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Belo-Silva AE, de Gusmão Taveiros Silva NK, Marianno P, de Araújo Costa G, da Rovare VP, Bailey A, Munhoz CD, Novaes LS, Camarini R. Effects of the combination of chronic unpredictable stress and environmental enrichment on anxiety-like behavior assessed using the elevated plus maze in Swiss male mice: Hypothalamus-Pituitary-Adrenal Axis-mediated mechanisms. Horm Behav 2024; 162:105538. [PMID: 38574447 DOI: 10.1016/j.yhbeh.2024.105538] [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] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/29/2023] [Revised: 03/22/2024] [Accepted: 03/25/2024] [Indexed: 04/06/2024]
Abstract
Environmental enrichment (EE) is a paradigm that offers the animal a plethora of stimuli, including physical, cognitive, sensory, and social enrichment. Exposure to EE can modulate both anxiety responses and plasma corticosterone. In this study, our objective was to explore how chronic unpredictable stress (CUS) impacts anxiety-related behaviors in male Swiss mice raised in EE conditions. Additionally, we investigated corticosterone and adrenocorticotropic hormone (ACTH) levels to assess the involvement of the hypothalamic-pituitary-adrenal (HPA) axis in mediating these responses. Mice were housed under either EE or standard housing conditions for 21 days. Afterward, they were exposed to 11 days of CUS while still reared in their distinct housing conditions, with half of the mice receiving daily pretreatment with the vehicle and the other half receiving daily metyrapone (MET) injections, an inhibitor of steroid synthesis, 30 mins before CUS exposure. Blood samples were obtained to assess plasma corticosterone and ACTH levels. The 11-day CUS protocol induced anxiety-like phenotype and elevated ACTH levels in EE mice. Chronic MET pretreatment prevented anxiety-like behavior in the EE-CUS groups, by mechanisms involving increased plasma corticosterone levels and decreased ACTH. These results suggest a role of the HPA axis in the mechanism underlying the anxiogenic phenotype induced by CUS in EE mice and shed light on the complex interplay between environmental factors, stress, and the HPA axis in anxiety regulation.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ariadne Elisa Belo-Silva
- Department of Pharmacology, Institute of Biomedical Sciences, Universidade de Sao Paulo, Av. Prof. Lineu Prestes, 1524, 05508-900 São Paulo, SP, Brazil
| | - Nivea Karla de Gusmão Taveiros Silva
- Department of Pharmacology, Institute of Biomedical Sciences, Universidade de Sao Paulo, Av. Prof. Lineu Prestes, 1524, 05508-900 São Paulo, SP, Brazil
| | - Priscila Marianno
- Department of Pharmacology, Institute of Biomedical Sciences, Universidade de Sao Paulo, Av. Prof. Lineu Prestes, 1524, 05508-900 São Paulo, SP, Brazil
| | - Gabriel de Araújo Costa
- Department of Pharmacology, Institute of Biomedical Sciences, Universidade de Sao Paulo, Av. Prof. Lineu Prestes, 1524, 05508-900 São Paulo, SP, Brazil
| | - Veridiana Petenati da Rovare
- Department of Pharmacology, Institute of Biomedical Sciences, Universidade de Sao Paulo, Av. Prof. Lineu Prestes, 1524, 05508-900 São Paulo, SP, Brazil
| | - Alexis Bailey
- Pharmacology Section, St George's University of London, London, UK
| | - Carolina Demarchi Munhoz
- Department of Pharmacology, Institute of Biomedical Sciences, Universidade de Sao Paulo, Av. Prof. Lineu Prestes, 1524, 05508-900 São Paulo, SP, Brazil
| | - Leonardo Santana Novaes
- Department of Pharmacology, Institute of Biomedical Sciences, Universidade de Sao Paulo, Av. Prof. Lineu Prestes, 1524, 05508-900 São Paulo, SP, Brazil.
| | - Rosana Camarini
- Department of Pharmacology, Institute of Biomedical Sciences, Universidade de Sao Paulo, Av. Prof. Lineu Prestes, 1524, 05508-900 São Paulo, SP, Brazil.
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Costa BY, Santos LG, Marianno P, Rae M, de Almeida MG, de Brito MC, Eichler R, Camarini R. Carbetocin Inhibits Behavioral Sensitization to Ethanol in Male and Female Mice, Independent of Corticosterone Levels. Toxics 2023; 11:893. [PMID: 37999545 PMCID: PMC10674331 DOI: 10.3390/toxics11110893] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/23/2023] [Revised: 10/17/2023] [Accepted: 10/27/2023] [Indexed: 11/25/2023]
Abstract
Oxytocin (OXT), a pro-social peptide, is increasingly recognized as a potential protective substance against drug addiction. In the context of ethanol, previous research has shown OXT's properties in reducing self-administration, alleviating motor impairment in rodents, and reducing craving in humans. However, its role in behavioral sensitization, a neuroadaptive response resulting from repeated drug exposure linked to an increased drug incentive, remains unexplored. OXT is recognized for its role in regulating the hypothalamic-pituitary-adrenal (HPA) axis, in which corticosterone is acknowledged as a significant factor in the development of behavioral sensitization. This study aimed to investigate the effects of carbetocin (CBT), an analogue of OXT, on the expression of behavioral sensitization to ethanol and the concurrent alterations in plasma corticosterone levels in male and female Swiss mice. We also aimed to confirm previous studies on OXT's impact on ethanol consumption in male mice, but with a focus on CBT, using the two-bottle choice model and the drinking in the dark (DID) methodology. For the sensitization study, the mice received either ethanol (1.8 g/kg, i.p.) or saline treatments daily for 15 consecutive days, followed by treatment with carbetocin (0.64 mg/kg, i.p.) or a vehicle for 6 days. Subsequently, on day 22, all the animals underwent an ethanol challenge to assess the expression of behavioral sensitization. The plasma corticosterone levels were measured on days 21 and 22. The CBT effectively prevented the expression of ethanol-induced behavioral sensitization in both male and female subjects, with no alterations having been detected in their corticosterone levels. In the ethanol consumption study, following an initial phase of ethanol acquisition, the male mice underwent a 6-day treatment with CBT i.p. or saline before being re-exposed to ethanol. We also found a reduction in their ethanol consumption due to the CBT treatment. In conclusion, carbetocin emerges as a promising and effective intervention for mitigating ethanol-induced behavioral sensitization and reducing ethanol intake, highlighting its potential significance in alcohol addiction treatment.
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Affiliation(s)
- Beatriz Yamada Costa
- Department of Pharmacology, Institute of Biomedical Sciences, Universidade de São Paulo, São Paulo 05508-900, Brazil; (B.Y.C.); (P.M.); (M.R.); (M.C.d.B.); (R.E.)
| | - Luana Gasparini Santos
- School of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Universidade de São Paulo, São Paulo 05508-900, Brazil;
| | - Priscila Marianno
- Department of Pharmacology, Institute of Biomedical Sciences, Universidade de São Paulo, São Paulo 05508-900, Brazil; (B.Y.C.); (P.M.); (M.R.); (M.C.d.B.); (R.E.)
| | - Mariana Rae
- Department of Pharmacology, Institute of Biomedical Sciences, Universidade de São Paulo, São Paulo 05508-900, Brazil; (B.Y.C.); (P.M.); (M.R.); (M.C.d.B.); (R.E.)
| | - Marina Gomes de Almeida
- Department of Pharmacology, Institute of Biomedical Sciences, Universidade de São Paulo, São Paulo 05508-900, Brazil; (B.Y.C.); (P.M.); (M.R.); (M.C.d.B.); (R.E.)
| | - Malcon Carneiro de Brito
- Department of Pharmacology, Institute of Biomedical Sciences, Universidade de São Paulo, São Paulo 05508-900, Brazil; (B.Y.C.); (P.M.); (M.R.); (M.C.d.B.); (R.E.)
| | - Rosângela Eichler
- Department of Pharmacology, Institute of Biomedical Sciences, Universidade de São Paulo, São Paulo 05508-900, Brazil; (B.Y.C.); (P.M.); (M.R.); (M.C.d.B.); (R.E.)
| | - Rosana Camarini
- Department of Pharmacology, Institute of Biomedical Sciences, Universidade de São Paulo, São Paulo 05508-900, Brazil; (B.Y.C.); (P.M.); (M.R.); (M.C.d.B.); (R.E.)
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Costa GA, de Gusmão Taveiros Silva NK, Marianno P, Chivers P, Bailey A, Camarini R. Environmental Enrichment Increased Bdnf Transcripts in the Prefrontal Cortex: Implications for an Epigenetically Controlled Mechanism. Neuroscience 2023; 526:277-289. [PMID: 37419403 DOI: 10.1016/j.neuroscience.2023.07.001] [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: 10/25/2022] [Revised: 06/26/2023] [Accepted: 07/01/2023] [Indexed: 07/09/2023]
Abstract
Environmental enrichment (EE) is a condition characterized by its complexity regarding social contact, exposure to novelty, tactile stimuli and voluntary exercise, also is considered as a eustress model. The impact of EE on brain physiology and behavioral outcomes may be at least partly underpinned by mechanisms involving the modulation of the brain-derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF), but the connection between specific Bdnf exon expression and their epigenetic regulation remain poorly understood. This study aimed to dissect the transcriptional and epigenetic regulatory effect of 54-day exposure to EE on BDNF by analysing individual BDNF exons mRNA expression and the DNA methylation profile of a key transcriptional regulator of the Bdnf gene, exon IV, in the prefrontal cortex (PFC) of C57BL/6 male mice (sample size = 33). Bdnf exons II, IV, VI and IX mRNA expression were upregulated and methylation levels at two CpG sites of exon IV were reduced in the PFC of EE mice. As deficit in exon IV expression has also been causally implicated in stress-related psychopathologies, we also assessed anxiety-like behavior and plasma corticosterone levels in these mice to determine any potential correlation. However, no changes were observed in EE mice. The findings may suggest an EE-induced epigenetic control of BDNF exon expression via a mechanism involving exon IV methylation. The findings of this study contribute to the current literature by dissecting the Bdnf gene topology in the PFC where transcriptional and epigenetic regulatory effect of EE takes place.
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Affiliation(s)
- Gabriel Araújo Costa
- Pharmacology Department, Institute of Biomedical Sciences, University of São Paulo, São Paulo, Brazil
| | | | - Priscila Marianno
- Pharmacology Department, Institute of Biomedical Sciences, University of São Paulo, São Paulo, Brazil
| | - Priti Chivers
- School of Biosciences & Medicine, Faculty of Health & Medical Sciences, University of Surrey, Guildford, UK
| | - Alexis Bailey
- Pharmacology Section, Institute of Medical and Biomedical Education, St George's University of London, London, UK.
| | - Rosana Camarini
- Pharmacology Department, Institute of Biomedical Sciences, University of São Paulo, São Paulo, Brazil.
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Hoffmann LB, Rae M, Marianno P, Pang TY, Hannan AJ, Camarini R. Preconceptual paternal environmental stimulation alters behavioural phenotypes and adaptive responses intergenerationally in Swiss mice. Physiol Behav 2020; 223:112968. [DOI: 10.1016/j.physbeh.2020.112968] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/18/2020] [Revised: 04/26/2020] [Accepted: 05/12/2020] [Indexed: 02/09/2023]
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Abstract
Behavioral sensitization is a neuroadaptive process characterized by an increase in a particular behavior after repeated exposure to drugs or other stimuli, such as stress. Sensitization can also be extended to neurochemical and neuroendocrine sensitization. Several factors can influence sensitization to the effects of ethanol. For instance, stress is an important component in addiction that can strengthen ethanol-induced behaviors. In animal models, stressful situations can be induced by alterations in social aspects of the animal's environment, such as maternal separation, social conflicts, and housing conditions. Social conflict models involve acute, chronic or intermittent interaction of an animal to a conspecific and can occur at any stage of life, including preweaning, adolescence or adulthood. These events can influence ethanol-induced behavioral sensitization in different ways, such as increases in locomotion, drug reward, and drug-taking behaviors. On the other hand, environmental enrichment can produce a protective phenotype against drug-related behaviors. In this chapter, we discuss findings regarding consequences of social stress and environmental enrichment on sensitization to ethanol.
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Affiliation(s)
- Rosana Camarini
- Department of Pharmacology, Institute of Biomedical Sciences, University of São Paulo, SP, Brazil.
| | - Priscila Marianno
- Department of Pharmacology, Institute of Biomedical Sciences, University of São Paulo, SP, Brazil
| | - Mariana Rae
- Department of Pharmacology, Institute of Biomedical Sciences, University of São Paulo, SP, Brazil
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Figueiro FD, Bispo ACC, Guarido KL, Marianno P, Costa GDA, Morimoto HK, Salles MJS. Effect of alcoholic beverages on progeny and reproduction of mice. BRAZ J PHARM SCI 2018. [DOI: 10.1590/s2175-97902017000417141] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/22/2022] Open
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Camarini R, Suárez A, Hoffmann L, Rueda A, Rae M, Marianno P, Pautassi R. S15-2Effects of environmental enrichment upon ethanol-induced conditioned place preference and BDNF levels in adolescent and adult mice. Alcohol Alcohol 2017. [DOI: 10.1093/alcalc/agx075.56] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/14/2022] Open
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de Araújo Costa G, Marianno P, Camarini R. Effects of environmental enrichment on anxiety-like behavior and ethanol intake in C57BL/6 mice. Alcohol 2017. [DOI: 10.1016/j.alcohol.2017.02.281] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/27/2022]
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Marianno P, Abrahao KP, Camarini R. Environmental Enrichment Blunts Ethanol Consumption after Restraint Stress in C57BL/6 Mice. PLoS One 2017; 12:e0170317. [PMID: 28107511 PMCID: PMC5249154 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0170317] [Citation(s) in RCA: 33] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/14/2016] [Accepted: 01/03/2017] [Indexed: 12/11/2022] Open
Abstract
Elevated alcohol intake after abstinence is a key feature of the addiction process. Some studies have shown that environmental enrichment (EE) affects ethanol intake and other reinforcing effects. However, different EE protocols may vary in their ability to influence alcohol consumption and stress-induced intake. The present study evaluated whether short (3 h) or continuous (24 h) EE protocols affect ethanol consumption after periods of withdrawal. Mice were challenged with stressful stimuli (24 h isolation and restraint stress) to evaluate the effects of stress on drinking. Male C57BL/6 mice were subjected to a two-bottle choice drinking-in-the-dark paradigm for 15 days (20% ethanol and water, 2 h/day, acquisition phase). Control mice were housed under standard conditions (SC). In the first experiment, one group of mice was housed under EE conditions 24 h/day (EE24h). In the second experiment, the exposure to EE was reduced to 3 h/day (EE3h). After the acquisition phase, the animals were deprived of ethanol for 6 days, followed by 2 h ethanol access once a week. Animals were tested in the elevated plus maze (EPM) during ethanol withdrawal. During the last 2 weeks, the mice were exposed to 24 h ethanol access. A 1-h restraint stress test was performed immediately before the last ethanol exposure. EE24h but not EE3h increased anxiety-like behavior during withdrawal compared to controls. Neither EE24h nor EE3h affected ethanol consumption during the 2 h weekly exposure periods. However, EE24h and EE3h mice that were exposed to acute restraint stress consumed less ethanol than controls during a 24 h ethanol access. These results showed that EE reduces alcohol intake after an acute restraint stress.
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Affiliation(s)
- Priscila Marianno
- Departamento de Farmacologia, Instituto de Ciências Biomédicas, Universidade de São Paulo, São Paulo, São Paulo, Brazil
| | - Karina Possa Abrahao
- Departamento de Farmacologia, Instituto de Ciências Biomédicas, Universidade de São Paulo, São Paulo, São Paulo, Brazil
- Laboratory for Integrative Neuroscience, Division of Intramural Clinical and Biological Research, National Institute on Alcohol Abuse and Alcoholism, National Institutes of Health, Bethesda, Maryland, United States of America
| | - Rosana Camarini
- Departamento de Farmacologia, Instituto de Ciências Biomédicas, Universidade de São Paulo, São Paulo, São Paulo, Brazil
- * E-mail:
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Pautassi R, Rueda A, Marianno P, Rae M, Camarini R. P-64ENVIRONMENTAL ENRICHMENT RESTORES ETHANOL-INDUCED BDNF ALTERATIONS IN ADOLESCENT MICE, BUT DOES NOT ALTER ETHANOL-INDUCED CONDITIONED PLACE PREFERENCE. Alcohol Alcohol 2015. [DOI: 10.1093/alcalc/agv080.64] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/12/2022] Open
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