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Cannella N, Tambalo S, Lunerti V, Scuppa G, de Vivo L, Abdulmalek S, Kinen A, Mackle J, Kuhn B, Solberg Woods LC, Chung D, Kalivas P, Soverchia L, Ubaldi M, Hardiman G, Bifone A, Ciccocioppo R. Long-access heroin self-administration induces region specific reduction of grey matter volume and microglia reactivity in the rat. Brain Behav Immun 2024; 118:210-220. [PMID: 38452987 DOI: 10.1016/j.bbi.2024.03.003] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/05/2023] [Revised: 02/08/2024] [Accepted: 03/02/2024] [Indexed: 03/09/2024] Open
Abstract
In opioid use disorder (OUD) patients, a decrease in brain grey matter volume (GMV) has been reported. It is unclear whether this is the consequence of prolonged exposure to opioids or is a predisposing causal factor in OUD development. To investigate this, we conducted a structural MRI longitudinal study in NIH Heterogeneous Stock rats exposed to heroin self-administration and age-matched naïve controls housed in the same controlled environment. Structural MRI scans were acquired before (MRI1) and after (MRI2) a prolonged period of long access heroin self-administration resulting in escalation of drug intake. Heroin intake resulted in reduced GMV in various cortical and sub-cortical brain regions. In drug-naïve controls no difference was found between MRI1 and MRI2. Notably, the degree of GMV reduction in the medial prefrontal cortex (mPFC) and the insula positively correlated with the amount of heroin consumed and the escalation of heroin use. In a preliminary gene expression analysis, we identified a number of transcripts linked to immune response and neuroinflammation. This prompted us to hypothesize a link between changes in microglia homeostasis and loss of GMV. For this reason, we analyzed the number and morphology of microglial cells in the mPFC and insula. The number of neurons and their morphology was also evaluated. The primary motor cortex, where no GMV change was observed, was used as negative control. We found no differences in the number of neurons and microglia cells following heroin. However, in the same regions where reduced GMV was detected, we observed a shift towards a rounder shape and size reduction in microglia, suggestive of their homeostatic change towards a reactive state. Altogether these findings suggest that escalation of heroin intake correlates with loss of GMV in specific brain regions and that this phenomenon is linked to changes in microglial morphology.
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Affiliation(s)
- Nazzareno Cannella
- School of Pharmacy, Pharmacology Unit, Center for Neuroscience, University of Camerino, Camerino, Italy.
| | - Stefano Tambalo
- CIMeC, Center for Mind/Brain Science, University of Trento, Trento, Italy
| | - Veronica Lunerti
- School of Pharmacy, Pharmacology Unit, Center for Neuroscience, University of Camerino, Camerino, Italy
| | - Giulia Scuppa
- Center for Neuroscience and Cognitive Systems @UniTn, Istituto Italiano di Tecnologia, Rovereto, Italy
| | - Luisa de Vivo
- School of Pharmacy, Pharmacology Unit, Center for Neuroscience, University of Camerino, Camerino, Italy
| | | | - Analia Kinen
- School of Pharmacy, Pharmacology Unit, Center for Neuroscience, University of Camerino, Camerino, Italy; Faculty of Medicine, Queen's University Belfast, UK
| | - James Mackle
- Faculty of Medicine, Queen's University Belfast, UK
| | - Brittany Kuhn
- Department of Neuroscience, Medical University of South Carolina (MUSC), Charleston (SC), USA
| | | | - Dongjun Chung
- Department of Biomedical Informatics, The Ohio State University, Columbus (OH), USA
| | - Peter Kalivas
- Department of Neuroscience, Medical University of South Carolina (MUSC), Charleston (SC), USA
| | - Laura Soverchia
- School of Pharmacy, Pharmacology Unit, Center for Neuroscience, University of Camerino, Camerino, Italy
| | - Massimo Ubaldi
- School of Pharmacy, Pharmacology Unit, Center for Neuroscience, University of Camerino, Camerino, Italy
| | | | - Angelo Bifone
- Center for Neuroscience and Cognitive Systems @UniTn, Istituto Italiano di Tecnologia, Rovereto, Italy; Department of Molecular Biotechnology and Health Sciences, University of Torino, Italy
| | - Roberto Ciccocioppo
- School of Pharmacy, Pharmacology Unit, Center for Neuroscience, University of Camerino, Camerino, Italy
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Cannella N, Tambalo S, Lunerti V, Scuppa G, de Vivo L, Abdulmalek S, Kinen A, Mackle J, Kuhn B, Solberg Woods LC, Chung D, Kalivas P, Soverchia L, Ubaldi M, Hardiman G, Bifone A, Ciccocioppo R. Long-access heroin self-administration induces region specific reduction of grey matter volume and microglia reactivity in the rat. bioRxiv 2024:2024.02.26.582024. [PMID: 38463974 PMCID: PMC10925188 DOI: 10.1101/2024.02.26.582024] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Abstract] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 03/12/2024]
Abstract
In opioid use disorder (OUD) patients, a decrease in brain grey matter volume (GMV) has been reported. It is unclear whether this is the consequence of prolonged exposure to opioids or is a predisposing causal factor in OUD development. To investigate this, we conducted a structural MRI longitudinal study in NIH Heterogeneous Stock rats exposed to heroin self-administration and age-matched naïve controls housed in the same controlled environment. Structural MRI scans were acquired before (MRI 1 ) and after (MRI 2 ) a prolonged period of long access heroin self-administration resulting in escalation of drug intake. Heroin intake resulted in reduced GMV in various cortical and sub-cortical brain regions. In drug-naïve controls no difference was found between MRI 1 and MRI 2 . Notably, the degree of GMV reduction in the medial prefrontal cortex (mPFC) and the insula positively correlated with the amount of heroin consumed and the escalation of heroin use. In a preliminary gene expression analysis, we identified a number of transcripts linked to immune response and neuroinflammation. This prompted us to hypothesize a link between changes in microglia homeostasis and loss of GMV. For this reason, we analyzed the number and morphology of microglial cells in the mPFC and insula. The number of neurons and their morphology was also evaluated. The primary motor cortex, where no GMV change was observed, was used as negative control. We found no differences in the number of neurons and microglia cells following heroin. However, in the same regions where reduced GMV was detected, we observed a shift towards a rounder shape and size reduction in microglia, suggestive of their homeostatic change towards a reactive state. Altogether these findings suggest that escalation of heroin intake correlates with loss of GMV in specific brain regions and that this phenomenon is linked to changes in microglial morphology.
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Benvenuti F, De Carlo S, Rullo L, Caffino L, Losapio L, Morosini C, Ubaldi M, Soverchia L, Cannella N, Domi E, Candeletti S, Mottarlini F, Fattore L, Romualdi P, Fumagalli F, Trezza V, Roberto M, Ciccocioppo R. Early social isolation differentially affects the glucocorticoid receptor system and alcohol-seeking behavior in male and female Marchigian Sardinian alcohol-preferring rats. Neurobiol Stress 2024; 28:100598. [PMID: 38115888 PMCID: PMC10727952 DOI: 10.1016/j.ynstr.2023.100598] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/19/2023] [Revised: 11/27/2023] [Accepted: 12/03/2023] [Indexed: 12/21/2023] Open
Abstract
Adverse early life experiences during postnatal development can evoke long-lasting neurobiological changes in stress systems, thereby affecting subsequent behaviors including propensity to develop alcohol use disorder. Here, we exposed genetically selected male and female Marchigian Sardinian alcohol-preferring (msP) and Wistar rats to mild, repeated social deprivation from postnatal day 14 (PND14) to PND21 and investigated the effect of the early social isolation (ESI) on the glucocorticoid receptor (GR) system and on the propensity to drink and seek alcohol in adulthood. We found that ESI resulted in higher levels of GR gene and protein expression in the prefrontal cortex (PFC) in male but not female msP rats. In female Wistars, ESI resulted in significant downregulation of Nr3c1 mRNA levels and lower GR protein levels. In male and female msP rats, plasma corticosterone levels on PND35 were similar and unaffected by ESI. Wistar females exhibited higher levels of corticosterone compared with males, independently from ESI. In alcohol self-administration experiments we found that the pharmacological stressor yohimbine (0.0, 0.312, 0.625, and 1.25 mg/kg) increased alcohol self-administration in both rat lines, regardless of ESI. After extinction, 0.625 mg/kg yohimbine significantly reinstated alcohol seeking in female rats only. ESI enhanced reinstatement in female msP rats. Overall, the present results indicate that repeated social deprivation during the third week of postnatal life affects GR expression in a strain- and sex-dependent manner: such effect may contribute, at least partially, to the heightened sensitivity of female msP rats to the effects of yohimbine-induced alcohol seeking.
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Affiliation(s)
- F. Benvenuti
- School of Pharmacy, Center for Neuroscience, Pharmacology Unit, University of Camerino, Camerino, Italy
| | - S. De Carlo
- School of Pharmacy, Center for Neuroscience, Pharmacology Unit, University of Camerino, Camerino, Italy
| | - L. Rullo
- Department of Pharmacy and Biotechnology, Alma Mater Studiorum-University of Bologna, Bologna, Italy
| | - L. Caffino
- Department of Pharmacological and Biomolecular Sciences, ‘Rodolfo Paoletti’, University of Milan, Milan, Italy
| | - L.M. Losapio
- Department of Pharmacy and Biotechnology, Alma Mater Studiorum-University of Bologna, Bologna, Italy
| | - C. Morosini
- Department of Pharmacy and Biotechnology, Alma Mater Studiorum-University of Bologna, Bologna, Italy
| | - M. Ubaldi
- School of Pharmacy, Center for Neuroscience, Pharmacology Unit, University of Camerino, Camerino, Italy
| | - L. Soverchia
- School of Pharmacy, Center for Neuroscience, Pharmacology Unit, University of Camerino, Camerino, Italy
| | - N. Cannella
- School of Pharmacy, Center for Neuroscience, Pharmacology Unit, University of Camerino, Camerino, Italy
| | - E. Domi
- School of Pharmacy, Center for Neuroscience, Pharmacology Unit, University of Camerino, Camerino, Italy
| | - S. Candeletti
- Department of Pharmacy and Biotechnology, Alma Mater Studiorum-University of Bologna, Bologna, Italy
| | - F. Mottarlini
- Department of Pharmacological and Biomolecular Sciences, ‘Rodolfo Paoletti’, University of Milan, Milan, Italy
| | - L. Fattore
- CNR Institute of Neuroscience-Cagliari, National Research Council, Cagliari, Italy
| | - P. Romualdi
- Department of Pharmacy and Biotechnology, Alma Mater Studiorum-University of Bologna, Bologna, Italy
| | - F. Fumagalli
- Department of Pharmacological and Biomolecular Sciences, ‘Rodolfo Paoletti’, University of Milan, Milan, Italy
| | - V. Trezza
- Department of Science, University “Roma Tre”, Rome, Italy
| | - M. Roberto
- Department of Molecular Medicine, The Scripps Research Institute, La Jolla, CA, USA
| | - R. Ciccocioppo
- School of Pharmacy, Center for Neuroscience, Pharmacology Unit, University of Camerino, Camerino, Italy
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Tovar R, de Ceglia M, Ubaldi M, Rodríguez-Pozo M, Soverchia L, Cifani C, Rojo G, Gavito A, Hernandez-Folgado L, Jagerovic N, Ciccocioppo R, Baixeras E, Rodríguez de Fonseca F, Decara J. Administration of Linoleoylethanolamide Reduced Weight Gain, Dyslipidemia, and Inflammation Associated with High-Fat-Diet-Induced Obesity. Nutrients 2023; 15:4448. [PMID: 37892524 PMCID: PMC10609991 DOI: 10.3390/nu15204448] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/26/2023] [Revised: 09/27/2023] [Accepted: 10/17/2023] [Indexed: 10/29/2023] Open
Abstract
Acylethanolamides (NAEs) are bioactive lipids derived from diet fatty acids that modulate important homeostatic functions, including appetite, fatty acid synthesis, mitochondrial respiration, inflammation, and nociception. Among the naturally circulating NAEs, the pharmacology of those derived from either arachidonic acid (Anandamide), oleic acid (OEA), and palmitic acid (PEA) have been extensively characterized in diet-induced obesity. For the present work, we extended those studies to linoleoylethanolamide (LEA), one of the most abundant NAEs found not only in plasma and body tissues but also in foods such as cereals. In our initial study, circulating concentrations of LEA were found to be elevated in overweight humans (body mass index (BMI, Kg/m2) > 25) recruited from a representative population from the south of Spain, together with AEA and the endocannabinoid 2-Arachidonoyl glycerol (2-AG). In this population, LEA concentrations correlated with the circulating levels of cholesterol and triglycerides. In order to gain insight into the pharmacology of LEA, we administered it for 14 days (10 mg/kg i.p. daily) to obese male Sprague Dawley rats receiving a cafeteria diet or a standard chow diet for 12 consecutive weeks. LEA treatment resulted in weight loss and a reduction in circulating triglycerides, cholesterol, and inflammatory markers such as Il-6 and Tnf-alpha. In addition, LEA reduced plasma transaminases and enhanced acetyl-CoA-oxidase (Acox) and Uncoupling protein-2 (Ucp2) expression in the liver of the HFD-fed animals. Although the liver steatosis induced by the HFD was not reversed by LEA, the overall data suggest that LEA contributes to the homeostatic signals set in place in response to diet-induced obesity, potentially contributing with OEA to improve lipid metabolism after high fat intake. The anti-inflammatory response associated with its administration suggests its potential for use as a nutrient supplement in non-alcoholic steatohepatitis.
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Affiliation(s)
- Rubén Tovar
- Grupo de Neuropsicofarmacología, Instituto IBIMA-Plataforma BIONAND, Unidad de Gestión Clínica de Salud Mental, Hospital Regional Universitario de Málaga, Avda, Carlos Haya 82, Sótano, 29010 Málaga, Spain; (R.T.); (M.d.C.); (M.R.-P.); (A.G.); (E.B.)
| | - Marialuisa de Ceglia
- Grupo de Neuropsicofarmacología, Instituto IBIMA-Plataforma BIONAND, Unidad de Gestión Clínica de Salud Mental, Hospital Regional Universitario de Málaga, Avda, Carlos Haya 82, Sótano, 29010 Málaga, Spain; (R.T.); (M.d.C.); (M.R.-P.); (A.G.); (E.B.)
| | - Massimo Ubaldi
- School of Pharmacy, Pharmacology Unit, University of Camerino, 62032 Camerino, Italy; (M.U.); (L.S.); (C.C.); (R.C.)
| | - Miguel Rodríguez-Pozo
- Grupo de Neuropsicofarmacología, Instituto IBIMA-Plataforma BIONAND, Unidad de Gestión Clínica de Salud Mental, Hospital Regional Universitario de Málaga, Avda, Carlos Haya 82, Sótano, 29010 Málaga, Spain; (R.T.); (M.d.C.); (M.R.-P.); (A.G.); (E.B.)
| | - Laura Soverchia
- School of Pharmacy, Pharmacology Unit, University of Camerino, 62032 Camerino, Italy; (M.U.); (L.S.); (C.C.); (R.C.)
| | - Carlo Cifani
- School of Pharmacy, Pharmacology Unit, University of Camerino, 62032 Camerino, Italy; (M.U.); (L.S.); (C.C.); (R.C.)
| | - Gema Rojo
- Department of Endocrinology and Nutrition, Hospital Regional Universitario de Málaga, Instituto IBIMA-Plataforma BIONAND, 29010 Málaga, Spain;
| | - Ana Gavito
- Grupo de Neuropsicofarmacología, Instituto IBIMA-Plataforma BIONAND, Unidad de Gestión Clínica de Salud Mental, Hospital Regional Universitario de Málaga, Avda, Carlos Haya 82, Sótano, 29010 Málaga, Spain; (R.T.); (M.d.C.); (M.R.-P.); (A.G.); (E.B.)
| | - Laura Hernandez-Folgado
- Instituto de Química Médica, Consejo Superior de Investigaciones Científicas, Avenida Juan de la Cierva, 28006 Madrid, Spain; (L.H.-F.); (N.J.)
| | - Nadine Jagerovic
- Instituto de Química Médica, Consejo Superior de Investigaciones Científicas, Avenida Juan de la Cierva, 28006 Madrid, Spain; (L.H.-F.); (N.J.)
| | - Roberto Ciccocioppo
- School of Pharmacy, Pharmacology Unit, University of Camerino, 62032 Camerino, Italy; (M.U.); (L.S.); (C.C.); (R.C.)
| | - Elena Baixeras
- Grupo de Neuropsicofarmacología, Instituto IBIMA-Plataforma BIONAND, Unidad de Gestión Clínica de Salud Mental, Hospital Regional Universitario de Málaga, Avda, Carlos Haya 82, Sótano, 29010 Málaga, Spain; (R.T.); (M.d.C.); (M.R.-P.); (A.G.); (E.B.)
| | - Fernando Rodríguez de Fonseca
- Grupo de Neuropsicofarmacología, Instituto IBIMA-Plataforma BIONAND, Unidad de Gestión Clínica de Salud Mental, Hospital Regional Universitario de Málaga, Avda, Carlos Haya 82, Sótano, 29010 Málaga, Spain; (R.T.); (M.d.C.); (M.R.-P.); (A.G.); (E.B.)
- Unidad Clínica de Neurología, Hospital Regional Universitario de Málaga, Instituto IBMA-Plataforma BIONAND, 29010 Málaga, Spain
- Andalusian Network for Clinical and Translational Research in Neurology [NEURO-RECA], 29010 Malaga, Spain
| | - Juan Decara
- Grupo de Neuropsicofarmacología, Instituto IBIMA-Plataforma BIONAND, Unidad de Gestión Clínica de Salud Mental, Hospital Regional Universitario de Málaga, Avda, Carlos Haya 82, Sótano, 29010 Málaga, Spain; (R.T.); (M.d.C.); (M.R.-P.); (A.G.); (E.B.)
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Lunerti V, Shen Q, Li H, Benvenuti F, Soverchia L, Narendran R, Weiss F, Cannella N, Ciccocioppo R. Cebranopadol, a novel long-acting opioid agonist with low abuse liability, to treat opioid use disorder: Preclinical evidence of efficacy. bioRxiv 2023:2023.07.21.550008. [PMID: 37546836 PMCID: PMC10401954 DOI: 10.1101/2023.07.21.550008] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Abstract] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 08/08/2023]
Abstract
The gold standard pharmacological treatment for opioid use disorder (OUD) consists of maintenance therapy with long-acting opioid agonists such as buprenorphine and methadone. Despite these compounds having demonstrated substantial efficacy, a significant number of patients do not show optimal therapeutic responses. Moreover, the abuse liability of these medications remains a major concern. Cebranopadol, is a new, long-acting pan-opioid agonist that also activates the nociception/orphanin FQ NOP receptor. Here we used rats to explore the therapeutic potential of this agent in OUD. First, in operant intravenous self-administration experiments we compared the potential abuse liability of cebranopadol with the prototypical opioid heroin. Under a fixed ratio 1 (FR1) contingency, rats maintained responding for heroin (1, 7, 20, 60 μg/inf) to a larger extent than cebranopadol (0.03, 0.1, 0.3, 1.0, 6.0 μg/inf). When the contingency was switched to a progressive ratio (PR) reinforcement schedule, heroin maintained responding at high levels at all except the lowest dose. Conversely, in the cebranopadol groups responding decreased drastically and the break point (BP) did not differ from saline controls. Next, we demonstrated that oral administration of cebranopadol (0, 25, 50 μg/kg) significantly attenuated drug self-administration independent of heroin dose (1, 7, 20, 60 μg/inf). Cebranopadol also reduced the break point for heroin (20 μg/inf). Furthermore, in a heroin self-administration training extinction/reinstatement paradigm, pretreatment with cebranopadol significantly attenuated yohimbine stress-induced reinstatement of drug seeking. Together, these data indicate that cebranopadol has limited abuse liability compared to heroin and is highly efficacious in attenuating opioid self-administration and stress-induced reinstatement, suggesting clinical potential of this compound for OUD treatment.
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Benvenuti F, Colombo D, Soverchia L, Cannella N, Domi E, Ciccocioppo R. Psilocybin prevents reinstatement of alcohol seeking by disrupting the reconsolidation of alcohol-related memories. Psychopharmacology (Berl) 2023; 240:1521-1530. [PMID: 37266686 DOI: 10.1007/s00213-023-06384-w] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/28/2022] [Accepted: 05/10/2023] [Indexed: 06/03/2023]
Abstract
BACKGROUND For most psychiatric conditions, including alcohol use disorder (AUD), FDA-approved pharmacological treatments are limited and their efficacy is restricted to only certain subgroups of patients. Scientific interest in the potential of psychedelic drugs has dramatically increased because of clinical preliminary evidence of efficacy in treating various psychiatric disorders. One of the most promising compounds belonging to this class of molecules is psilocybin. Here, to elucidate the therapeutic potential and treatment modalities of this drug, we investigated the effect of psilocybin on alcohol drinking and seeking in genetically selected Marchigian Sardinian alcohol-preferring (msP) rats, a well validated animal model of AUD characterized by excessive drinking and seeking. METHODS Using male and female msP rats, we tested the effect of psilocybin on home cage voluntary alcohol consumption. We also tested the effect of the drug on the alcohol deprivation effect (ADE) model of relapse and on cue-induced reinstatement of alcohol seeking after a period of abstinence. Finally, we evaluated if psilocybin may disrupt the reconsolidation process of alcohol-related memory. RESULTS Psilocybin did not reduce alcohol consumption, nor it prevented increased alcohol drinking after a period of forced abstinence and cue-induced reinstatement of alcohol-seeking. Noteworthy, in a memory retrieval-reconsolidation paradigm, psilocybin markedly attenuated resumption of alcohol seeking. CONCLUSIONS Altogether these data suggest that, despite psilocybin does not affect alcohol drinking and relapse, it may be highly effective if used to block the reconsolidation process of alcohol-related memories. This opens to the possibility of using this psychedelic drug in clinical settings in which AUD patients undergo procedures to recall the memory of alcohol and are then treated with psilocybin during the memory reconsolidation phase.
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Affiliation(s)
- F Benvenuti
- School of Pharmacy, Center for Neuroscience, University of Camerino, Camerino, Italy
| | - D Colombo
- School of Pharmacy, Center for Neuroscience, University of Camerino, Camerino, Italy
| | - L Soverchia
- School of Pharmacy, Center for Neuroscience, University of Camerino, Camerino, Italy
| | - N Cannella
- School of Pharmacy, Center for Neuroscience, University of Camerino, Camerino, Italy
| | - E Domi
- School of Pharmacy, Center for Neuroscience, University of Camerino, Camerino, Italy
| | - R Ciccocioppo
- School of Pharmacy, Center for Neuroscience, University of Camerino, Camerino, Italy.
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Lunerti V, Li H, Benvenuti F, Shen Q, Domi A, Soverchia L, Concetta Di Martino RM, Bottegoni G, Haass-Koffler CL, Cannella N. The multitarget FAAH inhibitor/D3 partial agonist ARN15381 decreases nicotine self-administration in male rats. Eur J Pharmacol 2022; 928:175088. [PMID: 35690082 DOI: 10.1016/j.ejphar.2022.175088] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/01/2021] [Revised: 05/18/2022] [Accepted: 06/03/2022] [Indexed: 11/03/2022]
Abstract
Tobacco use disorder is a worldwide health problem for which available medications show limited efficacy. Nicotine is the psychoactive component of tobacco responsible for its addictive liability. Similar to other addictive drugs, nicotine enhances mesolimbic dopamine transmission. Inhibition of the fatty acid amide hydrolase (FAAH), the enzyme responsible for the degradation of the endocannabinoid anandamide (AEA), palmitoylethanolamide (PEA) and oleoylethanolamide (OEA), reduces nicotine-enhanced dopamine transmission and acquisition of nicotine self-administration in rats. Down-regulation of dopamine transmission by antagonists or partial agonists of the dopamine D3 receptor (DRD3) also reduced nicotine self-administration and conditioned place preference. Based on these premises, we evaluated the effect of ARN15381, a multitarget compound showing FAAH inhibition and DRD3 partial agonist activity in the low nanomolar range, on nicotine self-administration in rats. Pretreatment with ARN15381 dose dependently decreased self-administration of a nicotine dose at the top of the nicotine dose/response (D/R) curve, while it did not affect self-administration of a nicotine dose laying on the descending limb of the D/R curve. Conversely, pretreatment with the selective FAAH inhibitor URB597 and the DRD3 partial agonist CJB090 failed to modify nicotine self-administration independent of the nicotine dose self-administered. Our data indicates that the concomitant FAAH inhibition and DRD3 partial agonism produced by ARN15381 is key to the observed reduction of nicotine self-administration, demonstrating that a multitarget approach may hold clinical importance for the treatment of tobacco use disorder.
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Affiliation(s)
- Veronica Lunerti
- School of Pharmacy, Pharmacology Unit, University of Camerino, Italy
| | - Hongwu Li
- School of Pharmacy, Pharmacology Unit, University of Camerino, Italy; School of Chemical Engineering, Changchun University of Changchung, 130012, China
| | | | - Qianwei Shen
- School of Pharmacy, Pharmacology Unit, University of Camerino, Italy
| | - Ana Domi
- School of Pharmacy, Pharmacology Unit, University of Camerino, Italy
| | - Laura Soverchia
- School of Pharmacy, Pharmacology Unit, University of Camerino, Italy
| | | | - Giovanni Bottegoni
- School of Pharmacy, University of Birmingham, Edgbaston, B15 2TT, Birmingham, United Kingdom; Dipartimento di Scienze Biomolecolari, Università degli Studi di Urbino "Carlo Bo", Urbino, Italy
| | - Carolina L Haass-Koffler
- Center for Alcohol and Addiction Studies, Department of Psychiatry and Human Behavior, Warren Alpert Medical School, Department of Behavioral and Social Sciences, School of Public Health, Carney Institute for Brain Science, Brown University, USA
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Ubaldi M, Cannella N, Borruto AM, Petrella M, Micioni Di Bonaventura MV, Soverchia L, Stopponi S, Weiss F, Cifani C, Ciccocioppo R. Role of Nociceptin/Orphanin FQ-NOP Receptor System in the Regulation of Stress-Related Disorders. Int J Mol Sci 2021; 22:12956. [PMID: 34884757 PMCID: PMC8657682 DOI: 10.3390/ijms222312956] [Citation(s) in RCA: 14] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/05/2021] [Revised: 11/25/2021] [Accepted: 11/27/2021] [Indexed: 12/14/2022] Open
Abstract
Nociceptin/orphanin FQ (N/OFQ) is a 17-residue neuropeptide that binds the nociceptin opioid-like receptor (NOP). N/OFQ exhibits nucleotidic and aminoacidics sequence homology with the precursors of other opioid neuropeptides but it does not activate either MOP, KOP or DOP receptors. Furthermore, opioid neuropeptides do not activate the NOP receptor. Generally, activation of N/OFQ system exerts anti-opioids effects, for instance toward opioid-induced reward and analgesia. The NOP receptor is widely expressed throughout the brain, whereas N/OFQ localization is confined to brain nuclei that are involved in stress response such as amygdala, BNST and hypothalamus. Decades of studies have delineated the biological role of this system demonstrating its involvement in significant physiological processes such as pain, learning and memory, anxiety, depression, feeding, drug and alcohol dependence. This review discusses the role of this peptidergic system in the modulation of stress and stress-associated psychiatric disorders in particular drug addiction, mood, anxiety and food-related associated-disorders. Emerging preclinical evidence suggests that both NOP agonists and antagonists may represent a effective therapeutic approaches for substances use disorder. Moreover, the current literature suggests that NOP antagonists can be useful to treat depression and feeding-related diseases, such as obesity and binge eating behavior, whereas the activation of NOP receptor by agonists could be a promising tool for anxiety.
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Affiliation(s)
- Massimo Ubaldi
- School of Pharmacy, University of Camerino, Via Madonna Delle Carceri 9, 62032 Camerino, Italy; (M.U.); (N.C.); (A.M.B.); (M.P.); (M.V.M.D.B.); (L.S.); (S.S.); (C.C.)
| | - Nazzareno Cannella
- School of Pharmacy, University of Camerino, Via Madonna Delle Carceri 9, 62032 Camerino, Italy; (M.U.); (N.C.); (A.M.B.); (M.P.); (M.V.M.D.B.); (L.S.); (S.S.); (C.C.)
| | - Anna Maria Borruto
- School of Pharmacy, University of Camerino, Via Madonna Delle Carceri 9, 62032 Camerino, Italy; (M.U.); (N.C.); (A.M.B.); (M.P.); (M.V.M.D.B.); (L.S.); (S.S.); (C.C.)
| | - Michele Petrella
- School of Pharmacy, University of Camerino, Via Madonna Delle Carceri 9, 62032 Camerino, Italy; (M.U.); (N.C.); (A.M.B.); (M.P.); (M.V.M.D.B.); (L.S.); (S.S.); (C.C.)
| | - Maria Vittoria Micioni Di Bonaventura
- School of Pharmacy, University of Camerino, Via Madonna Delle Carceri 9, 62032 Camerino, Italy; (M.U.); (N.C.); (A.M.B.); (M.P.); (M.V.M.D.B.); (L.S.); (S.S.); (C.C.)
| | - Laura Soverchia
- School of Pharmacy, University of Camerino, Via Madonna Delle Carceri 9, 62032 Camerino, Italy; (M.U.); (N.C.); (A.M.B.); (M.P.); (M.V.M.D.B.); (L.S.); (S.S.); (C.C.)
| | - Serena Stopponi
- School of Pharmacy, University of Camerino, Via Madonna Delle Carceri 9, 62032 Camerino, Italy; (M.U.); (N.C.); (A.M.B.); (M.P.); (M.V.M.D.B.); (L.S.); (S.S.); (C.C.)
| | - Friedbert Weiss
- Department of Molecular and Cellular Neuroscience, The Scripps Research Institute, La Jolla, CA 92037, USA;
| | - Carlo Cifani
- School of Pharmacy, University of Camerino, Via Madonna Delle Carceri 9, 62032 Camerino, Italy; (M.U.); (N.C.); (A.M.B.); (M.P.); (M.V.M.D.B.); (L.S.); (S.S.); (C.C.)
| | - Roberto Ciccocioppo
- School of Pharmacy, University of Camerino, Via Madonna Delle Carceri 9, 62032 Camerino, Italy; (M.U.); (N.C.); (A.M.B.); (M.P.); (M.V.M.D.B.); (L.S.); (S.S.); (C.C.)
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9
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Tovar R, Gavito AL, Vargas A, Soverchia L, Hernandez-Folgado L, Jagerovic N, Baixeras E, Ciccocioppo R, Rodríguez de Fonseca F, Decara J. Palmitoleoylethanolamide Is an Efficient Anti-Obesity Endogenous Compound: Comparison with Oleylethanolamide in Diet-Induced Obesity. Nutrients 2021; 13:nu13082589. [PMID: 34444748 PMCID: PMC8400335 DOI: 10.3390/nu13082589] [Citation(s) in RCA: 14] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/26/2021] [Revised: 07/21/2021] [Accepted: 07/26/2021] [Indexed: 12/23/2022] Open
Abstract
Obesity is currently a major epidemic in the developed world. However, we lack a wide range of effective pharmacological treatments and therapies against obesity, and those approved are not devoid of adverse effects. Dietary components such as palmitoleic acid have been proposed to improve metabolic disbalance in obesity, although the mechanisms involved are not well understood. Both palmitoleic acid (POA) and oleic acid (OA) can be transformed in N-acylethanolamines (NAEs), mediating the effects of dietary POA and OA. To test this hypothesis, here, we study the effects on food intake and body weight gain of palmitoleylethanolamide (POEA) and the OA-derived NAE analogue, oleoylethanolamide (OEA), in Sprague-Dawley rats with a hypercaloric cafeteria diet (HFD). Plasma biochemical metabolites, inflammatory mediators, and lipogenesis-associated liver protein expression were also measured. The results indicate that POEA is able to improve health status in diet-induced obesity, decreasing weight, liver steatosis, inflammation, and dyslipemia. The action of POEA was found to be almost identical to that of OEA, which is an activator of the nuclear peroxisome proliferator receptor alpha (PPARα), and it is structurally related to POEA. These results suggest that the dietary administration of either POA or POEA might be considered as nutritional intervention as complementary treatment for complicated obesity in humans.
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Affiliation(s)
- Rubén Tovar
- Instituto de Investigación Biomédica de Málaga (IBIMA), Hospital Universitario Regional de Málaga, UGC Salud Mental, Avda. Carlos Haya 82, Pabellón de Gobierno, 29010 Málaga, Spain; (R.T.); (A.L.G.); (A.V.)
- Facultad de Medicina, Universidad de Málaga, 29010 Málaga, Spain
| | - Ana Luisa Gavito
- Instituto de Investigación Biomédica de Málaga (IBIMA), Hospital Universitario Regional de Málaga, UGC Salud Mental, Avda. Carlos Haya 82, Pabellón de Gobierno, 29010 Málaga, Spain; (R.T.); (A.L.G.); (A.V.)
| | - Antonio Vargas
- Instituto de Investigación Biomédica de Málaga (IBIMA), Hospital Universitario Regional de Málaga, UGC Salud Mental, Avda. Carlos Haya 82, Pabellón de Gobierno, 29010 Málaga, Spain; (R.T.); (A.L.G.); (A.V.)
| | - Laura Soverchia
- Pharmacology Unit, School of Pharmacy, University of Camerino, Via Madonna delle Carceri 9, 62032 Camerino, Italy; (L.S.); (R.C.)
| | - Laura Hernandez-Folgado
- Instituto de Química Médica, CSIC, C/Juan de la Cierva 3, 28006 Madrid, Spain; (L.H.-F.); (N.J.)
| | - Nadine Jagerovic
- Instituto de Química Médica, CSIC, C/Juan de la Cierva 3, 28006 Madrid, Spain; (L.H.-F.); (N.J.)
| | - Elena Baixeras
- Departamento de Bioquímica y Biología Molecular, Facultad de Medicina, Universidad de Málaga, 29010 Málaga, Spain;
| | - Roberto Ciccocioppo
- Pharmacology Unit, School of Pharmacy, University of Camerino, Via Madonna delle Carceri 9, 62032 Camerino, Italy; (L.S.); (R.C.)
| | - Fernando Rodríguez de Fonseca
- Instituto de Investigación Biomédica de Málaga (IBIMA), Hospital Universitario Regional de Málaga, UGC Salud Mental, Avda. Carlos Haya 82, Pabellón de Gobierno, 29010 Málaga, Spain; (R.T.); (A.L.G.); (A.V.)
- Correspondence: (F.R.d.F.); (J.D.); Tel.: +34-952614012 (F.R.d.F. & J.D.)
| | - Juan Decara
- Instituto de Investigación Biomédica de Málaga (IBIMA), Hospital Universitario Regional de Málaga, UGC Salud Mental, Avda. Carlos Haya 82, Pabellón de Gobierno, 29010 Málaga, Spain; (R.T.); (A.L.G.); (A.V.)
- Pharmacology Unit, School of Pharmacy, University of Camerino, Via Madonna delle Carceri 9, 62032 Camerino, Italy; (L.S.); (R.C.)
- Correspondence: (F.R.d.F.); (J.D.); Tel.: +34-952614012 (F.R.d.F. & J.D.)
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10
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Bilel S, Tirri M, Arfè R, Stopponi S, Soverchia L, Ciccocioppo R, Frisoni P, Strano-Rossi S, Miliano C, De-Giorgio F, Serpelloni G, Fantinati A, De Luca MA, Neri M, Marti M. Pharmacological and Behavioral Effects of the Synthetic Cannabinoid AKB48 in Rats. Front Neurosci 2019; 13:1163. [PMID: 31736697 PMCID: PMC6831561 DOI: 10.3389/fnins.2019.01163] [Citation(s) in RCA: 21] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/09/2019] [Accepted: 10/14/2019] [Indexed: 12/12/2022] Open
Abstract
AKB48 is a designer drug belonging to the indazole synthetic cannabinoids class, illegally sold as herbal blend, incense, or research chemicals for their psychoactive cannabis-like effects. In the present study, we investigated the in vivo pharmacological and behavioral effects of AKB48 in male rats and measured the pharmacodynamic effects of AKB48 and simultaneously determined its plasma pharmacokinetic. AKB48 at low doses preferentially stimulated dopamine release in the nucleus accumbens shell (0.25 mg/kg) and impaired visual sensorimotor responses (0.3 mg/kg) without affecting acoustic and tactile reflexes, which are reduced only to the highest dose tested (3 mg/kg). Increasing doses (0.5 mg/kg) of AKB48 impaired place preference and induced hypolocomotion in rats. At the highest dose (3 mg/kg), AKB48 induced hypothermia, analgesia, and catalepsy; inhibited the startle/pre-pulse inhibition test; and caused cardiorespiratory changes characterized by bradycardia and mild bradipnea and SpO2 reduction. All behavioral and neurochemical effects were fully prevented by the selective CB1 receptor antagonist/inverse agonist AM251. AKB48 plasma concentrations rose linearly with increasing dose and were correlated with changes in the somatosensory, hypothermic, analgesic, and cataleptic responses in rats. For the first time, this study shows the pharmacological and behavioral effects of AKB48 in rats, correlating them to the plasma levels of the synthetic cannabinoid. Chemical Compound Studied in This Article: AKB48 (PubChem CID: 57404063); AM251 (PubChem CID: 2125).
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Affiliation(s)
- Sabrine Bilel
- Department of Morphology, Experimental Medicine and Surgery, Section of Legal Medicine and Laboratory for Technologies of Advanced Therapies (LTTA) Centre, University of Ferrara, Ferrara, Italy
| | - Micaela Tirri
- Department of Morphology, Experimental Medicine and Surgery, Section of Legal Medicine and Laboratory for Technologies of Advanced Therapies (LTTA) Centre, University of Ferrara, Ferrara, Italy
| | - Raffaella Arfè
- Department of Morphology, Experimental Medicine and Surgery, Section of Legal Medicine and Laboratory for Technologies of Advanced Therapies (LTTA) Centre, University of Ferrara, Ferrara, Italy.,Section of Legal Medicine, Institute of Public Health, Università Cattolica del Sacro Cuore, Rome, Italy
| | - Serena Stopponi
- Pharmacology Unit, School of Pharmacy, University of Camerino, Camerino, Italy
| | - Laura Soverchia
- Pharmacology Unit, School of Pharmacy, University of Camerino, Camerino, Italy
| | - Roberto Ciccocioppo
- Pharmacology Unit, School of Pharmacy, University of Camerino, Camerino, Italy
| | - Paolo Frisoni
- Department of Morphology, Experimental Medicine and Surgery, Section of Legal Medicine and Laboratory for Technologies of Advanced Therapies (LTTA) Centre, University of Ferrara, Ferrara, Italy
| | - Sabina Strano-Rossi
- Section of Legal Medicine, Institute of Public Health, Università Cattolica del Sacro Cuore, Rome, Italy
| | - Cristina Miliano
- Department of Biomedical Sciences, University of Cagliari, Cagliari, Italy
| | - Fabio De-Giorgio
- Section of Legal Medicine, Institute of Public Health, Università Cattolica del Sacro Cuore, Rome, Italy
| | - Giovanni Serpelloni
- Department of Psychiatry in the College of Medicine, Drug Policy Institute, University of Florida, Gainesville, FL, United States
| | - Anna Fantinati
- Department of Chemistry and Pharmaceutical Sciences, University of Ferrara, Ferrara, Italy
| | | | - Margherita Neri
- Department of Morphology, Experimental Medicine and Surgery, Section of Legal Medicine and Laboratory for Technologies of Advanced Therapies (LTTA) Centre, University of Ferrara, Ferrara, Italy
| | - Matteo Marti
- Department of Morphology, Experimental Medicine and Surgery, Section of Legal Medicine and Laboratory for Technologies of Advanced Therapies (LTTA) Centre, University of Ferrara, Ferrara, Italy.,Department of Anti-Drug Policies, Presidency of the Council of Ministers, Collaborative Center for the Italian National Early Warning System, Ferrara, Italy
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11
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Ubaldi M, Ricciardelli E, Pasqualini L, Sannino G, Soverchia L, Ruggeri B, Falcinelli S, Renzi A, Ludka C, Ciccocioppo R, Hardiman G. Biomarkers of hippocampal gene expression in a mouse restraint chronic stress model. Pharmacogenomics 2016; 16:471-82. [PMID: 25916519 DOI: 10.2217/pgs.15.3] [Citation(s) in RCA: 11] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/15/2022] Open
Abstract
OBJECTIVE Acute stress provides many beneficial effects whereas chronic stress contributes to a variety of human health issues including anxiety, depression, gastrointestinal problems, cardiac disease, sleep disorders and obesity. The goal of this work was to identify, using a rodent model, hippocampal gene signatures associated with prolonged chronic stress representing candidate biomarkers and therapeutic targets for early diagnosis and pharmacological intervention for stress induced disease. MATERIALS & METHODS Mice underwent 'restraint stress' over 7 consecutive days and hippocampal gene-expression changes were analyzed at 3, 12 and 24 h following the final restraint treatment. RESULTS Data indicated that mice exposed to chronic restraint stress exhibit a differential gene-expression profile compared with non-stressed controls. The greatest differences were observed 12 and 24 h following the final stress test. CONCLUSION Our study indicated that Gpr88, Ttr, Gh and Tac1 mRNAs were modulated in mice exposed to chronic restraint stress. These transcripts represent a panel of biomarkers and druggable targets for further analysis in the context of chronic stress associated disease in humans.
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Affiliation(s)
- Massimo Ubaldi
- School of Pharmacy, Pharmacology Unit, University of Camerino, Via Madonna delle Carceri 9, Camerino, Italy
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12
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Baker ME, Sprague LJ, Ribecco C, Ruggeri B, Lekmine N, Ludka C, Wick I, Soverchia L, Ubaldi M, Šášik R, Schlenk D, Kelley KM, Reyes JA, Hardiman G. Application of a targeted endocrine q-PCR panel to monitor the effects of pollution in southern California flatfish. ACTA ACUST UNITED AC 2014. [DOI: 10.4161/23273739.2014.969598] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/19/2022]
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13
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Ciccocioppo R, Li H, de Guglielmo G, Ubaldi M, Soverchia L, Caffino L, Fumagalli F, Demopulos G, Gaitanaris G. SY40-2 * PHOSPHODIESTERASE TYPE 7: A NOVEL TARGET FOR SMOKING CESSATION -PRECLINICAL EVIDENCE-. Alcohol Alcohol 2014. [DOI: 10.1093/alcalc/agu052.166] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/13/2022] Open
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14
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Stopponi S, Soverchia L, Ubaldi M, Cippitelli A, Serpelloni G, Ciccocioppo R. Chronic THC during adolescence increases the vulnerability to stress-induced relapse to heroin seeking in adult rats. Eur Neuropsychopharmacol 2014; 24:1037-45. [PMID: 24412506 DOI: 10.1016/j.euroneuro.2013.12.012] [Citation(s) in RCA: 38] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/10/2013] [Revised: 12/13/2013] [Accepted: 12/16/2013] [Indexed: 12/13/2022]
Abstract
Cannabis derivatives are among the most widely used illicit substances among young people. The addictive potential of delta-9-tetrahydrocannabinol (THC), the major active ingredient of cannabis is well documented in scientific literature. However, the consequence of THC exposure during adolescence on occurrence of addiction for other drugs of abuse later in life is still controversial. To explore this aspect of THC pharmacology, in the present study, we treated adolescent rats from postnatal day (PND) 35 to PND-46 with increasing daily doses of THC (2.5-10mg/kg). One week after intoxication, the rats were tested for anxiety-like behavior in the elevated plus maze (EPM) test. One month later (starting from PND 75), rats were trained to operantly self-administer heroin intravenously. Finally, following extinction phase, reinstatement of lever pressing elicited by the pharmacological stressor, yohimbine (1.25mg/kg) was evaluated. Data revealed that in comparison to controls, animals treated with chronic THC during adolescence showed a higher level of anxiety-like behavior. When tested for heroin (20μg per infusion) self-administration, no significant differences were observed in both the acquisition of operant responding and heroin intake at baseline. Noteworthy, following the extinction phase, administration of yohimbine elicited a significantly higher level of heroin seeking in rats previously exposed to THC. Altogether these findings demonstrate that chronic exposure to THC during adolescence is responsible for heightened anxiety and increased vulnerability to drug relapse in adulthood.
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Affiliation(s)
- Serena Stopponi
- School of Pharmacy, Pharmacology Unit, University of Camerino, Via Madonna delle Carceri, 62032 Camerino, Italy
| | - Laura Soverchia
- School of Pharmacy, Pharmacology Unit, University of Camerino, Via Madonna delle Carceri, 62032 Camerino, Italy
| | - Massimo Ubaldi
- School of Pharmacy, Pharmacology Unit, University of Camerino, Via Madonna delle Carceri, 62032 Camerino, Italy
| | - Andrea Cippitelli
- School of Pharmacy, Pharmacology Unit, University of Camerino, Via Madonna delle Carceri, 62032 Camerino, Italy
| | - Giovanni Serpelloni
- Dipartimento Politiche Antidroga, Presidenza del Consiglio dei Ministri, Italy
| | - Roberto Ciccocioppo
- School of Pharmacy, Pharmacology Unit, University of Camerino, Via Madonna delle Carceri, 62032 Camerino, Italy.
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15
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Buccioni M, Marucci G, Dal Ben D, Giacobbe D, Lambertucci C, Soverchia L, Thomas A, Volpini R, Cristalli G. Innovative functional cAMP assay for studying G protein-coupled receptors: application to the pharmacological characterization of GPR17. Purinergic Signal 2011; 7:463-8. [PMID: 21773766 DOI: 10.1007/s11302-011-9245-8] [Citation(s) in RCA: 35] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/15/2011] [Accepted: 06/20/2011] [Indexed: 10/18/2022] Open
Abstract
In this work, an innovative and non-radioactive functional cAMP assay was validated at the GPR17 receptor. This assay provides a simple and powerful new system to monitor G protein-coupled receptor activity through change in the intracellular cAMP concentration by using a mutant form of Photinus pyralis luciferase into which a cAMP-binding protein moiety has been inserted. Results, expressed as EC(50) or IC(50) values for agonists and antagonists, respectively, showed a strong correlation with those obtained with [(35)S]GTPγS binding assay, thus confirming the validity of this approach in the study of new ligands for GPR17. Moreover, this method allowed confirming that GPR17 is coupled with a G(αi).
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Affiliation(s)
- Michela Buccioni
- Medicinal Chemistry Unit, School of Pharmacy, University of Camerino, 62032, Camerino, Italy
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16
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Ruggeri B, Braconi S, Cannella N, Kallupi M, Soverchia L, Ciccocioppo R, Ubaldi M. Neuropeptide S receptor gene expression in alcohol withdrawal and protracted abstinence in postdependent rats. Alcohol Clin Exp Res 2009; 34:90-7. [PMID: 19860802 DOI: 10.1111/j.1530-0277.2009.01070.x] [Citation(s) in RCA: 37] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/28/2022]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Alcoholism is a chronic disease characterized by frequent intoxications followed by withdrawal episodes and relapse to alcohol use. Neuroplastic changes associated with these intoxication and withdrawal cycles are thought to play a key role in disease progression. Recently, it has been shown that neuropeptide S (NPS), a newly deorphanized neuropeptide receptor system, facilitates relapse to alcohol seeking in laboratory animals. Given that a history of ethanol intoxication may increase vulnerability to alcohol addiction, we sought to determine whether NPS receptor (NPSR) gene expression is altered during withdrawal. METHODS Rats were subjected to 1 week of intoxication by oral alcohol administration. NPSR gene expression was analyzed by in situ hybridization in rats 12 hours and 7 days after the last alcohol administration. To investigate the functional significance of NPSR system adaptation following protracted withdrawal 7 days after intoxication, we tested the anxiolytic-like properties of NPS in nondependent and postdependent rats using the shock probe defensive burying test (DB). RESULTS At both time points, increased NPSR gene expression was observed in several brain areas, including the endopiriform nucleus, the motor cortex, and the medial amygdaloid nucleus. Moderate increases in gene expression were also found in the lateral hypothalamus, paraventricular nucleus, basolateral and central amygdala. Differences from control animals were more pronounced after 7 days of abstinence. The upregulation of the NPSR system at this time point was confirmed by functional data indicating that intracerebroventricular (ICV) NPS administration (0.0, 0.3, and 0.1 nmol/rat) elicits more pronounced anxiolytic effects in postdependent animals than in controls subjected to the electric shock probe DB test. CONCLUSIONS Neuropeptide S receptor mRNA expression is increased in different brain areas of postdependent rats; as shown in the DB test, this expression change is functionally relevant.
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Affiliation(s)
- Barbara Ruggeri
- Department of Experimental Medicine and Public Health, University of Camerino, Camerino, Italy
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17
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Baker ME, Ruggeri B, Sprague LJ, Eckhardt-Ludka C, Lapira J, Wick I, Soverchia L, Ubaldi M, Polzonetti-Magni AM, Vidal-Dorsch D, Bay S, Gully JR, Reyes JA, Kelley KM, Schlenk D, Breen EC, Šášik R, Hardiman G. Analysis of endocrine disruption in Southern California coastal fish using an aquatic multispecies microarray. Environ Health Perspect 2009; 117:223-30. [PMID: 19270792 PMCID: PMC2649224 DOI: 10.1289/ehp.11627] [Citation(s) in RCA: 24] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/25/2008] [Accepted: 08/27/2008] [Indexed: 05/24/2023]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Endocrine disruptors include plasticizers, pesticides, detergents, and pharmaceuticals. Turbot and other flatfish are used to characterize the presence of chemicals in the marine environment. Unfortunately, there are relatively few genes of turbot and other flatfish in GenBank, which limits the use of molecular tools such as microarrays and quantitative reverse-transcriptase polymerase chain reaction (qRT-PCR) to study disruption of endocrine responses in sentinel fish captured by regulatory agencies. OBJECTIVES We fabricated a multigene cross-species microarray as a diagnostic tool to screen the effects of environmental chemicals in fish, for which there is minimal genomic information. The array included genes that are involved in the actions of adrenal and sex steroids, thyroid hormone, and xenobiotic responses. This microarray will provide a sensitive tool for screening for the presence of chemicals with adverse effects on endocrine responses in coastal fish species. METHODS We used a custom multispecies microarray to study gene expression in wild hornyhead turbot (Pleuronichthys verticalis) collected from polluted and clean coastal waters and in laboratory male zebrafish (Danio rerio) after exposure to estradiol and 4-nonylphenol. We measured gene-specific expression in turbot liver by qRT-PCR and correlated it to microarray data. RESULTS Microarray and qRT-PCR analyses of livers from turbot collected from polluted areas revealed altered gene expression profiles compared with those from nonaffected areas. CONCLUSIONS The agreement between the array data and qRT-PCR analyses validates this multispecies microarray. The microarray measurement of gene expression in zebrafish, which are phylogenetically distant from turbot, indicates that this multispecies microarray will be useful for measuring endocrine responses in other fish.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Barbara Ruggeri
- BioMedical Genomics Facility, School of Medicine, University of California, San Diego, La Jolla, California, USA
- Department of Experimental Medicine and Public Health, University of Camerino, Camerino, Italy
| | - L. James Sprague
- BioMedical Genomics Facility, School of Medicine, University of California, San Diego, La Jolla, California, USA
| | - Colleen Eckhardt-Ludka
- BioMedical Genomics Facility, School of Medicine, University of California, San Diego, La Jolla, California, USA
| | - Jennifer Lapira
- BioMedical Genomics Facility, School of Medicine, University of California, San Diego, La Jolla, California, USA
| | - Ivan Wick
- BioMedical Genomics Facility, School of Medicine, University of California, San Diego, La Jolla, California, USA
| | - Laura Soverchia
- BioMedical Genomics Facility, School of Medicine, University of California, San Diego, La Jolla, California, USA
- Department of Experimental Medicine and Public Health, University of Camerino, Camerino, Italy
| | - Massimo Ubaldi
- Department of Experimental Medicine and Public Health, University of Camerino, Camerino, Italy
| | | | - Doris Vidal-Dorsch
- Southern California Coastal Water Research Project, Costa Mesa, California, USA
| | - Steven Bay
- Southern California Coastal Water Research Project, Costa Mesa, California, USA
| | - Joseph R. Gully
- Los Angeles County Sanitation Districts, Whittier, California, USA
| | - Jesus A. Reyes
- Environmental Endocrinology Laboratory, California State University, Long Beach, California, USA
| | - Kevin M. Kelley
- Environmental Endocrinology Laboratory, California State University, Long Beach, California, USA
| | - Daniel Schlenk
- Department of Environmental Sciences, University of California, Riverside, California, USA
| | | | - Roman Šášik
- BioMedical Genomics Facility, School of Medicine, University of California, San Diego, La Jolla, California, USA
- Moore’s Cancer Center, University of California, San Diego, La Jolla, California, USA
| | - Gary Hardiman
- Department of Medicine
- BioMedical Genomics Facility, School of Medicine, University of California, San Diego, La Jolla, California, USA
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18
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Ruggeri B, Ubaldi M, Lourdusamy A, Soverchia L, Ciccocioppo R, Hardiman G, Baker ME, Palermo F, Polzonetti-Magni AM. Variation of the genetic expression pattern after exposure to estradiol-17beta and 4-nonylphenol in male zebrafish (Danio rerio). Gen Comp Endocrinol 2008; 158:138-44. [PMID: 18602103 DOI: 10.1016/j.ygcen.2008.05.012] [Citation(s) in RCA: 55] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/01/2008] [Revised: 05/15/2008] [Accepted: 05/22/2008] [Indexed: 11/24/2022]
Abstract
There is much concern about the increasing presence in the environment of synthetic chemicals that are able to disrupt the endocrine system. Among these compounds, 4-nonylphenol (4-NP) is one of the most studied xenoestrogens, due to its widespread accumulation in water sediment and consequent presence in fatty acid of aquatic organisms. Here, we have used a zebrafish microarray representing 16,399 genes to study the effects of 4-NP and estradiol-17beta (E2) in adult male zebrafish in order to elucidate the mechanism of action of 4-NP compared with that of E2. The microarray results showed that both 4-NP and E2 induced a strong expression of vitellogenin (VTG), the sex related precursor of the yolk proteins in oviparous vertebrates. Both treatments induced elevated protein turnover upregulating genes involved in proteolysis and those that are constituents of the ribosome. Many genes regulated by 4-NP and E2 are involved in energy metabolism, oxidative stress defense mechanisms, xenobiotic metabolism, and lipid metabolism. A different pattern of expression in the two treatments was found for genes involved in oxidative stress, since E2 seems to induce the mechanism of detoxification, while 4-NP seems to inhibit this protective mechanism of the cell. Overall, these findings demonstrate that the microarray approach can contribute significantly to the understanding of expression patterns induced by E2 and 4-NP in male zebrafish. The results also demonstrate that 4-NP is able to act through an alternative pattern to that of estradiol-17beta, modulating the expression of the same genes in a different manner.
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Affiliation(s)
- B Ruggeri
- Department of Experimental Medicine and Public Health, University of Camerino, via Madonna delle Carceri, 62032 Camerino (MC), Italy
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Rouse RJD, Field K, Lapira J, Lee A, Wick I, Eckhardt C, Bhasker CR, Soverchia L, Hardiman G. Development and application of a microarray meter tool to optimize microarray experiments. BMC Res Notes 2008; 1:45. [PMID: 18710498 PMCID: PMC2535775 DOI: 10.1186/1756-0500-1-45] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/22/2008] [Accepted: 07/11/2008] [Indexed: 11/25/2022] Open
Abstract
Background Successful microarray experimentation requires a complex interplay between the slide chemistry, the printing pins, the nucleic acid probes and targets, and the hybridization milieu. Optimization of these parameters and a careful evaluation of emerging slide chemistries are a prerequisite to any large scale array fabrication effort. We have developed a 'microarray meter' tool which assesses the inherent variations associated with microarray measurement prior to embarking on large scale projects. Findings The microarray meter consists of nucleic acid targets (reference and dynamic range control) and probe components. Different plate designs containing identical probe material were formulated to accommodate different robotic and pin designs. We examined the variability in probe quality and quantity (as judged by the amount of DNA printed and remaining post-hybridization) using three robots equipped with capillary printing pins. Discussion The generation of microarray data with minimal variation requires consistent quality control of the (DNA microarray) manufacturing and experimental processes. Spot reproducibility is a measure primarily of the variations associated with printing. The microarray meter assesses array quality by measuring the DNA content for every feature. It provides a post-hybridization analysis of array quality by scoring probe performance using three metrics, a) a measure of variability in the signal intensities, b) a measure of the signal dynamic range and c) a measure of variability of the spot morphologies.
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Affiliation(s)
- Richard J D Rouse
- Biomedical Genomics Microarray Facility (BIOGEM), La Jolla CA 92093, USA.
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20
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Campolongo P, Trezza V, Cassano T, Gaetani S, Morgese MG, Ubaldi M, Soverchia L, Antonelli T, Ferraro L, Massi M, Ciccocioppo R, Cuomo V. Perinatal exposure to delta-9-tetrahydrocannabinol causes enduring cognitive deficits associated with alteration of cortical gene expression and neurotransmission in rats. Addict Biol 2007; 12:485-95. [PMID: 17578508 DOI: 10.1111/j.1369-1600.2007.00074.x] [Citation(s) in RCA: 79] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/29/2023]
Abstract
The aim of the present study was to investigate whether perinatal exposure to a moderate dose of delta-9-tetrahydrocannabinol (THC) alters cortical gene expression and neurotransmission, leading to enduring cognitive dysfunctions in rat offspring. To this purpose, rat dams were treated, from gestational day 15 to postnatal day 9, with THC at a daily dose (5 mg/kg, per os) devoid of overt signs of toxicity. THC did not influence reproduction parameters, whereas it caused subtle neurofunctional deficits in the adult offspring. Particularly, perinatal THC induced long-lasting alterations of cortical genes related to glutamatergic and noradrenergic systems, associated with a decrease in the cortical extracellular levels of both neurotransmitters. These alterations may account, at least in part, for the enduring cognitive impairment displayed by THC-exposed offspring. Taken together, the present results highlight how exposure to cannabinoids during early stages of brain development can lead to irreversible, subtle dysfunctions in the offspring.
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Affiliation(s)
- Patrizia Campolongo
- Department of Human Physiology and Pharmacology, Sapienza, University of Rome, Italy
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21
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Economidou D, Mattioli L, Ubaldi M, Lourdusamy A, Soverchia L, Hardiman G, Campolongo P, Cuomo V, Ciccocioppo R. Role of cannabinoidergic mechanisms in ethanol self-administration and ethanol seeking in rat adult offspring following perinatal exposure to Delta9-tetrahydrocannabinol. Toxicol Appl Pharmacol 2007; 223:73-85. [PMID: 17618662 DOI: 10.1016/j.taap.2007.05.008] [Citation(s) in RCA: 31] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/22/2006] [Revised: 05/04/2007] [Accepted: 05/16/2007] [Indexed: 10/23/2022]
Abstract
The present study evaluated the consequences of perinatal Delta(9)-tetrahydrocannabinol (Delta(9)-THC) treatment (5 mg/kg/day by gavage), either alone or combined with ethanol (3% v/v as the only fluid available), on ethanol self-administration and alcohol-seeking behavior in rat adult offspring. Furthermore, the effect of the selective cannabinoid CB(1) receptor antagonist, SR-141716A, on ethanol self-administration and on reinstatement of ethanol-seeking behavior induced either by stress or conditioned drug-paired cues was evaluated in adult offspring of rats exposed to the same perinatal treatment. Lastly, microarray experiments were conducted to evaluate if perinatal treatment with Delta(9)-tetrahydrocannabinol, ethanol or their combination causes long-term changes in brain gene expression profile in rats. The results of microarray data analysis showed that 139, 112 and 170 genes were differentially expressed in the EtOH, Delta(9)-THC, or EtOH+Delta(9)-THC group, respectively. No differences in alcohol self-administration and alcohol seeking were observed between rat groups. Intraperitoneal (IP) administration of SR-141716A (0.3-3.0 mg/kg) significantly reduced lever pressing for ethanol and blocked conditioned reinstatement of alcohol seeking. At the same doses SR-141716A failed to block foot-shock stress-induced reinstatement of alcohol seeking. The results reveal that perinatal exposure to Delta(9)-THC ethanol or their combination results in evident changes in gene expression patterns. However, these treatments do not significantly affect vulnerability to ethanol abuse in adult offspring. On the other hand, the results obtained with SR-141716A emphasize that endocannabinoid mechanisms play a major role in ethanol self-administration, as well as in the reinstatement of ethanol-seeking behavior induced by conditioned cues, supporting the idea that cannabinoid CB(1) receptor antagonists may represent interesting agents for the pharmacotherapy of alcoholism.
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MESH Headings
- Administration, Oral
- Animals
- Animals, Newborn
- Behavior, Animal/drug effects
- Central Nervous System Depressants/administration & dosage
- Choice Behavior/drug effects
- Conditioning, Operant/drug effects
- Dronabinol/toxicity
- Drug Therapy, Combination
- Ethanol/administration & dosage
- Female
- Gene Expression Profiling
- Oligonucleotide Array Sequence Analysis/methods
- Piperidines/pharmacology
- Pregnancy
- Psychotropic Drugs/toxicity
- Pyrazoles/pharmacology
- Rats
- Rats, Wistar
- Receptor, Cannabinoid, CB1/antagonists & inhibitors
- Receptor, Cannabinoid, CB1/genetics
- Receptor, Cannabinoid, CB1/metabolism
- Rimonabant
- Self Administration
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Affiliation(s)
- Daina Economidou
- Department of Experimental Medicine and Public Health, University of Camerino, Via Scalzino 3, 62032 Camerino, Italy
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22
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Soverchia L, Carotti M, Andreu-Vieyra C, Mosconi G, Cannella N, Habibi H, Polzonetti-Magni AM. Role of gonadotropin-releasing hormone (GnRH) in the regulation of gonadal differentiation in the gilthead seabream (Sparus aurata). Mol Reprod Dev 2007; 74:57-67. [PMID: 16929534 DOI: 10.1002/mrd.20484] [Citation(s) in RCA: 26] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/05/2022]
Abstract
It has been proposed that gonadotropin-releasing hormone (GnRH) plays an autocrine/paracrine regulatory role in mammalian and fish ovaries. The marine teleost gilthead seabream is an interesting model since, during the life span of the fish, gonadal tissues develop first as testes, which then regress allowing the development of ovarian follicles. Recent studies carried out in ovaries of the gilthead seabream have demonstrated that various GnRH transcripts as well as GnRH splicing variants are expressed. The mRNA level of several GnRH forms in the female and male areas of the switching gonad, and their possible role in this process, were further investigated. The results here reported show that sGnRH, cGnRH-II, and sbGnRH transcripts are locally expressed during gilthead seabream gonadal differentiation; the expression of the three GnRH forms was found to differ among the morphologically defined areas of the switching gonad, as demonstrated by applying reverse transcription-polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR), together with in situ hybridization, and semiquantitative PCR analyses. Moreover, the hypothesis that GnRH forms may regulate testicular regression via an apoptotic mechanism was investigated by analyzing the different areas of switching gonads for caspase-3 activity as a measure of apoptosis. Our results showed a marked increase of caspase-3 activity in the area corresponding to the regressing testes in which a significant decrease of testosterone production was also found. The present findings demonstrate that the changes in the endogenous GnRH transcripts could be related with the gonadal differentiation in gilthead seabream, and that exogenous GnRH plays a role by stimulating apoptosis in the degenerating testis.
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Affiliation(s)
- L Soverchia
- Dipartimento di Scienze Farmacologiche e Medicina Sperimentale, Università degli Studi di Camerino, via Scalzino 3, Camerino (MC), Italia
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23
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Ruggeri B, Soverchia L, Mosconi G, Franzoni MF, Cottone E, Polzonetti-Magni AM. Changes of gonadal CB1 cannabinoid receptor mRNA in the gilthead seabream, Sparus aurata, during sex reversal. Gen Comp Endocrinol 2007; 150:263-9. [PMID: 17078952 DOI: 10.1016/j.ygcen.2006.09.001] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/14/2006] [Revised: 09/05/2006] [Accepted: 09/10/2006] [Indexed: 11/30/2022]
Abstract
Two cannabinoid receptor-like genes (CB1-like), named CB1A and CB1B, have been isolated in teleost fish, specifically in the puffer fish, Fugu rubripes. However, information on the physiological roles, such as the control of reproduction and development in fish is still scarce. Therefore, the aim of the present study was to investigate the presence of CB1-like mRNA in the gonads of a marine teleost species, the gilthead seabream, Sparus aurata, a hermaphrodite species in which the gonadal tissues first develop as testes, and then as functional ovary. We isolated an 890 bp fragment (GenBank accession number ); that corresponded to the open reading frame of the teleost CB1 receptor gene, encoding for the central portion of the protein, which was aligned with the other bony fish sequence. Using "in situ" hybridization, CB1-like mRNA was localized in both mature and sex-reversing gonads, and relative changes in CB1-like expression levels were detected through semi-quantitative RT-PCR. In the mature testis and in the testicular part of the sex-reversing gonad, CB1 expression levels were found to be much higher compared to the ovarian portion. This suggests that the CB1 signaling is likely involved in the process of testicular regression of the S. aurata, but its actual role has yet to be determined.
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Affiliation(s)
- B Ruggeri
- Dipartimento di Scienze Morfologiche e Biochimiche Comparate, Università degli Studi di Camerino, via Camerini 2, 62032 Camerino (MC), Italy
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Hansson AC, Cippitelli A, Sommer WH, Fedeli A, Björk K, Soverchia L, Terasmaa A, Massi M, Heilig M, Ciccocioppo R. Variation at the rat Crhr1 locus and sensitivity to relapse into alcohol seeking induced by environmental stress. Proc Natl Acad Sci U S A 2006; 103:15236-41. [PMID: 17015825 PMCID: PMC1622806 DOI: 10.1073/pnas.0604419103] [Citation(s) in RCA: 225] [Impact Index Per Article: 12.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/29/2006] [Indexed: 11/18/2022] Open
Abstract
Alcoholism is a chronic relapsing disorder with substantial heritability. Uncovering gene-environment interactions underlying this disease process can aid identification of novel treatment targets. Here, we found a lowered threshold for stress-induced reinstatement of alcohol seeking in Marchigian-Sardinian Preferring (msP) rats genetically selected for high alcohol preference. In situ hybridization for a panel of 20 stress-related genes in 16 brain regions was used to screen for differential gene expression that may underlie this behavioral phenotype. An innate up-regulation of the Crhr1 transcript, encoding the corticotropin-releasing hormone receptor 1 (CRH-R1), was found in several limbic brain areas of msP rats genetically selected for high alcohol preference, was associated with genetic polymorphism of the Crhr1 promoter, and was accompanied by increased CRH-R1 density. A selective CRH-R1 antagonist (antalarmin, 10-20 mg/kg) was devoid of effects on operant alcohol self-administration in unselected Wistar rats but significantly suppressed this behavior in the msP line. Stress-induced reinstatement of alcohol seeking was not significantly affected by antalarmin in Wistar rats but was fully blocked in msP animals. These data demonstrate that Crhr1 genotype and expression interact with environmental stress to reinstate alcohol-seeking behavior.
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Affiliation(s)
- A. C. Hansson
- *Laboratory of Clinical and Translational Studies, National Institute on Alcohol Abuse and Alcoholism, National Institutes of Health, Bethesda, MD 20892
| | - A. Cippitelli
- Department of Experimental Medicine and Public Health, University of Camerino, 62032 Camerino, Italy; and
| | - W. H. Sommer
- *Laboratory of Clinical and Translational Studies, National Institute on Alcohol Abuse and Alcoholism, National Institutes of Health, Bethesda, MD 20892
| | - A. Fedeli
- Department of Experimental Medicine and Public Health, University of Camerino, 62032 Camerino, Italy; and
| | - K. Björk
- *Laboratory of Clinical and Translational Studies, National Institute on Alcohol Abuse and Alcoholism, National Institutes of Health, Bethesda, MD 20892
- Department of Clinical Neuroscience, Karolinska Institutet, 17176 Stockholm, Sweden
| | - L. Soverchia
- Department of Experimental Medicine and Public Health, University of Camerino, 62032 Camerino, Italy; and
| | - A. Terasmaa
- *Laboratory of Clinical and Translational Studies, National Institute on Alcohol Abuse and Alcoholism, National Institutes of Health, Bethesda, MD 20892
| | - M. Massi
- Department of Experimental Medicine and Public Health, University of Camerino, 62032 Camerino, Italy; and
| | - M. Heilig
- *Laboratory of Clinical and Translational Studies, National Institute on Alcohol Abuse and Alcoholism, National Institutes of Health, Bethesda, MD 20892
| | - R. Ciccocioppo
- Department of Experimental Medicine and Public Health, University of Camerino, 62032 Camerino, Italy; and
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25
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Ciccocioppo R, Economidou D, Cippitelli A, Cucculelli M, Ubaldi M, Soverchia L, Lourdusamy A, Massi M. Genetically selected Marchigian Sardinian alcohol-preferring (msP) rats: an animal model to study the neurobiology of alcoholism. Addict Biol 2006; 11:339-55. [PMID: 16961763 PMCID: PMC3035824 DOI: 10.1111/j.1369-1600.2006.00032.x] [Citation(s) in RCA: 133] [Impact Index Per Article: 7.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/26/2022]
Abstract
The present article provides an up-to-date review summarizing almost 18 years of research in genetically selected Marchigian Sardinian alcohol-preferring (msP) rats. The results of this work demonstrate that msP rats have natural preference for ethanol characterized by a spontaneous binge-type of drinking that leads to pharmacologically significant blood ethanol levels. This rat line is highly vulnerable to relapse and presentation of stimuli predictive of alcohol availability or foot-shock stress can reinstate extinguished drug-seeking up to 8 months from the last alcohol experience. The msP rat is highly sensitive to stress, shows an anxious phenotype and has depressive-like symptoms that recover following ethanol drinking. Interestingly, these animals have an up-regulated corticotrophin releasing factor (CRF) receptor 1 system. Clinical studies have shown that alcoholic patients often drink ethanol in the attempt to self-medicate from negative affective states and to search for anxiety relief. We propose that msP rats represent an animal model that largely mimics the human alcoholic population that due to poor ability to engage in stress-coping strategies drink ethanol as a tension relief strategy and for self-medication purposes.
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Affiliation(s)
- Roberto Ciccocioppo
- Department of Experimental Medicine and Public Heath, University of Camerino, MC, Italy.
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26
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Soverchia L, Ruggeri B, Palermo F, Mosconi G, Cardinaletti G, Scortichini G, Gatti G, Polzonetti-Magni AM. Modulation of vitellogenin synthesis through estrogen receptor beta-1 in goldfish (Carassius auratus) juveniles exposed to 17-beta estradiol and nonylphenol. Toxicol Appl Pharmacol 2006; 209:236-43. [PMID: 15921715 DOI: 10.1016/j.taap.2005.04.013] [Citation(s) in RCA: 66] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/25/2004] [Revised: 04/18/2005] [Accepted: 04/18/2005] [Indexed: 11/20/2022]
Abstract
Many synthetic chemicals, termed xenoestrogens, have been shown to interact as agonists with the estrogen receptor (ER) to elicit biological responses similar to those of natural hormones. To date, the regulation of vitellogenesis in oviparous vertebrates has been widely used for evaluation of estrogenic effects. Therefore, Carassius auratus juveniles were chosen as a fish model for studying the effects of estradiol-17beta and different concentrations (10(-6) and 10(-7) M) of 4-nonylphenol (4-NP) on the expression of liver ERbeta-1 subtype; plasma vitellogenin and sex steroids (androgens and estradiol-17beta) were also evaluated together with the bioaccumulation process, through mass-spectrometry. C. auratus is a species widespread in the aquatic environment and, on the toxicological point of view, can be considered a good "sentinel" species. Juveniles of goldfish were maintained in tanks with only tap water or water with different concentrations (10(-6) and 10(-7) M) of 4-nonylphenol (4-NP), or 10(-7) M of estradiol-17beta. After 3 weeks of treatment, animals were anesthetized within 5 min after capture, and blood was immediately collected into heparinized syringes by cardiac puncture and stored at -70 degrees C; the gonads were fixed, then frozen and stored at -70 degrees C; the whole fish, liver, and muscle tissues were harvested and immediately stored at -70 degrees C for molecular biology experiments and bioaccumulation measurements. The estrogenic effects of 4-NP were evidenced by the presence of plasma vitellogenin in juveniles exposed both to estradiol-17beta and the two doses of 4-NP; moreover, exposure to 4-NP also increased aromatization of androgens, as suggested by decreasing androgens and increasing estradiol-17beta plasma levels. The changes of these parameters were in agreement with the increasing transcriptional rate of ERbeta-1 mRNA in the liver, demonstrating that both estradiol-17beta and 4-NP modulate the vitellogenin rate through interaction with the ERbeta-1 subtype. The present study also suggests that 4-NP at the concentration of 10(-6) M bioaccumulates in the liver.
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Affiliation(s)
- L Soverchia
- Dipartimento di Medicina Sperimentale e Sanità Pubblica, Università degli Studi di Camerino, via Scalzino 3, 62032 Camerino, MC, Italy
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27
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Abstract
Microarray experiments allow researchers to collect an amazing amount of gene expression data that have the potential to provide unique information to help interpretation of the biological functions of the central nervous system. These experiments are, however, technically demanding and present unique difficulties when used in the context of neuroscience research, in particular. Success or failure of microarray experiments are highly dependent on reproducible target preparations. This involves a relatively long chain of preparation steps, such as removal of tissue from experimental animals or from post-mortem human brains, storage, selection, and excision of brain regions. This is followed by RNA extraction, reverse transcription, and labeling of target cDNAs or cRNAs. Additionally, it is emphasized that the quality of microarray data largely relies on the proper handling of animals throughout experiments and the time of the day when experiments are stopped. This article tries to provide hints for some basic rules to be observed in preparation of samples for expression profiling studies.
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Affiliation(s)
- Laura Soverchia
- Department of Pharmacological Science and Experimental Medicine, University of Camerino, 62032 Camerino, Italy
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28
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Soverchia L, Mosconi G, Ruggeri B, Ballarini P, Catone G, Degl'Innocenti S, Nabissi M, Polzonetti-Magni AM. Proopiomelanocortin gene expression and β-endorphin localization in the pituitary, testis, and epididymis of stallion. Mol Reprod Dev 2005; 73:1-8. [PMID: 16177984 DOI: 10.1002/mrd.20341] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/07/2022]
Abstract
Proopiomelanocortin (POMC) is a precursor protein that contains the sequences of several bioactive peptides including adrenocorticotropin (ACTH), beta-endorphin (beta-EP), and melanocyte-stimulating-hormone (MSH). POMC is synthesized in the pituitary gland, brain, and many peripheral tissues. Immunoreactive POMC-derived peptides as well as POMC-like mRNA have been evidenced in several nonpituitary tissues, thus suggesting that POMC is actively synthesized by these tissues. The present study was aimed at evaluating if also in the case of stallion POMC-derived peptide, beta-EP, is produced locally in the testis, thus playing effects in a paracrine/autocrine fashion. To investigate this hypothesis the POMC gene expression was analyzed using 3' RACE-PCR and Northern Blot approaches in the testis and epididimys of stallion; moreover, immunocytochemical localization for beta-EP was also performed through confocal laser microscopy. The immunofluorescence results showed a positive beta-EP reaction not only in cellular nest of pituitary but also in the testis and genital tract of stallion, which function could be related with sperm mobility. Such role seem not to be no dependent on the peptide synthesized locally, because the molecular biology approach demonstrated the presence of POMC transcript in the pituitary only. In fact the Northern Blot analysis showed the presence of a single POMC transcript in the pituitary while no signal was detected in the testis and epididimys. The same results were obtained by applied 3' RACE-PCR analysis. In conclusion, opioid-derived peptide beta-EP is present in the genital tract of stallion, but is not locally produced as in other mammalian, and nonmammalian models; its possible biological function at testicular level could be linked to a long-loop feed-back mechanisms.
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Affiliation(s)
- L Soverchia
- Dipartimento di Medicina Sperimentale e Sanità Pubblica, Università degli Studi di Camerino, via Scalzino 3, Camerino (MC), Italia
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29
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Abstract
The comparative approach on how and when vitellogenesis occurs in the diverse reproductive strategies displayed by aquatic and terrestrial lower vertebrates is presented in this chapter; moreover, attention has been paid to the multihormonal control of hepatic vitellogenin synthesis as it is related to seasonal changes and to vitellogenin use by growing oocytes. The hormonal mechanisms regulating vitellogenin synthesis are also considered, and the effects of environmental estrogens on the feminization process in wildlife and humans have been reported. It is then considered how fundamental nonmammalian models appear to be, for vitellogenesis research, addressed to clarifying the yolkless egg and the evolution of eutherian viviparity.
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Affiliation(s)
- Alberta Maria Polzonetti-Magni
- Department of Comparative Morphology and Biochemistry, University of Camerino, V. Camerini 2, 62032 Camerino (MC), Italy
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Nabissi M, Soverchia L, Lihrmann I, Vaudry H, Mosconi G, Polzonetti-Magni AM. Evaluation of ovarian POMC mRNA through quantitative RT-PCR analysis in Rana esculenta. Am J Physiol Cell Physiol 2001; 280:C1038-44. [PMID: 11287315 DOI: 10.1152/ajpcell.2001.280.5.c1038] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/22/2022]
Abstract
The evaluation of changes in the expression of specific genes requires accurate measurement of the corresponding mRNA concentration, especially when the gene is expressed at a very low level. We previously showed that the proopiomelanocortin (POMC) gene is expressed in the ovary of the frog Rana esculenta, and, to evaluate its mRNA content in frog ovary, we have now developed a sensitive quantitative RT-PCR method. This study provides evidence for the validation of this method and for the effects of captivity and hypophysectomy on POMC gene expression in the ovary of this anuran. Our data indicate that ovarian POMC gene is involved in short-term captivity stress response and seems not influenced by pituitary. These results are discussed taking into account the knowledge of the role played by opioids in stress response; moreover, a local control of POMC gene expression is also suggested.
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Affiliation(s)
- M Nabissi
- Dipartimento di Scienze Morfologiche e Biochimiche Comparate, Universita' degli Studi di Camerino, 62032 Camerino, Italia
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Nabissi M, Soverchia L, Polzonetti-Magni AM, Habibi HR. Differential splicing of three gonadotropin-releasing hormone transcripts in the ovary of seabream (Sparus aurata). Biol Reprod 2000; 62:1329-34. [PMID: 10775184 DOI: 10.1095/biolreprod62.5.1329] [Citation(s) in RCA: 33] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/01/2022] Open
Abstract
Previous studies demonstrated the presence of high-affinity GnRH binding sites and compounds with GnRH-like activity in the ovary of seabream, Sparus aurata, providing evidence for the role of GnRH as a paracrine/autocrine regulator of ovarian function in this species. In the present study, the expression of three forms of GnRH (salmon, chicken-II, and seabream) genes in this marine teleost species was demonstrated for the first time. Moreover, there is evidence for differential splicing and intronic expression of cGnRH-II and sbGnRH. Treatment of seabream follicle-enclosed oocytes with salmon GnRH stimulated reinitiation of oocyte meiosis, whereas chicken GnRH-II treatment was without effect. Novel information was also provided about organization of cGnRH-II and seabream GnRH transcripts, confirming that GnRH gene organization is maintained through evolution, despite changes in the size and sequence of exons and introns.
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Affiliation(s)
- M Nabissi
- Dipartimento di Scienze Morfologiche e Biochimiche Comparate, University of Camerino, 62032 Camerino (MC), Italy
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Nabissi M, Soverchia L, Polzonetti-magni AM, Habibi HR. Presence of three gonadotropin-releasing hormone (GnRH) transcripts in the ovary of seabream. Comp Biochem Physiol A Mol Integr Physiol 1999. [DOI: 10.1016/s1095-6433(99)90391-4] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 10/26/2022]
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34
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Nabissi M, Carnevali O, Soverchia L, Lihrmann I, Vaudry H, Polzonetti Magni AM. Proopiomelanocortin gene expression in the ovary of the frog, Rana esculenta. Ann N Y Acad Sci 1998; 839:265-9. [PMID: 9629163 DOI: 10.1111/j.1749-6632.1998.tb10772.x] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/28/2022]
Affiliation(s)
- M Nabissi
- Department of Biology MCA, University of Camerino, Italy
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