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Serrano M, Rico-Barrio I, Grandes P. The effect of omega-3 fatty acids on alcohol-induced damage. Front Nutr 2023; 10:1068343. [PMID: 37090780 PMCID: PMC10113533 DOI: 10.3389/fnut.2023.1068343] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/12/2022] [Accepted: 03/21/2023] [Indexed: 04/08/2023] Open
Abstract
Alcohol is the most widely consumed psychoactive substance in the world that has a severe impact on many organs and bodily systems, particularly the liver and nervous system. Alcohol use during pregnancy roots long-lasting changes in the newborns and during adolescence has long-term detrimental effects especially on the brain. The brain contains docosahexaenoic acid (DHA), a major omega-3 (n-3) fatty acid (FA) that makes up cell membranes and influences membrane-associated protein function, cell signaling, gene expression and lipid production. N-3 is beneficial in several brain conditions like neurodegenerative diseases, ameliorating cognitive impairment, oxidative stress, neuronal death and inflammation. Because alcohol decreases the levels of n-3, it is timely to know whether n-3 supplementation positively modifies alcohol-induced injuries. The aim of this review is to summarize the state-of-the-art of the n-3 effects on certain conditions caused by alcohol intake, focusing primarily on brain damage and alcoholic liver disease.
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Affiliation(s)
- Maitane Serrano
- Laboratory of Ultrastructural and Functional Neuroanatomy of the Synapse, Department of Neurosciences, Faculty of Medicine and Nursing, University of the Basque Country UPV/EHU, Leioa, Spain
- Achucarro Basque Center for Neuroscience, Science Park of the UPV/EHU, Leioa, Spain
| | - Irantzu Rico-Barrio
- Laboratory of Ultrastructural and Functional Neuroanatomy of the Synapse, Department of Neurosciences, Faculty of Medicine and Nursing, University of the Basque Country UPV/EHU, Leioa, Spain
- Achucarro Basque Center for Neuroscience, Science Park of the UPV/EHU, Leioa, Spain
| | - Pedro Grandes
- Laboratory of Ultrastructural and Functional Neuroanatomy of the Synapse, Department of Neurosciences, Faculty of Medicine and Nursing, University of the Basque Country UPV/EHU, Leioa, Spain
- Achucarro Basque Center for Neuroscience, Science Park of the UPV/EHU, Leioa, Spain
- *Correspondence: Pedro Grandes,
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2
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The Role of the Adenosine System on Emotional and Cognitive Disturbances Induced by Ethanol Binge Drinking in the Immature Brain and the Beneficial Effects of Caffeine. Pharmaceuticals (Basel) 2022; 15:ph15111323. [DOI: 10.3390/ph15111323] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/07/2022] [Accepted: 09/28/2022] [Indexed: 11/16/2022] Open
Abstract
Binge drinking intake is the most common pattern of ethanol consumption by adolescents, which elicits emotional disturbances, mainly anxiety and depressive symptoms, as well as cognitive alterations. Ethanol exposure may act on the adenosine neuromodulation system by increasing adenosine levels, consequently increasing the activation of adenosine receptors in the brain. The adenosine modulation system is involved in the control of mood and memory behavior. However, there is a gap in the knowledge about the exact mechanisms related to ethanol exposure’s hazardous effects on the immature brain (i.e., during adolescence) and the role of the adenosine system thereupon. The present review attempts to provide a comprehensive picture of the role of the adenosinergic system on emotional and cognitive disturbances induced by ethanol during adolescence, exploring the potential benefits of caffeine administration in view of its action as a non-selective antagonist of adenosine receptors.
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Cannizzaro E, Lavanco G, Castelli V, Cirrincione L, Di Majo D, Martines F, Argo A, Plescia F. Alcohol and Nicotine Use among Adolescents: An Observational Study in a Sicilian Cohort of High School Students. INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF ENVIRONMENTAL RESEARCH AND PUBLIC HEALTH 2022; 19:6152. [PMID: 35627691 PMCID: PMC9140855 DOI: 10.3390/ijerph19106152] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/26/2022] [Revised: 05/16/2022] [Accepted: 05/16/2022] [Indexed: 12/24/2022]
Abstract
In recent years, the mode of alcoholic intake known as binge drinking (BD) has become a common practice, especially among adolescents who, due to socio-environmental motives, tend to reach a rapid state of drunkenness. This drunkeness leads to alterations in brain areas responsible for executive functions and cognitive processes, as well as to the genesis of factors that predispose to lasting addiction. Likewise, nicotine leads to a comparable degree of addiction. On this basis, the aim of this research was to evaluate, on a cohort of 349 high school students (15−17 years old) in the province of Palermo, the following: (I) the drinking model of alcoholic beverages; (II) the use of nicotine and the degree of dependence; (III) the correlation between the consumption of alcoholic beverages and the use of nicotine. We employed the AUDIT-C test and the Fagerström test, two valid and standard instruments, in order to assess alcohol and nicotine use, respectively. Statistical analysis of the data showed that male and female students consumed alcohol prominently in a BD mode (77.2%, audit score (AS) 3.497, confidence interval (CI) 3.206−3.788; 69.6%, AS 2.793, CI 2.412−3.274) and nicotine (41.5%, Fagerström score (FS) 3.882, CI 3.519−4.245; 28%, FS 3.286, CI 2.547−4.024). Furthermore, a positive correlation between alcohol consumption and nicotine use was found for male (r = 0.6798, p < 0.0001) and female (r = 0.6572, p < 0.0001) students. This study provided further insights into the use of legal substances of abuse in adolescents, evidencing the obvious need for the promotion of specific school educational programs aimed at the wellbeing of youth populations.
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Affiliation(s)
- Emanuele Cannizzaro
- Department of Health Promotion Sciences, Maternal and Child Care, Internal Medicine and Medical Specialties “Giuseppe D’Alessandro”, University of Palermo, Via del Vespro 133, 90127 Palermo, Italy; (E.C.); or (G.L.); (L.C.); (A.A.)
| | - Gianluca Lavanco
- Department of Health Promotion Sciences, Maternal and Child Care, Internal Medicine and Medical Specialties “Giuseppe D’Alessandro”, University of Palermo, Via del Vespro 133, 90127 Palermo, Italy; (E.C.); or (G.L.); (L.C.); (A.A.)
| | - Valentina Castelli
- Department of Biomedicine, Neuroscience and Advanced Diagnostics (BiND), University of Palermo, Via del Vespro 129, 90127 Palermo, Italy; (V.C.); (D.D.M.); (F.M.)
| | - Luigi Cirrincione
- Department of Health Promotion Sciences, Maternal and Child Care, Internal Medicine and Medical Specialties “Giuseppe D’Alessandro”, University of Palermo, Via del Vespro 133, 90127 Palermo, Italy; (E.C.); or (G.L.); (L.C.); (A.A.)
| | - Danila Di Majo
- Department of Biomedicine, Neuroscience and Advanced Diagnostics (BiND), University of Palermo, Via del Vespro 129, 90127 Palermo, Italy; (V.C.); (D.D.M.); (F.M.)
| | - Francesco Martines
- Department of Biomedicine, Neuroscience and Advanced Diagnostics (BiND), University of Palermo, Via del Vespro 129, 90127 Palermo, Italy; (V.C.); (D.D.M.); (F.M.)
| | - Antonina Argo
- Department of Health Promotion Sciences, Maternal and Child Care, Internal Medicine and Medical Specialties “Giuseppe D’Alessandro”, University of Palermo, Via del Vespro 133, 90127 Palermo, Italy; (E.C.); or (G.L.); (L.C.); (A.A.)
| | - Fulvio Plescia
- Department of Health Promotion Sciences, Maternal and Child Care, Internal Medicine and Medical Specialties “Giuseppe D’Alessandro”, University of Palermo, Via del Vespro 133, 90127 Palermo, Italy; (E.C.); or (G.L.); (L.C.); (A.A.)
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4
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Charlton AJ, Perry CJ. The Effect of Chronic Alcohol on Cognitive Decline: Do Variations in Methodology Impact Study Outcome? An Overview of Research From the Past 5 Years. Front Neurosci 2022; 16:836827. [PMID: 35360176 PMCID: PMC8960615 DOI: 10.3389/fnins.2022.836827] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/15/2021] [Accepted: 01/27/2022] [Indexed: 11/24/2022] Open
Abstract
Excessive alcohol use is often associated with accelerated cognitive decline, and extensive research using animal models of human alcohol consumption has been conducted into potential mechanisms for this relationship. Within this literature there is considerable variability in the types of models used. For example, alcohol administration style (voluntary/forced), length and schedule of exposure and abstinence period are often substantially different between studies. In this review, we evaluate recent research into alcohol-induced cognitive decline according to methodology of alcohol access, as well as cognitive behavioral task employed. Our aim was to query whether the nature and severity of deficits observed may be impacted by the schedule and type of alcohol administration. We furthermore examined whether there is any apparent relationship between the amount of alcohol consumed and the severity of the deficit, as well as the potential impact of abstinence length, and other factors such as age of administration, and sex of subject. Over the past five years, researchers have overwhelmingly used non-voluntary methods of intake, however deficits are still found where intake is voluntary. Magnitude of intake and type of task seem most closely related to the likelihood of producing a deficit, however even this did not follow a consistent pattern. We highlight the importance of using systematic and clear reporting styles to facilitate consistency across the literature in this regard. We hope that this analysis will provide important insights into how experimental protocols might influence findings, and how different patterns of consumption are more or less likely to produce an addiction-vulnerable cognitive phenotype in animal models.
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Affiliation(s)
- Annai J. Charlton
- Florey Institute of Neuroscience and Mental Health, Parkville, VIC, Australia
- Florey Department of Neuroscience and Mental Health, University of Melbourne, Parkville, VIC, Australia
| | - Christina J. Perry
- Florey Institute of Neuroscience and Mental Health, Parkville, VIC, Australia
- School of Psychological Sciences, Centre for Emotional Health, Macquarie University, North Ryde, NSW, Australia
- *Correspondence: Christina J. Perry,
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5
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Nawarawong NN, Thompson KR, Guerin SP, Anasooya Shaji C, Peng H, Nixon K. Reactive, Adult Neurogenesis From Increased Neural Progenitor Cell Proliferation Following Alcohol Dependence in Female Rats. Front Neurosci 2021; 15:689601. [PMID: 34594180 PMCID: PMC8477003 DOI: 10.3389/fnins.2021.689601] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/06/2021] [Accepted: 08/16/2021] [Indexed: 11/25/2022] Open
Abstract
Hippocampal neurodegeneration is a consequence of excessive alcohol drinking in alcohol use disorders (AUDs), however, recent studies suggest that females may be more susceptible to alcohol-induced brain damage. Adult hippocampal neurogenesis is now well accepted to contribute to hippocampal integrity and is known to be affected by alcohol in humans as well as in animal models of AUDs. In male rats, a reactive increase in adult hippocampal neurogenesis has been observed during abstinence from alcohol dependence, a phenomenon that may underlie recovery of hippocampal structure and function. It is unknown whether reactive neurogenesis occurs in females. Therefore, adult female rats were exposed to a 4-day binge model of alcohol dependence followed by 7 or 14 days of abstinence. Immunohistochemistry (IHC) was used to assess neural progenitor cell (NPC) proliferation (BrdU and Ki67), the percentage of increased NPC activation (Sox2+/Ki67+), the number of immature neurons (NeuroD1), and ectopic dentate gyrus granule cells (Prox1). On day seven of abstinence, ethanol-treated females showed a significant increase in BrdU+ and Ki67+ cells in the subgranular zone of the dentate gyrus (SGZ), as well as greater activation of NPCs (Sox2+/Ki67+) into active cycling. At day 14 of abstinence, there was a significant increase in the number of immature neurons (NeuroD1+) though no evidence of ectopic neurogenesis according to either NeuroD1 or Prox1 immunoreactivity. Altogether, these data suggest that alcohol dependence produces similar reactive increases in NPC proliferation and adult neurogenesis. Thus, reactive, adult neurogenesis may be a means of recovery for the hippocampus after alcohol dependence in females.
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Affiliation(s)
- Natalie N Nawarawong
- College of Pharmacy, The University of Texas at Austin, Austin, TX, United States
| | - K Ryan Thompson
- College of Pharmacy, The University of Texas at Austin, Austin, TX, United States
| | - Steven P Guerin
- College of Pharmacy, The University of Texas at Austin, Austin, TX, United States
| | | | - Hui Peng
- Division of Pharmacology & Toxicology, College of Pharmacy, The University of Texas at Austin, Austin, TX, United States
| | - Kimberly Nixon
- College of Pharmacy, The University of Texas at Austin, Austin, TX, United States
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6
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Uniyal A, Tiwari V, Gadepalli A, Ummadisetty O, Tiwari V. Epigallocatechin-3-gallate improves chronic alcohol-induced cognitive dysfunction in rats by interfering with neuro-inflammatory, cell death and oxido-nitrosative cascade. Metab Brain Dis 2021; 36:2141-2153. [PMID: 34386880 DOI: 10.1007/s11011-021-00794-5] [Citation(s) in RCA: 12] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/22/2021] [Accepted: 07/09/2021] [Indexed: 12/21/2022]
Abstract
Alcohol consumption for a longer period of time is linked with neuronal damage and an increase in inflammatory signaling resulting in cell death and dementia. Natural compounds are the focus of research due to their high efficacy and good safety profile. Here we have investigated the effect of chronic epigallocatechin-3-gallate (EGCG) administration against the alcohol-induced cognitive deficit rats. Male Wistar rats were exposed to the 12% ethanol (10 g/kg; oral gavage) for ten weeks and treated with EGCG (25, 50, and 100 mg/kg) for the same duration. Ethanol exposure led to the impaired spatial memory and learning in rats assessed using the Morris water maze and elevated plus-maze test. Further, we assessed the role of EGCG in mitigating the oxidative stress, neuroinflammatory and cell death signaling associated markers. Co-administration with EGCG significantly prevented all the behavioral, biochemical and molecular alterations in the different brain regions of ethanol-treated rats in a dose-dependent manner. EGCG suppressed the acetylcholinesterase activity, increased oxidative-nitrosative stress, cytokines (TNF-alpha and IL-1beta), NF-kappa β and caspase-3 levels in both the cortex and hippocampus of ethanol-treated rats. Our preliminary study demonstrated that EGCG improves the oxido-nitrosative stress, inflammation, and cell death signaling associated with ethanol-induced cognitive dysfunction. This suggests the potential role of EGCG in mitigating the cognitive deficits associated with chronic alcohol consumption.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ankit Uniyal
- Neuroscience and Pain Research Laboratory, Department of Pharmaceutical Engineering and Technology, Indian Institute of Technology (BHU), Varanasi, UP, 221005, India
| | - Vineeta Tiwari
- Neuroscience and Pain Research Laboratory, Department of Pharmaceutical Engineering and Technology, Indian Institute of Technology (BHU), Varanasi, UP, 221005, India
| | - Anagha Gadepalli
- Neuroscience and Pain Research Laboratory, Department of Pharmaceutical Engineering and Technology, Indian Institute of Technology (BHU), Varanasi, UP, 221005, India
| | - Obulapathi Ummadisetty
- Neuroscience and Pain Research Laboratory, Department of Pharmaceutical Engineering and Technology, Indian Institute of Technology (BHU), Varanasi, UP, 221005, India
| | - Vinod Tiwari
- Neuroscience and Pain Research Laboratory, Department of Pharmaceutical Engineering and Technology, Indian Institute of Technology (BHU), Varanasi, UP, 221005, India.
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7
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McNamara TA, Ito R. Relationship between voluntary ethanol drinking and approach-avoidance biases in the face of motivational conflict: novel sex-dependent associations in rats. Psychopharmacology (Berl) 2021; 238:1817-1832. [PMID: 33783557 DOI: 10.1007/s00213-021-05810-1] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/15/2020] [Accepted: 03/01/2021] [Indexed: 12/18/2022]
Abstract
RATIONALE Aberrant approach-avoidance conflict processing may contribute to compulsive seeking that characterizes addiction. Exploration of the relationship between drugs of abuse and approach-avoidance behavior remains limited, especially with ethanol. OBJECTIVES To investigate the effects of voluntary ethanol consumption on approach-avoidance conflict behavior and to examine the potential approach/avoidance bias to predict drinking in male and female rats. METHODS Long-Evans rats consumed ethanol for 5 weeks under the intermittent access two-bottle choice (IA2BC) paradigm. Approach-avoidance tendencies were assessed before and after IA2BC drinking using a previously established cued approach-avoidance conflict maze task and the elevated plus maze (EPM). RESULTS Female rats displayed higher consumption of and preference for ethanol than males. In the conflict task, males showed greater approach bias towards cues predicting conflict than females. In females only, a median split and regression analysis of cued-conflict preference scores revealed that the more conflict-avoidant group displayed higher intake and preference for ethanol in the first few weeks of drinking. In both sexes, ethanol drinking did not affect cued-conflict preference, but ethanol exposure led to increased time spent in the central hub in the males only. Finally, anxiety levels in EPM predicted subsequent onset of ethanol drinking in males only. CONCLUSIONS Our results highlight sex and individual differences in both drinking and approach-avoidance bias in the face of cued conflict and further suggest that cued-conflict preference should be examined as a potential predictor of ethanol drinking. Ethanol exposure may also affect the timing of decision-making in the face of conflict.
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Affiliation(s)
- Tanner A McNamara
- Department of Psychology, University of Toronto Scarborough, 1265 Military Trail, Toronto, Ontario, M1C 1A4, Canada
| | - Rutsuko Ito
- Department of Psychology, University of Toronto Scarborough, 1265 Military Trail, Toronto, Ontario, M1C 1A4, Canada. .,Department of Cell and Systems Biology, University of Toronto Scarborough, 1265 Military Trail, Toronto, Ontario, M1C 1A4, Canada.
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8
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Randall PA, Lovelock DF, VanVoorhies K, Agan VE, Kash TL, Besheer J. Low-dose alcohol: Interoceptive and molecular effects and the role of dentate gyrus in rats. Addict Biol 2021; 26:e12965. [PMID: 33015936 DOI: 10.1111/adb.12965] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/21/2020] [Revised: 08/20/2020] [Accepted: 08/25/2020] [Indexed: 01/24/2023]
Abstract
Alcohol abuse and dependence are world-wide health problems. Most research on alcohol use focuses on the consequences of moderate to high levels of alcohol. However, even at low concentrations, alcohol is capable of producing effects in the brain that can ultimately affect behavior. The current studies seek to understand the effects of low-dose alcohol (blood alcohol levels of ≤10mM). To do so, these experiments utilize a combination of behavioral and molecular techniques to (1) assess the ability of the interoceptive effects of a low dose of alcohol to gain control over goal-tracking behavior in a Pavlovian discrimination task, (2) determine brain regional differences in cellular activity via expression of immediate early genes (IEGs), and (3) assess the role of the dentate gyrus in modulating sensitivity to the interoceptive effects of a low dose of alcohol. Here, we show that intragastric administration of a dose of 0.8 g/kg alcohol produces blood alcohol levels ≤10mM in both male and female Long-Evans rats and can readily be trained as a Pavlovian interoceptive drug cue. In rats trained on this procedure, this dose of alcohol also modulates expression of the IEGs c-Fos and Arc in brain regions known to modulate expression of alcohol interoceptive effects. Finally, pharmacological inactivation of the dentate gyrus with GABA agonists baclofen and muscimol disrupted the ability of a low dose of alcohol to serve as an interoceptive cue. Together, these findings demonstrate behavioral and molecular consequences of low-dose alcohol.
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Affiliation(s)
- Patrick A. Randall
- Department of Anesthesiology and Perioperative Medicine Penn State College of Medicine Hershey Pennsylvania USA
- Department of Pharmacology Penn State College of Medicine Hershey Pennsylvania USA
| | - Dennis F. Lovelock
- Bowles Center for Alcohol Studies University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill Chapel Hill North Carolina USA
| | - Kalynn VanVoorhies
- Bowles Center for Alcohol Studies University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill Chapel Hill North Carolina USA
| | - Verda E. Agan
- Bowles Center for Alcohol Studies University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill Chapel Hill North Carolina USA
| | - Thomas L. Kash
- Bowles Center for Alcohol Studies University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill Chapel Hill North Carolina USA
- Department of Pharmacology University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill Chapel Hill North Carolina USA
| | - Joyce Besheer
- Bowles Center for Alcohol Studies University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill Chapel Hill North Carolina USA
- Department of Psychiatry University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill Chapel Hill North Carolina USA
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Izumi Y, Mennerick SJ, Doherty JJ, Zorumski CF. Oxysterols Modulate the Acute Effects of Ethanol on Hippocampal N-Methyl-d-Aspartate Receptors, Long-Term Potentiation, and Learning. J Pharmacol Exp Ther 2021; 377:181-188. [PMID: 33441369 PMCID: PMC8051516 DOI: 10.1124/jpet.120.000376] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/13/2020] [Accepted: 01/08/2021] [Indexed: 12/29/2022] Open
Abstract
Ethanol is a noncompetitive inhibitor of N-methyl-d-aspartate receptors (NMDARs) and acutely disrupts hippocampal synaptic plasticity and learning. In the present study, we examined the effects of oxysterol positive allosteric modulators (PAMs) of NMDARs on ethanol-mediated inhibition of NMDARs, block of long-term potentiation (LTP) and long-term depression (LTD) in rat hippocampal slices, and defects in one-trial learning in vivo. We found that 24S-hydroxycholesterol and a synthetic oxysterol analog, SGE-301, overcame effects of ethanol on NMDAR-mediated synaptic responses in the CA1 region but did not alter acute effects of ethanol on LTD; the synthetic oxysterol, however, overcame acute inhibition of LTP. In addition, both oxysterols overcame persistent effects of ethanol on LTP in vitro, and the synthetic analog reversed defects in one-trial inhibitory avoidance learning in vivo. These results indicate that effects of ethanol on both LTP and LTD arise by complex mechanisms beyond NMDAR antagonism and that oxysterol NMDAR PAMS may represent a novel approach for preventing and reversing acute ethanol-mediated changes in cognition.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yukitoshi Izumi
- Department of Psychiatry and Taylor Family Institute for Innovative Psychiatric Research, Washington University School of Medicine, St. Louis, Missouri (Y.I., S.J.M., C.F.Z.); and Sage Therapeutics, Cambridge, Massachusetts (J.J.D.)
| | - Steven J Mennerick
- Department of Psychiatry and Taylor Family Institute for Innovative Psychiatric Research, Washington University School of Medicine, St. Louis, Missouri (Y.I., S.J.M., C.F.Z.); and Sage Therapeutics, Cambridge, Massachusetts (J.J.D.)
| | - James J Doherty
- Department of Psychiatry and Taylor Family Institute for Innovative Psychiatric Research, Washington University School of Medicine, St. Louis, Missouri (Y.I., S.J.M., C.F.Z.); and Sage Therapeutics, Cambridge, Massachusetts (J.J.D.)
| | - Charles F Zorumski
- Department of Psychiatry and Taylor Family Institute for Innovative Psychiatric Research, Washington University School of Medicine, St. Louis, Missouri (Y.I., S.J.M., C.F.Z.); and Sage Therapeutics, Cambridge, Massachusetts (J.J.D.)
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Cortez I, Rodgers SP, Kosten TA, Leasure JL. Sex and Age Effects on Neurobehavioral Toxicity Induced by Binge Alcohol. Brain Plast 2020; 6:5-25. [PMID: 33680843 PMCID: PMC7902983 DOI: 10.3233/bpl-190094] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/17/2022] Open
Abstract
Historically, most alcohol neurotoxicity studies were conducted in young adult males and focused on chronic intake. There has been a shift towards studying the effects of alcohol on the adolescent brain, due to alcohol consumption during this formative period disrupting the brain's developmental trajectory. Because the most typical pattern of adolescent alcohol intake is heavy episodic (binge) drinking, there has also been a shift towards the study of binge alcohol-induced neurobehavioral toxicity. It has thus become apparent that binge alcohol damages the adolescent brain and there is increasing attention to sex-dependent effects. Significant knowledge gaps remain in our understanding of the effects of binge alcohol on the female brain, however. Moreover, it is unsettling that population-level studies indicate that the prevalence of binge drinking is increasing among American women, particularly those in older age groups. Although study of adolescents has made it apparent that binge alcohol disrupts ongoing brain maturational processes, we know almost nothing about how it impacts the aging brain, as studies of its effects on the aged brain are relatively scarce, and the study of sex-dependent effects is just beginning. Given the rapidly increasing population of older Americans, it is crucial that studies address age-dependent effects of binge alcohol, and given the increase in binge drinking in older women who are at higher risk for cognitive decline relative to men, studies must encompass both sexes. Because adolescence and older age are both characterized by age-typical brain changes, and because binge drinking is the most common pattern of alcohol intake in both age groups, the knowledge that we have amassed on binge alcohol effects on the adolescent brain can inform our study of its effects on the aging brain. In this review, we therefore cover the current state of knowledge of sex and age-dependent effects of binge alcohol, as well as statistical and methodological considerations for studies aimed at addressing them.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ibdanelo Cortez
- Department of Psychology, University of Houston, Houston, TX, USA
| | | | | | - J. Leigh Leasure
- Department of Psychology, University of Houston, Houston, TX, USA
- Department of Biology & Biochemistry, University of Houston, Houston, TX, USA
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11
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West RK, Rodgers SP, Leasure JL. Neural Perturbations Associated With Recurrent Binge Alcohol in Male and Female Rats. Alcohol Clin Exp Res 2020; 45:365-374. [PMID: 33295022 DOI: 10.1111/acer.14529] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/03/2020] [Accepted: 12/01/2020] [Indexed: 12/12/2022]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Binge drinking, characterized by brief periods of high intoxication interspersed with periods of abstinence, appears to be particularly damaging to the brain. Binge drinking is increasing among American women, yet few preclinical studies have assessed sex differences in the neurobehavioral effects of binge alcohol. METHODS Adult Long-Evans rats were administered 4 g/kg ethanol (EtOH; or an isocaloric control dose) via intragastric gavage once-weekly. Brains were collected after 3 or 8 binge doses, and immunohistochemistry for mature neurons (NeuN), microglia (Iba1), neurogenesis (DCX), and reactive astrogliosis (vimentin) performed. Stereology was used to quantify target cell populations in the hippocampus and medial prefrontal cortex (mPFC). In a separate cohort of animals, cognition (spatial navigation and reversal learning), affect (tickling-evoked ultrasonic vocalizations), and task-induced c-fos activation were assessed after 3 or 8 binge doses. RESULTS Blood EtOH concentration did not differ significantly between females (175 ± 3.6 mg/dl) and males (180 ± 3.7 mg/dl) and did not change significantly over time, indicating that tolerance did not develop. After 3 or 8 binge doses, the number of granule neurons in the hippocampal dentate gyrus of both sexes was significantly reduced in comparison with controls, although there was no binge effect on newly generated neurons. Moreover, 8 (but not 3) binge doses significantly increased the total number of microglia and the number of partially activated microglia in the hippocampus and mPFC in both sexes. There was no detectable reactive astrogliosis (vimentin) in either region at any timepoint. There was no effect of binge alcohol on behavior outcomes in either sex, but binged rats showed increased cellular activation in the mPFC following reversal learning. CONCLUSIONS Our data indicate that recurrent binge alcohol results in similar neural damage and neuroimmune activation in alcohol-vulnerable corticolimbic brain regions in males and females.
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Affiliation(s)
- Rebecca K West
- Department of Psychology, University of Houston, Houston, Texas
| | | | - J Leigh Leasure
- Department of Psychology, University of Houston, Houston, Texas.,Department of Biology & Biochemistry, University of Houston, Houston, Texas
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12
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Abstract
Sex differences may play a critical role in modulating how chronic or heavy alcohol use impacts the brain to cause the development of alcohol use disorder (AUD). AUD is a multifaceted and complex disorder driven by changes in key neurobiological structures that regulate executive function, memory, and stress. A three-stage framework of addiction (binge/intoxication; withdrawal/negative affect; preoccupation/anticipation) has been useful for conceptualizing the complexities of AUD and other addictions. Initially, alcohol drinking causes short-term effects that involve signaling mediated by several neurotransmitter systems such as dopamine, corticotropin releasing factor, and glutamate. With continued intoxication, alcohol leads to dysfunctional behaviors that are thought to be due in part to alterations of these and other neurotransmitter systems, along with alterations in neural pathways connecting prefrontal and limbic structures. Using the three-stage framework, this review highlights examples of research examining sex differences in drinking and differential modulation of neural systems contributing to the development of AUD. New insights addressing the role of sex differences in AUD are advancing the field forward by uncovering the complex interactions that mediate vulnerability.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Heather N Richardson
- Department of Psychological and Brain Sciences at the University of Massachusetts, Amherst, Massachusetts
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13
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Inhibitors of cellular stress overcome acute effects of ethanol on hippocampal plasticity and learning. Neurobiol Dis 2020; 141:104875. [PMID: 32334031 DOI: 10.1016/j.nbd.2020.104875] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/23/2019] [Revised: 04/03/2020] [Accepted: 04/20/2020] [Indexed: 01/04/2023] Open
Abstract
Ethanol intoxication can produce marked changes in cognitive function including states in which the ability to learn and remember new information is completely disrupted. These defects likely reflect changes in the synaptic plasticity thought to underlie memory formation. We have studied mechanisms contributing to the adverse effects of ethanol on hippocampal long-term potentiation (LTP) and provided evidence that ethanol-mediated LTP inhibition involves a form of metaplasticity resulting from local metabolism of ethanol to acetaldehyde and untimely activation of N-methyl-d-aspartate receptors (NMDARs), both of which are neuronal stressors. In the present studies, we sought to understand the role of cellular stress in LTP defects, and demonstrate that ethanol's effects on LTP in the CA1 hippocampal region are overcome by agents that inhibit cellular stress responses, including ISRIB, a specific inhibitor of integrated stress responses, and GW3965, an agonist that acts at liver X receptors (LXRs) and dampens cellular stress. The agents that alter LTP inhibition also prevent the adverse effects of acute ethanol on one trial inhibitory avoidance learning. Unexpectedly, we found that the LXR agonist but not ISRIB overcomes effects of ethanol on synaptic responses mediated by N-methyl-d-aspartate receptors (NMDARs). These results have implications for understanding the adverse effects of ethanol and possibly for identifying novel paths to treatments that can prevent or overcome ethanol-induced cognitive dysfunction.
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Charlton AJ, May C, Luikinga SJ, Burrows EL, Hyun Kim J, Lawrence AJ, Perry CJ. Chronic voluntary alcohol consumption causes persistent cognitive deficits and cortical cell loss in a rodent model. Sci Rep 2019; 9:18651. [PMID: 31819151 PMCID: PMC6901469 DOI: 10.1038/s41598-019-55095-w] [Citation(s) in RCA: 15] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/10/2019] [Accepted: 11/18/2019] [Indexed: 02/06/2023] Open
Abstract
Chronic alcohol use is associated with cognitive decline that impedes behavioral change during rehabilitation. Despite this, addiction therapy does not address cognitive deficits, and there is poor understanding regarding the mechanisms that underlie this decline. We established a rodent model of chronic voluntary alcohol use to measure ensuing cognitive effects and underlying pathology. Rats had intermittent access to alcohol or an isocaloric solution in their home cage under voluntary 2-bottle choice conditions. In Experiments 1 and 2 cognition was assessed using operant touchscreen chambers. We examined performance in a visual discrimination and reversal task (Experiment 1), and a 5-choice serial reaction time task (Experiment 2). For Experiment 3, rats were perfused immediately after cessation of alcohol access period, and volume, cell density and microglial populations were assessed in the prefrontal cortex and striatum. Volume was assessed using the Cavalieri probe, while cell and microglial counts were estimated using unbiased stereology with an optical fractionator. Alcohol-exposed and control rats showed comparable acquisition of pairwise discrimination; however, performance was impaired when contingencies were reversed indicating reduced behavioral flexibility. When tested in a 5-choice serial reaction time task alcohol-exposed rats showed increased compulsivity and increased attentional bias towards a reward associated cue. Consistent with these changes, we observed decreased cell density in the prefrontal cortex. These findings confirm a detrimental effect of chronic alcohol and establish a model of alcohol-induced cognitive decline following long-term voluntary intake that may be used for future intervention studies.
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Affiliation(s)
- Annai J Charlton
- Florey Department of Neuroscience and Mental Health, University of Melbourne, Parkville, VIC, 3052, Australia
| | - Carlos May
- Florey Department of Neuroscience and Mental Health, University of Melbourne, Parkville, VIC, 3052, Australia
| | - Sophia J Luikinga
- Mental Health Theme, The Florey Institute of Neuroscience and Mental Health, Parkville, VIC, 3052, Australia.,Florey Department of Neuroscience and Mental Health, University of Melbourne, Parkville, VIC, 3052, Australia
| | - Emma L Burrows
- Mental Health Theme, The Florey Institute of Neuroscience and Mental Health, Parkville, VIC, 3052, Australia.,Florey Department of Neuroscience and Mental Health, University of Melbourne, Parkville, VIC, 3052, Australia
| | - Jee Hyun Kim
- Mental Health Theme, The Florey Institute of Neuroscience and Mental Health, Parkville, VIC, 3052, Australia.,Florey Department of Neuroscience and Mental Health, University of Melbourne, Parkville, VIC, 3052, Australia
| | - Andrew J Lawrence
- Mental Health Theme, The Florey Institute of Neuroscience and Mental Health, Parkville, VIC, 3052, Australia.,Florey Department of Neuroscience and Mental Health, University of Melbourne, Parkville, VIC, 3052, Australia
| | - Christina J Perry
- Mental Health Theme, The Florey Institute of Neuroscience and Mental Health, Parkville, VIC, 3052, Australia. .,Florey Department of Neuroscience and Mental Health, University of Melbourne, Parkville, VIC, 3052, Australia.
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15
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Rice J, Coutellier L, Weiner JL, Gu C. Region-specific interneuron demyelination and heightened anxiety-like behavior induced by adolescent binge alcohol treatment. Acta Neuropathol Commun 2019; 7:173. [PMID: 31703603 DOI: 10.1186/s40478-019-0829-9] [Citation(s) in RCA: 12] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/23/2019] [Accepted: 10/13/2019] [Indexed: 12/12/2022] Open
Abstract
Adolescent binge drinking represents a major public health challenge and can lead to persistent neurological and mental conditions, but the underlying pathogenic mechanisms remain poorly understood. Using a mouse model of adolescent binge ethanol treatment (ABET), we found that this treatment induced behavioral changes associated with demyelination in different brain regions. After ABET, adolescent mice exhibited anxiogenic behaviors with no change in locomotion on the elevated plus maze, and impaired spatial memory indicated by a significant reduction in spontaneous alternation in the Y maze test. Both effects persisted into adulthood. Anatomical studies further showed that ABET induced a significant reduction of parvalbumin-positive (PV+) GABAergic interneurons and myelin density in the hippocampus and medial prefrontal cortex (mPFC). While these deficits in PV+ interneurons and myelin persisted into early adulthood in the hippocampus, the myelin density recovered in the mPFC. Moreover, whereas ABET mainly damaged myelin of PV+ axons in the hippocampus, it primarily damaged myelin of PV-negative axons in the mPFC. Thus, our findings reveal that an adolescent binge alcohol treatment regimen disrupts spatial working memory, increases anxiety-like behaviors, and exerts unique temporal and spatial patterns of gray matter demyelination in the hippocampus and mPFC.
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16
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Abstract
There are vast literatures on the neural effects of alcohol and the neural effects of exercise. Simply put, exercise is associated with brain health, alcohol is not, and the mechanisms by which exercise benefits the brain directly counteract the mechanisms by which alcohol damages it. Although a degree of brain recovery naturally occurs upon cessation of alcohol consumption, effective treatments for alcohol-induced brain damage are badly needed, and exercise is an excellent candidate from a mechanistic standpoint. In this chapter, we cover the small but growing literature on the interactive neural effects of alcohol and exercise, and the capacity of exercise to repair alcohol-induced brain damage. Increasingly, exercise is being used as a component of treatment for alcohol use disorders (AUD), not because it reverses alcohol-induced brain damage, but because it represents a rewarding, alcohol-free activity that could reduce alcohol cravings and improve comorbid conditions such as anxiety and depression. It is important to bear in mind, however, that multiple studies attest to a counterintuitive positive relationship between alcohol intake and exercise. We therefore conclude with cautionary notes regarding the use of exercise to repair the brain after alcohol damage.
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17
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Rico-Barrio I, Peñasco S, Puente N, Ramos A, Fontaine CJ, Reguero L, Giordano ME, Buceta I, Terradillos I, Lekunberri L, Mendizabal-Zubiaga J, Rodríguez de Fonseca F, Gerrikagoitia I, Elezgarai I, Grandes P. Cognitive and neurobehavioral benefits of an enriched environment on young adult mice after chronic ethanol consumption during adolescence. Addict Biol 2019; 24:969-980. [PMID: 30106197 DOI: 10.1111/adb.12667] [Citation(s) in RCA: 14] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/23/2017] [Revised: 05/24/2018] [Accepted: 07/09/2018] [Indexed: 12/11/2022]
Abstract
Binge drinking (BD) is a common pattern of ethanol (EtOH) consumption by adolescents. The brain effects of the acute EtOH exposure are well-studied; however, the long-lasting cognitive and neurobehavioral consequences of BD during adolescence are only beginning to be elucidated. Environmental enrichment (EE) has long been known for its benefits on the brain and may serve as a potential supportive therapy following EtOH exposure. In this study, we hypothesized that EE may have potential benefits on the cognitive deficits associated with BD EtOH consumption. Four-week-old C57BL/6J male mice were exposed to EtOH following an intermittent 4-day drinking-in-the-dark procedure for 4 weeks. Then they were exposed to EE during EtOH withdrawal for 2 weeks followed by a behavioral battery of tests including novel object recognition, novel location, object-in-place, rotarod, beam walking balance, tail suspension, light-dark box and open field that were run during early adulthood. Young adult mice exposed to EE significantly recovered recognition, spatial and associative memory as well as motor coordination skills and balance that were significantly impaired after adolescent EtOH drinking with respect to controls. No significant permanent anxiety or depressive-like behaviors were observed. Taken together, an EE exerts positive effects on the long-term negative cognitive deficits as a result of EtOH consumption during adolescence.
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Affiliation(s)
- Irantzu Rico-Barrio
- Department of Neurosciences, Faculty of Medicine and Nursing; University of the Basque Country UPV/EHU; Spain
- Achucarro Basque Center for Neuroscience, Science Park of the UPV/EHU; Spain
| | - Sara Peñasco
- Department of Neurosciences, Faculty of Medicine and Nursing; University of the Basque Country UPV/EHU; Spain
- Achucarro Basque Center for Neuroscience, Science Park of the UPV/EHU; Spain
| | - Nagore Puente
- Department of Neurosciences, Faculty of Medicine and Nursing; University of the Basque Country UPV/EHU; Spain
- Achucarro Basque Center for Neuroscience, Science Park of the UPV/EHU; Spain
| | - Almudena Ramos
- Department of Neurosciences, Faculty of Medicine and Nursing; University of the Basque Country UPV/EHU; Spain
- Achucarro Basque Center for Neuroscience, Science Park of the UPV/EHU; Spain
| | | | - Leire Reguero
- Department of Neurosciences, Faculty of Medicine and Nursing; University of the Basque Country UPV/EHU; Spain
- Achucarro Basque Center for Neuroscience, Science Park of the UPV/EHU; Spain
| | - Maria Elvira Giordano
- Department of Experimental Medicine, Pharmacology Division “L. Donatelli”; The Second University of Naples; Italy
| | - Ianire Buceta
- Department of Neurosciences, Faculty of Medicine and Nursing; University of the Basque Country UPV/EHU; Spain
- Achucarro Basque Center for Neuroscience, Science Park of the UPV/EHU; Spain
| | - Itziar Terradillos
- Department of Neurosciences, Faculty of Medicine and Nursing; University of the Basque Country UPV/EHU; Spain
- Achucarro Basque Center for Neuroscience, Science Park of the UPV/EHU; Spain
| | - Leire Lekunberri
- Department of Neurosciences, Faculty of Medicine and Nursing; University of the Basque Country UPV/EHU; Spain
| | - Juan Mendizabal-Zubiaga
- Department of Neurosciences, Faculty of Medicine and Nursing; University of the Basque Country UPV/EHU; Spain
- Achucarro Basque Center for Neuroscience, Science Park of the UPV/EHU; Spain
| | | | - Inmaculada Gerrikagoitia
- Department of Neurosciences, Faculty of Medicine and Nursing; University of the Basque Country UPV/EHU; Spain
- Achucarro Basque Center for Neuroscience, Science Park of the UPV/EHU; Spain
| | - Izaskun Elezgarai
- Department of Neurosciences, Faculty of Medicine and Nursing; University of the Basque Country UPV/EHU; Spain
- Achucarro Basque Center for Neuroscience, Science Park of the UPV/EHU; Spain
| | - Pedro Grandes
- Department of Neurosciences, Faculty of Medicine and Nursing; University of the Basque Country UPV/EHU; Spain
- Achucarro Basque Center for Neuroscience, Science Park of the UPV/EHU; Spain
- Division of Medical Sciences; University of Victoria; Canada
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Barney TM, Vore AS, Gano A, Mondello JE, Deak T. The influence of central interleukin-6 on behavioral changes associated with acute alcohol intoxication in adult male rats. Alcohol 2019; 79:37-45. [PMID: 30472309 DOI: 10.1016/j.alcohol.2018.11.004] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/20/2018] [Revised: 11/12/2018] [Accepted: 11/16/2018] [Indexed: 12/15/2022]
Abstract
Recent studies have demonstrated brain cytokine fluctuations associated with acute ethanol intoxication (increased IL-6) and withdrawal (increased IL-1β and TNFα). The purpose of the present studies was to examine the potential functional role of increased central interleukin-6 (IL-6). We utilized two tests of ethanol sensitivity to establish a potential role for IL-6 after high (3.5-4.0 g/kg, intraperitoneally [i.p.]) or moderate (2.0 g/kg, i.p.) doses of ethanol: loss of righting reflex (LORR) and conditioned taste aversion (CTA), respectively. Briefly, guide cannulae were implanted into the third ventricle of adult male Sprague-Dawley rats. In the first experiments, rats were infused with 25, 50, 100, or 200 ng of IL-6; or 0.3, 3.0, or 9.0 μg of the JAK/STAT inhibitor AG490 30 min prior to a high-dose ethanol challenge. Although sleep time was not affected by exogenous IL-6, infusion of AG490 increased latency to lose the righting reflex relative to vehicle-infused rats. Next, we assessed whether IL-6 was sufficient to produce a CTA. Moderately water-deprived rats received intracerebroventricular (i.c.v.) infusions of 25, 50, or 100 ng IL-6 immediately after 60-min access to 5% sucrose solution. Forty-eight hours later, rats were returned to the context and given 60-min access to sucrose solution. IL-6 infusion had no significant effect on sucrose intake when all rats were considered together. However, a median split revealed that low sucrose-consuming rats significantly increased their drinking on test day, an effect that was not seen in rats that received 50 or 100 ng of IL-6. In the last study, AG490 had no effect on ethanol-induced CTA (2 g/kg). Overall, these studies suggest that IL-6 had only a minor influence on ethanol-induced behavioral changes, yet phenotypic differences in sensitivity to IL-6 were apparent. These studies are among the first to examine a potential functional role for IL-6 in ethanol-related behaviors, and may have important implications for understanding the relationship between acute ethanol intoxication and its associated behavioral alterations.
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Sex Differences in the Effect of Alcohol Drinking on Myelinated Axons in the Anterior Cingulate Cortex of Adolescent Rats. Brain Sci 2019; 9:brainsci9070167. [PMID: 31315270 PMCID: PMC6680938 DOI: 10.3390/brainsci9070167] [Citation(s) in RCA: 15] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/19/2019] [Revised: 07/15/2019] [Accepted: 07/15/2019] [Indexed: 12/29/2022] Open
Abstract
Cognitive deficits associated with teenage drinking may be due to disrupted myelination of prefrontal circuits. To better understand how alcohol affects myelination, male and female Wistar rats (n = 7-9/sex/treatment) underwent two weeks of intermittent operant self-administration of sweetened alcohol or sweetened water early in adolescence (postnatal days 28-42) and we tested for macro- and microstructural changes to myelin. We previously reported data from the males of this study showing that alcohol drinking reduced myelinated fiber density in layers II-V of the anterior cingulate division of the medial prefrontal cortex (Cg1); herein, we show that myelinated fiber density was not significantly altered by alcohol in females. Alcohol drinking patterns were similar in both sexes, but males were in a pre-pubertal state for a larger proportion of the alcohol exposure period, which may have contributed to the differential effects on myelinated fiber density. To gain more insight into how alcohol impacts myelinated axons, brain sections from a subset of these animals (n = 6/sex/treatment) were used for microstructural analyses of the nodes of Ranvier. Confocal analysis of nodal domains, flanked by immunofluorescent-labeled contactin-associated protein (Caspr) clusters, indicated that alcohol drinking reduced nodal length-to-width ratios in layers II/III of the Cg1 in both sexes. Despite sex differences in the underlying cause (larger diameter axons after alcohol in males vs. shorter nodal lengths after alcohol in females), reduced nodal ratios could have important implications for the speed and integrity of neural transmission along these axons in both males and females. Alcohol-induced changes to myelinated axonal populations in the Cg1 may contribute to long-lasting changes in prefrontal function associated with early onset drinking.
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20
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Contreras A, Morales L, Del Olmo N. The intermittent administration of ethanol during the juvenile period produces changes in the expression of hippocampal genes and proteins and deterioration of spatial memory. Behav Brain Res 2019; 372:112033. [PMID: 31201872 DOI: 10.1016/j.bbr.2019.112033] [Citation(s) in RCA: 11] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/21/2019] [Revised: 06/10/2019] [Accepted: 06/11/2019] [Indexed: 12/14/2022]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Binge drinking is a pattern of alcohol intake characterized by excessive and intermittent alcohol consumption over a very short period of time that is more used during adolescence. We aim to compare the lasting effects of a chronic-moderate vs. this intermittent-excessive way of alcohol intake during adolescence in spatial memory and in the expression of glutamatergic receptors and GSK3β activity. METHODS Adolescent male Wistar rats were given ethanol/saline i.p. injections in four different groups: High-I (4 g/kg of a 25% (vol/vol) every 3 days), Low-I (1 g/kg of a 5% (vol/vol) every 3 days), M (0.3 g/kg of a 2.5% (vol/vol) daily) and Control (C, sterile isotonic saline daily). Rats received ethanol for up to five 3-day cycles. Spatial memory was measured by spontaneous alternation in the Y-Maze. Gene and protein expression of hippocampal proteins were also analysed. RESULTS Both high- and low-intermittent ethanol administration produced spatial memory impairment and changes in glutamatergic receptors gene expression were observed regardless of the pattern of exposure. High doses of intermittent alcohol administration produced an increase of phosphorylation of GSK3β Ser9. Moreover, moderate alcohol administration produced a down-regulation of the AMPAR 2/3 ratio despite lack of spatial memory deficits. CONCLUSIONS Excessive and intermittent ethanol exposure during adolescence impaired the spatial memory processes during adulthood regardless of the amount of alcohol administered. Moreover, chronic-moderate and intermittent pattern induced changes in the expression of glutamatergic receptors. In addition, high-intermittent ethanol exposure during adolescence inactivated GSK3β by increasing its phosphorylation in Ser9.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ana Contreras
- Departamento de Ciencias Farmacéuticas y de la Salud, Facultad de Farmacia, Universidad CEU-San Pablo, Spain
| | - Lidia Morales
- Departamento de Ciencias Farmacéuticas y de la Salud, Facultad de Farmacia, Universidad CEU-San Pablo, Spain
| | - Nuria Del Olmo
- Departamento de Ciencias Farmacéuticas y de la Salud, Facultad de Farmacia, Universidad CEU-San Pablo, Spain.
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Enculescu C, Kerr ED, Yeo KYB, Schenk G, Fortes MRS, Schulz BL. Proteomics Reveals Profound Metabolic Changes in the Alcohol Use Disorder Brain. ACS Chem Neurosci 2019; 10:2364-2373. [PMID: 30807102 DOI: 10.1021/acschemneuro.8b00660] [Citation(s) in RCA: 18] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/20/2022] Open
Abstract
Changes in brain metabolism are a hallmark of alcohol use disorder (AUD). Determining how AUD changes the brain proteome is critical for understanding the effects of alcohol consumption on biochemical processes in the brain. We used data-independent acquisition mass spectrometry proteomics to study differences in the abundance of proteins associated with AUD in prefrontal lobe and motor cortex from autopsy brain. AUD had a substantial effect on the overall brain proteome exceeding the inherent differences between brain regions. Proteins associated with glycolysis, trafficking, the cytoskeleton, and excitotoxicity were altered in abundance in AUD. We observed extensive changes in the abundance of key metabolic enzymes, consistent with a switch from glucose to acetate utilization in the AUD brain. We propose that metabolic adaptations allowing efficient acetate utilization contribute to ethanol dependence in AUD.
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Affiliation(s)
- Charmaine Enculescu
- School of Chemistry and Molecular Biosciences, The University of Queensland, Brisbane 4072, Australia
| | - Edward D. Kerr
- School of Chemistry and Molecular Biosciences, The University of Queensland, Brisbane 4072, Australia
| | - K. Y. Benjamin Yeo
- School of Chemistry and Molecular Biosciences, The University of Queensland, Brisbane 4072, Australia
| | - Gerhard Schenk
- School of Chemistry and Molecular Biosciences, The University of Queensland, Brisbane 4072, Australia
| | - Marina R. S. Fortes
- School of Chemistry and Molecular Biosciences, The University of Queensland, Brisbane 4072, Australia
| | - Benjamin L. Schulz
- School of Chemistry and Molecular Biosciences, The University of Queensland, Brisbane 4072, Australia
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Gobin C, Shallcross J, Schwendt M. Neurobiological substrates of persistent working memory deficits and cocaine-seeking in the prelimbic cortex of rats with a history of extended access to cocaine self-administration. Neurobiol Learn Mem 2019; 161:92-105. [PMID: 30946882 DOI: 10.1016/j.nlm.2019.03.007] [Citation(s) in RCA: 15] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/15/2018] [Revised: 02/21/2019] [Accepted: 03/26/2019] [Indexed: 01/16/2023]
Abstract
Cocaine use disorder (CUD) is associated with prefrontal cortex dysfunction and cognitive deficits that may contribute to persistent relapse susceptibility. As the relationship between cognitive deficits, cortical abnormalities and drug seeking is poorly understood, development of relevant animal models is of high clinical importance. Here, we used an animal model to characterize working memory and reversal learning in rats with a history of extended access cocaine self-administration and prolonged abstinence. We also investigated immediate and long-term functional changes within the prelimbic cortex (PrL) in relation to cognitive performance and drug-seeking. Adult male rats underwent 6 days of short-access (1 h/day) followed by 12 days of long-access (6 h/day) cocaine self-administration, or received passive saline infusions. Next, rats were tested in delayed match-to-sample (DMS) and (non)match-to-sample (NMS) tasks, and finally in a single context + cue relapse test on day 90 of abstinence. We found that a history of chronic cocaine self-administration impaired working memory, though sparing reversal learning, and that the components of these cognitive measures correlated with later drug-seeking. Further, we found that dysregulated metabolic activity and mGlu5 receptor signaling in the PrL of cocaine rats correlated with past working memory performance and/or drug-seeking, as indicated by the analysis of cytochrome oxidase reactivity, mGlu5 and Homer 1b/c protein expression, as well as Arc mRNA expression in mGlu5-positive cells. These findings advocate for a persistent post-cocaine PrL dysfunction, rooted in ineffective compensatory changes and manifested as impaired working memory performance and hyperreactivity to cocaine cues. Considering the possible interplay between the neural correlates underlying post-cocaine cognitive deficits and drug-seeking, cognitive function should be evaluated and considered when developing neurobiologically-based treatments of cocaine relapse.
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Affiliation(s)
- Christina Gobin
- Psychology Department, University of Florida, Gainesville, FL 32611, USA; Center for Addiction Research and Education (CARE) at University of Florida, USA
| | - John Shallcross
- Psychology Department, University of Florida, Gainesville, FL 32611, USA; Center for Addiction Research and Education (CARE) at University of Florida, USA
| | - Marek Schwendt
- Psychology Department, University of Florida, Gainesville, FL 32611, USA; Center for Addiction Research and Education (CARE) at University of Florida, USA.
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23
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West RK, Wooden JI, Barton EA, Leasure JL. Recurrent binge ethanol is associated with significant loss of dentate gyrus granule neurons in female rats despite concomitant increase in neurogenesis. Neuropharmacology 2019; 148:272-283. [PMID: 30659841 DOI: 10.1016/j.neuropharm.2019.01.016] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/24/2018] [Revised: 01/11/2019] [Accepted: 01/14/2019] [Indexed: 12/18/2022]
Abstract
Binge drinking is becoming increasingly common among American women and girls. We have previously shown significant cell loss, downregulation of neurotrophins and microgliosis in female rats after a single 4-day ethanol exposure. To determine whether recurrent binge exposure would produce similar effects, we administered ethanol (5 g/kg) or iso-caloric control diet once-weekly for 11 weeks to adult female rats. As we have previously shown exercise neuroprotection against binge-induced damage, half the rats were given access to exercise wheels. Blood ethanol concentration (BEC) did not differ between sedentary and exercised groups, nor did it change across time. Using stereology, we quantified the number and/or size of neurons in the medial prefrontal cortex (mPFC) and hippocampal dentate gyrus (DG), as well as the number and activation state of microglia. Binged sedentary rats had significant cell loss in the dentate gyrus, but exercise eliminated this effect. Compared to sedentary controls, sedentary binged rats and all exercised rats showed increased neurogenesis in the DG. Number and nuclear volume of neurons in the mPFC were not changed. In the hippocampus and mPFC, the number of microglia with morphology indicative of partial activation was increased by recurrent binge ethanol and decreased by exercise. In summary, we show significant binge-induced loss of DG granule neurons despite increased neurogenesis, suggesting an unsuccessful compensatory response. Although exercise eliminated cell loss, our results indicate that infrequent, but recurrent exposure to clinically relevant BEC is neurotoxic.
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Affiliation(s)
- Rebecca K West
- Department of Psychology, University of Houston, Houston, TX, 77204-5022, United States
| | - Jessica I Wooden
- Department of Psychology, University of Houston, Houston, TX, 77204-5022, United States
| | - Emily A Barton
- Department of Psychology, University of Houston, Houston, TX, 77204-5022, United States
| | - J Leigh Leasure
- Department of Psychology, University of Houston, Houston, TX, 77204-5022, United States; Department of Biology & Biochemistry, University of Houston, Houston, TX, 77204-5022, United States.
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Ruszkiewicz JA, Miranda-Vizuete A, Tinkov AA, Skalnaya MG, Skalny AV, Tsatsakis A, Aschner M. Sex-Specific Differences in Redox Homeostasis in Brain Norm and Disease. J Mol Neurosci 2019; 67:312-342. [DOI: 10.1007/s12031-018-1241-9] [Citation(s) in RCA: 19] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/14/2018] [Accepted: 12/10/2018] [Indexed: 12/12/2022]
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Let's call the whole thing off: evaluating gender and sex differences in executive function. Neuropsychopharmacology 2019; 44:86-96. [PMID: 30143781 PMCID: PMC6235899 DOI: 10.1038/s41386-018-0179-5] [Citation(s) in RCA: 115] [Impact Index Per Article: 23.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/30/2018] [Revised: 07/30/2018] [Accepted: 08/06/2018] [Indexed: 02/07/2023]
Abstract
The executive functions allow for purposeful, deliberate, and intentional interactions with the world-attention and focus, impulse control, decision making, and working memory. These measures have been correlated with academic outcomes and quality of life, and are impacted by deleterious environmental events throughout the life span, including gestational and early life insults. This review will address the topic of sex differences in executive function including a discussion of differences arising in response to developmental programming. Work on gender differences in human studies and sex differences in animal research will be reviewed. Overall, we find little support for significant gender or sex differences in executive function. An important variable that factors into the interpretation of potential sex differences include differing developmental trajectories. We conclude by discussing future directions for the field and a brief discussion of biological mechanisms.
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