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Hao T, Zhao X, Ji Z, Xia M, Lu H, Sang J, Wang S, Li L, Ge RS, Zhu Q. UV-filter benzophenones suppress human, pig, rat, and mouse 11β-hydroxysteroid dehydrogenase 1: Structure-activity relationship and in silico docking analysis. Comp Biochem Physiol C Toxicol Pharmacol 2024; 281:109900. [PMID: 38518984 DOI: 10.1016/j.cbpc.2024.109900] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/19/2023] [Revised: 03/13/2024] [Accepted: 03/17/2024] [Indexed: 03/24/2024]
Abstract
Benzophenone chemicals (BPs) have been developed to prevent the adverse effects of UV radiation and they are widely contaminated. 11β-Hydroxysteroid dehydrogenase 1 (11β-HSD1) catalyze the conversion of inactive glucocorticoid to active glucocorticoid, playing critical role in many physiological function. However, the direct effect of BPs on human, pig, rat, and mouse 11β-HSD1 remains unclear. In this study, we screened the inhibitory strength of 12 BPs on 4 species, and performed the structure-activity relationship (SAR) and in silico docking analysis. The inhibitory potency of BPs was: for human 11β-HSD1, BP6 (IC50 = 18.76 μM) > BP8 (40.84 μM) > BP (88.89 μM) > other BPs; for pig 11β-HSD1, BP8 (45.57 μM) > BP6 (59.44 μM) > BP2 (65.12 μM) > BP (135.56 μM) > other BPs; for rat 11β-HSD1, BP7 (67.17 μM) > BP (68.83 μM) > BP8 (133.04 μM) > other BPs; and for mouse 11β-HSD1, BP8 (41.41 μM) > BP (50.61 μM) > other BPs. These BP chemicals were mixed/competitive inhibitors of these 11β-HSD1 enzymes. The 2,2'-dihydroxy substitutions in two benzene rings play a key role in enhancing the effectiveness of inhibiting 11β-HSD1, possibly via increasing hydrogen bond interactions. Docking analysis shows that these BPs bind to NADPH/glucocorticoid binding sites and forms hydrogen bonds with catalytic residues Ser and/or Tyr. In conclusion, this study demonstrates that BP chemicals can inhibit 11β-HSD1 from 4 species, and there are subtle species-dependent difference in the inhibitory strength and structural variations of BPs.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ting Hao
- Department of Anesthesiology and Perioperative Medicine, the Second Affiliated Hospital and Yuying Children's Hospital, Wenzhou Medical University, Wenzhou, Zhejiang 325027, China; Key Laboratory of Pediatric Anesthesiology, Ministry of Education and Key Laboratory of Anesthesiology of Zhejiang Province, Wenzhou Medical University; Wenzhou, Zhejiang 325027, China; Key Laboratory of Environment and Male Reproductive Medicine of Wenzhou, Key Laboratory of Structural Malformations in Children of Zhejiang Province, Wenzhou 325000, Zhejiang Province, China
| | - Xin Zhao
- Department of Anesthesiology and Perioperative Medicine, the Second Affiliated Hospital and Yuying Children's Hospital, Wenzhou Medical University, Wenzhou, Zhejiang 325027, China; Key Laboratory of Pediatric Anesthesiology, Ministry of Education and Key Laboratory of Anesthesiology of Zhejiang Province, Wenzhou Medical University; Wenzhou, Zhejiang 325027, China; Key Laboratory of Environment and Male Reproductive Medicine of Wenzhou, Key Laboratory of Structural Malformations in Children of Zhejiang Province, Wenzhou 325000, Zhejiang Province, China
| | - Zhongyao Ji
- Department of Anesthesiology and Perioperative Medicine, the Second Affiliated Hospital and Yuying Children's Hospital, Wenzhou Medical University, Wenzhou, Zhejiang 325027, China; Key Laboratory of Pediatric Anesthesiology, Ministry of Education and Key Laboratory of Anesthesiology of Zhejiang Province, Wenzhou Medical University; Wenzhou, Zhejiang 325027, China; Key Laboratory of Environment and Male Reproductive Medicine of Wenzhou, Key Laboratory of Structural Malformations in Children of Zhejiang Province, Wenzhou 325000, Zhejiang Province, China
| | - Miaomiao Xia
- Department of Anesthesiology and Perioperative Medicine, the Second Affiliated Hospital and Yuying Children's Hospital, Wenzhou Medical University, Wenzhou, Zhejiang 325027, China; Key Laboratory of Pediatric Anesthesiology, Ministry of Education and Key Laboratory of Anesthesiology of Zhejiang Province, Wenzhou Medical University; Wenzhou, Zhejiang 325027, China; Key Laboratory of Environment and Male Reproductive Medicine of Wenzhou, Key Laboratory of Structural Malformations in Children of Zhejiang Province, Wenzhou 325000, Zhejiang Province, China
| | - Han Lu
- Department of Anesthesiology and Perioperative Medicine, the Second Affiliated Hospital and Yuying Children's Hospital, Wenzhou Medical University, Wenzhou, Zhejiang 325027, China; Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, the Second Affiliated Hospital and Yuying Children's Hospital of Wenzhou Medical University, Wenzhou, Zhejiang 325027, China
| | - Jianmin Sang
- Department of Anesthesiology and Perioperative Medicine, the Second Affiliated Hospital and Yuying Children's Hospital, Wenzhou Medical University, Wenzhou, Zhejiang 325027, China; Key Laboratory of Pediatric Anesthesiology, Ministry of Education and Key Laboratory of Anesthesiology of Zhejiang Province, Wenzhou Medical University; Wenzhou, Zhejiang 325027, China; Key Laboratory of Environment and Male Reproductive Medicine of Wenzhou, Key Laboratory of Structural Malformations in Children of Zhejiang Province, Wenzhou 325000, Zhejiang Province, China
| | - Shaowei Wang
- Department of Anesthesiology and Perioperative Medicine, the Second Affiliated Hospital and Yuying Children's Hospital, Wenzhou Medical University, Wenzhou, Zhejiang 325027, China; Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, the Second Affiliated Hospital and Yuying Children's Hospital of Wenzhou Medical University, Wenzhou, Zhejiang 325027, China
| | - Linxi Li
- Department of Anesthesiology and Perioperative Medicine, the Second Affiliated Hospital and Yuying Children's Hospital, Wenzhou Medical University, Wenzhou, Zhejiang 325027, China; Key Laboratory of Pediatric Anesthesiology, Ministry of Education and Key Laboratory of Anesthesiology of Zhejiang Province, Wenzhou Medical University; Wenzhou, Zhejiang 325027, China; Key Laboratory of Environment and Male Reproductive Medicine of Wenzhou, Key Laboratory of Structural Malformations in Children of Zhejiang Province, Wenzhou 325000, Zhejiang Province, China.
| | - Ren-Shan Ge
- Department of Anesthesiology and Perioperative Medicine, the Second Affiliated Hospital and Yuying Children's Hospital, Wenzhou Medical University, Wenzhou, Zhejiang 325027, China; Key Laboratory of Pediatric Anesthesiology, Ministry of Education and Key Laboratory of Anesthesiology of Zhejiang Province, Wenzhou Medical University; Wenzhou, Zhejiang 325027, China; Key Laboratory of Environment and Male Reproductive Medicine of Wenzhou, Key Laboratory of Structural Malformations in Children of Zhejiang Province, Wenzhou 325000, Zhejiang Province, China; Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, the Second Affiliated Hospital and Yuying Children's Hospital of Wenzhou Medical University, Wenzhou, Zhejiang 325027, China.
| | - Qiqi Zhu
- Department of Anesthesiology and Perioperative Medicine, the Second Affiliated Hospital and Yuying Children's Hospital, Wenzhou Medical University, Wenzhou, Zhejiang 325027, China; Key Laboratory of Pediatric Anesthesiology, Ministry of Education and Key Laboratory of Anesthesiology of Zhejiang Province, Wenzhou Medical University; Wenzhou, Zhejiang 325027, China; Key Laboratory of Environment and Male Reproductive Medicine of Wenzhou, Key Laboratory of Structural Malformations in Children of Zhejiang Province, Wenzhou 325000, Zhejiang Province, China; Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, the Second Affiliated Hospital and Yuying Children's Hospital of Wenzhou Medical University, Wenzhou, Zhejiang 325027, China.
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Qi D, Wang W, Chu L, Wu Y, Wang W, Zhu M, Yuan L, Gao W, Deng H. Associations of schizophrenia with the activities of the HPA and HPG axes and their interactions characterized by hair-based biomarkers. Psychoneuroendocrinology 2024; 165:107049. [PMID: 38657340 DOI: 10.1016/j.psyneuen.2024.107049] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/02/2024] [Revised: 03/11/2024] [Accepted: 04/10/2024] [Indexed: 04/26/2024]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Past studies on schizophrenia (SCZ) and the stress-sensitive neuroendocrine systems have mostly focused on a single system and traditionally utilized acute biomarkers (e.g., biomarkers from blood, urine and saliva) that poorly match the chronic course of schizophrenia in time span. Using eight biomarkers in hair, this study aimed to explore the functional characteristics of SCZ patients in the hypothalamic-pituitary-adrenocortical (HPA) and hypothalamic-pituitary-gonadal (HPG) axes and the interaction between the two axes. METHODS Hair samples were taken from 137 SCZ patients and 73 controls. The SCZ patients were diagnosed by their attending physician according to the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders IV and were clinically stable after treatment. Gender, age, BMI, frequency of hair washing, marital status, education level, family history of mental illness and clozapine dosage were concurrently collected as covariates. The 10-item perceived stress scale (PSS-10) and the social readjustment rating scale were used to assess chronic stress status in SCZ patients. Eight hair biomarkers, cortisol, cortisone, dehydroepiandrosterone (DHEA), testosterone, progesterone, cortisol/cortisone, cortisol/DHEA and cortisol/testosterone, were measured by high performance liquid chromatography tandem mass spectrometer. Among them, cortisol, cortisone, DHEA and cortisol/DHEA reflected the functional activity of the HPA axis, and testosterone and progesterone reflected the functional activity of the HPG axis, and cortisol/cortisone reflected the activity of 11β-hydroxysteroid dehydrogenase types 2 (11β-HSD 2), and cortisol/testosterone reflected the HPA-HPG interaction. RESULTS SCZ patients showed significantly higher cortisone and cortisol/testosterone than controls (p<0.001, η²p=0.180 and p=0.015, η²p=0.031), lower testosterone (p=0.009, η²p=0.034), progesterone (p<0.001, η²p=0.069) and cortisol/cortisone (p=0.001, η²p=0.054). There were significant intergroup differences in male and female progesterone (p=0.003, η²p=0.088 and p=0.030, η²p=0.049) and female testosterone (p=0.028, η²p=0.051). In SCZ patients, cortisol, cortisol/cortisone, cortisol/DHEA and cortisol/testosterone were positively associated with PSS-10 score (ps<0.05, 0.212 CONCLUSION The function of the HPA and HPG axes, the activity of 11β-HSD 2 and the HPA-HPG interaction were abnormal in SCZ patients. The abnormality of neuroendocrine systems was associated with chronic stress status in SCZ patients. This study provided evidence for abnormalities in the neuroendocrine systems in SCZ patients.
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Affiliation(s)
- Deyi Qi
- Department of Brain and Learning Science, School of Biological Science & Medical Engineering, Southeast University, Nanjing 211189, China; Key Laboratory of Child Development and Learning Science (Southeast University), Ministry of Education, Nanjing 211189, China; Institute of Child Development and Education, Southeast University, Nanjing 211189, China
| | - Weiliang Wang
- School of Nursing, Harbin Medical University, Harbin 163319, China.
| | - Liuxi Chu
- Department of Brain and Learning Science, School of Biological Science & Medical Engineering, Southeast University, Nanjing 211189, China; Key Laboratory of Child Development and Learning Science (Southeast University), Ministry of Education, Nanjing 211189, China; Institute of Child Development and Education, Southeast University, Nanjing 211189, China
| | - Yan Wu
- Department of Brain and Learning Science, School of Biological Science & Medical Engineering, Southeast University, Nanjing 211189, China; Key Laboratory of Child Development and Learning Science (Southeast University), Ministry of Education, Nanjing 211189, China; Institute of Child Development and Education, Southeast University, Nanjing 211189, China
| | - Wei Wang
- Department of Brain and Learning Science, School of Biological Science & Medical Engineering, Southeast University, Nanjing 211189, China; Key Laboratory of Child Development and Learning Science (Southeast University), Ministry of Education, Nanjing 211189, China; Institute of Child Development and Education, Southeast University, Nanjing 211189, China
| | - Minhui Zhu
- Department of Brain and Learning Science, School of Biological Science & Medical Engineering, Southeast University, Nanjing 211189, China; Key Laboratory of Child Development and Learning Science (Southeast University), Ministry of Education, Nanjing 211189, China; Institute of Child Development and Education, Southeast University, Nanjing 211189, China
| | - Lin Yuan
- Department of Brain and Learning Science, School of Biological Science & Medical Engineering, Southeast University, Nanjing 211189, China; Key Laboratory of Child Development and Learning Science (Southeast University), Ministry of Education, Nanjing 211189, China; Institute of Child Development and Education, Southeast University, Nanjing 211189, China
| | - Wei Gao
- Institute of Child Development and Education, Southeast University, Nanjing 211189, China; School of Psychology, Nanjing Normal University, Nanjing 210024, China
| | - Huihua Deng
- Department of Brain and Learning Science, School of Biological Science & Medical Engineering, Southeast University, Nanjing 211189, China; Key Laboratory of Child Development and Learning Science (Southeast University), Ministry of Education, Nanjing 211189, China; Institute of Child Development and Education, Southeast University, Nanjing 211189, China.
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Zheng B, Zheng Y, Hu W, Chen Z. Dissecting the networks underlying diverse brain disorders after prenatal glucocorticoid overexposure. Arch Toxicol 2024; 98:1975-1990. [PMID: 38581585 DOI: 10.1007/s00204-024-03733-2] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/06/2023] [Accepted: 03/07/2024] [Indexed: 04/08/2024]
Abstract
New human life begins in the uterus in a period of both extreme plasticity and sensitivity to environmental disturbances. The fetal stage is also a vital period for central nervous system development, with experiences at this point profoundly and permanently shaping brain structure and function. As such, some brain disorders may originate in utero. Glucocorticoids, a class of essential stress hormones, play indispensable roles in fetal development, but overexposure may have lasting impacts on the brain. In this review, we summarize data from recent clinical and non-clinical studies regarding alterations in fetal brains due to prenatal glucocorticoid overexposure that are associated with nervous system disorders. We discuss relevant changes to brain structure and cellular functions and explore the underlying molecular mechanisms. In addition, we summarize factors that may cause differential outcomes between varying brain regions, and outline clinically feasible intervention strategies that are expected to minimize negative consequences arising from fetal glucocorticoid overexposure. Finally, we highlight the need for experimental evidence aided by new technologies to clearly determine the effects of excessive prenatal glucocorticoid exposure. This review consolidates diverse findings to help researchers better understand the relationship between the prenatal glucocorticoid overexposure and the effects it has on various fetal brain regions, promoting further development of critical intervention strategies.
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Affiliation(s)
- Baixiu Zheng
- Institute of Pharmacology and Toxicology, NHC and CAMS Key Laboratory of Medical Neurobiology, College of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Zhejiang University, Hangzhou, 310058, China
| | - Yanrong Zheng
- Key Laboratory of Neuropharmacology and Translational Medicine of Zhejiang Province, School of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Zhejiang Chinese Medical University, Hangzhou, 310053, China
| | - Weiwei Hu
- Institute of Pharmacology and Toxicology, NHC and CAMS Key Laboratory of Medical Neurobiology, College of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Zhejiang University, Hangzhou, 310058, China.
| | - Zhong Chen
- Institute of Pharmacology and Toxicology, NHC and CAMS Key Laboratory of Medical Neurobiology, College of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Zhejiang University, Hangzhou, 310058, China.
- Key Laboratory of Neuropharmacology and Translational Medicine of Zhejiang Province, School of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Zhejiang Chinese Medical University, Hangzhou, 310053, China.
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Bäcklund N, Lundstedt S, Tornevi A, Wihlbäck AC, Olsson T, Dahlqvist P, Brattsand G. Salivary Cortisol and Cortisone Can Circumvent Confounding Effects of Oral Contraceptives in the Short Synacthen Test. J Clin Endocrinol Metab 2024; 109:1899-1906. [PMID: 38173358 PMCID: PMC11180507 DOI: 10.1210/clinem/dgad763] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/06/2023] [Revised: 12/06/2023] [Accepted: 12/27/2023] [Indexed: 01/05/2024]
Abstract
CONTEXT Adrenal insufficiency (AI) is usually diagnosed by low plasma cortisol levels following a short Synacthen test (SST). Most plasma cortisol is bound to corticosteroid-binding globulin, which is increased by estrogen in combined estrogen-progestin oral contraceptives (COCs). Women with AI using COCs are therefore at risk of having an apparently normal plasma cortisol level during SST, which would not adequately reflect AI. OBJECTIVE This work aimed to test whether salivary cortisol or cortisone during SST is more robust against the COC effect and to calculate the lower reference limits (LRLs) for these to be used as tentative diagnostic cutoffs to exclude AI. METHODS Forty-one healthy women on COCs and 46 healthy women without exogenous estrogens underwent an SST with collection of plasma and salivary samples at 0, 30, and 60 minutes after Synacthen injection. The groups were compared using regression analysis with age as covariate and the LRLs were calculated parametrically. RESULTS SST-stimulated plasma cortisol levels were significantly higher in the COC group vs controls, while mean salivary cortisol and cortisone levels were slightly lower in the COC group. Importantly, COC use did not significantly alter LRLs for salivary cortisol or cortisone. The smallest LRL difference between groups was seen for salivary cortisone. CONCLUSION Salivary cortisol and especially salivary cortisone are considerably less affected by COC use than plasma cortisol during SST. Due to similar LRLs, a common cutoff for salivary cortisol and cortisone during SST can be used to exclude AI in premenopausal women irrespective of COC use.
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Affiliation(s)
- Nils Bäcklund
- Department of Public Health and Clinical Medicine, Umeå University, 901 87 Umeå, Sweden
| | - Staffan Lundstedt
- Department of Medical Biosciences, Division of Clinical Chemistry, Umeå University, 901 87 Umeå, Sweden
| | - Andreas Tornevi
- Department of Public Health and Clinical Medicine, Umeå University, 901 87 Umeå, Sweden
| | - Anna-Carin Wihlbäck
- Department of Clinical Sciences, Obstetrics and Gynecology, Umeå University, 901 87 Umeå, Sweden
| | - Tommy Olsson
- Department of Public Health and Clinical Medicine, Umeå University, 901 87 Umeå, Sweden
| | - Per Dahlqvist
- Department of Public Health and Clinical Medicine, Umeå University, 901 87 Umeå, Sweden
| | - Göran Brattsand
- Department of Medical Biosciences, Division of Clinical Chemistry, Umeå University, 901 87 Umeå, Sweden
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Yu R, Jusko WJ. Physiologically Based Pharmacokinetic Modeling: The Reversible Metabolism and Tissue-Specific Partitioning of Methylprednisolone and Methylprednisone in Rats. Drug Metab Dispos 2024; 52:662-672. [PMID: 38653502 DOI: 10.1124/dmd.124.001711] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/01/2024] [Revised: 04/19/2024] [Accepted: 04/22/2024] [Indexed: 04/25/2024] Open
Abstract
The pharmacokinetics (PK) of methylprednisolone (MPL) exhibited tissue-specific saturable binding and reversible conversion with its metabolite, methylprednisone (MPN). Blood and 11 tissues were collected in male rats after intravenous (i.v.) bolus doses of 50 mg/kg MPL and 20 mg/kg MPN and upon i.v. infusion of MPL and MPN at 0.3, 3, and 10 mg/h per kg. The concentrations of MPL and MPN were simultaneously measured. A comprehensive physiologically based pharmacokinetic (PBPK) model was applied to describe the plasma and tissue profiles and estimate PK parameters of the MPL/MPN interconversion system. Both dosed and formed MPL and MPN were in rapid equilibrium or achieved steady-state rapidly in plasma and tissues. MPL tissue partitioning was nonlinear, with highest capacity in liver (322.9 ng/ml) followed by kidney, heart, intestine, skin, spleen, bone, brain, muscle, and lowest in adipose (2.74 ng/ml) and displaying high penetration in lung. The tissue partition coefficient of MPN was linear but widely variable (0.15∼5.38) across most tissues, with nonlinear binding in liver and kidney. The conversion of MPL to MPN occurred in kidney, lung, and intestine with total clearance of 429 ml/h, and the back conversion occurred in liver and kidney at 1342 ml/h. The irreversible elimination clearance of MPL was 789 ml/h from liver and that of MPN was 2758 ml/h with liver accounting for 44%, lung 35%, and kidney 21%. The reversible metabolism elevated MPL exposure in rats by 13%. This highly complex PBPK model provided unique and comprehensive insights into the disposition of a major corticosteroid. SIGNIFICANCE STATEMENT: Our dual physiologically based pharmacokinetic (PBPK) study and model of methylprednisolone/methylprednisone (MPL/MPN) with multiple complexities reasonably characterized and parameterized their disposition, and provided greater insights into the interpretation of their pharmacodynamics in rats. Drug knowledge gained in this study may be translatable to higher-order species to appreciate the clinical utility of MPL. The complex model itself is instructive for advanced PBPK analysis of drugs with reversible metabolism and/or nonlinear tissue partitioning features.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ruihong Yu
- Department of Pharmaceutical Sciences, School of Pharmacy and Pharmaceutical Sciences, State University of New York at Buffalo, Buffalo, New York
| | - William J Jusko
- Department of Pharmaceutical Sciences, School of Pharmacy and Pharmaceutical Sciences, State University of New York at Buffalo, Buffalo, New York
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Deng F, Lei J, Chen J, Zhao M, Zhao C, Fu M, Sun M, Zhang M, Qiu J, Gao Q. DNA methylation-mediated 11βHSD2 downregulation drives the increases in angiotensin-converting enzyme and angiotensin II within preeclamptic placentas. FASEB J 2024; 38:e23714. [PMID: 38814727 DOI: 10.1096/fj.202400199r] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/25/2024] [Revised: 04/17/2024] [Accepted: 05/20/2024] [Indexed: 06/01/2024]
Abstract
Preeclampsia (PE) is a complex human-specific complication frequently associated with placental pathology. The local renin-angiotensin system (RAS) in the human placenta, which plays a crucial role in regulating placental function, has been extensively documented. Glucocorticoids (GCs) are a class of steroid hormones. PE cases often have abnormalities in GCs levels and placental GCs barrier. Despite extensive speculation, there is currently no robust evidence indicating that GCs regulate placental RAS. This study aims to investigate these potential relationships. Plasma and placental samples were collected from both normal and PE pregnancies. The levels of angiotensin-converting enzyme (ACE), angiotensin II (Ang II), cortisol, and 11β-hydroxysteroid dehydrogenases (11βHSD) were analyzed. In PE placentas, cortisol, ACE, and Ang II levels were elevated, while 11βHSD2 expression was reduced. Interestingly, a positive correlation was observed between ACE and cortisol levels in the placenta. A significant inverse correlation was found between the methylation statuses within the 11βHSD2 gene promoter and its expression, meanwhile, 11βHSD2 expression was negatively correlated with cortisol and ACE levels. In vitro experiments using placental trophoblast cells confirmed that active GCs can stimulate ACE transcription and expression through the GR pathway. Furthermore, 11βHSD2 knockdown could enhance this activating effect. An in vivo study using a rat model of intrauterine GCs overexposure during mid-to-late gestation suggested that excess GCs in utero lead to increased ACE and Ang II levels in the placenta. Collectively, this study provides the first evidence of the relationships between 11βHSD2 expression, GCs barrier, ACE, and Ang II levels in the placenta. It not only contributes to understanding the pathological features of the placental GCs barrier and RAS under PE conditions, also provides important information for revealing the pathological mechanism of PE.
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Affiliation(s)
- Fengying Deng
- Institute for Fetology, the First Affiliated Hospital of Soochow University, Suzhou, Jiangsu, P.R. China
| | - Jiahui Lei
- Institute for Fetology, the First Affiliated Hospital of Soochow University, Suzhou, Jiangsu, P.R. China
| | - Jie Chen
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, the First Affiliated Hospital of Soochow University, Suzhou, Jiangsu, P.R. China
| | - Meng Zhao
- Institute for Fetology, the First Affiliated Hospital of Soochow University, Suzhou, Jiangsu, P.R. China
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, the Third People's Hospital of Bengbu Affiliated to Bengbu Medical College, Bengbu, Anhui, China
| | - Chenxuan Zhao
- Institute for Fetology, the First Affiliated Hospital of Soochow University, Suzhou, Jiangsu, P.R. China
| | - Mengyu Fu
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, the First Affiliated Hospital of Soochow University, Suzhou, Jiangsu, P.R. China
| | - Miao Sun
- Institute for Fetology, the First Affiliated Hospital of Soochow University, Suzhou, Jiangsu, P.R. China
| | - Meihua Zhang
- Key Laboratory of Birth Regulation and Control Technology of National Health Commission of China, Shandong Provincial Maternal and Child Health Care Hospital Affiliated to Qingdao University, Jinan, Shandong, China
| | - Junlan Qiu
- Department of Oncology and Hematology, Suzhou Hospital, Affiliated Hospital of Medical School, Nanjing University, Suzhou, Jiangsu, P.R. China
| | - Qinqin Gao
- Institute for Fetology, the First Affiliated Hospital of Soochow University, Suzhou, Jiangsu, P.R. China
- Key Laboratory of Birth Regulation and Control Technology of National Health Commission of China, Shandong Provincial Maternal and Child Health Care Hospital Affiliated to Qingdao University, Jinan, Shandong, China
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Katsu Y, Zhang J, Baker ME. Lysine-Cysteine-Serine-Tryptophan inserted into the DNA-binding domain of human mineralocorticoid receptor increases transcriptional activation by aldosterone. J Steroid Biochem Mol Biol 2024; 243:106548. [PMID: 38821293 DOI: 10.1016/j.jsbmb.2024.106548] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/15/2024] [Revised: 05/20/2024] [Accepted: 05/21/2024] [Indexed: 06/02/2024]
Abstract
Due to alternative splicing in an ancestral DNA-binding domain (DBD) of the mineralocorticoid receptor (MR), humans contain two almost identical MR transcripts with either 984 amino acids (MR-984) or 988 amino acids (MR-988), in which their DBDs differ by only four amino acids, Lys,Cys,Ser,Trp (KCSW). Human MRs also contain mutations at two sites, codons 180 and 241, in the amino terminal domain (NTD). Together, there are five distinct full-length human MR genes in GenBank. Human MR-984, which was cloned in 1987, has been extensively studied. Human MR-988, cloned in 1995, contains KCSW in its DBD. Neither this human MR-988 nor the other human MR-988 genes have been studied for their response to aldosterone and other corticosteroids. Here, we report that transcriptional activation of human MR-988 by aldosterone is increased by about 50 % compared to activation of human MR-984 in HEK293 cells transfected with the TAT3 promoter, while the half-maximal response (EC50) is similar for aldosterone activation of MR-984 and MR-988. Transcriptional activation of human MR also depends on the amino acids at codons 180 and 241. Interestingly, in HEK293 cells transfected with the MMTV promoter, transcriptional activation by aldosterone of human MR-988 is similar to activation of human MR-984, indicating that the promoter has a role in the regulation of the response of human MR-988 to aldosterone. The physiological responses to aldosterone and other corticosteroids in humans with MR genes containing KCSW and with differences at codons 180 and 241 in the NTD warrant investigation.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yoshinao Katsu
- Faculty of Science, Hokkaido University, Sapporo, Japan; Graduate School of Life Science, Hokkaido University, Sapporo, Japan
| | - Jiawen Zhang
- Graduate School of Life Science, Hokkaido University, Sapporo, Japan
| | - Michael E Baker
- Division of Nephrology-Hypertension, Department of Medicine, 0693, University of California, 9500 Gilman Drive, La Jolla, San Diego, CA 92093, USA; Center for Academic Research and Training in Anthropogeny (CARTA) University of California, La Jolla, San Diego, CA 92093, USA.
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Lebel A, Ben Shalom E, Mokatern R, Halevy R, Zehavi Y, Magen D. Apparent mineralocorticoid excess in Israel: a case series and literature review. Eur J Endocrinol 2024; 190:347-353. [PMID: 38652803 DOI: 10.1093/ejendo/lvae049] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/30/2023] [Revised: 03/04/2024] [Accepted: 03/20/2024] [Indexed: 04/25/2024]
Abstract
BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVE Apparent mineralocorticoid excess (AME) syndrome is an ultra-rare autosomal-recessive tubulopathy, caused by mutations in HSD11B2, leading to excessive activation of the kidney mineralocorticoid receptor, and characterized by early-onset low-renin hypertension, hypokalemia, and risk of chronic kidney disease (CKD). To date, most reports included few patients, and none described patients from Israel. We aimed to describe AME patients from Israel and to review the relevant literature. DESIGN Retrospective cohort study. METHODS Clinical, laboratory, and molecular data from patients' records were collected. RESULTS Five patients presented at early childhood with normal estimated glomerular filtration rate (eGFR), while 2 patients presented during late childhood with CKD. Molecular analysis revealed 2 novel homozygous mutations in HSD11B2. All patients presented with severe hypertension and hypokalemia. While all patients developed nephrocalcinosis, only 1 showed hypercalciuria. All individuals were managed with potassium supplements, mineralocorticoid receptor antagonists, and various antihypertensive medications. One patient survived cardiac arrest secondary to severe hyperkalemia. At last follow-up, those 5 patients who presented early exhibited normal eGFR and near-normal blood pressure, but 2 have hypertension complications. The 2 patients who presented with CKD progressed to end-stage kidney disease (ESKD) necessitating dialysis and kidney transplantation. CONCLUSIONS In this 11-year follow-up report of 2 Israeli families with AME, patients who presented early maintained long-term normal kidney function, while those who presented late progressed to ESKD. Nevertheless, despite early diagnosis and management, AME is commonly associated with serious complications of the disease or its treatment.
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Affiliation(s)
- Asaf Lebel
- Pediatric Nephrology Unit, HaEmek Medical Center, Afula 1834111, Israel
| | - Efrat Ben Shalom
- Pediatric Nephrology Unit, Shaare Zedek Medical Center, Faculty of Medicine, Hebrew University of Jerusalem, Jerusalem 9103102, Israel
| | - Rozan Mokatern
- Pediatric Nephrology Unit, HaEmek Medical Center, Afula 1834111, Israel
| | - Raphael Halevy
- Pediatric Nephrology Unit, HaEmek Medical Center, Afula 1834111, Israel
| | - Yoav Zehavi
- Pediatric Department B, HaEmek Medical Center, Afula 1834111, Israel
| | - Daniela Magen
- Technion Faculty of Medicine, Pediatric Nephrology Institute, Ruth Children's Hospital, Rambam Health Care Campus, Haifa 3109601, Israel
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9
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Wang H, Sang J, Ji Z, Yu Y, Wang S, Zhu Y, Li H, Wang Y, Ge RS. Halogenated bisphenol A derivatives potently inhibit human and rat 11β-hydroxysteroid dehydrogenase 1: Structure-activity relationship and molecular docking. ENVIRONMENTAL TOXICOLOGY 2024; 39:2560-2571. [PMID: 38189224 DOI: 10.1002/tox.24124] [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] [Received: 03/14/2023] [Revised: 08/24/2023] [Accepted: 12/25/2023] [Indexed: 01/09/2024]
Abstract
Chlorinated bisphenol A (BPA) derivatives are formed during chlorination process of drinking water, whereas bisphenol S (BPS) and brominated BPA and BPS (TBBPA and TBBPS) were synthesized for many industrial uses such as fire retardants. However, the effect of halogenated BPA and BPS derivatives on glucocorticoid metabolizing enzyme 11β-hydroxysteroid dehydrogenase 1 (11β-HSD1) remains unclear. The inhibitory effects of 6 BPA derivatives in the inhibition of human and rat 11β-HSD1 were investigated. The potencies for inhibition on human 11β-HSD1 were TBBPA (IC50, 3.87 μM) = monochloro BPA (MCBPA, 4.08 μM) = trichloro BPA (TrCBPA, 4.41 μM) > tetrachloro BPA (TCBPA, 9.75 μM) > TBBPS (>100 μM) = BPS (>100 μM), and those for rat 11β-HSD1 were TrCBPA (IC50, 2.76 μM) = MCBPA (3.75 μM) > TBBPA (39.58 μM) > TCBPA = TBBPS = BPS. All these BPA derivatives are mixed/competitive inhibitors of both human and rat enzymes. Molecular docking studies predict that MCBPA, TrCBPA, TCBPA, and TBBPA all bind to the active site of human 11β-HSD1, forming hydrogen bonds with catalytic residue Ser170 except TCBPA. Regression of the lowest binding energy with IC50 values revealed a significant inverse linear regression. In conclusion, halogenated BPA derivatives are mostly potent inhibitors of human and rat 11β-HSD1, and there is structure-dependent inhibition.
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Affiliation(s)
- Hong Wang
- Department of Anaesthesiology, The Second Affiliated Hospital and Yuying Children's Hospital of Wenzhou Medical University, Wenzhou, Zhejiang, China
- Key Laboratory of Structural Malformations in Children of Zhejiang Province, The Second Affiliated Hospital and Yuying Children's Hospital of Wenzhou Medical University, Wenzhou, Zhejiang, China
| | - Jianmin Sang
- Department of Anaesthesiology, The Second Affiliated Hospital and Yuying Children's Hospital of Wenzhou Medical University, Wenzhou, Zhejiang, China
| | - Zhongyao Ji
- Department of Anaesthesiology, The Second Affiliated Hospital and Yuying Children's Hospital of Wenzhou Medical University, Wenzhou, Zhejiang, China
| | - Yang Yu
- Department of Anaesthesiology, The Second Affiliated Hospital and Yuying Children's Hospital of Wenzhou Medical University, Wenzhou, Zhejiang, China
| | - Shaowei Wang
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, The Second Affiliated Hospital and Yuying Children's Hospital of Wenzhou Medical University, Wenzhou, Zhejiang, China
| | - Yang Zhu
- Department of Anaesthesiology, The Second Affiliated Hospital and Yuying Children's Hospital of Wenzhou Medical University, Wenzhou, Zhejiang, China
| | - Huitao Li
- Department of Anaesthesiology, The Second Affiliated Hospital and Yuying Children's Hospital of Wenzhou Medical University, Wenzhou, Zhejiang, China
| | - Yiyan Wang
- Department of Anaesthesiology, The Second Affiliated Hospital and Yuying Children's Hospital of Wenzhou Medical University, Wenzhou, Zhejiang, China
| | - Ren-Shan Ge
- Department of Anaesthesiology, The Second Affiliated Hospital and Yuying Children's Hospital of Wenzhou Medical University, Wenzhou, Zhejiang, China
- Key Laboratory of Structural Malformations in Children of Zhejiang Province, The Second Affiliated Hospital and Yuying Children's Hospital of Wenzhou Medical University, Wenzhou, Zhejiang, China
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10
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Yuan X, An G. Characterizing the Nonlinear Pharmacokinetics and Pharmacodynamics of BI 187004, an 11β-Hydroxysteroid Dehydrogenase Type 1 Inhibitor, in Humans by a Target-Mediated Drug Disposition Model. J Clin Pharmacol 2024. [PMID: 38652112 DOI: 10.1002/jcph.2438] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/02/2024] [Accepted: 03/19/2024] [Indexed: 04/25/2024]
Abstract
BI 187004, a selective small-molecule inhibitor of 11β-hydroxysteroid dehydrogenase-1 (11β-HSD1), displayed complex nonlinear pharmacokinetics (PK) in humans. Following nine single oral doses, BI 187004 exhibited nonlinear PK at low doses and linear PK at higher doses. Notably, substantial hepatic 11β-HSD1 inhibition (50%) was detected in a very low-dose group, achieving a consistent 70% hepatic enzyme inhibition in subsequent ascending doses without any dose-dependent effects. The unusual PK and PD profiles of BI 187004 suggest the presence of pharmacological target-mediated drug disposition (TMDD), arising from the saturable binding of BI 187004 compound to its high-affinity and low-capacity target 11β-HSD1. The non-intuitive dose, exposure, and response relationship for BI 187004 pose a significant challenge in rational dose selection. This study aimed to construct a TMDD model to explain the complex nonlinear PK behavior and underscore the importance of recognizing TMDD in this small-molecule compound. Among the various models explored, the best model was a two-compartment TMDD model with three transit absorption components. The final model provides insights into 11β-HSD1 binding-related parameters for BI 187004, including the total amount of 11β-HSD1 in the liver (estimated to be 8000 nmol), the second order association rate constant (estimated to be 0.102 nM-1h-1), and the first-order dissociation rate constant (estimated to be 0.11 h-1). Our final population PK model successfully characterized the intricate nonlinear PK of BI 187004 across a wide dose range. This modeling work serves as a valuable reference for the rational selection of the dose regimens for BI 187004's future clinical trials.
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Affiliation(s)
- Xuanzhen Yuan
- Department of Pharmaceutical Sciences and Experimental Therapeutics, College of Pharmacy, University of Iowa, Iowa City, IA, USA
| | - Guohua An
- Department of Pharmaceutical Sciences and Experimental Therapeutics, College of Pharmacy, University of Iowa, Iowa City, IA, USA
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11
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Cen YK, Zhang L, Jiang Y, Meng XF, Li Y, Xiang C, Xue YP, Zheng YG. Not exclusively the activity, but the sweet spot: a dehydrogenase point mutation synergistically boosts activity, substrate tolerance, thermal stability and yield. Org Biomol Chem 2024; 22:3009-3018. [PMID: 38529785 DOI: 10.1039/d4ob00211c] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 03/27/2024]
Abstract
Catalytic activity is undoubtedly a key focus in enzyme engineering. The complicated reaction conditions hinder some enzymes from industrialization even though they have relatively promising activity. This has occurred to some dehydrogenases. Hydroxysteroid dehydrogenases (HSDHs) specifically catalyze the conversion between hydroxyl and keto groups, and hold immense potential in the synthesis of steroid medicines. We underscored the importance of 7α-HSDH activity, and analyzed the overall robustness and underlying mechanisms. Employing a high-throughput screening approach, we comprehensively assessed a mutation library, and obtained a mutant with enhanced enzymatic activity and overall stability/tolerance. The superior mutant (I201M) was identified to harbor improved thermal stability, substrate susceptibility, cofactor affinity, as well as the yield. This mutant displayed a 1.88-fold increase in enzymatic activity, a 1.37-fold improvement in substrate tolerance, and a 1.45-fold increase in thermal stability when compared with the wild type (WT) enzyme. The I201M mutant showed a 2.25-fold increase in the kcat/KM ratio (indicative of a stronger binding affinity for the cofactor). This mutant did not exhibit the highest enzyme activity compared with all the tested mutants, but these improved characteristics contributed synergistically to the highest yield. When a substrate at 100 mM was present, the 24 h yield by I201M reached 89.7%, significantly higher than the 61.2% yield elicited by the WT enzyme. This is the first report revealing enhancement of the catalytic efficiency, cofactor affinity, substrate tolerance, and thermal stability of NAD(H)-dependent 7α-HSDH through a single-point mutation. The mutated enzyme reached the highest enzymatic activity of 7α-HSDH ever reported. High enzymatic activity is undoubtedly crucial for enabling the industrialization of an enzyme. Our findings demonstrated that, when compared with other mutants boasting even higher enzymatic activity, mutants with excellent overall robustness were superior for industrial applications. This principle was exemplified by highly active enzymes such as 7α-HSDH.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yu-Ke Cen
- Key Laboratory of Bioorganic Synthesis of Zhejiang Province, College of Biotechnology and Bioengineering, Zhejiang University of Technology, Hangzhou 310014, China.
- Engineering Research Center of Bioconversion and Biopurification of Ministry of Education, Zhejiang University of Technology, Hangzhou 310014, China
- National and Local Joint Engineering Research Center for Biomanufacturing of Chiral Chemicals, Zhejiang University of Technology, Hangzhou 310014, P. R. China
| | - Lin Zhang
- Key Laboratory of Bioorganic Synthesis of Zhejiang Province, College of Biotechnology and Bioengineering, Zhejiang University of Technology, Hangzhou 310014, China.
- Engineering Research Center of Bioconversion and Biopurification of Ministry of Education, Zhejiang University of Technology, Hangzhou 310014, China
- National and Local Joint Engineering Research Center for Biomanufacturing of Chiral Chemicals, Zhejiang University of Technology, Hangzhou 310014, P. R. China
| | - Yue Jiang
- Key Laboratory of Bioorganic Synthesis of Zhejiang Province, College of Biotechnology and Bioengineering, Zhejiang University of Technology, Hangzhou 310014, China.
- Engineering Research Center of Bioconversion and Biopurification of Ministry of Education, Zhejiang University of Technology, Hangzhou 310014, China
- National and Local Joint Engineering Research Center for Biomanufacturing of Chiral Chemicals, Zhejiang University of Technology, Hangzhou 310014, P. R. China
| | - Xiang-Fu Meng
- Key Laboratory of Bioorganic Synthesis of Zhejiang Province, College of Biotechnology and Bioengineering, Zhejiang University of Technology, Hangzhou 310014, China.
- Engineering Research Center of Bioconversion and Biopurification of Ministry of Education, Zhejiang University of Technology, Hangzhou 310014, China
- National and Local Joint Engineering Research Center for Biomanufacturing of Chiral Chemicals, Zhejiang University of Technology, Hangzhou 310014, P. R. China
| | - Yuan Li
- Key Laboratory of Bioorganic Synthesis of Zhejiang Province, College of Biotechnology and Bioengineering, Zhejiang University of Technology, Hangzhou 310014, China.
- Engineering Research Center of Bioconversion and Biopurification of Ministry of Education, Zhejiang University of Technology, Hangzhou 310014, China
- National and Local Joint Engineering Research Center for Biomanufacturing of Chiral Chemicals, Zhejiang University of Technology, Hangzhou 310014, P. R. China
| | - Chao Xiang
- Key Laboratory of Bioorganic Synthesis of Zhejiang Province, College of Biotechnology and Bioengineering, Zhejiang University of Technology, Hangzhou 310014, China.
- Engineering Research Center of Bioconversion and Biopurification of Ministry of Education, Zhejiang University of Technology, Hangzhou 310014, China
- National and Local Joint Engineering Research Center for Biomanufacturing of Chiral Chemicals, Zhejiang University of Technology, Hangzhou 310014, P. R. China
| | - Ya-Ping Xue
- Key Laboratory of Bioorganic Synthesis of Zhejiang Province, College of Biotechnology and Bioengineering, Zhejiang University of Technology, Hangzhou 310014, China.
- Engineering Research Center of Bioconversion and Biopurification of Ministry of Education, Zhejiang University of Technology, Hangzhou 310014, China
- National and Local Joint Engineering Research Center for Biomanufacturing of Chiral Chemicals, Zhejiang University of Technology, Hangzhou 310014, P. R. China
| | - Yu-Guo Zheng
- Key Laboratory of Bioorganic Synthesis of Zhejiang Province, College of Biotechnology and Bioengineering, Zhejiang University of Technology, Hangzhou 310014, China.
- Engineering Research Center of Bioconversion and Biopurification of Ministry of Education, Zhejiang University of Technology, Hangzhou 310014, China
- National and Local Joint Engineering Research Center for Biomanufacturing of Chiral Chemicals, Zhejiang University of Technology, Hangzhou 310014, P. R. China
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12
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Hall L, Hart R. Role of corticosteroids in skin physiology and therapeutic potential of an 11β-HSD1 inhibitor: A review. Int J Dermatol 2024; 63:443-454. [PMID: 38146184 DOI: 10.1111/ijd.16967] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/13/2023] [Revised: 11/15/2023] [Accepted: 11/29/2023] [Indexed: 12/27/2023]
Abstract
Skin is a major site of cortisol bioconversion by 11β-hydroxysteroid dehydrogenase type 1 (11β-HSD1) enzymes which catalyze intracellular inactive cortisone into physiologically active cortisol. 11β-HSD1 is highly expressed in skin, especially in dermal fibroblasts, epidermal keratinocytes, melanocytes, and hair follicles, and plays important roles in regulating keratinocytes, fibroblast proliferation, and has roles in skin aging. Inhibition of 11β-HSD1 may reverse decreased collagen levels observed in extrinsically and intrinsically aged skin. Inhibitors of 11β-HSD1 may also have the potential to reverse decreased collagen observed in skin atrophy induced by glucocorticoid treatment. This systematic review aimed to summarize the current knowledge of roles for 11β-HSD1 inhibitor in skin physiology and potential for future use in medications. Studies have demonstrated that immediately following experimental insult in an animal model, there is increased expression of 11β-HSD1, and that topical application of an 11β-HSD1 inhibitor increases the rate of healing, increases skin collagen content, increases dermal fibroblasts, and increases dermal thickness. Furthermore, in patients with type 2 diabetes mellitus, 11β-HSD1 inhibitors reduce wound diameter after injury. Further development of 11β-HSD1 inhibitors appears to be a promising area for treating aging skin, aiding wound healing, and mitigating effects of systemic glucocorticoid use. Both topically and orally administered 11β-HSD1 inhibitors appear to be viable avenues for future research.
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Affiliation(s)
- Larissa Hall
- Faculty of Science and Agriculture, Business and Law, School of Science and Technology, University of New England, Armidale, NSW, Australia
| | - Robert Hart
- Faculty of Science and Agriculture, Business and Law, School of Science and Technology, University of New England, Armidale, NSW, Australia
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13
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Zhao R, Hong L, Shi G, Ye H, Lou X, Zhou X, Yao J, Shi X, An J, Sun M. Mineralocorticoid promotes intestinal inflammation through receptor dependent IL17 production in ILC3s. Int Immunopharmacol 2024; 130:111678. [PMID: 38368773 DOI: 10.1016/j.intimp.2024.111678] [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: 12/11/2023] [Revised: 02/03/2024] [Accepted: 02/08/2024] [Indexed: 02/20/2024]
Abstract
Aldosterone is a key mineralocorticoid involved in regulating the concentration of blood electrolytes and physiological volume balance. Activation of mineralocorticoid receptor (MR) has been recently reported to participate in adaptive and innate immune responses under inflammation. Here, we evaluated the role of aldosterone and MR in inflammation bowel diseases (IBD). Aldosterone elevated in the colon of DSS-induced colitis mice. Aldosterone addition induced IL17 production and ROS/RNS level in group 3 innate lymphoid cells (ILC3s) and exacerbated intestinal injury. A selective mineralocorticoid receptor antagonism, eplerenone, inhibited IL17-producing ILC3s and its ROS/RNS production, protected mice from DSS-induced colitis. Mice lacking Nr3c2 (MR coding gene) in ILC3s exhibited decreased IL17 and ROS/RNS production, which alleviated colitis and colitis-associated colorectal cancer (CAC). Further experiments revealed that MR could directly bind to IL17A promoter and facilitate its transcription, which could be enhanced by aldosterone. Thus, our findings demonstrated the critical role of aldosterone-MR-IL17 signaling in ILC3s and gut homeostasis, indicating the therapeutic strategy of eplerenone in IBD clinical trial.
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Affiliation(s)
- Rongchuan Zhao
- School of Biomedical Engineering (Suzhou), Division of Life Sciences and Medicine, University of Science and Technology of China, Hefei 230006, China; Suzhou Institute of Biomedical Engineering and Technology, Chinese Academy of Science, Suzhou 215163, China
| | - Lei Hong
- School of Biomedical Engineering (Suzhou), Division of Life Sciences and Medicine, University of Science and Technology of China, Hefei 230006, China; Suzhou Institute of Biomedical Engineering and Technology, Chinese Academy of Science, Suzhou 215163, China; Institute of Clinical Medicine Research, Suzhou Hospital, Affiliated Hospital of Medical School, Nanjing University. Suzhou Science and Technology Town Hospital. No. 1 Lijiang Road, Suzhou 215153, China
| | - Guohua Shi
- Suzhou Institute of Biomedical Engineering and Technology, Chinese Academy of Science, Suzhou 215163, China
| | - Hong Ye
- Suzhou Institute of Biomedical Engineering and Technology, Chinese Academy of Science, Suzhou 215163, China
| | - Xinqi Lou
- Institute of Clinical Medicine Research, Suzhou Hospital, Affiliated Hospital of Medical School, Nanjing University. Suzhou Science and Technology Town Hospital. No. 1 Lijiang Road, Suzhou 215153, China
| | - Xinying Zhou
- School of Biomedical Engineering (Suzhou), Division of Life Sciences and Medicine, University of Science and Technology of China, Hefei 230006, China; Suzhou Institute of Biomedical Engineering and Technology, Chinese Academy of Science, Suzhou 215163, China
| | - Jinyu Yao
- School of Biomedical Engineering (Suzhou), Division of Life Sciences and Medicine, University of Science and Technology of China, Hefei 230006, China; Suzhou Institute of Biomedical Engineering and Technology, Chinese Academy of Science, Suzhou 215163, China
| | - Xiaohua Shi
- Digestive Department, Suzhou Hospital, Affiliated Hospital of Medical School, Nanjing University, Suzhou Science and Technology Town Hospital, No. 1 Lijiang Road, Suzhou 215153, China
| | - Jianzhong An
- Institute of Clinical Medicine Research, Suzhou Hospital, Affiliated Hospital of Medical School, Nanjing University. Suzhou Science and Technology Town Hospital. No. 1 Lijiang Road, Suzhou 215153, China.
| | - Minxuan Sun
- School of Biomedical Engineering (Suzhou), Division of Life Sciences and Medicine, University of Science and Technology of China, Hefei 230006, China; Suzhou Institute of Biomedical Engineering and Technology, Chinese Academy of Science, Suzhou 215163, China.
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14
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Lomniczi A, Luna SL, Cervera-Juanes R, Appleman ML, Kohama SG, Urbanski HF. Age-related increase in the expression of 11β-hydroxysteroid dehydrogenase type 1 in the hippocampus of male rhesus macaques. Front Aging Neurosci 2024; 16:1328543. [PMID: 38560025 PMCID: PMC10978655 DOI: 10.3389/fnagi.2024.1328543] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/26/2023] [Accepted: 03/04/2024] [Indexed: 04/04/2024] Open
Abstract
Introduction The hippocampus is especially susceptible to age-associated neuronal pathologies, and there is concern that the age-associated rise in cortisol secretion from the adrenal gland may contribute to their etiology. Furthermore, because 11β-hydroxysteroid dehydrogenase type 1 (HSD11B1) catalyzes the reduction of cortisone to the active hormone cortisol, it is plausible that an increase in the expression of this enzyme enhances the deleterious impact of cortisol in the hippocampus and contributes to the neuronal pathologies that underlie cognitive decline in the elderly. Methods Rhesus macaques were used as a translational animal model of human aging, to examine age-related changes in gene and protein expressions of (HSD11B1/HSD11B1) in the hippocampus, a region of the brain that plays a crucial role in learning and memory. Results Older animals showed significantly (p < 0.01) higher base-line cortisol levels in the circulation. In addition, they showed significantly (p < 0.05) higher hippocampal expression of HSD11B1 but not NR3C1 and NR3C2 (i.e., two receptor-encoding genes through which cortisol exerts its physiological actions). A similar age-related significant (p < 0.05) increase in the expression of the HSD11B1 was revealed at the protein level by western blot analysis. Discussion The data suggest that an age-related increase in the expression of hippocampal HSD11B1 is likely to raise cortisol concentrations in this cognitive brain area, and thereby contribute to the etiology of neuropathologies that ultimately lead to neuronal loss and dementia. Targeting this enzyme pharmacologically may help to reduce the negative impact of elevated cortisol concentrations within glucocorticoid-sensitive brain areas and thereby afford neuronal protection.
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Affiliation(s)
- Alejandro Lomniczi
- Department of Physiology and Biophysics, Dalhousie University, Halifax, NS, Canada
| | - Selva L. Luna
- Escuela de Química y Farmacia, Facultad de Farmacia, Universidad de Valparaíso, Valparaíso, Chile
| | - Rita Cervera-Juanes
- Department of Physiology and Pharmacology, Atrium Health Wake Forest Baptist Medical Center, Winston-Salem, NC, United States
| | - Maria-Luisa Appleman
- Division of Neuroscience, Oregon National Primate Research Center, Beaverton, OR, United States
| | - Steven G. Kohama
- Division of Neuroscience, Oregon National Primate Research Center, Beaverton, OR, United States
| | - Henryk F. Urbanski
- Division of Neuroscience, Oregon National Primate Research Center, Beaverton, OR, United States
- Division of Reproductive and Developmental Sciences, Oregon National Primate Research Center, Beaverton, OR, United States
- Department of Behavioral Neuroscience, Oregon Health and Science University, Portland, OR, United States
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15
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Sze Y, Brunton PJ. How is prenatal stress transmitted from the mother to the fetus? J Exp Biol 2024; 227:jeb246073. [PMID: 38449331 DOI: 10.1242/jeb.246073] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 03/08/2024]
Abstract
Prenatal stress programmes long-lasting neuroendocrine and behavioural changes in the offspring. Often this programming is maladaptive and sex specific. For example, using a rat model of maternal social stress in late pregnancy, we have demonstrated that adult prenatally stressed male, but not prenatally stressed female offspring display heightened anxiety-like behaviour, whereas both sexes show hyperactive hypothalamo-pituitary-adrenal (HPA) axis responses to stress. Here, we review the current knowledge of the mechanisms underpinning dysregulated HPA axis responses, including evidence supporting a role for reduced neurosteroid-mediated GABAergic inhibitory signalling in the brains of prenatally stressed offspring. How maternal psychosocial stress is signalled from the mother to the fetuses is unclear. Direct transfer of maternal glucocorticoids to the fetuses is often considered to mediate the programming effects of maternal stress on the offspring. However, protective mechanisms including attenuated maternal stress responses and placental 11β-hydroxysteroid dehydrogenase-2 (which inactivates glucocorticoids) should limit materno-fetal glucocorticoid transfer during pregnancy. Moreover, a lack of correlation between maternal stress, circulating maternal glucocorticoid levels and circulating fetal glucocorticoid levels is reported in several studies and across different species. Therefore, here we interrogate the evidence for a role for maternal glucocorticoids in mediating the effects of maternal stress on the offspring and consider the evidence for alternative mechanisms, including an indirect role for glucocorticoids and the contribution of changes in the placenta in signalling the stress status of the mother to the fetus.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ying Sze
- Centre for Discovery Brain Sciences, Hugh Robson Building, University of Edinburgh, George Square, Edinburgh EH8 9XD, UK
| | - Paula J Brunton
- Centre for Discovery Brain Sciences, Hugh Robson Building, University of Edinburgh, George Square, Edinburgh EH8 9XD, UK
- Zhejiang University-University of Edinburgh Joint Institute, Haining, Zhejiang 314400, P.R. China
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16
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Eachus H, Ryu S. Glucocorticoid effects on the brain: from adaptive developmental plasticity to allostatic overload. J Exp Biol 2024; 227:jeb246128. [PMID: 38449327 PMCID: PMC10949071 DOI: 10.1242/jeb.246128] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 03/08/2024]
Abstract
Exposure to stress during early life may alter the developmental trajectory of an animal by a mechanism known as adaptive plasticity. For example, to enhance reproductive success in an adverse environment, it is known that animals accelerate their growth during development. However, these short-term fitness benefits are often associated with reduced longevity, a phenomenon known as the growth rate-lifespan trade-off. In humans, early life stress exposure compromises health later in life and increases disease susceptibility. Glucocorticoids (GCs) are major stress hormones implicated in these processes. This Review discusses the evidence for GC-mediated adaptive plasticity in development, leading to allostatic overload in later life. We focus on GC-induced effects on brain structure and function, including neurogenesis; highlight the need for longitudinal studies; and discuss approaches to identify molecular mechanisms mediating GC-induced alteration of the brain developmental trajectory leading to adult dysfunctions. Further understanding of how stress and GC exposure can alter developmental trajectories at the molecular and cellular level is of critical importance to reduce the burden of mental and physical ill health across the life course.
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Affiliation(s)
- Helen Eachus
- Living Systems Institute & Department of Clinical and Biomedical Sciences, University of Exeter, Stocker Road, Exeter EX4 4QD, UK
| | - Soojin Ryu
- Living Systems Institute & Department of Clinical and Biomedical Sciences, University of Exeter, Stocker Road, Exeter EX4 4QD, UK
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17
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Bailey NA, Davis EP, Sandman CA, Glynn LM. DHEA: a neglected biological signal that may affect fetal and child development. J Child Psychol Psychiatry 2024. [PMID: 38426566 DOI: 10.1111/jcpp.13952] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Accepted: 12/05/2023] [Indexed: 03/02/2024]
Abstract
BACKGROUND The stress-sensitive maternal hypothalamic-pituitary-adrenal (HPA) axis through the end-product cortisol, represents a primary pathway through which maternal experience shapes fetal development with long-term consequences for child neurodevelopment. However, there is another HPA axis end-product that has been widely ignored in the study of human pregnancy. The synthesis and release of dehydroepiandosterone (DHEA) is similar to cortisol, so it is a plausible, but neglected, biological signal that may influence fetal neurodevelopment. DHEA also may interact with cortisol to determine developmental outcomes. Surprisingly, there is virtually nothing known about human fetal exposure to prenatal maternal DHEA and offspring neurodevelopment. The current study examined, for the first time, the joint impact of fetal exposure to prenatal maternal DHEA and cortisol on infant emotional reactivity. METHODS Participants were 124 mother-infant dyads. DHEA and cortisol were measured from maternal hair at 15 weeks (early gestation) and 35 weeks (late gestation). Observational assessments of positive and negative emotional reactivity were obtained in the laboratory when the infants were 6 months old. Pearson correlations were used to examine the associations between prenatal maternal cortisol, prenatal maternal DHEA, and infant positive and negative emotional reactivity. Moderation analyses were conducted to investigate whether DHEA might modify the association between cortisol and emotional reactivity. RESULTS Higher levels of both early and late gestation maternal DHEA were linked to greater infant positive emotional reactivity. Elevated late gestation maternal cortisol was associated with greater negative emotional reactivity. Finally, the association between fetal cortisol exposure and infant emotional reactivity was only observed when DHEA was low. CONCLUSIONS These new observations indicate that DHEA is a potential maternal biological signal involved in prenatal programming. It appears to act both independently and jointly with cortisol to determine a child's emotional reactivity. Its role as a primary end-product of the HPA axis, coupled with the newly documented associations with prenatal development shown here, strongly calls for the inclusion of DHEA in future investigations of fetal programming.
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Affiliation(s)
- Natasha A Bailey
- Department of Psychology, University of Virginia, Charlottesville, VA, USA
| | - Elysia Poggi Davis
- Department of Psychology, University of Denver, Denver, CO, USA
- Department of Pediatrics, University of California, Irvine, CA, USA
| | - Curt A Sandman
- Department of Psychiatry and Human Behavior, University of California, Irvine, CA, USA
| | - Laura M Glynn
- Department of Psychology, Chapman University, Orange, CA, USA
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Verplaetse TL, Hillmer AT, Bhatt S, Rusowicz A, Li S, Nabulsi N, Matuskey D, Huang Y, McKee SA, Cosgrove KP. Imaging a putative marker of brain cortisol regulation in alcohol use disorder. Neurobiol Stress 2024; 29:100609. [PMID: 38304303 PMCID: PMC10832501 DOI: 10.1016/j.ynstr.2024.100609] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/14/2023] [Revised: 12/19/2023] [Accepted: 01/14/2024] [Indexed: 02/03/2024] Open
Abstract
Background Stress is a potent activator of the hypothalamic-pituitary-adrenal (HPA) axis, initiating the release of glucocorticoid hormones, such as cortisol. Alcohol consumption can lead to HPA axis dysfunction, including altered cortisol levels. Until recently, research has only been able to examine peripheral cortisol associated with alcohol use disorder (AUD) in humans. We used positron emission tomography (PET) brain imaging with the radiotracer [18F]AS2471907 to measure 11β-hydroxysteroid dehydrogenase type 1 (11β-HSD1), a cortisol-regenerating enzyme, in people with AUD compared to healthy controls. Methods We imaged 9 individuals with moderate to severe AUD (5 men, 4 women; mean age = 38 years) and 12 healthy controls (8 men, 4 women; mean age = 29 years). Participants received 93.5 ± 15.6 MBq of the 11β-HSD1 inhibitor radiotracer [18F]AS2471907 as a bolus injection and were imaged for 150-180 min on the High-Resolution Research Tomograph. 11β-HSD1 availability was quantified by [18F]AS2471907 volume of distribution (VT; mL/cm3). A priori regions of interest included amygdala, anterior cingulate cortex (ACC), hippocampus, ventromedial PFC (vmPFC) and caudate. Results Individuals with AUD consumed 52.4 drinks/week with 5.8 drinking days/week. Healthy controls consumed 2.8 drinks/week with 1.3 drinking days/week. Preliminary findings suggest that [18F]AS2471907 VT was higher in amygdala, ACC, hippocampus, vmPFC, and caudate of those with AUD compared to healthy controls (p < 0.05). In AUD, vmPFC [18F]AS2471907 VT was associated with drinks per week (r = 0.81, p = 0.01) and quantity per drinking episode (r = 0.75, p = 0.02). Conclusions This is the first in vivo examination of 11β-HSD1 availability in individuals with AUD. Our data suggest higher brain availability of the cortisol-regenerating enzyme 11β-HSD1 in people with AUD (vs. controls), and that higher vmPFC 11β-HSD1 availability is related to greater alcohol consumption. Thus, in addition to the literature suggesting that people with AUD have elevated peripheral cortisol, our findings suggest there may also be heightened central HPA activity. These findings set the foundation for future hypotheses on mechanisms related to HPA axis function in this population.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Ansel T. Hillmer
- Department of Psychiatry, Yale School of Medicine, New Haven, CT, USA
- Department of Radiology and Biomedical Imaging, Yale School of Medicine, New Haven, CT, USA
- Yale PET Center, Yale School of Medicine, New Haven, CT, USA
| | - Shivani Bhatt
- Department of Psychiatry, Yale School of Medicine, New Haven, CT, USA
| | | | - Songye Li
- Department of Radiology and Biomedical Imaging, Yale School of Medicine, New Haven, CT, USA
- Yale PET Center, Yale School of Medicine, New Haven, CT, USA
| | - Nabeel Nabulsi
- Department of Radiology and Biomedical Imaging, Yale School of Medicine, New Haven, CT, USA
- Yale PET Center, Yale School of Medicine, New Haven, CT, USA
| | - David Matuskey
- Department of Psychiatry, Yale School of Medicine, New Haven, CT, USA
- Department of Radiology and Biomedical Imaging, Yale School of Medicine, New Haven, CT, USA
- Yale PET Center, Yale School of Medicine, New Haven, CT, USA
| | - Yiyun Huang
- Department of Radiology and Biomedical Imaging, Yale School of Medicine, New Haven, CT, USA
- Yale PET Center, Yale School of Medicine, New Haven, CT, USA
| | - Sherry A. McKee
- Department of Psychiatry, Yale School of Medicine, New Haven, CT, USA
| | - Kelly P. Cosgrove
- Department of Psychiatry, Yale School of Medicine, New Haven, CT, USA
- Department of Radiology and Biomedical Imaging, Yale School of Medicine, New Haven, CT, USA
- Yale PET Center, Yale School of Medicine, New Haven, CT, USA
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19
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Bakhireva LN, Solomon E, Roberts MH, Ma X, Rai R, Wiesel A, Jacobson SW, Weinberg J, Milligan ED. Independent and Combined Effects of Prenatal Alcohol Exposure and Prenatal Stress on Fetal HPA Axis Development. Int J Mol Sci 2024; 25:2690. [PMID: 38473937 PMCID: PMC10932119 DOI: 10.3390/ijms25052690] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/19/2024] [Revised: 02/10/2024] [Accepted: 02/20/2024] [Indexed: 03/14/2024] Open
Abstract
Prenatal alcohol exposure (PAE) and prenatal stress (PS) are highly prevalent conditions known to affect fetal programming of the hypothalamic-pituitary-adrenal (HPA) axis. The objectives of this study were to assess the effect of light PAE, PS, and PAE-PS interaction on fetal HPA axis activity assessed via placental and umbilical cord blood biomarkers. Participants of the ENRICH-2 cohort were recruited during the second trimester and classified into the PAE and unexposed control groups. PS was assessed by the Perceived Stress Scale. Placental tissue was collected promptly after delivery; gene and protein analysis for 11β-HSD1, 11β-HSD2, and pCRH were conducted by qPCR and ELISA, respectively. Umbilical cord blood was analyzed for cortisone and cortisol. Pearson correlation and multivariable linear regression examined the association of PAE and PS with HPA axis biomarkers. Mean alcohol consumption in the PAE group was ~2 drinks/week. Higher PS was observed in the PAE group (p < 0.01). In multivariable modeling, PS was associated with pCRH gene expression (β = 0.006, p < 0.01), while PAE was associated with 11β-HSD2 protein expression (β = 0.56, p < 0.01). A significant alcohol-by-stress interaction was observed with respect to 11β-HSD2 protein expression (p < 0.01). Results indicate that PAE and PS may independently and in combination affect fetal programming of the HPA axis.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ludmila N. Bakhireva
- College of Pharmacy Substance Use Research and Education Center, University of New Mexico Health Sciences Center, Albuquerque, NM 87131, USA; (M.H.R.); (X.M.); (R.R.); (A.W.)
| | - Elizabeth Solomon
- Department of Neurosciences, University of New Mexico Health Sciences Center, Albuquerque, NM 87106, USA; (E.S.); (E.D.M.)
| | - Melissa H. Roberts
- College of Pharmacy Substance Use Research and Education Center, University of New Mexico Health Sciences Center, Albuquerque, NM 87131, USA; (M.H.R.); (X.M.); (R.R.); (A.W.)
| | - Xingya Ma
- College of Pharmacy Substance Use Research and Education Center, University of New Mexico Health Sciences Center, Albuquerque, NM 87131, USA; (M.H.R.); (X.M.); (R.R.); (A.W.)
| | - Rajani Rai
- College of Pharmacy Substance Use Research and Education Center, University of New Mexico Health Sciences Center, Albuquerque, NM 87131, USA; (M.H.R.); (X.M.); (R.R.); (A.W.)
| | - Alexandria Wiesel
- College of Pharmacy Substance Use Research and Education Center, University of New Mexico Health Sciences Center, Albuquerque, NM 87131, USA; (M.H.R.); (X.M.); (R.R.); (A.W.)
| | - Sandra W. Jacobson
- Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Neurosciences, Wayne State University School of Medicine, Detroit, MI 48201, USA;
| | - Joanne Weinberg
- Department of Cellular and Physiological Sciences, Faculty of Medicine, Life Sciences Institute, University of British Columbia, Vancouver, BC V6T 1Z3, Canada;
| | - Erin D. Milligan
- Department of Neurosciences, University of New Mexico Health Sciences Center, Albuquerque, NM 87106, USA; (E.S.); (E.D.M.)
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Liu J, Yang T, Li Y, Li S, Li Y, Xu S, Xia W. Associations of maternal exposure to 2,4-dichlorophenoxyacetic acid during early pregnancy with steroid hormones among one-month-old infants. THE SCIENCE OF THE TOTAL ENVIRONMENT 2024; 912:169414. [PMID: 38114038 DOI: 10.1016/j.scitotenv.2023.169414] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/28/2023] [Revised: 12/12/2023] [Accepted: 12/13/2023] [Indexed: 12/21/2023]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Exposure to 2,4-dichlorophenoxyacetic acid (2,4-D), a widely used hormonal herbicide, may disrupt steroid hormone homeostasis. However, evidence from population-based studies is limited, especially for one-month-old infants whose steroid hormones are in a state of adjustment to extrauterine life and can be important indicators of endocrine development. This study aimed to explore the associations between maternal 2,4-D exposure during early pregnancy and infant steroid hormone levels. METHODS The 885 mother-infant pairs were from a birth cohort in Wuhan, China. Maternal exposure to 2,4-D was determined in urine samples from early pregnancy, and nine steroid hormones were determined in infant urine. The associations of maternal 2,4-D exposure with infant steroid hormones and their product-to-precursor ratios were estimated based on generalized linear models, and bioinformatic analysis was conducted with public databases to explore the potential mechanisms involved. RESULTS The detection frequency of 2,4-D was 99.32 %, and the detection frequency of steroid hormones ranged from 98.42 % to 100.00 %. After adjusting for covariates, an interquartile range increase in 2,4-D concentrations was associated with a 7.84 % decrease in 11-deoxycortisol (95 % confidence interval, CI: -14.12 %, -1.10 %), an 8.09 % decrease in corticosterone (95 % CI: -14.56 %, -1.14 %), an 8.67 % decrease in cortisol (95 % CI: -14.43 %, -2.52 %), a 13.00 % decrease in cortisone (95 % CI: -20.64 %, -4.62 %), and an 11.17 % decrease in aldosterone (95 % CI: -19.62 %, -1.83 %). Maternal 2,4-D was also associated with lower infant cortisol/17α-OH-progesterone, cortisol/pregnenolone, and aldosterone/pregnenolone ratios. In bioinformatic analysis, pathways/biological processes related to steroid hormone synthesis and secretion were enriched from target genes of 2,4-D exposure. CONCLUSIONS Maternal urinary 2,4-D during early pregnancy was associated with lower infant urinary 11-deoxycortisol, corticosterone, cortisol, cortisone, and aldosterone, reflecting that 2,4-D exposure may interfere with infant steroid hormone homeostasis. Further efforts are still needed to study the relevant health effects of exposure to 2,4-D, particularly for vulnerable populations.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jiangtao Liu
- Key Laboratory of Environment and Health, Ministry of Education & Ministry of Environmental Protection, and State Key Laboratory of Environmental Health, School of Public Health, Tongji Medical College, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, Wuhan, Hubei, China
| | - Tingting Yang
- Key Laboratory of Environment and Health, Ministry of Education & Ministry of Environmental Protection, and State Key Laboratory of Environmental Health, School of Public Health, Tongji Medical College, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, Wuhan, Hubei, China
| | - Ying Li
- Shenzhen Institute of Advanced Technology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, 1068 Xueyuan Avenue, Shenzhen 518055, Guangdong Province, China
| | - Shulan Li
- Key Laboratory of Environment and Health, Ministry of Education & Ministry of Environmental Protection, and State Key Laboratory of Environmental Health, School of Public Health, Tongji Medical College, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, Wuhan, Hubei, China
| | - Yuanyuan Li
- Key Laboratory of Environment and Health, Ministry of Education & Ministry of Environmental Protection, and State Key Laboratory of Environmental Health, School of Public Health, Tongji Medical College, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, Wuhan, Hubei, China
| | - Shunqing Xu
- Key Laboratory of Environment and Health, Ministry of Education & Ministry of Environmental Protection, and State Key Laboratory of Environmental Health, School of Public Health, Tongji Medical College, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, Wuhan, Hubei, China
| | - Wei Xia
- Key Laboratory of Environment and Health, Ministry of Education & Ministry of Environmental Protection, and State Key Laboratory of Environmental Health, School of Public Health, Tongji Medical College, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, Wuhan, Hubei, China.
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Murck H, Karailiev P, Karailievova L, Puhova A, Jezova D. Treatment with Glycyrrhiza glabra Extract Induces Anxiolytic Effects Associated with Reduced Salt Preference and Changes in Barrier Protein Gene Expression. Nutrients 2024; 16:515. [PMID: 38398838 PMCID: PMC10893552 DOI: 10.3390/nu16040515] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/15/2023] [Revised: 02/06/2024] [Accepted: 02/09/2024] [Indexed: 02/25/2024] Open
Abstract
We have previously identified that low responsiveness to antidepressive therapy is associated with higher aldosterone/cortisol ratio, lower systolic blood pressure, and higher salt preference. Glycyrrhiza glabra (GG) contains glycyrrhizin, an inhibitor of 11β-hydroxysteroid-dehydrogenase type-2 and antagonist of toll-like receptor 4. The primary hypothesis of this study is that food enrichment with GG extract results in decreased anxiety behavior and reduced salt preference under stress and non-stress conditions. The secondary hypothesis is that the mentioned changes are associated with altered gene expression of barrier proteins in the prefrontal cortex. Male Sprague-Dawley rats were exposed to chronic mild stress for five weeks. Both stressed and unstressed rats were fed a diet with or without an extract of GG roots for the last two weeks. GG induced anxiolytic effects in animals independent of stress exposure, as measured in elevated plus maze test. Salt preference and intake were significantly reduced by GG under control, but not stress conditions. The gene expression of the barrier protein claudin-11 in the prefrontal cortex was increased in control rats exposed to GG, whereas stress-induced rise was prevented. Exposure to GG-enriched diet resulted in reduced ZO-1 expression irrespective of stress conditions. In conclusion, the observed effects of GG are in line with a reduction in the activity of central mineralocorticoid receptors. The treatment with GG extract or its active components may, therefore, be a useful adjunct therapy for patients with subtypes of depression and anxiety disorders with heightened renin-angiotensin-aldosterone system and/or inflammatory activity.
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Affiliation(s)
- Harald Murck
- Department of Psychiatry and Psychotherapy, Philipps-University Marburg, 35039 Marburg, Germany
| | - Peter Karailiev
- Institute of Experimental Endocrinology, Biomedical Research Center, Slovak Academy of Sciences, 845 05 Bratislava, Slovakia; (P.K.); (L.K.); (A.P.); (D.J.)
| | - Lucia Karailievova
- Institute of Experimental Endocrinology, Biomedical Research Center, Slovak Academy of Sciences, 845 05 Bratislava, Slovakia; (P.K.); (L.K.); (A.P.); (D.J.)
| | - Agnesa Puhova
- Institute of Experimental Endocrinology, Biomedical Research Center, Slovak Academy of Sciences, 845 05 Bratislava, Slovakia; (P.K.); (L.K.); (A.P.); (D.J.)
| | - Daniela Jezova
- Institute of Experimental Endocrinology, Biomedical Research Center, Slovak Academy of Sciences, 845 05 Bratislava, Slovakia; (P.K.); (L.K.); (A.P.); (D.J.)
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22
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Chen Y, Wang H. The changes in adrenal developmental programming and homeostasis in offspring induced by glucocorticoids exposure during pregnancy. VITAMINS AND HORMONES 2024; 124:463-490. [PMID: 38408809 DOI: 10.1016/bs.vh.2023.09.001] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 02/28/2024]
Abstract
Clinically, synthetic glucocorticoids are often used to treat maternal and fetal related diseases, such as preterm birth and autoimmune diseases. Although its clinical efficacy is positive, it will expose the fetus to exogenous glucocorticoids. Adverse environments during pregnancy (e.g., exogenous glucocorticoids exposure, malnutrition, infection, hypoxia, and stress) can lead to fetal overexposure to endogenous maternal glucocorticoids. Basal glucocorticoids levels in utero are crucial in determining fetal tissue maturation and its postnatal fate. As the synthesis and secretion organ of glucocorticoids, the adrenal development is crucial for the growth and development of the body. Studies have found that glucocorticoids exposure during pregnancy could cause abnormal fetal adrenal development, which could last after birth or even adulthood. As the key organ of fetal-originated adult disease, the adrenal developmental programming has a profound impact on the health of offspring, which can lead to many chronic diseases in adulthood. However, the aberrant adrenal development in offspring caused by glucocorticoids exposure during pregnancy and its intrauterine programming mechanism have not been systematically clarified. Therefore, this review summarizes recent research progress on the short and long-term hazards of aberrant adrenal development induced by glucocorticoids exposure during pregnancy, which is of great significance for the analysis of aberrant adrenal development and clarify the intrauterine origin mechanism of fetal-originated adult disease.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yawen Chen
- Department of Pharmacology, Wuhan University School of Basic Medical Sciences, Wuhan, P.R. China; Department of Pharmacy, Union Hospital, Tongji Medical College, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, Wuhan, P.R. China
| | - Hui Wang
- Department of Pharmacology, Wuhan University School of Basic Medical Sciences, Wuhan, P.R. China; Hubei Provincial Key Laboratory of Developmentally Originated Disease, Wuhan, P.R. China.
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23
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Christakoudi S, Asimakopoulos AG, Riboli E, Tsilidis KK. Links between the genetic determinants of morning plasma cortisol and body shape: a two-sample Mendelian randomisation study. Sci Rep 2024; 14:3230. [PMID: 38332183 PMCID: PMC10853188 DOI: 10.1038/s41598-024-53727-4] [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: 11/24/2023] [Accepted: 02/04/2024] [Indexed: 02/10/2024] Open
Abstract
High cortisol production in Cushing's syndrome leads to fat centralisation. The influence of modest cortisol variations on body shape, however, is less clear. We examined potentially causal associations between morning plasma cortisol and body shape and obesity with inverse-variance weighted random-effects models in a two-sample Mendelian randomisation analysis. We used publicly available summary statistics from the CORtisol NETwork (CORNET) consortium, UK Biobank, and the Genetic Investigation of Anthropometric Traits (GIANT) consortium. Only in women, morning plasma cortisol (proxied by ten genetic polymorphisms) was associated positively with waist size reflected in waist-to-hip index (WHI, 0.035 standard deviation (SD) units change per one SD cortisol increase; 95% confidence interval (0.002-0.067); p = 0.036) and "a body shape index" (ABSI; 0.039 (0.006-0.071); p = 0.021). There was no evidence for associations with hip index (HI) or body mass index (BMI). Among individual polymorphisms, rs7450600 stood out (chromosome 6; Long Intergenic Non-Protein-Coding RNA 473 gene, LINC00473). Morning plasma cortisol proxied by rs7450600 was associated positively with WHI and inversely with HI and BMI in women and men. Our findings support a causal association of higher morning plasma cortisol with larger waist size in women and highlight LINC00473 as a genetic link between morning plasma cortisol and body shape.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sofia Christakoudi
- Department of Epidemiology and Biostatistics, School of Public Health, Imperial College London, White City Campus, 90 Wood Lane, London, W12 0BZ, UK.
| | | | - Elio Riboli
- Department of Epidemiology and Biostatistics, School of Public Health, Imperial College London, White City Campus, 90 Wood Lane, London, W12 0BZ, UK
| | - Konstantinos K Tsilidis
- Department of Epidemiology and Biostatistics, School of Public Health, Imperial College London, White City Campus, 90 Wood Lane, London, W12 0BZ, UK
- Department of Hygiene and Epidemiology, University of Ioannina School of Medicine, Ioannina, Greece
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Kang SW, Christensen KD, Jr. MTK, Orlowski SK. Effects of Environmental Enrichments on Welfare and Hepatic Metabolic Regulation of Broiler Chickens. Animals (Basel) 2024; 14:557. [PMID: 38396525 PMCID: PMC10886341 DOI: 10.3390/ani14040557] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/29/2023] [Revised: 02/01/2024] [Accepted: 02/05/2024] [Indexed: 02/25/2024] Open
Abstract
The aims of this study were to find suitable environmental enrichment (EE) and evaluate the combined effect of two EEs, variable light intensity (VL) lighting program and EH, on mental health and hepatic metabolic regulation in commercial broilers. To find the advantageous EEs for broilers, three different EEs (board, hut, and ramp) were tested in trial 1. EEs were placed and the engagement of birds to EEs, dustbathing behavior, and daily physical activity were observed. Birds treated with huts showed higher engagement than the board- or ramp-treated birds (p < 0.05). The results of dustbathing behavior and daily physical activity indicated that the environmental hut (EH) is the most favorable enrichment for broilers. In the second trial, to test the effect of EHs on mental health and hepatic metabolic conditions, the brain and liver were sampled from the four treatment birds (20 lx_Con, 20 lx_Hut, VL_Con and VL_Hut) on day 42. The lower expression of TPH2 (tryptophan hydroxylase 2) of VL_Hut birds than those of VL_Con and 20 lx_Hut treated birds suggests the combining effect of EHs with the VL lighting program on the central serotonergic homeostasis of broilers. Reduced expressions of TH (tyrosine hydroxylase), GR (glucocorticoid receptor), BDNF (brain-derived neurotrophic factor) of VL_Hut treated birds compared to those of VL_Con and 20 lx_Hut birds suggest lower stress, stress susceptibility, and chronic social stress in VL_Hut treated birds. The expression of CPT1A (carnitine palmitoyl transferase 1) increased over three-fold in the liver of VL_Con birds compared to 20 lx_Con birds (p < 0.05). EHs treatment in VL birds (VL_Hut) significantly decreased CPT1A but not in 20 lx birds (20 lx_Hut). The expression of ACCα (acetyl-CoA carboxylase alpha) was significantly decreased in VL_Con birds compared to 20 lx_Con birds. There was no significant difference in the hepatic FBPase (fructose-1,6-bisphosphatase), GR, and 11β-HSD1 (11 β-hydroxysteroid dehydrogenease-1) expression between 20 lx_Con and VL_Con birds, but EHs significantly stimulated GR in 20 lx_Hut birds, and stimulated FBPase and 11β-HSD1 expression in the VL_Hut birds compared to 20 lx_Con birds, suggesting that the VL lighting program reduced fatty acid synthesis and increased fatty acid β-oxidation in the broilers' liver and VL_Hut improved the hepatic de novo glucose production. Taken together, the results suggest that the stimulated voluntary activity by EHs in the light-enriched broiler house improved mental health and hepatic metabolic function of broilers and may indicate that the improved hepatic metabolic function contributes to efficient nutritional support for broilers.
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Affiliation(s)
- Seong W. Kang
- Department of Poultry Science, Center of Excellence for Poultry Science, University of Arkansas, Fayetteville, AR 72701, USA; (M.T.K.J.); (S.K.O.)
| | | | - Michael T. Kidd Jr.
- Department of Poultry Science, Center of Excellence for Poultry Science, University of Arkansas, Fayetteville, AR 72701, USA; (M.T.K.J.); (S.K.O.)
| | - Sara K. Orlowski
- Department of Poultry Science, Center of Excellence for Poultry Science, University of Arkansas, Fayetteville, AR 72701, USA; (M.T.K.J.); (S.K.O.)
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Oestlund I, Snoep J, Schiffer L, Wabitsch M, Arlt W, Storbeck KH. The glucocorticoid-activating enzyme 11β-hydroxysteroid dehydrogenase type 1 catalyzes the activation of testosterone. J Steroid Biochem Mol Biol 2024; 236:106436. [PMID: 38035948 DOI: 10.1016/j.jsbmb.2023.106436] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/07/2023] [Revised: 11/23/2023] [Accepted: 11/26/2023] [Indexed: 12/02/2023]
Abstract
Testosterone biosynthesis from its precursor androstenedione is thought to be exclusively catalysed by the 17β-hydroxysteroid dehydrogenases-HSD17B3 in testes, and AKR1C3 in the ovary, adrenal and peripheral tissues. Here we show for the first time that the glucocorticoid activating enzyme 11β-hydroxysteroid dehydrogenase type 1 (HSD11B1) can also catalyse the 17β-reduction of androstenedione to testosterone, using a combination of in vitro enzyme kinetic assays, mathematical modelling, and molecular docking analysis. Furthermore, we show that co-expression of HSD11B1 and AKR1C3 increases testosterone production several-fold compared to the rate observed with AKR1C3 only, and that HSD11B1 is likely to contribute significantly to testosterone production in peripheral tissues.
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Affiliation(s)
- Imken Oestlund
- Department of Biochemistry, Stellenbosch University, Stellenbosch, South Africa
| | - Jacky Snoep
- Department of Biochemistry, Stellenbosch University, Stellenbosch, South Africa; Molecular Cell Biology, Vrije Universiteit Amsterdam, Amsterdam, the Netherlands
| | - Lina Schiffer
- Institute of Metabolism and Systems Research, University of Birmingham, Birmingham, UK
| | - Martin Wabitsch
- Division of Pediatric Endocrinology and Diabetes, University Hospital of Ulm, Ulm, Germany
| | - Wiebke Arlt
- Institute of Metabolism and Systems Research, University of Birmingham, Birmingham, UK; Institute of Clinical Sciences, Faculty of Medicine, Imperial College, London, UK; Medical Research Council Laboratory of Medical Sciences, London, UK
| | - Karl-Heinz Storbeck
- Department of Biochemistry, Stellenbosch University, Stellenbosch, South Africa; Institute of Metabolism and Systems Research, University of Birmingham, Birmingham, UK.
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Harders EP, Charboneau C, Paitz RT. Extraembryonic metabolism of corticosterone protects against effects of exposure. Gen Comp Endocrinol 2024; 347:114439. [PMID: 38158163 DOI: 10.1016/j.ygcen.2023.114439] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/26/2023] [Revised: 11/21/2023] [Accepted: 12/21/2023] [Indexed: 01/03/2024]
Abstract
When females experience stress during reproduction, developing embryos can be exposed to elevated levels of glucocorticoids, which can permanently affect offspring development, physiology, and behavior. However, the embryo can regulate exposure to glucocorticoids. In placental species, the placenta regulates embryonic exposure to maternal steroids via metabolism. In a comparable way, recent evidence has shown the extraembryonic membranes of avian species also regulate embryonic exposure to a number of maternal steroids deposited in the yolk via metabolism early in development. However, despite the known effects of embryonic exposure to glucocorticoids, it is not yet understood how glucocorticoids are metabolized early in development. To address this knowledge gap, we injected corticosterone into freshly laid chicken (Gallus gallus) eggs and identified corticosterone metabolites, located metabolomic enzyme transcript expression, tracked metabolomic enzyme transcript expression during the first six days of development, and determined the effect of corticosterone and metabolites on embryonic survival. We found that yolk corticosterone was metabolized before day four of development into two metabolites: 5β-corticosterone and 20β-corticosterone. The enzymes, AKR1D1 and CBR1 respectively, were expressed in the extraembryonic membranes. Expression was dynamic during early development, peaking on day two of development. Finally, we found that corticosterone exposure is lethal to the embryos, yet exposure to the metabolites is not, suggesting that metabolism protects the embryo. Ultimately, we show that the extraembryonic membranes of avian species actively regulate their endocrine environment very early in development.
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Affiliation(s)
- Emily P Harders
- School of Biological Sciences, Illinois State University, Normal, IL 61790, USA
| | | | - Ryan T Paitz
- School of Biological Sciences, Illinois State University, Normal, IL 61790, USA.
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Vagnerová K, Gazárková T, Vodička M, Ergang P, Klusoňová P, Hudcovic T, Šrůtková D, Petr Hermanová P, Nováková L, Pácha J. Microbiota modulates the steroid response to acute immune stress in male mice. Front Immunol 2024; 15:1330094. [PMID: 38361932 PMCID: PMC10867242 DOI: 10.3389/fimmu.2024.1330094] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/30/2023] [Accepted: 01/18/2024] [Indexed: 02/17/2024] Open
Abstract
Microbiota plays a role in shaping the HPA-axis response to psychological stressors. To examine the role of microbiota in response to acute immune stressor, we stimulated the adaptive immune system by anti-CD3 antibody injection and investigated the expression of adrenal steroidogenic enzymes and profiling of plasma corticosteroids and their metabolites in specific pathogen-free (SPF) and germ-free (GF) mice. Using UHPLC-MS/MS, we showed that 4 hours after immune challenge the plasma levels of pregnenolone, progesterone, 11-deoxycorticosterone, corticosterone (CORT), 11-dehydroCORT and their 3α/β-, 5α-, and 20α-reduced metabolites were increased in SPF mice, but in their GF counterparts, only CORT was increased. Neither immune stress nor microbiota changed the mRNA and protein levels of enzymes of adrenal steroidogenesis. In contrast, immune stress resulted in downregulated expression of steroidogenic genes (Star, Cyp11a1, Hsd3b1, Hsd3b6) and upregulated expression of genes of the 3α-hydroxysteroid oxidoreductase pathway (Akr1c21, Dhrs9) in the testes of SPF mice. In the liver, immune stress downregulated the expression of genes encoding enzymes with 3β-hydroxysteroid dehydrogenase (HSD) (Hsd3b2, Hsd3b3, Hsd3b4, Hsd3b5), 3α-HSD (Akr1c14), 20α-HSD (Akr1c6, Hsd17b1, Hsd17b2) and 5α-reductase (Srd5a1) activities, except for Dhrs9, which was upregulated. In the colon, microbiota downregulated Cyp11a1 and modulated the response of Hsd11b1 and Hsd11b2 expression to immune stress. These data underline the role of microbiota in shaping the response to immune stressor. Microbiota modulates the stress-induced increase in C21 steroids, including those that are neuroactive that could play a role in alteration of HPA axis response to stress in GF animals.
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Affiliation(s)
- Karla Vagnerová
- Institute of Physiology, Czech Academy of Sciences, Prague, Czechia
| | - Taťána Gazárková
- Department of Analytical Chemistry, Faculty of Pharmacy, Charles University, Hradec Králové, Czechia
| | - Martin Vodička
- Institute of Physiology, Czech Academy of Sciences, Prague, Czechia
| | - Peter Ergang
- Institute of Physiology, Czech Academy of Sciences, Prague, Czechia
| | - Petra Klusoňová
- Institute of Physiology, Czech Academy of Sciences, Prague, Czechia
| | - Tomáš Hudcovic
- Institute of Microbiology, Czech Academy of Sciences, Nový Hrádek, Czechia
| | - Dagmar Šrůtková
- Institute of Microbiology, Czech Academy of Sciences, Nový Hrádek, Czechia
| | | | - Lucie Nováková
- Department of Analytical Chemistry, Faculty of Pharmacy, Charles University, Hradec Králové, Czechia
| | - Jiří Pácha
- Institute of Physiology, Czech Academy of Sciences, Prague, Czechia
- Department of Physiology, Faculty of Science, Charles University, Prague, Czechia
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Peel A, Rushworth RL, Torpy DJ. Novel agents to treat adrenal insufficiency: findings of preclinical and early clinical trials. Expert Opin Investig Drugs 2024; 33:115-126. [PMID: 38284211 DOI: 10.1080/13543784.2024.2311207] [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: 11/06/2023] [Accepted: 01/24/2024] [Indexed: 01/30/2024]
Abstract
INTRODUCTION Adrenal insufficiency currently affects over 300/million population, with higher morbidity and mortality compared to the general population. Current glucocorticoid replacement therapy is limited by a lack of reliable biomarkers to guide dosing, inter-patient variation in metabolism and narrow therapeutic window. Increased morbidity and mortality may relate to unappreciated under- or over-exposure to glucocorticoids and impaired cortisol circadian rhythm. New agents are required to emulate physiological cortisol secretion and individualize glucocorticoid dosing. AREAS COVERED History of glucocorticoid therapy, current limitations, and novel chronotherapeutic glucocorticoid delivery mechanisms. Literature search incorporated searches of PubMed and Embase utilizing terms such as adrenal insufficiency, Chronocort, Plenadren, continuous subcutaneous hydrocortisone infusion (CHSI), and glucocorticoid receptor modulator. EXPERT OPINION Glucocorticoid chronotherapy is necessary to optimize glucocorticoid exposure and minimize complications. Current oral chronotherapeutics provide improved dosing functionality, but are modifiable only in specific increments and cannot accommodate ultradian cortisol variation. Current data show improvement in quality of life but not morbidity or mortality outcomes. CHSI has significant potential for individualized glucocorticoid dosing, but would require a suitable biomarker of glucocorticoid adequacy to be implementable. Avenues for future research include determining a glucocorticoid sufficiency biomarker, development of interstitial or systemic cortisol monitoring, or development of glucocorticoid receptor modulators.
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Affiliation(s)
- Andrew Peel
- Endocrine and Metabolic Unit, Royal Adelaide Hospital, Adelaide, Australia
| | - R Louise Rushworth
- School of Medicine, Sydney, The University of Notre Dame, Australia, Sydney, Australia
| | - David J Torpy
- Endocrine and Metabolic Unit, Royal Adelaide Hospital, Adelaide, Australia
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Agarwal R. Blocking aldosterone or its receptor-what is the difference? Lancet 2024; 403:330-332. [PMID: 38109915 DOI: 10.1016/s0140-6736(23)02542-4] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/27/2023] [Accepted: 11/10/2023] [Indexed: 12/20/2023]
Affiliation(s)
- Rajiv Agarwal
- Richard L Roudebush VA Medical Center, Indianapolis, IN, USA; Indiana University School of Medicine, Indianapolis, IN 46202, USA.
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Seckl J. 11β-Hydroxysteroid dehydrogenase and the brain: Not (yet) lost in translation. J Intern Med 2024; 295:20-37. [PMID: 37941106 DOI: 10.1111/joim.13741] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/10/2023]
Abstract
11-beta-hydroxysteroid dehydrogenases (11β-HSDs) catalyse the conversion of active 11-hydroxy glucocorticoids (cortisol, corticosterone) and their inert 11-keto forms (cortisone, 11-dehydrocorticosterone). They were first reported in the body and brain 70 years ago, but only recently have they become of interest. 11β-HSD2 is a dehydrogenase, potently inactivating glucocorticoids. In the kidney, 11β-HSD2 generates the aldosterone-specificity of intrinsically non-selective mineralocorticoid receptors. 11β-HSD2 also protects the developing foetal brain and body from premature glucocorticoid exposure, which otherwise engenders the programming of neuropsychiatric and cardio-metabolic disease risks. In the adult CNS, 11β-HSD2 is confined to a part of the brain stem where it generates aldosterone-specific central control of salt appetite and perhaps blood pressure. 11β-HSD1 is a reductase, amplifying active glucocorticoid levels within brain cells, notably in the cortex, hippocampus and amygdala, paralleling its metabolic functions in peripheral tissues. 11β-HSD1 is elevated in the ageing rodent and, less certainly, human forebrain. Transgenic models show this rise contributes to age-related cognitive decline, at least in mice. 11β-HSD1 inhibition robustly improves memory in healthy and pathological ageing rodent models and is showing initial promising results in phase II studies of healthy elderly people. Larger trials are needed to confirm and clarify the magnitude of effect and define target populations. The next decade will be crucial in determining how this tale ends - in new treatments or disappointment.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jonathan Seckl
- Centre for Cardiovascular Sciences, Queen's Medical Research Institute, University of Edinburgh, Edinburgh, UK
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Bini J. The Importance of PET Imaging to Understanding Whole-Body Cortisol Metabolism in Alzheimer's Disease. J Alzheimers Dis 2024; 99:113-115. [PMID: 38607759 DOI: 10.3233/jad-231463] [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] [Indexed: 04/14/2024]
Abstract
Excess cortisol is associated with more severe cognitive decline, Alzheimer's disease, and related dementia phenotypes. The intracellular enzyme 11β-HSD1 regenerates active cortisol from inactive cortisone. In this current issue, high regional brain occupancy of Xanamemtrademark, determined by [11C]TARACT PET imaging of 11β-HSD1, in cognitively normal individuals and mild cognitive impartment/Alzheimer's disease (AD) patients is presented. In the future, comprehensive kinetic modeling using arterial sampling for occupancy studies, and whole-body PET imaging of 11β-HSD1 enzyme levels, in combination with stable isotope studies of cortisol metabolism, can provide broad insight into enzyme levels and activity in AD and other relevant diseases.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jason Bini
- Department of Radiology and Biomedical Imaging, Yale University School of Medicine, New Haven, CT, USA
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Yu Z, Iyer L, Swiercz AP, Paronett E, Ramadan M, Marvar PJ, Posnack NG. The Impact of Chronic Phthalate Exposure on Rodent Anxiety and Cognition. BIOLOGICAL PSYCHIATRY GLOBAL OPEN SCIENCE 2024; 4:203-212. [PMID: 38298799 PMCID: PMC10829632 DOI: 10.1016/j.bpsgos.2023.07.002] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/27/2023] [Revised: 06/29/2023] [Accepted: 07/01/2023] [Indexed: 02/02/2024] Open
Abstract
Background There is a growing importance for environmental contributions to psychiatric disorders and understanding the impact of the exposome (i.e., pollutants and toxins). For example, increased biomonitoring and epidemiological studies suggest that daily phthalate chemical exposure contributes to neurological and behavioral abnormalities; however, these mechanisms remain poorly understood. Therefore, the current study was aimed at examining the effects of chronic phthalate exposure on rodent anxiety behaviors and cognition and the impact on hypothalamic-pituitary-adrenal axis function. Methods Adult male mice (C57BL6/J) were administered MEHP via drinking water (1 mg/mL), and anxiety-like behavior and cognition combined with hypothalamic-pituitary-adrenal axis and inflammatory assays were assessed after 3 weeks of MEHP exposure. Results MEHP-treated mice exhibited enhanced generalized anxiety-like behaviors, as demonstrated by reduced time spent in the open-arm of the elevated plus maze and center exploration in the open field. Tests of spatial memory and cognition were unchanged. Following MEHP administration, circulating levels of corticosterone and proinflammatory cytokines were significantly increased, while at the tissue level, there were MEHP-dependent reductions in glucocorticoid metabolism genes Hsd11b1 and Hsd11b2. Conclusions These data suggest that chronic MEHP exposure leads to enhanced generalized anxiety behaviors independent of rodent measures of cognition and memory, which may be driven by MEHP-dependent effects on hypothalamic-pituitary-adrenal axis and peripheral glucocorticoid metabolism function.
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Affiliation(s)
- Zhe Yu
- Department of Pharmacology and Physiology, George Washington University, Washington, DC
| | - Laxmi Iyer
- Department of Anatomy, Physiology and Genetics, Uniformed Services University Health Sciences, Bethesda, Maryland
| | - Adam P. Swiercz
- National Institute of Mental Health, National Institutes of Health, Bethesda, Maryland
| | - Elizabeth Paronett
- Department of Pharmacology and Physiology, George Washington University, Washington, DC
| | - Manelle Ramadan
- Children’s National Heart Institute, Sheikh Zayed Institute for Pediatric Surgical Innovation, Children’s National Hospital, Washington, DC
| | - Paul J. Marvar
- Department of Pharmacology and Physiology, George Washington University, Washington, DC
- Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences, George Washington University, Washington, DC
| | - Nikki Gillum Posnack
- Department of Pharmacology and Physiology, George Washington University, Washington, DC
- Children’s National Heart Institute, Sheikh Zayed Institute for Pediatric Surgical Innovation, Children’s National Hospital, Washington, DC
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de Kloet ER, Joëls M. The cortisol switch between vulnerability and resilience. Mol Psychiatry 2024; 29:20-34. [PMID: 36599967 DOI: 10.1038/s41380-022-01934-8] [Citation(s) in RCA: 12] [Impact Index Per Article: 12.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/11/2022] [Revised: 12/14/2022] [Accepted: 12/16/2022] [Indexed: 01/06/2023]
Abstract
In concert with neuropeptides and transmitters, the end products of the hypothalamus-pituitary-adrenal (HPA) axis, the glucocorticoid hormones cortisol and corticosterone (CORT), promote resilience: i.e., the ability to cope with threats, adversity, and trauma. To exert this protective action, CORT activates mineralocorticoid receptors (MR) and glucocorticoid receptors (GR) that operate in a complementary manner -as an on/off switch- to coordinate circadian events, stress-coping, and adaptation. The evolutionary older limbic MR facilitates contextual memory retrieval and supports an on-switch in the selection of stress-coping styles at a low cost. The rise in circulating CORT concentration after stress subsequently activates a GR-mediated off-switch underlying recovery of homeostasis by providing the energy for restraining the primary stress reactions and promoting cognitive control over emotional reactivity. GR activation facilitates contextual memory storage of the experience to enable future stress-coping. Such complementary MR-GR-mediated actions involve rapid non-genomic and slower gene-mediated mechanisms; they are time-dependent, conditional, and sexually dimorphic, and depend on genetic background and prior experience. If coping fails, GR activation impairs cognitive control and promotes emotional arousal which eventually may compromise resilience. Such breakdown of resilience involves a transition to a chronic stress construct, where information processing is crashed; it leads to an imbalanced MR-GR switch and hence increased vulnerability. Novel MR-GR modulators are becoming available that may reset a dysregulated stress response system to reinstate the cognitive flexibility required for resilience.
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Affiliation(s)
- E Ronald de Kloet
- Division of Endocrinology, Department of Internal Medicine, Leiden University Medical Center, Leiden University, Leiden, The Netherlands.
- Leiden/Amsterdam Center of Drug Research, Leiden University, Leiden, The Netherlands.
| | - Marian Joëls
- Dept. Translational Neuroscience, University Medical Center Utrecht, Utrecht University, Utrecht, The Netherlands
- University Medical Center Groningen, University of Groningen, Groningen, The Netherlands
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Gent R, Van Rooyen D, Atkin SL, Swart AC. C11-hydroxy and C11-oxo C 19 and C 21 Steroids: Pre-Receptor Regulation and Interaction with Androgen and Progesterone Steroid Receptors. Int J Mol Sci 2023; 25:101. [PMID: 38203272 PMCID: PMC10778819 DOI: 10.3390/ijms25010101] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/08/2023] [Revised: 12/09/2023] [Accepted: 12/11/2023] [Indexed: 01/12/2024] Open
Abstract
C11-oxy C19 and C11-oxy C21 steroids have been identified as novel steroids but their function remains unclear. This study aimed to investigate the pre-receptor regulation of C11-oxy steroids by 11β-hydroxysteroid dehydrogenase (11βHSD) interconversion and potential agonist and antagonist activity associated with the androgen (AR) and progesterone receptors (PRA and PRB). Steroid conversions were investigated in transiently transfected HEK293 cells expressing 11βHSD1 and 11βHSD2, while CV1 cells were utilised for agonist and antagonist assays. The conversion of C11-hydroxy steroids to C11-oxo steroids by 11βHSD2 occurred more readily than the reverse reaction catalysed by 11βHSD1, while the interconversion of C11-oxy C19 steroids was more efficient than C11-oxy C21 steroids. Furthermore, 11-ketodihydrotestosterone (11KDHT), 11-ketotestosterone (11KT) and 11β-hydroxydihydrotestosterone (11OHDHT) were AR agonists, while only progestogens, 11β-hydroxyprogesterone (11βOHP4), 11β-hydroxydihydroprogesterone (11βOHDHP4), 11α-hydroxyprogesterone (11αOHP4), 11α-hydroxydihydroprogesterone (11αOHDHP4), 11-ketoprogesterone (11KP4), 5α-pregnan-17α-diol-3,11,20-trione (11KPdione) and 21-deoxycortisone (21dE) exhibited antagonist activity. C11-hydroxy C21 steroids, 11βOHP4, 11βOHDHP4 and 11αOHP4 exhibited PRA and PRB agonistic activity, while only C11-oxo steroids, 11KP4 and 11-ketoandrostanediol (11K3αdiol) demonstrated PRB agonism. While no steroids antagonised the PRA, 11OHA4, 11β-hydroxytestosterone (11OHT), 11KT and 11KDHT exhibited PRB antagonism. The regulatory role of 11βHSD isozymes impacting receptor activation is clear-C11-oxo androgens exhibit AR agonist activity; only C11-hydroxy progestogens exhibit PRA and PRB agonist activity. Regulation by the downstream metabolites of active C11-oxy steroids at the receptor level is apparent-C11-hydroxy and C11-oxo metabolites antagonize the AR and PRB, progestogens the former, androgens the latter. The findings highlight the intricate interplay between receptors and active as well as "inactive" C11-oxy steroids, suggesting novel regulatory tiers.
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Affiliation(s)
- Rachelle Gent
- Department of Biochemistry, Stellenbosch University, Stellenbosch 7600, South Africa; (R.G.)
| | - Desmaré Van Rooyen
- Department of Biochemistry, Stellenbosch University, Stellenbosch 7600, South Africa; (R.G.)
| | - Stephen L. Atkin
- School of Postgraduate Studies and Research, Royal College of Surgeons in Ireland Bahrain, Adliya 15503, Bahrain;
| | - Amanda C. Swart
- Department of Biochemistry, Stellenbosch University, Stellenbosch 7600, South Africa; (R.G.)
- Department of Chemistry and Polymer Science, Stellenbosch University, Stellenbosch 7600, South Africa
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Avalos JG, Piotrowski ER, Northey AD, Crocker DE, Khudyakov JI. Intracellular negative feedback mechanisms in blubber and muscle moderate acute stress responses in fasting seals. J Exp Biol 2023; 226:jeb246694. [PMID: 38009222 DOI: 10.1242/jeb.246694] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/31/2023] [Accepted: 11/14/2023] [Indexed: 11/28/2023]
Abstract
Animals may limit the cost of stress responses during key life history stages such as breeding and molting by reducing tissue sensitivity to energy-mobilizing stress hormones (e.g. cortisol). We measured expression of genes encoding glucocorticoid receptor (GR, NR3C1), GR inhibitor (FKBP5) and cortisol-inactivating enzyme (HSD11B2) in blubber and muscle of northern elephant seals before and after stress axis stimulation by adrenocorticotropic hormone (ACTH) early and late in a fasting period associated with molting. ACTH elevated cortisol levels for >24 h and increased FKBP5 and HSD11B2 expression while downregulating NR3C1 expression in blubber and muscle, suggesting robust intracellular negative feedback in peripheral tissues. This feedback was maintained over prolonged fasting, despite differences in baseline cortisol and gene expression levels between early and late molt, suggesting that fasting-adapted animals use multiple tissue-specific, intracellular negative feedback mechanisms to modulate downstream impacts of acute stress responses during key life history stages.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jessica G Avalos
- Department of Biological Sciences, University of the Pacific, Stockton, CA 95211, USA
| | | | - Allison D Northey
- Department of Biology, Sonoma State University, Rohnert Park, CA 94928, USA
| | - Daniel E Crocker
- Department of Biology, Sonoma State University, Rohnert Park, CA 94928, USA
| | - Jane I Khudyakov
- Department of Biological Sciences, University of the Pacific, Stockton, CA 95211, USA
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Matsas A, Panopoulou P, Antoniou N, Bargiota A, Gryparis A, Vrachnis N, Mastorakos G, Kalantaridou SN, Panoskaltsis T, Vlahos NF, Valsamakis G. Chronic Stress in Pregnancy Is Associated with Low Birth Weight: A Meta-Analysis. J Clin Med 2023; 12:7686. [PMID: 38137756 PMCID: PMC10743391 DOI: 10.3390/jcm12247686] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/09/2023] [Revised: 12/05/2023] [Accepted: 12/11/2023] [Indexed: 12/24/2023] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVES Chronic activation of the stress system has cumulative effects on the body, and it places individuals at risk for adverse health outcomes. Chronic stress has been assessed by health questionnaires in pregnancy. During the perinatal period, mothers experience increased physical and emotional demands. Chronic stress interferes with hormonal functions in mothers and infants. This meta-analysis studies the effect of maternal chronic stress during pregnancy, as assessed by established stress questionnaires, on the birth weight of their full-term infants. DESIGN AND METHODS According to our criteria and after research collection, we obtained 107 studies and we conducted two types of analyses: a logistic (N = 22,342) and linear regression analysis (N = 7431). RESULTS Our results show that chronic stress is associated with a statistically significant risk of low birth weight (OR = 1.50, CI 95% = [1.13; 1.99], p ≤ 0.02). CONCLUSIONS Increased maternal chronic stress, as assessed by questionnaires, in pregnancy is associated with a low-birth-weight baby. The above meta-analysis indicates that maternal high chronic stress questionnaire scores could be used as a clinical tool in order to assess low-birth-weight risk.
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Affiliation(s)
- Alkis Matsas
- Second Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Aretaieion University Hospital, Medical School, National and Kapodistrian University of Athens, 76 Vasilisis Sofias Avenue, 11528 Athens, Greece
| | - Panagiota Panopoulou
- Second Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Aretaieion University Hospital, Medical School, National and Kapodistrian University of Athens, 76 Vasilisis Sofias Avenue, 11528 Athens, Greece
| | - Neofyta Antoniou
- Third Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Attikon University Hospital, Medical School, National and Kapodistrian University of Athens, 1 Rimini Street, Chaidari, 12462 Athens, Greece
| | - Alexandra Bargiota
- Department of Endocrinology and Metabolic Disorders, University Hospital of Larissa, Medical School of Larissa, University of Thessaly, 41334 Larissa, Greece
| | - Alexandros Gryparis
- Department of Hygiene, Epidemiology and Medical Statistics, National and Kapodistrian University of Athens, Goudi, 11527 Athens, Greece
| | - Nikolaos Vrachnis
- Third Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Attikon University Hospital, Medical School, National and Kapodistrian University of Athens, 1 Rimini Street, Chaidari, 12462 Athens, Greece
| | - George Mastorakos
- Second Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Aretaieion University Hospital, Medical School, National and Kapodistrian University of Athens, 76 Vasilisis Sofias Avenue, 11528 Athens, Greece
| | - Sophia N. Kalantaridou
- Third Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Attikon University Hospital, Medical School, National and Kapodistrian University of Athens, 1 Rimini Street, Chaidari, 12462 Athens, Greece
| | - Theodoros Panoskaltsis
- Second Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Aretaieion University Hospital, Medical School, National and Kapodistrian University of Athens, 76 Vasilisis Sofias Avenue, 11528 Athens, Greece
| | - Nikos F. Vlahos
- Second Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Aretaieion University Hospital, Medical School, National and Kapodistrian University of Athens, 76 Vasilisis Sofias Avenue, 11528 Athens, Greece
| | - Georgios Valsamakis
- Second Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Aretaieion University Hospital, Medical School, National and Kapodistrian University of Athens, 76 Vasilisis Sofias Avenue, 11528 Athens, Greece
- Department of Endocrinology and Metabolic Disorders, University Hospital of Larissa, Medical School of Larissa, University of Thessaly, 41334 Larissa, Greece
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Volqvartz T, Andersen HHB, Pedersen LH, Larsen A. Obesity in pregnancy-Long-term effects on offspring hypothalamic-pituitary-adrenal axis and associations with placental cortisol metabolism: A systematic review. Eur J Neurosci 2023; 58:4393-4422. [PMID: 37974556 DOI: 10.1111/ejn.16184] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/21/2022] [Accepted: 10/20/2023] [Indexed: 11/19/2023]
Abstract
Obesity, affecting one in three pregnant women worldwide, is not only a major obstetric risk factor. The resulting low-grade inflammation may have a long-term impact on the offspring's HPA axis through dysregulation of maternal, placental and fetal corticosteroid metabolism, and children born of obese mothers have increased risk of diabetes and cardiovascular disease. The long-term effects of maternal obesity on offspring neurodevelopment are, however, undetermined and could depend on the specific effects on placental and fetal cortisol metabolism. This systematic review evaluates how maternal obesity affects placental cortisol metabolism and the offspring's HPA axis. Pubmed, Embase and Scopus were searched for original studies on maternal BMI, obesity, and cortisol metabolism and transfer. Fifteen studies were included after the screening of 4556 identified records. Studies were small with heterogeneous exposures and outcomes. Two studies found that maternal obesity reduced placental HSD11β2 activity. In one study, umbilical cord blood cortisol levels were affected by maternal BMI. In three studies, an altered cortisol response was consistently seen among offspring in childhood (n = 2) or adulthood (n = 1). Maternal BMI was not associated with placental HSD11β1 or HSD11β2 mRNA expression, or placental HSD11β2 methylation. In conclusion, high maternal BMI is associated with reduced placental HSD11β2 activity and a dampened cortisol level among offspring, but the data is sparse. Further investigations are needed to clarify whether the HPA axis is affected by prenatal factors including maternal obesity and investigate if adverse effects can be ameliorated by optimising the intrauterine environment.
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Affiliation(s)
- Tabia Volqvartz
- Department of Clinical Medicine, Aarhus University, Aarhus, Denmark
| | | | - Lars Henning Pedersen
- Department of Clinical Medicine, Aarhus University, Aarhus, Denmark
- Department of Biomedicine, Pharmacology, Aarhus University, Aarhus, Denmark
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynaecology, Aarhus University Hospital, Aarhus, Denmark
| | - Agnete Larsen
- Department of Biomedicine, Pharmacology, Aarhus University, Aarhus, Denmark
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Toews JNC, Philippe TJ, Dordevic M, Hill LA, Hammond GL, Viau V. Corticosteroid-Binding Globulin (SERPINA6) Consolidates Sexual Dimorphism of Adult Rat Liver. Endocrinology 2023; 165:bqad179. [PMID: 38015819 PMCID: PMC10699879 DOI: 10.1210/endocr/bqad179] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/30/2023] [Revised: 11/07/2023] [Accepted: 11/27/2023] [Indexed: 11/30/2023]
Abstract
Produced by the liver, corticosteroid-binding globulin (CBG) regulates the plasma distribution and actions of glucocorticoids. A sex difference in pituitary growth hormone secretion patterns established during puberty in rats results in increased hepatic CBG production and 2-fold higher plasma corticosterone levels in females. Glucocorticoids control hepatic development and metabolic activities, and we have therefore examined how disrupting the SerpinA6 gene encoding CBG influences plasma corticosterone dynamics, as well as liver gene expression in male and female rats before and after puberty. Comparisons of corticosterone plasma clearance and hepatic uptake in adult rats, with or without CBG, indicated that CBG limits corticosterone clearance by reducing its hepatic uptake. Hepatic transcriptomic profiling revealed minor sex differences (207 differentially expressed genes) and minimal effect of CBG deficiency in 30-day-old rats before puberty. While liver transcriptomes in 60-day-old males lacking CBG remained essentially unchanged, 2710 genes were differentially expressed in wild-type female vs male livers at this age. Importantly, ∼10% of these genes lost their sexually dimorphic expression in adult females lacking CBG, including those related to cholesterol biosynthesis, inflammation, and lipid and amino acid catabolism. Another 203 genes were altered by the loss of CBG specifically in adult females, including those related to xenobiotic metabolism, circadian rhythm, and gluconeogenesis. Our findings reveal that CBG consolidates the sexual dimorphism of the rat liver initiated by sex differences in growth hormone secretion patterns and provide insight into how CBG deficiencies are linked to glucocorticoid-dependent diseases.
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Affiliation(s)
- Julia N C Toews
- Department of Cellular and Physiological Sciences, The Life Sciences Institute, University of British Columbia, Vancouver, BC V6T 1Z3, Canada
| | - Tristan J Philippe
- Department of Cellular and Physiological Sciences, The Life Sciences Institute, University of British Columbia, Vancouver, BC V6T 1Z3, Canada
| | - Matthew Dordevic
- Department of Cellular and Physiological Sciences, The Life Sciences Institute, University of British Columbia, Vancouver, BC V6T 1Z3, Canada
| | - Lesley A Hill
- Department of Cellular and Physiological Sciences, The Life Sciences Institute, University of British Columbia, Vancouver, BC V6T 1Z3, Canada
| | - Geoffrey L Hammond
- Department of Cellular and Physiological Sciences, The Life Sciences Institute, University of British Columbia, Vancouver, BC V6T 1Z3, Canada
| | - Victor Viau
- Department of Cellular and Physiological Sciences, The Life Sciences Institute, University of British Columbia, Vancouver, BC V6T 1Z3, Canada
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Chen L, Fan X, Yang L, Han L, Wang N, Bian K. Research progress of glucocorticoid resistance in chronic rhinosinusitis with nasal polyps: A review. Medicine (Baltimore) 2023; 102:e36024. [PMID: 37986338 PMCID: PMC10659647 DOI: 10.1097/md.0000000000036024] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/24/2023] [Revised: 10/17/2023] [Accepted: 10/18/2023] [Indexed: 11/22/2023] Open
Abstract
Chronic rhinosinusitis with nasal polyps (CRSwNP) is one of the common chronic inflammatory diseases in otolaryngology. Glucocorticoid (GC) acts as the first-line drug for the treatment of CRSwNP in clinical practice, and they play an irreplaceable role in reducing nasal mucosal inflammation and restoring the normal physiological function of the nasal mucosa. However, many patients are still insensitive to GC treatment, known as GC resistance, which leads to poor control of the disease, and the underlying mechanisms are still not fully elucidated. This article provides a comprehensive overview of the research progress of GC resistance of patients with CRSwNP in recent years.
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Affiliation(s)
- Langlang Chen
- Department of Otolaryngology Head and Neck Surgery, Tangdu Hospital, Air Fourth Medical University, Xi’an, China
- Medicine College of Yan’an University, Yan’an, China
| | - Xin Fan
- Department of Otolaryngology Head and Neck Surgery, Tangdu Hospital, Air Fourth Medical University, Xi’an, China
| | - Lina Yang
- State Key Laboratory of Oral & Maxillofacial Reconstruction and Regeneration, School of Stomatology, Air Fourth Medical University, Xi’an, China
| | - Lu Han
- Medicine College of Yan’an University, Yan’an, China
| | - Ningbo Wang
- Department of Otolaryngology Head and Neck Surgery, Tangdu Hospital, Air Fourth Medical University, Xi’an, China
| | - Ka Bian
- Department of Otolaryngology Head and Neck Surgery, Tangdu Hospital, Air Fourth Medical University, Xi’an, China
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Opinion AGR, Vanhomwegen M, De Boeck G, Aerts J. Long-term stress induced cortisol downregulation, growth reduction and cardiac remodeling in Atlantic salmon. J Exp Biol 2023; 226:jeb246504. [PMID: 37921456 PMCID: PMC10690108 DOI: 10.1242/jeb.246504] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/02/2023] [Accepted: 10/19/2023] [Indexed: 11/04/2023]
Abstract
Stress and elevated plasma cortisol in salmonids have been linked with pathological remodeling of the heart and deterioration of fitness and welfare. However, these associations were based on biomarkers that fail to provide a retrospective view of stress. This study is the first whereby the association of long-term stress, using scale cortisol as a chronic stress biomarker, with cardiac morphology and growth performance of wild Atlantic salmon (Salmo salar) is made. Growth, heart morphology, plasma and scale cortisol levels, and expression of genes involved in cortisol regulation of the hypothalamic-pituitary-interrenal axis of undisturbed fish (control) were compared with those of fish exposed daily to stress for 8 weeks. Though scale cortisol levels showed a time-dependent accumulation in both groups, plasma and scale cortisol levels of stress group fish were 29.1% and 25.0% lower than those of control fish, respectively. These results correlated with the overall upregulation of stress-axis genes involved in the systemic negative feedback of cortisol, and local feedback via 11β-hydroxysteroid dehydrogenases, glucocorticoid and mineralocorticoid receptors in the stress treatment at the hypothalamus and pituitary level. These lower cortisol levels were, however, counterintuitive in terms of the growth performance as stress group fish grew 33.7% slower than control fish, which probably influenced the 8.4% increase in relative ventricle mass in the stress group. Though compact myocardium area between the treatments was comparable, these parameters showed significant linear correlations with scale cortisol levels, indicating the involvement of chronic stress in cardiac remodeling. These findings underscore the importance of scale cortisol as biomarker when associating chronic stress with long-term processes including cardiac remodeling.
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Affiliation(s)
- April Grace R. Opinion
- University of Antwerp, Department of Biology, ECOSPHERE, 2020 Antwerp, Belgium
- Ghent University, Department of Biology, Stress Physiology Research Group (StressChron), 8400 Ostend, Belgium
| | - Marine Vanhomwegen
- Ghent University, Department of Biology, Stress Physiology Research Group (StressChron), 8400 Ostend, Belgium
| | - Gudrun De Boeck
- University of Antwerp, Department of Biology, ECOSPHERE, 2020 Antwerp, Belgium
| | - Johan Aerts
- Ghent University, Department of Biology, Stress Physiology Research Group (StressChron), 8400 Ostend, Belgium
- Flanders Research Institute for Agriculture, Fisheries and Food, Animal Sciences Unit, Stress Physiology Research Group (StressChron), 8400 Ostend, Belgium
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Lu H, Wang S, Zheng J, Zhu Y, Wang Y, Li H, Ge RS. Distinct inhibitory strength of bisphenol A analogues on human and rat 11β-hydroxysteroid dehydrogenase 1: 3D quantitative structure-activity relationship and in silico molecular docking analysis. ECOTOXICOLOGY AND ENVIRONMENTAL SAFETY 2023; 267:115638. [PMID: 37918333 DOI: 10.1016/j.ecoenv.2023.115638] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/15/2023] [Revised: 10/07/2023] [Accepted: 10/25/2023] [Indexed: 11/04/2023]
Abstract
Bisphenol A (BPA) analogues are developed to replace BPA usage. However, their effects on 11β-hydroxysteroid dehydrogenase 1 (11β-HSD1) are largely unknown. The inhibitory effects of BPA and 10 BPA analogues with the substituents on the bridge moiety on human and rat 11β-HSD1 were explored in human and rat liver microsomes. The strength of inhibiting human 11β-HSD1 was bisphenol FL (IC50, 3.87 μM) > bisphenol Z (6.86 μM) > bisphenol AF (9.42 μM) > bisphenol C (16.14 μM) > bisphenol AP (32.14 μM) = bisphenol B (32.34 μM) > 4,4'-thiodiphenol (67.35 μM) > BPA (297.35 μM) > other BPA analogues (ineffective at 100 μM). The strength of inhibiting rat 11β-HSD1 was bisphenol Z (IC50, 14.44 μM) > 4,4'-thiodiphenol (19.01 μM) > bisphenol B (20.13 μM) > bisphenol F (22.10 μM) > bisphenol E (33.04 μM) > bisphenol AF (49.67 μM) > bisphenol C > (56.97 μM) > bisphenol AP (62.71 μM) >bisphenol FL (96.31 μM) > other BPA analogues (ineffective at 100 μM). Bisphenol A, AF, AP, B, C, F, FL, Z, and 4,4'-thiodiphenol bind to the active sites of human and rat 11β-HSD1. Regression of LogP and molecular weight with IC50 values revealed distinct inhibitory pattern (negative correlation for human 11β-HSD1 vs. positive correlation for rat enzyme). Regression of the lowest binding energy with IC50 values revealed a significant positive regression. 3D QSAR pharmacophore analysis showed one hydrogen bond acceptor and two hydrogen bond donors for human 11β-HSD1. In conclusion, most BPA analogues are more potent inhibitors of human and rat 11β-HSD1 enzymes and there is structure-dependent and species-dependent inhibition.
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Affiliation(s)
- Han Lu
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, the Second Affiliated Hospital and Yuying Children's Hospital of Wenzhou Medical University, Wenzhou, Zhejiang 325027, China; Department of Anesthesiology and Perioperative Medicine, the Second Affiliated Hospital and Yuying Children's Hospital, Wenzhou, Zhejiang 325027, China; Key Laboratory of Pediatric Anesthesiology, Ministry of Education, Wenzhou, Zhejiang 325027, China; Key Laboratory of Anesthesiology of Zhejiang Province, Wenzhou Medical University, Wenzhou, Zhejiang 325027, China; Key Laboratory of Environment and Male Reproductive Medicine of Wenzhou, Key Laboratory of Structural Malformations in Children of Zhejiang Province, Zhejiang Province, China
| | - Shaowei Wang
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, the Second Affiliated Hospital and Yuying Children's Hospital of Wenzhou Medical University, Wenzhou, Zhejiang 325027, China
| | - Jingyi Zheng
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, the Second Affiliated Hospital and Yuying Children's Hospital of Wenzhou Medical University, Wenzhou, Zhejiang 325027, China
| | - Yang Zhu
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, the Second Affiliated Hospital and Yuying Children's Hospital of Wenzhou Medical University, Wenzhou, Zhejiang 325027, China
| | - Yiyan Wang
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, the Second Affiliated Hospital and Yuying Children's Hospital of Wenzhou Medical University, Wenzhou, Zhejiang 325027, China
| | - Huitao Li
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, the Second Affiliated Hospital and Yuying Children's Hospital of Wenzhou Medical University, Wenzhou, Zhejiang 325027, China; Department of Anesthesiology and Perioperative Medicine, the Second Affiliated Hospital and Yuying Children's Hospital, Wenzhou, Zhejiang 325027, China; Key Laboratory of Pediatric Anesthesiology, Ministry of Education, Wenzhou, Zhejiang 325027, China; Key Laboratory of Anesthesiology of Zhejiang Province, Wenzhou Medical University, Wenzhou, Zhejiang 325027, China
| | - Ren-Shan Ge
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, the Second Affiliated Hospital and Yuying Children's Hospital of Wenzhou Medical University, Wenzhou, Zhejiang 325027, China; Department of Anesthesiology and Perioperative Medicine, the Second Affiliated Hospital and Yuying Children's Hospital, Wenzhou, Zhejiang 325027, China; Key Laboratory of Pediatric Anesthesiology, Ministry of Education, Wenzhou, Zhejiang 325027, China; Key Laboratory of Anesthesiology of Zhejiang Province, Wenzhou Medical University, Wenzhou, Zhejiang 325027, China; Key Laboratory of Environment and Male Reproductive Medicine of Wenzhou, Key Laboratory of Structural Malformations in Children of Zhejiang Province, Zhejiang Province, China.
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Miki Y, Iwabuchi E, Takagi K, Yamazaki Y, Shibuya Y, Tokunaga H, Shimada M, Suzuki T, Ito K. Intratumoral cortisol associated with aromatase in the endometrial cancer microenvironment. Pathol Res Pract 2023; 251:154873. [PMID: 37820440 DOI: 10.1016/j.prp.2023.154873] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/11/2023] [Revised: 10/04/2023] [Accepted: 10/06/2023] [Indexed: 10/13/2023]
Abstract
Glucocorticoids bind to glucocorticoid receptors (GR). In the peripheral tissues, active cortisol is produced from inactive cortisone by 11β-hydroxysteroid dehydrogenase (HSD)1. 11β-HSD2 is responsible for this reverse catalysis. Although GR and 11β-HSDs have been reported to be involved in the malignant behavior of various cancer types, the concentration of glucocorticoids in cancer tissues has not been investigated. In this study, we measured glucocorticoids in serum and cancer tissues using liquid chromatography-tandem mass spectrometry and clarified, for the first time, the intratumoral "intracrine" production of cortisol by 11β-HSD1/2 in endometrial cancer. Intratumoral cortisol levels were high in the high-malignancy type and the cancer proliferation marker Ki-67-high group, suggesting that cortisol greatly contributes to the malignant behavior of endometrial cancer. A low expression level of the metabolizing enzyme 11β-HSD2 is more important than a high expression level of the synthase 11β-HSD1 for intratumoral cortisol action. Intratumoral cortisol was positively related to the expression/activity of estrogen synthase aromatase, which involved GR expressed in fibroblastic stromal cells but not in cancer cells. Blockade of GR signaling by hormone therapy is expected to benefit patients with endometrial cancer.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yasuhiro Miki
- Department of Anatomic Pathology, Tohoku University Graduate School of Medicine, Sendai, Japan.
| | - Erina Iwabuchi
- Department of Pathology and Histotechnology, Tohoku University Graduate School of Medicine, Sendai, Japan
| | - Kiyoshi Takagi
- Department of Pathology and Histotechnology, Tohoku University Graduate School of Medicine, Sendai, Japan
| | - Yuto Yamazaki
- Department of Pathology, Tohoku University Hospital, Sendai, Japan
| | - Yusuke Shibuya
- Department of Gynecology, Tohoku University Graduate School of Medicine, Sendai, Japan
| | - Hideki Tokunaga
- Department of Gynecology, Tohoku University Graduate School of Medicine, Sendai, Japan
| | - Muneaki Shimada
- Department of Gynecology, Tohoku University Graduate School of Medicine, Sendai, Japan; Tohoku University Advanced Research Center for Innovations in Next-Generation Medicine, Sendai, Japan
| | - Takashi Suzuki
- Department of Anatomic Pathology, Tohoku University Graduate School of Medicine, Sendai, Japan; Department of Pathology and Histotechnology, Tohoku University Graduate School of Medicine, Sendai, Japan; Department of Pathology, Tohoku University Hospital, Sendai, Japan
| | - Kiyoshi Ito
- Department of Gynecology, Tohoku University Graduate School of Medicine, Sendai, Japan; Cancer Detection Center, Miyagi Cancer Society, Sendai, Japan
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de Kloet ER. Glucocorticoid feedback paradox: a homage to Mary Dallman. Stress 2023; 26:2247090. [PMID: 37589046 DOI: 10.1080/10253890.2023.2247090] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/12/2023] [Accepted: 08/07/2023] [Indexed: 08/18/2023] Open
Abstract
As the end product of the hypothalamus-pituitary-adrenal (HPA) axis, the glucocorticoid hormones cortisol and corticosterone coordinate circadian activities, stress-coping, and adaptation to change. For this purpose, the hormone promotes energy metabolism and controls defense reactions in the body and brain. This life-sustaining action exerted by glucocorticoids occurs in concert with the autonomic nervous and immune systems, transmitters, growth factors/cytokines, and neuropeptides. The current contribution will focus on the glucocorticoid feedback paradox in the HPA-axis: the phenomenon that stress responsivity remains resilient if preceded by stress-induced secretion of glucocorticoid hormone, but not if this hormone is previously administered. Furthermore, in animal studies, the mixed progesterone/glucocorticoid antagonist RU486 or mifepristone switches to an apparent partial agonist upon repeated administration. To address these enigmas several interesting phenomena are highlighted. These include the conditional nature of the excitation/inhibition balance in feedback regulation, the role of glucose as a determinant of stress responsivity, and the potential of glucocorticoids in resetting the stress response system. The analysis of the feedback paradox provides also a golden opportunity to review the progress in understanding the role of glucocorticoid hormone in resilience and vulnerability during stress, the science that was burned deeply in Mary Dallman's emotions.
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Affiliation(s)
- Edo Ronald de Kloet
- Department of Clinical Medicine, Division of Endocrinology, Leiden University Medical Center, Leiden, The Netherlands
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Dmytriv TR, Tsiumpala SA, Semchyshyn HM, Storey KB, Lushchak VI. Mitochondrial dysfunction as a possible trigger of neuroinflammation at post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD). Front Physiol 2023; 14:1222826. [PMID: 37942228 PMCID: PMC10628526 DOI: 10.3389/fphys.2023.1222826] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/15/2023] [Accepted: 10/09/2023] [Indexed: 11/10/2023] Open
Abstract
Post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) is a neuropsychiatric disorder that occurs in approximately 15% of people as a result of some traumatic events. The main symptoms are re-experiencing and avoidance of everything related to this event and hyperarousal. The main component of the pathophysiology of PTSD is an imbalance in the functioning of the hypothalamic-pituitary-adrenal axis (HPA) and development of neuroinflammation. In parallel with this, mitochondrial dysfunction is observed, as in many other diseases. In this review, we focus on the question how mitochondria may be involved in the development of neuroinflammation and its maintaining at PTSD. First, we describe the differences in the operation of the neuro-endocrine system during stress versus PTSD. We then show changes in the activity/expression of mitochondrial proteins in PTSD and how they can affect the levels of hormones involved in PTSD development, as well as how mitochondrial damage/pathogen-associated molecule patterns (DAMPs/PAMPs) trigger development of inflammation. In addition, we examine the possibility of treating PTSD-related inflammation using mitochondria as a target.
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Affiliation(s)
- Tetiana R. Dmytriv
- Department of Biochemistry and Biotechnology, Vasyl Stefanyk Precarpathian National University, Ivano-Frankivsk, Ukraine
| | - Sviatoslav A. Tsiumpala
- Department of Biochemistry and Biotechnology, Vasyl Stefanyk Precarpathian National University, Ivano-Frankivsk, Ukraine
| | - Halyna M. Semchyshyn
- Department of Biochemistry and Biotechnology, Vasyl Stefanyk Precarpathian National University, Ivano-Frankivsk, Ukraine
| | - Kenneth B. Storey
- Department of Biology, Institute of Biochemistry, Carleton University, Ottawa, ON, Canada
| | - Volodymyr I. Lushchak
- Department of Biochemistry and Biotechnology, Vasyl Stefanyk Precarpathian National University, Ivano-Frankivsk, Ukraine
- Research and Development University, Ivano-Frankivsk, Ukraine
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Donnici C, Tomfohr-Madsen L, Long X, Manning KY, Giesbrecht G, Lebel C. Prenatal depressive symptoms are associated with altered structural brain networks in infants and moderated by infant sleep. J Affect Disord 2023; 339:118-126. [PMID: 37390922 PMCID: PMC10303328 DOI: 10.1016/j.jad.2023.06.054] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/23/2023] [Accepted: 06/26/2023] [Indexed: 07/02/2023]
Abstract
BACKGROUND The prevalence of prenatal depressive symptoms has more than doubled during the COVID-19 pandemic, raising substantial concerns about child outcomes including sleep problems and altered brain development. The objective of this work was to determine relationships between prenatal depressive symptoms, infant brain network structure, and infant sleep. METHODS Pregnant individuals were recruited as part of the Pregnancy during the Pandemic (PdP) study. Maternal depressive symptoms were measured in pregnancy and postpartum. When infants of those participants were 3 months of age (n=66; 26 females), infants underwent diffusion magnetic resonance imaging and infant sleep was evaluated. Using tractography, we calculated structural connectivity matrices for the default mode (DMN) and limbic networks. We examined associations between graph theory metrics of infant brain networks and prenatal maternal depressive symptoms, with infant sleep as a moderator. RESULTS Prenatal depressive symptoms were negatively related to average DMN clustering coefficient and local efficiency in infant brains. Infant sleep duration was related to DMN global efficiency and moderated the relationship between prenatal depressive symptoms and density of limbic connections such that infants who slept less had a more negative relationship between prenatal depressive symptoms and local brain connectivity. CONCLUSIONS Prenatal depressive symptoms appear to impact early topological development in brain networks important for emotion regulation. In the limbic network, sleep duration moderated this relationship, suggesting sleep may play a role in infant brain network development.
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Affiliation(s)
- Claire Donnici
- Cumming School of Medicine, University of Calgary, Calgary, AB, Canada
| | - Lianne Tomfohr-Madsen
- Department of Pediatrics, University of Calgary, Calgary, AB, Canada; Department of Psychology, University of Calgary, Calgary, AB, Canada; Alberta Children's Hospital Research Institute, Calgary, AB, Canada; Libin Cardiovascular Institute, University of Calgary, Calgary, AB, Canada; Faculty of Education, University of British Columbia, Vancouver, BC, Canada
| | - Xiangyu Long
- Alberta Children's Hospital Research Institute, Calgary, AB, Canada; Hotchkiss Brain Institute, Calgary, AB, Canada; Department of Radiology, University of Calgary, Calgary, AB, Canada
| | - Kathryn Y Manning
- Alberta Children's Hospital Research Institute, Calgary, AB, Canada; Hotchkiss Brain Institute, Calgary, AB, Canada; Department of Radiology, University of Calgary, Calgary, AB, Canada
| | - Gerald Giesbrecht
- Cumming School of Medicine, University of Calgary, Calgary, AB, Canada; Department of Pediatrics, University of Calgary, Calgary, AB, Canada; Alberta Children's Hospital Research Institute, Calgary, AB, Canada; Department of Community Health Sciences, University of Calgary, Calgary, AB, Canada
| | - Catherine Lebel
- Alberta Children's Hospital Research Institute, Calgary, AB, Canada; Hotchkiss Brain Institute, Calgary, AB, Canada; Department of Radiology, University of Calgary, Calgary, AB, Canada.
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Paul EN, Shubitidze S, Rahim R, Rucker I, Valin L, Apostle S, Pospisilik JA, Racicot KE, Smith AL. Exogenous corticosterone administration during pregnancy in mice alters placental and fetal thyroid hormone availability in females. Placenta 2023; 142:1-11. [PMID: 37579594 PMCID: PMC10763606 DOI: 10.1016/j.placenta.2023.08.005] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/14/2023] [Revised: 07/31/2023] [Accepted: 08/02/2023] [Indexed: 08/16/2023]
Abstract
INTRODUCTION Maternal prenatal psychological stress is associated with adverse pregnancy outcomes and increased risk of adverse health outcomes in children. While the molecular mechanisms that govern these associations has not been fully teased apart, stress-induced changes in placental function can drive sex-specific phenotypes in offspring. We sought to identify and examine molecular pathways in the placenta that are altered in response to maternal prenatal stress. METHODS We previously employed a mouse model of maternal prenatal stress where pregnant dams were treated with stress hormone (CORT) beginning in mid-gestation. Using this model, we conducted RNAseq analysis of whole placenta at E18.5. We used qRT-PCR to validate gene expression changes in the placenta and in a trophoblast cell line. ELISAs were used to measure the abundance of thyroid hormones in maternal and fetal serum and in the placenta. RESULTS Dio2 was amongst the top differentially expressed genes in response to exogenous stress hormone. Dio2 expression was more downregulated in placenta of female fetuses from CORT-treated dams than both control placenta from females and placenta from male fetuses. Consistent with Dio2's role in production of bioactive thyroid hormone (T3), we found that there was a reduction of T3 in placenta and serum of female embryos from CORT-treated dams at E18.5. Both T3 and T4 were reduced in the fetal compartment of the placenta of female fetuses from CORT-treated dams at E16.5. Exogenous stress hormone induced reduction in thyroid hormone in females was independent of circulating levels of TH in the dams. DISCUSSION The placental thyroid hormone synthesis pathway may be a target of elevated maternal stress hormone and modulate fetal programming of health and disease of offspring in a sex-specific fashion.
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Affiliation(s)
- Emmanuel N Paul
- Dept of Obstetrics, Gynecology and Reproductive Sciences, Michigan State University, College of Human Medicine, Grand Rapids, MI, 49503, USA
| | | | - Rodaba Rahim
- Biology Department, Kenyon College, Gambier, OH, 43050, USA
| | - Imani Rucker
- Biology Department, Kenyon College, Gambier, OH, 43050, USA
| | - Liana Valin
- Biology Department, Kenyon College, Gambier, OH, 43050, USA
| | - Stefanos Apostle
- Department of Epigenetics, Van Andel Research Institute, Grand Rapids, MI, 49503, USA
| | - J Andrew Pospisilik
- Department of Epigenetics, Van Andel Research Institute, Grand Rapids, MI, 49503, USA
| | - Karen E Racicot
- Dept of Obstetrics, Gynecology and Reproductive Sciences, Michigan State University, College of Human Medicine, Grand Rapids, MI, 49503, USA
| | - Arianna L Smith
- Biology Department, Kenyon College, Gambier, OH, 43050, USA.
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Szalanczy AM, Giorgio G, Goff E, Seshie O, Grzybowski M, Klotz J, Geurts AM, Redei EE, Solberg Woods LC. Changes in environmental stress over COVID-19 pandemic likely contributed to failure to replicate adiposity phenotype associated with Krtcap3. Physiol Genomics 2023; 55:452-467. [PMID: 37458463 PMCID: PMC10642928 DOI: 10.1152/physiolgenomics.00019.2023] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/20/2023] [Revised: 06/25/2023] [Accepted: 07/09/2023] [Indexed: 07/28/2023] Open
Abstract
We previously identified keratinocyte-associated protein 3, Krtcap3, as an obesity-related gene in female rats where a whole body Krtcap3 knockout (KO) led to increased adiposity compared to wild-type (WT) controls when fed a high-fat diet (HFD). We sought to replicate this work to better understand the function of Krtcap3 but were unable to reproduce the adiposity phenotype. In the current work, WT female rats ate more compared to WT in the prior study, with corresponding increases in body weight and fat mass, while there were no changes in these measures in KO females between the studies. The prior study was conducted before the COVID-19 pandemic, while the current study started after initial lockdown orders and was completed during the pandemic in a generally less stressful environment. We hypothesize that the environmental changes impacted stress levels and may explain the failure to replicate our results. Analysis of corticosterone (CORT) at euthanasia showed a significant study-by-genotype interaction where WT had significantly higher CORT relative to KO in study 1, with no differences in study 2. These data suggest that decreasing Krtcap3 expression may alter the environmental stress response to influence adiposity. We also found that KO rats in both studies, but not WT, experienced a dramatic increase in CORT after their cage mate was removed, suggesting a separate connection to social behavioral stress. Future work is necessary to confirm and elucidate the finer mechanisms of these relationships, but these data indicate the possibility of Krtcap3 as a novel stress gene.NEW & NOTEWORTHY Obesity is linked to both genetics and environmental factors such as stress. Krtcap3 has previously been identified as a gene associated with adiposity, and our work here demonstrates that environmental stress may influence the role of Krtcap3 on both food intake and adiposity. Obesity is strongly influenced by stress in humans, so the identification of novel genes that link stress and obesity will greatly advance our understanding of the disease.
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Affiliation(s)
- Alexandria M Szalanczy
- Department of Internal Medicine, School of Medicine, Wake Forest University, Winston Salem, North Carolina, United States
| | - Gina Giorgio
- Department of Internal Medicine, School of Medicine, Wake Forest University, Winston Salem, North Carolina, United States
| | - Emily Goff
- Department of Internal Medicine, School of Medicine, Wake Forest University, Winston Salem, North Carolina, United States
| | - Osborne Seshie
- Department of Internal Medicine, School of Medicine, Wake Forest University, Winston Salem, North Carolina, United States
| | - Michael Grzybowski
- Department of Physiology, Medical College of Wisconsin, Milwaukee, Wisconsin, United States
| | - Jason Klotz
- Department of Physiology, Medical College of Wisconsin, Milwaukee, Wisconsin, United States
| | - Aron M Geurts
- Department of Physiology, Medical College of Wisconsin, Milwaukee, Wisconsin, United States
| | - Eva E Redei
- Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences, Feinberg School of Medicine, Northwestern University, Chicago, Illinois, United States
| | - Leah C Solberg Woods
- Department of Internal Medicine, School of Medicine, Wake Forest University, Winston Salem, North Carolina, United States
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48
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Serrano-Morillas N, González-Alayón C, Vastola-Mascolo A, Rodríguez-Rodríguez AE, Hernández G, Porrini E, Hernández-Guerra M, Alvarez de la Rosa D. Decaying kidney function during cirrhosis correlates with remodeling of distal colon aldosterone target gene expression. Am J Physiol Gastrointest Liver Physiol 2023; 325:G306-G317. [PMID: 37461846 DOI: 10.1152/ajpgi.00073.2023] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/13/2023] [Revised: 06/21/2023] [Accepted: 07/12/2023] [Indexed: 08/03/2023]
Abstract
Liver cirrhosis is associated to circulatory abnormalities leading to hypovolemia and stimulation of the renin-angiotensin-aldosterone system (RAAS). Advanced stages of the disease cause renal failure, impairing K+ and Na+ homeostasis. It has been proposed that the distal colon undergoes functional remodeling during renal failure, in particular by aldosterone-driven increased K+ excretion. In this study, we compared the transcriptional response of aldosterone target genes in the rat distal colon under two models of increased circulating aldosterone (one with concomitant RAAS activation) and in a model of secondary hyperaldosteronism induced by cirrhosis. The expression of a subset of these genes was also tested in distal colon biopsies from control subjects or patients with cirrhosis with varying levels of disease progression and treated or not with mineralocorticoid receptor inhibitor spironolactone. We examined known aldosterone-regulated transcripts involved in corticosteroid signaling and transepithelial ion transport. In addition, we included aldosterone-regulated genes related to cell proliferation. Our comparison revealed multiple aldosterone target genes upregulated in the rat distal colon during decompensated cirrhosis. Epithelial Na+ channel β and γ subunit expression correlated positively with plasma aldosterone concentration and negatively with glomerular filtration rate. Patients with cirrhosis showed increased expression of 11-β-hydroxysteroid-dehydrogenase 2 (11βHSD2), which was reverted by spironolactone treatment, suggesting a sensitization of the distal colon to aldosterone action. In summary, our data show that decaying kidney function during cirrhosis progression toward a decompensated state with hypovolemia correlates with remodeling of distal colon ion transporter expression, supporting a role for aldosterone in the process.NEW & NOTEWORTHY Liver cirrhosis progression significantly alters ion transporter subunit expression in the rat distal colon, a change that correlated well with declining kidney function and the severity of the disease. Our data suggest that the steroid hormone aldosterone participates in this homeostatic response to maintain electrolyte balance.
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Affiliation(s)
- Natalia Serrano-Morillas
- Departamento de Ciencias Médicas Básicas, Universidad de La Laguna, La Laguna, Spain
- Instituto de Tecnologías Biomédicas, Universidad de La Laguna, La Laguna, Spain
| | | | - Arianna Vastola-Mascolo
- Departamento de Ciencias Médicas Básicas, Universidad de La Laguna, La Laguna, Spain
- Instituto de Tecnologías Biomédicas, Universidad de La Laguna, La Laguna, Spain
| | - Ana E Rodríguez-Rodríguez
- Instituto de Tecnologías Biomédicas, Universidad de La Laguna, La Laguna, Spain
- Research Unit, Hospital Universitario de Canarias, La Laguna, Spain
| | - Guadalberto Hernández
- Departamento de Ciencias Médicas Básicas, Universidad de La Laguna, La Laguna, Spain
- Instituto de Tecnologías Biomédicas, Universidad de La Laguna, La Laguna, Spain
| | - Esteban Porrini
- Instituto de Tecnologías Biomédicas, Universidad de La Laguna, La Laguna, Spain
- Research Unit, Hospital Universitario de Canarias, La Laguna, Spain
| | - Manuel Hernández-Guerra
- Instituto de Tecnologías Biomédicas, Universidad de La Laguna, La Laguna, Spain
- Research Unit, Hospital Universitario de Canarias, La Laguna, Spain
- Servicio de Aparato Digestivo, Hospital Universitario de Canarias, La Laguna, Spain
| | - Diego Alvarez de la Rosa
- Departamento de Ciencias Médicas Básicas, Universidad de La Laguna, La Laguna, Spain
- Instituto de Tecnologías Biomédicas, Universidad de La Laguna, La Laguna, Spain
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49
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Taves MD, Otsuka S, Taylor MA, Donahue KM, Meyer TJ, Cam MC, Ashwell JD. Tumors produce glucocorticoids by metabolite recycling, not synthesis, and activate Tregs to promote growth. J Clin Invest 2023; 133:e164599. [PMID: 37471141 PMCID: PMC10503810 DOI: 10.1172/jci164599] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/17/2022] [Accepted: 07/18/2023] [Indexed: 07/22/2023] Open
Abstract
Glucocorticoids are steroid hormones with potent immunosuppressive properties. Their primary source is the adrenals, where they are generated via de novo synthesis from cholesterol. In addition, many tissues have a recycling pathway in which glucocorticoids are regenerated from inactive metabolites by the enzyme 11β-hydroxysteroid dehydrogenase type 1 (11β-HSD1, encoded by Hsd11b1). Here, we find that multiple tumor types express Hsd11b1 and produce active glucocorticoids. Genetic ablation of Hsd11b1 in such cells had no effect on in vitro growth, but reduced in vivo tumor progression, which corresponded with increased frequencies of CD8+ tumor-infiltrating lymphocytes (TILs) expressing activation markers and producing effector cytokines. Tumor-derived glucocorticoids were found to promote signatures of Treg activation and suppress signatures of conventional T cell activation in tumor-infiltrating Tregs. Indeed, CD8+ T cell activation was restored and tumor growth reduced in mice with Treg-specific glucocorticoid receptor deficiency. Importantly, pharmacologic inhibition of 11β-HSD1 reduced tumor growth to the same degree as gene knockout and rendered immunotherapy-resistant tumors susceptible to PD-1 blockade. Given that HSD11B1 expression is upregulated in many human tumors and that inhibition of 11β-HSD1 is well tolerated in clinical studies, these data suggest that targeting 11β-HSD1 may be a beneficial adjunct in cancer therapy.
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Affiliation(s)
| | | | | | | | - Thomas J. Meyer
- CCR Collaborative Bioinformatics Resource, Center for Cancer Research, National Cancer Institute (NCI), NIH, Bethesda, Maryland, USA
| | - Margaret C. Cam
- CCR Collaborative Bioinformatics Resource, Center for Cancer Research, National Cancer Institute (NCI), NIH, Bethesda, Maryland, USA
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50
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Khan S, Livingstone DEW, Zielinska A, Doig CL, Cobice DF, Esteves CL, Man JTY, Homer NZM, Seckl JR, MacKay CL, Webster SP, Lavery GG, Chapman KE, Walker BR, Andrew R. Contribution of local regeneration of glucocorticoids to tissue steroid pools. J Endocrinol 2023; 258:e230034. [PMID: 37343234 PMCID: PMC10448579 DOI: 10.1530/joe-23-0034] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/31/2023] [Accepted: 06/20/2022] [Indexed: 06/23/2023]
Abstract
11β-Hydroxysteroid dehydrogenase 1 (11βHSD1) is a drug target to attenuate adverse effects of chronic glucocorticoid excess. It catalyses intracellular regeneration of active glucocorticoids in tissues including brain, liver and adipose tissue (coupled to hexose-6-phosphate dehydrogenase, H6PDH). 11βHSD1 activity in individual tissues is thought to contribute significantly to glucocorticoid levels at those sites, but its local contribution vs glucocorticoid delivery via the circulation is unknown. Here, we hypothesised that hepatic 11βHSD1 would contribute significantly to the circulating pool. This was studied in mice with Cre-mediated disruption of Hsd11b1 in liver (Alac-Cre) vs adipose tissue (aP2-Cre) or whole-body disruption of H6pdh. Regeneration of [9,12,12-2H3]-cortisol (d3F) from [9,12,12-2H3]-cortisone (d3E), measuring 11βHSD1 reductase activity was assessed at steady state following infusion of [9,11,12,12-2H4]-cortisol (d4F) in male mice. Concentrations of steroids in plasma and amounts in liver, adipose tissue and brain were measured using mass spectrometry interfaced with matrix-assisted laser desorption ionisation or liquid chromatography. Amounts of d3F were higher in liver, compared with brain and adipose tissue. Rates of appearance of d3F were ~6-fold slower in H6pdh-/- mice, showing the importance for whole-body 11βHSD1 reductase activity. Disruption of liver 11βHSD1 reduced the amounts of d3F in liver (by ~36%), without changes elsewhere. In contrast disruption of 11βHSD1 in adipose tissue reduced rates of appearance of circulating d3F (by ~67%) and also reduced regenerated of d3F in liver and brain (both by ~30%). Thus, the contribution of hepatic 11βHSD1 to circulating glucocorticoid levels and amounts in other tissues is less than that of adipose tissue.
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Affiliation(s)
- S Khan
- Centre for Cardiovascular Science, Queen’s Medical Research Institute, University of Edinburgh, Edinburgh, UK
| | - D E W Livingstone
- Centre for Cardiovascular Science, Queen’s Medical Research Institute, University of Edinburgh, Edinburgh, UK
- Centre for Discovery Brain Science, University of Edinburgh, Hugh Robson Building, Edinburgh, UK
| | - A Zielinska
- College of Medical and Dental Sciences, University of Birmingham, Birmingham, UK
| | - C L Doig
- Department of Biosciences, School of Science & Technology, Nottingham Trent University, Nottingham, UK
| | - D F Cobice
- Centre for Cardiovascular Science, Queen’s Medical Research Institute, University of Edinburgh, Edinburgh, UK
| | - C L Esteves
- Centre for Cardiovascular Science, Queen’s Medical Research Institute, University of Edinburgh, Edinburgh, UK
| | - J T Y Man
- Centre for Cardiovascular Science, Queen’s Medical Research Institute, University of Edinburgh, Edinburgh, UK
| | - N Z M Homer
- Mass Spectrometry Core Laboratory, Edinburgh Clinical Research Facility, Queen’s Medical Research Institute, University of Edinburgh, Edinburgh, UK
| | - J R Seckl
- Centre for Cardiovascular Science, Queen’s Medical Research Institute, University of Edinburgh, Edinburgh, UK
| | - C L MacKay
- SIRCAMS, School of Chemistry, University of Edinburgh, Joseph Black Building, King's Buildings, Edinburgh, UK
| | - S P Webster
- Centre for Cardiovascular Science, Queen’s Medical Research Institute, University of Edinburgh, Edinburgh, UK
| | - G G Lavery
- Department of Biosciences, School of Science & Technology, Nottingham Trent University, Nottingham, UK
| | - K E Chapman
- Centre for Cardiovascular Science, Queen’s Medical Research Institute, University of Edinburgh, Edinburgh, UK
| | - B R Walker
- Centre for Cardiovascular Science, Queen’s Medical Research Institute, University of Edinburgh, Edinburgh, UK
- Clinical & Translational Research Institute, Newcastle University, International Centre for Life, Central Parkway, Newcastle upon Tyne, UK
| | - R Andrew
- Centre for Cardiovascular Science, Queen’s Medical Research Institute, University of Edinburgh, Edinburgh, UK
- Mass Spectrometry Core Laboratory, Edinburgh Clinical Research Facility, Queen’s Medical Research Institute, University of Edinburgh, Edinburgh, UK
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