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Zhang Y, Zhang Z, Yu Q, Lan B, Shi Q, Li R, Jiao Z, Zhang W, Li F. Replicating human characteristics: A promising animal model of central fatigue. Brain Res Bull 2024; 212:110951. [PMID: 38642899 DOI: 10.1016/j.brainresbull.2024.110951] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/05/2024] [Revised: 03/18/2024] [Accepted: 04/14/2024] [Indexed: 04/22/2024]
Abstract
Central fatigue is a common pathological state characterized by psychological loss of drive, lack of appetite, drowsiness, and decreased psychic alertness. The mechanism underlying central fatigue is still unclear, and there is no widely accepted successful animal model that fully represents human characteristics. We aimed to construct a more clinically relevant and comprehensive animal model of central fatigue. In this study, we utilized the Modified Multiple Platform Method (MMPM) combined with alternate-day fasting (ADF) to create the animal model. The model group rats are placed on a stationary water environment platform for sleep deprivation at a fixed time each day, and they were subjected to ADF treatment. On non-fasting days, the rats were allowed unrestricted access to food. This process was sustained over a period of 21 days. We evaluated the model using behavioral assessments such as open field test, elevated plus maze test, tail suspension test, Morris water maze test, grip strength test, and forced swimming test, as well as serum biochemical laboratory indices. Additionally, we conducted pathological observations of the hippocampus and quadriceps muscle tissues, transmission electron microscope observation of mitochondrial ultrastructure, and assessment of mitochondrial energy metabolism and oxidative stress-related markers. The results revealed that the model rats displayed emotional anomalies resembling symptoms of depression and anxiety, decreased exploratory behavior, decline in learning and memory function, and signs of skeletal muscle fatigue, successfully replicating human features of negative emotions, cognitive decline, and physical fatigue. Pathological damage and mitochondrial ultrastructural alterations were observed in the hippocampus and quadriceps muscle tissues, accompanied by abnormal mitochondrial energy metabolism and oxidative stress in the form of decreased ATP and increased ROS levels. In conclusion, our ADF+MMPM model comprehensively replicated the features of human central fatigue and is a promising platform for preclinical research. Furthermore, the pivotal role of mitochondrial energy metabolism and oxidative stress damage in the occurrence of central fatigue in the hippocampus and skeletal muscle tissues was corroborated.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yifei Zhang
- Beijing University of Chinese Medicine, The northeast corner of the intersection of Sunshine South Street and Baiyang East Road, Beijing 102488, China
| | - Zehan Zhang
- Beijing University of Chinese Medicine, The northeast corner of the intersection of Sunshine South Street and Baiyang East Road, Beijing 102488, China
| | - Qingqian Yu
- Beijing University of Chinese Medicine, The northeast corner of the intersection of Sunshine South Street and Baiyang East Road, Beijing 102488, China
| | - Bijuan Lan
- Beijing University of Chinese Medicine, The northeast corner of the intersection of Sunshine South Street and Baiyang East Road, Beijing 102488, China
| | - Qinghuan Shi
- Beijing University of Chinese Medicine, The northeast corner of the intersection of Sunshine South Street and Baiyang East Road, Beijing 102488, China
| | - Ruting Li
- Beijing University of Chinese Medicine, The northeast corner of the intersection of Sunshine South Street and Baiyang East Road, Beijing 102488, China
| | - Ziheng Jiao
- Beijing University of Chinese Medicine, The northeast corner of the intersection of Sunshine South Street and Baiyang East Road, Beijing 102488, China
| | - Weiyue Zhang
- Beijing University of Chinese Medicine, The northeast corner of the intersection of Sunshine South Street and Baiyang East Road, Beijing 102488, China.
| | - Feng Li
- Beijing University of Chinese Medicine, The northeast corner of the intersection of Sunshine South Street and Baiyang East Road, Beijing 102488, China.
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Sherman ER, Li J, Cahill EN. No impairment of contextual fear memory consolidation by oxytocin receptor antagonism in male rats. Physiol Behav 2024; 279:114545. [PMID: 38580203 DOI: 10.1016/j.physbeh.2024.114545] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/21/2023] [Revised: 03/11/2024] [Accepted: 04/02/2024] [Indexed: 04/07/2024]
Abstract
Oxytocin is a peptide released into brain regions associated with the processing of aversive memory and threat responses. Given the expression of oxytocin receptors across this vigilance surveillance system of the brain, we investigated whether pharmacological antagonism of the receptor would impact contextual aversive conditioning and memory. Adult male rats were conditioned to form an aversive contextual memory. The effects of peripheral administration of either the competitive antagonist Atosiban or noncompetitive antagonist L-368,899 were compared to saline controls. Oxytocin receptor antagonism treatment did not significantly impact the consolidation of aversive contextual memory in any of the groups. We conclude that peripheral antagonism of oxytocin signalling did not impact the formation of aversive memory.
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Affiliation(s)
- Emily R Sherman
- Department of Physiology, Development, and Neuroscience, University of Cambridge, CB2 3EB, UK
| | - Jialu Li
- Bristol Medical School, University of Bristol, BS8 1TH, UK
| | - Emma N Cahill
- Department of Physiology, Development, and Neuroscience, University of Cambridge, CB2 3EB, UK; School of Physiology, Pharmacology and Neuroscience, University of Bristol, BS8 1TD, UK.
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Lu S, Ge Q, Yang M, Zhuang Y, Xu X, Niu F, Liu B, Tian R. Decoupling the mutual promotion of inflammation and oxidative stress mitigates cognitive decline and depression-like behavior in rmTBI mice by promoting myelin renewal and neuronal survival. Biomed Pharmacother 2024; 173:116419. [PMID: 38479178 DOI: 10.1016/j.biopha.2024.116419] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/10/2024] [Revised: 03/05/2024] [Accepted: 03/06/2024] [Indexed: 03/27/2024] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Repetitive mild traumatic brain injury (rmTBI) can lead to somatic, emotional, and cognitive symptoms that persist for years after the initial injury. Although the ability of various treatments to promote recovery after rmTBI has been explored, the optimal time window for early intervention after rmTBI is unclear. Previous research has shown that hydrogen-rich water (HRW) can diffuse through the blood-brain - barrier, attenuate local oxidative stress, and reduce neuronal apoptosis in patients with severe traumatic brain injury. However, research on the effect of HRW on rmTBI is scarce. AIMS The objectives of this study were to explore the following changes after rmTBI and HRW treatment: (i) temporal changes in inflammasome activation and oxidative stress-related protein expression through immunoblotting, (ii) temporal changes in neuron/myelin-related metabolite concentrations in vivo through magnetic resonance spectroscopy, (iii) myelin structural changes in late-stage rmTBI via immunofluorescence, and (iv) postinjury anxiety/depression-like behaviors and spatial learning and memory impairment. RESULTS NLRP-3 expression in the rmTBI group was elevated at 7 and 14 DPI, and inflammasome marker levels returned to normal at 30 DPI. Oxidative stress persisted throughout the first month postinjury. HRW replacement significantly decreased Nrf2 expression in the prefrontal cortex and hippocampal CA2 region at 14 and 30 DPI, respectively. Edema and local gliosis in the hippocampus and restricted diffusion in the thalamus were observed on MR-ADC images. The tCho/tCr ratio in the rmTBI group was elevated, and the tNAA/tCr ratio was decreased at 30 DPI. Compared with the mice in the other groups, the mice in the rmTBI group spent more time exploring the open arms in the elevated plus maze (P < 0.05) and were more active in the maze (longer total distance traveled). In the sucrose preference test, the rmTBI group exhibited anhedonia. In the Morris water maze test, the latency to find the hidden platform in the rmTBI group was longer than that in the sham and HRW groups (P < 0.05). CONCLUSION Early intervention with HRW can attenuate inflammasome assembly and reduce oxidative stress after rmTBI. These changes may restore local oligodendrocyte function, promote myelin repair, prevent axonal damage and neuronal apoptosis, and alleviate depression-like behavior and cognitive impairment.
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Affiliation(s)
- Shenghua Lu
- Department of Neurosurgery, Beijing Tiantan Hospital, Capital Medical University, Beijing, China; Beijing Key Laboratory of Central Nervous System Injury, Beijing Neurosurgical Institute, Capital Medical University, Beijing, China
| | - QianQian Ge
- Department of Neurosurgery, Beijing Tiantan Hospital, Capital Medical University, Beijing, China
| | - MengShi Yang
- Department of Neurosurgery, Beijing Tiantan Hospital, Capital Medical University, Beijing, China; Beijing Key Laboratory of Central Nervous System Injury, Beijing Neurosurgical Institute, Capital Medical University, Beijing, China
| | - Yuan Zhuang
- Department of Neurosurgery, Beijing Tiantan Hospital, Capital Medical University, Beijing, China; Beijing Key Laboratory of Central Nervous System Injury, Beijing Neurosurgical Institute, Capital Medical University, Beijing, China
| | - Xiaojian Xu
- Beijing Key Laboratory of Central Nervous System Injury, Beijing Neurosurgical Institute, Capital Medical University, Beijing, China
| | - Fei Niu
- Beijing Key Laboratory of Central Nervous System Injury, Beijing Neurosurgical Institute, Capital Medical University, Beijing, China
| | - Baiyun Liu
- Department of Neurosurgery, Beijing Tiantan Hospital, Capital Medical University, Beijing, China; Beijing Key Laboratory of Central Nervous System Injury, Beijing Neurosurgical Institute, Capital Medical University, Beijing, China; Center for Nerve Injury and Repair, Beijing Institute of Brain Disorders, Beijing, China; China National Clinical Research Center for Neurological Diseases, Beijing, China.
| | - Runfa Tian
- Department of Neurosurgery, Beijing Tiantan Hospital, Capital Medical University, Beijing, China; Beijing Key Laboratory of Central Nervous System Injury, Beijing Neurosurgical Institute, Capital Medical University, Beijing, China; Center for Nerve Injury and Repair, Beijing Institute of Brain Disorders, Beijing, China; China National Clinical Research Center for Neurological Diseases, Beijing, China.
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Drzewiecki CM, Fox AS. Understanding the heterogeneity of anxiety using a translational neuroscience approach. COGNITIVE, AFFECTIVE & BEHAVIORAL NEUROSCIENCE 2024; 24:228-245. [PMID: 38356013 PMCID: PMC11039504 DOI: 10.3758/s13415-024-01162-3] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Accepted: 01/14/2024] [Indexed: 02/16/2024]
Abstract
Anxiety disorders affect millions of people worldwide and present a challenge in neuroscience research because of their substantial heterogeneity in clinical presentation. While a great deal of progress has been made in understanding the neurobiology of fear and anxiety, these insights have not led to effective treatments. Understanding the relationship between phenotypic heterogeneity and the underlying biology is a critical first step in solving this problem. We show translation, reverse translation, and computational modeling can contribute to a refined, cross-species understanding of fear and anxiety as well as anxiety disorders. More specifically, we outline how animal models can be leveraged to develop testable hypotheses in humans by using targeted, cross-species approaches and ethologically informed behavioral paradigms. We discuss reverse translational approaches that can guide and prioritize animal research in nontraditional research species. Finally, we advocate for the use of computational models to harmonize cross-species and cross-methodology research into anxiety. Together, this translational neuroscience approach will help to bridge the widening gap between how we currently conceptualize and diagnose anxiety disorders, as well as aid in the discovery of better treatments for these conditions.
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Affiliation(s)
- Carly M Drzewiecki
- California National Primate Research Center, University of California, Davis, CA, USA.
| | - Andrew S Fox
- California National Primate Research Center, University of California, Davis, CA, USA.
- Department of Psychology, University of California, Davis, CA, USA.
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