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Jaehne EJ, Corrone M, van den Buuse M. Administering a Behavioral Test Battery in Rodents. Methods Mol Biol 2024; 2746:87-100. [PMID: 38070082 DOI: 10.1007/978-1-0716-3585-8_7] [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: 12/18/2023]
Abstract
Although animal models cannot broadly represent uniquely human psychiatric or psychological syndromes such as anxiety, depression, or schizophrenia, behavioral testing in rodents can be extremely helpful to investigate specific disease aspects and symptoms. Animal behavioral test batteries allow researchers to reveal specific behavioral changes in genetically modified mice or following targeted treatments or in response to environmental interventions. Examples of types of behaviors that can be combined in a test battery include anxiety-like behavior, learning and memory, depression-relevant behavior, social interaction, and locomotor hyperactivity. Here, we describe several commonly used and relatively simple behavioral tests which can be combined in the same cohort of animals.
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Affiliation(s)
- Emily J Jaehne
- School of Psychology and Public Health, La Trobe University, Melbourne, VIC, Australia
| | - Michelle Corrone
- School of Psychology and Public Health, La Trobe University, Melbourne, VIC, Australia
| | - Maarten van den Buuse
- School of Psychology and Public Health, La Trobe University, Melbourne, VIC, Australia.
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2
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Amorim D, Fonseca-Rodrigues D, David-Pereira A, Costa O, Lima AP, Nogueira R, Cruz R, Martins AS, Sousa L, Oliveira F, Pereira H, Pirraco R, Pertovaara A, Almeida A, Pinto-Ribeiro F. Injection of kaolin/carrageenan in the rat knee joint induces progressive experimental knee osteoarthritis. Pain 2023; 164:2477-2490. [PMID: 37390363 DOI: 10.1097/j.pain.0000000000002954] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/13/2022] [Accepted: 04/25/2023] [Indexed: 07/02/2023]
Abstract
ABSTRACT Osteoarthritis (OA), the most common joint disorder worldwide, is characterized by progressive degeneration of articular and periarticular structures, leading to physical and emotional impairments that greatly affect the quality of life of patients. Unfortunately, no therapy has been able to halt the progression of the disease. Owing to the complexity of OA, most animal models are only able to mimic a specific stage or feature of the human disorder. In this work, we demonstrate the intraarticular injection of kaolin or carrageenan leads to the progressive degeneration of the rat's knee joint, accompanied by mechanical hyperalgesia and allodynia, gait impairments (reduced contact area of the affected limb), and radiological and histopathological findings concomitant with the development of human grade 4 OA. In addition, animals also display emotional impairments 4 weeks after induction, namely, anxious and depressive-like behaviour, important and common comorbidities of human OA patients. Overall, prolonging kaolin or carrageenan-induced monoarthritis mimics several important physical and psychological features of human OA in both male and female rodents and could be further applied in long-term studies of OA-associated chronic pain.
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Affiliation(s)
- Diana Amorim
- Life and Health Sciences Research Institute (ICVS), University of Minho, Braga, Portugal
- ICVS/3B's-PT Government Associate Laboratory, Braga/Guimarães, Portugal
- Institute of Biomedicine/Physiology, University of Helsinki, Helsinki, Finland
| | - Diana Fonseca-Rodrigues
- Life and Health Sciences Research Institute (ICVS), University of Minho, Braga, Portugal
- ICVS/3B's-PT Government Associate Laboratory, Braga/Guimarães, Portugal
| | - Ana David-Pereira
- Life and Health Sciences Research Institute (ICVS), University of Minho, Braga, Portugal
- ICVS/3B's-PT Government Associate Laboratory, Braga/Guimarães, Portugal
- Wolfson CARD, Institute of Psychology, Psychiatry and Neuroscience, King's College London, London, United Kingdom
| | - Octávia Costa
- Life and Health Sciences Research Institute (ICVS), University of Minho, Braga, Portugal
- ICVS/3B's-PT Government Associate Laboratory, Braga/Guimarães, Portugal
| | - Antónia Palhares Lima
- Life and Health Sciences Research Institute (ICVS), University of Minho, Braga, Portugal
- ICVS/3B's-PT Government Associate Laboratory, Braga/Guimarães, Portugal
| | - Rosete Nogueira
- Life and Health Sciences Research Institute (ICVS), University of Minho, Braga, Portugal
- ICVS/3B's-PT Government Associate Laboratory, Braga/Guimarães, Portugal
| | - Rute Cruz
- Life and Health Sciences Research Institute (ICVS), University of Minho, Braga, Portugal
- ICVS/3B's-PT Government Associate Laboratory, Braga/Guimarães, Portugal
| | - Ana Sofia Martins
- Life and Health Sciences Research Institute (ICVS), University of Minho, Braga, Portugal
- ICVS/3B's-PT Government Associate Laboratory, Braga/Guimarães, Portugal
| | - Liliana Sousa
- Life and Health Sciences Research Institute (ICVS), University of Minho, Braga, Portugal
- ICVS/3B's-PT Government Associate Laboratory, Braga/Guimarães, Portugal
| | | | - Hélder Pereira
- ICVS/3B's-PT Government Associate Laboratory, Braga/Guimarães, Portugal
- 3B's Research Group-Biomaterials, Biodegradables and Biomimetics, Minho University, Headquarters of the European Institute of Excellence on Tissue Engineering and Regenerative Medicine, Guimarães, Portugal
| | - Rogério Pirraco
- ICVS/3B's-PT Government Associate Laboratory, Braga/Guimarães, Portugal
- 3B's Research Group-Biomaterials, Biodegradables and Biomimetics, Minho University, Headquarters of the European Institute of Excellence on Tissue Engineering and Regenerative Medicine, Guimarães, Portugal
| | - Antti Pertovaara
- Institute of Biomedicine/Physiology, University of Helsinki, Helsinki, Finland
| | - Armando Almeida
- Life and Health Sciences Research Institute (ICVS), University of Minho, Braga, Portugal
- ICVS/3B's-PT Government Associate Laboratory, Braga/Guimarães, Portugal
| | - Filipa Pinto-Ribeiro
- Life and Health Sciences Research Institute (ICVS), University of Minho, Braga, Portugal
- ICVS/3B's-PT Government Associate Laboratory, Braga/Guimarães, Portugal
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3
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Garcia-Luna GM, Bermudes-Contreras JD, Hernández-Correa S, Suarez-Ortiz JO, Diaz-Urbina D, Garfias-Ramirez SH, Vega AV, Villalobos-Molina R, Vilches-Flores A. Δ9-Tetrahydrocannabinol Treatment Modifies Insulin Secretion in Pancreatic Islets from Prediabetic Mice Under Hypercaloric Diet. Cannabis Cannabinoid Res 2023. [PMID: 37267277 DOI: 10.1089/can.2023.0017] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 06/04/2023] Open
Abstract
Background: The endocannabinoid system over-activation is associated with type-2 diabetes mellitus onset, involving physiological, metabolic, and genetic alterations in pancreatic islets. The use of Δ9-Tetrahydrocannabinol (THC) as treatment is still controversial since its effects and mechanisms on insulin secretion are unclear. The aim of this study was to evaluate the effects of THC treatment in pancreatic islets from prediabetic mice. Methods: Prediabetes was induced in mice by hypercaloric diet, and then treated with THC for 3 weeks. Blood glucose and body weight were determined, after behavior tests. Histological changes were evaluated in whole pancreas; in isolated islets we analyzed the effect of THC exposure in glucose-stimulated insulin secretion (GSIS), gene expression, intracellular cyclic adenosine monophosphate (cAMP), and cytosolic calcium changes. Results: THC treatment in prediabetic mice enhanced anxiety and antidepressive behavior without changes in food ingestion, decreased oral-glucose tolerance test, plasma insulin and weight, with small alterations on pancreatic histology. In isolated islets from healthy mice THC increased GSIS, cAMP, and CB1 receptor (CB1r) expression, meanwhile calcium release was diminished. Small changes were observed in islets from prediabetic mice. Conclusions: THC treatment improves some clinical parameters in prediabetic mice, however, in isolated islets, modifies GSIS, intracellular calcium and gene expression, suggesting specific effects related to diabetes evolution.
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Affiliation(s)
- Guadalupe M Garcia-Luna
- FES Iztacala, Department of Medical Research, Universidad Nacional Autónoma de México, Tlalnepantla, Mexico
| | - J David Bermudes-Contreras
- FES Iztacala, Department of Medical Research, Universidad Nacional Autónoma de México, Tlalnepantla, Mexico
| | - Samantha Hernández-Correa
- FES Iztacala, Department of Medical Research, Universidad Nacional Autónoma de México, Tlalnepantla, Mexico
| | - Josue O Suarez-Ortiz
- FES Iztacala, Department of Medical Research, Universidad Nacional Autónoma de México, Tlalnepantla, Mexico
| | - Daniel Diaz-Urbina
- FES Iztacala, Department of Medical Research, Universidad Nacional Autónoma de México, Tlalnepantla, Mexico
| | - Sergio H Garfias-Ramirez
- FES Iztacala, Department of Medical Research, Universidad Nacional Autónoma de México, Tlalnepantla, Mexico
| | - Ana V Vega
- FES Iztacala, Department of Medical Research, Universidad Nacional Autónoma de México, Tlalnepantla, Mexico
| | - Rafael Villalobos-Molina
- FES Iztacala, Department of Medical Research, Universidad Nacional Autónoma de México, Tlalnepantla, Mexico
| | - Alonso Vilches-Flores
- FES Iztacala, Department of Medical Research, Universidad Nacional Autónoma de México, Tlalnepantla, Mexico
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Gomes PA, Bodo C, Nogueras-Ortiz C, Samiotaki M, Chen M, Soares-Cunha C, Silva JM, Coimbra B, Stamatakis G, Santos L, Panayotou G, Tzouanou F, Waites CL, Gatsogiannis C, Sousa N, Kapogiannis D, Costa-Silva B, Sotiropoulos I. A novel isolation method for spontaneously released extracellular vesicles from brain tissue and its implications for stress-driven brain pathology. Cell Commun Signal 2023; 21:35. [PMID: 36782237 PMCID: PMC9926669 DOI: 10.1186/s12964-023-01045-z] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 9.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/29/2022] [Accepted: 01/08/2023] [Indexed: 02/15/2023] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Extracellular vesicles (EVs), including small EVs (sEVs) such as exosomes, exhibit great potential for the diagnosis and treatment of brain disorders, representing a valuable tool for precision medicine. The latter demands high-quality human biospecimens, especially in complex disorders in which pathological and specimen heterogeneity, as well as diverse individual clinical profile, often complicate the development of precision therapeutic schemes and patient-tailored treatments. Thus, the collection and characterization of physiologically relevant sEVs are of the utmost importance. However, standard brain EV isolation approaches rely on tissue dissociation, which can contaminate EV fractions with intracellular vesicles. METHODS Based on multiscale analytical platforms such as cryo-EM, label-free proteomics, advanced flow cytometry, and ExoView analyses, we compared and characterized the EV fraction isolated with this novel method with a classical digestion-based EV isolation procedure. Moreover, EV biogenesis was pharmacologically manipulated with either GW4869 or picrotoxin to assess the validity of the spontaneous-release method, while the injection of labelled-EVs into the mouse brain further supported the integrity of the isolated vesicles. RESULTS We hereby present an efficient purification method that captures a sEV-enriched population spontaneously released by mouse and human brain tissue. In addition, we tested the significance of the release method under conditions where biogenesis/secretion of sEVs was pharmacologically manipulated, as well as under animals' exposure to chronic stress, a clinically relevant precipitant of brain pathologies, such as depression and Alzheimer's disease. Our findings show that the released method monitors the drug-evoked inhibition or enhancement of sEVs secretion while chronic stress induces the secretion of brain exosomes accompanied by memory loss and mood deficits suggesting a potential role of sEVs in the brain response to stress and related stress-driven brain pathology. CONCLUSIONS Overall, the spontaneous release method of sEV yield may contribute to the characterization and biomarker profile of physiologically relevant brain-derived sEVs in brain function and pathology. Video Abstract.
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Affiliation(s)
- Patrícia A Gomes
- Life and Health Sciences Research Institute (ICVS), School of Medicine, University of Minho, Campus de Gualtar, 4710-057, Braga, Portugal
- ICVS/3B's - PT Government Associate Laboratory, Braga/Guimarães, Portugal
| | - Cristian Bodo
- Systems Oncology Group, Champalimaud Research, Champalimaud Centre for the Unknown, Av. Brasília, 1400-038, Lisbon, Portugal
| | - Carlos Nogueras-Ortiz
- Laboratory of Clinical Investigation, Intramural Research Program, National Institute on Aging, NIH, Baltimore, MD, USA
| | - Martina Samiotaki
- Institute for Bioinnovation, Biomedical Sciences Research Center "Alexander Fleming", 16672, Vari, Attica, Greece
| | - Minghao Chen
- Center for Soft Nanoscience and Institute of Medical Physics and Biophysics, University of Muenster, 48149, Münster, Germany
- Department of Structural Biochemistry, Max Planck Institute of Molecular Physiology, 44227, Dortmund, Germany
| | - Carina Soares-Cunha
- Life and Health Sciences Research Institute (ICVS), School of Medicine, University of Minho, Campus de Gualtar, 4710-057, Braga, Portugal
- ICVS/3B's - PT Government Associate Laboratory, Braga/Guimarães, Portugal
| | - Joana M Silva
- Life and Health Sciences Research Institute (ICVS), School of Medicine, University of Minho, Campus de Gualtar, 4710-057, Braga, Portugal
- ICVS/3B's - PT Government Associate Laboratory, Braga/Guimarães, Portugal
| | - Bárbara Coimbra
- Life and Health Sciences Research Institute (ICVS), School of Medicine, University of Minho, Campus de Gualtar, 4710-057, Braga, Portugal
- ICVS/3B's - PT Government Associate Laboratory, Braga/Guimarães, Portugal
| | - George Stamatakis
- Institute for Bioinnovation, Biomedical Sciences Research Center "Alexander Fleming", 16672, Vari, Attica, Greece
| | - Liliana Santos
- Life and Health Sciences Research Institute (ICVS), School of Medicine, University of Minho, Campus de Gualtar, 4710-057, Braga, Portugal
- ICVS/3B's - PT Government Associate Laboratory, Braga/Guimarães, Portugal
| | - George Panayotou
- Institute for Bioinnovation, Biomedical Sciences Research Center "Alexander Fleming", 16672, Vari, Attica, Greece
| | - Foteini Tzouanou
- Institute of Biosciences and Applications NCSR "Demokritos", Athens, Greece
| | - Clarissa L Waites
- Department of Pathology and Cell Biology, Taub Institute for Research on Alzheimer's Disease and the Aging Brain, Columbia University Medical Center, New York, NY, USA
| | - Christos Gatsogiannis
- Center for Soft Nanoscience and Institute of Medical Physics and Biophysics, University of Muenster, 48149, Münster, Germany
- Department of Structural Biochemistry, Max Planck Institute of Molecular Physiology, 44227, Dortmund, Germany
| | - Nuno Sousa
- Life and Health Sciences Research Institute (ICVS), School of Medicine, University of Minho, Campus de Gualtar, 4710-057, Braga, Portugal
- ICVS/3B's - PT Government Associate Laboratory, Braga/Guimarães, Portugal
| | - Dimitrios Kapogiannis
- Laboratory of Clinical Investigation, Intramural Research Program, National Institute on Aging, NIH, Baltimore, MD, USA
| | - Bruno Costa-Silva
- Systems Oncology Group, Champalimaud Research, Champalimaud Centre for the Unknown, Av. Brasília, 1400-038, Lisbon, Portugal.
| | - Ioannis Sotiropoulos
- Life and Health Sciences Research Institute (ICVS), School of Medicine, University of Minho, Campus de Gualtar, 4710-057, Braga, Portugal.
- ICVS/3B's - PT Government Associate Laboratory, Braga/Guimarães, Portugal.
- Institute of Biosciences and Applications NCSR "Demokritos", Athens, Greece.
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Roy A, Sharma S, Nag TC, Katyal J, Gupta YK, Jain S. Cognitive Dysfunction and Anxiety Resulting from Synaptic Downscaling, Hippocampal Atrophy, and Ventricular Enlargement with Intracerebroventricular Streptozotocin Injection in Male Wistar Rats. Neurotox Res 2022; 40:2179-2202. [PMID: 36069980 DOI: 10.1007/s12640-022-00563-x] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/07/2022] [Revised: 08/04/2022] [Accepted: 08/18/2022] [Indexed: 12/31/2022]
Abstract
Insulin-resistant brain state is proposed to be the early sign of Alzheimer's disease (AD), which can be studied in the intracerebroventricular streptozotocin (ICV-STZ) rodent model. ICV-STZ is reported to induce sporadic AD with the majority of the disease hallmarks as phenotype. On the other hand, available experimental evidence has used varying doses of STZ (< 1 to 3 mg/kg) and studied its effect for different study durations, ranging from 14 to 270 days. Though these studies suggest 3 mg/kg of ICV-STZ to be the optimum dose for progressive pathogenesis, the reason for such is elusive. Here, we sought to investigate the mechanism of action of 3 mg/kg ICV-STZ on cognitive and non-cognitive aspects at a follow-up interval of 2 weeks for 2 months. On the 60th day, we examined the layer thickness, cell density, ventricular volume, spine density, protein expression related to brain metabolism, and mitochondrial function by histological examination. The findings suggest a progressive loss of a spatial, episodic, and avoidance memory with an increase in anxiety in a span of 2 months. Furthermore, hippocampal neurodegeneration, ventricular enlargement, diffused amyloid plaque deposition, loss of spine in the dentate gyrus, and imbalance in energy homeostasis were found on the 60th day post-injection. Interestingly, AD rats showed a uniform fraction of time spent in four quadrants of the water maze with a change in strategy when they were exposed to height. Our findings reveal that ICV-STZ injection at a dose of 3 mg/kg can cause cognitive and neuropsychiatric abnormalities due to structural loss both at the neuronal as well as the synaptic level, which is tightly associated with the change in neuronal metabolism.
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Affiliation(s)
- Avishek Roy
- Department of Physiology, All India Institute of Medical Sciences, New Delhi, India. .,UMR-5297, Interdisciplinary Institute of Neurosciences, University of Bordeaux, Bordeaux, France.
| | - Sakshi Sharma
- School of Interdisciplinary Research, Indian Institute of Technology, Delhi, India
| | - Tapas Chandra Nag
- Department of Anatomy, All India Institute of Medical Sciences, Delhi, India
| | - Jatinder Katyal
- Department of Pharmacology, All India Institute of Medical Sciences, New Delhi, India
| | | | - Suman Jain
- Department of Physiology, All India Institute of Medical Sciences, New Delhi, India
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Kowalczyk J, Nakos-Bimpos M, Polissidis A, Dalla C, Kokras N, Skalicka-Woźniak K, Budzyńska B. Imperatorin Influences Depressive-like Behaviors: A Preclinical Study on Behavioral and Neurochemical Sex Differences. MOLECULES (BASEL, SWITZERLAND) 2022; 27:molecules27041179. [PMID: 35208969 PMCID: PMC8875245 DOI: 10.3390/molecules27041179] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/31/2021] [Revised: 01/24/2022] [Accepted: 02/04/2022] [Indexed: 11/22/2022]
Abstract
Imperatorin, a naturally derived furanocoumarin, exerts promising neuropharmacological properties. Therefore, it might be applicable in the treatment of brain diseases such as depression. In the present project, we aimed to investigate the sex-dependent effects of imperatorin (1, 5, and 10 mg/kg) on behavior and neurochemistry associated with antidepressant effects. The depressive-like behaviors of male and female Swiss mice were investigated in a forced swim test (FST). Subsequently, High-Performance Liquid Chromatography (HPLC) was used to evaluate the level of serotonin, its metabolite, 5-HIAA, and noradrenaline, in mouse brains. The study revealed that only males responded to imperatorin (1 and 5 mg/kg) treatment and caused an antidepressant effect, such as with respect to depressive-like behaviors, lowering immobility time and increasing immobility latency. The HPLC analysis demonstrated that serotonin levels in the prefrontal cortex of females decreased with the middle dose of imperatorin (5 mg/kg), while in the male prefrontal cortex, the lower dose (1 mg/kg) boosted serotonin levels. There were no evident changes observed with respect to noradrenaline and serotonin metabolite levels in the male hippocampus. To conclude, we propose that imperatorin has antidepressant potential, seemingly only in males, influencing brain serotonin level, but the direct mechanism of action requires further investigation.
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Affiliation(s)
- Joanna Kowalczyk
- Independent Laboratory of Behavioral Studies, Medical University of Lublin, Jaczewskiego 4, 20-090 Lublin, Poland; (J.K.); (B.B.)
| | - Modestos Nakos-Bimpos
- Center of Clinical, Experimental Surgery and Translational Research, Biomedical Research Foundation of the Academy of Athens, 11527 Athens, Greece; (M.N.-B.); (A.P.)
| | - Alexia Polissidis
- Center of Clinical, Experimental Surgery and Translational Research, Biomedical Research Foundation of the Academy of Athens, 11527 Athens, Greece; (M.N.-B.); (A.P.)
| | - Christina Dalla
- Department of Pharmacology, Medical School, National and Kapodistrian University of Athens, 11527 Athens, Greece; (C.D.); (N.K.)
| | - Nikolaos Kokras
- Department of Pharmacology, Medical School, National and Kapodistrian University of Athens, 11527 Athens, Greece; (C.D.); (N.K.)
- First Department of Psychiatry, Eginition Hospital, Medical School, National and Kapodistrian University of Athens, 11528 Athens, Greece
| | - Krystyna Skalicka-Woźniak
- Department of Natural Products Chemistry, Medical University of Lublin, 1 Chodźki Street, 20-093 Lublin, Poland
- Correspondence:
| | - Barbara Budzyńska
- Independent Laboratory of Behavioral Studies, Medical University of Lublin, Jaczewskiego 4, 20-090 Lublin, Poland; (J.K.); (B.B.)
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7
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Custom-Built Operant Conditioning Setup for Calcium Imaging and Cognitive Testing in Freely Moving Mice. eNeuro 2022; 9:ENEURO.0430-21.2022. [PMID: 35105659 PMCID: PMC8856704 DOI: 10.1523/eneuro.0430-21.2022] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/08/2021] [Revised: 01/11/2022] [Accepted: 01/14/2022] [Indexed: 11/21/2022] Open
Abstract
Operant chambers are widely used in animal research to study cognition, motivation, and learning processes. Paired with the rapidly developing technologies for brain imaging and manipulations of brain activity, operant conditioning chambers are a powerful tool for neuroscience research. The behavioral testing and imaging setups that are commercially available are often quite costly. Here, we present a custom-built operant chamber that can be constructed in a few days by an unexperienced user with relatively inexpensive, widely available materials. The advantages of our operant setup compared with other open-source and closed-source solutions are its relatively low cost, its support of complex behavioral tasks, its user-friendly setup, and its validated functionality with video imaging of behavior and calcium imaging using the UCLA Miniscope. Using this setup, we replicate our previously published findings showing that mice exposed to social defeat stress in adolescence have inhibitory control impairments in the Go/No-Go task when they reach adulthood. We also present calcium imaging data of medial prefrontal cortex (mPFC) neuronal activity acquired during Go/No-Go testing in freely moving mice and show that neuronal population activity increases from day 1 to day 14 of the task. We propose that our operant chamber is a cheaper alternative to its commercially available counterparts and offers a better balance between versatility and user-friendly setup than other open-source alternatives.
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8
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Loureiro-Campos E, Mateus-Pinheiro A, Patrício P, Soares-Cunha C, Silva J, Sardinha VM, Mendes-Pinheiro B, Silveira-Rosa T, Domingues AV, Rodrigues AJ, Oliveira J, Sousa N, Alves ND, Pinto L. Constitutive deficiency of the neurogenic hippocampal modulator AP2γ promotes anxiety-like behavior and cumulative memory deficits in mice from juvenile to adult periods. eLife 2021; 10:70685. [PMID: 34859784 PMCID: PMC8709574 DOI: 10.7554/elife.70685] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/26/2021] [Accepted: 12/02/2021] [Indexed: 11/23/2022] Open
Abstract
The transcription factor activating protein two gamma (AP2γ) is an important regulator of neurogenesis both during embryonic development as well as in the postnatal brain, but its role for neurophysiology and behavior at distinct postnatal periods is still unclear. In this work, we explored the neurogenic, behavioral, and functional impact of a constitutive and heterozygous AP2γ deletion in mice from early postnatal development until adulthood. AP2γ deficiency promotes downregulation of hippocampal glutamatergic neurogenesis, altering the ontogeny of emotional and memory behaviors associated with hippocampus formation. The impairments induced by AP2γ constitutive deletion since early development leads to an anxious-like phenotype and memory impairments as early as the juvenile phase. These behavioral impairments either persist from the juvenile phase to adulthood or emerge in adult mice with deficits in behavioral flexibility and object location recognition. Collectively, we observed a progressive and cumulative impact of constitutive AP2γ deficiency on the hippocampal glutamatergic neurogenic process, as well as alterations on limbic-cortical connectivity, together with functional behavioral impairments. The results herein presented demonstrate the modulatory role exerted by the AP2γ transcription factor and the relevance of hippocampal neurogenesis in the development of emotional states and memory processes.
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Affiliation(s)
- Eduardo Loureiro-Campos
- Life and Health Sciences Research Institute (ICVS), School of Medicine, University of Minho, Braga, Portugal.,ICVS/3B's -PT Government Associate Laboratory, Guimarães, Portugal
| | - António Mateus-Pinheiro
- Life and Health Sciences Research Institute (ICVS), School of Medicine, University of Minho, Braga, Portugal.,ICVS/3B's -PT Government Associate Laboratory, Guimarães, Portugal
| | - Patrícia Patrício
- Life and Health Sciences Research Institute (ICVS), School of Medicine, University of Minho, Braga, Portugal.,ICVS/3B's -PT Government Associate Laboratory, Guimarães, Portugal
| | - Carina Soares-Cunha
- Life and Health Sciences Research Institute (ICVS), School of Medicine, University of Minho, Braga, Portugal.,ICVS/3B's -PT Government Associate Laboratory, Guimarães, Portugal
| | - Joana Silva
- Life and Health Sciences Research Institute (ICVS), School of Medicine, University of Minho, Braga, Portugal.,ICVS/3B's -PT Government Associate Laboratory, Guimarães, Portugal
| | - Vanessa Morais Sardinha
- Life and Health Sciences Research Institute (ICVS), School of Medicine, University of Minho, Braga, Portugal.,ICVS/3B's -PT Government Associate Laboratory, Guimarães, Portugal
| | - Bárbara Mendes-Pinheiro
- Life and Health Sciences Research Institute (ICVS), School of Medicine, University of Minho, Braga, Portugal.,ICVS/3B's -PT Government Associate Laboratory, Guimarães, Portugal
| | - Tiago Silveira-Rosa
- Life and Health Sciences Research Institute (ICVS), School of Medicine, University of Minho, Braga, Portugal.,ICVS/3B's -PT Government Associate Laboratory, Guimarães, Portugal
| | - Ana Verónica Domingues
- Life and Health Sciences Research Institute (ICVS), School of Medicine, University of Minho, Braga, Portugal.,ICVS/3B's -PT Government Associate Laboratory, Guimarães, Portugal
| | - Ana João Rodrigues
- Life and Health Sciences Research Institute (ICVS), School of Medicine, University of Minho, Braga, Portugal
| | - João Oliveira
- Life and Health Sciences Research Institute (ICVS), School of Medicine, University of Minho, Braga, Portugal.,ICVS/3B's -PT Government Associate Laboratory, Guimarães, Portugal.,IPCA-EST-2Ai, Polytechnic Institute of Cávado and Ave, Applied Artificial Intelligence Laboratory, Campus of IPCA, Barcelos, Portugal
| | - Nuno Sousa
- Life and Health Sciences Research Institute (ICVS), School of Medicine, University of Minho, Braga, Portugal.,ICVS/3B's -PT Government Associate Laboratory, Guimarães, Portugal
| | - Nuno Dinis Alves
- Life and Health Sciences Research Institute (ICVS), School of Medicine, University of Minho, Braga, Portugal.,ICVS/3B's -PT Government Associate Laboratory, Guimarães, Portugal
| | - Luísa Pinto
- Life and Health Sciences Research Institute (ICVS), School of Medicine, University of Minho, Braga, Portugal.,ICVS/3B's -PT Government Associate Laboratory, Guimarães, Portugal
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9
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Early life and adult stress promote sex dependent changes in hypothalamic miRNAs and environmental enrichment prevents stress-induced miRNA and gene expression changes in rats. BMC Genomics 2021; 22:701. [PMID: 34583641 PMCID: PMC8480023 DOI: 10.1186/s12864-021-08003-4] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/20/2021] [Accepted: 09/13/2021] [Indexed: 12/18/2022] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND The hypothalamus plays a key role in the stress response. While early life stress (ELS) increases susceptibility to psychiatric disorders including major depressive disorder (MDD), acute stress during adulthood can also precipitate MDD after ELS. AIM Here, we tested the expression of miRNAs following ELS and susceptibility to depression-like behavior and whether sex or acute stress exacerbates this response. We also tested whether environmental enrichment (Enr) promotes early life and adult behavioral stress resilience and its effect on hypothalamic miRNA and gene expression. Following rat maternal separation (MS) as an ELS model, Enr from weaning through adulthood, and restraint (RS) as acute adult stress, we tested both animal behavior and miRNA expression in the hypothalamus. Target genes and their enrichment and ontology were analyzed using bioinformatic tools. Target gene expression changes were tested using qPCR, and miRNA promoter methylation was studied using methylated-DNA immunoprecipitation qPCR. RESULTS MS, Enr, RS, and sex altered hypothalamic miRNAs, including several previously reported in MS literature: miRs-29, - 124, - 132, - 144, - 504. Sex had a significant effect on the greatest number of miRNAs. Also, Enr reversed downregulation of miR-29b-1-5p and -301b-3p in MS. qPCR showed that MAPK6 and MMP19, targets of miR-301b-3p, were upregulated in MS and reversed by Enr. Additionally, miR-219a was hypermethylated in MS coinciding with decreased miR-219a expression. CONCLUSIONS This study found that sex plays a critical role in the hypothalamic miRNA response to both ELS and acute stress, with males expressing greater changes following postnatal stress. Moreover, enrichment significantly altered behavior as well as hypothalamic miRNA expression and their gene targets. Because of its role as the initiator of the autonomic stress response and connection to hedonic and motivational behavior, the hypothalamic miRNA landscape may significantly alter both the short and long-term behavioral response to stress.
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MicroRNA Regulates Early-Life Stress–Induced Depressive Behavior via Serotonin Signaling in a Sex-Dependent Manner in the Prefrontal Cortex of Rats. BIOLOGICAL PSYCHIATRY GLOBAL OPEN SCIENCE 2021; 1:180-189. [PMID: 36325302 PMCID: PMC9616342 DOI: 10.1016/j.bpsgos.2021.05.009] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/04/2021] [Revised: 05/06/2021] [Accepted: 05/23/2021] [Indexed: 01/01/2023] Open
Abstract
Background The underlying neurobiology of early-life stress (ELS)-induced major depressive disorder is not clearly understood. Methods In this study, we used maternal separation (MS) as a rodent model of ELS and tested whether microRNAs (miRNAs) target serotonin genes to regulate ELS-induced depression-like behavior and whether this effect is sex dependent. We also examined whether environmental enrichment prevents susceptibility to depression- and anxiety-like behavior following MS and whether enrichment effects are mediated through serotonin genes and their corresponding miRNAs. Results MS decreased sucrose preference, which was reversed by enrichment. Males also exhibited greater changes in forced swim climbing and escape latency tests only following enrichment. Slc6a4 and Htr1a were upregulated in the frontal cortex following MS. In male MS rats, enrichment slightly reversed Htr1a expression to levels similar to control rats. miR-200a-3p and miR-322-5p, which target SLC6A4, were decreased by MS, but not significantly. An HTR1A-targeting miRNA, miR-320-5p, was also downregulated by MS and showed slight reversal by enrichment in male animals. miR-320-5p targeting of Htr1a was validated in vitro using SHSY neuroblastoma cell lines. Conclusions Altogether, this study implicates miRNA interaction with the serotonin pathway in ELS-induced susceptibility to depression-related reward deficits. Furthermore, because of its recovery by enrichment in males, miR-320 may represent a viable sex-specific target for reward-related deficits in major depressive disorder.
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11
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Xanthotoxin affects depression-related behavior and neurotransmitters content in a sex-dependent manner in mice. Behav Brain Res 2020; 399:112985. [PMID: 33144177 DOI: 10.1016/j.bbr.2020.112985] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/08/2020] [Revised: 10/05/2020] [Accepted: 10/26/2020] [Indexed: 12/16/2022]
Abstract
The present study aimed to evaluate xanthotoxin's influence on male and female Swiss mice's depression-like behaviors and investigate the potential mechanism of this effect. Naturally derived furanocoumarin (the Apiaceae family), xanthotoxin, administered acutely (12.5 mg/kg), diminished the immobility level in the forced swim test only in males. The immobility level was lower in females than males, which may be associated with a higher serotonin level in the female prefrontal cortex. A dose-dependent increase of serotonin and noradrenaline was reported in the reverse-phase ion-pair liquid chromatography in the female prefrontal cortex but not in the hippocampus. We suggest that xanthotoxin may exert antidepressant properties and affect males and females differently. The increasing level of serotonin in the male and female prefrontal cortex may underlie this effect.
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12
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Kokras N, Poulogiannopoulou E, Sotiropoulos MG, Paravatou R, Goudani E, Dimitriadou M, Papakonstantinou E, Doxastakis G, Perrea DN, Hloupis G, Angelis A, Argyropoulou A, Tsarbopoulos A, Skaltsounis AL, Dalla C. Behavioral and Neurochemical Effects of Extra Virgin Olive Oil Total Phenolic Content and Sideritis Extract in Female Mice. Molecules 2020; 25:molecules25215000. [PMID: 33126727 PMCID: PMC7663189 DOI: 10.3390/molecules25215000] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/30/2020] [Revised: 10/20/2020] [Accepted: 10/23/2020] [Indexed: 11/16/2022] Open
Abstract
The aim of this study was to determine the cognitive and behavioral effects of extra virgin olive oil total phenolic content (TPC) and Sideritis (SID) extracts in female mice, and identify the associated neurochemical changes in the hippocampus and the prefrontal cortex. All animals received intraperitoneal low or high doses of TPC, SID or vehicle treatment for 7 days and were subjected to the Open Field (OF), Novel Object Recognition (NOR) and Tail Suspension Test (TST). The prefrontal cortex and hippocampus were dissected for analysis of neurotransmitters and aminoacids with high performance liquid chromatography with electrochemical detection (HPLC-ED). Both TPC doses enhanced vertical activity and center entries in the OF, which could indicate an anxiolytic-like effect. In addition, TPC enhanced non-spatial working memory and, in high doses, exerted antidepressant effects. On the other hand, high SID doses remarkably decreased the animals’ overall activity. Locomotor and exploratory activities were closely associated with cortical increases in serotonin turnover induced by both treatments. Cognitive performance was linked to glutamate level changes. Furthermore, TPC reduced cortical taurine levels, while SID reduced cortical aspartate levels. TPC seems to have promising cognitive, anxiolytic and antidepressant effects, whereas SID has sedative effects in high doses. Both extracts act in the brain, but their specific actions and properties merit further exploration.
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Affiliation(s)
- Nikolaos Kokras
- Department of Pharmacology, Medical School, National and Kapodistrian University of Athens, Mikras Asias 75, Goudi, 11527 Athens, Greece; (N.K.); (E.P.); (M.G.S.); (R.P.); (E.G.); (M.D.); (E.P.); (A.T.)
- First Department of Psychiatry, Eginition Hospital, Medical School, National and Kapodistrian University of Athens, Vas. Sofias Avenue 72–74, 11528 Athens, Greece
| | - Eleni Poulogiannopoulou
- Department of Pharmacology, Medical School, National and Kapodistrian University of Athens, Mikras Asias 75, Goudi, 11527 Athens, Greece; (N.K.); (E.P.); (M.G.S.); (R.P.); (E.G.); (M.D.); (E.P.); (A.T.)
| | - Marinos G. Sotiropoulos
- Department of Pharmacology, Medical School, National and Kapodistrian University of Athens, Mikras Asias 75, Goudi, 11527 Athens, Greece; (N.K.); (E.P.); (M.G.S.); (R.P.); (E.G.); (M.D.); (E.P.); (A.T.)
| | - Rafaella Paravatou
- Department of Pharmacology, Medical School, National and Kapodistrian University of Athens, Mikras Asias 75, Goudi, 11527 Athens, Greece; (N.K.); (E.P.); (M.G.S.); (R.P.); (E.G.); (M.D.); (E.P.); (A.T.)
| | - Eleni Goudani
- Department of Pharmacology, Medical School, National and Kapodistrian University of Athens, Mikras Asias 75, Goudi, 11527 Athens, Greece; (N.K.); (E.P.); (M.G.S.); (R.P.); (E.G.); (M.D.); (E.P.); (A.T.)
| | - Maria Dimitriadou
- Department of Pharmacology, Medical School, National and Kapodistrian University of Athens, Mikras Asias 75, Goudi, 11527 Athens, Greece; (N.K.); (E.P.); (M.G.S.); (R.P.); (E.G.); (M.D.); (E.P.); (A.T.)
| | - Electra Papakonstantinou
- Department of Pharmacology, Medical School, National and Kapodistrian University of Athens, Mikras Asias 75, Goudi, 11527 Athens, Greece; (N.K.); (E.P.); (M.G.S.); (R.P.); (E.G.); (M.D.); (E.P.); (A.T.)
| | - George Doxastakis
- Electronic Devices and Materials Laboratory, Department of Electrical and Electronic Engineering, School of Engineering, University of West Attica, Agiou Spiridonos 28, Egaleo, 12243 Athens, Greece; (G.D.); (G.H.)
| | - Despina N. Perrea
- Laboratory of Experimental Surgery and Surgical Research N.S. Christeas, Medical School, National and Kapodistrian University of Athens, Mikras Asias 75, Goudi, 11521 Athens, Greece;
| | - George Hloupis
- Electronic Devices and Materials Laboratory, Department of Electrical and Electronic Engineering, School of Engineering, University of West Attica, Agiou Spiridonos 28, Egaleo, 12243 Athens, Greece; (G.D.); (G.H.)
| | - Apostolis Angelis
- Department of Pharmacognosy and Natural Products Chemistry, Faculty of Pharmacy, National and Kapodistrian University of Athens, Panepistimiopolis Zografou, 15771 Athens, Greece; (A.A.); (A.A.); (A.-L.S.)
| | - Aikaterini Argyropoulou
- Department of Pharmacognosy and Natural Products Chemistry, Faculty of Pharmacy, National and Kapodistrian University of Athens, Panepistimiopolis Zografou, 15771 Athens, Greece; (A.A.); (A.A.); (A.-L.S.)
| | - Anthony Tsarbopoulos
- Department of Pharmacology, Medical School, National and Kapodistrian University of Athens, Mikras Asias 75, Goudi, 11527 Athens, Greece; (N.K.); (E.P.); (M.G.S.); (R.P.); (E.G.); (M.D.); (E.P.); (A.T.)
- Bioanalytical Department, GAIA Research Center, The Goulandris Natural History Museum, Othonos 100, Kifissia, 14562 Athens, Greece
| | - Alexios-Leandros Skaltsounis
- Department of Pharmacognosy and Natural Products Chemistry, Faculty of Pharmacy, National and Kapodistrian University of Athens, Panepistimiopolis Zografou, 15771 Athens, Greece; (A.A.); (A.A.); (A.-L.S.)
| | - Christina Dalla
- Department of Pharmacology, Medical School, National and Kapodistrian University of Athens, Mikras Asias 75, Goudi, 11527 Athens, Greece; (N.K.); (E.P.); (M.G.S.); (R.P.); (E.G.); (M.D.); (E.P.); (A.T.)
- Correspondence:
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Medina-Reyes EI, Delgado-Buenrostro NL, Díaz-Urbina D, Rodríguez-Ibarra C, Déciga-Alcaraz A, González MI, Reyes JL, Villamar-Duque TE, Flores-Sánchez ML, Hernández-Pando R, Mancilla-Díaz JM, Chirino YI, Pedraza-Chaverri J. Food-grade titanium dioxide (E171) induces anxiety, adenomas in colon and goblet cells hyperplasia in a regular diet model and microvesicular steatosis in a high fat diet model. Food Chem Toxicol 2020; 146:111786. [PMID: 33038453 DOI: 10.1016/j.fct.2020.111786] [Citation(s) in RCA: 11] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/01/2020] [Revised: 09/09/2020] [Accepted: 09/25/2020] [Indexed: 12/19/2022]
Abstract
Food-grade titanium dioxide (E171) is a white additive widely used in solid and liquid food products. There is still debate about E171 toxic effects after oral consumption since this additive is deposited in colon, liver, spleen, testis and brain. The consumption of E171 commonly occurs with Western diets that are characterized by a high fat content. Thus, E171 could worsen adverse effects associated with a high fat diet (HFD) such as anxiety, colon diseases and testicular damage. We aimed to evaluate the effects of E171 on anxiety-like behavior, colon, liver and testis and to analyze if the administration of a HFD could exacerbate adverse effects. E171 was administered at ~5 mg/kgbw by drinking water for 16 weeks and mice were fed with a Regular Diet or a HFD. E171 promoted anxiety, induced adenomas in colon, goblet cells hypertrophy and hyperplasia and mucins overexpression, but had no toxic effects on testicular tissue or spermatozoa in regular diet fed-mice. Additionally, E171 promoted microvesicular steatosis in liver in HFD fed-mice and the only HFD administration decreased the spermatozoa concentration and motility. In conclusion, E171 administration increases the number of adenomas in colon, induces hypertrophy and hyperplasia in goblet cells and microvesicular steatosis.
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Affiliation(s)
- Estefany I Medina-Reyes
- Departamento de Biología, Facultad de Química, Universidad Nacional Autónoma de México. Ciudad Universitaria, Coyoacán, CP 04510, Ciudad de México, Mexico.
| | - Norma L Delgado-Buenrostro
- Unidad de Biomedicina, Facultad de Estudios Superiores Iztacala, Universidad Nacional Autónoma de México, Av. de los Barrios No. 1, Tlalnepantla de Baz, CP 54090, Estado de México, Mexico
| | - Daniel Díaz-Urbina
- Laboratorio de Neurobiología de la Alimentación. Facultad de Estudios Superiores Iztacala, Universidad Nacional Autónoma de México, Av. de los Barrios No. 1, Tlalnepantla de Baz, CP 54090, Estado de México, Mexico
| | - Carolina Rodríguez-Ibarra
- Unidad de Biomedicina, Facultad de Estudios Superiores Iztacala, Universidad Nacional Autónoma de México, Av. de los Barrios No. 1, Tlalnepantla de Baz, CP 54090, Estado de México, Mexico
| | - Alejandro Déciga-Alcaraz
- Unidad de Biomedicina, Facultad de Estudios Superiores Iztacala, Universidad Nacional Autónoma de México, Av. de los Barrios No. 1, Tlalnepantla de Baz, CP 54090, Estado de México, Mexico
| | - Marisol I González
- Unidad de Biomedicina, Facultad de Estudios Superiores Iztacala, Universidad Nacional Autónoma de México, Av. de los Barrios No. 1, Tlalnepantla de Baz, CP 54090, Estado de México, Mexico
| | - José L Reyes
- Unidad de Biomedicina, Facultad de Estudios Superiores Iztacala, Universidad Nacional Autónoma de México, Av. de los Barrios No. 1, Tlalnepantla de Baz, CP 54090, Estado de México, Mexico
| | - Tomás E Villamar-Duque
- Bioterio de la Facultad de Estudios Superiores Iztacala, Universidad Nacional Autónoma de México, Av. de los Barrios No. 1, Tlalnepantla de Baz, CP 54090, Estado de México, Mexico
| | - María Lo Flores-Sánchez
- Bioterio de la Facultad de Estudios Superiores Iztacala, Universidad Nacional Autónoma de México, Av. de los Barrios No. 1, Tlalnepantla de Baz, CP 54090, Estado de México, Mexico
| | - Rogelio Hernández-Pando
- Sección de Patología Experimental, Instituto Nacional de Ciencias Médicas y Nutrición Salvador Zubirán, Vasco de Quiroga 15, Tlalpan, CP 14000, Ciudad de México, Mexico
| | - Juan M Mancilla-Díaz
- Laboratorio de Neurobiología de la Alimentación. Facultad de Estudios Superiores Iztacala, Universidad Nacional Autónoma de México, Av. de los Barrios No. 1, Tlalnepantla de Baz, CP 54090, Estado de México, Mexico
| | - Yolanda I Chirino
- Unidad de Biomedicina, Facultad de Estudios Superiores Iztacala, Universidad Nacional Autónoma de México, Av. de los Barrios No. 1, Tlalnepantla de Baz, CP 54090, Estado de México, Mexico
| | - José Pedraza-Chaverri
- Departamento de Biología, Facultad de Química, Universidad Nacional Autónoma de México. Ciudad Universitaria, Coyoacán, CP 04510, Ciudad de México, Mexico
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Kokras N, Dioli C, Paravatou R, Sotiropoulos MG, Delis F, Antoniou K, Calogeropoulou T, Charalampopoulos I, Gravanis A, Dalla C. Psychoactive properties of BNN27, a novel neurosteroid derivate, in male and female rats. Psychopharmacology (Berl) 2020; 237:2435-2449. [PMID: 32506234 DOI: 10.1007/s00213-020-05545-5] [Citation(s) in RCA: 11] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/07/2020] [Accepted: 04/30/2020] [Indexed: 12/18/2022]
Abstract
RATIONALE Νeurosteroids, like dehydroepiandrosterone (DHEA), play an important role in neurodegeneration and neural protection, but they are metabolized in androgens, estrogens, or other active metabolites. A newly developed synthetic DHEA analog, BNN27 ((20R)-3β,21-dihydroxy-17R,20-epoxy-5-pregnene), exerts neurotrophic and neuroprotective actions without estrogenic or androgenic effects. OBJECTIVES This study aimed to investigate potential anxiolytic or antidepressant properties of BNN27. METHODS Male and female adult Wistar rats were treated with BNN27 (10, 30, or 90 mg/kg, i.p.) and subjected to behavioral tests measuring locomotion, exploration, and "depressive-like" behavior (open field, light/dark box, hole-board, and forced swim tests). The hippocampus and prefrontal cortex were collected for glutamate and GABA measurements, and trunk blood was collected for gonadal hormone analysis. RESULTS Acute high-dose BNN27 reduced locomotion and exploratory behavior in both sexes. Intermediate acute doses (30 mg/kg) of BNN27 reduced exploration and testosterone levels only in males, and enhanced progesterone levels in both sexes. Notably, with the present design, BNN27 had neither anxiolytic nor antidepressant effects and did not affect estrogen levels. Interestingly, acute administration of a low BNN27 dose (10 mg/kg) increased glutamate turnover, GABA, and glutamine levels in the hippocampus. The same dose also enhanced glutamate levels in the prefrontal cortex of males only. Sex differences were apparent in the basal levels of behavioral, hormonal, and neurochemical parameters, as expected. CONCLUSIONS BNN27 affects locomotion, progesterone, and testosterone levels, as well as the glutamatergic and GABAergic systems of the hippocampus and prefrontal cortex in a sex-dependent way.
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Affiliation(s)
- Nikolaos Kokras
- Department of Pharmacology, Medical School, National and Kapodistrian University of Athens, 75 Mikras Asias Street, 11527, Athens, Greece.,First Department of Psychiatry, Eginition Hospital, Medical School, National and Kapodistrian University of Athens, Athens, Greece
| | - Chrysoula Dioli
- Department of Pharmacology, Medical School, National and Kapodistrian University of Athens, 75 Mikras Asias Street, 11527, Athens, Greece
| | - Rafaella Paravatou
- Department of Pharmacology, Medical School, National and Kapodistrian University of Athens, 75 Mikras Asias Street, 11527, Athens, Greece
| | - Marinos G Sotiropoulos
- Department of Pharmacology, Medical School, National and Kapodistrian University of Athens, 75 Mikras Asias Street, 11527, Athens, Greece.,Department of Neurology, Brigham and Women's Hospital, Harvard Medical School, Hale ΒΤΜ 9002AA, 60 Fenwood Road, Boston, MA, 02115, USA
| | - Foteini Delis
- Department of Pharmacology, Faculty of Medicine, School of Health Sciences, University of Ioannina, 45110, Ioannina, Greece
| | - Katerina Antoniou
- Department of Pharmacology, Faculty of Medicine, School of Health Sciences, University of Ioannina, 45110, Ioannina, Greece
| | - Theodora Calogeropoulou
- Institute of Chemical Biology, National Hellenic Research Foundation, 48 Vassileos Constantinou Ave, 11635, Athens, Greece
| | - Ioannis Charalampopoulos
- Department of Pharmacology, School of Medicine, University of Crete, 71110, Heraklion, Greece.,Institute of Molecular Biology and Biotechnology, Foundation of Research and Technology Hellas (FORTH), Heraklion, Greece
| | - Achille Gravanis
- Department of Pharmacology, School of Medicine, University of Crete, 71110, Heraklion, Greece.,Institute of Molecular Biology and Biotechnology, Foundation of Research and Technology Hellas (FORTH), Heraklion, Greece
| | - Christina Dalla
- Department of Pharmacology, Medical School, National and Kapodistrian University of Athens, 75 Mikras Asias Street, 11527, Athens, Greece.
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15
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Guilhaume-Correa F, Cansler SM, Shalosky EM, Goodman MD, Evanson NK. Greater neurodegeneration and behavioral deficits after single closed head traumatic brain injury in adolescent versus adult male mice. J Neurosci Res 2019; 98:557-570. [PMID: 31541497 DOI: 10.1002/jnr.24535] [Citation(s) in RCA: 11] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/10/2019] [Revised: 09/06/2019] [Accepted: 09/09/2019] [Indexed: 12/28/2022]
Abstract
Traumatic brain injury (TBI) is a major public health concern affecting 2.8 million people per year in the United States, of whom about 1 million are children under 19 years old. Animal models of TBI have been developed and used in multiple ages of animals, but direct comparisons of adult and adolescent populations are rare. The current studies were undertaken to directly compare outcomes between adult and adolescent male mice, using a closed head, single-impact model of TBI. Six-week-old adolescent and 9-week-old adult male mice were subjected to mild-moderate TBI. Histological measures for neurodegeneration, gliosis, and microglial neuroinflammation, and behavioral tests of locomotion and memory were performed. Adolescent TBI mice have increased mortality (Χ2 = 20.72, p < 0.001) compared to adults. There is also evidence of hippocampal neurodegeneration in adolescents that is not present in adults. Hippocampal neurodegeneration correlates with histologic activation of microglia, but not with increased astrogliosis. Adults and adolescents have similar locomotion deficits after TBI that recover by 16 days postinjury. Adolescents have memory deficits as evidenced by impaired novel object recognition between 3-4 and 4-16 days postinjury (F1,26 = 5.23, p = 0.031) while adults do not. In conclusion, adults and adolescents within a close age range (6-9 weeks) respond to TBI differently. Adolescents are more severely affected by mortality, neurodegeneration, and inflammation in the hippocampus compared to adults. Adolescents, but not adults, have worse memory performance after TBI that lasts at least 16 days postinjury.
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Affiliation(s)
- Fernanda Guilhaume-Correa
- Division of Pediatric Rehabilitation Medicine, Cincinnati Children's Hospital Medical Center, Cincinnati, Ohio
| | - Shelby M Cansler
- Division of Pediatric Rehabilitation Medicine, Cincinnati Children's Hospital Medical Center, Cincinnati, Ohio
| | - Emily M Shalosky
- Department of Biological Sciences, University of Cincinnati, Cincinnati, Ohio
| | | | - Nathan K Evanson
- Division of Pediatric Rehabilitation Medicine, Cincinnati Children's Hospital Medical Center, Cincinnati, Ohio.,Department of Pediatrics, University of Cincinnati, Cincinnati, Ohio
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16
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Scheimann JR, Moloney RD, Mahbod P, Morano RL, Fitzgerald M, Hoskins O, Packard BA, Cotella EM, Hu YC, Herman JP. Conditional deletion of glucocorticoid receptors in rat brain results in sex-specific deficits in fear and coping behaviors. eLife 2019; 8:44672. [PMID: 31329100 PMCID: PMC6645713 DOI: 10.7554/elife.44672] [Citation(s) in RCA: 21] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/22/2018] [Accepted: 07/03/2019] [Indexed: 01/16/2023] Open
Abstract
Glucocorticoid receptors (GR) have diverse functions relevant to maintenance of homeostasis and adaptation to environmental challenges. Understanding the importance of tissue-specific GR function in physiology and behavior has been hampered by near-ubiquitous localization in brain and body. Here we use CRISPR/Cas9 gene editing to create a conditional GR knockdown in Sprague Dawley rats. To test the impact of cell- and region-specific GR knockdown on physiology and behavior, we targeted GR knockdown to output neurons of the prelimbic cortex. Prelimbic knockdown of GR in females caused deficits in acquisition and extinction of fear memory during auditory fear conditioning, whereas males exhibited enhanced active-coping behavior during forced swim. Our data support the utility of this conditional knockdown rat to afford high-precision knockdown of GR across a variety of contexts, ranging from neuronal depletion to circuit-wide manipulations, leveraging the behavioral tractability and enhanced brain size of the rat as a model organism.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jessie R Scheimann
- Department Pharmacology and Systems Physiology, University of Cincinnati, Cincinnati, United States
| | - Rachel D Moloney
- Department Pharmacology and Systems Physiology, University of Cincinnati, Cincinnati, United States
| | - Parinaz Mahbod
- Department Pharmacology and Systems Physiology, University of Cincinnati, Cincinnati, United States
| | - Rachel L Morano
- Department Pharmacology and Systems Physiology, University of Cincinnati, Cincinnati, United States
| | - Maureen Fitzgerald
- Department Pharmacology and Systems Physiology, University of Cincinnati, Cincinnati, United States
| | - Olivia Hoskins
- Department Pharmacology and Systems Physiology, University of Cincinnati, Cincinnati, United States
| | - Benjamin A Packard
- Department Pharmacology and Systems Physiology, University of Cincinnati, Cincinnati, United States
| | - Evelin M Cotella
- Department Pharmacology and Systems Physiology, University of Cincinnati, Cincinnati, United States
| | - Yueh-Chiang Hu
- Division of Developmental Biology, Cincinnati Children's Hospital Medical Center, Cincinnati, United States.,Department of Pediatrics, University of Cincinnati College of Medicine, Cincinnati, United States.,Division of Reproductive Sciences, Cincinnati Children's Hospital Medical Center, Cincinnati, United States
| | - James P Herman
- Department Pharmacology and Systems Physiology, University of Cincinnati, Cincinnati, United States
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Wiersielis KR, Ceretti A, Hall A, Famularo ST, Salvatore M, Ellis AS, Jang H, Wimmer ME, Bangasser DA. Sex differences in corticotropin releasing factor regulation of medial septum-mediated memory formation. Neurobiol Stress 2019; 10:100150. [PMID: 30937355 PMCID: PMC6430617 DOI: 10.1016/j.ynstr.2019.100150] [Citation(s) in RCA: 12] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/12/2019] [Revised: 02/12/2019] [Accepted: 02/15/2019] [Indexed: 11/02/2022] Open
Abstract
Stress can disrupt memory and contribute to cognitive impairments in psychiatric disorders, including schizophrenia and attention deficit hyperactivity disorder. These diseases are more common in men than in women, with men showing greater cognitive impairments. Mnemonic deficits induced by stress are mediated, in part, by corticotropin releasing factor (CRF). However, where CRF is acting to regulate memory, and sex differences therein, is understudied. Here we assessed whether CRF in the medial septum (MS), which projects to the hippocampus, affected memory formation in male and female rats. CRF in the MS did not alter hippocampal-independent object recognition memory, but impaired hippocampal-dependent object location memory in both sexes. Interestingly, males were more sensitive than females to the disruptive effect of a low dose of CRF in the MS. Female resistance was not due to circulating ovarian hormones. However, compared to males, females had higher MS expression of CRF binding protein, which reduces CRF bioavailability and thus may mitigate the effect of the low dose of CRF in females. In contrast, there was no sex difference in CRF1 expression in the MS. Consistent with this finding, CRF1 antagonism blocked the memory impairment caused by the high dose of CRF in the MS in both sexes. Collectively, these results suggest that males are more vulnerable than females to the memory impairments caused by CRF in the MS. In both sexes, CRF1 antagonists prevented MS-mediated memory deficits caused by high levels of CRF, and such levels can result from very stressful events. Thus, CRF1 antagonists may be a viable option for treating cognitive deficits in stressed individuals with psychiatric disorders.
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Affiliation(s)
- Kimberly R Wiersielis
- Department of Psychology and Neuroscience Program, Temple University, Philadelphia, PA, 19122, USA
| | - Attilio Ceretti
- Department of Psychology and Neuroscience Program, Temple University, Philadelphia, PA, 19122, USA
| | - Arron Hall
- Department of Psychology and Neuroscience Program, Temple University, Philadelphia, PA, 19122, USA
| | - Sydney T Famularo
- Department of Psychology and Neuroscience Program, Temple University, Philadelphia, PA, 19122, USA
| | - Madeleine Salvatore
- Department of Psychology and Neuroscience Program, Temple University, Philadelphia, PA, 19122, USA
| | - Alexandra S Ellis
- Department of Psychology and Neuroscience Program, Temple University, Philadelphia, PA, 19122, USA
| | - Harah Jang
- Department of Psychology and Neuroscience Program, Temple University, Philadelphia, PA, 19122, USA
| | - Mathieu E Wimmer
- Department of Psychology and Neuroscience Program, Temple University, Philadelphia, PA, 19122, USA
| | - Debra A Bangasser
- Department of Psychology and Neuroscience Program, Temple University, Philadelphia, PA, 19122, USA
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18
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Kokras N, Sotiropoulos I, Besinis D, Tzouveka EL, Almeida OFX, Sousa N, Dalla C. Neuroplasticity-related correlates of environmental enrichment combined with physical activity differ between the sexes. Eur Neuropsychopharmacol 2019; 29:1-15. [PMID: 30497839 DOI: 10.1016/j.euroneuro.2018.11.1107] [Citation(s) in RCA: 16] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/06/2018] [Revised: 11/01/2018] [Accepted: 11/09/2018] [Indexed: 01/08/2023]
Abstract
Environmental enrichment (EE), comprising positive physical (exercise) and cognitive stimuli, influences neuronal structure and usually improves brain function. The promise of EE as a preventative strategy against neuropsychiatric disease is especially high during early postnatal development when the brain is still amenable to reorganization. Despite the fact that male and female brains differ in terms of connectivity and function that may reflect early life experiences, knowledge of the neural substrates and mechanisms by which such changes arise remains limited. This study compared the impact of EE combined with physical activity on neuroplasticity and its functional consequences in adult male and female rats; EE was provided during the first 3 months of life and our analysis focused on the hippocampus, an area implicated in cognitive behavior as well as the neuroendocrine response to stress. Both male and female rats reared in EE displayed better object recognition memory than their control counterparts. Interestingly, sex differences were revealed in the effects of EE on time spent exploring the objects during this test. Independently of sex, EE increased hippocampal turnover rates of dopamine and serotonin and reduced expression of 5-HT1A receptors; in addition, EE upregulated expression of synaptophysin, a presynaptic protein, in the hippocampus. As compared to their respective controls, EE-exposed males exhibited parallel increases in phosphorylated Tau and the GluN2B receptor, whereas females responded to EE with reduced hippocampal levels of glutamate and GluN2B. Together, these observations provide further evidence on the differential effects of EE on markers of hippocampal neuroplasticity in males and females.
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Affiliation(s)
- N Kokras
- Department of Pharmacology, Medical School, National and Kapodistrian University of Athens, Mikras Asias 75, Athens 11527, Greece; First Department of Psychiatry, Eginition Hospital, National and Kapodistrian University of Athens, Athens, Greece
| | - I Sotiropoulos
- Life and Health Sciences Research Institute (ICVS), University of Minho, Braga, Portugal; ICVS/3B's, PT Government Associate Laboratory, Braga, Portugal; Department of Pharmacology, Medical School, National and Kapodistrian University of Athens, Mikras Asias 75, Athens 11527, Greece
| | - D Besinis
- Department of Pharmacology, Medical School, National and Kapodistrian University of Athens, Mikras Asias 75, Athens 11527, Greece
| | - E L Tzouveka
- Department of Pharmacology, Medical School, National and Kapodistrian University of Athens, Mikras Asias 75, Athens 11527, Greece
| | | | - N Sousa
- Life and Health Sciences Research Institute (ICVS), University of Minho, Braga, Portugal; ICVS/3B's, PT Government Associate Laboratory, Braga, Portugal
| | - C Dalla
- Department of Pharmacology, Medical School, National and Kapodistrian University of Athens, Mikras Asias 75, Athens 11527, Greece.
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19
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Kokras N, Pastromas N, Papasava D, de Bournonville C, Cornil CA, Dalla C. Sex differences in behavioral and neurochemical effects of gonadectomy and aromatase inhibition in rats. Psychoneuroendocrinology 2018; 87:93-107. [PMID: 29054014 DOI: 10.1016/j.psyneuen.2017.10.007] [Citation(s) in RCA: 66] [Impact Index Per Article: 11.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/11/2017] [Revised: 10/05/2017] [Accepted: 10/09/2017] [Indexed: 01/21/2023]
Abstract
Aromatase inhibitors, which are widely used for the treatment of estrogen-dependent cancers, have been associated with psychiatric side effects ranging from mania to depression. In the present study, we investigated sex differences in the behavioral and neurochemical effects of aromatase inhibition on male and female, sham-operated or gonadectomized adult rats. Three weeks after surgery, rats received chronic treatment with the aromatase inhibitor letrozole or vehicle and were then subjected to the open field test, which assesses general activity. Half of the subjects were subsequently exposed to the stressful procedure of the forced swim test (FST), which is also a test of antidepressant activity. Aromatase activity was analyzed in the hypothalamus and testosterone and corticosterone were assayed in the blood serum of all rats. The hippocampus and prefrontal cortex (PFC) were analyzed for monoamine (noradrenaline, dopamine and serotonin), as well as amino acid (GABA, glutamate, glycine, taurine, alanine and histidine) levels. The observed decrease in hypothalamic aromatase activity confirmed the efficacy of letrozole treatment in both sexes. Moreover, letrozole enhanced testosterone levels in sham-operated females. In the open field test, females were overall more active and explorative than males and gonadectomy eliminated this sex difference. In the FST, females exhibited overall higher immobility than males and gonadectomy further enhanced this passive behavior in both sexes. However, sustained aromatase inhibition had no effect on open field and FST behaviors. Head shakes during FST, which were fewer in females than in males, were reduced by castration in males and by letrozole treatment in ovariectomized females, suggesting a role of testosterone and extra-gonadal estrogens in the expression of this behavior. Sustained aromatase inhibition also decreased noradrenaline and the dopaminergic turnover rates [DOPAC/DA, HVA/DA] in the hippocampus and PFC of male and female rats, irrespectively of gonadectomy. Moreover, letrozole treatment enhanced the serotonergic turnover [5HIAA/5HT] rate in the hippocampus of males and females, irrespectively of gonadectomy. Amino acid levels were not influenced by letrozole, but sex differences were demonstrated with higher levels in the PFC of females vs. males. Present findings suggest that the neuropsychiatric effects of aromatase inhibition can be attributed to the inhibition of extragonadal estrogen synthesis, presumably in the brain, and could be further associated with serotonergic and catecholaminergic changes in brain regions involved in mood and cognition. Importantly, present data could be linked with the neurobiology of affective side-effects in post-menopausal women receiving aromatase inhibitors.
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Affiliation(s)
- N Kokras
- Department of Pharmacology, Medical School, National and Kapodistrian University of Athens, Greece; First Department of Psychiatry, Eginition Hospital, Medical School, National and Kapodistrian University of Athens, Greece
| | - N Pastromas
- Department of Pharmacology, Medical School, National and Kapodistrian University of Athens, Greece
| | - D Papasava
- Department of Pharmacology, Medical School, National and Kapodistrian University of Athens, Greece
| | - C de Bournonville
- Behavioral Neuroendocrinology Research Group, GIGA Neurosciences, University of Liège, Belgium
| | - C A Cornil
- Behavioral Neuroendocrinology Research Group, GIGA Neurosciences, University of Liège, Belgium
| | - C Dalla
- Department of Pharmacology, Medical School, National and Kapodistrian University of Athens, Greece.
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