molecular markers linked with memory processing in selected brain areas in rats, specifically on the β-actin, c-Fos, two forms of the calcium/calmodulin-dependent protein kinase II (CaMKII, p-CaMKII) and the cAMP-response element binding protein (CREB, p-CREB), within the medial prefrontal cortex (mPFC), nucleus accumbens (NAc), dorsal striatum, and hippocampus (HIPP). Furthermore, following the methamphetamine intravenous self-administration in rats, the 3 mg/kg JMV2959 pretreatment significantly reduced or prevented the methamphetamine-induced significant decrease of hippocampal β-actin and c-Fos as well as it prevented the significant decrease of CREB in the NAC and mPFC. These results imply, that the GHS-R1A antagonist/JMV2959 might reduce/prevent some of the memory-linked molecular changes elicited by methamphetamine addiction within brain structures associated with memory (HIPP), reward (NAc), and motivation (mPFC), which may contribute to the previously observed significant JMV2959-induced reduction of the methamphetamine self-administration and drug-seeking behavior in the same animals. Further research is necessary to corroborate these results.
Collapse
|
5
|
Etxandi M, Baenas I, Mora-Maltas B, Granero R, Fernández-Aranda F, Tovar S, Solé-Morata N, Lucas I, Casado S, Gómez-Peña M, Moragas L, del Pino-Gutiérrez A, Codina E, Valenciano-Mendoza E, Potenza MN, Diéguez C, Jiménez-Murcia S. Are Signals Regulating Energy Homeostasis Related to Neuropsychological and Clinical Features of Gambling Disorder? A Case-Control Study. Nutrients 2022; 14:nu14235084. [PMID: 36501114 PMCID: PMC9736671 DOI: 10.3390/nu14235084] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/19/2022] [Revised: 11/04/2022] [Accepted: 11/24/2022] [Indexed: 12/04/2022] Open
Abstract
Gambling disorder (GD) is a modestly prevalent and severe condition for which neurobiology is not yet fully understood. Although alterations in signals involved in energy homeostasis have been studied in substance use disorders, they have yet to be examined in detail in GD. The aims of the present study were to compare different endocrine and neuropsychological factors between individuals with GD and healthy controls (HC) and to explore endocrine interactions with neuropsychological and clinical variables. A case−control design was performed in 297 individuals with GD and 41 individuals without (healthy controls; HCs), assessed through a semi-structured clinical interview and a psychometric battery. For the evaluation of endocrine and anthropometric variables, 38 HCs were added to the 41 HCs initially evaluated. Individuals with GD presented higher fasting plasma ghrelin (p < 0.001) and lower LEAP2 and adiponectin concentrations (p < 0.001) than HCs, after adjusting for body mass index (BMI). The GD group reported higher cognitive impairment regarding cognitive flexibility and decision-making strategies, a worse psychological state, higher impulsivity levels, and a more dysfunctional personality profile. Despite failing to find significant associations between endocrine factors and either neuropsychological or clinical aspects in the GD group, some impaired cognitive dimensions (i.e., WAIS Vocabulary test and WCST Perseverative errors) and lower LEAP2 concentrations statistically predicted GD presence. The findings from the present study suggest that distinctive neuropsychological and endocrine dysfunctions may operate in individuals with GD and predict GD presence. Further exploration of endophenotypic vulnerability pathways in GD appear warranted, especially with respect to etiological and therapeutic potentials.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Mikel Etxandi
- Department of Psychiatry, Bellvitge University Hospital-Bellvitge Institute for Biomedical Research (IDIBELL), 08907 Barcelona, Spain
- Department of Psychiatry, Hospital Universitari Germans Trias i Pujol, IGTP Campus Can Ruti, 08916 Badalona, Spain
| | - Isabel Baenas
- Department of Psychiatry, Bellvitge University Hospital-Bellvitge Institute for Biomedical Research (IDIBELL), 08907 Barcelona, Spain
- Ciber Fisiopatología Obesidad y Nutrición (CIBERObn), Instituto de Salud Carlos III, 28029 Madrid, Spain
- Psychoneurobiology of Eating and Addictive Behaviors Group, Neurosciences Programme, Bellvitge Institute for Biomedical Research (IDIBELL), 08908 Barcelona, Spain
| | - Bernat Mora-Maltas
- Department of Psychiatry, Bellvitge University Hospital-Bellvitge Institute for Biomedical Research (IDIBELL), 08907 Barcelona, Spain
- Psychoneurobiology of Eating and Addictive Behaviors Group, Neurosciences Programme, Bellvitge Institute for Biomedical Research (IDIBELL), 08908 Barcelona, Spain
| | - Roser Granero
- Ciber Fisiopatología Obesidad y Nutrición (CIBERObn), Instituto de Salud Carlos III, 28029 Madrid, Spain
- Psychoneurobiology of Eating and Addictive Behaviors Group, Neurosciences Programme, Bellvitge Institute for Biomedical Research (IDIBELL), 08908 Barcelona, Spain
- Department of Psychobiology and Methodology, Autonomous University of Barcelona, 08193 Barcelona, Spain
| | - Fernando Fernández-Aranda
- Department of Psychiatry, Bellvitge University Hospital-Bellvitge Institute for Biomedical Research (IDIBELL), 08907 Barcelona, Spain
- Ciber Fisiopatología Obesidad y Nutrición (CIBERObn), Instituto de Salud Carlos III, 28029 Madrid, Spain
- Psychoneurobiology of Eating and Addictive Behaviors Group, Neurosciences Programme, Bellvitge Institute for Biomedical Research (IDIBELL), 08908 Barcelona, Spain
- Department of Clinical Sciences, School of Medicine and Health Sciences, University of Barcelona, 08907 Barcelona, Spain
| | - Sulay Tovar
- Ciber Fisiopatología Obesidad y Nutrición (CIBERObn), Instituto de Salud Carlos III, 28029 Madrid, Spain
- Department of Physiology, CIMUS, Instituto de Investigación Sanitaria, University of Santiago de Compostela, 15782 Santiago de Compostela, Spain
| | - Neus Solé-Morata
- Department of Psychiatry, Bellvitge University Hospital-Bellvitge Institute for Biomedical Research (IDIBELL), 08907 Barcelona, Spain
- Psychoneurobiology of Eating and Addictive Behaviors Group, Neurosciences Programme, Bellvitge Institute for Biomedical Research (IDIBELL), 08908 Barcelona, Spain
| | - Ignacio Lucas
- Department of Psychiatry, Bellvitge University Hospital-Bellvitge Institute for Biomedical Research (IDIBELL), 08907 Barcelona, Spain
- Psychoneurobiology of Eating and Addictive Behaviors Group, Neurosciences Programme, Bellvitge Institute for Biomedical Research (IDIBELL), 08908 Barcelona, Spain
| | - Sabela Casado
- Ciber Fisiopatología Obesidad y Nutrición (CIBERObn), Instituto de Salud Carlos III, 28029 Madrid, Spain
- Department of Physiology, CIMUS, Instituto de Investigación Sanitaria, University of Santiago de Compostela, 15782 Santiago de Compostela, Spain
| | - Mónica Gómez-Peña
- Department of Psychiatry, Bellvitge University Hospital-Bellvitge Institute for Biomedical Research (IDIBELL), 08907 Barcelona, Spain
- Psychoneurobiology of Eating and Addictive Behaviors Group, Neurosciences Programme, Bellvitge Institute for Biomedical Research (IDIBELL), 08908 Barcelona, Spain
| | - Laura Moragas
- Department of Psychiatry, Bellvitge University Hospital-Bellvitge Institute for Biomedical Research (IDIBELL), 08907 Barcelona, Spain
- Psychoneurobiology of Eating and Addictive Behaviors Group, Neurosciences Programme, Bellvitge Institute for Biomedical Research (IDIBELL), 08908 Barcelona, Spain
| | - Amparo del Pino-Gutiérrez
- Ciber Fisiopatología Obesidad y Nutrición (CIBERObn), Instituto de Salud Carlos III, 28029 Madrid, Spain
- Psychoneurobiology of Eating and Addictive Behaviors Group, Neurosciences Programme, Bellvitge Institute for Biomedical Research (IDIBELL), 08908 Barcelona, Spain
- Department of Public Health, Mental Health and Perinatal Nursing, School of Nursing, University of Barcelona, 08907 Barcelona, Spain
| | - Ester Codina
- Department of Psychiatry, Bellvitge University Hospital-Bellvitge Institute for Biomedical Research (IDIBELL), 08907 Barcelona, Spain
| | - Eduardo Valenciano-Mendoza
- Department of Psychiatry, Bellvitge University Hospital-Bellvitge Institute for Biomedical Research (IDIBELL), 08907 Barcelona, Spain
| | - Marc N. Potenza
- Department of Psychiatry, Yale University School of Medicine, New Haven, CT 06510, USA
- Child Study Center, Yale University School of Medicine, New Haven, CT 06510, USA
- Connecticut Mental Health Center, New Haven, CT 06519, USA
- Connecticut Council on Problem Gambling, Wethersfield, CT 06106, USA
- Department of Neuroscience, Yale University, New Haven, CT 06520, USA
| | - Carlos Diéguez
- Ciber Fisiopatología Obesidad y Nutrición (CIBERObn), Instituto de Salud Carlos III, 28029 Madrid, Spain
- Department of Physiology, CIMUS, Instituto de Investigación Sanitaria, University of Santiago de Compostela, 15782 Santiago de Compostela, Spain
| | - Susana Jiménez-Murcia
- Department of Psychiatry, Bellvitge University Hospital-Bellvitge Institute for Biomedical Research (IDIBELL), 08907 Barcelona, Spain
- Ciber Fisiopatología Obesidad y Nutrición (CIBERObn), Instituto de Salud Carlos III, 28029 Madrid, Spain
- Psychoneurobiology of Eating and Addictive Behaviors Group, Neurosciences Programme, Bellvitge Institute for Biomedical Research (IDIBELL), 08908 Barcelona, Spain
- Department of Clinical Sciences, School of Medicine and Health Sciences, University of Barcelona, 08907 Barcelona, Spain
- Correspondence:
| |
Collapse
|
6
|
Kurt Tunagur EM, Yazici AB, Guzel D, Tunagur MT, Ermis C, Suda MA, Yazici E. Investigating associations between appetite-regulating hormones, aggression and craving in males with cannabis use disorder. Drug Alcohol Depend 2022; 238:109577. [PMID: 35905593 DOI: 10.1016/j.drugalcdep.2022.109577] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/14/2022] [Revised: 06/23/2022] [Accepted: 07/11/2022] [Indexed: 11/18/2022]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Aggression and craving are common and important withdrawal symptoms in cannabis use disorder. The present study investigated the association between appetite-regulating hormones, aggression, and craving during cannabis withdrawal syndrome (CWS). METHODS Fifty-six male subjects diagnosed with cannabis withdrawal and 45 healthy males were included in the study. The Substance Craving Scale, the Buss-Perry Aggression Questionnaire, and the State-Trait Anxiety Inventory were implemented at baseline. Blood samples were drawn to measure ghrelin, leptin, adiponectin, and resistin levels in the serum. Then, the Point Subtraction Aggression Paradigm (PSAP) was applied. Bloodwork and psychometric assessment procedures were re-implemented after the PSAP. At the 7-day follow-up, psychometric assessments and hormone measurements were repeated in the CWS group. RESULTS Baseline serum ghrelin and adiponectin levels were lower in the CWS group than controls at baseline. After PSAP, there was a significant increase in ghrelin levels of patients with CWS compared to controls. Patients yielded higher aggression scores, while there was no significant correlation between hormonal changes and PSAP findings. At 7-day follow, ghrelin and resistin levels significantly increased, while serum leptin decreased in patients with CWS. Finally, there was a positive association between craving and resistin levels. CONCLUSIONS Our results present the changes in appetite-regulating hormones. Long-term follow-up studies are needed to shed light on neuroendocrinological aspects of cannabis withdrawal.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
| | | | - Derya Guzel
- Department of Physiology, Sakarya University, 54290 Sakarya, Turkey
| | | | - Cagatay Ermis
- Diyarbakır Children's Hospital, 21000 Diyarbakır, Turkey
| | - Mehmet Akif Suda
- Department of Psychiatry, Sakarya University, 54290 Sakarya, Turkey
| | - Esra Yazici
- Department of Psychiatry, Sakarya University, 54290 Sakarya, Turkey
| |
Collapse
|
7
|
Orellana E, Horvath N, Farokhnia M, Leggio L, Hajnal A. Changes in Plasma Ghrelin Levels Following Surgical and Non-Surgical Weight-Loss in Female Rats Predict Alcohol Use. Brain Res Bull 2022; 188:179-186. [PMID: 35901985 DOI: 10.1016/j.brainresbull.2022.07.019] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/11/2022] [Revised: 07/20/2022] [Accepted: 07/24/2022] [Indexed: 11/02/2022]
Abstract
The weight-loss surgery Roux-en Y gastric bypass (RYGB) is a relatively effective, long-term treatment option for patients with morbid obesity. However, accumulating clinical evidence suggests that patients receiving RYGB may be at increased risk of developing alcohol use disorder. This observation has been repeatedly supported by preclinical studies showing rodents increase intake of ethanol (EtOH) after RYGB, and has been further confirmed by human studies. A promising alternative to RYGB is sleeve gastrectomy (SG), which has resulted in decreased EtOH consumption in some rodent studies. The exact mechanism underlying the differential alcohol outcomes after RYGB versus SG has yet to be elucidated. However, the gut hormone ghrelin has emerged as a potential candidate from previous preclinical studies specific to RYGB surgeries and due to its action to stimulate food and alcohol intake and cravings. To directly assess changes in plasma ghrelin levels following weigh loss surgeries in the context of alcohol intake, 24 female rats were separated into three surgical groups receiving RYGB, SG, or Sham surgery followed by caloric restriction to produce adiposity matched controls (Sham-AM). Blood was drawn for fasted and fed plasma ghrelin (acyl and des-acyl) assays at multiple time points: while on a normal diet (ND), after 5-week exposure to a high fat diet (HFD), following surgery, and after a series of two-bottle alcohol choice test with increasing concentrations (2%, 4%, 6%, 8%) of EtOH. Consistent with previous observations, RYGB rats drank more EtOH than SG rats across all concentrations. As expected, fasted ghrelin levels were blunted after HFD feeding, compared to normal diet baseline. After RYGB, fasted ghrelin levels returned to higher levels while remained blunted after SG and Sham-AM. Fed acyl ghrelin levels were significantly increased to above "normal" levels after RYGB, but remain low after SG and Sham-AM. Given that post-RYGB acyl ghrelin levels are raised to a fasted state regardless of actual prandial status, we conclude that RYGB may results in a hormonal state reminiscence of a fasted state with the inability of feeding to inhibit ghrelin production, an effect which could potentially contribute to increased EtOH intake following the surgery. In contrast, following SG, ghrelin levels in rats remain consistent with the fed state regardless of prandial status, potentially explaining lower alcohol intake and lower risk of developing AUD.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Elise Orellana
- The Pennsylvania State University College of Medicine, Department of Neural and Behavioral Sciences.
| | - Nelli Horvath
- The Pennsylvania State University College of Medicine, Department of Neural and Behavioral Sciences
| | - Mehdi Farokhnia
- Clinical Psychoneuroendocrinology and Neuropsychopharmacology Section, Translational Addiction Medicine Branch, National Institute on Drug Abuse Intramural Research Program and National Institute on Alcohol Abuse and Alcoholism Division of Intramural Clinical and Biological Research, Baltimore and Bethesda, Maryland, USA
| | - Lorenzo Leggio
- Clinical Psychoneuroendocrinology and Neuropsychopharmacology Section, Translational Addiction Medicine Branch, National Institute on Drug Abuse Intramural Research Program and National Institute on Alcohol Abuse and Alcoholism Division of Intramural Clinical and Biological Research, Baltimore and Bethesda, Maryland, USA
| | - Andras Hajnal
- The Pennsylvania State University College of Medicine, Department of Neural and Behavioral Sciences
| |
Collapse
|