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Torres PJ, Luque EM, Ponzio MF, Cantarelli V, Diez M, Figueroa S, Vincenti LM, Carlini VP, Martini AC. The role of intragestational ghrelin on postnatal development and reproductive programming in mice. Reproduction 2018; 156:331-341. [PMID: 30306766 DOI: 10.1530/rep-18-0192] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.7] [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: 04/12/2018] [Revised: 07/03/2018] [Accepted: 07/10/2018] [Indexed: 11/08/2022]
Abstract
The purpose of this study was to evaluate the intragestational role of ghrelin in offspring development and reproductive programming in a mouse model of ghrelin imbalance during pregnancy. Female mice were injected with ghrelin (supraphysiological levels: 4 nmol/animal/day), antagonist (endogenous ghrelin inhibition with (D-Lys3)GHRP-6, 6 nmol/animal/day) or vehicle (control = normal ghrelin levels) throughout the pregnancy. Parameters evaluated in litters were growth, physical, neurobiological and sexual development and, at adulthood, reproductive function. Litter size and initial weight did not vary between treatments. Male pups from dams treated with ghrelin showed higher body weight increase until adulthood (31.7 ± 0.8 vs control = 29.7 ± 0.7, n = 11–14 litters/treatment; P < 0.05). Postnatal physical and neurobiological development was not modified by treatments. The antagonist accelerated male puberty onset, evidenced as earlier testis descent and increased relative testicular weight (antagonist = 0.5 ± 0.0% vs ghrelin = 0.4 ± 0.0% and control = 0.4 ± 0.0%, n = 5–10 litters/treatment; P < 0.05). At adulthood, these males exhibited lower relative testicular weight and reduced sperm motility (63.9 ± 3.6% vs control = 70.9 ± 3.3 and ghrelin = 75.6 ± 3.0, n = 13–15 animals; P < 0.05), without changes in plasma testosterone or fertility. Female pups intragestationally exposed to the antagonist showed earlier vaginal opening (statistically significant only at Day 25) and higher ovarian volume (antagonist = 1085.7 ± 64.0 mm3 vs ghrelin = 663.3 ± 102.8 mm3 and control = 512.3 ± 116.4 mm3; n = 4–6 animals/treatment; P < 0.05), indicating earlier sexual maturation. At adulthood, these females and those exposed to ghrelin showed a tendency to higher percentages of embryo loss and/or foetal atrophy. In conclusion, ghrelin participates in reproductive foetal programming: alterations in ghrelin activity during pregnancy modified body weight increase and anticipated puberty onset, exerting (or tending to) negative effects on adult reproductive function.
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Affiliation(s)
- P J Torres
- Secretaría de Ciencia y Tecnología de la Universidad Nacional de Córdoba (SECyT-UNC), Córdoba, Argentina
| | - E M Luque
- Instituto de Fisiología, Facultad de Ciencias Médicas, Universidad Nacional de Córdoba, Córdoba, Argentina
| | - M F Ponzio
- Instituto de Fisiología, Facultad de Ciencias Médicas, Universidad Nacional de Córdoba, Córdoba, Argentina
- Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Tecnológicas (CONICET), INICSA (CONICET-FCM), Córdoba, Argentina
| | - V Cantarelli
- Fondo Nacional de Ciencia y Tecnología (FONCyT), Córdoba, Argentina
| | - M Diez
- Instituto de Fisiología, Facultad de Ciencias Médicas, Universidad Nacional de Córdoba, Córdoba, Argentina
| | - S Figueroa
- Instituto de Fisiología, Facultad de Ciencias Médicas, Universidad Nacional de Córdoba, Córdoba, Argentina
| | - L M Vincenti
- Instituto de Fisiología, Facultad de Ciencias Médicas, Universidad Nacional de Córdoba, Córdoba, Argentina
| | - V P Carlini
- Instituto de Fisiología, Facultad de Ciencias Médicas, Universidad Nacional de Córdoba, Córdoba, Argentina
- Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Tecnológicas (CONICET), INICSA (CONICET-FCM), Córdoba, Argentina
| | - A C Martini
- Instituto de Fisiología, Facultad de Ciencias Médicas, Universidad Nacional de Córdoba, Córdoba, Argentina
- Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Tecnológicas (CONICET), INICSA (CONICET-FCM), Córdoba, Argentina
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Bianconi S, Santillán ME, Solís MDR, Martini AC, Ponzio MF, Vincenti LM, Schiöth HB, Carlini VP, Stutz G. Effects of dietary omega-3 PUFAs on growth and development: Somatic, neurobiological and reproductive functions in a murine model. J Nutr Biochem 2018; 61:82-90. [PMID: 30189366 DOI: 10.1016/j.jnutbio.2018.07.007] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [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: 11/29/2017] [Revised: 06/29/2018] [Accepted: 07/18/2018] [Indexed: 12/13/2022]
Abstract
Omega-3 polyunsaturated fatty acids (ω-3 PUFAs) are relevant to fetal and infant growth and development. Objective: to assess whether long-term exposure to dietary ω-3 PUFA imbalance alters pre- and/or postnatal pups' development and reproductive function later in life. Mice dams were fed with ω-3 PUFA Control (soybean oil, 7%), Deficient (sunflower oil, 7%) or Excess (blend oil; 4.2% cod-liver+2.8% soybean) diet before conception and throughout gestation-lactation and later on, their pups received the same diet from weaning to adulthood. Offspring somatic, neurobiological and reproductive parameters were evaluated. Excess pups were lighter during the preweaning period and shorter in length from postnatal day (PND) 7 to 49, compared to Control pups (P<.05). On PND14, the percentage of pups with eye opening in Excess group was lower than those from Control and Deficient groups (P<.05). In Excess female offspring, puberty onset (vaginal opening and first estrus) occurred significantly later and the percentage of parthenogenetic oocytes on PND63 was higher than Control and Deficient ones (P<.05). Deficient pups were shorter in length (males: on PND14, 21, 35 and 49; females: on PND14, 21 and 42) compared with Control pups (P<.05). Deficient offspring exhibited higher percentage of bending spermatozoa compared to Control and Excess offspring (P<.05). These results show that either an excessively high or insufficient ω-3 PUFA consumption prior to conception until adulthood seems inadvisable because of the potential risks of short-term adverse effects on growth and development of the progeny or long-lasting effects on their reproductive maturation and function.
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Affiliation(s)
- Santiago Bianconi
- Instituto de Fisiología Humana, Facultad de Ciencias Médicas, Universidad Nacional de Córdoba, Córdoba, Argentina; Functional Pharmacology, Department of Neuroscience, Uppsala University, Uppsala, Sweden.
| | - María E Santillán
- Instituto de Fisiología Humana, Facultad de Ciencias Médicas, Universidad Nacional de Córdoba, Córdoba, Argentina
| | - María Del Rosario Solís
- Instituto de Fisiología Humana, Facultad de Ciencias Médicas, Universidad Nacional de Córdoba, Córdoba, Argentina
| | - Ana C Martini
- Instituto de Fisiología Humana, Facultad de Ciencias Médicas, Universidad Nacional de Córdoba, Córdoba, Argentina; Instituto de Investigaciones en Ciencias de la Salud (INICSA), CONICET and Facultad de Ciencias Médicas, Universidad Nacional de Córdoba, Córdoba, Argentina
| | - Marina F Ponzio
- Instituto de Fisiología Humana, Facultad de Ciencias Médicas, Universidad Nacional de Córdoba, Córdoba, Argentina; Instituto de Investigaciones en Ciencias de la Salud (INICSA), CONICET and Facultad de Ciencias Médicas, Universidad Nacional de Córdoba, Córdoba, Argentina
| | - Laura M Vincenti
- Instituto de Fisiología Humana, Facultad de Ciencias Médicas, Universidad Nacional de Córdoba, Córdoba, Argentina
| | - Helgi B Schiöth
- Functional Pharmacology, Department of Neuroscience, Uppsala University, Uppsala, Sweden
| | - Valeria P Carlini
- Instituto de Fisiología Humana, Facultad de Ciencias Médicas, Universidad Nacional de Córdoba, Córdoba, Argentina; Instituto de Investigaciones en Ciencias de la Salud (INICSA), CONICET and Facultad de Ciencias Médicas, Universidad Nacional de Córdoba, Córdoba, Argentina; Functional Pharmacology, Department of Neuroscience, Uppsala University, Uppsala, Sweden
| | - Graciela Stutz
- Instituto de Fisiología Humana, Facultad de Ciencias Médicas, Universidad Nacional de Córdoba, Córdoba, Argentina
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Ghisoni K, Aguiar AS, de Oliveira PA, Matheus FC, Gabach L, Perez M, Carlini VP, Barbeito L, Mongeau R, Lanfumey L, Prediger RD, Latini A. Neopterin acts as an endogenous cognitive enhancer. Brain Behav Immun 2016; 56:156-64. [PMID: 26916218 DOI: 10.1016/j.bbi.2016.02.019] [Citation(s) in RCA: 19] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.4] [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: 11/02/2015] [Revised: 02/18/2016] [Accepted: 02/21/2016] [Indexed: 12/13/2022] Open
Abstract
Neopterin is found at increased levels in biological fluids from individuals with inflammatory disorders. The biological role of this pteridine remains undefined; however, due to its capacity to increase hemeoxygenase-1 content, it has been proposed as a protective agent during cellular stress. Therefore, we investigated the effects of neopterin on motor, emotional and memory functions. To address this question, neopterin (0.4 and/or 4pmol) was injected intracerebroventricularly before or after the training sessions of step-down inhibitory avoidance and fear conditioning tasks, respectively. Memory-related behaviors were assessed in Swiss and C57BL/6 mice, as well as in Wistar rats. Moreover, the putative effects of neopterin on motor and anxiety-related parameters were addressed in the open field and elevated plus-maze tasks. The effects of neopterin on cognitive performance were also investigated after intraperitoneal lipopolysaccharide (LPS) administration (0.33mg/kg) in interleukin-10 knockout mice (IL-10(-/-)). It was consistently observed across rodent species that neopterin facilitated aversive memory acquisition by increasing the latency to step-down in the inhibitory avoidance task. This effect was related to a reduced threshold to generate the hippocampal long-term potentiation (LTP) process, and reduced IL-6 brain levels after the LPS challenge. However, neopterin administration after acquisition did not alter the consolidation of fear memories, neither motor nor anxiety-related parameters. Altogether, neopterin facilitated cognitive processes, probably by inducing an antioxidant/anti-inflammatory state, and by facilitating LTP generation. To our knowledge, this is the first evidence showing the cognitive enhancer property of neopterin.
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Affiliation(s)
- Karina Ghisoni
- Laboratório de Bioenergética e Estresse Oxidativo - LABOX, Departamento de Bioquímica, Universidade Federal de Santa Catarina, Florianópolis, SC 88040-900, Brazil
| | - Aderbal S Aguiar
- Laboratório de Bioenergética e Estresse Oxidativo - LABOX, Departamento de Bioquímica, Universidade Federal de Santa Catarina, Florianópolis, SC 88040-900, Brazil
| | - Paulo Alexandre de Oliveira
- Departamento de Farmacologia, Universidade Federal de Santa Catarina, Campus Trindade, Florianópolis, SC 88049-900, Brazil
| | - Filipe Carvalho Matheus
- Departamento de Farmacologia, Universidade Federal de Santa Catarina, Campus Trindade, Florianópolis, SC 88049-900, Brazil
| | - Laura Gabach
- Departamento de Farmacologia, Facultad de Ciencias Químicas, Universidad Nacional de Córdoba, IFEC-CONICET, Córdoba, Argentina
| | - Mariela Perez
- Departamento de Farmacologia, Facultad de Ciencias Químicas, Universidad Nacional de Córdoba, IFEC-CONICET, Córdoba, Argentina
| | - Valeria P Carlini
- Instituto de Fisiología, Facultad de Ciencias Médicas, Universidad Nacional de Córdoba, Córdoba, Argentina
| | | | - Raymond Mongeau
- INSERM UMR S894, Centre de Psychiatrie et Neurosciences, Paris 75014, France; Université Paris Descartes EA 4475, Paris 75005, France
| | - Laurence Lanfumey
- INSERM UMR S894, Centre de Psychiatrie et Neurosciences, Paris 75014, France
| | - Rui Daniel Prediger
- Departamento de Farmacologia, Universidade Federal de Santa Catarina, Campus Trindade, Florianópolis, SC 88049-900, Brazil
| | - Alexandra Latini
- Laboratório de Bioenergética e Estresse Oxidativo - LABOX, Departamento de Bioquímica, Universidade Federal de Santa Catarina, Florianópolis, SC 88040-900, Brazil.
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Ponzio MF, Monfort SL, Busso JM, Carlini VP, Ruiz RD, Fiol de Cuneo M. Adrenal activity and anxiety-like behavior in fur-chewing chinchillas (Chinchilla lanigera). Horm Behav 2012; 61:758-62. [PMID: 22504323 DOI: 10.1016/j.yhbeh.2012.03.017] [Citation(s) in RCA: 14] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.2] [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: 12/09/2011] [Revised: 03/27/2012] [Accepted: 03/30/2012] [Indexed: 11/16/2022]
Abstract
Due to its complexity, in combination with a lack of scientific reports, fur-chewing became one of the most challenging behavioral problems common to captive chinchillas. In the last years, the hypothesis that fur-chewing is an abnormal repetitive behavior and that stress plays a role in its development and performance has arisen. Here, we investigated whether a relationship existed between the expression and intensity of fur-chewing behavior, elevated urinary cortisol excretion and anxiety-related behaviors. Specifically, we evaluated the following parameters in behaviorally normal and fur-chewing animals of both sexes: (1) mean concentrations of urinary cortisol metabolites and (2) anxiety-like behavior in an elevated plus-maze test. Urinary cortisol metabolites were higher only in females that expressed the most severe form of the fur-chewing behavior (P≤0.05). Likewise, only fur-chewing females exhibited increased (P≤0.05) anxiety-like behaviors associated with the elevated plus-maze test. Overall, these data provided additional evidence to support the concept that fur-chewing is a manifestation of physiological stress in chinchilla, and that a female sex bias exists in the development of this abnormal behavior.
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Affiliation(s)
- Marina F Ponzio
- Instituto de Fisiología, Facultad de Ciencias Médicas, Universidad Nacional de Córdoba, Córdoba, Argentina.
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Ghersi MS, Casas SM, Escudero C, Carlini VP, Buteler F, Cabrera RJ, Schiöth HB, de Barioglio SR. Ghrelin inhibited serotonin release from hippocampal slices. Peptides 2011; 32:2367-71. [PMID: 21820473 DOI: 10.1016/j.peptides.2011.07.015] [Citation(s) in RCA: 11] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.8] [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: 02/08/2011] [Revised: 05/19/2011] [Accepted: 07/19/2011] [Indexed: 10/17/2022]
Abstract
Ghrelin (Ghr) is a peptide produced peripherally and centrally. It participates in the modulation of different biological processes. In our laboratory we have shown that (a) Ghr administration, either intracerebroventricular or directly into the hippocampus enhanced memory consolidation in a step down test in rats (b) the effect of Ghr upon memory decreases in animals pretreated with a serotonin (5-HT) reuptake inhibitor, Fluoxetine, suggesting that Ghr effects in the hippocampus could be related to the availability of 5-HT. It has been demonstrated that Ghr inhibits 5-HT release from rat hypothalamic synaptosomes. Taking in mint these evidences, we studied the release of radioactive 5-HT to the superfusion medium from hippocampal slices treated with two doses of Ghr (0.3 and 3 nm/μl). Ghr inhibited significantly the 5-HT release in relation to those superfused with artificial cerebrospinal fluid (ACSF) (H = 9.48, df = 2, p ≤ 0.05). In another set of experiments, Ghr was infused into the CA1 area of hippocampus of the rats immediately after training in the step down test and the 5-HT release from slices was studied 24h after Ghr injection showing that in this condition also the 5-HT release was inhibited (H = 11.72, df = 1, p ≤ 0.05). In conclusion, results provide additional evidence about the neurobiological bases of Ghr action in hippocampus.
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Affiliation(s)
- Marisa Soledad Ghersi
- Dpto de Farmacología, Facultad de Ciencias Químicas, Universidad Nacional de Córdoba, IFEC-CONICET, Córdoba, Argentina
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6
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Sreedharan S, Almén MS, Carlini VP, Haitina T, Stephansson O, Sommer WH, Heilig M, de Barioglio SR, Fredriksson R, Schiöth HB. The G protein coupled receptor Gpr153 shares common evolutionary origin with Gpr162 and is highly expressed in central regions including the thalamus, cerebellum and the arcuate nucleus. FEBS J 2011; 278:4881-94. [PMID: 21981325 DOI: 10.1111/j.1742-4658.2011.08388.x] [Citation(s) in RCA: 18] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/30/2022]
Abstract
The Rhodopsin family of G protein coupled receptors (GPCRs) includes the phylogenetic α-group consisting of about 100 human members. The α-group is the only group of GPCRs that has many receptors for biogenic amines which are major drug targets. Several members of this group are orphan receptors and their functions are elusive. In this study we present a detailed phylogenetic and anatomical characterization of the Gpr153 receptor and also attempt to study its functional role. We identified the homologue of Gpr153 in the elephant shark genome and phylogenetic and synteny analyses revealed that Gpr162 and Gpr153 share a common ancestor that split most likely through a duplication event before the divergence of the tetrapods and the teleost lineage. A quantitative real-time PCR study reveals widespread expression of Gpr153 in the central nervous system and all the peripheral tissues investigated. Detailed in situ hybridization on mouse brain showed specifically high expression in the thalamus, cerebellum and the arcuate nucleus. The antisense oligodeoxynucleotide knockdown of Gpr153 caused a slight reduction in food intake and the elevated plus maze test showed significant reduction in the percentage of time spent in the centre square, which points towards a probable role in decision making. This report provides the first detailed characterization of the evolution, expression and primary functional properties of the Gpr153 gene.
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Affiliation(s)
- Smitha Sreedharan
- Department of Neuroscience, Functional Pharmacology, Uppsala University, Uppsala, Sweden
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Bertoldi ML, Luque EM, Carlini VP, Vincenti LM, Stutz G, Santillán ME, Ruiz RD, Fiol de Cuneo M, Martini AC. Inhibitory effects of ghrelin on sexual behavior: role of the peptide in the receptivity reduction induced by food restriction in mice. Horm Metab Res 2011; 43:494-9. [PMID: 21667403 DOI: 10.1055/s-0031-1277228] [Citation(s) in RCA: 15] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.2] [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] [Indexed: 10/18/2022]
Abstract
Ghrelin (Ghr) is a gut/hypothalamus peptide with inhibitory actions on reproductive physiology; however, there are no previous reports of its role on estrous behavior. Under the hypothesis that the increase of plasma Ghr during food restriction (FR) is responsible for receptivity reduction, we intended to evaluate the receptivity percentage of female mice subjected to: exp. 1) acute and chronic FR and Ghr administration (3 nmol/animal/day, s. c.) and exp. 2) the co-administration of a ghrelin antagonist [ant=(d-Lys3)-GHRP-6; 6 nmol/animal/day s. c.]. All females were ovariectomized, primed with steroids, trained, and randomly subjected every week to each one of several protocols, followed by a behavioral test. Experiment 1 (n=8): basal, no treatment; acute FR (aFR), 24-h fasting; chronic FR (cFR), 50% FR for 5 days; acute ghrelin (aGhr), Ghr 30 min before test and chronic ghrelin (cGhr), Ghr for 5 days. Except for cGhr, all treatments significantly decreased the percentage of receptivity (mean±SEM): basal 61.9±6.0, aFR 33.1±8.1, cFR 18.8±7.7, aGhr 45.6±10.6, p<0.05 vs. basal. In exp. 2 (n=11), except for cFR+ant (55.0±6.4) the co-administration of the antagonist reversed the deleterious effects detected in exp. 1: basal 70.9±5.4; aFR+ant 72.3±7.6; aGhr+ant 73.6±4.7. As expected, the administration of vehicle or antagonist alone did not modify receptivity. Besides, we found a significant correlation between percentage of body weight loss and percentage of receptivity reduction (r=0.62, p=0.0004). This is the first study demonstrating that ghrelin is able to inhibit female mice sexual behavior and that is involved, at least in part, in receptivity reduction after food scarcity.
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Affiliation(s)
- M L Bertoldi
- Instituto de Fisiología, Facultad de Ciencias Médicas, Universidad Nacional de Córdoba, Córdoba, Argentina
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Perez MF, Gabach LA, Almiron RS, Carlini VP, De Barioglio SR, Ramirez OA. Different chronic cocaine administration protocols induce changes on dentate gyrus plasticity and hippocampal dependent behavior. Synapse 2010; 64:742-53. [PMID: 20698030 DOI: 10.1002/syn.20788] [Citation(s) in RCA: 14] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/14/2022]
Abstract
Hippocampus is a limbic structure that participates in learning and memory formation. Specifically the dentate gyrus has been described as a hippocampal subregion with high rates of plasticity and it is targeted by different psychoactive drugs modulating synaptic plasticity. Repeated cocaine administration induces sensitization to the locomotor effects and it is believed that sensitization involves the same mechanisms of drug seeking and relapse. Although, the mechanisms underlying sensitization is not fully understood. In this work we investigated the impact of repeated intraperitoneal administration of cocaine (15 or 20 mg/kg/day along 5 or 15 days respectively; and 15 mg/kg/day along 5 day followed by a challenge dose after three days of withdrawal) on the dentate gyrus synaptic plasticity, differentiating between sensitized and nonsensitized rats. Furthermore, we correlated changes on the hippocampal synaptic plasticity to memory retention. Our results revealed that the prevalence of cocaine sensitization (around 50%) was identical in all protocols used. The results found in the threshold to generate LTP were similar for all protocols used, being the threshold values cocaine-treated groups (sensitized and nonsensitized) significantly reduced compared to controls, observing the highest reduction in the sensitized group. Moreover, we observed a facilitated retention of recent memory formation only in sensitized animals the nonsensitized subjects remained at the control levels. In conclusion, sensitization to cocaine generates a high efficiency of hippocampal synaptic plasticity that may underlie the aberrant engagement of learning processes occurred during drug addiction.
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Affiliation(s)
- M F Perez
- IFEC, Conicet, Departamento de Farmacologia, Facultad de Ciencias Quimicas, Unc, Haya de la Torre Y Medina Allende, 5000, Cordoba, Argentina.
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Carlini VP, Ghersi M, Schiöth HB, de Barioglio SR. Ghrelin and memory: differential effects on acquisition and retrieval. Peptides 2010; 31:1190-3. [PMID: 20214944 DOI: 10.1016/j.peptides.2010.02.021] [Citation(s) in RCA: 52] [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] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/04/2009] [Revised: 02/24/2010] [Accepted: 02/25/2010] [Indexed: 11/15/2022]
Abstract
In a previous paper we have demonstrated that the orexigenic peptide Ghrelin (Ghr), increases memory retention in rats and mice. In the present work we evaluated the Ghr effect when it was administered previous the training session or previous the test session (24h after training) on the memory performance, using step-down test. The results showed that the intra-hippocampal Ghr administration previous the training session improved the long-term memory in this task, but did not modify the short-term memory. Nevertheless, when the Ghr was administrated previous the test session, no changes were observed in the memory performance. Taking into account these results and other previously published by our group, we could hypothesizes that Ghr may modulate specific molecular intermediates involved in memory acquisition/consolidation but not in the retrieval.
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Affiliation(s)
- Valeria P Carlini
- Departamento de Farmacología, Facultad de Ciencias Químicas, UNC, Córdoba, Argentina.
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Carlini VP, Perez MF, Salde E, Schiöth HB, Ramirez OA, de Barioglio SR. Ghrelin induced memory facilitation implicates nitric oxide synthase activation and decrease in the threshold to promote LTP in hippocampal dentate gyrus. Physiol Behav 2010; 101:117-23. [PMID: 20451534 DOI: 10.1016/j.physbeh.2010.04.026] [Citation(s) in RCA: 50] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/02/2009] [Revised: 04/01/2010] [Accepted: 04/25/2010] [Indexed: 12/16/2022]
Abstract
Although the hypothalamus has been long considered the main ghrelin (Ghr) target organ mediating orexigenic effects, recently it has been shown that in-vivo Ghr hippocampus administration improves learning and memory in the inhibitory avoidance paradigm. However, the possible mechanisms underlying this memory facilitation effect have not been clarified. Given that the biochemical memory cascade into the hippocampus involves nitric oxide (NO) synthesis via NO synthase (NOS) activation, we investigated 1) if Ghr administration modulated NOS activity in the hippocampus; and 2) if hippocampal NOS inhibition influenced Ghr-induced memory facilitation, using a behavioral paradigm, biochemical determinations and an electrophysiological model. Our results showed that intra-hippocampal Ghr administration increased the NOS activity in a dose dependent manner, and reduced the threshold for LTP generation in dentate gyrus of rat hippocampus. Moreover, pre-administration of NG-nitro-l-arginine (l-NOArg) in the hippocampus partially prevented the Ghr-induced memory improvement, abolished the increase in NOS activity, and prevented the decreased threshold to generate LTP induced by Ghr. These findings suggest that activation of the NOS/NO pathway in hippocampus participates in the effects of Ghr on memory consolidation and is related with plastic properties of the hippocampal three-synaptic loop.
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Affiliation(s)
- Valeria P Carlini
- IFEC, CONICET, Departamento de Farmacología, Facultad de Ciencias Químicas, UNC, Córdoba, Argentina.
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Carvajal P, Carlini VP, Schiöth HB, de Barioglio SR, Salvatierra NA. Central ghrelin increases anxiety in the Open Field test and impairs retention memory in a passive avoidance task in neonatal chicks. Neurobiol Learn Mem 2009; 91:402-7. [PMID: 19146965 DOI: 10.1016/j.nlm.2008.12.008] [Citation(s) in RCA: 30] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/16/2008] [Revised: 12/16/2008] [Accepted: 12/18/2008] [Indexed: 10/21/2022]
Abstract
Ghrelin (Grh) is an endogenous ligand for the growth hormone secretagogue receptor. Although Ghr stimulates feeding in rats, it inhibits feeding in neonatal chicks. However, little is known about other central behavioral effects of Ghr. Therefore, we investigated the Ghr effects, injected intracerebroventricularly, on anxiety and memory retention of neonatal chicks in an Open Field test and in a one-trial passive avoidance task, respectively. In the Open Field test, the administration of Ghr in a dose-dependent manner increased the latency to ambulate but decreased ambulation activity, indicating an anxiogenic effect. Furthermore, chicks trained on a passive avoidance task and injected with a dose of 30pmol of Ghr immediately after training showed an impairment of memory retention. However, there were no significant effects on the number of pecks during the pretraining, training, retention and discrimination. In addition, different doses of Ghr produced an inhibition in food intake at different times after injection. Our results indicate that Ghr induces anxiogenesis in chicks. Moreover, we have shown for the first time that Ghr can decrease memory retention in a non-mammalian species, suggesting that Ghr may play an important role in the processes of memory retention in birds.
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Affiliation(s)
- Pedro Carvajal
- Departamento de Química, Facultad de Ciencias Exactas Físicas y Naturales, Universidad Nacional de Córdoba, Córdoba, Argentina
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12
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Vallejo MG, Ortega MG, Cabrera JL, Carlini VP, de Barioglio SR, Almirón RS, Ramírez OA, Agnese AM. Sauroine, an alkaloid from Huperzia saururus with activity in wistar rats in electrophysiological and behavioral assays related to memory retention. J Nat Prod 2009; 72:156-158. [PMID: 19067593 DOI: 10.1021/np800151v] [Citation(s) in RCA: 12] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 05/27/2023]
Abstract
The present study describes the effects of sauroine (1), the main alkaloid obtained from Huperzia saururus, on memory retention and learning. To evaluate this, electrophysiological experiments and behavioral tests (step down) were performed on male Wistar rats. The results showed that 1 improved memory retention in the step-down test, significantly increasing hippocampal plasticity. Thus, 1 seems to be a constituent responsible for the activity claimed in folk medicine for H. saururus in Argentina.
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Affiliation(s)
- Mariana G Vallejo
- Farmacognosia, Departamento de Farmacia, Facultad de Ciencias Químicas, Universidad Nacional de Córdoba, Instituto Multidisciplinario de Biología Vegetal (IMBIV-CONICET), Edificio de Ciencias 2, Ciudad Universitaria, 5000 Córdoba, Argentina
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13
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Vallejo MG, Ortega MG, Cabrera JL, Carlini VP, de Barioglio SR, Agnese AM. Huperzia saururus increases memory retention in rats. J Ethnopharmacol 2007; 111:685-7. [PMID: 17303358 DOI: 10.1016/j.jep.2007.01.012] [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] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/17/2006] [Revised: 12/29/2006] [Accepted: 01/12/2007] [Indexed: 05/14/2023]
Abstract
Huperzia saururus is reported in Argentinean popular medicine as a memory improver. Chemical studies have shown that the main constituents of the species are Lycopodium alkaloids. On the basis of this information, a purified alkaloid extract was obtained by alkaline extraction of the aerial parts. The aim of this work was to investigate the effects of intra-hippocampal administration of the purified alkaloid extract (AE) on memory retention in vivo, using a step down test, in order to correlate with previous results obtained in vitro in an electrophysiological model. The AE administration significantly increased the latency time in comparison to control animals. For treated animals the latency time was 37.61 +/- 2.84, 80.94 +/- 2.37, and 180.00 +/- 5.74 s for 1, 5, and 10 ng/rat, respectively versus 14.89 +/- 2.38 s for controls. According to these results there is a good relationship between the ethnopharmacological use and the effects hereby showed.
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Affiliation(s)
- M G Vallejo
- Farmacognosia, Departamento de Farmacia, Facultad de Ciencias Químicas, Universidad Nacional de Córdoba, Instituto Multidisciplinario de Biología Vegetal (IMBIV-CONICET). Edificio de Ciencias 2. Ciudad Universitaria. 5000 Córdoba, Argentina
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14
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Carlini VP, Gaydou RC, Schiöth HB, de Barioglio SR. Selective serotonin reuptake inhibitor (fluoxetine) decreases the effects of ghrelin on memory retention and food intake. ACTA ACUST UNITED AC 2007; 140:65-73. [PMID: 17189653 DOI: 10.1016/j.regpep.2006.11.012] [Citation(s) in RCA: 52] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/31/2006] [Revised: 10/23/2006] [Accepted: 11/10/2006] [Indexed: 11/23/2022]
Abstract
Ghrelin (Ghr) is an appetite stimulating hormone that is produced peripherally, by the stomach, and centrally as well. Previous investigations show that Ghr increases food intake and memory retention in rats, and that extra-hypothalamic structures, such as the hippocampus, participate in these effects. In the present work we analyzed the effect on food intake and memory retention induced by Ghr after serotonin (5-HT) availability modification at the serotoninergic synapses. Animals only treated with a selective serotonin reuptake inhibitor (SSRI), fluoxetine (FLU) 5 mg/kg or clomipramine (CLO) 2.5 and 5 mg/kg, showed a significant reduction in both food intake and memory retention. On the contrary, Ghr administration induces a significant increase in food intake and a dose-dependent increase in short and long term memory retention. When the animals were treated with FLU prior to Ghr injection, the food intake induced, as well as the expression of short and long term memory retention, was decreased. In conclusion, evidence presented in this paper suggests that the effects of Ghr on both feeding and memory retention in extra-hypothalamic structures such as the hippocampus, could depend on the availability of 5-HT.
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Affiliation(s)
- Valeria P Carlini
- Departamento de Farmacología, Facultad de Ciencias Químicas, Haya de la Torre y Medina Allende, Ciudad Universitaria, Universidad Nacional de Córdoba, 5016 Córdoba, Argentina
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15
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Carlini VP, Schiöth HB, Debarioglio SR. Obestatin improves memory performance and causes anxiolytic effects in rats. Biochem Biophys Res Commun 2006; 352:907-12. [PMID: 17157813 DOI: 10.1016/j.bbrc.2006.11.112] [Citation(s) in RCA: 84] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/13/2006] [Accepted: 11/20/2006] [Indexed: 10/23/2022]
Abstract
Obestatin is a peptide hormone that is derived from the same polypeptide precursor (preprogrelin) as ghrelin, but it acts in opposing way on ingestive behavior. Our previous studies showed that ghrelin affects memory and anxiety. Here, we studied the possible effects of icv obestatin injection in rats upon memory retention (using two different paradigms), anxiety like behavior (plus maze test), and food intake. Obestatin induces an increase in the percentage of open arms entries (Obestatin 3.0nmol/rat: 61.74+/-1.81), and percentage of time spent in open arms (Obestatin 3.0nmol/rat: 72.07+/-4.21) in relation to the control (33.31+/-1.54; 25.82+/-1.68), indicating an anxiolytic effect. The two doses of obestatin increased latency time in a step down test and the percentage time of novel object exploration, suggesting that the peptide influences learning and memory processes that involve the hippocampus and the amygdala. This report provides evidence indicating that obestatin effects are functionally opposite on anxiety and hunger to the ghrelin effects, while both these related peptides increase memory retention.
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Affiliation(s)
- Valeria P Carlini
- Departamento de Farmacología, Facultad de Ciencias Químicas, Haya de la Torre y Medina Allende, Universidad Nacional de Córdoba, Ciudad Universitaria, 5016 Córdoba, Argentina.
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Carlini VP, Schiöth HB, de Barioglio SR. Melanin-concentrating hormone (MCH) reverts the behavioral effects induced by inescapable stress. Peptides 2006; 27:2300-6. [PMID: 16621156 DOI: 10.1016/j.peptides.2006.03.009] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [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] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/09/2005] [Revised: 03/02/2006] [Accepted: 03/07/2006] [Indexed: 10/24/2022]
Abstract
The aim of this work was to investigate if MCH modifies the feeding and freezing responses in rats exposed to stressful stimuli. We used a basic version of contextual fear, where one group of rats were placed in a novel environment and two different groups were exposed to footshock paradigms, one of them escapable and the other one inescapable. At the end of each treatment, freezing and feeding were measured. Only the animals exposed to inescapable footshock paradigm showed significant increase in the food intake and freezing behavior in comparison to the control animals. The MCH administration (intra-hippocampal or intra-amygdaline) reverted these effects elicited by inescapable footshock. Results presented in this paper lead us to the assumption that the anxiolytic effect of the peptide is responsible for the reversion of the IS effects.
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Affiliation(s)
- Valeria P Carlini
- Departamento de Farmacología, Facultad de Ciencias Químicas, Universidad Nacional de Córdoba, Córdoba, Argentina
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Carlini VP, Varas MM, Cragnolini AB, Schiöth HB, Scimonelli TN, de Barioglio SR. Differential role of the hippocampus, amygdala, and dorsal raphe nucleus in regulating feeding, memory, and anxiety-like behavioral responses to ghrelin. Biochem Biophys Res Commun 2004; 313:635-41. [PMID: 14697239 DOI: 10.1016/j.bbrc.2003.11.150] [Citation(s) in RCA: 272] [Impact Index Per Article: 13.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/20/2022]
Abstract
Ghrelin is a peptide hormone produced and secreted from the stomach. Hypothalamic injection of the peptide increases food intake but it is not known if the peptide affects other brain regions. We measured several behavioral parameters such as anxiety (elevated plus maze), memory retention (step down test), and food intake after injections of different doses of the peptide in the hippocampus, amygdala, and dorsal raphe nucleus (DRN). The injection of ghrelin in the hippocampus and DRN significantly and dose dependently increased food intake in relation to controls rats, while injections into the amygdala did not affect the food intake. We also show for the first time that ghrelin clearly and dose dependently increases memory retention in the hippocampus, amygdala, and DRN. Moreover, ghrelin at different potencies induced anxiogenesis in these brain structures while the highest dose of 3 nmol/microl was effective in all of them. The comparison of sensitivity of each brain structure indicates a specific role of them for each of the behaviors studied. The results provide new insight in to the anatomical substrate and the functional role of extrahypothalamic ghrelin targets in the CNS.
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Affiliation(s)
- Valeria P Carlini
- Departamento de Farmacología, Facultad de Ciencias Químicas, UNC, Córdoba, Argentina
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Carlini VP, Monzón ME, Varas MM, Cragnolini AB, Schiöth HB, Scimonelli TN, de Barioglio SR. Ghrelin increases anxiety-like behavior and memory retention in rats. Biochem Biophys Res Commun 2002; 299:739-43. [PMID: 12470640 DOI: 10.1016/s0006-291x(02)02740-7] [Citation(s) in RCA: 284] [Impact Index Per Article: 12.9] [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: 10/27/2022]
Abstract
Ghrelin is a peptide found in the hypothalamus and stomach that stimulates food intake and whose circulating concentrations are affected by nutritional state. Very little is known about other central behavioral effects of ghrelin, and thus, we investigated the effects of ghrelin on anxiety and memory retention. The peptide was injected intracerebroventricularly in rats and we performed open-field, plus-maze, and step-down tests (inhibitory avoidance). The administration of ghrelin increased freezing in the open field and decreased the number of entries into the open spaces and the time spent on the open arms in the plus-maze, indicating an anxiogenic effect. Moreover, the peptide increased in a dose-dependent manner the latency time in the step-down test. A rapid and prolonged increase in food intake was also observed. Our results indicate that ghrelin induces anxiogenesis in rats. Moreover, we show for the first time that ghrelin increases memory retention, suggesting that the peptide may influence processes in the hippocampus.
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Affiliation(s)
- Valeria P Carlini
- Departamento de Farmacología, Facultad de Ciencias Químicas, Haya de la Torre y Medina Allende, Ciudad Universitaria, Universidad Nacional de Córdoba, 5016 Córdoba, Argentina
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