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Xing Y, Cui T, Sun F. A novel RyR2 mutation associated with co-morbid catecholaminergic polymorphic ventricular tachycardia (CPVT) and benign epilepsy with centrotemporal spikes (BECTS). J Electrocardiol 2024; 84:75-80. [PMID: 38574633 DOI: 10.1016/j.jelectrocard.2024.03.013] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/23/2024] [Revised: 03/19/2024] [Accepted: 03/19/2024] [Indexed: 04/06/2024]
Abstract
In this case report, we describe a 14-year-old patient with a novel RyR2 gene mutation (c.6577G > T/p.Val2193Leu), identified through a comprehensive review of medical history, examination findings, and follow-up data. The pathogenic potential of this mutation, which results in the loss of some interatomic forces and compromises the closure of the RyR2 protein pore leading to calcium leakage, was analyzed using the I-TASSER Suite to predict the structural changes in the protein. This mutation manifested clinically as co-morbid catecholaminergic polymorphic ventricular tachycardia (CPVT) and benign epilepsy with centrotemporal spikes (BECTS), a combination not previously documented in the same patient. While seizures were successfully managed with levetiracetam, the patient's exercise-induced syncope episodes could not be controlled with metoprolol, highlighting the complexity and challenge in managing CPVT associated with this novel RyR2 variation.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yinxue Xing
- Department of Neurology, Affiliated Xing Tai People Hospital of Hebei Medical University, Xingtai, Hebei, China.
| | - Tao Cui
- Department of Neurology, Beijing Tiantan Hospital, Capital Medical University, Beijing, China; China National Clinical Research Center for Neurological Disease, NCRC-ND, Beijing, China
| | - Fan Sun
- Department of Neurology, Affiliated Hospital of Chengde Medical University, Chengde, Hebei, China
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Ribeiro-Davis A, Al Saeedy DY, Jahr FM, Hawkins E, McClay JL, Deshpande LS. Ketamine Produces Antidepressant Effects by Inhibiting Histone Deacetylases and Upregulating Hippocampal Brain-Derived Neurotrophic Factor Levels in a Diisopropyl Fluorophosphate-Based Rat Model of Gulf War Illness. J Pharmacol Exp Ther 2024; 388:647-654. [PMID: 37863487 PMCID: PMC10801753 DOI: 10.1124/jpet.123.001824] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/27/2023] [Revised: 09/14/2023] [Accepted: 09/14/2023] [Indexed: 10/22/2023] Open
Abstract
Approximately one-third of Gulf War veterans suffer from Gulf War Illness (GWI), which encompasses mood disorders and depressive symptoms. Deployment-related exposure to organophosphate compounds has been associated with GWI development. Epigenetic modifications have been reported in GWI veterans. We previously showed that epigenetic histone dysregulations were associated with decreased brain-derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF) expression in a GWI rat model. GWI has no effective therapies. Ketamine (KET) has recently been approved by the Food and Drug Administration for therapy-resistant depression. Interestingly, BDNF upregulation underlies KET's antidepressant effect in GWI-related depression. Here, we investigated whether KET's effect on histone mechanisms signals BDNF upregulations in GWI. Male Sprague-Dawley rats were injected once daily with diisopropyl fluorophosphate (DFP; 0.5 mg/kg, s.c., 5 days). At 6 months following DFP exposure, KET (10 mg/kg, i.p.) was injected, and brains were dissected 24 hours later. Western blotting was used for protein expression, and epigenetic studies used chromatin immunoprecipitation methods. Dil staining was conducted for assessing dendritic spines. Our results indicated that an antidepressant dose of KET inhibited the upregulation of histone deacetylase (HDAC) enzymes in DFP rats. Furthermore, KET restored acetylated histone occupancy at the Bdnf promoter IV and induced BDNF protein expression in DFP rats. Finally, KET treatment also increased the spine density and altered the spine diversity with increased T-type and decreased S-type spines in DFP rats. Given these findings, we propose that KET's actions involve the inhibition of HDAC expression, upregulation of BDNF, and dendritic modifications that together ameliorates the pathologic synaptic plasticity and exerts an antidepressant effect in DFP rats. SIGNIFICANCE STATEMENT: This study offers evidence supporting the involvement of epigenetic histone pathways in the antidepressant effects of ketamine (KET) in a rat model of Gulf War Illness (GWI)-like depression. This effect is achieved through the modulation of histone acetylation at the Bdnf promoter, resulting in elevated brain-derived neurotrophic factor expression and subsequent dendritic remodeling in the hippocampus. These findings underscore the rationale for considering KET as a potential candidate for clinical trials aimed at managing GWI-related depression.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ana Ribeiro-Davis
- Departments of Neurology (A.R.-D., E.H., L.S.D.), Pharmacology and Toxicology (L.S.D.), School of Medicine, Virginia Commonwealth University, Richmond, Virginia and Department of Pharmacotherapy and Outcome Sciences (D.Y.A.S., F.M.J., J.L.M.), School of Pharmacy, Virginia Commonwealth University, Richmond, Virginia
| | - Dalia Y Al Saeedy
- Departments of Neurology (A.R.-D., E.H., L.S.D.), Pharmacology and Toxicology (L.S.D.), School of Medicine, Virginia Commonwealth University, Richmond, Virginia and Department of Pharmacotherapy and Outcome Sciences (D.Y.A.S., F.M.J., J.L.M.), School of Pharmacy, Virginia Commonwealth University, Richmond, Virginia
| | - Fay M Jahr
- Departments of Neurology (A.R.-D., E.H., L.S.D.), Pharmacology and Toxicology (L.S.D.), School of Medicine, Virginia Commonwealth University, Richmond, Virginia and Department of Pharmacotherapy and Outcome Sciences (D.Y.A.S., F.M.J., J.L.M.), School of Pharmacy, Virginia Commonwealth University, Richmond, Virginia
| | - Elisa Hawkins
- Departments of Neurology (A.R.-D., E.H., L.S.D.), Pharmacology and Toxicology (L.S.D.), School of Medicine, Virginia Commonwealth University, Richmond, Virginia and Department of Pharmacotherapy and Outcome Sciences (D.Y.A.S., F.M.J., J.L.M.), School of Pharmacy, Virginia Commonwealth University, Richmond, Virginia
| | - Joseph L McClay
- Departments of Neurology (A.R.-D., E.H., L.S.D.), Pharmacology and Toxicology (L.S.D.), School of Medicine, Virginia Commonwealth University, Richmond, Virginia and Department of Pharmacotherapy and Outcome Sciences (D.Y.A.S., F.M.J., J.L.M.), School of Pharmacy, Virginia Commonwealth University, Richmond, Virginia
| | - Laxmikant S Deshpande
- Departments of Neurology (A.R.-D., E.H., L.S.D.), Pharmacology and Toxicology (L.S.D.), School of Medicine, Virginia Commonwealth University, Richmond, Virginia and Department of Pharmacotherapy and Outcome Sciences (D.Y.A.S., F.M.J., J.L.M.), School of Pharmacy, Virginia Commonwealth University, Richmond, Virginia
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3
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Ghosh S, Dahiya M, Kumar A, Bheri M, Pandey GK. Calcium imaging: a technique to monitor calcium dynamics in biological systems. Physiol Mol Biol Plants 2023; 29:1777-1811. [PMID: 38222278 PMCID: PMC10784449 DOI: 10.1007/s12298-023-01405-6] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/01/2023] [Revised: 12/07/2023] [Accepted: 12/11/2023] [Indexed: 01/16/2024]
Abstract
Calcium ion (Ca2+) is a multifaceted signaling molecule that acts as an important second messenger. During the course of evolution, plants and animals have developed Ca2+ signaling in order to respond against diverse stimuli, to regulate a large number of physiological and developmental pathways. Our understanding of Ca2+ signaling and its components in physiological phenomena ranging from lower to higher organisms, and from single cell to multiple tissues has grown exponentially. The generation of Ca2+ transients or signatures for various stress factor is a well-known mechanism adopted in plant and animal systems. However, the decoding of such remarkable signatures is an uphill task and is always an interesting goal for the scientific community. In the past few decades, studies on the concentration and dynamics of intracellular Ca2+ are significantly increasing and have become a trend in modern biology. The advancement in approaches from Ca2+ binding dyes to in vivo Ca2+ imaging through the use of Ca2+ biosensors to achieve spatio-temporal resolution in micro and milliseconds range, provide us phenomenal opportunities to study live cell Ca2+ imaging or dynamics. Here, we describe the usage, improvement and advancement of Ca2+ based dyes, genetically encoded probes and sensors to achieve extraordinary Ca2+ imaging in plants and animals. Graphical abstract
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Affiliation(s)
- Soma Ghosh
- Department of Plant Molecular Biology, University of Delhi South Campus, Benito Juarez Road, Dhaula Kuan, New Delhi, 110021 India
| | - Monika Dahiya
- Department of Plant Molecular Biology, University of Delhi South Campus, Benito Juarez Road, Dhaula Kuan, New Delhi, 110021 India
| | - Amit Kumar
- Department of Plant Molecular Biology, University of Delhi South Campus, Benito Juarez Road, Dhaula Kuan, New Delhi, 110021 India
| | - Malathi Bheri
- Department of Plant Molecular Biology, University of Delhi South Campus, Benito Juarez Road, Dhaula Kuan, New Delhi, 110021 India
| | - Girdhar K. Pandey
- Department of Plant Molecular Biology, University of Delhi South Campus, Benito Juarez Road, Dhaula Kuan, New Delhi, 110021 India
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Aroniadou-Anderjaska V, Figueiredo TH, de Araujo Furtado M, Pidoplichko VI, Braga MFM. Mechanisms of Organophosphate Toxicity and the Role of Acetylcholinesterase Inhibition. Toxics 2023; 11:866. [PMID: 37888716 PMCID: PMC10611379 DOI: 10.3390/toxics11100866] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/14/2023] [Revised: 10/11/2023] [Accepted: 10/17/2023] [Indexed: 10/28/2023]
Abstract
Organophosphorus compounds (OPs) have applications in agriculture (e.g., pesticides), industry (e.g., flame retardants), and chemical warfare (nerve agents). In high doses or chronic exposure, they can be toxic or lethal. The primary mechanism, common among all OPs, that initiates their toxic effects is the inhibition of acetylcholinesterase. In acute OP exposure, the subsequent surge of acetylcholine in cholinergic synapses causes a peripheral cholinergic crisis and status epilepticus (SE), either of which can lead to death. If death is averted without effective seizure control, long-term brain damage ensues. This review describes the mechanisms by which elevated acetylcholine can cause respiratory failure and trigger SE; the role of the amygdala in seizure initiation; the role of M1 muscarinic receptors in the early stages of SE; the neurotoxic pathways activated by SE (excitotoxicity/Ca++ overload/oxidative stress, neuroinflammation); and neurotoxic mechanisms linked to low-dose, chronic exposure (Ca++ dyshomeostasis/oxidative stress, inflammation), which do not depend on SE and do not necessarily involve acetylcholinesterase inhibition. The evidence so far indicates that brain damage from acute OP exposure is a direct result of SE, while the neurotoxic mechanisms activated by low-dose chronic exposure are independent of SE and may not be associated with acetylcholinesterase inhibition.
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Affiliation(s)
- Vassiliki Aroniadou-Anderjaska
- Department of Anatomy, Physiology, and Genetics, F. Edward Hébert School of Medicine, Uniformed Services University of the Health Sciences, Bethesda, MD 20814, USA; (V.A.-A.); (V.I.P.)
- Department of Psychiatry, F. Edward Hébert School of Medicine, Uniformed Services University of the Health Sciences, Bethesda, MD 20814, USA
| | - Taiza H. Figueiredo
- Department of Anatomy, Physiology, and Genetics, F. Edward Hébert School of Medicine, Uniformed Services University of the Health Sciences, Bethesda, MD 20814, USA; (V.A.-A.); (V.I.P.)
| | - Marcio de Araujo Furtado
- Department of Anatomy, Physiology, and Genetics, F. Edward Hébert School of Medicine, Uniformed Services University of the Health Sciences, Bethesda, MD 20814, USA; (V.A.-A.); (V.I.P.)
| | - Volodymyr I. Pidoplichko
- Department of Anatomy, Physiology, and Genetics, F. Edward Hébert School of Medicine, Uniformed Services University of the Health Sciences, Bethesda, MD 20814, USA; (V.A.-A.); (V.I.P.)
| | - Maria F. M. Braga
- Department of Anatomy, Physiology, and Genetics, F. Edward Hébert School of Medicine, Uniformed Services University of the Health Sciences, Bethesda, MD 20814, USA; (V.A.-A.); (V.I.P.)
- Department of Psychiatry, F. Edward Hébert School of Medicine, Uniformed Services University of the Health Sciences, Bethesda, MD 20814, USA
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Wei H, Zhang X, Yang X, Yu Q, Deng S, Guan Q, Chen D, Zhang M, Gao B, Xu S, Xia Y. Prenatal exposure to pesticides and domain-specific neurodevelopment at age 12 and 18 months in Nanjing, China. Environ Int 2023; 173:107814. [PMID: 36809709 DOI: 10.1016/j.envint.2023.107814] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/29/2022] [Revised: 01/29/2023] [Accepted: 02/09/2023] [Indexed: 06/18/2023]
Abstract
BACKGROUND The extensive usage of pesticides has led to a ubiquitous exposure in the Chinese general population. Previous studies have demonstrated developmental neurotoxicity associated with prenatal exposure to pesticides. OBJECTIVES We aimed to delineate the landscape of internal pesticides exposure levels from pregnant women's blood serum samples, and to identify the specific pesticides associated with the domain-specific neuropsychological development. METHODS Participants included 710 mother-child pairs in a prospective cohort study initiated and maintained in Nanjing Maternity and Child Health Care Hospital. Maternal spot blood samples were collected at enrollment. Leveraging on an accurate, sensitive and reproducible analysis method for 88 pesticides, a total of 49 pesticides were measured simultaneously using gas chromatography-triple quadrupole tandem mass spectrometry (GC-MS/MS). After implementing a strict quality control (QC) management, 29 pesticides were reported. We assessed neuropsychological development in 12-month-old (n = 172) and 18-month-old (n = 138) children using the Ages and Stages Questionnaire (ASQ), Third Edition. Negative binomial regression models were used to investigate the associations between prenatal exposure to pesticides and ASQ domain-specific scores at age 12 and 18 months. Restricted cubic spline (RCS) analysis and generalized additive models (GAMs) were fitted to evaluate non-linear patterns. Longitudinal models with generalized estimating equations (GEE) were conducted to account for correlations among repeated observations. Weighted quantile sum (WQS) regression and Bayesian kernel machine regression (BKMR) were applied to examining the joint effect of the mixture of pesticides. Several sensitivity analyses were performed to assess the robustness of the results. RESULTS We observed that prenatal exposure to chlorpyrifos was significantly associated with a 4 % decrease in the ASQ communication scores both at age 12 months (RR, 0.96; 95 % CI, 0.94-0.98; P < 0.001) and 18 months (RR, 0.96; 95 % CI, 0.93-0.99; P < 0.01). In the ASQ gross motor domain, higher concentrations of mirex (RR, 0.96; 95 % CI, 0.94-0.99, P < 0.01 for 12-month-old children; RR, 0.98; 95 % CI, 0.97-1.00, P = 0.01 for 18-month-old children), and atrazine (RR, 0.97; 95 % CI, 0.95-0.99, P < 0.01 for 12-month-old children; RR, 0.99; 95 % CI, 0.97-1.00, P = 0.03 for 18-month-old children) were associated with decreased scores. In the ASQ fine motor domain, higher concentrations of mirex (RR, 0.98; 95 % CI, 0.96-1.00, P = 0.04 for 12-month-old children; RR, 0.98; 95 % CI, 0.96-0.99, P < 0.01 for 18-month-old children), atrazine (RR, 0.97; 95 % CI, 0.95-0.99, P < 0.001 for 12-month-old children; RR, 0.98; 95 % CI, 0.97-1.00, P = 0.01 for 18-month-old children), and dimethipin (RR, 0.94; 95 % CI, 0.89-1.00, P = 0.04 for 12-month-old children; RR, 0.93; 95 % CI, 0.88-0.98, P < 0.01 for 18-month-old children) were associated with decreased scores. The associations were not modified by child sex. There was no evidence of statistically significant nonlinear relationships between pesticides exposure and RRs of delayed neurodevelopment (Pnonlinearity > 0.05). Longitudinal analyses implicated the consistent findings. CONCLUSION This study gave an integrated picture of pesticides exposure in Chinese pregnant women. We found significant inverse associations between prenatal exposure to chlorpyrifos, mirex, atrazine, dimethipin and the domain-specific neuropsychological development (i.e., communication, gross motor and fine motor) of children at 12 and 18 months of age. These findings identified specific pesticides with high risk of neurotoxicity, and highlighted the need for priority regulation of them.
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Affiliation(s)
- Hongcheng Wei
- State Key Laboratory of Reproductive Medicine, School of Public Health, Nanjing Medical University, Nanjing, China; Key Laboratory of Modern Toxicology of Ministry of Education, School of Public Health, Nanjing Medical University, Nanjing, China
| | - Xiaochen Zhang
- State Key Laboratory of Reproductive Medicine, School of Public Health, Nanjing Medical University, Nanjing, China; Key Laboratory of Modern Toxicology of Ministry of Education, School of Public Health, Nanjing Medical University, Nanjing, China
| | - Xu Yang
- State Key Laboratory of Reproductive Medicine, School of Public Health, Nanjing Medical University, Nanjing, China; Key Laboratory of Modern Toxicology of Ministry of Education, School of Public Health, Nanjing Medical University, Nanjing, China
| | - Qiurun Yu
- State Key Laboratory of Reproductive Medicine, School of Public Health, Nanjing Medical University, Nanjing, China; Key Laboratory of Modern Toxicology of Ministry of Education, School of Public Health, Nanjing Medical University, Nanjing, China
| | - Siting Deng
- State Key Laboratory of Reproductive Medicine, School of Public Health, Nanjing Medical University, Nanjing, China; Key Laboratory of Modern Toxicology of Ministry of Education, School of Public Health, Nanjing Medical University, Nanjing, China
| | - Quanquan Guan
- State Key Laboratory of Reproductive Medicine, School of Public Health, Nanjing Medical University, Nanjing, China; Key Laboratory of Modern Toxicology of Ministry of Education, School of Public Health, Nanjing Medical University, Nanjing, China
| | - Danrong Chen
- State Key Laboratory of Reproductive Medicine, School of Public Health, Nanjing Medical University, Nanjing, China; Key Laboratory of Modern Toxicology of Ministry of Education, School of Public Health, Nanjing Medical University, Nanjing, China
| | - Mingzhi Zhang
- State Key Laboratory of Reproductive Medicine, School of Public Health, Nanjing Medical University, Nanjing, China; Key Laboratory of Modern Toxicology of Ministry of Education, School of Public Health, Nanjing Medical University, Nanjing, China
| | - Beibei Gao
- State Key Laboratory of Reproductive Medicine, School of Public Health, Nanjing Medical University, Nanjing, China; Key Laboratory of Modern Toxicology of Ministry of Education, School of Public Health, Nanjing Medical University, Nanjing, China
| | - Shangcheng Xu
- State Key Laboratory of Reproductive Medicine, School of Public Health, Nanjing Medical University, Nanjing, China; Center of Laboratory Medicine, Chongqing Prevention and Treatment Center for Occupational Diseases, Chongqing, China; Chongqing Key Laboratory of Prevention and Treatment for Occupational Diseases and Poisoning, Chongqing, China
| | - Yankai Xia
- State Key Laboratory of Reproductive Medicine, School of Public Health, Nanjing Medical University, Nanjing, China; Key Laboratory of Modern Toxicology of Ministry of Education, School of Public Health, Nanjing Medical University, Nanjing, China.
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Wawrose RA, Couch BK, Dombrowski M, Chen SR, Oyekan A, Dong Q, Wang D, Zhou C, Chen J, Modali K, Johnson M, Sedor‐Schiffhauer Z, Hitchens TK, Jin T, Bell KM, Lee JY, Sowa GA, Vo NV. Percutaneous lumbar annular puncture: A rat model to study intervertebral disc degeneration and
pain‐related
behavior. JOR Spine 2022; 5:e1202. [PMID: 35783914 PMCID: PMC9238283 DOI: 10.1002/jsp2.1202] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/28/2022] [Accepted: 03/29/2022] [Indexed: 11/06/2022] Open
Abstract
Background Previous animal models of intervertebral disc degeneration (IDD) rely on open surgical approaches, which confound the degenerative response and pain behaviors due to injury to surrounding tissues during the surgical approach. To overcome these challenges, we developed a minimally invasive percutaneous puncture procedure to induce IDD in a rat model. Methods Ten Fischer 344 male rats underwent percutaneous annular puncture of lumbar intervertebral discs (IVDs) at L2‐3, L3‐4, and L4‐5. Ten unpunctured rats were used as controls. Magnetic resonance imagings (MRIs), serum biomarkers, and behavioral tests were performed at baseline and 6, 12, and 18 weeks post puncture. Rats were sacrificed at 18 weeks and disc histology, immunohistochemistry, and glycosaminoglycan (GAG) assays were performed. Results Punctured IVDs exhibited significant reductions in MRI signal intensity and disc volume. Disc histology, immunohistochemistry, and GAG assay results were consistent with features of IDD. IVD‐punctured rats demonstrated significant changes in pain‐related behaviors, including total distance moved, twitching frequency, and rearing duration. Conclusions This is the first reported study of the successful establishment of a reproducible rodent model of a percutaneous lumbar annular puncture resulting in discogenic pain. This model will be useful to test therapeutics and elucidate the basic mechanisms of IDD and discogenic pain.
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Affiliation(s)
- Richard A. Wawrose
- Ferguson Laboratory for Orthopaedic and Spine Research, Department of Orthopaedic Surgery University of Pittsburgh Pittsburgh Pennsylvania USA
| | - Brandon K. Couch
- Ferguson Laboratory for Orthopaedic and Spine Research, Department of Orthopaedic Surgery University of Pittsburgh Pittsburgh Pennsylvania USA
| | - Malcom Dombrowski
- Ferguson Laboratory for Orthopaedic and Spine Research, Department of Orthopaedic Surgery University of Pittsburgh Pittsburgh Pennsylvania USA
| | - Stephen R. Chen
- Ferguson Laboratory for Orthopaedic and Spine Research, Department of Orthopaedic Surgery University of Pittsburgh Pittsburgh Pennsylvania USA
| | - Anthony Oyekan
- Ferguson Laboratory for Orthopaedic and Spine Research, Department of Orthopaedic Surgery University of Pittsburgh Pittsburgh Pennsylvania USA
| | - Qing Dong
- Ferguson Laboratory for Orthopaedic and Spine Research, Department of Orthopaedic Surgery University of Pittsburgh Pittsburgh Pennsylvania USA
| | - Dong Wang
- Ferguson Laboratory for Orthopaedic and Spine Research, Department of Orthopaedic Surgery University of Pittsburgh Pittsburgh Pennsylvania USA
| | - Chaoming Zhou
- Ferguson Laboratory for Orthopaedic and Spine Research, Department of Orthopaedic Surgery University of Pittsburgh Pittsburgh Pennsylvania USA
| | - Joseph Chen
- Ferguson Laboratory for Orthopaedic and Spine Research, Department of Orthopaedic Surgery University of Pittsburgh Pittsburgh Pennsylvania USA
| | - Karthik Modali
- Ferguson Laboratory for Orthopaedic and Spine Research, Department of Orthopaedic Surgery University of Pittsburgh Pittsburgh Pennsylvania USA
| | - Marit Johnson
- Ferguson Laboratory for Orthopaedic and Spine Research, Department of Orthopaedic Surgery University of Pittsburgh Pittsburgh Pennsylvania USA
| | - Zachary Sedor‐Schiffhauer
- Ferguson Laboratory for Orthopaedic and Spine Research, Department of Orthopaedic Surgery University of Pittsburgh Pittsburgh Pennsylvania USA
| | - T. Kevin Hitchens
- Animal Imaging Center University of Pittsburgh Pittsburgh Pennsylvania USA
| | - Tao Jin
- Animal Imaging Center University of Pittsburgh Pittsburgh Pennsylvania USA
| | - Kevin M. Bell
- Ferguson Laboratory for Orthopaedic and Spine Research, Department of Orthopaedic Surgery University of Pittsburgh Pittsburgh Pennsylvania USA
| | - Joon Y. Lee
- Ferguson Laboratory for Orthopaedic and Spine Research, Department of Orthopaedic Surgery University of Pittsburgh Pittsburgh Pennsylvania USA
| | - Gwendolyn A. Sowa
- Ferguson Laboratory for Orthopaedic and Spine Research, Department of Orthopaedic Surgery University of Pittsburgh Pittsburgh Pennsylvania USA
- Department of Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation University of Pittsburgh Pittsburgh Pennsylvania USA
| | - Nam V. Vo
- Ferguson Laboratory for Orthopaedic and Spine Research, Department of Orthopaedic Surgery University of Pittsburgh Pittsburgh Pennsylvania USA
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Michalovicz LT, Kelly KA, Miller DB, Sullivan K, O'Callaghan JP. The β-adrenergic receptor blocker and anti-inflammatory drug propranolol mitigates brain cytokine expression in a long-term model of Gulf War Illness. Life Sci 2021; 285:119962. [PMID: 34563566 PMCID: PMC9047058 DOI: 10.1016/j.lfs.2021.119962] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/26/2021] [Revised: 09/09/2021] [Accepted: 09/11/2021] [Indexed: 12/03/2022]
Abstract
Aims: Growing evidence suggests that Gulf War Illness (GWI) is the result of underlying neuroimmune dysfunction. For example, previously we found that several GWI-relevant organophosphate acetylcholinesterase inhibitors produce heightened neuroinflammatory responses following subchronic exposure to stress hormone as a mimic of high physiological stress. The goal of the current study was to evaluate the potential for the β-adrenergic receptor inhibitor and anti-inflammatory drug, propranolol, to treat neuroinflammation in a novel long-term mouse model of GWI. Main methods: Adult male C57BL/6J mice received a subchronic exposure to corticosterone (CORT) at levels mimicking high physiological stress followed by exposure to the sarin surrogate, diisopropyl fluorophosphate (DFP). These mice were then re-exposed to CORT every other week for a total of five weeks, followed by a systemic immune challenge with lipopolysaccharide (LPS). Animals receiving the propranolol treatment were given a single dose (20 mg/kg, i.p.) either four or 11 days prior to the LPS challenge. The potential anti-neuroinflammatory effects of propranolol were interrogated by analysis of cytokine mRNA expression. Key findings: We found that our long-term GWI model produces a primed neuroinflammatory response to subsequent immune challenge that is dependent upon GWI-relevant organophosphate exposure. Propranolol treatment abrogated the elaboration of inflammatory cytokine mRNA expression in the brain instigated in our model, having no treatment effects in non-DFP exposed groups. Significance: Our results indicate that propranolol may be a promising therapy for GWI with the potential to treat the underlying neuroinflammation associated with the illness.
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Affiliation(s)
- Lindsay T Michalovicz
- Health Effects Laboratory Division, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention-National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health, Morgantown, WV, USA
| | - Kimberly A Kelly
- Health Effects Laboratory Division, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention-National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health, Morgantown, WV, USA
| | - Diane B Miller
- Health Effects Laboratory Division, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention-National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health, Morgantown, WV, USA
| | | | - James P O'Callaghan
- Health Effects Laboratory Division, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention-National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health, Morgantown, WV, USA.
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Carpenter JM, Brown KA, Diaz AN, Dockman RL, Benbow RA, Harn DA, Norberg T, Wagner JJ, Filipov NM. Delayed treatment with the immunotherapeutic LNFPIII ameliorates multiple neurological deficits in a pesticide-nerve agent prophylactic mouse model of Gulf War Illness. Neurotoxicol Teratol 2021; 87:107012. [PMID: 34256162 DOI: 10.1016/j.ntt.2021.107012] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/03/2021] [Revised: 07/03/2021] [Accepted: 07/05/2021] [Indexed: 12/20/2022]
Abstract
Residual effects of the 1990-1991 Gulf War (GW) still plague veterans 30 years later as Gulf War Illness (GWI). Thought to stem mostly from deployment-related chemical overexposures, GWI is a disease with multiple neurological symptoms with likely immunological underpinnings. Currently, GWI remains untreatable, and the long-term neurological disease manifestation is not characterized fully. The present study sought to expand and evaluate the long-term implications of prior GW chemicals exposure on neurological function 6-8 months post GWI-like symptomatology induction. Additionally, the beneficial effects of delayed treatment with the glycan immunotherapeutic lacto-N-fucopentaose III (LNFPIII) were evaluated. Male C57BL/6J mice underwent a 10-day combinational exposure (i.p.) to GW chemicals, the nerve agent prophylactic pyridostigmine bromide (PB) and the insecticide permethrin (PM; 0.7 and 200 mg/kg, respectively). Beginning 4 months after PB/PM exposure, a subset of the mice were treated twice a week until study completion with LNFPIII. Evaluation of cognition/memory, motor function, and mood was performed beginning 1 month after LNFPIII treatment initiation. Prior exposure to PB/PM produced multiple locomotor, neuromuscular, and sensorimotor deficits across several motor tests. Subtle anxiety-like behavior was also present in PB/PM mice in mood tests. Further, PB/PM-exposed mice learned at a slower rate, mostly during early phases of the learning and memory tests employed. LNFPIII treatment restored or improved many of these behaviors, particularly in motor and cognition/memory domains. Electrophysiology data collected from hippocampal slices 8 months post PB/PM exposure revealed modest aberrations in basal synaptic transmission and long-term potentiation in the dorsal or ventral hippocampus that were improved by LNFPIII treatment. Immunohistochemical analysis of tyrosine hydroxylase (TH), a dopaminergic marker, did not detect major PB/PM effects along the nigrostriatal pathway, but LNFPIII increased striatal TH. Additionally, neuroinflammatory cells were increased in PB/PM mice, an effect reduced by LNFPIII. Collectively, long-term neurobehavioral and neurobiological dysfunction associated with prior PB/PM exposure was characterized; delayed LNFPIII treatment provided multiple behavioral and biological beneficial effects in the context of GWI, highlighting its potential as a GWI therapeutic.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jessica M Carpenter
- Department of Physiology and Pharmacology, University of Georgia, Athens, GA, United States; Neuroscience Program, University of Georgia, Athens, GA, United States
| | - Kyle A Brown
- Department of Physiology and Pharmacology, University of Georgia, Athens, GA, United States; Interdisciplinary Toxicology Program, University of Georgia, Athens, GA, United States
| | - Alexa N Diaz
- Department of Physiology and Pharmacology, University of Georgia, Athens, GA, United States
| | - Rachel L Dockman
- Department of Microbiology, University of Georgia, Athens, GA, United States
| | - Robert A Benbow
- Department of Physiology and Pharmacology, University of Georgia, Athens, GA, United States
| | - Donald A Harn
- Department of Infectious Diseases, University of Georgia, Athens, GA, United States; Center for Tropical and Emerging Infectious Diseases, University of Georgia, Athens, GA, United States
| | - Thomas Norberg
- Department of Chemistry, University of Uppsala, Uppsala, Sweden
| | - John J Wagner
- Department of Physiology and Pharmacology, University of Georgia, Athens, GA, United States; Neuroscience Program, University of Georgia, Athens, GA, United States; Interdisciplinary Toxicology Program, University of Georgia, Athens, GA, United States.
| | - Nikolay M Filipov
- Department of Physiology and Pharmacology, University of Georgia, Athens, GA, United States; Neuroscience Program, University of Georgia, Athens, GA, United States; Interdisciplinary Toxicology Program, University of Georgia, Athens, GA, United States.
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9
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Ribeiro ACR, Jahr FM, Hawkins E, Kronfol MM, Younis RM, McClay JL, Deshpande LS. Epigenetic histone acetylation and Bdnf dysregulation in the hippocampus of rats exposed to repeated, low-dose diisopropylfluorophosphate. Life Sci 2021; 281:119765. [PMID: 34186043 DOI: 10.1016/j.lfs.2021.119765] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/28/2021] [Revised: 06/08/2021] [Accepted: 06/21/2021] [Indexed: 10/21/2022]
Abstract
AIMS Deployment-related exposures to organophosphate (OP) compounds are implicated for Gulf War Illness (GWI) development in First GW veterans. However, reasons for the persistence of GWI are not fully understood. Epigenetic modifications to chromatin are regulatory mechanisms that can adaptively or maladaptively respond to external stimuli. These include DNA methylation and histone acetylation. DNA methylation changes have been reported in GWI but the role of histone acetylation in GWI has been less explored, despite its importance as an epigenetic mechanism for neurological disorders. MAIN METHODS Male Sprague-Dawley rats were exposed to OP diisopropyl fluorophosphate (DFP, 0.5 mg/kg s.c., 5-d) and 6-m later brains were dissected for hippocampus. Western blotting, activity assays and chromatin immunoprecipitation (ChIP) were utilized for epigenetic analyses. Behavior was assessed using the Forced Swim Test (FST) and the Elevated Plus Maze (EPM). KEY FINDINGS We observed a significant upregulation in HDAC1 protein along with a significant increase in HDAC enzyme activity in the hippocampus of DFP rats. A locus-specific ChIP study revealed decreases in H3K9ac at the brain derived neurotrophic factor (Bdnf) promoter IV coupled with a significant decrease in BDNF protein in DFP rat hippocampus. Treatment with HDAC inhibitor valproic acid reduced HDAC activity and decreased the FST immobility time in DFP rats. SIGNIFICANCE Our research suggests that epigenetic alterations to histone acetylation pathways and decreased BDNF expression could represent novel mechanisms for GWI symptomatology and may provide new targets for developing effective drugs for GWI treatment.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ana C R Ribeiro
- Department of Neurology, School of Medicine, Virginia Commonwealth University, Richmond, VA, USA
| | - Fay M Jahr
- Department of Pharmacotherapy & Outcome Sciences, School of Pharmacy, Virginia Commonwealth University, Richmond, VA, USA
| | - Elisa Hawkins
- Department of Neurology, School of Medicine, Virginia Commonwealth University, Richmond, VA, USA
| | - Mohamad M Kronfol
- Department of Pharmacotherapy & Outcome Sciences, School of Pharmacy, Virginia Commonwealth University, Richmond, VA, USA
| | - Rabha M Younis
- Department of Pharmacotherapy & Outcome Sciences, School of Pharmacy, Virginia Commonwealth University, Richmond, VA, USA
| | - Joseph L McClay
- Department of Pharmacotherapy & Outcome Sciences, School of Pharmacy, Virginia Commonwealth University, Richmond, VA, USA
| | - Laxmikant S Deshpande
- Department of Neurology, School of Medicine, Virginia Commonwealth University, Richmond, VA, USA; Pharmacology and Toxicology, School of Medicine, Virginia Commonwealth University, Richmond, VA, USA.
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10
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Abstract
Gulf War Illness (GWI) is a chronic multisymptomatic disorder that afflicts over 1/3rd of the 1991 GW veterans. It spans multiple bodily systems and presents itself as a syndrome exhibiting diverse symptoms including fatigue, depression, mood, and memory and concentration deficits, musculoskeletal pain and gastrointestinal distress in GW veterans. The etiology of GWI is complex and many factors, including chemical, physiological, and environmental stressors present in the GW arena, have been implicated for its development. It has been over 30 years since the end of the GW but, GWI has been persistent in suffering veterans who are also dealing with paucity of effective treatments. The multifactorial aspect of GWI along with genetic heterogeneity and lack of available data surrounding war-time exposures have proved to be challenging in developing pre-clinical models of GWI. Despite this, over a dozen GWI animal models exist in the literature. In this article, following a brief discussion of GW history, GWI definitions, and probable causes for its pathogenesis, we will expand upon various experimental models used in GWI laboratory research. These animal models will be discussed in the context of their attempts at mimicking GW-related exposures with regards to the variations in chemical combinations, doses, and frequency of exposures. We will discuss their advantages and limitations in modeling GWI followed by a discussion of behavioral and molecular findings in these models. The mechanistic data obtained from these preclinical studies have offered multiple molecular pathways including chronic inflammation, mitochondrial dysfunction, oxidative stress, lipid disturbances, calcium homeostatic alterations, changes in gut microbiota, and epigenetic modifications, amongst others for explaining GWI development and its persistence. Finally, these findings have also informed us on novel druggable targets in GWI. While, it has been difficult to conceive a single pre-clinical model that could express all the GWI signs and exhibit biological complexity reflective of the clinical presentation in GWI, animal models have been critical for identifying molecular underpinnings of GWI and evaluating treatment strategies for GWI.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ana C R Ribeiro
- Departments of Neurology, School of Medicine, Virginia Commonwealth University, Richmond, VA, USA
| | - Laxmikant S Deshpande
- Departments of Neurology, School of Medicine, Virginia Commonwealth University, Richmond, VA, USA; Departments of Pharmacology and Toxicology, School of Medicine, Virginia Commonwealth University, Richmond, VA, USA.
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11
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Abstract
The canonical mechanism of organophosphate (OP) neurotoxicity is the inhibition of acetylcholinesterase (AChE). However, multiple lines of evidence suggest that mechanisms in addition to or other than AChE inhibition contribute to the neurotoxic effects associated with acute and chronic OP exposures. Characterizing the role(s) of AChE inhibition versus noncholinergic mechanisms in OP neurotoxicity remains an active area of research with significant diagnostic and therapeutic implications. Here, we review recently published studies that provide mechanistic insights regarding (1) OP-induced status epilepticus, (2) long-term neurologic consequences of acute OP exposures, and (3) neurotoxic effects associated with repeated low-level OP exposures. Key data gaps and challenges are also discussed.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yi-Hua Tsai
- Department of Molecular Sciences, University of California, Davis School of Veterinary Medicine, 1089 Veterinary Medicine Drive, Davis, CA, 95616, USA
| | - Pamela J Lein
- Department of Molecular Sciences, University of California, Davis School of Veterinary Medicine, 1089 Veterinary Medicine Drive, Davis, CA, 95616, USA
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12
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Madhu LN, Kodali M, Attaluri S, Shuai B, Melissari L, Rao X, Shetty AK. Melatonin improves brain function in a model of chronic Gulf War Illness with modulation of oxidative stress, NLRP3 inflammasomes, and BDNF-ERK-CREB pathway in the hippocampus. Redox Biol 2021; 43:101973. [PMID: 33933884 PMCID: PMC8105671 DOI: 10.1016/j.redox.2021.101973] [Citation(s) in RCA: 50] [Impact Index Per Article: 16.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/19/2021] [Revised: 04/05/2021] [Accepted: 04/09/2021] [Indexed: 02/07/2023] Open
Abstract
Persistent cognitive and mood dysfunction is the primary CNS symptom in veterans afflicted with Gulf War Illness (GWI). This study investigated the efficacy of melatonin (MEL) for improving cognitive and mood function with antioxidant, antiinflammatory, and pro-cognitive effects in a rat model of chronic GWI. Six months after exposure to GWI-related chemicals and stress, rats were treated with vehicle or MEL (5, 10, 20, 40, and 80 mg/kg) for eight weeks. Behavioral tests revealed cognitive and mood dysfunction in GWI rats receiving vehicle, which were associated with elevated oxidative stress, reduced NRF2, catalase and mitochondrial complex proteins, astrocyte hypertrophy, activated microglia with NLRP3 inflammasomes, elevated proinflammatory cytokines, waned neurogenesis, and synapse loss in the hippocampus. MEL at 10 mg/kg alleviated simple and associative recognition memory dysfunction and anhedonia, along with reduced oxidative stress, enhanced glutathione and complex III, and reduced NLRP3 inflammasomes, IL-18, TNF-α, and IFN-γ. MEL at 20 mg/kg also normalized NRF2 and catalase and increased microglial ramification. MEL at 40 mg/kg, in addition, reduced astrocyte hypertrophy, activated microglia, NF-kB-NLRP3-caspase-1 signaling, IL-1β, MCP-1, and MIP-1α. Moreover, MEL at 80 mg/kg activated the BDNF-ERK-CREB signaling pathway, enhanced neurogenesis and diminished synapse loss in the hippocampus, and improved a more complex hippocampus-dependent cognitive function. Thus, MEL therapy is efficacious for improving cognitive and mood function in a rat model of chronic GWI, and MEL's effect was dose-dependent. The study provides the first evidence of MEL's promise for alleviating neuroinflammation and cognitive and mood impairments in veterans with chronic GWI. A low dose of Melatonin alleviated recognition memory dysfunction and anhedonia in a model of chronic GWI. A moderate dose of Melatonin improved more complex cognitive function in a model of chronic GWI. Melatonin treatment reduced oxidative stress and enhanced mitochondrial complex proteins in the GWI brain. Melatonin inhibited NLRP3 inflammasomes and proinflammatory cytokines in the GWI brain. Melatonin activated the BDNF-ERK-CREB signaling pathway and enhanced neurogenesis in the GWI brain.
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Affiliation(s)
- Leelavathi N Madhu
- Institute for Regenerative Medicine, Department of Molecular and Cellular Medicine, Texas A&M University College of Medicine, College Station, TX, USA
| | - Maheedhar Kodali
- Institute for Regenerative Medicine, Department of Molecular and Cellular Medicine, Texas A&M University College of Medicine, College Station, TX, USA
| | - Sahithi Attaluri
- Institute for Regenerative Medicine, Department of Molecular and Cellular Medicine, Texas A&M University College of Medicine, College Station, TX, USA
| | - Bing Shuai
- Institute for Regenerative Medicine, Department of Molecular and Cellular Medicine, Texas A&M University College of Medicine, College Station, TX, USA
| | - Laila Melissari
- Institute for Regenerative Medicine, Department of Molecular and Cellular Medicine, Texas A&M University College of Medicine, College Station, TX, USA
| | - Xiaolan Rao
- Institute for Regenerative Medicine, Department of Molecular and Cellular Medicine, Texas A&M University College of Medicine, College Station, TX, USA
| | - Ashok K Shetty
- Institute for Regenerative Medicine, Department of Molecular and Cellular Medicine, Texas A&M University College of Medicine, College Station, TX, USA.
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13
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Phillips KF, Deshpande LS. Calcium Hypothesis of Gulf War Illness: Role of Calcium Ions in Neurological Morbidities in a DFP-Based Rat Model for Gulf War Illness. Neurosci Insights 2020; 15:2633105520979841. [PMID: 33354668 PMCID: PMC7734545 DOI: 10.1177/2633105520979841] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/01/2020] [Accepted: 11/19/2020] [Indexed: 12/27/2022] Open
Abstract
Gulf War Illness (GWI) refers to a multi-system disorder that afflicts approximately 30% of First Gulf War (GW) veterans. Amongst the symptoms exhibited, mood and memory impairment are commonly reported by GW veterans. Exposure to organophosphate (OP) compounds which target the cholinergic system is considered a leading cause for GWI symptoms. It is hypothesized that chronic OP-based war-time stimulation of cholinergic signaling led to recruitment of excitatory glutamatergic signaling and other downstream signaling cascades leading to neuronal injury, neuroinflammation, generation of reactive oxygen species, oxidative stress, and mitochondrial damage within the central nervous system. These findings have been observed in both experimental models and GWI veterans. In this context the role of calcium (Ca2+) signaling in GWI has come to the forefront. Here we present our Ca2+ hypothesis of GWI that suggests sustained neuronal Ca2+ elevations serve as a molecular trigger for pathological synaptic plasticity that has allowed for the persistence of GWI symptoms. Subsequently we discuss that therapeutic targeting of Ca2+ homeostatic mechanisms provides novel targets for effective treatment of GWI-related neurological signs in our rodent model.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Laxmikant S Deshpande
- Department of Neurology, School of Medicine, Virginia Commonwealth University, Richmond, USA.,Pharmacology and Toxicology, School of Medicine, Virginia Commonwealth University, Richmond, USA
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14
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Dickey B, Madhu LN, Shetty AK. Gulf War Illness: Mechanisms Underlying Brain Dysfunction and Promising Therapeutic Strategies. Pharmacol Ther 2020; 220:107716. [PMID: 33164782 DOI: 10.1016/j.pharmthera.2020.107716] [Citation(s) in RCA: 31] [Impact Index Per Article: 7.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/26/2020] [Accepted: 10/19/2020] [Indexed: 12/13/2022]
Abstract
Gulf War Illness (GWI), a chronic multisymptom health problem, afflicts ~30% of veterans served in the first GW. Impaired brain function is among the most significant symptoms of GWI, which is typified by persistent cognitive and mood impairments, concentration problems, headaches, chronic fatigue, and musculoskeletal pain. This review aims to discuss findings from animal prototypes and veterans with GWI on mechanisms underlying its pathophysiology and emerging therapeutic strategies for alleviating brain dysfunction in GWI. Animal model studies have linked brain impairments to incessantly elevated oxidative stress, chronic inflammation, inhibitory interneuron loss, altered lipid metabolism and peroxisomes, mitochondrial dysfunction, modified expression of genes relevant to cognitive function, and waned hippocampal neurogenesis. Furthermore, the involvement of systemic alterations such as the increased intensity of reactive oxygen species and proinflammatory cytokines in the blood, transformed gut microbiome, and activation of the adaptive immune response have received consideration. Investigations in veterans have suggested that brain dysfunction in GWI is linked to chronic activation of the executive control network, impaired functional connectivity, altered blood flow, persistent inflammation, and changes in miRNA levels. Lack of protective alleles from Class II HLA genes, the altered concentration of phospholipid species and proinflammatory factors in the circulating blood have also been suggested as other aiding factors. While some drugs or combination therapies have shown promise for alleviating symptoms in clinical trials, larger double-blind, placebo-controlled trials are needed to validate such findings. Based on improvements seen in animal models of GWI, several antioxidants and anti-inflammatory compounds are currently being tested in clinical trials. However, reliable blood biomarkers that facilitate an appropriate screening of veterans for brain pathology need to be discovered. A liquid biopsy approach involving analysis of brain-derived extracellular vesicles in the blood appears efficient for discerning the extent of neuropathology both before and during clinical trials.
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Affiliation(s)
- Brandon Dickey
- Institute for Regenerative Medicine, Department of Molecular and Cellular Medicine, Texas A&M University Health Science Center College of Medicine, College Station, TX, USA; Texas A&M University Health Science Center College of Medicine, Temple, TX, USA
| | - Leelavathi N Madhu
- Institute for Regenerative Medicine, Department of Molecular and Cellular Medicine, Texas A&M University Health Science Center College of Medicine, College Station, TX, USA
| | - Ashok K Shetty
- Institute for Regenerative Medicine, Department of Molecular and Cellular Medicine, Texas A&M University Health Science Center College of Medicine, College Station, TX, USA.
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15
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Ribeiro ACR, Zhu J, Kronfol MM, Jahr FM, Younis RM, Hawkins E, McClay JL, Deshpande LS. Molecular mechanisms for the antidepressant-like effects of a low-dose ketamine treatment in a DFP-based rat model for Gulf War Illness. Neurotoxicology 2020; 80:52-59. [PMID: 32592718 DOI: 10.1016/j.neuro.2020.06.011] [Citation(s) in RCA: 14] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/29/2020] [Revised: 06/16/2020] [Accepted: 06/22/2020] [Indexed: 12/31/2022]
Abstract
Exposure to organophosphates (OP) during the First Gulf War is among one of the factors for Gulf War Illness (GWI) development in veterans and it has been challenging to treat GWI symptoms with existing therapies. Ketamine produces a rapid-onset and sustained antidepressant response, but there is no evidence whether ketamine treatment is effective for GWI depression. Repeated, low-dose exposure to diisopropyl fluorophosphate (DFP) mimic Gulf War related OP exposures and produces a chronic depressive state in rats. In this study, DFP-exposed rats treated with ketamine (10 mg/kg, i.p.) exhibited antidepressant-like effect on the Forced Swim Test at 1-h. This effect persisted at 24-h post ketamine, a time-point by which it is eliminated from the brain suggesting involvement of mechanisms that affect long-term synaptic plasticity. Western blot analysis showed significantly lower Brain-Derived Neurotrophic Factor (BDNF) levels in DFP rat brains. Ketamine produced a nonsignificant increase in BDNF expression at 1-h but produced a larger, significant (2.2-fold) increase at 24-h in DFP rats. We previously reported chronic hippocampal calcium elevations ([Ca2+]i) in DFP rats. Ketamine-treated DFP rats exhibited significantly lower [Ca2+]i at 1-h but not at 24-h. Interestingly, treatment with ANA-12, a TrkB-BDNF receptor antagonist, in DFP rats blunted ketamine's antidepressant-like effect at 24-h but not at 1-h. These experiments suggest that in a rat model of DFP-induced depression, inhibition of the NMDAR-Ca2+ contributes to the rapid-onset antidepressant effects of ketamine while the antidepressant actions that persisted at 24-h post ketamine administration involve upregulation of BDNF signaling.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ana C R Ribeiro
- Departments of Neurology, School of Medicine, Virginia Commonwealth University, Richmond, VA, USA
| | - Jackie Zhu
- Department of Biology, College of Humanities & Sciences, Virginia Commonwealth University, Richmond, VA, USA
| | - Mohamad M Kronfol
- Department of Pharmacotherapy & Outcome Sciences, School of Pharmacy, Virginia Commonwealth University, Richmond, VA, USA
| | - Fay M Jahr
- Department of Pharmacotherapy & Outcome Sciences, School of Pharmacy, Virginia Commonwealth University, Richmond, VA, USA
| | - Rabha M Younis
- Department of Pharmacotherapy & Outcome Sciences, School of Pharmacy, Virginia Commonwealth University, Richmond, VA, USA
| | - Elisa Hawkins
- Departments of Neurology, School of Medicine, Virginia Commonwealth University, Richmond, VA, USA
| | - Joseph L McClay
- Department of Pharmacotherapy & Outcome Sciences, School of Pharmacy, Virginia Commonwealth University, Richmond, VA, USA
| | - Laxmikant S Deshpande
- Departments of Neurology, School of Medicine, Virginia Commonwealth University, Richmond, VA, USA; Pharmacology and Toxicology, School of Medicine, Virginia Commonwealth University, Richmond, VA, USA.
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16
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Zhu J, Hawkins E, Phillips K, Deshpande LS. Assessment of Ketamine and Its Enantiomers in an Organophosphate-Based Rat Model for Features of Gulf War Illness. Int J Environ Res Public Health 2020; 17:ijerph17134710. [PMID: 32629972 PMCID: PMC7369928 DOI: 10.3390/ijerph17134710] [Citation(s) in RCA: 16] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/01/2020] [Revised: 06/19/2020] [Accepted: 06/29/2020] [Indexed: 02/02/2023]
Abstract
Approximately 33% of U.S. soldiers from the first Gulf War suffer from a multi-system disorder known as the Gulf War Illness (GWI). GW veterans suffer from a cluster of symptoms that prominently include fatigue and can include mood-related symptoms. Compared to traditional antidepressants, ketamine (KET) produces a fast-onset and long-lasting antidepressant response, but assessments of KET for GWI-related depression are lacking. The etiology of GWI is multi-factorial and exposure to organophosphates (OP) during deployment is one of the factors underlying GWI development. Here, male Sprague-Dawley rats were repeatedly exposed to an OP DFP and three months later these rats, when assessed on a battery of rodent behavioral assays, displayed signs consistent with aspects of GWI characteristics. When treated with a sub-anesthetic dose of KET (3, 5, or 10 mg/kg, i.p.), DFP-treated rats exhibited a significant improvement in immobility time, open-arm exploration, and sucrose consumption as early as 1 h and much of these effects persisted at 24-h post-KET injection. KET's stereoisomers, R-KET and S-KET, also exhibited such effects in DFP rats, with R-KET being the more potent isomer. Our studies provide a starting point for further assessment of KET for GWI depression.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jackie Zhu
- Department of Biology, College of Humanities & Sciences, Virginia Commonwealth University, Richmond, VA 23298, USA;
| | - Elisa Hawkins
- Departments of Neurology, School of Medicine, Virginia Commonwealth University, Richmond, VA 23298, USA;
| | - Kristin Phillips
- School of Neuroscience, Virginia Tech, Blacksburg, VA 23298, USA;
| | - Laxmikant S. Deshpande
- Departments of Neurology, School of Medicine, Virginia Commonwealth University, Richmond, VA 23298, USA;
- Pharmacology and Toxicology, School of Medicine, Virginia Commonwealth University, Richmond, VA 23298, USA
- Correspondence: ; Tel.: +804-828-3392; Fax: +804-828-6432
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Brown KA, Filipov NM, Wagner JJ. Dorsoventral-Specific Effects of Nerve Agent Surrogate Diisopropylfluorophosphate on Synaptic Transmission in the Mouse Hippocampus. J Pharmacol Exp Ther 2020; 373:10-23. [DOI: 10.1124/jpet.119.263053] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/03/2019] [Accepted: 12/16/2019] [Indexed: 11/22/2022] Open
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Seth RK, Maqsood R, Mondal A, Bose D, Kimono D, Holland LA, Janulewicz Lloyd P, Klimas N, Horner RD, Sullivan K, Lim ES, Chatterjee S. Gut DNA Virome Diversity and Its Association with Host Bacteria Regulate Inflammatory Phenotype and Neuronal Immunotoxicity in Experimental Gulf War Illness. Viruses 2019; 11:E968. [PMID: 31640184 DOI: 10.3390/v11100968] [Citation(s) in RCA: 29] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/05/2019] [Revised: 10/17/2019] [Accepted: 10/17/2019] [Indexed: 02/06/2023] Open
Abstract
Gulf War illness (GWI) is characterized by the persistence of inflammatory bowel disease, chronic fatigue, neuroinflammation, headache, cognitive impairment, and other medically unexplained conditions. Results using a murine model show that enteric viral populations especially bacteriophages were altered in GWI. The increased viral richness and alpha diversity correlated positively with gut bacterial dysbiosis and proinflammatory cytokines. Altered virome signature in GWI mice also had a concomitant weakening of intestinal epithelial tight junctions with a significant increase in Claudin-2 protein expression and decrease in ZO1 and Occludin mRNA expression. The altered virome signature in GWI, decreased tight junction protein level was followed by the presence an activation of innate immune responses such as increased Toll-like receptor (TLR) signaling pathways. The altered virome diversity had a positive correlation with serum IL-6, IL-1β, and IFN-γ, intestinal inflammation (IFN-γ), and decreased Brain-Derived Neurotrophic Factor (BDNF), a neurogenesis marker. The co-exposure of Gulf War chemical and antibiotic (for gut sterility) or Gulf War chemical and Ribavirin, an antiviral compound to suppress virus alteration in the gut showed significant improvement in epithelial tight junction protein, decreased intestinal-, systemic-, and neuroinflammation. These results showed that the observed enteric viral dysbiosis could activate enteric viral particle-induced innate immune response in GWI and could be a novel therapeutic target in GWI.
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