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Sagheddu C, Devoto P, Aroni S, Saba P, Pistis M, Gessa GL. Combined α 2- and D 2-receptor blockade activates noradrenergic and dopaminergic neurons, but extracellular dopamine in the prefrontal cortex is determined by uptake and release from noradrenergic terminals. Front Pharmacol 2023; 14:1238115. [PMID: 37680715 PMCID: PMC10482411 DOI: 10.3389/fphar.2023.1238115] [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: 06/10/2023] [Accepted: 08/10/2023] [Indexed: 09/09/2023] Open
Abstract
Experimental and clinical evidence indicates a deficit of release and function of dopamine in schizophrenia and suggests that α2-adrenoceptor antagonists rescue dopamine deficit and improve the antipsychotic efficacy of D2-receptor antagonists. In anesthetized male rats, we investigated how the blockade of α2- and D2-receptors by atipamezole and raclopride, respectively, modified the firing of noradrenergic neurons in the locus coeruleus (LC) and dopaminergic neurons in the ventral tegmental area (VTA). In freely moving rats, we studied how atipamezole and raclopride modified extracellular noradrenaline, dopamine, and DOPAC levels in the medial prefrontal cortex (mPFC) through microdialysis. When administered alone, atipamezole activated LC noradrenaline but not VTA dopamine cell firing. Combined with raclopride, atipamezole activated dopamine cell firing above the level produced by raclopride. Atipamezole increased extracellular dopamine to the same level, whether administered alone or combined with raclopride. In the presence of the noradrenaline transporter (NET) inhibitor, atipamezole combined with raclopride increased extracellular dopamine beyond the level produced by either compound administered alone. The results suggest that a) the D2-autoreceptor blockade is required for LC noradrenaline to activate VTA cell firing; b) the level of dopamine released from dopaminergic terminals is determined by NET; c) the elevation of extracellular dopamine levels in the mPFC is the resultant of dopamine uptake and release from noradrenergic terminals, independent of dopaminergic cell firing and release; and d) LC noradrenergic neurons are an important target for treatments to improve the prefrontal deficit of dopamine in neuropsychiatric pathologies.
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Affiliation(s)
- Claudia Sagheddu
- Department of Biomedical Sciences, University of Cagliari, Cagliari, Italy
| | - Paola Devoto
- Department of Biomedical Sciences, University of Cagliari, Cagliari, Italy
- The Guy Everett Laboratory, University of Cagliari, Cagliari, Italy
| | - Sonia Aroni
- Department of Biomedical Sciences, University of Cagliari, Cagliari, Italy
| | - Pierluigi Saba
- Department of Biomedical Sciences, University of Cagliari, Cagliari, Italy
- The Guy Everett Laboratory, University of Cagliari, Cagliari, Italy
| | - Marco Pistis
- Department of Biomedical Sciences, University of Cagliari, Cagliari, Italy
- Neuroscience Institute of CNR, Cagliari, Italy
- Unit of Clinical Pharmacology, University Hospital of Cagliari, Cagliari, Italy
| | - Gian Luigi Gessa
- Department of Biomedical Sciences, University of Cagliari, Cagliari, Italy
- The Guy Everett Laboratory, University of Cagliari, Cagliari, Italy
- Neuroscience Institute of CNR, Cagliari, Italy
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Serra V, Aroni S, Bortolato M, Frau R, Melis M. Endocannabinoid-dependent decrease of GABAergic transmission on dopaminergic neurons is associated with susceptibility to cocaine stimulant effects in pre-adolescent male MAOA hypomorphic mice exposed to early life stress. Neuropharmacology 2023; 233:109548. [PMID: 37080337 DOI: 10.1016/j.neuropharm.2023.109548] [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: 02/22/2023] [Revised: 04/04/2023] [Accepted: 04/17/2023] [Indexed: 04/22/2023]
Abstract
Vulnerability to cocaine use disorder depends upon a combination of genetic and environmental risk factors. While early life adversity is a critical environmental vulnerability factor for drug misuse, allelic variants of the monoamine oxidase A (MAOA) gene have been shown to moderate its influence on the risk of drug-related problems. However, data on the interactions between MAOA variants and early life stress (ES) with respect to predisposition to cocaine abuse are limited. Here, we show that a mouse model capturing the interaction of genetic (low-activity alleles of the Maoa gene; MAOANeo) and environmental (i.e., ES) vulnerability factors displays an increased sensitivity to repeated in vivo cocaine psychomotor stimulant actions associated with a reduction of GABAA receptor-mediated inhibition of dopamine neurons of the ventral tegmental area (VTA). Depolarization-induced suppression of inhibition (DSI), a 2-arachidonoylglycerol (2AG)-dependent form of short-term plasticity, also becomes readily expressed by dopamine neurons from male MAOANeo ES mice repeatedly treated with cocaine. The activation of either dopamine D2 or CB1 receptors contributes to cocaine-induced DSI expression, decreased GABA synaptic efficacy, and hyperlocomotion. Next, in vivo pharmacological enhancement of 2AG signaling during repeated cocaine exposure occludes its actions both in vivo and ex vivo. This data extends our knowledge of the multifaceted sequelae imposed by this gene-environment interaction in VTA dopamine neurons of male pre-adolescent mice and contributes to our understanding of neural mechanisms of vulnerability for early onset cocaine use.
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Affiliation(s)
- Valeria Serra
- Department of Biomedical Sciences, Division of Neuroscience and Clinical Pharmacology, University of Cagliari, 09042, Monserrato, Italy
| | - Sonia Aroni
- Department of Biomedical Sciences, Division of Neuroscience and Clinical Pharmacology, University of Cagliari, 09042, Monserrato, Italy
| | - Marco Bortolato
- Department of Pharmacology and Toxicology, University of Utah, Salt Lake City, 84112, USA
| | - Roberto Frau
- Department of Biomedical Sciences, Division of Neuroscience and Clinical Pharmacology, University of Cagliari, 09042, Monserrato, Italy
| | - Miriam Melis
- Department of Biomedical Sciences, Division of Neuroscience and Clinical Pharmacology, University of Cagliari, 09042, Monserrato, Italy.
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Frau R, Devoto P, Aroni S, Saba P, Sagheddu C, Siddi C, Santoni M, Carli M, Gessa GL. The potent α 2-adrenoceptor antagonist RS 79948 also inhibits dopamine D 2 -receptors: Comparison with atipamezole and raclopride. Neuropharmacology 2022; 217:109192. [PMID: 35850212 DOI: 10.1016/j.neuropharm.2022.109192] [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: 11/03/2021] [Revised: 07/08/2022] [Accepted: 07/11/2022] [Indexed: 11/16/2022]
Abstract
Neurochemical, electrophysiological and behavioral evidence indicate that the potent α2-adrenoceptor antagonist RS 79948 is also a dopamine (DA) D2 receptor antagonist. Thus, results from ligand binding and adenylate cyclase activity indicate that RS 79948 binds to D2 receptors and antagonized D2 receptor-mediated inhibition of cAMP synthesis at nanomolar concentrations. RESULTS: from microdialysis indicated that RS 79948 shared with the selective α2-adrenergic antagonist atipamezole the ability to increase the co-release of DA and norepinephrine (NE) from noradrenergic terminals in the medial prefrontal cortex (mPFC), except that RS 79948-induced DA release persisted after noradrenergic denervation, unlike atipamezole effect, indicating that RS 79948 releases DA from dopaminergic terminals as well. Similarly to the D2 antagonist raclopride, but unlike atipamezole, RS 79948 increased extracellular DA and DOPAC in the caudate nucleus. Electrophysiological results indicate that RS 79948 shared with raclopride the ability to activate the firing of ventral tegmental area (VTA) DA neurons, while atipamezole was ineffective. RESULTS: from behavioral studies indicated that RS 79948 exerted effects mediated by independent, cooperative and contrasting inhibition of α2-and D2 receptors. Thus, RS 79948, but not atipamezole, prevented D2-autoreceptor mediated hypomotility produced by a small dose of quinpirole. RS 79948 potentiated, more effectively than atipamezole, quinpirole-induced motor stimulation. RS 79948 antagonized, less effectively than atipamezole, raclopride-induced catalepsy. Future studies should clarify if the dual α2-adrenoceptor- and D2-receptor antagonistic action might endow RS 79948 with potential therapeutic relevance in the treatment of schizophrenia, drug dependence, depression and Parkinson's disease.
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Affiliation(s)
- Roberto Frau
- Department of Biomedical Sciences, Section of Neurosciences and Clinical Pharmacology, University of Cagliari, Cittadella Universitaria, Monserrato, CA, Italy; The Guy Everett Laboratory for Neuroscience, University of Cagliari, Cittadella Universitaria, Monserrato, CA, Italy
| | - Paola Devoto
- Department of Biomedical Sciences, Section of Neurosciences and Clinical Pharmacology, University of Cagliari, Cittadella Universitaria, Monserrato, CA, Italy; The Guy Everett Laboratory for Neuroscience, University of Cagliari, Cittadella Universitaria, Monserrato, CA, Italy.
| | - Sonia Aroni
- Department of Biomedical Sciences, Section of Neurosciences and Clinical Pharmacology, University of Cagliari, Cittadella Universitaria, Monserrato, CA, Italy
| | - Pierluigi Saba
- Department of Biomedical Sciences, Section of Neurosciences and Clinical Pharmacology, University of Cagliari, Cittadella Universitaria, Monserrato, CA, Italy
| | - Claudia Sagheddu
- Department of Biomedical Sciences, Section of Neurosciences and Clinical Pharmacology, University of Cagliari, Cittadella Universitaria, Monserrato, CA, Italy
| | - Carlotta Siddi
- Department of Biomedical Sciences, Section of Neurosciences and Clinical Pharmacology, University of Cagliari, Cittadella Universitaria, Monserrato, CA, Italy
| | - Michele Santoni
- Department of Biomedical Sciences, Section of Neurosciences and Clinical Pharmacology, University of Cagliari, Cittadella Universitaria, Monserrato, CA, Italy
| | - Marco Carli
- Department of Translational Research and New Technologies in Medicine and Surgery, University of Pisa, Italy
| | - Gian Luigi Gessa
- Department of Biomedical Sciences, Section of Neurosciences and Clinical Pharmacology, University of Cagliari, Cittadella Universitaria, Monserrato, CA, Italy; The Guy Everett Laboratory for Neuroscience, University of Cagliari, Cittadella Universitaria, Monserrato, CA, Italy
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Girven KS, Aroni S, Navarrete J, Marino RAM, McKeon PN, Cheer JF, Sparta DR. Glutamatergic input from the insula to the ventral bed nucleus of the stria terminalis controls reward-related behavior. Addict Biol 2021; 26:e12961. [PMID: 32820590 PMCID: PMC8651178 DOI: 10.1111/adb.12961] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.7] [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: 12/05/2019] [Revised: 07/31/2020] [Accepted: 08/10/2020] [Indexed: 12/19/2022]
Abstract
Individuals suffering from substance use disorder often experience relapse events that are attributed to drug craving. Insular cortex (IC) function is implicated in processing drug-predictive cues and is thought to be a critical substrate for drug craving, but the downstream neural circuit effectors of the IC that mediate reward processing are poorly described. Here, we uncover the functional connectivity of an IC projection to the ventral bed nucleus of the stria terminalis (vBNST), a portion of the extended amygdala that has been previously shown to modulate dopaminergic activity within the ventral tegmental area (VTA), and investigate the role of this pathway in reward-related behaviors. We utilized ex vivo slice electrophysiology and in vivo optogenetics to examine the functional connectivity of the IC-vBNST projection and bidirectionally control IC-vBNST terminals in various reward-related behavioral paradigms. We hypothesized that the IC recruits mesolimbic dopamine signaling by activating VTA-projecting, vBNST neurons. Using slice electrophysiology, we found that the IC sends a glutamatergic projection onto vBNST-VTA neurons. Photoactivation of IC-vBNST terminals was sufficient to reinforce behavior in a dopamine-dependent manner. Moreover, silencing the IC-vBNST projection was aversive and resulted in anxiety-like behavior without affecting food consumption. This work provides a potential mechanism by which the IC processes exteroceptive triggers that are predictive of reward.
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Affiliation(s)
- Kasey S. Girven
- Program in Neuroscience, University of Maryland Baltimore, Baltimore, MD 21201, USA
- Department of Anatomy and Neurobiology, University of Maryland School of Medicine, Baltimore, MD 21201, USA
| | - Sonia Aroni
- Department of Anatomy and Neurobiology, University of Maryland School of Medicine, Baltimore, MD 21201, USA
| | - Jovana Navarrete
- Department of Anatomy and Neurobiology, University of Maryland School of Medicine, Baltimore, MD 21201, USA
| | - Rosa A. M. Marino
- Department of Anatomy and Neurobiology, University of Maryland School of Medicine, Baltimore, MD 21201, USA
| | - Paige N. McKeon
- Program in Molecular Medicine, University of Maryland Baltimore, Baltimore, MD 21201, USA
| | - Joseph F. Cheer
- Program in Neuroscience, University of Maryland Baltimore, Baltimore, MD 21201, USA
- Department of Anatomy and Neurobiology, University of Maryland School of Medicine, Baltimore, MD 21201, USA
- Department of Psychiatry, University of Maryland School of Medicine, Baltimore, MD 21201, USA
| | - Dennis R. Sparta
- Program in Neuroscience, University of Maryland Baltimore, Baltimore, MD 21201, USA
- Department of Anatomy and Neurobiology, University of Maryland School of Medicine, Baltimore, MD 21201, USA
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Frau R, Miczán V, Traccis F, Aroni S, Pongor CI, Saba P, Serra V, Sagheddu C, Fanni S, Congiu M, Devoto P, Cheer JF, Katona I, Melis M. Prenatal THC exposure produces a hyperdopaminergic phenotype rescued by pregnenolone. Nat Neurosci 2019; 22:1975-1985. [PMID: 31611707 PMCID: PMC6884689 DOI: 10.1038/s41593-019-0512-2] [Citation(s) in RCA: 71] [Impact Index Per Article: 14.2] [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: 09/14/2018] [Accepted: 09/11/2019] [Indexed: 12/21/2022]
Abstract
Increased legal availability of cannabis has led to a common misconception that it is a safe natural remedy for, amongst others, pregnancy-related ailments like morning sickness. Emerging clinical evidence, however, indicates that prenatal cannabis exposure (PCE) predisposes offspring to various neuropsychiatric disorders linked to aberrant dopaminergic function. Yet, our knowledge of how cannabis exposure affects the maturation of this neuromodulatory system remains limited. Here, we show that male, but not female, offspring of Δ9-tetrahydrocannabinol (THC)-exposed dams, a rat PCE model, exhibit extensive molecular and synaptic changes in dopaminergic neurons of the ventral tegmental area, including altered excitatory-to-inhibitory balance and switched polarity of long-term synaptic plasticity. The resulting hyperdopaminergic state leads to increased behavioral sensitivity to acute THC during pre-adolescence. The FDA-approved neurosteroid pregnenolone rescues synaptic defects and normalizes dopaminergic activity and behavior in PCE offspring, suggesting a therapeutic approach for offspring exposed to cannabis during pregnancy.
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Affiliation(s)
- Roberto Frau
- Department of Biomedical Sciences, University of Cagliari, Cittadella Universitaria, Monserrato, Italy
| | - Vivien Miczán
- Momentum Laboratory of Molecular Neurobiology, Institute of Experimental Medicine, Hungarian Academy of Sciences, Budapest, Hungary.,Faculty of Information Technology and Bionics, Pázmány Péter Catholic University, Budapest, Hungary
| | - Francesco Traccis
- Department of Biomedical Sciences, University of Cagliari, Cittadella Universitaria, Monserrato, Italy
| | - Sonia Aroni
- Department of Biomedical Sciences, University of Cagliari, Cittadella Universitaria, Monserrato, Italy.,Department of Anatomy and Neurobiology, University of Maryland School of Medicine, Baltimore, MD, USA
| | - Csaba I Pongor
- Nikon Center of Excellence for Neuronal Imaging, Institute of Experimental Medicine, Hungarian Academy of Sciences, Budapest, Hungary
| | - Pierluigi Saba
- Department of Biomedical Sciences, University of Cagliari, Cittadella Universitaria, Monserrato, Italy
| | - Valeria Serra
- Department of Biomedical Sciences, University of Cagliari, Cittadella Universitaria, Monserrato, Italy
| | - Claudia Sagheddu
- Department of Biomedical Sciences, University of Cagliari, Cittadella Universitaria, Monserrato, Italy
| | - Silvia Fanni
- Department of Biomedical Sciences, University of Cagliari, Cittadella Universitaria, Monserrato, Italy
| | - Mauro Congiu
- Department of Biomedical Sciences, University of Cagliari, Cittadella Universitaria, Monserrato, Italy
| | - Paola Devoto
- Department of Biomedical Sciences, University of Cagliari, Cittadella Universitaria, Monserrato, Italy
| | - Joseph F Cheer
- Department of Anatomy and Neurobiology, University of Maryland School of Medicine, Baltimore, MD, USA
| | - István Katona
- Faculty of Information Technology and Bionics, Pázmány Péter Catholic University, Budapest, Hungary
| | - Miriam Melis
- Department of Biomedical Sciences, University of Cagliari, Cittadella Universitaria, Monserrato, Italy.
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De Felice M, Melis M, Aroni S, Muntoni AL, Fanni S, Frau R, Devoto P, Pistis M. The PPARα agonist fenofibrate attenuates disruption of dopamine function in a maternal immune activation rat model of schizophrenia. CNS Neurosci Ther 2018; 25:549-561. [PMID: 30461214 PMCID: PMC6488881 DOI: 10.1111/cns.13087] [Citation(s) in RCA: 16] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/30/2018] [Revised: 10/22/2018] [Accepted: 10/26/2018] [Indexed: 12/15/2022] Open
Abstract
Aims Prenatal maternal immune activation (MIA) is associated with a risk to develop schizophrenia and affects dopamine systems in the ventral tegmental area (VTA), key region in the neurobiology of psychoses. Considering the well‐described sex differences in schizophrenia, we investigated whether sex affects MIA impact on dopamine system and on schizophrenia‐related behavioral phenotype. Furthermore, considering peroxisome proliferator‐activated receptor‐α (PPARα) expression in the CNS as well as its anti‐inflammatory and neuroprotective properties, we tested if PPARα activation by prenatal treatment with a clinically available fibrate (fenofibrate) may mitigate MIA‐related effects. Methods We induced MIA in rat dams with polyriboinosinic‐polyribocytidylic acid (Poly I:C) and assessed prepulse inhibition and dopamine neuron activity in the VTA by means of electrophysiological recordings in male and female preweaned and adult offspring. Results Poly I:C‐treated males displayed prepulse inhibition deficits, reduced number and firing rate of VTA dopamine neurons, and paired‐pulse facilitation of inhibitory and excitatory synapses. Prenatal fenofibrate administration attenuated detrimental effects induced by MIA on both the schizophrenia‐like behavioral phenotype and dopamine transmission in male offspring. Conclusion Our study confirms previous evidence that females are less susceptible to MIA and highlights PPARα as a potential target for treatments in schizophrenia.
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Affiliation(s)
- Marta De Felice
- Division of Neuroscience and Clinical Pharmacology, Department of Biomedical Sciences, University of Cagliari, Monserrato, Italy
| | - Miriam Melis
- Division of Neuroscience and Clinical Pharmacology, Department of Biomedical Sciences, University of Cagliari, Monserrato, Italy
| | - Sonia Aroni
- Division of Neuroscience and Clinical Pharmacology, Department of Biomedical Sciences, University of Cagliari, Monserrato, Italy
| | - Anna Lisa Muntoni
- Section of Cagliari, Neuroscience Institute, National Research Council of Italy (CNR), Monserrato, Italy
| | - Silvia Fanni
- Division of Neuroscience and Clinical Pharmacology, Department of Biomedical Sciences, University of Cagliari, Monserrato, Italy
| | - Roberto Frau
- Division of Neuroscience and Clinical Pharmacology, Department of Biomedical Sciences, University of Cagliari, Monserrato, Italy
| | - Paola Devoto
- Division of Neuroscience and Clinical Pharmacology, Department of Biomedical Sciences, University of Cagliari, Monserrato, Italy
| | - Marco Pistis
- Division of Neuroscience and Clinical Pharmacology, Department of Biomedical Sciences, University of Cagliari, Monserrato, Italy.,Section of Cagliari, Neuroscience Institute, National Research Council of Italy (CNR), Monserrato, Italy
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Puligheddu M, Melis M, Pillolla G, Milioli G, Parrino L, Terzano GM, Aroni S, Sagheddu C, Marrosu F, Pistis M, Muntoni AL. Rationale for an adjunctive therapy with fenofibrate in pharmacoresistant nocturnal frontal lobe epilepsy. Epilepsia 2017; 58:1762-1770. [DOI: 10.1111/epi.13863] [Citation(s) in RCA: 28] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Accepted: 07/07/2017] [Indexed: 11/27/2022]
Affiliation(s)
- Monica Puligheddu
- Sleep Disorder Research Center; Department of Medical Sciences and Public Health; University of Cagliari; Cagliari Italy
| | - Miriam Melis
- Department of Biomedical Sciences; University of Cagliari; Monserrato Italy
| | - Giuliano Pillolla
- Department of Biomedical Sciences; University of Cagliari; Monserrato Italy
| | - Giulia Milioli
- Department of Neurosciences; Sleep Disorder Center; University of Parma; Parma Italy
| | - Liborio Parrino
- Department of Neurosciences; Sleep Disorder Center; University of Parma; Parma Italy
| | | | - Sonia Aroni
- Department of Biomedical Sciences; University of Cagliari; Monserrato Italy
| | - Claudia Sagheddu
- Department of Biomedical Sciences; University of Cagliari; Monserrato Italy
| | - Francesco Marrosu
- Sleep Disorder Research Center; Department of Medical Sciences and Public Health; University of Cagliari; Cagliari Italy
- Department of Medical Sciences and Public Health; University of Cagliari; Cagliari Italy
| | - Marco Pistis
- Department of Biomedical Sciences; University of Cagliari; Monserrato Italy
- Neuroscience Institute; National Research Council of Italy; Cagliari Italy
| | - Anna Lisa Muntoni
- Neuroscience Institute; National Research Council of Italy; Cagliari Italy
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Scheggi S, Melis M, De Felice M, Aroni S, Muntoni AL, Pelliccia T, Gambarana C, De Montis MG, Pistis M. PPARα modulation of mesolimbic dopamine transmission rescues depression-related behaviors. Neuropharmacology 2016; 110:251-259. [PMID: 27457507 DOI: 10.1016/j.neuropharm.2016.07.024] [Citation(s) in RCA: 38] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/28/2016] [Revised: 06/19/2016] [Accepted: 07/20/2016] [Indexed: 01/08/2023]
Abstract
Depressive disorders cause a substantial burden for the individual and the society. Key depressive symptoms can be modeled in animals and enable the development of novel therapeutic interventions. Chronic unavoidable stress disrupts rats' competence to escape noxious stimuli and self-administer sucrose, configuring a depression model characterized by escape deficit and motivational anhedonia associated to impaired dopaminergic responses to sucrose in the nucleus accumbens shell (NAcS). Repeated treatments that restore these responses also relieve behavioral symptoms. Ventral tegmental area (VTA) dopamine neurons encode reward and motivation and are implicated in the neuropathology of depressive-like behaviors. Peroxisome proliferator-activated receptors type-α (PPARα) acutely regulate VTA dopamine neuron firing via β2 subunit-containing nicotinic acetylcholine receptors (β2*nAChRs) through phosphorylation and this effect is predictive of antidepressant-like effects. Here, by combining behavioral, electrophysiological and biochemical techniques, we studied the effects of repeated PPARα stimulation by fenofibrate on mesolimbic dopamine system. We found decreased β2*nAChRs phosphorylation levels and a switch from tonic to phasic activity of dopamine cells in the VTA, and increased phosphorylation of dopamine and cAMP-regulated phosphoprotein Mr 32,000 (DARPP-32) in the NAcS. We then investigated whether long-term fenofibrate administration to stressed rats reinstated the decreased DARPP-32 response to sucrose and whether this effect translated into antidepressant-like properties. Fenofibrate restored dopaminergic responses to appetitive stimuli, reactivity to aversive stimuli and motivation to self-administer sucrose. Overall, this study suggests PPARα as new targets for antidepressant therapies endowed with motivational anti-anhedonic properties, further supporting the role of an unbalanced mesolimbic dopamine system in pathophysiology of depressive disorders.
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Affiliation(s)
- Simona Scheggi
- Department of Molecular and Developmental Medicine, University of Siena, 53100 Siena, Italy
| | - Miriam Melis
- Division of Neuroscience and Clinical Pharmacology, Department of Biomedical Sciences, University of Cagliari, 09042 Monserrato, Italy
| | - Marta De Felice
- Division of Neuroscience and Clinical Pharmacology, Department of Biomedical Sciences, University of Cagliari, 09042 Monserrato, Italy
| | - Sonia Aroni
- Division of Neuroscience and Clinical Pharmacology, Department of Biomedical Sciences, University of Cagliari, 09042 Monserrato, Italy
| | - Anna Lisa Muntoni
- Neuroscience Institute, National Research Council of Italy, Section of Cagliari, Italy
| | - Teresa Pelliccia
- Department of Molecular and Developmental Medicine, University of Siena, 53100 Siena, Italy
| | - Carla Gambarana
- Department of Molecular and Developmental Medicine, University of Siena, 53100 Siena, Italy
| | | | - Marco Pistis
- Division of Neuroscience and Clinical Pharmacology, Department of Biomedical Sciences, University of Cagliari, 09042 Monserrato, Italy; Neuroscience Institute, National Research Council of Italy, Section of Cagliari, Italy.
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Sagheddu C, Aroni S, De Felice M, Lecca S, Luchicchi A, Melis M, Muntoni AL, Romano R, Palazzo E, Guida F, Maione S, Pistis M. Enhanced serotonin and mesolimbic dopamine transmissions in a rat model of neuropathic pain. Neuropharmacology 2015; 97:383-93. [PMID: 26113399 DOI: 10.1016/j.neuropharm.2015.06.003] [Citation(s) in RCA: 58] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/05/2015] [Revised: 05/20/2015] [Accepted: 06/10/2015] [Indexed: 01/09/2023]
Abstract
In humans, affective consequences of neuropathic pain, ranging from depression to anxiety and anhedonia, severely impair quality of life and are a major disease burden, often requiring specific medications. Depressive- and anxiety-like behaviors have also been observed in animal models of peripheral nerve injury. Dysfunctions in central nervous system monoamine transmission have been hypothesized to underlie depressive and anxiety disorders in neuropathic pain. To assess whether these neurons display early changes in their activity that in the long-term might lead to chronicization, maladaptive plasticity and affective consequences, we carried out in vivo extracellular single unit recordings from serotonin neurons in the dorsal raphe nucleus (DRN) and from dopamine neurons in ventral tegmental area (VTA) in the spared nerve injury (SNI) model of neuropathic pain in rats. Extracellular dopamine levels and the expression of dopamine D1, D2 receptors and tyrosine hydroxylase (TH) were measured in the nucleus accumbens. We report that, two weeks following peripheral nerve injury, discharge rate of serotonin DRN neurons and burst firing of VTA dopamine cells are enhanced, when compared with sham-operated animals. We also observed higher extracellular dopamine levels and reduced expression of D2, but not D1, receptors and TH in the nucleus accumbens. Our study confirms that peripheral neuropathy induces changes in the serotonin and dopamine systems that might be the early result of chronic maladaptation to persistent pain. The allostatic activation of these neural systems, which mirrors that already described as a consequence of stress, might lead to depression and anxiety previously observed in neuropathic animals but also an attempt to cope positively with the negative experience.
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Affiliation(s)
- Claudia Sagheddu
- Division of Neuroscience and Clinical Pharmacology, Department of Biomedical Sciences, University of Cagliari, 09042 Monserrato, Italy
| | - Sonia Aroni
- Division of Neuroscience and Clinical Pharmacology, Department of Biomedical Sciences, University of Cagliari, 09042 Monserrato, Italy
| | - Marta De Felice
- Division of Neuroscience and Clinical Pharmacology, Department of Biomedical Sciences, University of Cagliari, 09042 Monserrato, Italy
| | - Salvatore Lecca
- Division of Neuroscience and Clinical Pharmacology, Department of Biomedical Sciences, University of Cagliari, 09042 Monserrato, Italy
| | - Antonio Luchicchi
- Division of Neuroscience and Clinical Pharmacology, Department of Biomedical Sciences, University of Cagliari, 09042 Monserrato, Italy
| | - Miriam Melis
- Division of Neuroscience and Clinical Pharmacology, Department of Biomedical Sciences, University of Cagliari, 09042 Monserrato, Italy
| | - Anna Lisa Muntoni
- Neuroscience Institute, National Research Council of Italy, Section of Cagliari, Italy
| | - Rosaria Romano
- Department of Experimental Medicine, Division of Pharmacology, The Second University of Naples, 80138 Naples, Italy
| | - Enza Palazzo
- Department of Experimental Medicine, Division of Pharmacology, The Second University of Naples, 80138 Naples, Italy; Department of Anaesthesiology, Surgery and Emergency, The Second University of Naples, 80138 Naples, Italy
| | - Francesca Guida
- Department of Experimental Medicine, Division of Pharmacology, The Second University of Naples, 80138 Naples, Italy
| | - Sabatino Maione
- Department of Experimental Medicine, Division of Pharmacology, The Second University of Naples, 80138 Naples, Italy
| | - Marco Pistis
- Division of Neuroscience and Clinical Pharmacology, Department of Biomedical Sciences, University of Cagliari, 09042 Monserrato, Italy; Neuroscience Institute, National Research Council of Italy, Section of Cagliari, Italy.
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10
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Puligheddu M, Pillolla G, Melis M, Lecca S, Marrosu F, De Montis MG, Scheggi S, Carta G, Murru E, Aroni S, Muntoni AL, Pistis M. PPAR-alpha agonists as novel antiepileptic drugs: preclinical findings. PLoS One 2013; 8:e64541. [PMID: 23724059 PMCID: PMC3664607 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0064541] [Citation(s) in RCA: 35] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/09/2013] [Accepted: 04/15/2013] [Indexed: 11/24/2022] Open
Abstract
Nicotinic acetylcholine receptors (nAChRs) are involved in seizure mechanisms. Hence, nocturnal frontal lobe epilepsy was the first idiopathic epilepsy linked with specific mutations in α4 or β2 nAChR subunit genes. These mutations confer gain of function to nAChRs by increasing sensitivity toward acetylcholine. Consistently, nicotine elicits seizures through nAChRs and mimics the excessive nAChR activation observed in animal models of the disease. Treatments aimed at reducing nicotinic inputs are sought as therapies for epilepsies where these receptors contribute to neuronal excitation and synchronization. Previous studies demonstrated that peroxisome proliferator-activated receptors-α (PPARα), nuclear receptor transcription factors, suppress nicotine-induced behavioral and electrophysiological effects by modulating nAChRs containing β2 subunits. On these bases, we tested whether PPARα agonists were protective against nicotine-induced seizures. To this aim we utilized behavioral and electroencephalographic (EEG) experiments in C57BL/J6 mice and in vitro patch clamp recordings from mice and rats. Convulsive doses of nicotine evoked severe seizures and bursts of spike-waves discharges in ∼100% of mice. A single dose of the synthetic PPARα agonist WY14643 (WY, 80 mg/kg, i.p.) or chronic administration of fenofibrate, clinically available for lipid metabolism disorders, in the diet (0.2%) for 14 days significantly reduced or abolished behavioral and EEG expressions of nicotine-induced seizures. Acute WY effects were reverted by the PPARα antagonist MK886 (3 mg/kg, i.p.). Since neocortical networks are crucial in the generation of ictal activity and synchrony, we performed patch clamp recordings of spontaneous inhibitory postsynaptic currents (sIPSCs) from frontal cortex layer II/III pyramidal neurons. We found that both acute and chronic treatment with PPARα agonists abolished nicotine-induced sIPSC increases. PPARα within the CNS are key regulators of neuronal activity through modulation of nAChRs. These effects might be therapeutically exploited for idiopathic or genetically determined forms of epilepsy where nAChRs play a major role.
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Affiliation(s)
- Monica Puligheddu
- Department of Public Health, Clinical and Molecular Medicine, University of Cagliari, Cagliari, Italy
| | - Giuliano Pillolla
- Department of Public Health, Clinical and Molecular Medicine, University of Cagliari, Cagliari, Italy
| | - Miriam Melis
- Department of Biomedical Sciences, University of Cagliari, Cagliari, Italy
- C.N.R. Neuroscience Institute, Cagliari, Italy
| | - Salvatore Lecca
- Department of Biomedical Sciences, University of Cagliari, Cagliari, Italy
| | - Francesco Marrosu
- Department of Public Health, Clinical and Molecular Medicine, University of Cagliari, Cagliari, Italy
| | | | - Simona Scheggi
- Department of Molecular and Developmental Medicine, University of Siena, Siena, Italy
| | - Gianfranca Carta
- Department of Biomedical Sciences, University of Cagliari, Cagliari, Italy
| | - Elisabetta Murru
- Department of Biomedical Sciences, University of Cagliari, Cagliari, Italy
| | - Sonia Aroni
- Department of Biomedical Sciences, University of Cagliari, Cagliari, Italy
| | | | - Marco Pistis
- Department of Biomedical Sciences, University of Cagliari, Cagliari, Italy
- C.N.R. Neuroscience Institute, Cagliari, Italy
- * E-mail:
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11
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Fessatou S, Galetselli M, Garoufi A, Aroni S, Krikos X, Karpathios T. Effect of alpha-interferon in a child with chronic refractory idiopathic thrombocytopenic purpura. Pediatr Hematol Oncol 1999; 16:477-9. [PMID: 10505327 DOI: 10.1080/088800199277065] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 10/17/2022]
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12
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Graphakos S, Goussetis E, Peristeri J, Kitra V, Papadakis V, Aroni S. High-dose, continuous r-TPA infusion for treatment of VOD. Bone Marrow Transplant 1996; 18:1026-8. [PMID: 8932864] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [MESH Headings] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 02/03/2023]
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13
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Farmakis M, Travlou O, Aroni S, Fertakis A. Fibrinogen and antithrombin III blood levels fluctuations during isoniazid or isoniazid plus rifampicin administration. Arzneimittelforschung 1992; 42:1041-4. [PMID: 1418078] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/26/2022]
Abstract
Nineteen randomized patients, treated with isoniazid (INH, CAS 54-85-3) for tuberculosis chemoprophylaxis or isoniazid plus rifampicin (RMP, CAS 13292-46-1) combination for tuberculosis therapy, were studied in order to explore the effects of these drugs on fibrinogen and antithrombin III blood levels. Other hepatic biology indices were also measured (aminotransferases, alkaline phosphatase, prothrombin time etc). The results suggested a relationship between INH or INH + RMP administration and fibrinogen as well as antithrombin III blood levels. The data indicate a protective effect of the RMP synchronous administration (by enzyme induction mechanisms) in the preservation of fibrinogen blood levels.
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Affiliation(s)
- M Farmakis
- Intensive Care Unit of Metaxa Memorial Hospital, Piraeus, Greece
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Tsiantis J, Anastasopoulos D, Meyer M, Panitz D, Ladis V, Platokouki N, Aroni S, Kattamis C. A multi-level intervention approach for care of HIV-positive haemophiliac and thalassaemic patients and their families. AIDS Care 1990; 2:253-66. [PMID: 2088521 DOI: 10.1080/09540129008257738] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.2] [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: 12/30/2022]
Abstract
The experience gained from the application of an on-going multilevel intervention programme through an interdisciplinary team approach to the management of 30 HIV-positive children, adolescents and young people aged from 7 to 21 years (20 haemophiliac and 10 thalassaemic patients) and their families is described. The objective of the intervention was to assess the family's needs, to help parents and other family members to contain the anxiety of seropositive children and to improve their interraction with the family as well as with others in their social environment. The intervention was also designed to help family members to cope with their grief. Work with the medical and nursing staff, on the other hand, was intended to increase their understanding of the emotions caused in them by occupational stress, such as fear, anxiety, prejudice and feelings of guilt related to the iatrogenous nature of the infection. The need for follow-up studies is stressed to allow assessment of the effectiveness of the intervention and to search for protective factors, successful coping skills, strategies and adaptational resources.
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Affiliation(s)
- J Tsiantis
- Department of Psychological Pediatrics, Athens University Medical School, Greece
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