Role of altered cyclooxygenase metabolism in impaired cerebrovasodilation to nociceptin/orphanin FQ following brain injury

Traumatic Brain Injury Induces Nociceptin/Orphanin FQ and Nociceptin Opioid Peptide Receptor Expression within 24 Hours

Traumatic brain injury (TBI) is a major cause of mortality and disability around the world, for which no treatment has been found. Nociceptin/Orphanin FQ (N/OFQ) and the nociceptin opioid peptide (NOP) receptor are rapidly increased in response to fluid percussion, stab injury, and controlled cortical impact (CCI) TBI. TBI-induced upregulation of N/OFQ contributes to cerebrovascular impairment, increased excitotoxicity, and neurobehavioral deficits. Our objective was to identify changes in N/OFQ and NOP receptor peptide, protein, and mRNA relative to the expression of injury markers and extracellular regulated kinase (ERK) 24 h following mild (mTBI) and moderate TBI (ModTBI) in wildtype (WT) and NOP receptor-knockout (KO) rats. N/OFQ was quantified by radioimmunoassay, mRNA expression was assessed using real-time PCR and protein levels were determined by immunoblot analysis. This study revealed increased N/OFQ mRNA and peptide levels in the CSF and ipsilateral tissue of WT, but not KO, rats 24 h post-TBI; NOP receptor mRNA increased after ModTBI. Cofilin-1 activation increased in the brain tissue of WT but not KO rats, ERK activation increased in all rats following ModTBI; no changes in injury marker levels were noted in brain tissue at this time. In conclusion, this study elucidates transcriptional and translational changes in the N/OFQ-NOP receptor system relative to TBI-induced neurological deficits and initiation of signaling cascades that support the investigation of the NOP receptor as a therapeutic target for TBI.

Therapeutic potential of nociceptin/orphanin FQ peptide (NOP) receptor modulators for treatment of traumatic brain injury, traumatic stress, and their co-morbidities

The nociceptin/orphanin FQ (N/OFQ) peptide (NOP) receptor is a member of the opioid receptor superfamily with N/OFQ as its endogenous agonist. Wide expression of the NOP receptor and N/OFQ, both centrally and peripherally, and their ability to modulate several biological functions has led to development of NOP receptor modulators by pharmaceutical companies as therapeutics, based upon their efficacy in preclinical models of pain, anxiety, depression, Parkinson's disease, and substance abuse. Both posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD) and traumatic brain injury (TBI) are debilitating conditions that significantly affect the quality of life of millions of people around the world. PTSD is often a consequence of TBI, and, especially for those deployed to, working and/or living in a war zone or are first responders, they are comorbid. PTSD and TBI share common symptoms, and negatively influence outcomes as comorbidities of the other. Unfortunately, a lack of effective therapies or therapeutic agents limits the long term quality of life for either TBI or PTSD patients. Ours, and other groups, demonstrated that PTSD and TBI preclinical models elicit changes in the N/OFQ-NOP receptor system, and that administration of NOP receptor ligands alleviated some of the neurobiological and behavioral changes induced by brain injury and/or traumatic stress exposure. Here we review the past and most recent progress on understanding the role of the N/OFQ-NOP receptor system in PTSD and TBI neurological and behavioral sequelae. There is still more to understand about this neuropeptide system in both PTSD and TBI, but current findings warrant further examination of the potential utility of NOP modulators as therapeutics for these disorders and their co-morbidities. We advocate the development of standards for common data elements (CDE) reporting for preclinical PTSD studies, similar to current preclinical TBI CDEs. That would provide for more standardized data collection and reporting to improve reproducibility, interpretation and data sharing across studies.

Effects of structural analogues of nociceptin(1-13)NH₂ on brain antioxidant status in kainic acid-treated rats

The in vivo effects of nociceptin (N/OFQ(1-13)NH(2) ) and its structural analogues ([Dab(9) ]N/OFQ(1-13)NH(2) , [Dap(9) ]N/OFQ(1-13)NH(2) and [Cav(9) ]N/OFQ(1-13)NH(2) ) on the levels of lipid peroxidation and cell antioxidants (enzyme and non-enzyme) in brain of control and kainic acid (KA)-treated rats were studied. In control animals, [Dab(9) ]N/OFQ(1-13)NH(2) and [Dap(9) ]N/OFQ(1-13)NH(2) , unlike N/OFQ(1-13)NH(2) and [Cav(9) ]N/OFQ(1-13)NH(2) , slightly increased the brain lipid peroxidation; the rest of the parameters were unchanged by all neuropeptides tested. KA (0.25 µg in 0.5 µl, i.c.v) increased the lipid peroxidation (4 and 24 h after KA-injection) and decreased the glutathione level (1 h after KA-administration). One hour after KA-administration, the neuropeptides (2 µg in 0.5 µl, injected 30 min before KA) showed the following effects: a slight decrease in the KA-induced lipid peroxidation by all nociceptin analogues and an enhancement of the KA-decreased GSH level, but by [Cav(9) ]N/OFQ(1-13)NH(2) only. The brain antioxidant enzyme activities were unchanged in all used experimental groups. In addition, the nociceptin analogues, especially [Can(9) ]N/OFQ(1-13)NH(2) , showed a good antioxidant capacity in chemical systems, generating reactive oxygen species. In conclusion, the substitution of lysin (Lys) in N/OFQ(1-13)NH(2) molecule with other amino acids might contribute to changes in its antioxidant properties. Copyright © 2011 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.

Nociceptin/orphanin phenylalanine glutamine (FQ) receptor and cardiovascular disease

Nociceptin/Orphanin FQ (N/OFQ) is the endogenous ligand for the N/OFQ receptor. N/OFQ acts directly on blood vessels to elicit vasodilation. This review will describe the peripheral cardiovascular effects of N/OFQ observed in studies conducted in vitro and in vivo, along with those designed to characterize systemic cardiovascular effects resulting from direct injection into brain tissue. Emphasis is placed on the cerebrovascular action of N/OFQ and its function considered in the setting of central nervous system (CNS) pathology. Although N/OFQ is unlikely to cross the blood-brain barrier because of its size, use of N/OFQ antagonists to alleviate the potentially deleterious action of centrally released N/OFQ may be of therapeutic importance in treatment of cerebral ischemia of diverse origin, such as stroke and traumatic brain injury. Targeting N/OFQ may also be of therapeutic importance in alleviating the hyperemia and pain associated with joint inflammation.

In-vivo effects of nociceptin and its structural analogue [Orn9] nociceptin on the antioxidant status of rat blood and liver after carrageenan-induced paw inflammation

The production of reactive oxygen species (ROS) in cells is well balanced with their elimination by the antioxidant defence system. This balance is essential for maintenance of physiological conditions, and its disturbance (oxidative stress) has been suggested as a potential pathogenic mechanism in a variety of diseases, accompanied by inflammation. In this study, the in-vivo effects of nociceptin (N/OFQ(1–13)NH2) and its structure analogue [Orn9]N/OFQ(1–13)NH2 were studied on markers of oxidative stress in erythrocytes and liver of rats 4 hours after subplantar administration of carrageenan (CG) (1%, 100 µl) in the right hind paw. A considerable inflammatory oedema of the paw was observed. CG did not change blood haemoglobin content, hematocrit value, glutathione level and antioxidant enzyme activities in the erythrocytes, but there was an increase in lipid peroxidation. In liver, CG-induced imbalance was manifested by an increase in lipid peroxidation and a decrease in glutathione level. Both peptides (20 µg, i.p.), when administered alone, had no effect on all parameters tested. When either [Orn9]N/OFQ(1–13)NH2 or N/OFQ(1–13)NH2 was injected simultaneously with CG or 15 minutes before it, they did not affect the CG-induced changes in the antioxidant status of the erythrocytes and liver. Our results suggest that the peptides tested did not play a role in the free radical processes that accompany CG-induced paw inflammation.

In vivo effects of N/OFQ(1–13)NH2 and its structural analogue [ORN9]N/OFQ(1–13)NH2 on carrageenan-induced inflammation: rat-paw oedema and antioxidant status

The effects of nociceptin(1–13)NH2 (N/OFQ(1–13)NH2) and its structural analogue [Orn9]N/OFQ(1–13)NH2 on acute carrageenan (CG)-induced peripheral inflammation and paw antioxidant status were studied. CG was injected intraplantarly in the right hind paw of rats and the volume of the inflamed paw was measured each 30 min for a period of 4h. When administered simultaneously with CG, N/OFQ(1–13)NH2 decreased the paw volume, whereas if injected 15 min before CG it had no effect. [Orn9]N/OFQ(1–13)NH2 produced the opposite effects at the same time-intervals of its administration. We also investigated whether these neuropeptides influence CG-induced changes in cell antioxidant system, especially at the 4th hour of CG administration. CG alone decreased the glutathione level and superoxide dismutase activity, as measured in post-nuclear homogenate of the inflamed paw. However, CG injection increased glutathione peroxidase and glucose-6-phospate dehydrogenase activities, while the activity of glutathione reductase was unchanged. The peptides themselves did not change all measured parameters. Moreover, neither N/OFQ(1–13)NH2 nor [Orn9]N/OFQ(1–13)NH2 modified CG-induced changes in the antioxidant status, regardless of the time of their injection (simultaneously or 15 min before CG). The present results suggest that N/OFQ(1–13)NH2 and [Orn9]N/OFQ(1–13)NH2 most likely affect the neuronal inflammation, rather than act as pro- or antioxidants.

Role of Nociceptin/Orphanin FQ in the physiologic and pathologic control of the cerebral circulation

Nociceptin/orphanin FQ is a newly described member of the opioid family. Previous minireviews in this series have described the contribution of important factors, including opioids, in the regulation of the cerebral circulation during physiologic and pathologic conditions. The present review extends these initial comments to an opioid whose vascular actions have only very recently been appreciated. In particular, this review discusses the contribution of nociceptin/orphanin FQ to impaired cerebral hemodynamics after cerebral hypoxia/ischemia and traumatic brain injury.

Prostaglandins contribute to impaired angiotensin II-induced cerebral vasodilation after brain injury

This study characterized the effects of fluid percussion brain injury (FPI) on angiotensin II (AII)-induced cerebral vasodilation, determined the role of prostaglandins in such changes and evaluated the contribution of two subtypes of AII receptors (AT(1) and AT(2)) to the effects of AII on cerebrovascular regulation. Topical AII (10(-8), 10(-6), 10(-4) M) elicited vasodilation, which was attenuated by FPI (10 +/- 1; 18 +/- 2; 27 +/- 1% vs. 2 +/- 1; 4 +/- 1; 7 +/- 1%). Such changes in diameter were associated with increases in CSF 6-keto-PGF(1alpha), the stable breakdown product of PGI(2) (1.5 +/- 0.1; 2.1 +/- 0.1; 4.0 +/- 0.3 fold) and TXB(2), the stable breakdown product of TXA(2) (1.2 +/- 0.1; 1.4 +/- 0.1; 1.6 +/- 0.1 fold). However, after FPI, increases in 6-keto PGF(1alpha) were blocked (1.0 +/- 0.1; 1.0 +/- 0.1; 1.1 +/- 0.1 fold) whereas TXB(2) release was enhanced (1.5 +/- 0.1; 1.8 +/- 0.1; 1.9 +/- 0.1 fold). Pretreatment with the cyclooxygenase inhibitor indomethacin (5 mg/kg i.v.) in FPI animals partially protected AII vasodilation (8 +/- 1; 14 +/- 2; 19 +/- 3%). CGP 42112A, a putative AT(2) agonist, elicited vasodilation, which was also blunted by FPI. Such dilation was not associated with CSF prostaglandin changes, and indomethacin did not protect responses altered by FPI. Vasodilatation caused by low concentrations of AII was blunted by an AT(1) antagonist ZD 7155 but unchanged by an AT(2) antagonist PD 123,319. The high AII concentration produced dilation that was blunted by both antagonists. These data show that FPI impairs AII-mediated vasodilation. These data suggest that FPI causes these changes via alteration in an AT(1)-mediated production of prostaglandins. These data additionally suggest that FPI induced impairment of AT(2) mediated vasodilation is independent of an altered production of prostaglandins.