1
|
Cao Y, Chen H, Tan Y, Yu XD, Xiao C, Li Y, Reilly J, He Z, Shu X. Protection of p-Coumaric acid against chronic stress-induced neurobehavioral deficits in mice via activating the PKA-CREB-BDNF pathway. Physiol Behav 2024; 273:114415. [PMID: 38000530 DOI: 10.1016/j.physbeh.2023.114415] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/14/2023] [Revised: 11/03/2023] [Accepted: 11/21/2023] [Indexed: 11/26/2023]
Abstract
There is a body of evidence to suggest that chronic stress modulates neurochemical homeostasis, alters neuronal structure, inhibits neurogenesis and contributes to development of mental disorders. Chronic stress-associated mental disorders present common symptoms of cognitive impairment and depression with complex disease mechanisms. P-coumaric acid (p-CA), a natural phenolic compound, is widely distributed in vegetables, cereals and fruits. p-CA exhibits a wide range of health-related effects, including anti-oxidative-stress, anti-mutagenesis, anti-inflammation and anti-cancer activities. The current study aims to evaluate the therapeutic potential of p-CA against stress-associated mental disorders. We assessed the effect of p-CA on cognitive deficits and depression-like behavior in mice exposed to chronic restraint stress (CRS); we used network pharmacology, biochemical and molecular biological approaches to elucidate the underlying molecular mechanisms. CRS exposure caused memory impairments and depression-like behavior in mice; p-CA administration attenuated these CRS-induced memory deficits and depression-like behavior. Network pharmacology analysis demonstrated that p-CA was possibly involved in multiple targets and a variety of signaling pathways. Among them, the protein kinase A (PKA) - cAMP-response element binding protein (CREB) - brain derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF) signaling pathway was predominant and further characterized. The levels of PKA, phosphorylated CREB (pCREB) and BDNF were significantly lowered in the hippocampus of CRS mice, suggesting disruption of the PKA-CREB-BDNF signaling pathway; p-CA treatment restored the signaling pathway. Furthermore, CRS upregulated expression of proinflammatory cytokines in hippocampus, while p-CA reversed the CRS-induced effects. Our findings suggest that p-CA will offer therapeutic benefit to patients with stress-associated mental disorders.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Yanqun Cao
- The Brain Cognition and Brain Disease Branch, Pu Ai Medical School, Shaoyang University, Shaoyang 422000, China
| | - Hao Chen
- The Brain Cognition and Brain Disease Branch, Pu Ai Medical School, Shaoyang University, Shaoyang 422000, China
| | - Yinna Tan
- Anesthesiology department, The Affiliated Nanhua Hospital, Hengyang Medical School, University of South China, Hengyang 421000, China
| | - Xu-Dong Yu
- The Brain Cognition and Brain Disease Branch, Pu Ai Medical School, Shaoyang University, Shaoyang 422000, China
| | - Chuli Xiao
- The Brain Cognition and Brain Disease Branch, Pu Ai Medical School, Shaoyang University, Shaoyang 422000, China
| | - Yin Li
- The Brain Cognition and Brain Disease Branch, Pu Ai Medical School, Shaoyang University, Shaoyang 422000, China
| | - James Reilly
- Department of Biological and Biomedical Sciences, Glasgow Caledonian University, Glasgow G4 0BA, UK
| | - Zhiming He
- The Brain Cognition and Brain Disease Branch, Pu Ai Medical School, Shaoyang University, Shaoyang 422000, China.
| | - Xinhua Shu
- The Brain Cognition and Brain Disease Branch, Pu Ai Medical School, Shaoyang University, Shaoyang 422000, China; Department of Biological and Biomedical Sciences, Glasgow Caledonian University, Glasgow G4 0BA, UK; Department of Vision Science, Glasgow Caledonian University, Glasgow G4 0BA, UK.
| |
Collapse
|
2
|
Qiu Y, Dong Y, Sun W, Li G, Li MJ, Zhao Y, Jiang C, Li J. Metabolic biomarkers of risperidone-induced weight gain in drug-naïve patients with schizophrenia. Front Psychiatry 2023; 14:1144873. [PMID: 37181896 PMCID: PMC10171109 DOI: 10.3389/fpsyt.2023.1144873] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/15/2023] [Accepted: 03/20/2023] [Indexed: 05/16/2023] Open
Abstract
Background Risperidone is a commonly prescribed antipsychotic drug with a potential side effect of weight gain. However, the pathophysiological mechanism is still poorly understood. Here, we sought to identify potential biomarkers of risperidone-induced weight gain by using a targeted metabolomics approach. Methods We enrolled 30 subjects who received risperidone monotherapy for 8 weeks from a prospective longitudinal cohort study for drug-naïve schizophrenia patients. Plasma metabolites were measured by targeted metabolomics Biocrates MxP® Quant 500 Kit at baseline and 8-week follow-up. Results After 8 weeks of risperidone treatment, the levels of 48 differential metabolites were upregulated, including lysophosphatidylcholines (2), phosphatidylcholines (PC) (8), cholesteryl esters (CE) (3), and triglycerides (35), while 6 differential metabolites namely PC aa C38:6, methionine (Met), α-aminobutyric acid (AABA), TrpBetaine, CE (22:6), and Taurocholic acid (TCA) were downregulated. Interestingly, the reduction of PC aa C38:6, AABA and CE (22:6) was linearly related with increased BMI. Further multiple regression analysis showed that the changes of PC aa C38:6 and AABA were independent contributors of increased BMI. In addition, baseline levels of PC aa C36:5, CE (20:5) and AABA had positive relationships with the change of BMI. Conclusion Our findings indicate phosphatidylcholines and amino acids may serve as biomarkers for risperidone-induced weight gain.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Yuying Qiu
- Laboratory of Biological Psychiatry, Institute of Mental Health, Tianjin Anding Hospital, Mental Health Center of Tianjin Medical University, Tianjin, China
| | - Yeqing Dong
- Laboratory of Biological Psychiatry, Institute of Mental Health, Tianjin Anding Hospital, Mental Health Center of Tianjin Medical University, Tianjin, China
| | - Wei Sun
- Laboratory of Biological Psychiatry, Institute of Mental Health, Tianjin Anding Hospital, Mental Health Center of Tianjin Medical University, Tianjin, China
| | - Gang Li
- Laboratory of Biological Psychiatry, Institute of Mental Health, Tianjin Anding Hospital, Mental Health Center of Tianjin Medical University, Tianjin, China
- Chifeng Anding Hospital, Inner Mongolia Autonomous Region, Chifeng, China
| | - Mei Juan Li
- Laboratory of Biological Psychiatry, Institute of Mental Health, Tianjin Anding Hospital, Mental Health Center of Tianjin Medical University, Tianjin, China
| | - Yongping Zhao
- Laboratory of Biological Psychiatry, Institute of Mental Health, Tianjin Anding Hospital, Mental Health Center of Tianjin Medical University, Tianjin, China
| | - Changyong Jiang
- Laboratory of Biological Psychiatry, Institute of Mental Health, Tianjin Anding Hospital, Mental Health Center of Tianjin Medical University, Tianjin, China
| | - Jie Li
- Laboratory of Biological Psychiatry, Institute of Mental Health, Tianjin Anding Hospital, Mental Health Center of Tianjin Medical University, Tianjin, China
- *Correspondence: Jie Li,
| |
Collapse
|
3
|
Al-Bakri M, Skovgaard AM, Bach-Holm D, Larsen DA, Siersma V, Kessel L. Increased Incidence of Mental Disorders in Children with Cataract: Findings from a Population-based Study. Am J Ophthalmol 2022; 236:204-211. [PMID: 34648774 DOI: 10.1016/j.ajo.2021.09.034] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/26/2021] [Revised: 09/23/2021] [Accepted: 09/23/2021] [Indexed: 11/29/2022]
Abstract
PURPOSE To examine the incidence of mental disorders in children with cataract compared with children without cataract. DESIGN Nationwide cohort study based on entries in comprehensive national databases. METHODS The incidence of mental disorders in children born between 2000 and 2017 diagnosed with cataract before 10 years of age (n = 485) was compared with sex- and age-matched controls (n = 4358). Analyses were corrected to somatic disease in the child and parental socioeconomic status and psychiatric morbidity. The study was conducted as 2 university hospitals in Denmark managing children 6 years of age our younger with cataract. RESULTS The incidence of mental disorders was nearly doubled in children with cataract compared with controls (odds ratio [OR], 1.83; 95% CI, 1.28-3.63). The risk of anxiety disorders was quadrupled (OR, 4.10; 95% CI, 1.90-8.84) and the risk of developmental delay was doubled (OR, 2.66; 95% CI, 1.45-4.90). The risk of mental disorders was significantly higher in children diagnosed with cataract in the first 3 years of life compared with controls (OR, 2.36; 95% CI, 1.53-3.64), whereas those diagnosed with cataract later in childhood did not have an increased risk (OR, 1.24; 95% CI, 0.66-2.30). CONCLUSIONS The risk of mental disorders, in particular anxiety and neurodevelopmental delay, is markedly increased in children with cataract and even more so in those diagnosed within the first 3 years of life. Psychiatric screening instruments may be integrated in the management of these children.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Moug Al-Bakri
- From the Department of Ophthalmology, Rigshospitalet (M.A.-L., D.B.-HH, L.K.).
| | | | - Daniella Bach-Holm
- From the Department of Ophthalmology, Rigshospitalet (M.A.-L., D.B.-HH, L.K.); Department of Clinical Medicine, University of Copenhagen, Copenhagen
| | | | - Volkert Siersma
- The Research Unit for General Practice and Section of General Practice, Department of Public Health, University of Copenhagen (V.S.), Copenhagen, Denmark
| | - Line Kessel
- From the Department of Ophthalmology, Rigshospitalet (M.A.-L., D.B.-HH, L.K.); Department of Clinical Medicine, University of Copenhagen, Copenhagen
| |
Collapse
|
4
|
Chen J, Li LF, Hu XR, Wei F, Ma S. Network Pharmacology-Based Strategy for Elucidating the Molecular Basis Forthe Pharmacologic Effects of Licorice ( Glycyrrhiza spp.). Front Pharmacol 2021; 12:590477. [PMID: 33995004 PMCID: PMC8114075 DOI: 10.3389/fphar.2021.590477] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/01/2020] [Accepted: 04/06/2021] [Indexed: 12/17/2022] Open
Abstract
Licorice (Glycyrrhiza spp.) is used widely in traditional Chinese medicine (TCM) due to its numerous pharmacologic effects. However, the mechanisms of action of the chemical constituents of licorice and their structure–function relationships are not fully understood. To address these points, we analyzed the chemical compounds in licorice listed in the TCM Systems Pharmacology database and TCM Integrated database. Target proteins of the compounds were predicted using Integrative Pharmacology-based Research Platform of TCM v2.0. Information on the pharmacologic effects of licorice was obtained from the 2020 Chinese Pharmacopoeia, and disease-related genes that have been linked to these effects were identified from the Encyclopedia of TCM database. Pathway analyses using the Kyoto Encyclopedia of Genes and Genomes database were carried out for target proteins, and pharmacologic networks were constructed based on drug target–disease-related gene and protein–protein interactions. A total of 451 compounds were analyzed, of which 211 were from the medicinal parts of the licorice plant. The 241 putative targets of 106 bioactive compounds in licorice comprised 52 flavonoids, 47 triterpenoids, and seven coumarins. Four distinct pharmacologic effects of licorice were defined: 61 major hubs were the putative targets of 23 compounds in heat-clearing and detoxifying effects; 68 were targets of six compounds in spleen-invigorating and qi-replenishing effects; 28 were targets of six compounds in phlegm-expulsion and cough-suppressant effects; 25 compounds were targets of six compounds in spasm-relieving and analgesic effects. The major bioactive compounds of licorice were identified by ultra-high-performance liquid chromatography–quadrupole time-of-flight–tandem mass spectrometry. The anti-inflammatory properties of liquiritin apioside, liquiritigenin, glycyrrhizic acid and isoliquiritin apioside were demonstrated by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) and Western blot analysis. Liquiritin apioside, liquiritigenin, isoliquiritin, isoliquiritin apioside, kaempferol, and kumatakenin were the main active flavonoids, and 18α- and 18β-glycyrrhetinic acid were the main active triterpenoids of licorice. The former were associated with heat-clearing and detoxifying effects, whereas the latter were implicated in the other three pharmacologic effects. Thus, the compounds in licorice have distinct pharmacologic effects according to their chemical structure. These results provide a reference for investigating the potential of licorice in treatment of various diseases.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Jia Chen
- School of Chinese Materia Medica, Beijing University of Chinese Medicine, Beijing, China.,Institute for Control of Chinese Traditional Medicine and Ethnic Medicine (ICCTMEM), National Institutes for Food and Drug Control (NIFDC), Beijing, China
| | - Lin-Fu Li
- College of Pharmacy, Gannan Medical University, Ganzhou, China
| | - Xiao-Ru Hu
- Institute for Control of Chinese Traditional Medicine and Ethnic Medicine (ICCTMEM), National Institutes for Food and Drug Control (NIFDC), Beijing, China
| | - Feng Wei
- Institute for Control of Chinese Traditional Medicine and Ethnic Medicine (ICCTMEM), National Institutes for Food and Drug Control (NIFDC), Beijing, China
| | - Shuangcheng Ma
- School of Chinese Materia Medica, Beijing University of Chinese Medicine, Beijing, China.,Institute for Control of Chinese Traditional Medicine and Ethnic Medicine (ICCTMEM), National Institutes for Food and Drug Control (NIFDC), Beijing, China
| |
Collapse
|
5
|
Cheng C, Gomez D, McCombe JA, Smyth P, Giuliani F, Blevins G, Baker GB, Power C. Disability progression in multiple sclerosis is associated with plasma neuroactive steroid profile. Neurol Sci 2021; 42:5241-5247. [PMID: 33829329 DOI: 10.1007/s10072-021-05203-4] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/06/2020] [Accepted: 03/17/2021] [Indexed: 11/28/2022]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Neuroactive steroids (NASs) exert multiple biological effects on development and inflammation. The effects of NASs on disease progression in multiple sclerosis (MS) are uncertain, prompting analyses of NAS profiles during the transition from clinically isolated syndrome (CIS) to relapsing-remitting (RR) MS. METHODS Subjects with CIS or RRMS and healthy controls (HCs) were recruited; demographic and clinical data as well as disability scores measured by the Expanded Disability Status Scale (EDSS) were recorded. Matched plasma NAS and amino acid (AA) concentrations were measured. RESULTS HC (n = 17), CIS (n = 31), and RRMS (n = 33) groups showed similar ages and sex distribution although disability scores were higher in the RRMS group. The conversion rate of CIS to RRMS group was 51.6% (n = 16) during a mean follow-up period of 1.85 years. The RRMS group showed significantly higher mean allopregnanolone, aspartate, and taurine concentrations with lower epiallopregnanolone concentrations than CIS patients, and higher L-serine-O-phosphate and lower alanine, arginine, and glutamine concentrations than the HC group. Among CIS and RRMS groups, multivariate hierarchical regressions revealed that higher concentrations of plasma tetrahydrodeoxycorticosterone (THDOC) may predict disability worsening. CONCLUSIONS RRMS and CIS patients exhibited differing concentrations of both NASs and AAs in plasma while both THDOC and pregnanolone might serve as biomarkers of disability worsening.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- C Cheng
- Department of Psychiatry, University of Alberta, Edmonton, AB, Canada.,Department of Psychiatry, University of Toronto, Toronto, ON, Canada
| | - D Gomez
- Department of Psychiatry, University of Alberta, Edmonton, AB, Canada
| | - J A McCombe
- Department of Medicine (Neurology), HMRC 6-11, University of Alberta, Edmonton, AB, Canada
| | - P Smyth
- Department of Medicine (Neurology), HMRC 6-11, University of Alberta, Edmonton, AB, Canada
| | - F Giuliani
- Department of Medicine (Neurology), HMRC 6-11, University of Alberta, Edmonton, AB, Canada
| | - G Blevins
- Department of Medicine (Neurology), HMRC 6-11, University of Alberta, Edmonton, AB, Canada
| | - G B Baker
- Department of Psychiatry, University of Alberta, Edmonton, AB, Canada
| | - C Power
- Department of Psychiatry, University of Alberta, Edmonton, AB, Canada. .,Department of Medicine (Neurology), HMRC 6-11, University of Alberta, Edmonton, AB, Canada.
| |
Collapse
|
6
|
Novel Treatment Targets Based on Insights in the Etiology of Depression: Role of IL-6 Trans-Signaling and Stress-Induced Elevation of Glutamate and ATP. Pharmaceuticals (Basel) 2019; 12:ph12030113. [PMID: 31362361 PMCID: PMC6789839 DOI: 10.3390/ph12030113] [Citation(s) in RCA: 14] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/25/2019] [Revised: 07/10/2019] [Accepted: 07/26/2019] [Indexed: 12/11/2022] Open
Abstract
Inflammation and psychological stress are risk factors for major depression and suicide. Both increase central glutamate levels and activate the hypothalamic-pituitary-adrenal axis and the sympathetic nervous system. Both factors also affect the function of the chloride transporters, Na-K-Cl-cotransporter-1 (NKCC1) and K-Cl-cotransporter-2 (KCC2), and provoke interleukin-6 (IL-6) trans-signaling. This leads to measurable increases in circulating corticosteroids, catecholamines, anxiety, somatic and psychological symptoms, and a decline in cognitive functions. Recognition of the sequence of pathological events allows the prediction of novel targets for therapeutic intervention. Amongst others, these include blockade of the big-K potassium channel, blockade of the P2X4 channel, TYK2-kinase inhibition, noradrenaline α2B-receptor antagonism, nicotinic α7-receptor stimulation, and the Sgp130Fc antibody. A better understanding of downstream processes evoked by inflammation and stress also allows suggestions for tentatively better biomarkers (e.g., SERPINA3N, MARCKS, or 13C-tryptophan metabolism).
Collapse
|
7
|
Schverer M, Lanfumey L, Baulieu EE, Froger N, Villey I. Neurosteroids: non-genomic pathways in neuroplasticity and involvement in neurological diseases. Pharmacol Ther 2018; 191:190-206. [PMID: 29953900 DOI: 10.1016/j.pharmthera.2018.06.011] [Citation(s) in RCA: 21] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/26/2022]
Abstract
Neurosteroids are neuroactive brain-born steroids. They can act through non-genomic and/or through genomic pathways. Genomic pathways are largely described for steroid hormones: the binding to nuclear receptors leads to transcription regulation. Pregnenolone, Dehydroepiandrosterone, their respective sulfate esters and Allopregnanolone have no corresponding nuclear receptor identified so far whereas some of their non-genomic targets have been identified. Neuroplasticity is the capacity that neuronal networks have to change their structure and function in response to biological and/or environmental signals; it is regulated by several mechanisms, including those that involve neurosteroids. In this review, after a description of their biosynthesis, the effects of Pregnenolone, Dehydroepiandrosterone, their respective sulfate esters and Allopregnanolone on their targets will be exposed. We then shall highlight that neurosteroids, by acting on these targets, can regulate neurogenesis, structural and functional plasticity. Finally, we will discuss the therapeutic potential of neurosteroids in the pathophysiology of neurological diseases in which alterations of neuroplasticity are associated with changes in neurosteroid levels.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Marina Schverer
- Inserm U894, Centre de Psychiatrie et Neurosciences, Université Paris Descartes, 75014 Paris, France
| | - Laurence Lanfumey
- Inserm U894, Centre de Psychiatrie et Neurosciences, Université Paris Descartes, 75014 Paris, France.
| | - Etienne-Emile Baulieu
- MAPREG SAS, Le Kremlin-Bicêtre, France; Inserm UMR 1195, Université Paris-Saclay, Le Kremlin Bicêtre, France
| | | | | |
Collapse
|
8
|
Quinn T, Greaves R, Badoer E, Walker D. DHEA in Prenatal and Postnatal Life: Implications for Brain and Behavior. VITAMINS AND HORMONES 2018; 108:145-174. [PMID: 30029725 DOI: 10.1016/bs.vh.2018.03.001] [Citation(s) in RCA: 16] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/12/2022]
Abstract
Dehydroepiandrosterone (DHEA) and its sulfated congener (DHEAS) are the principal C19 steroid produced by the adrenal gland in many mammals, including humans. It is secreted in high concentrations during fetal life, but synthesis decreases after birth until, in humans and some other primates, there is a prepubertal surge of DHEA production by the adrenal gland-a phenomenon known as adrenarche. There remains considerable uncertainty about the physiological role of DHEA and DHEAS. Moreover, the origin of the trophic drives that determine the waxing and waning of DHEA synthesis are poorly understood. These gaps in knowledge arise in some measure from the difficulty of understanding mechanistic determinants from observations made opportunistically in humans and primates, and have stimulated a search for other suitable species that exhibit adrenarche- and adrenopause-like changes of adrenal function. DHEA and DHEAS are clearly neuroactive steroids with actions at several neurotransmitter receptors; indeed, DHEA is now known to be also synthesized by many parts of the brain, and this capacity undergoes ontogenic changes, but whether this is dependent or independent of the changes in adrenal synthesis is unknown. In this chapter we review key contributions to this field over the last 50+ years, and speculate on the importance of DHEA for the brain, both during development and for maturation and aging of cerebral function and behavior.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Tracey Quinn
- The Ritchie Centre, Hudson Institute of Medical Research, Monash Medical Centre, Clayton, VIC, Australia
| | - Ronda Greaves
- School of Health & Biomedical Sciences, RMIT University-Bundoora Campus, Melbourne, VIC, Australia; Murdoch Children's Research Institute, Parkville, Melbourne, VIC, Australia
| | - Emilio Badoer
- School of Health & Biomedical Sciences, RMIT University-Bundoora Campus, Melbourne, VIC, Australia
| | - David Walker
- School of Health & Biomedical Sciences, RMIT University-Bundoora Campus, Melbourne, VIC, Australia.
| |
Collapse
|
9
|
Pregnenolone-progesterone-allopregnanolone pathway as a potential therapeutic target in first-episode antipsychotic-naïve patients with schizophrenia. Psychoneuroendocrinology 2018; 90:43-51. [PMID: 29433072 PMCID: PMC5864547 DOI: 10.1016/j.psyneuen.2018.02.004] [Citation(s) in RCA: 21] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/16/2017] [Revised: 12/29/2017] [Accepted: 02/04/2018] [Indexed: 11/23/2022]
Abstract
Neurosteroids are both endogenous and exogenous steroids that rapidly alter neuronal excitability through interactions with ligand-gated ion channels and other cell surface receptors. They are originated from cholesterol and have important implications for schizophrenia (SZ) pathophysiology and treatment strategies. Specifically, pregnenolone (PREG), progesterone (PROG) and allopregnanolone (ALLO) exhibit similar psychotropic properties. Using enzyme immunoassay, we compared the neurosteroids in PREG downstream pathways in plasma between healthy controls (HC, n = 43) and first-episode antipsychotic-naïve patients with SZ (FEAN-SZ, n = 53) before antipsychotic drug (APD) treatment. Comparisons were also made particularly along PREG-PROG-ALLO pathway in the same FEAN-SZ patients across multiple time points following initiation of treatment for 12 months (m). Firstly, at baseline, levels of PREG were significantly higher and those of ALLO were lower in FEAN-SZ than in HC, whereas PROG, cortisol, dehydroepiandrosterone (DHEA) and dehydroepiandrosterone sulfate (DHEAS) were not different. Consequently, the molar ratios of ALLO/PREG and ALLO/PROG in FEAN-SZ were significantly reduced. Secondly, in response to APD at 1 month, ALLO levels in FEAN-SZ were markedly elevated, whereas PREG and PROG levels decreased. Thirdly, among FEAN-SZ, lower levels of PROG (reflecting higher conversion to ALLO) at baseline may predict better therapeutic outcome after 1 month of APD treatment. These findings point to the perturbations of the PREG-PROG-ALLO pathway early in psychosis, and further study of this pathway may inform alternative and innovative therapeutic targets for SZ.
Collapse
|
10
|
Cai H, Cao T, Zhou X, Yao JK. Neurosteroids in Schizophrenia: Pathogenic and Therapeutic Implications. Front Psychiatry 2018; 9:73. [PMID: 29568275 PMCID: PMC5852066 DOI: 10.3389/fpsyt.2018.00073] [Citation(s) in RCA: 30] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/17/2017] [Accepted: 02/21/2018] [Indexed: 12/11/2022] Open
Abstract
Neurosteroids are a group of important endogenous molecules affecting many neural functions in the brain. Increasing evidence suggests a possible role of these neurosteroids in the pathology and symptomatology of schizophrenia (SZ) and other mental disorders. The aim of this review is to summarize the current knowledge about the neural functions of neurosteroids in the brain, and to evaluate the role of the key neurosteroids as candidate modulators in the etiology and therapeutics of SZ. The present paper provides a brief introduction of neurosteroid metabolism and distribution, followed by a discussion of the mechanisms underlying neurosteroid actions in the brain. The content regarding the modulation of the GABAA receptor is elaborated, given the considerable knowledge of its interactions with other neurotransmitter and neuroprotective systems, as well as its ameliorating effects on stress that may play a role in the SZ pathophysiology. In addition, several preclinical and clinical studies suggested a therapeutic benefit of neurosteroids in SZ patients, even though the presence of altered neurosteroid pathways in the circulating blood and/or brain remains debatable. Following treatment of antipsychotic drugs in SZ, therapeutic benefits have also been linked to the regulation of neurosteroid signaling. Specifically, the neurosteroids such as pregnenolone and dehydroepiandrosterone affect a broad spectrum of behavioral functions through their unique molecular characteristics and may represent innovative therapeutic targets for SZ. Future investigations in larger cohorts with long-term follow-ups will be required to ascertain the neuropsychopharmacological role of this yet unexploited class of neurosteroid agents.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- HuaLin Cai
- Department of Pharmacy, The Second Xiangya Hospital of Central South University, Changsha, China
- The Institute of Clinical Pharmacy, Central South University, Changsha, China
| | - Ting Cao
- Department of Pharmacy, The Second Xiangya Hospital of Central South University, Changsha, China
- The Institute of Clinical Pharmacy, Central South University, Changsha, China
| | - Xiang Zhou
- Medical Research Service, VA Pittsburgh Healthcare System, Pittsburgh, PA, United States
- Department of Pharmaceutical Sciences, University of Pittsburgh School of Pharmacy, Pittsburgh, PA, United States
| | - Jeffrey K. Yao
- Medical Research Service, VA Pittsburgh Healthcare System, Pittsburgh, PA, United States
- Department of Pharmaceutical Sciences, University of Pittsburgh School of Pharmacy, Pittsburgh, PA, United States
- Department of Psychiatry, University of Pittsburgh School of Medicine, Pittsburgh, PA, United States
| |
Collapse
|
11
|
Tobiansky DJ, Korol AM, Ma C, Hamden JE, Jalabert C, Tomm RJ, Soma KK. Testosterone and Corticosterone in the Mesocorticolimbic System of Male Rats: Effects of Gonadectomy and Caloric Restriction. Endocrinology 2018; 159:450-464. [PMID: 29069423 DOI: 10.1210/en.2017-00704] [Citation(s) in RCA: 34] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/02/2017] [Accepted: 10/17/2017] [Indexed: 01/09/2023]
Abstract
Steroid hormones can modulate motivated behaviors through the mesocorticolimbic system. Gonadectomy (GDX) is a common method to determine how steroids influence the mesocorticolimbic system, and caloric restriction (CR) is often used to invigorate motivated behaviors. A common assumption is that the effects of these manipulations on brain steroid levels reflects circulating steroid levels. We now know that the brain regulates local steroid levels in a region-specific manner; however, previous studies have low spatial resolution. Using ultrasensitive liquid chromatography tandem mass spectrometry, we examined steroids in microdissected regions of the mesocorticolimbic system (ventral tegmental area, nucleus accumbens, medial prefrontal cortex). We examined whether GDX or CR influences systemic and local steroids, particularly testosterone (T) and steroidogenic enzyme transcripts. Adult male rats underwent a GDX surgery and/or CR for either 2 or 6 weeks. Levels of T, the primary steroid of interest, were higher in all brain regions than in the blood, whereas corticosterone (CORT) was lower in the brain than in the blood. Importantly, GDX completely eliminated T in the blood and lowered T in the brain. Yet, T remained present in the brain, even 6 weeks after GDX. CR decreased both T and CORT in the blood and brain. Steroidogenic enzyme (Cyp17a1, 3β-hydroxysteroid dehydrogenase, aromatase) transcripts and androgen receptor transcripts were expressed in the mesocorticolimbic system and differentially affected by GDX and CR. Together, these results suggest that T is synthesized within the mesocorticolimbic system. These results provide a foundation for future studies examining how neurosteroids influence behaviors mediated by the mesocorticolimbic system.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Daniel J Tobiansky
- Department of Psychology, University of British Columbia, Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada
- Djavad Mowafaghian Centre for Brain Health, University of British Columbia, Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada
| | - Anastasia M Korol
- Department of Psychology, University of British Columbia, Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada
| | - Chunqi Ma
- Department of Psychology, University of British Columbia, Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada
| | - Jordan E Hamden
- Djavad Mowafaghian Centre for Brain Health, University of British Columbia, Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada
- Department of Zoology, University of British Columbia, Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada
| | - Cecilia Jalabert
- Djavad Mowafaghian Centre for Brain Health, University of British Columbia, Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada
- Department of Zoology, University of British Columbia, Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada
| | - Ryan J Tomm
- Department of Psychology, University of British Columbia, Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada
- Djavad Mowafaghian Centre for Brain Health, University of British Columbia, Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada
| | - Kiran K Soma
- Department of Psychology, University of British Columbia, Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada
- Djavad Mowafaghian Centre for Brain Health, University of British Columbia, Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada
- Department of Zoology, University of British Columbia, Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada
- Graduate Program in Neuroscience, University of British Columbia, Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada
| |
Collapse
|
12
|
Kashani L, Shams N, Moazen-Zadeh E, Karkhaneh-Yousefi MA, Sadighi G, Khodaie-Ardakani MR, Rezaei F, Rahiminejad F, Akhondzadeh S. Pregnenolone as an adjunct to risperidone for treatment of women with schizophrenia: A randomized double-blind placebo-controlled clinical trial. J Psychiatr Res 2017; 94:70-77. [PMID: 28688338 DOI: 10.1016/j.jpsychires.2017.06.011] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/21/2017] [Revised: 06/21/2017] [Accepted: 06/27/2017] [Indexed: 01/13/2023]
Abstract
There have been few studies of pregnenolone therapy in schizophrenia and those that exist have been subject to several critical limitations, thus yielding inconsistent results. We attempted to assess the therapeutic effect of pregnenolone in a patient sample as homogeneous as possible. In this randomized double-blind clinical trial, 82 female inpatients with chronic schizophrenia, who had discontinued their antipsychotic medications for at least one week in case of any oral antipsychotic medication or a month for any depot antipsychotic medication, received risperidone plus either pregnenolone (50 mg/day) or placebo for 8 weeks. Inclusion criteria were acute illness with a baseline Positive and Negative Syndrome Scale (PANSS) negative subscale score of ≥20. Exclusion criteria were the presence of severe depression or other concomitant psychiatric disorders. Primary outcome was defined as the difference in the PANSS total score change from baseline to week 8 in the pregnenolone group compared to the placebo group. No significant difference was found in the PANSS total score changes between the two arms (mean difference (CI 95%) = -9.41 (-20.24 to 1.41); p = 0.087). Significant differences were initially found for PANSS negative change scores (mean difference (CI 95%) = -2.61 (-5.03 to -0.19); p = 0.035) and general psychopathology change scores (mean difference (CI 95%) = -5.93 (-11.37 to -0.48); p = 0.033). However, these findings did not survive Bonferroni correction for multiple testing. While this trial may suggest a potential effect of pregnenolone on schizophrenia symptoms, further studies are warranted.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Ladan Kashani
- Arash Hospital, Tehran University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran
| | - Nazila Shams
- Psychiatric Research Center, Roozbeh Hospital, Tehran University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran
| | - Ehsan Moazen-Zadeh
- Psychiatric Research Center, Roozbeh Hospital, Tehran University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran
| | | | - Gita Sadighi
- Razi Hospital, University of Social Welfare and Rehabilitation, Tehran, Iran
| | | | - Farzin Rezaei
- Qods Hospital, Kurdistan University of Medical Sciences, Sanandaj, Iran
| | - Fatemeh Rahiminejad
- Psychiatric Research Center, Roozbeh Hospital, Tehran University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran
| | - Shahin Akhondzadeh
- Psychiatric Research Center, Roozbeh Hospital, Tehran University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran.
| |
Collapse
|
13
|
Huang YC, Hung CF, Lin PY, Lee Y, Wu CC, Hsu ST, Chen CC, Chong MY, Lin CH, Wang LJ. Gender differences in susceptibility to schizophrenia: Potential implication of neurosteroids. Psychoneuroendocrinology 2017; 84:87-93. [PMID: 28686904 DOI: 10.1016/j.psyneuen.2017.06.017] [Citation(s) in RCA: 11] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/03/2017] [Revised: 06/21/2017] [Accepted: 06/23/2017] [Indexed: 11/28/2022]
Abstract
Past research has indicated gender differences in the clinical characteristics and course of schizophrenia. In this study, we investigated whether gender differences in the manifestation of schizophrenia are correlated with neurosteroids, including dehydroepiandrosterone (DHEA), dehydroepiandrosterone sulfate (DHEA-S), and pregnenolone. We further explored the potential relationship between the aforementioned neurosteroids and psychopathology. We recruited 65 schizophrenic patients (36 males and 29 females) and 103 healthy control subjects (47 males and 56 females) and obtained blood samples from the subjects in the morning while in a fasting state to determine the serum levels of DHEA, DHEA-S, and pregnenolone. The psychopathology and mood symptoms of patients with schizophrenia were evaluated using the Positive and Negative Syndrome Scale (PANSS) and 17-item Hamilton Depression Rating Scale, respectively. Compared to the male control subjects, male patients with schizophrenia had significantly lower serum levels of DHEA and pregnenolone. In males with schizophrenia, the serum levels of DHEA and DHEA-S were associated with the age of onset and the duration of illness, while pregnenolone levels were associated with general symptoms of the PANSS. However, none of the neurosteroid levels were different between the female patients with schizophrenia and the female controls, and no significant correlation between neurosteroid levels and psychopathology evaluations was found among the schizophrenic females. Neurosteroids, including DHEA, DHEA-S, and pregnenolone, are involved in the pathophysiology of schizophrenia in male patients, but not in female ones. Therefore, our findings suggest that neurosteroids may be associated with gender differences in susceptibility to schizophrenia.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Yu-Chi Huang
- Department of Psychiatry, Kaohsiung Chang Gung Memorial Hospital and Chang Gung University College of Medicine, Kaohsiung, Taiwan; Chung Shan Medical University School of Medicine, Taichung, Taiwan
| | - Chi-Fa Hung
- Department of Psychiatry, Kaohsiung Chang Gung Memorial Hospital and Chang Gung University College of Medicine, Kaohsiung, Taiwan
| | - Pao-Yen Lin
- Department of Psychiatry, Kaohsiung Chang Gung Memorial Hospital and Chang Gung University College of Medicine, Kaohsiung, Taiwan; Institute for Translational Research in Biomedical Sciences, Kaohsiung Chang Gung Memorial Hospital, Kaohsiung, Taiwan
| | - Yu Lee
- Department of Psychiatry, Kaohsiung Chang Gung Memorial Hospital and Chang Gung University College of Medicine, Kaohsiung, Taiwan
| | - Chih-Ching Wu
- Molecular Medicine Research Center, Chang Gung University, Tao-Yuan, Taiwan; Department of Medical Biotechnology and Laboratory Science, Chang Gung University, Tao-Yuan, Taiwan
| | - Su-Ting Hsu
- Kaohsiung Municipal Kai-Syuan Psychiatric Hospital, Kaohsiung, Taiwan
| | - Chien-Chih Chen
- Department of Psychiatry, Kaohsiung Chang Gung Memorial Hospital and Chang Gung University College of Medicine, Kaohsiung, Taiwan
| | - Mian-Yoon Chong
- Department of Psychiatry, Kaohsiung Chang Gung Memorial Hospital and Chang Gung University College of Medicine, Kaohsiung, Taiwan
| | - Chieh-Hsin Lin
- Department of Psychiatry, Kaohsiung Chang Gung Memorial Hospital and Chang Gung University College of Medicine, Kaohsiung, Taiwan
| | - Liang-Jen Wang
- Department of Child and Adolescent Psychiatry, Kaohsiung Chang Gung Memorial Hospital and Chang Gung University College of Medicine, Kaohsiung, Taiwan.
| |
Collapse
|
14
|
Therapeutic efficacy of atypical antipsychotic drugs by targeting multiple stress-related metabolic pathways. Transl Psychiatry 2017; 7:e1130. [PMID: 28509906 PMCID: PMC5534962 DOI: 10.1038/tp.2017.94] [Citation(s) in RCA: 28] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/18/2016] [Revised: 03/21/2017] [Accepted: 03/29/2017] [Indexed: 02/06/2023] Open
Abstract
Schizophrenia (SZ) is considered to be a multifactorial brain disorder with defects involving many biochemical pathways. Patients with SZ show variable responses to current pharmacological treatments of SZ because of the heterogeneity of this disorder. Stress has a significant role in the pathophysiological pathways and therapeutic responses of SZ. Atypical antipsychotic drugs (AAPDs) can modulate the stress response of the hypothalamic-pituitary-adrenal (HPA) axis and exert therapeutic effects on stress by targeting the prefrontal cortex (PFC) and hippocampus. To evaluate the effects of AAPDs (such as clozapine, risperidone and aripiprazole) on stress, we compared neurochemical profile variations in the PFC and hippocampus between rat models of chronic unpredictable mild stress (CUMS) for HPA axis activation and of long-term dexamethasone exposure (LTDE) for HPA axis inhibition, using an ultraperformance liquid chromatography-mass spectrometry (UPLC-MS/MS)-based metabolomic approach and a multicriteria assessment. We identified a number of stress-induced biomarkers comprising creatine, choline, inosine, hypoxanthine, uric acid, allantoic acid, lysophosphatidylcholines (LysoPCs), phosphatidylethanolamines (PEs), corticosterone and progesterone. Specifically, pathway enrichment and correlation analyses suggested that stress induces oxidative damage by disturbing the creatine-phosphocreatine circuit and purine pathway, leading to excessive membrane breakdown. Moreover, our data suggested that the AAPDs tested partially restore stress-induced deficits by increasing the levels of creatine, progesterone and PEs. Thus, the present findings provide a theoretical basis for the hypothesis that a combined therapy using adenosine triphosphate fuel, antioxidants and omega-3 fatty acids as supplements may have synergistic effects on the therapeutic outcome following AAPD treatment.
Collapse
|
15
|
Dhami K, MacKay M, Maia-de-Oliveira JP, Hallak J, Todd K, Baker G, Dursun S. Novel Targets for Development of Drugs for Treating Schizophrenia: Focus on Glycine, D-Serine and Nitric Oxide. ACTA ACUST UNITED AC 2016. [DOI: 10.5455/bcp.20130629042437] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/17/2022]
Affiliation(s)
- Kamaldeep Dhami
- Neurochemical Research Unit, Department of Psychiatry, University of Alberta, Edmonton, Alberta, Canada
| | - Marnie MacKay
- Neurochemical Research Unit, Department of Psychiatry, University of Alberta, Edmonton, Alberta, Canada
| | - Joao Paulo Maia-de-Oliveira
- National Institute of Science and Technology in Translational Medicine, Ribeirao Preto Medical School, Sao Paulo, Brazil
| | - Jaime Hallak
- Neurochemical Research Unit, Department of Psychiatry, University of Alberta, Edmonton, Alberta, Canada
- National Institute of Science and Technology in Translational Medicine, Ribeirao Preto Medical School, Sao Paulo, Brazil
| | - Kathryn Todd
- Neurochemical Research Unit, Department of Psychiatry, University of Alberta, Edmonton, Alberta, Canada
| | - Glen Baker
- Neurochemical Research Unit, Department of Psychiatry, University of Alberta, Edmonton, Alberta, Canada
- National Institute of Science and Technology in Translational Medicine, Ribeirao Preto Medical School, Sao Paulo, Brazil
| | - Serdar Dursun
- Neurochemical Research Unit, Department of Psychiatry, University of Alberta, Edmonton, Alberta, Canada
- National Institute of Science and Technology in Translational Medicine, Ribeirao Preto Medical School, Sao Paulo, Brazil
| |
Collapse
|
16
|
Lerner V, McCaffery PJA, Ritsner MS. Targeting Retinoid Receptors to Treat Schizophrenia: Rationale and Progress to Date. CNS Drugs 2016; 30:269-80. [PMID: 26968404 DOI: 10.1007/s40263-016-0316-9] [Citation(s) in RCA: 12] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/12/2022]
Abstract
This review provides the rationale and reports on the progress to date regarding the targeting of retinoid receptors for the treatment of schizophrenia and schizoaffective disorder and the role of retinoic acid in functions of the normal brain, and in psychotic states. After a brief introduction, we describe the normal function of retinoic acid in the brain. We then examine the evidence regarding retinoid dysregulation in schizophrenia. Finally, findings from two add-on clinical trials with a retinoid (bexarotene) are discussed. The authors of this review suggest that targeting retinoid receptors may be a novel approach to treat schizophrenia and schizoaffective disorder. Further studies are warranted.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Vladimir Lerner
- Faculty of Health Sciences, Be'er Sheva Mental Health Center, Ben-Gurion University of the Negev, Beersheba, Israel
| | - Peter J A McCaffery
- Institute of Medical Sciences, University of Aberdeen, Foresterhill, Aberdeen, UK
| | - Michael S Ritsner
- Department of Psychiatry, Rappaport Faculty of Medicine, Technion-Israel Institute of Technology, Haifa, Israel. .,Sha'ar Menashe Mental Health Center, Mobile Post Hefer, 37806, Hadera, Israel.
| |
Collapse
|
17
|
Brunton PJ. Programming the brain and behaviour by early-life stress: a focus on neuroactive steroids. J Neuroendocrinol 2015; 27:468-80. [PMID: 25688636 DOI: 10.1111/jne.12265] [Citation(s) in RCA: 59] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/26/2014] [Revised: 02/11/2015] [Accepted: 02/11/2015] [Indexed: 01/09/2023]
Abstract
Animal studies have amply demonstrated that stress exposure during pregnancy or in early postnatal life can adversely influence brain development and have long-term 'programming' effects on future brain function and behaviour. Furthermore, a growing body of evidence from human studies supports the hypothesis that some psychiatric disorders may have developmental origins. Here, the focus is on three adverse consequences of early-life stress: dysregulation of the hypothalamic-pituitary-adrenal (HPA) axis, heightened anxiety behaviour and cognitive impairments, with review of what is known about the underlying central mechanisms. Neuroactive steroids modulate neuronal activity and play a key role in neurodevelopment. Moreover they can negatively modulate activity of the HPA axis, exert anxiolytic actions and influence cognitive performance. Thus, neuroactive steroids may provide a link between early-life stress and the resultant adverse effects on the brain and behaviour. Here, a role for neuroactive steroids, in particular the 5α-reduced/3α-hydroxylated metabolites of progesterone, testosterone and deoxycorticosterone, is discussed in the context of early-life stress. Furthermore, the impact of early-life stress on the brain's capacity to generate neurosteroids is considered and the evidence for an ability of neuroactive steroids to over-write the negative effects of early-life stress on the brain and behaviour is examined. An enhanced understanding of the influence of early-life stress on brain neurosteroid systems could aid the identification of new targets for developing treatments for stress-related conditions in humans.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- P J Brunton
- Division of Neurobiology, The Roslin Institute & R(D)SVS, University of Edinburgh, Midlothian, UK
| |
Collapse
|
18
|
Holubova K, Nekovarova T, Pistovcakova J, Sulcova A, Stuchlík A, Vales K. Pregnanolone Glutamate, a Novel Use-Dependent NMDA Receptor Inhibitor, Exerts Antidepressant-Like Properties in Animal Models. Front Behav Neurosci 2014; 8:130. [PMID: 24795582 PMCID: PMC3997017 DOI: 10.3389/fnbeh.2014.00130] [Citation(s) in RCA: 21] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/19/2013] [Accepted: 03/29/2014] [Indexed: 01/28/2023] Open
Abstract
A number of studies demonstrated a rapid onset of an antidepressant effect of non-competitive N-methyl-d-aspartic acid receptor (NMDAR) antagonists. Nonetheless, its therapeutic potential is rather limited, due to a high coincidence of negative side-effects. Therefore, the challenge seems to be in the development of NMDAR antagonists displaying antidepressant properties, and at the same time maintaining regular physiological function of the NMDAR. Previous results demonstrated that naturally occurring neurosteroid 3α5β-pregnanolone sulfate shows pronounced inhibitory action by a use-dependent mechanism on the tonically active NMDAR. The aim of the present experiments is to find out whether the treatment with pregnanolone 3αC derivatives affects behavioral response to chronic and acute stress in an animal model of depression. Adult male mice were used throughout the study. Repeated social defeat and forced swimming tests were used as animal models of depression. The effect of the drugs on the locomotor/exploratory activity in the open-field test was also tested together with an effect on anxiety in the elevated plus maze. Results showed that pregnanolone glutamate (PG) did not induce hyperlocomotion, whereas both dizocilpine and ketamine significantly increased spontaneous locomotor activity in the open field. In the elevated plus maze, PG displayed anxiolytic-like properties. In forced swimming, PG prolonged time to the first floating. Acute treatment of PG disinhibited suppressed locomotor activity in the repeatedly defeated group-housed mice. Aggressive behavior of isolated mice was reduced after the chronic 30-day administration of PG. PG showed antidepressant-like and anxiolytic-like properties in the used tests, with minimal side-effects. Since PG combines GABAA receptor potentiation and use-dependent NMDAR inhibition, synthetic derivatives of neuroactive steroids present a promising strategy for the treatment of mood disorders. Highlights:
3α5β-pregnanolone glutamate (PG) is a use-dependent antagonist of NMDA receptors. We demonstrated that PG did not induce significant hyperlocomotion. We showed that PG displayed anxiolytic-like and antidepressant-like properties.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Kristina Holubova
- Institute of Physiology, Academy of Sciences of the Czech Republic , Prague , Czech Republic
| | - Tereza Nekovarova
- Institute of Physiology, Academy of Sciences of the Czech Republic , Prague , Czech Republic
| | - Jana Pistovcakova
- Faculty of Medicine, Department of Pharmacology, Masaryk University , Brno , Czech Republic
| | - Alexandra Sulcova
- Central European Institute of Technology, Masaryk University , Brno , Czech Republic
| | - Ales Stuchlík
- Institute of Physiology, Academy of Sciences of the Czech Republic , Prague , Czech Republic
| | - Karel Vales
- Institute of Physiology, Academy of Sciences of the Czech Republic , Prague , Czech Republic
| |
Collapse
|
19
|
Schmitt A, Malchow B, Hasan A, Falkai P. The impact of environmental factors in severe psychiatric disorders. Front Neurosci 2014; 8:19. [PMID: 24574956 PMCID: PMC3920481 DOI: 10.3389/fnins.2014.00019] [Citation(s) in RCA: 195] [Impact Index Per Article: 19.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/19/2013] [Accepted: 01/23/2014] [Indexed: 01/08/2023] Open
Abstract
During the last decades, schizophrenia has been regarded as a developmental disorder. The neurodevelopmental hypothesis proposes schizophrenia to be related to genetic and environmental factors leading to abnormal brain development during the pre- or postnatal period. First disease symptoms appear in early adulthood during the synaptic pruning and myelination process. Meta-analyses of structural MRI studies revealing hippocampal volume deficits in first-episode patients and in the longitudinal disease course confirm this hypothesis. Apart from the influence of risk genes in severe psychiatric disorders, environmental factors may also impact brain development during the perinatal period. Several environmental factors such as antenatal maternal virus infections, obstetric complications entailing hypoxia as common factor or stress during neurodevelopment have been identified to play a role in schizophrenia and bipolar disorder, possibly contributing to smaller hippocampal volumes. In major depression, psychosocial stress during the perinatal period or in adulthood is an important trigger. In animal studies, chronic stress or repeated administration of glucocorticoids have been shown to induce degeneration of glucocorticoid-sensitive hippocampal neurons and may contribute to the pathophysiology of affective disorders. Epigenetic mechanisms altering the chromatin structure such as histone acetylation and DNA methylation may mediate effects of environmental factors to transcriptional regulation of specific genes and be a prominent factor in gene-environmental interaction. In animal models, gene-environmental interaction should be investigated more intensely to unravel pathophysiological mechanisms. These findings may lead to new therapeutic strategies influencing epigenetic targets in severe psychiatric disorders.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Andrea Schmitt
- Department of Psychiatry and Psychotherapy, LMU Munich Munich, Germany ; Laboratory of Neuroscience (LIM27), Institute of Psychiatry, University of Sao Paulo São Paulo, Brazil
| | - Berend Malchow
- Department of Psychiatry and Psychotherapy, LMU Munich Munich, Germany
| | - Alkomiet Hasan
- Department of Psychiatry and Psychotherapy, LMU Munich Munich, Germany
| | - Peter Falkai
- Department of Psychiatry and Psychotherapy, LMU Munich Munich, Germany
| |
Collapse
|
20
|
Milush JM, Chen HL, Atteberry G, Sodora DL. Early detection of simian immunodeficiency virus in the central nervous system following oral administration to rhesus macaques. Front Immunol 2013; 4:236. [PMID: 23966995 PMCID: PMC3743037 DOI: 10.3389/fimmu.2013.00236] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/30/2013] [Accepted: 07/31/2013] [Indexed: 12/05/2022] Open
Abstract
The timing of HIV dissemination to the central nervous system (CNS) has the potential to have important implications regarding HIV disease progression and treatment. The earlier HIV enters the CNS the more difficult it might be to remove with antiretroviral therapy. Alternatively, HIV may only enter the CNS later in the course of disease as a result of disruption of the blood-brain-barrier. We utilized the simian immunodeficiency virus (SIV) infection of rhesus macaques to evaluate the oral route of infection and the subsequent spread of SIV to the CNS during the acute infection phase. A high dose oral SIV challenge was utilized to ensure a successful infection and permit the evaluation of CNS spread during the first 1–14 days post-infection. Ultrasensitive nested PCR was used to detect SIV gag DNA in the brains of macaques at 1–2 days post-infection and identified SIV gag DNA in the brain tissues from three of four macaques. This SIV DNA was also present following perfusion of the macaque brains, providing evidence that it was not residing in the circulating blood but in the brain tissue itself. The diversity of the viral envelope V1–V2 region at early times post-infection indicated that the brain viral variants were similar to variants obtained from lymph nodes. This genetic similarity between SIV obtained from lymphoid and brain tissues suggests that the founder population of viral species entered and subsequently spread without any evidence of brain-specific SIV selection. The relatively rapid appearance of SIV within the CNS tissue following oral transmission may also occur during HIV transmission where it may impact disease course as well as representing a challenge for long-term therapies and future viral eradication modalities.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Jeffrey M Milush
- Department of Medicine, Division of Experimental Medicine, University of California San Francisco , San Francisco, CA , USA
| | | | | | | |
Collapse
|
21
|
Bicikova M, Hill M, Ripova D, Mohr P, Hampl R. Determination of steroid metabolome as a possible tool for laboratory diagnosis of schizophrenia. J Steroid Biochem Mol Biol 2013; 133:77-83. [PMID: 22944140 DOI: 10.1016/j.jsbmb.2012.08.009] [Citation(s) in RCA: 46] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/23/2012] [Revised: 08/13/2012] [Accepted: 08/16/2012] [Indexed: 02/07/2023]
Abstract
Metabolomic studies represent a promising tool for early diagnosis of schizophrenia. The aim of this study was to find differences in the steroid spectrum in patients and controls, and to assess the diagnosis of schizophrenia by building a predictive model based on steroid data. Thirty-nine serum steroids (22 neuroactive steroids and their metabolites and 17 polar conjugates) representing steroid metabolome were measured by gas chromatography-mass spectrometry in 22 drug-naive (first episode) schizophrenia patients (13 men and 9 women) before and after six-month treatment with atypical antipsychotics. The results were compared to the data from healthy subjects (22 males, 25 females). In summary the following significant differences were found: (1) In both sexes higher levels of pregnenolone sulfate and sulfated 5α- as well as 5β-saturated metabolites of C21-steroids in progesterone metabolic pathway were found in patients, pointing to decreased activity of sulfatase. (2) In a few instances decreased levels of the respective 5α-metabolites of C21 steroids were found in patients. (3) As C19 steroids concern, in both sexes there were considerably lowered levels of 5β-reduced metabolites in patients. On the other hand, with only a few exceptions, the treatment did not significantly influence most steroid levels. Further, to assess the relationships between schizophrenia status and steroid levels and to build the predictive model of schizophrenia, multivariate regression with reduction of dimensionality (the method of orthogonal projections to latent structures, OPLS) was applied. Irrespective of the small number of patients, use of this model enabled us to state the diagnosis of schizophrenia with almost 100% sensitivity. Our findings suggest that the assessment of steroid levels may become a valid and accurate laboratory test in psychiatry. A limitation of our study is the absence of subjects with a diagnosis other than schizophrenia, so we cannot conclude whether the results are specific for schizophrenia. On the other hand, steroid metabolome model may be used as a diagnostic tool for further studies.
Collapse
|
22
|
Maingat FG, Polyak MJ, Paul AM, Vivithanaporn P, Noorbakhsh F, Ahboucha S, Baker GB, Pearson K, Power C. Neurosteroid-mediated regulation of brain innate immunity in HIV/AIDS: DHEA-S suppresses neurovirulence. FASEB J 2012; 27:725-37. [PMID: 23150523 DOI: 10.1096/fj.12-215079] [Citation(s) in RCA: 29] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/11/2022]
Abstract
Neurosteroids are cholesterol-derived molecules synthesized within the brain, which exert trophic and protective actions. Infection by human and feline immunodeficiency viruses (HIV and FIV, respectively) causes neuroinflammation and neurodegeneration, leading to neurological deficits. Secretion of neuroinflammatory host and viral factors by glia and infiltrating leukocytes mediates the principal neuropathogenic mechanisms during lentivirus infections, although the effect of neurosteroids on these processes is unknown. We investigated the interactions between neurosteroid-mediated effects and lentivirus infection outcomes. Analyses of HIV-infected (HIV(+)) and uninfected human brains disclosed a reduction in neurosteroid synthesis enzyme expression. Human neurons exposed to supernatants from HIV(+) macrophages exhibited suppressed enzyme expression without reduced cellular viability. HIV(+) human macrophages treated with sulfated dehydroepiandrosterone (DHEA-S) showed suppression of inflammatory gene (IL-1β, IL-6, TNF-α) expression. FIV-infected (FIV(+)) animals treated daily with 15 mg/kg body weight. DHEA-S treatment reduced inflammatory gene transcripts (IL-1β, TNF-α, CD3ε, GFAP) in brain compared to vehicle-(β-cyclodextrin)-treated FIV(+) animals similar to levels found in vehicle-treated FIV(-) animals. DHEA-S treatment also increased CD4(+) T-cell levels and prevented neurobehavioral deficits and neuronal loss among FIV(+) animals, compared to vehicle-treated FIV(+) animals. Reduced neuronal neurosteroid synthesis was evident in lentivirus infections, but treatment with DHEA-S limited neuroinflammation and prevented neurobehavioral deficits. Neurosteroid-derived therapies could be effective in the treatment of virus- or inflammation-mediated neurodegeneration.
Collapse
|
23
|
Vales K, Rambousek L, Holubova K, Svoboda J, Bubenikova-Valesova V, Chodounska H, Vyklicky L, Stuchlik A. 3α5β-Pregnanolone glutamate, a use-dependent NMDA antagonist, reversed spatial learning deficit in an animal model of schizophrenia. Behav Brain Res 2012; 235:82-8. [PMID: 22820236 DOI: 10.1016/j.bbr.2012.07.020] [Citation(s) in RCA: 12] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/07/2012] [Revised: 07/09/2012] [Accepted: 07/12/2012] [Indexed: 01/04/2023]
Abstract
Neuroactive steroids modulate receptors for neurotransmitters in the brain and thus might be efficacious in the treatment of various diseases of the central nervous system such as schizophrenia. We have designed and synthetized a novel use-dependent NMDA receptor antagonist 3α5β-pregnanolone glutamate (3α5β-P-Glu). In this study, we evaluate procognitive properties of 3α5β-P-Glu in an animal model of schizophrenia induced by systemic application of MK-801. The procognitive properties were evaluated using active place avoidance on a rotating arena (Carousel maze). We evaluated effects of 3α5β-P-Glu on the avoidance, on locomotor activity, and anxiety. 3α5β-P-Glu alone altered neither spatial learning nor locomotor activity in control animals. In the model animals, 3α5β-P-Glu reversed the MK-801-induced cognitive deficit without reducing hyperlocomotion. The highest dose of 3α5β-P-Glu also showed anxiolytic properties. Taken together, 3α5β-P-Glu may participate in the restoration of normal brain functioning and these results may facilitate the development of new promising drugs improving cognitive functioning in schizophrenia.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Karel Vales
- Institute of Physiology, Academy of Sciences of the Czech Republic, Czech Republic
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
Collapse
|
24
|
Veer IM, Oei NYL, Spinhoven P, van Buchem MA, Elzinga BM, Rombouts SARB. Endogenous cortisol is associated with functional connectivity between the amygdala and medial prefrontal cortex. Psychoneuroendocrinology 2012; 37:1039-47. [PMID: 22204928 DOI: 10.1016/j.psyneuen.2011.12.001] [Citation(s) in RCA: 101] [Impact Index Per Article: 8.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/20/2011] [Revised: 10/28/2011] [Accepted: 12/01/2011] [Indexed: 11/28/2022]
Abstract
Whether glucocorticoids mediate medial prefrontal cortex (mPFC) regulation of the amygdala in humans remains unclear. In the current study we investigated whether cortisol levels under relatively stress-free circumstances are related to amygdala resting-state functional connectivity with the mPFC. Resting-state fMRI data were acquired from 20 healthy male participants. Salivary cortisol was sampled at multiple times throughout the experiment. The cortisol area under the curve increase (AUCi) was calculated as a measure of cortisol dynamics. Next, seed based correlations were employed on the resting-state fMRI data to reveal regions of amygdala functional connectivity related to variations in cortisol AUCi. The resulting statistical maps were corrected for multiple comparisons using cluster based thresholding (Z>2.3, p<.05). Two regions in the mPFC showed decreasing negative functional connectivity with the amygdala when a lesser decrease in cortisol AUCi was observed: the perigenual anterior cingulate cortex and medial frontal pole (BA10). Although we initially showed a relation with cortisol AUCi, it seemed that the baseline cortisol levels were actually driving this effect: higher baseline cortisol levels related to stronger negative functional connectivity with the mPFC. Endogenous cortisol levels may modulate amygdala functional connectivity with specific regions in the mPFC, even under relatively stress-free circumstances. Our results corroborate previous findings from both animal and human studies, suggesting cortisol-mediated regulation of the amygdala by the mPFC. We propose that through this feedback mechanism the stress response might be adjusted, pointing to the putative role of cortisol in modulating stress- and, more generally, emotional responses.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Ilya M Veer
- Leiden Institute for Brain and Cognition (LIBC), Leiden, The Netherlands.
| | | | | | | | | | | |
Collapse
|
25
|
Faravelli C, Lo Sauro C, Godini L, Lelli L, Benni L, Pietrini F, Lazzeretti L, Talamba GA, Fioravanti G, Ricca V. Childhood stressful events, HPA axis and anxiety disorders. World J Psychiatry 2012; 2:13-25. [PMID: 24175164 PMCID: PMC3782172 DOI: 10.5498/wjp.v2.i1.13] [Citation(s) in RCA: 113] [Impact Index Per Article: 9.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/06/2011] [Revised: 10/24/2011] [Accepted: 01/21/2012] [Indexed: 02/05/2023] Open
Abstract
Anxiety disorders are among the most common of all mental disorders and their pathogenesis is a major topic in psychiatry, both for prevention and treatment. Early stressful life events and alterations of hypothalamic pituitary adrenal (HPA) axis function seem to have a significant role in the onset of anxiety. Existing data appear to support the mediating effect of the HPA axis between childhood traumata and posttraumatic stress disorder. Findings on the HPA axis activity at baseline and after stimuli in panic disordered patients are inconclusive, even if stressful life events may have a triggering function in the development of this disorder. Data on the relationship between stress, HPA axis functioning and obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD) are scarce and discordant, but an increased activity of the HPA axis is reported in OCD patients. Moreover, normal basal cortisol levels and hyper-responsiveness of the adrenal cortex during a psychosocial stressor are observed in social phobics. Finally, abnormal HPA axis activity has also been observed in generalized anxiety disordered patients. While several hypothesis have attempted to explain these findings over time, currently the most widely accepted theory is that early stressful life events may provoke alterations of the stress response and thus of the HPA axis, that can endure during adulthood, predisposing individuals to develop psychopathology. All theories are reviewed and the authors conclude that childhood life events and HPA abnormalities may be specifically and transnosographically related to all anxiety disorders, as well as, more broadly, to all psychiatric disorders.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Carlo Faravelli
- Carlo Faravelli, Carolina Lo Sauro, Department of Psychology, University of Florence, 50135 Firenze, Florence, Italy
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
Collapse
|
26
|
Do Rego JL, Seong JY, Burel D, Leprince J, Vaudry D, Luu-The V, Tonon MC, Tsutsui K, Pelletier G, Vaudry H. Regulation of neurosteroid biosynthesis by neurotransmitters and neuropeptides. Front Endocrinol (Lausanne) 2012; 3:4. [PMID: 22654849 PMCID: PMC3356045 DOI: 10.3389/fendo.2012.00004] [Citation(s) in RCA: 21] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/31/2011] [Accepted: 01/05/2012] [Indexed: 12/30/2022] Open
Abstract
The enzymatic pathways leading to the synthesis of bioactive steroids in the brain are now almost completely elucidated in various groups of vertebrates and, during the last decade, the neuronal mechanisms involved in the regulation of neurosteroid production have received increasing attention. This report reviews the current knowledge concerning the effects of neurotransmitters, peptide hormones, and neuropeptides on the biosynthesis of neurosteroids. Anatomical studies have been carried out to visualize the neurotransmitter- or neuropeptide-containing fibers contacting steroid-synthesizing neurons as well as the neurotransmitter, peptide hormones, or neuropeptide receptors expressed in these neurons. Biochemical experiments have been conducted to investigate the effects of neurotransmitters, peptide hormones, or neuropeptides on neurosteroid biosynthesis, and to characterize the type of receptors involved. Thus, it has been found that glutamate, acting through kainate and/or AMPA receptors, rapidly inactivates P450arom, and that melatonin produced by the pineal gland and eye inhibits the biosynthesis of 7α-hydroxypregnenolone (7α-OH-Δ(5)P), while prolactin produced by the adenohypophysis enhances the formation of 7α-OH-Δ(5)P. It has also been demonstrated that the biosynthesis of neurosteroids is inhibited by GABA, acting through GABA(A) receptors, and neuropeptide Y, acting through Y1 receptors. In contrast, it has been shown that the octadecaneuropetide ODN, acting through central-type benzodiazepine receptors, the triakontatetraneuropeptide TTN, acting though peripheral-type benzodiazepine receptors, and vasotocin, acting through V1a-like receptors, stimulate the production of neurosteroids. Since neurosteroids are implicated in the control of various neurophysiological and behavioral processes, these data suggest that some of the neurophysiological effects exerted by neurotransmitters and neuropeptides may be mediated via the regulation of neurosteroid production.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Jean Luc Do Rego
- INSERMMont-Saint-Aignan France
- European Institute for Peptide Research, IFRMP 23, Regional Platform for Cell Imaging, PRIMACEN, University of RouenMont-Saint-Aignan, France
- International Associated Laboratory Samuel de ChamplainMont-Saint-Aignan, France
| | - Jae Young Seong
- Laboratory of G Protein-Coupled Receptors, Graduate School of Medicine, Korea University College of MedicineSeoul, Korea
| | - Delphine Burel
- INSERMMont-Saint-Aignan France
- European Institute for Peptide Research, IFRMP 23, Regional Platform for Cell Imaging, PRIMACEN, University of RouenMont-Saint-Aignan, France
- International Associated Laboratory Samuel de ChamplainMont-Saint-Aignan, France
- Laboratory of Neuronal and Neuroendocrine Differentiation and Communication, INSERM U982, University of RouenMont-Saint-Aignan, France
| | - Jerôme Leprince
- INSERMMont-Saint-Aignan France
- European Institute for Peptide Research, IFRMP 23, Regional Platform for Cell Imaging, PRIMACEN, University of RouenMont-Saint-Aignan, France
- International Associated Laboratory Samuel de ChamplainMont-Saint-Aignan, France
- Laboratory of Neuronal and Neuroendocrine Differentiation and Communication, INSERM U982, University of RouenMont-Saint-Aignan, France
| | - David Vaudry
- INSERMMont-Saint-Aignan France
- European Institute for Peptide Research, IFRMP 23, Regional Platform for Cell Imaging, PRIMACEN, University of RouenMont-Saint-Aignan, France
- International Associated Laboratory Samuel de ChamplainMont-Saint-Aignan, France
- Laboratory of Neuronal and Neuroendocrine Differentiation and Communication, INSERM U982, University of RouenMont-Saint-Aignan, France
| | - Van Luu-The
- Research Center in Molecular Endocrinology, Oncology and Genetics, Laval University Hospital CenterQuébec, QC, Canada
| | - Marie-Christine Tonon
- INSERMMont-Saint-Aignan France
- European Institute for Peptide Research, IFRMP 23, Regional Platform for Cell Imaging, PRIMACEN, University of RouenMont-Saint-Aignan, France
- International Associated Laboratory Samuel de ChamplainMont-Saint-Aignan, France
- Laboratory of Neuronal and Neuroendocrine Differentiation and Communication, INSERM U982, University of RouenMont-Saint-Aignan, France
| | - Kazuyoshi Tsutsui
- Laboratory of Integrative Brain Sciences, Department of Biology, Waseda UniversityTokyo, Japan
- Center for Medical Life Science of Waseda UniversityTokyo, Japan
| | - Georges Pelletier
- Research Center in Molecular Endocrinology, Oncology and Genetics, Laval University Hospital CenterQuébec, QC, Canada
| | - Hubert Vaudry
- INSERMMont-Saint-Aignan France
- European Institute for Peptide Research, IFRMP 23, Regional Platform for Cell Imaging, PRIMACEN, University of RouenMont-Saint-Aignan, France
- International Associated Laboratory Samuel de ChamplainMont-Saint-Aignan, France
- Laboratory of Neuronal and Neuroendocrine Differentiation and Communication, INSERM U982, University of RouenMont-Saint-Aignan, France
- *Correspondence: Hubert Vaudry, INSERM U982, European Institute for Peptide Research, IFRMP 23, University of Rouen, 76821 Mont-Saint-Aignan, France. e-mail:
| |
Collapse
|
27
|
The role of oestrogen and other hormones in the pathophysiology and treatment of schizophrenia. SCHIZOPHRENIA RESEARCH AND TREATMENT 2012; 2012:540273. [PMID: 22966438 PMCID: PMC3420457 DOI: 10.1155/2012/540273] [Citation(s) in RCA: 18] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/10/2011] [Accepted: 12/07/2011] [Indexed: 01/16/2023]
Abstract
The theory that many serious mental illnesses, in particular psychoses such as schizophrenia, may have a significant hormonal aetiological component is fast gaining popularity and the support of scientific evidence. Oestrogen in particular has been substantially investigated as a potential mediator of brain function in schizophrenia. Epidemiological and life-cycle data point to significant differences in the incidence and course of schizophrenia between men and women suggests a protective role of oestrogen. In vitro and in vivo preclinical research confirms oestradiol's interactions with central neurotransmitter systems implicated in the pathogenesis of schizophrenia, while results from randomised controlled trials investigating the antipsychotic potential of oestrogen have been positive. Research into other neuroactive hormones with possible effects on mental state is a rapidly evolving field that may hold new promise. Given that schizophrenia and related psychoses are pervasive and debilitating conditions for which currently available treatments are often only partially effective and entail a high risk of serious side-effects, novel therapeutic strategies are needed. The literature reviewed in this paper suggests that hormones such as oestrogen could be a viable option, and it is hoped that with further research and larger trials, the oestrogen hypothesis can be translated into effective clinical practice.
Collapse
|
28
|
Ivanova SA, Semke AV, Fedorenko OY. The correlation between schizophrenia duration and the serum concentration of dehydroepiandrosterone sulfate. NEUROCHEM J+ 2011. [DOI: 10.1134/s1819712411040076] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/23/2022]
|
29
|
Noorbakhsh F, Ellestad KK, Maingat F, Warren KG, Han MH, Steinman L, Baker GB, Power C. Impaired neurosteroid synthesis in multiple sclerosis. ACTA ACUST UNITED AC 2011; 134:2703-21. [PMID: 21908875 DOI: 10.1093/brain/awr200] [Citation(s) in RCA: 163] [Impact Index Per Article: 12.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/22/2022]
Abstract
High-throughput technologies have led to advances in the recognition of disease pathways and their underlying mechanisms. To investigate the impact of micro-RNAs on the disease process in multiple sclerosis, a prototypic inflammatory neurological disorder, we examined cerebral white matter from patients with or without the disease by micro-RNA profiling, together with confirmatory reverse transcription-polymerase chain reaction analysis, immunoblotting and gas chromatography-mass spectrometry. These observations were verified using the in vivo multiple sclerosis model, experimental autoimmune encephalomyelitis. Brains of patients with or without multiple sclerosis demonstrated differential expression of multiple micro-RNAs, but expression of three neurosteroid synthesis enzyme-specific micro-RNAs (miR-338, miR-155 and miR-491) showed a bias towards induction in patients with multiple sclerosis (P < 0.05). Analysis of the neurosteroidogenic pathways targeted by micro-RNAs revealed suppression of enzyme transcript and protein levels in the white matter of patients with multiple sclerosis (P < 0.05). This was confirmed by firefly/Renilla luciferase micro-RNA target knockdown experiments (P < 0.05) and detection of specific micro-RNAs by in situ hybridization in the brains of patients with or without multiple sclerosis. Levels of important neurosteroids, including allopregnanolone, were suppressed in the white matter of patients with multiple sclerosis (P < 0.05). Induction of the murine micro-RNAs, miR-338 and miR-155, accompanied by diminished expression of neurosteroidogenic enzymes and allopregnanolone, was also observed in the brains of mice with experimental autoimmune encephalomyelitis (P < 0.05). Allopregnanolone treatment of the experimental autoimmune encephalomyelitis mouse model limited the associated neuropathology, including neuroinflammation, myelin and axonal injury and reduced neurobehavioral deficits (P < 0.05). These multi-platform studies point to impaired neurosteroidogenesis in both multiple sclerosis and experimental autoimmune encephalomyelitis. The findings also indicate that allopregnanolone and perhaps other neurosteroid-like compounds might represent potential biomarkers or therapies for multiple sclerosis.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Farshid Noorbakhsh
- Department of Medicine (Neurology), 6-11 Heritage Medical Research Centre, University of Alberta, Edmonton, AB T6G 2S2, Canada
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
Collapse
|
30
|
Yang BZ, Han S, Kranzler HR, Farrer LA, Gelernter J. A genomewide linkage scan of cocaine dependence and major depressive episode in two populations. Neuropsychopharmacology 2011; 36:2422-30. [PMID: 21849985 PMCID: PMC3194068 DOI: 10.1038/npp.2011.122] [Citation(s) in RCA: 27] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/09/2023]
Abstract
Cocaine dependence (CD) and major depressive episode (MDE) frequently co-occur with poorer treatment outcome and higher relapse risk. Shared genetic risk was affirmed; to date, there have been no reports of genomewide linkage scans (GWLSs) surveying the susceptibility regions for comorbid CD and MDE (CD-MDE). We aimed to identify chromosomal regions and candidate genes susceptible to CD, MDE, and CD-MDE in African Americans (AAs) and European Americans (EAs). A total of 1896 individuals were recruited from 384 AA and 355 EA families, each with at least a sibling-pair with CD and/or opioid dependence. Array-based genotyping of about 6000 single-nucleotide polymorphisms was completed for all individuals. Parametric and non-parametric genomewide linkage analyses were performed. We found a genomewide-significant linkage peak on chromosome 7 at 183.4 cM for non-parametric analysis of CD-MDE in AAs (lod=3.8, genomewide empirical p=0.016; point-wise p=0.00001). A nearly genomewide significant linkage was identified for CD-MDE in EAs on chromosome 5 at 14.3 cM (logarithm of odds (lod)=2.95, genomewide empirical p=0.055; point-wise p=0.00012). Parametric analysis corroborated the findings in these two regions and improved the support for the peak on chromosome 5 so that it reached genomewide significance (heterogeneity lod=3.28, genomewide empirical p=0.046; point-wise p=0.00053). This is the first GWLS for CD-MDE. The genomewide significant linkage regions on chromosomes 5 and 7 harbor four particularly promising candidate genes: SRD5A1, UBE3C, PTPRN2, and VIPR2. Replication of the linkage findings in other populations is warranted, as is a focused analysis of the genes located in the linkage regions implicated here.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Bao-Zhu Yang
- Department of Psychiatry, Yale University School of Medicine, New Haven, and VA CT Healthcare Center, West Haven, CT, USA
| | - Shizhong Han
- Department of Psychiatry, Yale University School of Medicine, New Haven, and VA CT Healthcare Center, West Haven, CT, USA
| | - Henry R Kranzler
- Department of Psychiatry, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, PA, USA
| | - Lindsay A Farrer
- Department of Medicine, Neurology, Ophthalmology, Genetics and Genomics, Epidemiology and Biostatistics, Boston University Schools of Medicine and Public Health, Boston, MA, USA
| | - Joel Gelernter
- Department of Psychiatry, Yale University School of Medicine, New Haven, and VA CT Healthcare Center, West Haven, CT, USA,Department of Genetics and Neurobiology, Yale University School of Medicine, New Haven, and VA CT Healthcare Center, West Haven, CT, USA,Division of Human Genetics in Psychiatry, Department of Psychiatry, Yale University School of Medicine, New Haven and VA CT Healthcare Center, VA CT 116A2, 950 Campbell Avenue, West Haven, CT 06516, USA, Tel: +1 203 932 5711, Fax: +1 203 937 4741, E-mail:
| |
Collapse
|
31
|
Bicikova M, Hill M, Ripova D, Mohr P. Altered levels of circulating GABAergic 5α/β-reduced pregnane and androstane steroids in schizophrenic men. Horm Mol Biol Clin Investig 2011; 6:227-30. [DOI: 10.1515/hmbci.2010.083] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/07/2010] [Accepted: 12/22/2010] [Indexed: 11/15/2022]
Abstract
AbstractThe role of GABAergic pathways in the pathophysiology of schizophrenia is generally accepted. Therefore, the information concerning alterations of the steroid metabolome associated with the disease and/or its treatment is of interest with regard to the pathophysiology of the disease. Hence, we assessed 18 serum steroids and steroid polar conjugates in a group of drug-naive patients (13 adult men) and after 6-months therapy by atypical antipsychotics and age-matched controls (19 men) using gas chromatography-mass spectrometry analysis. This study, for the first time, demonstrates the altered circulating GABAergic steroids in schizophrenic men as well as the effect of the therapy with two types of atypical antipsychotics. The GABAergic androsterone (3α5α) and etiocholanolone (3α5β) are reduced in schizophrenic men but the therapy with atypical antipsychotics reinstates their levels. This reinstatement could be of importance when considering that the GABAergic substances generally improve the well-being of patients. In addition to the unconjugated androsterone, being the most abundant GABAergic steroid in men, most of the other GABAergic steroids also tended to decrease in the patients. By contrast, the conjugated 5β-pregnanolone isomers were elevated in the patients. In conclusion, although schizophrenia status in adult men is associated with unfavorable alterations in neuroactive steroids, the treatment with antipsychotics could at least partly reinstate their circulating levels.
Collapse
|
32
|
Faravelli C, Gorini Amedei S, Rotella F, Faravelli L, Palla A, Consoli G, Ricca V, Batini S, Lo Sauro C, Spiti A, Catena Dell'osso M. Childhood traumata, Dexamethasone Suppression Test and psychiatric symptoms: a trans-diagnostic approach. Psychol Med 2010; 40:2037-2048. [PMID: 20132583 DOI: 10.1017/s0033291710000115] [Citation(s) in RCA: 22] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 02/06/2023]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Childhood traumatic events and functional abnormalities of the hypothalamus-pituitary-adrenal (HPA) axis have been widely reported in psychiatric patients, although neither is specific for any diagnosis. Among the limited number of studies that have evaluated these topics, none has adopted a trans-diagnostic approach. The aim of the present research is to explore the relationship between childhood stressors, HPA axis function and psychiatric symptoms, independent of the diagnosis. METHOD A total of 93 moderate to severely ill psychiatric out-patients of Florence and Pisa University Psychiatric Units and 33 healthy control subjects were recruited. The assessment consisted of salivary cortisol pre- and post-low dose (0.5 mg) Dexamethasone, early and recent life events, 121 psychiatric symptoms independent of diagnosis, SCID, BPRS. RESULTS In total, 33.5% of patients were Dexamethasone Suppression Test (DST) non-suppressors, compared with 6.1% of controls (p=0.001). Among patients, non-suppression was associated with particular symptoms (i.e. depressive and psychotic), but not to any specific diagnosis. Early stressful life events were significantly associated with higher salivary cortisol levels, with DST non-suppression and with approximately the same subset of symptoms. A recent stressful event seemed to be associated to the HPA response only in those subjects who were exposed to early traumata. CONCLUSIONS Our report suggests a relationship between life stress, HPA axis and psychopathology. A cluster of specific psychiatric symptoms seems to be stress related. Moreover, it seems that an abnormal HPA response is possibly triggered by an excessive pressure in vulnerable individuals.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- C Faravelli
- Department of Neurology and Psychiatry, Florence University, Viale Morgagni 85, 50134 Firenze, Italy.
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
Collapse
|
33
|
Is subcortical-cortical midline activity in depression mediated by glutamate and GABA? A cross-species translational approach. Neurosci Biobehav Rev 2009; 34:592-605. [PMID: 19958790 DOI: 10.1016/j.neubiorev.2009.11.023] [Citation(s) in RCA: 107] [Impact Index Per Article: 7.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/12/2009] [Revised: 10/28/2009] [Accepted: 11/26/2009] [Indexed: 01/10/2023]
Abstract
Major depressive disorder has recently been characterized by abnormal resting state hyperactivity in anterior midline regions. The neurochemical mechanisms underlying resting state hyperactivity remain unclear. Since animal studies provide an opportunity to investigate subcortical regions and neurochemical mechanisms in more detail, we used a cross-species translational approach comparing a meta-analysis of human data to animal data on the functional anatomy and neurochemical modulation of resting state activity in depression. Animal and human data converged in showing resting state hyperactivity in various ventral midline regions. These were also characterized by abnormal concentrations of glutamate and gamma-aminobutyric acid (GABA) as well as by NMDA receptor up-regulation and AMPA and GABA receptor down-regulation. This cross-species translational investigation suggests that resting state hyperactivity in depression occurs in subcortical and cortical midline regions and is mediated by glutamate and GABA metabolism. This provides insight into the biochemical underpinnings of resting state activity in both depressed and healthy subjects.
Collapse
|
34
|
Zheng P. Neuroactive steroid regulation of neurotransmitter release in the CNS: Action, mechanism and possible significance. Prog Neurobiol 2009; 89:134-52. [DOI: 10.1016/j.pneurobio.2009.07.001] [Citation(s) in RCA: 177] [Impact Index Per Article: 11.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/29/2008] [Revised: 03/11/2009] [Accepted: 07/02/2009] [Indexed: 12/31/2022]
|
35
|
Abstract
Neurosteroids are potent neuromodulators which act in part by binding to and modifying the activity of neurotransmitter-gated channels. Pregnanolone sulfate (PAS) is an endogenous neurosteroid that inhibits NMDA receptors and is neuroprotective in vivo. To delineate the mechanism of NMDA receptor inhibition by pregnanolone sulfate we used kinetic analyses of equilibrium single-channel currents recorded from individual GluN1/GluN2A receptors. Results show that PAS (0.1 mM) reduces single-channel open probability by 50% solely by increasing approximately 5-fold the mean time spent by receptors in closed conformations. From these data we derive a kinetic scheme that summarizes the effects of PAS on single channel kinetics, accounts for the PAS effects on macroscopic responses and leads us to propose that PAS inhibits NMDA receptor activity by shifting active receptors into desensitized conformations. These findings highlight the neurosteroid inhibitory site on NMDA receptors as a valuable therapeutic target against excitotoxic pathologies including acute and chronic neurodegeneration.
Collapse
|
36
|
Cunningham-Bussel AC, Root JC, Butler T, Tuescher O, Pan H, Epstein J, Weisholtz DS, Pavony M, Silverman ME, Goldstein MS, Altemus M, Cloitre M, LeDoux J, McEwen B, Stern E, Silbersweig D. Diurnal cortisol amplitude and fronto-limbic activity in response to stressful stimuli. Psychoneuroendocrinology 2009; 34:694-704. [PMID: 19135805 PMCID: PMC4250041 DOI: 10.1016/j.psyneuen.2008.11.011] [Citation(s) in RCA: 45] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/15/2007] [Revised: 11/25/2008] [Accepted: 11/25/2008] [Indexed: 10/21/2022]
Abstract
The development and exacerbation of many psychiatric and neurologic conditions are associated with dysregulation of the hypothalamic pituitary adrenal (HPA) axis as measured by aberrant levels of cortisol secretion. Here we report on the relationship between the amplitude of diurnal cortisol secretion, measured across 3 typical days in 18 healthy individuals, and blood oxygen level dependant (BOLD) response in limbic fear/stress circuits, elicited by in-scanner presentation of emotionally negative stimuli, specifically, images of the World Trade Center (WTC) attack. Results indicate that subjects who secrete a greater amplitude of cortisol diurnally demonstrate less brain activation in limbic regions, including the amygdala and hippocampus/parahippocampus, and hypothalamus during exposure to traumatic WTC-related images. Such initial findings can begin to link our understanding, in humans, of the relationship between the diurnal amplitude of a hormone integral to the stress response, and those neuroanatomical regions that are implicated as both modulating and being modulated by that response.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Amy C. Cunningham-Bussel
- Functional Neuroimaging Laboratory, Department of Psychiatry, Box 140, Rm 1302, Weill Cornell Medical College, 1300 York Avenue, New York, NY 10065, United States,Corresponding author: Tel.: +1 212 746 8025; fax: +1 212 746 5818. (A.C. Cunningham-Bussel)
| | - James C. Root
- Functional Neuroimaging Laboratory, Department of Psychiatry, Box 140, Rm 1302, Weill Cornell Medical College, 1300 York Avenue, New York, NY 10065, United States
| | - Tracy Butler
- Functional Neuroimaging Laboratory, Department of Psychiatry, Box 140, Rm 1302, Weill Cornell Medical College, 1300 York Avenue, New York, NY 10065, United States
| | - Oliver Tuescher
- Functional Neuroimaging Laboratory, Department of Psychiatry, Box 140, Rm 1302, Weill Cornell Medical College, 1300 York Avenue, New York, NY 10065, United States,Department of Neurology, University of Freiburg, United States
| | - Hong Pan
- Functional Neuroimaging Laboratory, Department of Psychiatry, Box 140, Rm 1302, Weill Cornell Medical College, 1300 York Avenue, New York, NY 10065, United States,Department of Psychiatry, Brigham and Women’s/Faulkner Hospitals, Harvard Medical School, United States
| | - Jane Epstein
- Functional Neuroimaging Laboratory, Department of Psychiatry, Box 140, Rm 1302, Weill Cornell Medical College, 1300 York Avenue, New York, NY 10065, United States,Department of Psychiatry, Brigham and Women’s/Faulkner Hospitals, Harvard Medical School, United States
| | - Daniel S. Weisholtz
- Functional Neuroimaging Laboratory, Department of Psychiatry, Box 140, Rm 1302, Weill Cornell Medical College, 1300 York Avenue, New York, NY 10065, United States
| | - Michelle Pavony
- Functional Neuroimaging Laboratory, Department of Psychiatry, Box 140, Rm 1302, Weill Cornell Medical College, 1300 York Avenue, New York, NY 10065, United States
| | - Michael E. Silverman
- Mt. Sinai School of Medicine, One Gustave L. Levy Place, Box 1230, New York, NY 10029, United States
| | - Martin S. Goldstein
- Mt. Sinai School of Medicine, One Gustave L. Levy Place, Box 1230, New York, NY 10029, United States
| | - Margaret Altemus
- Functional Neuroimaging Laboratory, Department of Psychiatry, Box 140, Rm 1302, Weill Cornell Medical College, 1300 York Avenue, New York, NY 10065, United States
| | - Marylene Cloitre
- New York University School of Medicine, 550 First Avenue, New York, NY 10016, United States
| | - Joseph LeDoux
- Center for Neural Science, New York University, 4 Washington Place, Room 809, New York, NY 10003-6621, United States
| | - Bruce McEwen
- The Rockefeller University, 1230 York Avenue, New York, NY 10021, United States
| | - Emily Stern
- Functional Neuroimaging Laboratory, Department of Psychiatry, Box 140, Rm 1302, Weill Cornell Medical College, 1300 York Avenue, New York, NY 10065, United States,Department of Psychiatry, Brigham and Women’s/Faulkner Hospitals, Harvard Medical School, United States
| | - David Silbersweig
- Functional Neuroimaging Laboratory, Department of Psychiatry, Box 140, Rm 1302, Weill Cornell Medical College, 1300 York Avenue, New York, NY 10065, United States,Department of Psychiatry, Brigham and Women’s/Faulkner Hospitals, Harvard Medical School, United States
| |
Collapse
|
37
|
Espallergues J, Givalois L, Temsamani J, Laruelle C, Maurice T. The 3beta-hydroxysteroid dehydrogenase inhibitor trilostane shows antidepressant properties in mice. Psychoneuroendocrinology 2009; 34:644-59. [PMID: 19117688 DOI: 10.1016/j.psyneuen.2008.11.003] [Citation(s) in RCA: 19] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/25/2008] [Revised: 10/29/2008] [Accepted: 11/15/2008] [Indexed: 10/21/2022]
Abstract
Changes in neuro(active)steroid levels are involved in depressive states and mood disorders. For instance, dehydroepiandrosterone or pregnenolone sulfate showed anti-stress and antidepressant activity in rodents and regulation of allopregnanolone levels appeared to be one of the consequence of an effective antidepressant therapy in patients. 4alpha,5-Epoxy-17beta-hydroxy-3-oxo-5alpha-androstane-2alpha-carbonitrile (trilostane) inhibits the activity of 3beta-hydroxysteroid dehydrogenase (3beta-HSD) that, in particular, converts pregnenolone into progesterone. We examined whether systemic administration of trilostane affects the response to stress and depression. An acute treatment with trilostane (6.3-50mg/kg SC injected twice -16 and -2h before the measure) increased 3beta-HSD mRNA levels in the hippocampus and adrenals, but had little effect on protein levels. The trilostane treatment failed to affect open-field, locomotor or exploratory behaviors, but significantly reduced the immobility duration in the forced swimming test, measuring antidepressant-like activity, and increased the time spent in open arm in the elevated plus-maze, measuring anxiety response. The antidepressant-like effect of trilostane was effective after a repeated treatment (2.5-20mg/kgSC twice-a-day during 7 days) or in mice submitted to a restraint stress during 21 days and showing several behavioral and physiological parameters of depression (decreased body weight, increased adrenal glands weight and anhaedonia). Trilostane also reduced stress-induced increase in plasma corticosterone and ACTH levels, showing direct effect on HPA axis activity. These observations suggest that the 3beta-HSD inhibitor trilostane present antidepressant-like activity, putatively by regulating brain and peripheral levels of neuroactive steroids.
Collapse
|
38
|
Boissé L, Gill MJ, Power C. HIV infection of the central nervous system: clinical features and neuropathogenesis. Neurol Clin 2008; 26:799-819, x. [PMID: 18657727 DOI: 10.1016/j.ncl.2008.04.002] [Citation(s) in RCA: 104] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/29/2022]
Abstract
Almost 65 million people worldwide have been infected with HIV since it was first identified in the early 1980s. Neurologic disorders associated with HIV type 1 affect between 40% and 70% of infected individuals. The most significant of these disorders include HIV-associated neurocognitive disorder, which comprises HIV-associated dementia, mild neurocognitive disorder, and asymptomatic neurocognitive impairment. Despite the availability of combination antiretroviral therapy, HIV-related central nervous system disorders continue to represent a substantial personal, economic, and societal burden. This review summarizes the clinical manifestations, diagnosis, treatment, and pathogenesis of the primary HIV-associated central nervous system disorders.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Lysa Boissé
- Division of Neurology, Queen's University, 76 Stuart Street, Kingston, ON K7L 2V7, Canada
| | | | | |
Collapse
|