Age-related changes in oxytocin-, arginine vasopressin- and nitric oxide synthase-expressing neurons in the supraoptic nucleus of the rat

Oxytocin and socioemotional aging: Current knowledge and future trends

The oxytocin (OT) system is involved in various aspects of social cognition and prosocial behavior. Specifically, OT has been examined in the context of social memory, emotion recognition, cooperation, trust, empathy, and bonding, and-though evidence is somewhat mixed-intranasal OT appears to benefit aspects of socioemotional functioning. However, most of the extant data on aging and OT is from animal research and human OT research has focused largely on young adults. As such, though we know that various socioemotional capacities change with age, we know little about whether age-related changes in the OT system may underlie age-related differences in socioemotional functioning. In this review, we take a genetic-neuro-behavioral approach and evaluate current evidence on age-related changes in the OT system as well as the putative effects of these alterations on age-related socioemotional functioning. Looking forward, we identify informational gaps and propose an Age-Related Genetic, Neurobiological, Sociobehavioral Model of Oxytocin (AGeNeS-OT model) which may structure and inform investigations into aging-related genetic, neural, and sociocognitive processes related to OT. As an exemplar of the use of the model, we report exploratory data suggesting differences in socioemotional processing associated with genetic variation in the oxytocin receptor gene (OXTR) in samples of young and older adults. Information gained from this arena has translational potential in depression, social stress, and anxiety-all of which have high relevance in aging-and may contribute to reducing social isolation and improving well-being of individuals across the lifespan.

Alterations in nitric oxide synthase in the aged CNS

Aging is associated with neuronal loss, gross weight reduction of the brain, and glial proliferation in the cortex, all of which lead to functional changes in the brain. It is known that oxidative stress is a critical factor in the pathogenesis of aging; additionally, growing evidence suggests that excessive nitric oxide (NO) production contributes to the aging process. However, it is still unclear how NO plays a role in the aging process. This paper describes age-related changes in the activity of NADPH-diaphorase (NADPH-d), a marker for neurons containing nitric oxide synthase (NOS), in many CNS regions. Understanding these changes may provide a novel perspective in identifying the aging mechanism.

Age-related changes in the expression of NMDA, serotonin, and GAD in the central auditory system of the rat

CONCLUSIONS

We suggest that age-induced changes of serotonin, N-methyl-d-aspartate receptor (NMDAR), and glutamate decarboxylase (GAD) expression in rats are dependent on the specific location in the central auditory system (CAS).

OBJECTIVES

Despite the importance of understanding changes in neurotransmitters during presbycusis, only a few studies have assessed age-associated changes in neurotransmitter at each level of the CAS. We therefore evaluated effects of aging on neurotransmission in the CAS of rats.

METHODS

The concentrations of serotonin, NMDAR, and GAD were assayed immunohistochemically in the cochlear nucleus (CN), superior olivary nucleus (SON), inferior colliculus (IC), medial geniculate body (MGB), and auditory cortex (AC) of Sprague-Dawley rats, aged 2 weeks (n = 20) or 24 months (n = 20).

RESULTS

The total number of neuronal cell bodies of the CAS did not differ significantly at each level between young and aged rats (p > 0.05). Serotonin expression was increased with age in the IC and MGB, but decreased in the CN, SON, and AC (p < 0.05). NMDAR was significantly higher in the CN, MGB, and AC of aged compared with young rats, but was significantly decreased over time in the SOC and IC (p < 0.05). GAD67 was increased with age in the MGB and AC and decreased in the CN and SON (p < 0.05), but was not changed in the IC.

Age-related changes in nitric oxide synthase in the lateral geniculate nucleus of rats

Age-related changes in nitric oxide production in the visual system have not been well characterized. Therefore, we used staining and image-processing approaches to describe changes in levels of neuronal nitric oxide synthase (nNOS), the NADPH-diaphorase (NADPH-d) histochemical marker, and 3-nitrotyrosine in the lateral geniculate nucleus (LGN) of young and aged rats. The LGN plays an important role in the visual system, as it acts as a visual relay nucleus. Quantitative analysis of NADPH-d-positive and nNOS-immunoreactive neurons revealed significant optical density increases in the dorsal LGN and ventral LGN of aged rats; however, no significant changes were observed in the number of neurons with age. 3-Nitrotyrosine immunoreactivity was increased in the dorsal LGN and ventral LGN of aged rats. These results indicate that increased nitric oxide production and peroxynitrite may be associated with alterations in visual function during aging.

Sialic acid feeding aged rats rejuvenates stimulated salivation and colon enteric neuron chemotypes

Old age is linked to numerous changes of body functions such as salivation, gastrointestinal motility, and permeability all linked to central and enteric nervous system decline. Thus, gut motility and barrier functions suffer. Sialic acid plays a key role in the nervous system at large and for many receptor functions specifically. Decreased sialylation in the elderly suggests an endogenous sialic acid deficit. We used a rat model of aging, to ask whether sialic acid feeding would affect (i) stimulated salivation, (ii) gut functions, and (iii) sialic acid levels and neuronal markers in brain and gut. We observed reduced levels of pilocarpine-stimulated salivation in old versus young rats and restored this function by sialic acid feeding. Brain ganglioside bound sialic acid levels were found lower in aged versus young rats, and sialic acid feeding partly restored the levels. The hypothalamic expression of cholinergic and panneuronal markers was reduced in aged rats. The expression of the nitrergic marker nNOS was increased upon sialic acid feeding in aged rats. Neither fecal output nor gut permeability was different between young and aged rats studied here, and sialic acid feeding did not alter these parameters. However, the colonic expression of specific nervous system markers nNOS and Uchl1 and the key enzyme for sialic acid synthesis GNE were differentially affected in young and aged rats by sialic acid feeding indicating that regulatory mechanisms change with age. Investigation of sialic acid supplementation as a functional nutrient in the elderly may help those who suffer from disorders of reduced salivation. Further research is needed to understand the differential effects of sialic acid feeding in young and aged rats.

Electroacupuncture decreases nitric oxide synthesis in the hypothalamus of spontaneously hypertensive rats

Acupuncture-related effects on autonomic function have been explored via biological and neurophysiologic studies. The hypothalamus, known to regulate the autonomic nervous system, is likely affected by acupuncture treatment that modulates sympathetic functions. The aim of this study was to investigate the effect of electroacupuncture at the Jogsamni point (ST36, an acupoint known to modulate autonomic function) on expression of neuronal nitric oxide synthase (nNOS) in the hypothalamus of spontaneously hypertensive rat. Nitric oxide, which is produced by nNOS activity, plays an important role in the regulation of many physiologic processes, including sympathetic activities, in the hypothalamus and other parts of the brain. nNOS expression was assessed by immunohistochemistry of nNOS and histochemistry of nicotinamide adenine dinucleotide phosphate-diaphorase (NADPH-d). The staining intensities of nNOS-positive neurons and NADPH-d-positive neurons were quantitatively assessed using microdensitometry to measure changes in optical density. The results show that electroacupuncture at ST36 reduced the expression and activity of nNOS in the hypothalamus of spontaneously hypertensitive rats. These findings suggest that the electroacupuncture at ST36 results in modulation of the activity of nNOS in the hypothalamus of spontaneously hypertensive rat.

Effect of nitric oxide on auditory cortical neurons of aged rats

Age-related changes in the effects of nitric oxide (NO) on neurons of the auditory cortex have not been determined. We therefore evaluated the anatomical changes and neurophysiological characteristics of these neurons in rats as a function of age. The numbers of cresyl violet stained cells, the numbers and areas of NADPH-d-positive neuronal cell bodies, and their optical density, were measured in Sprague-Dawley rats aged 24 months (aged group) and 4 months (control group). The modulatory effects of NO on K(+) currents of acutely isolated rat auditory cortical neurons were also assessed. There were no between-group differences in the distribution patterns of glial cells and neurons, or in the numbers and areas of NADPH-d-positive neuronal cell bodies. However, the optical density of NADPH-d-positive neuronal cell bodies was significantly greater in the aged group than in the control group. In addition, voltage-gated K(+) currents of rat auditory cortical neurons were activated by increased levels of NO. As activation of the K(+) current likely suppresses neuronal excitability, age-associated increases in NO production can hinder the function of the acoustic center by inhibiting neuron excitability.

Evidence for increased NADPH-diaphorase-positive neurons in the central auditory system of the aged rat

CONCLUSIONS

The age-related increase in the production of nitric oxide (NO) suggests that this increase was related to neuron aging. Additional studies may provide information regarding aging-related changes in the central auditory system.

OBJECTIVES

Although NO has been associated with aging, it is unclear whether specific areas of the central auditory system are involved. We therefore assayed aging-related changes in NADPH-diaphorase (NADPH-d), a selective histochemical marker for NO, in the neurons of the central auditory system and other brain regions.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

The numbers of NADPH-d-stained neurons and the area and staining density of cell bodies were examined in aged (24 months old) and younger (4 months old) Wistar rats.

RESULTS

The number of NADPH-d-positive neurons in the inferior colliculus was significantly increased in aged rats (p<0.05), whereas the area of NADPH-d-positive neurons in all areas did not differ significantly between aged and younger rats (p>0.05). The staining densities of NADPH-d-positive neurons in the inferior colliculus, the auditory cortex, and the visual cortex were significantly greater in aged compared with younger rats (p<0.05).

Role of neuronal nitric oxide in the regulation of vasopressin expression and release in response to inhibition of catecholamine synthesis and dehydration

We used neuronal nitric oxide synthase (nNOS) gene knockout mice to study the effects of catecholamines and neuronal nitric oxide on vasopressin expression in the hypothalamic neurosecretory centers. nNOS gene deletion did not change the level of vasopressin mRNA in the supraoptic or paraventricular nuclei. In contrast, vasopressin immunoreactivity was lower in nNOS deficient mice than in wild-type animals. Dehydration increased vasopressin mRNA levels and decreased vasopressin immunoreactivity in both wild-type and nNOS knockout mice, but these responses were more marked in the nNOS knockout mice. Treatment with alpha-mpt, a pharmacologic inhibitor of catecholamine synthesis, resulted in increased vasopressin mRNA levels in wild-type mice and in reduced vasopressin immunoreactivity in both wild-type and nNOS knockout mice. From these results, we conclude: (1) neuronal nitric oxide suppresses vasopressin expression under basal conditions and during activation of the vasopressinergic system by dehydration; (2) catecholamines limit vasopressin expression; (3) nNOS is required for the effects of catecholamines on vasopressin expression.