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Taheri F, Joushi S, Esmaeilpour K, Ebrahimi MN, Taherizadeh Z, Taheri P, Sheibani V. Transmission of behavioral and cognitive impairments across generations in rats subjected to prenatal valproic acid exposure. Birth Defects Res 2024; 116:e2309. [PMID: 38343145 DOI: 10.1002/bdr2.2309] [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] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/26/2023] [Revised: 01/10/2024] [Accepted: 01/18/2024] [Indexed: 02/15/2024]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Autism spectrum disorder (ASD) represents an inheritable neurodevelopmental condition characterized by social communication deficits and repetitive behaviors. Numerous studies have underscored the significant roles played by genetic and environmental factors in the etiology of ASD, and these factors are known to perpetuate behavioral impairments across generations. OBJECTIVES The primary objective of this study was to assess the behavioral and cognitive attributes in the second filial (F2) generation of male and female rats, with a particular focus on those whose parents had been exposed to valproic acid (VPA) during embryonic development. METHODS In this study, a cohort of 32 male and 32 female rats from the second filial (F2) generation, referred to as Mother.ASD, Father.ASD, or Both.ASD, was examined. These designations indicate whether the mother, father, or both parents had experienced embryonic exposure to valproic acid (600 mg/kg, i.p.). During adolescence, the F2 pups underwent behavioral and cognitive assessments, including open field testing, marble burying, social interaction evaluations, and Morris water maze tasks. RESULTS Our data revealed that while both the Mother.ASD and Father.ASD groups, regardless of sex, exhibited elevated anxiety-like behavior in the open field test. Only the Mother.ASD group displayed repetitive behaviors and deficits in social memory. Additionally, spatial memory impairments were observed in both sexes. These findings highlight the transmission of autistic-like behaviors in the offspring of Mother.ASD rats from both sexes. Nevertheless, future research endeavors should be more targeted in identifying the specific genes responsible for this transmission. CONCLUSION In summary, our findings underscore the transmission of autistic-like behaviors, including anxiety-like behavior, repetitive actions, impairments in social interactions, and deficits in memory, to the offspring of the Mother.ASD group, irrespective of their sex.
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Affiliation(s)
- Farahnaz Taheri
- Neuroscience Research Center, Institute of Neuropharmacology, Kerman University of Medical Sciences, Kerman, Iran
| | - Sara Joushi
- Neuroscience Research Center, Institute of Neuropharmacology, Kerman University of Medical Sciences, Kerman, Iran
| | - Khadijeh Esmaeilpour
- Neuroscience Research Center, Institute of Neuropharmacology, Kerman University of Medical Sciences, Kerman, Iran
- Public health school, University of Waterloo, Waterloo, Ontario, Canada
| | - Mohammad Navid Ebrahimi
- Neuroscience Research Center, Institute of Neuropharmacology, Kerman University of Medical Sciences, Kerman, Iran
| | - Zahra Taherizadeh
- Neuroscience Research Center, Institute of Neuropharmacology, Kerman University of Medical Sciences, Kerman, Iran
| | - Parichehr Taheri
- Neuroscience Research Center, Institute of Neuropharmacology, Kerman University of Medical Sciences, Kerman, Iran
| | - Vahid Sheibani
- Neuroscience Research Center, Institute of Neuropharmacology, Kerman University of Medical Sciences, Kerman, Iran
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Taheri F, Joushi S, Esmaeilpour K, Sheibani V, Ebrahimi MN, Taheri Zadeh Z. Music alleviates cognitive impairments in an animal model of autism. Int J Dev Neurosci 2023. [PMID: 37246451 DOI: 10.1002/jdn.10260] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/10/2022] [Revised: 03/06/2023] [Accepted: 04/06/2023] [Indexed: 05/30/2023] Open
Abstract
Autism spectrum disorder (ASD) is a neurodevelopmental disorder characterized by core symptoms including impairment in social communication and restrictive and repetitive behaviors and interests. Music has emerged in the past decade as an intervention therapy for children with ASD. The aim of the present study was to evaluate the effects of music on cognition impairments in the valproic acid (VPA) rat model of autism. The VPA was administered for animal modeling of autism on embryonic day 12.5 (E12.5) (600 mg/kg). Male and female pups were sub divided into four main groups (Saline.Non-music, VPA.Non-music, Saline.Music, and VPA.Music). The rats in the music groups were exposed to Mozart's piano sonata K.448 for 30 days (4 h/day), from postnatal day (PND) 21 to 50. Autistic-like behaviors were tested using a social interaction, the Morris water maze (MWM), and a passive avoidance tasks at the end of the PND 50. Our results demonstrated that VPA-exposed rat pups had significantly lower sociability and social memory performance compared with the saline-exposed rats in both sexes. VPA-exposed rat pups exhibited learning and memory impairments in the MWM and passive avoidance tasks. Our results demonstrated that music improved sociability in VPA-exposed rats, especially in males. Furthermore, our findings revealed that music improved learning impairments in VPA-exposed male rats in MWM task. In addition, music improved spatial memory impairments in VPA-exposed rats of both sexes. We also found that music improved passive avoidance memory impairments in VPA-exposed rats of both sexes, especially in females. More investigation in future studies are needed.
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Affiliation(s)
- Farahnaz Taheri
- Neuroscience Research Center, Institute of Neuropharmacology, Kerman University of Medical Sciences, Kerman, Iran
| | - Sara Joushi
- Neuroscience Research Center, Institute of Neuropharmacology, Kerman University of Medical Sciences, Kerman, Iran
| | - Khadijeh Esmaeilpour
- Neuroscience Research Center, Institute of Neuropharmacology, Kerman University of Medical Sciences, Kerman, Iran
- Physics and Astronomy department, University of Waterloo, Waterloo, Ontario, Canada
| | - Vahid Sheibani
- Neuroscience Research Center, Institute of Neuropharmacology, Kerman University of Medical Sciences, Kerman, Iran
| | - Mohammad Navid Ebrahimi
- Neuroscience Research Center, Institute of Neuropharmacology, Kerman University of Medical Sciences, Kerman, Iran
| | - Zahra Taheri Zadeh
- Neuroscience Research Center, Institute of Neuropharmacology, Kerman University of Medical Sciences, Kerman, Iran
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Khaksari M, Raji-Amirhasani A, Bashiri H, Ebrahimi MN, Azizian H. Protective effects of combining SERMs with estrogen on metabolic parameters in postmenopausal diabetic cardiovascular dysfunction: The role of cytokines and angiotensin II. Steroids 2022; 183:109023. [PMID: 35358567 DOI: 10.1016/j.steroids.2022.109023] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [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: 08/22/2021] [Accepted: 03/23/2022] [Indexed: 12/20/2022]
Abstract
INTRODUCTION The beneficial effects of the administration of selective estrogen receptor modulators (SERMs) and estrogen (E2), alone or in combination with each other, have been reported in postmenopausal diabetic cardiovascular dysfunction. In the present study, we determined the mechanism of action of SERMs and E2 on inflammatory balance, angiotensin II (Ang II) serum levels, and glycemic profile in a postmenopausal diabetic rat model. METHODS Ovariectomized rats with type 2 diabetes received daily SERMs (tamoxifen and raloxifene) and E2 for one month. After treatment, cardiovascular risk indices, glycemic profile, and serum Ang II, TNF-α and IL-10 levels were measured. RESULTS Type 2 diabetes caused an abnormal glycemic profile, which was exacerbated by ovariectomy. All treatments inhibited the effects of diabetes and ovariectomy on the glycemic profile, with combined treatments (SERMs + E2) showing stronger effects. Cardiovascular risk indices that became abnormal by diabetes and worsened by ovariectomy were improved in all treatment modalities. Also, combined treatment reduced serum Ang II, TNF-α, and the ratio of TNF-α to IL-10, indicating an improvement in inflammatory balance. CONCLUSION Our study showed the administration of SERMs and E2, alone or in combination, could be an effective alternative in the treatment of menopausal diabetes, and generally, the beneficial effects of combined treatments were more effective than the effects of E2 or SERMs alone. It appears that E2 or SERMs benefit the cardiovascular system by improving inflammatory balance and reducing Ang II levels.
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Affiliation(s)
- Mohammad Khaksari
- Endocrinology and Metabolism Research Center, Kerman University of Medical Sciences, Kerman, Iran.
| | - Alireza Raji-Amirhasani
- Physiology Research Center, Institute of Neuropharmacology, Kerman University of Medical Sciences, Kerman, Iran
| | - Hamideh Bashiri
- Cardiovascular Research Center, Kerman University of Medical Sciences, Kerman, Iran
| | | | - Hossein Azizian
- Neurobiomedical Research Center, Shahid Sadoughi University of Medical Sciences, Yazd, Iran
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Amirkhosravi L, Khaksari M, Sheibani V, Shahrokhi N, Ebrahimi MN, Amiresmaili S, Salmani N. Improved spatial memory, neurobehavioral outcomes, and neuroprotective effect after progesterone administration in ovariectomized rats with traumatic brain injury: Role of RU486 progesterone receptor antagonist. Iran J Basic Med Sci 2021; 24:349-359. [PMID: 33995946 PMCID: PMC8087858 DOI: 10.22038/ijbms.2021.50973.11591] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/05/2020] [Accepted: 12/22/2020] [Indexed: 12/27/2022]
Abstract
OBJECTIVES The contribution of classic progesterone receptors (PR) in interceding the neuroprotective efficacy of progesterone (P4) on the prevention of brain edema and long-time behavioral disturbances was assessed in traumatic brain injury (TBI). MATERIALS AND METHODS Female Wistar rats were ovariectomized and apportioned into 6 groups: sham, TBI, oil, P4, vehicle, and RU486. P4 or oil was injected following TBI. The antagonist of PR (RU486) or DMSO was administered before TBI. The brain edema and destruction of the blood-brain barrier (BBB) were determined. Intracranial pressure (ICP), cerebral perfusion pressure (CPP), and beam walk (BW) task were evaluated previously and at various times post-trauma. Long-time locomotor and cognitive consequences were measured one day before and on days 3, 7, 14, and 21 after the trauma. RESULTS RU486 eliminated the inhibitory effects of P4 on brain edema and BBB leakage (P<0.05, P<0.001, respectively). RU486 inhibited the decremental effect of P4 on ICP as well as the increasing effect of P4 on CPP (P<0.001) after TBI. Also, RU486 inhibited the effect of P4 on the increase in traversal time and reduction in vestibulomotor score in the BW task (P<0.001). TBI induced motor, cognitive, and anxiety-like disorders, which lasted for 3 weeks after TBI; but, P4 prevented these cognitive and behavioral abnormalities (P<0.05), and RU486 opposed this P4 effect (P<0.001). CONCLUSION The classic progesterone receptors have neuroprotective effects and prevent long-time behavioral and memory deficiency after brain trauma.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ladan Amirkhosravi
- Neuroscience Research and Physiology Research Centers, Kerman University of Medical Sciences, Kerman, Iran
- Endocrinology and Metabolism Research Center, Institute of Basic and Clinical Physiology Sciences, Kerman University of Medical Sciences, Kerman, Iran
| | - Mohammad Khaksari
- Endocrinology and Metabolism Research Center, Institute of Basic and Clinical Physiology Sciences, Kerman University of Medical Sciences, Kerman, Iran
| | - Vahid Sheibani
- Neuroscience Research Center, Kerman University of Medical Sciences, Kerman, Iran
| | - Nader Shahrokhi
- Physiology Research Centers, Institute of Basic and Clinical Physiology Sciences, Kerman University of Medical Sciences, Kerman, Iran
| | - Mohammad Navid Ebrahimi
- Neuroscience Research and Physiology Research Centers, Kerman University of Medical Sciences, Kerman, Iran
| | | | - Neda Salmani
- Department of Psychology, Genetic Institute, Islamic Azad University- Zarand Branch, Kerman, Iran
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Rajizadeh MA, Esmaeilpour K, Haghparast E, Ebrahimi MN, Sheibani V. Voluntary exercise modulates learning & memory and synaptic plasticity impairments in sleep deprived female rats. Brain Res 2019; 1729:146598. [PMID: 31866363 DOI: 10.1016/j.brainres.2019.146598] [Citation(s) in RCA: 29] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.8] [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: 09/18/2019] [Revised: 11/23/2019] [Accepted: 12/10/2019] [Indexed: 02/06/2023]
Abstract
Previous studies have indicated that forced exercise plays a preventive role in synaptic plasticity deficits in the hippocampus and behavioral impairments in sleep-deprived male and female rats. The objective of the present study was to evaluate the effects of voluntary exercise on early long-term potentiation (E-LTP) at the Cornu Ammonis (CA1) area of the hippocampus and behavioral functions by barnes maze and novel location tests in sleep-deprived female rats. Intact female Wistar rats were used in the present study. The exercise protocol was four weeks wheel running and the multiple platform method was applied to induce 72 h Sleep deprivation (SD). We examine the effect of exercise and/or SD on synaptic plasticity using in vivo extracellular recording in the CA1 area of the hippocampus. Spatial learning and memory examined by Barnes maze and recognition memory assessed by novel location test. Field potential recording indicated that the induction and maintenance phase of E-LTP impaired in the sleep deprived animals compared to the other groups. After 72 h SD, LTP impairments were reduced by 4 weeks of voluntary exercise but do not go back to control values. SD impairs learning and memory and exercise could improve these deficits. In conclusion, the synaptic plasticity deficit in sleep-deprived female rats was improved by voluntary exercise. Further studies are suggested to evaluate the possible underlying mechanisms.
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Affiliation(s)
- Mohammad Amin Rajizadeh
- Neuroscience Research Center, Institute of Neuropharmacology, Kerman University of Medical Sciences, Kerman, Iran; Department of Physiology, Faculty of Medicine, Kerman University of Medical Sciences, Kerman, Iran
| | - Khadijeh Esmaeilpour
- Neuroscience Research Center, Institute of Neuropharmacology, Kerman University of Medical Sciences, Kerman, Iran.
| | - Elham Haghparast
- Neuroscience Research Center, Institute of Neuropharmacology, Kerman University of Medical Sciences, Kerman, Iran
| | - Mohammad Navid Ebrahimi
- Neuroscience Research Center, Institute of Neuropharmacology, Kerman University of Medical Sciences, Kerman, Iran
| | - Vahid Sheibani
- Neuroscience Research Center, Institute of Neuropharmacology, Kerman University of Medical Sciences, Kerman, Iran.
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