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Saadat M, Taherian AA, Aldaghi MR, Raise‐Abdullahi P, Sameni HR, Vafaei AA. Prangos ferulacea (L.) ameliorates behavioral alterations, hippocampal oxidative stress markers, and apoptotic deficits in a rat model of autism induced by valproic acid. Brain Behav 2023; 13:e3224. [PMID: 37596045 PMCID: PMC10636422 DOI: 10.1002/brb3.3224] [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] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/06/2023] [Revised: 08/02/2023] [Accepted: 08/05/2023] [Indexed: 08/20/2023] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Prenatal exposure to valproic acid (VPA) may enhance the risk of autism spectrum disorder (ASD) in children. This study investigated the effect of Prangos ferulacea (L.) on behavioral alterations, hippocampal oxidative stress markers, and apoptotic deficits in a rat model of autism induced by valproic acid. METHODS Pregnant rats received VPA (600 mg/kg, intraperitoneally [i.p.]) or saline on gestational day 12.5 (E 12.5). Starting from the 30th postnatal day (PND 30), the pups were i.p. administered Prangos ferulacea (PF, 100 and 200 mg/kg), or the vehicle, daily until PND 58. On PND 30 and 58, various behavioral tasks were used to evaluate pups, including the open field, elevated plus-maze, hot-plate, and rotarod test. On PND 65, the animals were euthanized, and their brains were removed for histopathological and biochemical assay. RESULTS Prenatal exposure to VPA caused significant behavioral changes in the offspring, reversed by administering an extract of Prangos ferulacea (L.). Additionally, prenatal VPA administration resulted in increased levels of malondialdehyde and deficits in antioxidant enzyme activities in the hippocampus, including catalase and glutathione, ameliorated by PF. Likewise, postnatal treatment with PF improved VPA-induced dysregulation of Bax and Blc2 in the hippocampus and reduced neuronal death in CA1, CA3, and dentate gyrus. CONCLUSION The findings of this study suggest that postnatal administration of PF can prevent VPA-induced ASD-like behaviors by exhibiting antiapoptotic and antioxidant properties. Therefore, PF may have the potential as an adjunct in the management of ASD.
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Affiliation(s)
- Maryam Saadat
- Department of Anatomical Sciences, School of MedicineSemnan University of Medical SciencesSemnanIran
| | - Abbas Ali Taherian
- Department of Anatomical Sciences, School of MedicineSemnan University of Medical SciencesSemnanIran
- Research Center of PhysiologySemnan University of Medical SciencesSemnanIran
| | - Mohammad Reza Aldaghi
- Nervous System Stem Cells Research CenterSemnan University of Medical SciencesSemnanIran
- Department of Anatomical Sciences, School of MedicineSemnan University of Medical SciencesSemnanIran
| | | | - Hamid Reza Sameni
- Nervous System Stem Cells Research CenterSemnan University of Medical SciencesSemnanIran
- Department of Anatomical Sciences, School of MedicineSemnan University of Medical SciencesSemnanIran
| | - Abbas Ali Vafaei
- Research Center of PhysiologySemnan University of Medical SciencesSemnanIran
- Department of Physiology, School of MedicineSemnan University of Medical SciencesSemnanIran
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Ali Vafaei A, Nazari M, Omoumi S, Rashidy-Pour A, Raise-Abdullahi P. Corticosterone injection into the basolateral amygdala before and after memory reactivation impairs the subsequent expression of fear memory in rats: An interaction of glucocorticoids and β-adrenoceptors. Neurobiol Learn Mem 2023; 205:107829. [PMID: 37734437 DOI: 10.1016/j.nlm.2023.107829] [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] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/12/2022] [Revised: 08/15/2023] [Accepted: 09/17/2023] [Indexed: 09/23/2023]
Abstract
Glucocorticoid administration, before or after fear memory reactivation, impairs subsequent fear memory expression, but the underlying mechanisms are not well understood. The present study examined the role of basolateral amygdala (BLA) β-adrenoceptors in the effects of intra-BLA corticosterone injection on fear memory in rats. Bilateral cannulae were implanted in the BLA of Wistar male rats. The rats were trained and tested using an inhibitory avoidance task (1 mA footshock for 3 s). Forty-eight hours after training, corticosterone (CORT, 5, 10, or 20 ng/0.5 µl/side) and the β2-adrenoceptor agonist clenbuterol (CLEN, 10 or 20 ng/0.5 µl/side) or the β-adrenoceptor antagonist propranolol (PROP, 250 or 500 ng/0.5 µl/side) were injected into the BLA before or right after memory reactivation (retrieval, Test 1). We performed subsequent tests 2 (Test 2), 5 (Test 3), 7 (Test 4), and 9 (Test 5) days after Test 1. The results demonstrated that CORT injection before Test 1 disrupted memory retrieval and reduced fear expression in Tests 2-5, possibly due to enhanced extinction or impaired reconsolidation. CORT injection after Test 1 also impaired reconsolidation and reduced fear expression in Tests 2-5. CLEN prevented, but PROP exacerbated, the effects of CORT on fear expression. The reminder shock did not recover fear memory in CORT-treated animals, suggesting that reconsolidation, not extinction, was affected. These results indicate that glucocorticoids and β-adrenoceptors in the BLA jointly modulate fear memory reconsolidation and expression. Comprehending the neurobiology of stress and the impact of glucocorticoids on fear memory may lead to new treatments for stress and trauma-induced disorders such as PTSD.
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Affiliation(s)
- Abbas Ali Vafaei
- Research Center of Physiology, Semnan University of Medical Sciences, Semnan, Iran; Department of Physiology, School of Medicine, Semnan University of Medical Sciences, Semnan, Iran
| | - Maryam Nazari
- Department of Physiology, School of Medicine, Arak University of Medical Sciences, Arak, Iran
| | - Samira Omoumi
- Research Center of Physiology, Semnan University of Medical Sciences, Semnan, Iran
| | - Ali Rashidy-Pour
- Research Center of Physiology, Semnan University of Medical Sciences, Semnan, Iran; Department of Physiology, School of Medicine, Semnan University of Medical Sciences, Semnan, Iran.
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Seyedinia SA, Tarahomi P, Abbarin D, Sedaghat K, Rashidy-Pour A, Yaribeygi H, Vafaei AA, Raise-Abdullahi P. Saffron and crocin ameliorate prenatal valproic acid-induced autistic-like behaviors and brain oxidative stress in the male offspring rats. Metab Brain Dis 2023; 38:2231-2241. [PMID: 37566156 DOI: 10.1007/s11011-023-01275-7] [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] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/12/2023] [Accepted: 08/07/2023] [Indexed: 08/12/2023]
Abstract
Autism is a neurobehavioral disease that induces cognitive and behavioral alterations, usually accompanied by oxidative stress in the brain. Crocus sativus (saffron) and its active ingredient, crocin, have potent antioxidative effects that may benefit autistic behaviors. This study aimed to determine the effects of saffron extract and crocin against brain oxidative stress and behavioral, motor, and cognitive deficits in an animal model of autism in male offspring rats. 14 female rats were randomly divided into the saline and valproic acid (VPA) groups. Then, they were placed with mature male rats to mate and produce offspring. VPA (500 mg/kg, i.p.) was injected on day 12.5 of pregnancy (gestational day, GD 12.5) to induce an experimental model of autism. 48 male pups were left undisturbed for 29 days. First-round behavioral tests (before treatments) were performed on 30-33 post-natal days (PND), followed by 28 days of treatment (PND 34-61) with saffron (30 mg/kg, IP), crocin (15 or 30 mg/kg, i.p.), or saline (2 ml/kg, i.p.). The second round of behavioral tests (after treatments) was performed on PND 62-65 to assess the effects of the treatments on behavioral and cognitive features. In the end, animals were sacrificed under deep anesthesia, and their brains were dissected to evaluate the brain oxidative stress parameters, including malondialdehyde (MDA), glutathione (GSH), and catalase (CAT). VPA injection into female rats increased anxiety-like behaviors, enhanced pain threshold, impaired motor functions, disturbed balance power, increased MDA, and decreased GSH and CAT in their male offspring. 28 days of treatment with saffron or crocin significantly ameliorated behavioral abnormalities, reduced MDA, and increased GSH and CAT levels. Brain oxidative stress has been implicated in the pathophysiology of autistic-like behaviors. Saffron and crocin ameliorate anxiety-like behaviors, pain responses, motor functions, and brain oxidative stress parameters in an experimental model of autism. Saffron and crocin may hold promise as herbal-based pharmacological treatments for individuals with autism. However, further histological evidence is needed to confirm their efficacy.
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Affiliation(s)
- Seyed Ali Seyedinia
- Research Center of Physiology, Semnan University of Medical Sciences, Semnan, Iran
| | - Parnia Tarahomi
- Research Center of Physiology, Semnan University of Medical Sciences, Semnan, Iran
| | - Davood Abbarin
- Research Center of Physiology, Semnan University of Medical Sciences, Semnan, Iran
| | - Katayoun Sedaghat
- Research Center of Physiology, Semnan University of Medical Sciences, Semnan, Iran
- Department of Physiology, School of Medicine, Semnan University of Medical Sciences, Semnan, Iran
| | - Ali Rashidy-Pour
- Research Center of Physiology, Semnan University of Medical Sciences, Semnan, Iran
- Department of Physiology, School of Medicine, Semnan University of Medical Sciences, Semnan, Iran
| | - Habib Yaribeygi
- Research Center of Physiology, Semnan University of Medical Sciences, Semnan, Iran
| | - Abbas Ali Vafaei
- Research Center of Physiology, Semnan University of Medical Sciences, Semnan, Iran.
- Department of Physiology, School of Medicine, Semnan University of Medical Sciences, Semnan, Iran.
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Raise-Abdullahi P, Meamar M, Vafaei AA, Alizadeh M, Dadkhah M, Shafia S, Ghalandari-Shamami M, Naderian R, Afshin Samaei S, Rashidy-Pour A. Hypothalamus and Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder: A Review. Brain Sci 2023; 13:1010. [PMID: 37508942 PMCID: PMC10377115 DOI: 10.3390/brainsci13071010] [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: 06/02/2023] [Revised: 06/25/2023] [Accepted: 06/28/2023] [Indexed: 07/30/2023] Open
Abstract
Humans have lived in a dynamic environment fraught with potential dangers for thousands of years. While fear and stress were crucial for the survival of our ancestors, today, they are mostly considered harmful factors, threatening both our physical and mental health. Trauma is a highly stressful, often life-threatening event or a series of events, such as sexual assault, war, natural disasters, burns, and car accidents. Trauma can cause pathological metaplasticity, leading to long-lasting behavioral changes and impairing an individual's ability to cope with future challenges. If an individual is vulnerable, a tremendously traumatic event may result in post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD). The hypothalamus is critical in initiating hormonal responses to stressful stimuli via the hypothalamic-pituitary-adrenal (HPA) axis. Linked to the prefrontal cortex and limbic structures, especially the amygdala and hippocampus, the hypothalamus acts as a central hub, integrating physiological aspects of the stress response. Consequently, the hypothalamic functions have been attributed to the pathophysiology of PTSD. However, apart from the well-known role of the HPA axis, the hypothalamus may also play different roles in the development of PTSD through other pathways, including the hypothalamic-pituitary-thyroid (HPT) and hypothalamic-pituitary-gonadal (HPG) axes, as well as by secreting growth hormone, prolactin, dopamine, and oxytocin. This review aims to summarize the current evidence regarding the neuroendocrine functions of the hypothalamus, which are correlated with the development of PTSD. A better understanding of the role of the hypothalamus in PTSD could help develop better treatments for this debilitating condition.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Morvarid Meamar
- Research Center of Physiology, Semnan University of Medical Sciences, Semnan, Iran
| | - Abbas Ali Vafaei
- Research Center of Physiology, Semnan University of Medical Sciences, Semnan, Iran
- Department of Physiology, School of Medicine, Semnan University of Medical Sciences, Semnan, Iran
| | - Maryam Alizadeh
- Department of Basic Medical Sciences, Faculty of Medicine, Qom Medical Sciences, Islamic Azad University, Qom, Iran
| | - Masoomeh Dadkhah
- Pharmaceutical Sciences Research Center, Ardabil University of Medical Sciences, Ardabil, Iran
| | - Sakineh Shafia
- Immunogenetics Research Center, Department of Physiology, Mazandaran University of Medical Sciences, Sari, Iran
| | | | - Ramtin Naderian
- Student Research Committee, Semnan University of Medical Sciences, Semnan, Iran
| | - Seyed Afshin Samaei
- Department of Neurology, School of Medicine, Semnan University of Medical Sciences, Semnan, Iran
| | - Ali Rashidy-Pour
- Research Center of Physiology, Semnan University of Medical Sciences, Semnan, Iran
- Department of Physiology, School of Medicine, Semnan University of Medical Sciences, Semnan, Iran
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Nazari M, Rashidy-Pour A, Ali Vafaei A, Raise-Abdullahi P. Systemic corticosterone administration impairs the late fear memory reconsolidation via basolateral amygdala glucocorticoid receptors: dependence on the time window and memory age. Neurobiol Learn Mem 2023:107797. [PMID: 37385522 DOI: 10.1016/j.nlm.2023.107797] [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: 12/07/2022] [Revised: 06/12/2023] [Accepted: 06/26/2023] [Indexed: 07/01/2023]
Abstract
Glucocorticoid receptors (GRs) of the basolateral amygdala (BLA) play an important role in memory reconsolidation. The present study investigated the role of the BLA GRs in the late reconsolidation of fear memory using an inhibitory avoidance (IA) task in male Wistar rats. Stainless steel cannulae were implanted bilaterally into the BLA of the rats. After 7 days of recovery, the animals were trained in a one-trial IA task (1mA, 3s). In Experiment one, 48h after the training session, the animals received 3 systemic doses of corticosterone (CORT; 1, 3, or 10 mg/kg, i.p.) followed by an intra-BLA microinjection of the vehicle (0.3µl/side) at different time points (immediately, 12, or 24h) after memory reactivation. Memory reactivation was performed by returning the animals to the light compartment while the sliding door was open. No shock was delivered during memory reactivation. CORT (10 mg/kg) injection 12h after memory reactivation most effectively impaired the late memory reconsolidation (LMR). In the second part of Experiment one, immediately, 12, or 24h after memory reactivation, GR antagonist RU38486 (RU; 1ng/0.3µl/side) was injected into BLA following a systemic injection of CORT (10 mg/kg) to examine whether it would block the CORT effect. RU inhibited the impairing effects of CORT on LMR. In Experiment two, the animals received CORT (10 mg/kg) with time windows immediately, 3, 6, 12, and 24h after memory reactivation. Again, CORT (10 mg/kg) injection 12h after MR impaired LMR. Memory reactivation was performed in the third Experiment, 7, 14, 28, or 56 days after the training session. Injection of CORT (10 mg/kg) 12h later had no significant effect on the LMR. The impairing effect of CORT was seen only in 2-day-old but not 7, 14, 28, and 56-day-old memories. GRs located in BLA seem to play an important role in the LMR of young memory, as with increasing the age of memories, they become less sensitive to manipulation.
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Affiliation(s)
- Maryam Nazari
- Research Center of Physiology, Semnan University of Medical Sciences, Semnan, Iran
| | - Ali Rashidy-Pour
- Research Center of Physiology, Semnan University of Medical Sciences, Semnan, Iran; Department of Physiology, School of Medicine, Semnan University of Medical Sciences, Semnan, Iran
| | - Abbas Ali Vafaei
- Research Center of Physiology, Semnan University of Medical Sciences, Semnan, Iran; Department of Physiology, School of Medicine, Semnan University of Medical Sciences, Semnan, Iran
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Vafaei AA, Nasrollahi N, Kashefi A, Raise-Abdullahi P, Rashidy-Pour A. Corticosterone injection into the dorsal and ventral hippocampus impairs fear memory reconsolidation in a time-dependent manner in rats. Neurosci Lett 2023; 808:137302. [PMID: 37207715 DOI: 10.1016/j.neulet.2023.137302] [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] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/09/2023] [Revised: 05/13/2023] [Accepted: 05/13/2023] [Indexed: 05/21/2023]
Abstract
Reconsolidation is an active process induced following the reactivation of previously consolidated memories. Recent studies suggest brain corticosteroid receptors may participate in the modulation of fear memory reconsolidation. Glucocorticoid receptors (GRs), with 10-fold lower affinity than mineralocorticoid receptors (MRs), are mainly occupied during the peak of the circadian rhythm, and after stress, so they probably have a more critical role than MRs in memory phases during stressful situations. This study investigated the role of dorsal and ventral hippocampal (DH and VH) GRs and MRs on fear memory reconsolidation in rats. Male Wistar rats with surgically implanted bilaterally cannulae at the DH and VH were trained and tested in an inhibitory avoidance task. The animals received bilateral microinjections of vehicle (0.3 µl/side), corticosterone (3 ng/0.3 µl/side), the GRs antagonist RU38486 (3 ng/0.3 µl/side), or the MRs antagonist spironolactone (3 ng/0.3 µl/side) immediately after memory reactivation. Moreover, drugs were injected into VH 90 minutes after memory reactivation. Memory tests were performed 2, 9, 11, and 13 days after memory reactivation. Results indicated that injection of corticosterone into the DH but not VH immediately after memory reactivation significantly impaired fear memory reconsolidation. Moreover, corticosterone injection into VH 90 minutes after memory reactivation impaired fear memory reconsolidation. RU38486 reversed these effects but not spironolactone. These findings indicate that corticosterone injection into the DH and VH via GRs activation impairs the reconsolidation of fear memory in a time-dependent manner.
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Affiliation(s)
- Abbas Ali Vafaei
- Research Center of Physiology, Semnan University of Medical Sciences, Semnan, Iran; Department of Physiology, School of Medicine, Semnan University of Medical Sciences, Semnan, Iran
| | - Nadie Nasrollahi
- Research Center of Physiology, Semnan University of Medical Sciences, Semnan, Iran
| | - Adel Kashefi
- Research Center of Physiology, Semnan University of Medical Sciences, Semnan, Iran
| | | | - Ali Rashidy-Pour
- Research Center of Physiology, Semnan University of Medical Sciences, Semnan, Iran; Department of Physiology, School of Medicine, Semnan University of Medical Sciences, Semnan, Iran.
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Meamar M, Rashidy-Pour A, Rahmani M, Vafaei AA, Raise-Abdullahi P. Glucocorticoid- β-adrenoceptors interactions in the infralimbic cortex in acquisition and consolidation of auditory fear memory extinction in rats. Pharmacol Biochem Behav 2023; 225:173560. [PMID: 37094708 DOI: 10.1016/j.pbb.2023.173560] [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] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/28/2023] [Revised: 04/17/2023] [Accepted: 04/19/2023] [Indexed: 04/26/2023]
Abstract
This study investigated the interactive effect of glucocorticoid and β-adrenoceptors in the infralimbic (IL) cortex on the acquisition and consolidation of fear extinction in rats' auditory fear conditioning (AFC) task. On day 1, rats underwent habituation for 9 min (12 tonnes, 10 s, 4 kHz, 80 dB, without footshock). On day 2 (conditioning), rats received 3 mild electrical footshocks (US; 2 s, 0.5 mA) paired with the auditory-conditioned stimulus (CS; tone: 30 s, 4 kHz, 80 dB). On days 3-5 (Ext 1-3), rats received 15 tonnes with no footshock in the test box. Intra-IL injection of corticosterone (CORT, 20 ng/0.5 μl per side) before Ext 1 and after Ext 1-2, respectively, facilitated the acquisition and consolidation of fear memory extinction. Intra-IL injection of the β2-adrenoceptor agonist clenbuterol (CLEN, 50 ng/0.5 μl per side) inhibited, but the β-adrenoceptor antagonist propranolol (PROP, 500 ng/0.5 μl per side) enhanced the facilitatory effects of CORT on fear memory extinction. CORT injection before the acquisition of fear extinction increased p-ERK levels in the IL. Co-injection of CORT with CLEN increased, but PROP decreased p-ERK activities. CORT injection after the consolidation of fear extinction increased p-CREB in the IL. Co-injection of CORT with CLEN increased, but PROP reduced p-CREB activities. Our findings show that corticosterone facilitates the acquisition and consolidation of fear memory extinction. GRs and β-adrenoceptors in the IL jointly regulate fear memory extinction via ERK and CREB signaling pathways. This pre-clinical animal study may highlight the effect of GRs and β-adrenoceptors of the IL cortex in regulating fear memory processes in fear-related disorders such as PTSD.
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Affiliation(s)
- Morvarid Meamar
- Research Center of Physiology, Semnan University of Medical Sciences, Semnan, Iran
| | - Ali Rashidy-Pour
- Research Center of Physiology, Semnan University of Medical Sciences, Semnan, Iran; Department of Physiology, School of Medicine, Semnan University of Medical Sciences, Semnan, Iran
| | - Mehrnoush Rahmani
- Research Center of Physiology, Semnan University of Medical Sciences, Semnan, Iran
| | - Abbas Ali Vafaei
- Research Center of Physiology, Semnan University of Medical Sciences, Semnan, Iran; Department of Physiology, School of Medicine, Semnan University of Medical Sciences, Semnan, Iran.
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Meamar M, Rashidy-Pour A, Vafaei AA, Raise-Abdullahi P. β-adrenoceptors of the infra-limbic cortex mediate corticosterone-induced enhancement of acquisition and consolidation of fear memory extinction in rats. Behav Brain Res 2023; 442:114310. [PMID: 36706807 DOI: 10.1016/j.bbr.2023.114310] [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] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/18/2022] [Revised: 01/17/2023] [Accepted: 01/23/2023] [Indexed: 01/26/2023]
Abstract
The extinction of auditory fear conditioning (AFC) refers to reducing the fear responses induced following repeated presentation of a conditioned stimulus (tone) in the absence of an unconditioned stimulus (electric foot shock). Glucocorticoid receptors (GRs) play an important role in extinction, but the underlying neurobiological mechanisms are unclear. This study aimed to investigate the interaction between glucocorticoids and β-adrenoceptors of the infra-limbic cortex (IL) in regulating the acquisition and consolidation of fear memory extinction in rats. Male rats were trained to AFC and received three trial tones (30 s, 4 kHz, 80 dB) co-terminated with a footshock (0.8 mA, 1 s; unconditioned stimulus). Extinction trials were conducted over 3 days after training (Ext 1-3). In experiment 1, rats received clenbuterol (0.25 mg/kg/2 ml, IP) as a β2-adrenoceptor agonist or propranolol (2.5 mg/kg/2 ml, IP) as a β-adrenoceptors antagonist before Ext 1 and immediately after Ext 1 and Ext 2 followed by systemic injection of corticosterone (3 mg/kg/2 ml, IP). In Experiment 2, separate groups of rats received a bilateral intra-IL injection of clenbuterol (50 ng/0.5 µl/side) or propranolol (500 ng/0.5 µl/side) followed by a systemic injection of corticosterone (3 mg/kg/2 ml) before Ext 1 and immediately after Ext 1 and Ext 2. Results indicated that systemic and intra-IL injections of clenbuterol and propranolol inhibited and increased the facilitative effects of corticosterone on fear memory extinction, respectively. These findings show that activating β-adrenergic receptors in the IL mediates glucocorticoid effects on the acquisition and consolidation of auditory-conditioned fear memory extinction.
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Affiliation(s)
- Morvarid Meamar
- Research Center of Physiology, Semnan University of Medical Sciences, Semnan, Iran
| | - Ali Rashidy-Pour
- Research Center of Physiology, Semnan University of Medical Sciences, Semnan, Iran; Department of Physiology, School of Medicine, Semnan University of Medical Sciences, Semnan, Iran
| | - Abbas Ali Vafaei
- Research Center of Physiology, Semnan University of Medical Sciences, Semnan, Iran; Department of Physiology, School of Medicine, Semnan University of Medical Sciences, Semnan, Iran.
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Omoumi S, Rashidy-Pour A, Seyedinia SA, Tarahomi P, Vafaei AA, Raise-Abdullahi P. Corticosterone injection into the infralimbic prefrontal cortex enhances fear memory extinction: Involvement of GABA receptors and the extracellular signal-regulated kinase. Physiol Behav 2023; 265:114156. [PMID: 36918107 DOI: 10.1016/j.physbeh.2023.114156] [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: 01/29/2023] [Revised: 03/08/2023] [Accepted: 03/09/2023] [Indexed: 03/13/2023]
Abstract
This study investigated the interactive effect of glucocorticoid and Gamma-aminobutyric acid (GABA) receptors in the Infralimbic (IL) cortex on fear extinction in rats' auditory fear conditioning task (AFC). Animals received 3 conditioning trial tones (conditioned stimulus, 30 s, 4 kHz, 80 dB) co-terminated with a footshock (unconditioned stimulus, 0.8 mA, 1 s). Extinction testing was conducted over 3 days (Ext 1-3) after conditioning. Intra-IL injection of corticosterone (CORT, 20 ng/0.3 µl/side) was performed 15 min before the first extinction trial (Ext 1) which attenuated auditory fear expression in subsequent extinction trials (Ext 1-3), demonstrating fear memory extinction enhancement. Co-injection of the GABAA agonist muscimol (250 ng/0.3 µl/side) or the GABAB agonist baclofen (250 ng/0.3 µl/side) 15 min before corticosterone, did not significantly affect the facilitative effects of corticosterone on fear extinction. However, co-injection of the GABAA antagonist bicuculline (BIC, 100 ng/0.3 µl/side) or the GABAB antagonist CGP35348 (CGP, 100 ng/0.3 µl/side) 15 min before corticosterone, blocked the facilitative effects of corticosterone on fear extinction. Moreover, extracellular signal-regulated kinase (ERK) and cAMP response element-binding (CREB) in the IL were examined by Western blotting analysis after the first extinction trial (Ext 1) in some groups. Intra-IL injection of corticosterone increased the ERK activity but not CREB. Co-injection of the bicuculline or CGP35348 blocked the enhancing effect of corticosterone on ERK expression in the IL. Glucocorticoid receptors (GRs) activation in the IL cortex by corticosterone increased ERK activity and facilitated fear extinction. GABAA or GABAB antagonists decreased ERK activity and inhibited corticosterone's effect. GRs and GABA receptors in the IL cortex jointly modulate the fear extinction processes via the ERK pathway. This pre-clinical animal study may highlight GRs and GABA interactions in the IL cortex modulating fear memory processes in fear-related disorders such as post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD).
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Affiliation(s)
- Samira Omoumi
- Research Center of Physiology, Semnan University of Medical Sciences, Semnan, Iran; Department of Physiology, School of Medicine, Semnan University of Medical Sciences, Semnan, Iran
| | - Ali Rashidy-Pour
- Research Center of Physiology, Semnan University of Medical Sciences, Semnan, Iran; Department of Physiology, School of Medicine, Semnan University of Medical Sciences, Semnan, Iran
| | - Seyed Ali Seyedinia
- Research Center of Physiology, Semnan University of Medical Sciences, Semnan, Iran; Student Research Committee, School of Medicine, Semnan University of Medical Sciences, Semnan, Iran
| | - Parnia Tarahomi
- Research Center of Physiology, Semnan University of Medical Sciences, Semnan, Iran; Student Research Committee, School of Medicine, Semnan University of Medical Sciences, Semnan, Iran
| | - Abbas Ali Vafaei
- Research Center of Physiology, Semnan University of Medical Sciences, Semnan, Iran; Department of Physiology, School of Medicine, Semnan University of Medical Sciences, Semnan, Iran.
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Jadidi T, Asadian N, Jadidi M, Ali Vafaei A. EMF promote BMSCs differentiation and functional recovery in hemiparkinsonian rats. Neurosci Lett 2022; 784:136765. [PMID: 35777611 DOI: 10.1016/j.neulet.2022.136765] [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: 07/15/2021] [Revised: 06/25/2022] [Accepted: 06/26/2022] [Indexed: 10/17/2022]
Abstract
Bone marrow mesenchymal stem cells (BMSCs) have self-renewal ability while maintaining the proliferation facility. The BMSCs reproducing ability could affect by electromagnetic fields (EMFs) as a physical inducing factor. We focused on the EMF (400 µT, 75 Hz) exposed multi-potential BMSCs which differentiated and successfully implanted in the substantia nigra pars compacta (SNpc) of Parkinson's disease rat model. The purified BMSCs are exposed to sinusoidal and square waveform EMF (1h/1 week or 7h/1 day) then injected into the left SNpc of Parkinson's rats. To evaluate the morphology of EMF exposed BMSCs, the cresyl violet staining labeled the Nissl bodies. After evaluation of the rat's activity by behavioral tests (open-field and rotarod tests), the brains were obtained for the preparation of SNpc blocks and carry out the cresyl violet staining. Cell morphology proved most cell differentiation to neurons in the sinusoidal EMF groups. In the sinusoidal EMF exposure groups, large and small neurons were seen with apparent synapses. Although in the square EMF exposed groups some neurons were seen, most of the differentiated cells were astrocytes, microglia, and oligodendrocyte. The results confirmed an improvement in locomotors' activity of BMSC alone and sinusoidal EMF exposed groups. We presented a low-frequency EMF (75 Hz) to promote the capability of BMSC proliferation, differentiation to neurons and glial cells, and motor coordination activity in the treatment of hemiparkinsonian rats.
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Affiliation(s)
- Taha Jadidi
- Nervous System Stem Cells Research Center, Semnan University of Medical Sciences, Semnan, Iran.
| | - Nader Asadian
- Department of Medical Physics, Semnan University of Medical Sciences, Semnan, Iran
| | - Majid Jadidi
- Department of Medical Physics, Semnan University of Medical Sciences, Semnan, Iran
| | - Abbas Ali Vafaei
- Physiology Research Center, Semnan University of Medical Sciences, Semnan, Iran
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Momenabadi S, Vafaei AA, Zahedi Khorasani M, Vakili A. Pre-Ischemic Oxytocin Treatment Alleviated Neuronal Injury via Suppressing NF-κB, MMP-9, and Apoptosis Regulator Proteins in A Mice Model of Stroke. Cell J 2022; 24:337-345. [PMID: 35892233 PMCID: PMC9315214 DOI: 10.22074/cellj.2022.7884] [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] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/28/2020] [Accepted: 03/09/2021] [Indexed: 11/23/2022]
Abstract
OBJECTIVE This study was designed to determine the effects of pre-ischemic administration of oxytocin (OXT) on neuronal injury and possible molecular mechanisms in a mice model of stroke. MATERIALS AND METHODS In this experimental study, stroke was induced in the mice by middle cerebral artery occlusion (MCAO) for 60 minutes and 24 hours of reperfusion. OXT was given as intranasal daily for 7 consecutive days before ischemic stroke. Neuronal damage, spatial memory, and the expression levels of nuclear factor-kappa B (NF-κB), interleukin-1β (IL-1β), tumor necrosis factor-α (TNF-α), matrix metalloproteinase-9 (MMP-9), brain-derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF) and apoptosis were assessed 24 hours after stroke. RESULTS Pre-ischemic treatment with OXT significantly reduced the infarct size (P<0.01); but did not recover the neurological and spatial memory dysfunction (P>0.05). Moreover, OXT treatment considerably decreased the expressions of NF-κB, TNF-α, IL-1β, and MMP-9 (P<0.001) and enhanced the level of BDNF protein. OXT treatment also significantly downregulated Bax expression and overexpressed Bcl-2 proteins. CONCLUSION The finding of this study indicated that administration of OXT before ischemia could limit brain injury by inhibiting MMP-9 expression, apoptosis, inflammatory signaling pathways, and an increase in the BDNF protein level. We suggested that OXT may be potentially useful in the prevention and/or reducing the risk of the cerebral stroke attack, and could be offered as a new prevention option in the clinics.
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Affiliation(s)
- Shahein Momenabadi
- Research Center of Physiology, Semnan University of Medical Sciences, Semnan, Iran,Department of Physiology, Faculty of Medicine, Semnan University of Medical Sciences, Semnan, Iran
| | - Abbas Ali Vafaei
- Research Center of Physiology, Semnan University of Medical Sciences, Semnan, Iran,Department of Physiology, Faculty of Medicine, Semnan University of Medical Sciences, Semnan, Iran
| | - Mahdi Zahedi Khorasani
- Research Center of Physiology, Semnan University of Medical Sciences, Semnan, Iran,Department of Physiology, Faculty of Medicine, Semnan University of Medical Sciences, Semnan, Iran
| | - Abedin Vakili
- Research Center of Physiology, Semnan University of Medical Sciences, Semnan, Iran,Department of Physiology, Faculty of Medicine, Semnan University of Medical Sciences, Semnan, Iran,P.O.Box: 3513138111Department of PhysiologyFaculty of MedicineSemnan University of Medical SciencesSemnanIran
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Vafaei AA, Rashidy-Pour A, Trahomi P, Omoumi S, Dadkhah M. Role of Amygdala-Infralimbic Cortex Circuitry in Glucocorticoid-induced Facilitation of Auditory Fear Memory Extinction. Basic Clin Neurosci 2022; 13:193-205. [PMID: 36425953 PMCID: PMC9682312 DOI: 10.32598/bcn.2021.2161.1] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [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: 10/29/2020] [Revised: 02/15/2021] [Accepted: 03/10/2021] [Indexed: 05/10/2023] Open
Abstract
INTRODUCTION The basolateral amygdala (BLA) and infralimbic area (IL) of the medial prefrontal cortex (mPFC) are two interconnected brain structures that mediate both fear memory expression and extinction. Besides the well-known role of the BLA in the acquisition and expression of fear memory, projections from IL to BLA inhibit fear expression and have a critical role in fear extinction. However, the details of IL-BLA interaction have remained unclear. Here, we investigated the role of functional reciprocal interactions between BLA and IL in mediating fear memory extinction. METHODS Using lidocaine (LID), male rats underwent unilateral or bilateral inactivation of the BLA and then unilateral intra-IL infusion of corticosterone (CORT) prior to extinction training of the auditory fear conditioning paradigm. Freezing behavior was reported as an index for conditioned fear. Infusions were performed before the extinction training, allowing us to examine the effects on fear expression and further extinction memory. Experiments 1-3 investigated the effects of left or right infusion of CORT into IL and LID unilaterally into BLA on fear memory extinction. RESULTS Intra-IL infusion of CORT in the right hemisphere reduced freezing behavior when administrated before the extinction training. Auditory fear memory extinction was impaired by asymmetric inactivation of BLA and CORT infusion in the right IL; however, the same effect was not observed with symmetric inactivation of BLA. CONCLUSION IL-BLA neural circuit may provide additional evidence for the contribution of this circuit to auditory fear extinction. This study demonstrates dissociable roles for right or left BLA in subserving the auditory fear extinction. Our finding also raises the possibility that left BLA-IL circuitry may mediate auditory fear memory extinction via underlying mechanisms. However, further research is required in this area. HIGHLIGHTS Corticosterone infusion in the right (but not the left) infralimbic area facilitates auditory fear memory extinction.Corticosterone infusion in the right infralimbic area following symmetric basolateral amygdala inactivation has no effect on auditory fear memory extinction.Asymmetric basolateral amygdala inactivation prior to corticosterone infusion into the right infralimbic area impairs auditory fear memory extinction. PLAIN LANGUAGE SUMMARY Previous studies have established that glucocorticoids, which are released in stressful conditions, enhance fear memory extinction. In this study, we found that corticosterone infusion into the right infralimbic area, but not the left one, facilitates auditory fear memory extinction. The effect of corticosterone infusion in the infralimbic area was not blocked by the intra-basolateral amygdala injections of lidocaine when administrated in the ipsilateral hemisphere. However, asymmetric basolateral amygdala inactivation and corticosterone infusion into the right infralimbic area impairs auditory fear memory extinction.
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Affiliation(s)
- Abbas Ali Vafaei
- Research Center of Physiology, Department of Physiology, School of Medicine, Semnan University of Medical Sciences, Semnan, Iran
| | - Ali Rashidy-Pour
- Research Center of Physiology, Department of Physiology, School of Medicine, Semnan University of Medical Sciences, Semnan, Iran
| | - Parnia Trahomi
- Student Research Committee, School of Medicine, Semnan University of Medical Sciences, Semnan, Iran
| | - Samira Omoumi
- Student Research Committee, School of Medicine, Semnan University of Medical Sciences, Semnan, Iran
| | - Masoomeh Dadkhah
- Pharmaceutical Sciences Research Center, Ardabil University of Medical Sciences, Ardabil, Iran
- Corresponding Author: Masoomeh Dadkhah, PhD., Address: Pharmaceutical Sciences Research Center, Ardabil University of Medical Sciences, Ardabil, Iran., Tel: +98 (45) 33522437-39, E-mail:
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Malekloo R, Nematollahi S, Vafaei AA, Rashidy-Pour A. Corrigendum “Effects of different intensities of treadmill exercise on cued fear extinction failure, hippocampal BDNF decline, and Bax/Bcl-2 ratio alteration in chronic- morphine treated male rats” [Behav. Brain Res. 421 (2022) 113732]. Behav Brain Res 2022; 422:113768. [DOI: 10.1016/j.bbr.2022.113768] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/02/2022]
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Bazaz A, Ghanbari A, Vafaei AA, Khaleghian A, Rashidy-Pour A. Oxytocin in dorsal hippocampus facilitates auditory fear memory extinction in rats. Neuropharmacology 2022; 202:108844. [PMID: 34687711 DOI: 10.1016/j.neuropharm.2021.108844] [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] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/08/2021] [Revised: 09/11/2021] [Accepted: 10/14/2021] [Indexed: 10/20/2022]
Abstract
Fear extinction is impaired in some psychiatric disorders. Any treatment that facilitates the extinction of fear is a way to advance the treatment of related psychiatric disorders. Recent studies have highlighted the role of oxytocin (OT) in fear extinction, but the endogenous release of OT during fear extinction in the dorsal hippocampal (dHPC) is not clear. We investigated the release of OT during fear extinction and the role of the HPC - medial prefrontal cortex (mPFC) circuit and BDNF in the effects of exogenous OT on auditory fear conditioning in male rats. We found that the release of endogenous OT in the dHPC is significantly increased during the fear extinction process as measured by the microdialysis method. Increased freezing response in the OT-treated rats compared to saline-treated rats showed that exogenous OT in the dHPC enhanced the fear extinction. Injection of BDNF antagonist (ANA-12) into the infralimbic (IL) blocked the effect of exogenous OT on the dHPC. Following OT injection, BDNF levels increased in the dHPC, ventral HPC, and IL cortex; but decreased in the prelimbic cortex (PL). Finally, OT microinjected into the dHPC significantly increased neural activity of pyramidal neurons of the CA1-vHPC and IL but decreased the neural activity in the PL cortex. Our findings strongly support that the dHPC endogenous OT plays a crucial role in enhancing fear extinction. It seems that the activation of the HPC-mPFC pathway, and consequently, the release of BDNF in the IL cortex mediates the enhancing effects of OT on fear extinction.
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Affiliation(s)
- Amir Bazaz
- Student Research Committee, Semnan University of Medical Sciences, Semnan, Iran
| | - Ali Ghanbari
- Research Center of Physiology, Semnan University of Medical Sciences, Semnan, Iran
| | - Abbas Ali Vafaei
- Department of physiology, Semnan University of Medical Sciences, Semnan, Iran
| | - Ali Khaleghian
- Department of Biochemistry, Semnan University of Medical Sciences, Semnan, Iran
| | - Ali Rashidy-Pour
- Research Center of Physiology, Semnan University of Medical Sciences, Semnan, Iran.
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Asadian N, Parsaie H, Vafaei AA, Dadkhah M, Omoumi S, Sedaghat K. Chronic light deprivation induces different effects on spatial and fear memory and hippocampal BDNF/TRKB expression during light and dark phases of rat diurnal rhythm. Behav Brain Res 2021; 418:113638. [PMID: 34695541 DOI: 10.1016/j.bbr.2021.113638] [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] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/04/2021] [Revised: 09/11/2021] [Accepted: 10/18/2021] [Indexed: 11/02/2022]
Abstract
Disruptions in light/dark cycle have been associated with an altered ability to form and retrieve memory in human and animals. Animal studies have shown that chronic light deprivation disrupts the light/dark cycle and alters the neural connections that mediate hippocampal memory formation. In order to better understand how light deprivation affects the formation and retrieval of memory in adult rats, we examined the effect of total darkness on spatial and auditory fear learning and memory formation and BDNF/TRKB protein levels during the light and dark phases of the rat circadian cycle. Male Wistar rats (n = 60), were randomly divided into two main groups: normal rearing (NR, 12 h light/dark cycle for 3 weeks) and dark rearing (DR, kept in constant darkness for 3 weeks); and each of these groups had a "light (day)" and "dark (night)" sub-group. After 3 weeks, the Morris Water maze and auditory fear conditioning were used to assess spatial and fear memory acquisition and retrieval, respectively. BDNF and TRKB protein levels in the hippocampus of rats from the four sub-groups were measured by Western blot, at the completion of the 3 week constant darkness exposure and after the behavioral experiments. These studies revealed that DR for 3 weeks impaired spatial memory retrieval and enhanced extinction of auditory fear memory specifically during the light (day) phase. DR also eliminated the normal fluctuations in BDNF/TRKB levels observed in the hippocampus across the light/dark cycle.
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Affiliation(s)
- Nader Asadian
- Department of Biophysics, School of Medicine, Semnan University of Medical Sciences, Semnan, Iran.
| | - Houman Parsaie
- Department of Anatomy, School of Medicine, Iran University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran.
| | - Abbas Ali Vafaei
- Research Center of Physiology, Semnan University of Medical Sciences, Semnan, Iran.
| | - Masoumeh Dadkhah
- Research Center of Physiology, Semnan University of Medical Sciences, Semnan, Iran.
| | - Samira Omoumi
- Research Center of Physiology, Semnan University of Medical Sciences, Semnan, Iran.
| | - Katayoun Sedaghat
- Research Center of Physiology, Semnan University of Medical Sciences, Semnan, Iran.
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Abareshi A, Momenabadi S, Vafaei AA, Bandegi AR, Vakili A. Neuroprotective Effects of Chemerin on a Mouse Stroke Model: Behavioral and Molecular Dimensions. Neurochem Res 2021; 46:3301-3313. [PMID: 34431027 DOI: 10.1007/s11064-021-03432-9] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.7] [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: 04/28/2021] [Revised: 08/15/2021] [Accepted: 08/18/2021] [Indexed: 11/30/2022]
Abstract
The present study was conducted to investigate the effects of different doses of recombinant human Chemerin (rhChemerin) on brain damage, spatial memory, blood-brain barrier (BBB) disruption and cellular and molecular mechanisms in a mouse stroke model. The mouse stroke model was developed by blocking the middle cerebral artery for 1 h and performing reperfusion for 23 h. Immediately, one and three hours after the stroke, 200, 400 and 800 ng/mouse of intranasal rhChemerin was administered. Neuronal and BBB damage, spatial memory and neurological performance were examined 24 h after the stroke. Western blotting and immunofluorescence were utilized to determine the effects of rhChemerin on the expressions of nuclear factor kappa B (NF-κB), pro-inflammatory cytokines such as TNF-α and IL-1β, anti-inflammatory cytokines such as IL-10 and TGF-β and vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF). Administering 400 and 800 ng/mouse of rhChemerin in the mice immediately and one hour after ischemia minimized the infarct size, BBB opening, spatial memory and neurological impairment (P < 0.001). Furthermore, 800 ng/mouse of rhChemerin significantly diminished terminal deoxynucleotidyl transferase-mediated dUTP nick-end labeling (TUNEL)-positive (apoptotic) cells, suppressed the expressions of NF-kB, TNF-α and IL-1β and upregulated IL-10 and VEGF in the cortex and hippocampus of the mice. The present findings showed that rhChemerin administered immediately and one hour after stroke alleviates neuronal and BBB injures and improves spatial memory. These effects of rhChemerin may be mediated by inhibiting inflammatory pathways and apoptotic machinery.
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Affiliation(s)
- Azam Abareshi
- Research Center and Department of Physiology, School of Medicine, Semnan University of Medical Sciences, Semnan, Iran
- Department of Physiology, Faculty of Medicine, Semnan University of Medical Sciences, Semnan, Iran
| | - Shahein Momenabadi
- Research Center and Department of Physiology, School of Medicine, Semnan University of Medical Sciences, Semnan, Iran
- Department of Physiology, Faculty of Medicine, Semnan University of Medical Sciences, Semnan, Iran
| | - Abbas Ali Vafaei
- Research Center and Department of Physiology, School of Medicine, Semnan University of Medical Sciences, Semnan, Iran
- Department of Physiology, Faculty of Medicine, Semnan University of Medical Sciences, Semnan, Iran
| | - Ahmad Reza Bandegi
- Department of Biochemistry, Faculty of Medicine, Semnan University of Medical Sciences, Semnan, Iran
| | - Abedin Vakili
- Research Center and Department of Physiology, School of Medicine, Semnan University of Medical Sciences, Semnan, Iran.
- Department of Physiology, Faculty of Medicine, Semnan University of Medical Sciences, Semnan, Iran.
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Rashidy-Pour A, Derafshpour L, Vafaei AA, Bandegi AR, Kashefi A, Sameni HR, Jashire-Nezhad N, Saboory E, Panahi Y. Effects of treadmill exercise and sex hormones on learning, memory and hippocampal brain-derived neurotrophic factor levels in transient congenital hypothyroid rats. Behav Pharmacol 2021; 31:641-651. [PMID: 32826427 DOI: 10.1097/fbp.0000000000000572] [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] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/17/2023]
Abstract
Transient thyroid function abnormalities at birth exhibit intellectual developmental and cognitive disorders in adulthood. Given the well-known effects of physical activity and sex hormones on cognitive functions and brain-derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF), the present study examined the effects of treadmill exercise, sex hormones, and the combined treatment on learning and memory and hippocampal BDNF levels in transient congenital hypothyroid rats. To induce hypothyroidism, 6-propyl-2-thiouracil was added to the drinking water from the 6th day of gestation to the 21st postnatal day (PND). From PNDs 28 to 47, female and male pup rats received 17β-estradiol and testosterone, respectively, and about 30 min later, they were forced to run on the treadmill for 30 min once a day. On PNDs 48-55, spatial learning and memory of all rats tested in the water maze, which followed by measurement of BDNF in the hippocampus. Results showed that developmental hypothyroidism induced significant deficits in spatial learning and memory and hippocampal BDNF in both male and female rats. In both male and female hypothyroid rats, exercise and exercise plus sex hormones, but not sex hormones alone alleviated learning and memory deficits and all treatments (exercise, sex hormones, and the combined treatment) increased hippocampal BDNF. These disconnects in the effects of exercise, sex hormones and the combined treatment on behavioral and neurochemical outcomes suggest that a neurochemical mechanism other than hippocampal BDNF might contribute in the ameliorating effects of exercise on learning and memory deficits induced by developmental thyroid hormone insufficiency.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ali Rashidy-Pour
- Research Center of Physiology, School of Medicine, Semnan University of Medical Sciences, Semnan
| | - Leila Derafshpour
- Neurophysiology Research Center, Urmia University of Medical Sciences, Urmia
| | - Abbas Ali Vafaei
- Research Center of Physiology, School of Medicine, Semnan University of Medical Sciences, Semnan
| | - Ahmad Reza Bandegi
- Research Center of Physiology, School of Medicine, Semnan University of Medical Sciences, Semnan.,Department of Biochemistry, Faculty of Medicine, Semnan University of Medical Sciences
| | - Adel Kashefi
- Research Center of Physiology, School of Medicine, Semnan University of Medical Sciences, Semnan
| | - Hamid Reza Sameni
- Research Center of Nervous System Stem Cell, Semnan University of Medical sciences, Semnan
| | - Nahid Jashire-Nezhad
- Research Center of Nervous System Stem Cell, Semnan University of Medical sciences, Semnan
| | - Ehsan Saboory
- Neurophysiology Research Center, Urmia University of Medical Sciences, Urmia
| | - Yosef Panahi
- Department of Basic Sciences, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, University of Tabriz, Tabriz, Iran
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Tammadon MR, Nobahar M, Hydarinia-Naieni Z, Ebrahimian A, Ghorbani R, Vafaei AA. The Effects of Valerian on Sleep Quality, Depression, and State Anxiety in Hemodialysis Patients: A Randomized, Double-blind, Crossover Clinical Trial. Oman Med J 2021; 36:e255. [PMID: 33936782 PMCID: PMC8077445 DOI: 10.5001/omj.2021.56] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.3] [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: 07/18/2020] [Accepted: 08/26/2020] [Indexed: 02/05/2023] Open
Abstract
OBJECTIVES Our study sought to determine the effects of valerian on sleep quality, depression, and state anxiety in hemodialysis (HD) patients. METHODS This randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled, crossover clinical trial was conducted on 39 patients undergoing HD allocated into a valerian and placebo group. In the first phase of the study, group A (n = 19) received valerian and group B (n = 20) received a placebo one hour before sleep every night for a total of one month. Sleep quality, state anxiety, and depression were assessed in the patients at the beginning and end of the intervention using the Pittsburgh Sleep Quality Index, the Spielberger State-Trait Anxiety Inventory, and Beck Depression Inventory. In the second phase, the two groups' treatment regimen was swapped. After a one-month washout period, the same process was repeated on the crossover groups (i.e., group A received placebo and group B received valerian). RESULTS In the first phase, the mean sleep quality, depression, and state anxiety scores showed significant reductions in both groups, but the reduction was significantly higher in group A compared to group B (7.6 vs. 3.2, p< 0.001; 6.5 vs. 2.3, p =0.013; 14.6 vs. 7.3, p =0.003, respectively). In the second phase, the mean sleep disorder, depression, and state anxiety scores showed significant reductions in both groups, but the reduction was significantly lower in group A compared to group B (1.4 vs. 4.6, p< 0.001; 1.2 vs. 3.8, p =0.002; 1.5 vs. 6.2, p< 0.001, respectively). CONCLUSIONS Valerian significantly improved sleep quality, the symptoms of state anxiety, and depression in HD patients.
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Affiliation(s)
- Mohammad Reza Tammadon
- Department of Medicine, Kowsar Hospital, Semnan University of Medical Sciences, Semnan, Iran
| | - Monir Nobahar
- Nursing Care Research Center, Semnan University of Medical Sciences, Semnan, Iran
- Social Determinants of Health Research Center, Semnan University of Medical Sciences, Semnan, Iran
- Department of Nursing, Faculty of Nursing and Midwifery, Semnan University of Medical Sciences, Semnan, Iran
- Corresponding author:
| | - Zaynab Hydarinia-Naieni
- Department of Nursing, Faculty of Nursing and Midwifery, Semnan University of Medical Sciences, Semnan, Iran
| | - Abbasali Ebrahimian
- Nursing Care Research Center, Semnan University of Medical Sciences, Semnan, Iran
- Department of Nursing, Faculty of Nursing and Midwifery, Semnan University of Medical Sciences, Semnan, Iran
| | - Raheb Ghorbani
- Social Determinants of Health Research Center, Semnan University of Medical Sciences, Semnan, Iran
- Department of Epidemiology and Biostatistics, Faculty of Medicine, Semnan University of Medical Sciences, Semnan, Iran
| | - Abbas Ali Vafaei
- Research Center of Physiology, Semnan University of Medical Sciences, Semnan, Iran
- Faculty of Medicine, Department of Physiology, Semnan University of Medical Sciences, Semnan, Iran
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Ghalandari-Shamami M, Nourizade S, Barati M, Yousefi B, Pashayi M, Ali Vafaei A, Kokhaei P, Rashidy-Pour A. Exercise and crocin prevent adolescent-stress induced impairment of spatial navigation and dendritic retraction in the hippocampal CA3 area in adult male rats. Brain Res 2021; 1754:147274. [PMID: 33422526 DOI: 10.1016/j.brainres.2020.147274] [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] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/22/2020] [Revised: 12/23/2020] [Accepted: 12/26/2020] [Indexed: 10/22/2022]
Abstract
Adolescent chronic stress has been shown to induce functional, biochemical and morphological modifications of the hippocampus, leading to stress-related disorders in adulthood. The present study investigated the effects of exercise, crocin and their combination on spatial learning and memory impairment and dendritic retraction of the CA3 pyramidal neurons induced by chronic adolescent stress in adult male rats. Rats were exposed to restraint stress 2 h/day for 10 days during postnatal days (PNDs) 30-40. Following this period, separate groups of animals were treated with crocin (25 and 50 mg/kg), exposed to running wheel, and or received the combined treatment during PNDs 41-55. Following the interventions, plasma levels of corticosterone, spatial learning and memory, apical dendritic length of CA3 pyramidal neurons and BDNF levels in the CA3 area were assessed. Findings showed that adolescent stress significantly increased corticosterone levels and caused a tendency to reduce CA3 BDNF levels. Adolescent stress also impaired spatial learning and memory, and retracted apical dendritic length of CA3 pyramidal neurons. Crocin, voluntary exercise, and their combination recovered stress-induced spatial learning and impairment and CA3 pyramidal neurons dendritic length retraction. All treatments also reduced significantly corticosterone levels and enhanced CA3 BDNF levels in the stress groups. Finally, these treatments even increased apical dendritic length of CA3 pyramidal neurons in the non-stress groups. These findings indicate that detrimental effects of adolescent stress on cognitive function and hippocampal morphology in adulthood could be restored by early interventions with physical activity and crocin treatment during adolescent period.
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Affiliation(s)
- Mohadeseh Ghalandari-Shamami
- Student Research Committee, Semnan University of Medical Sciences, Semnan, Iran; Research Center of Physiology, Semnan University of Medical Sciences, Semnan, Iran
| | - Shahla Nourizade
- Research Center of Physiology, Semnan University of Medical Sciences, Semnan, Iran
| | - Mehdi Barati
- Department of Immunology, Faculty of Medicine, Mashhad University of Medical Sciences, Mashhad, Iran
| | - Behpour Yousefi
- Department of Anatomical Sciences, School of Medicine, Semnan University of Medical Sciences, Semnan, Iran
| | - Mehrnush Pashayi
- Cancer Research Center, Semnan University of Medical Sciences, Semnan, Iran
| | - Abbas Ali Vafaei
- Research Center of Physiology, Semnan University of Medical Sciences, Semnan, Iran
| | - Parviz Kokhaei
- Cancer Research Center, Semnan University of Medical Sciences, Semnan, Iran
| | - Ali Rashidy-Pour
- Research Center of Physiology, Semnan University of Medical Sciences, Semnan, Iran.
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Mohamad Rezaei R, Shiravi A, Seyedinia SA, Moradi Kor N, Vafaei AA, Rashidy-Pour A. Role of Hippocampal 5-HT6 Receptors in Glucocorticoid-Induced Enhancement of Memory Consolidation in Rats. Basic Clin Neurosci 2021; 11:507-516. [PMID: 33613889 PMCID: PMC7878042 DOI: 10.32598/bcn.9.10.410] [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: 08/17/2018] [Revised: 08/27/2018] [Accepted: 08/20/2019] [Indexed: 11/24/2022] Open
Abstract
Introduction: of the study: Post-training administration of glucocorticoids enhance memory consolidation of inhibitory avoidance learning. Given the involvement of 5-HT6 receptors in memory processing and the interaction of glucocorticoids with the brain serotonergic system in modulating memory processing, we investigated whether the effect of glucocorticoids on the consolidation of emotionally arousing training depends on hippocampal 5-HT6 receptors. Methods: Rats were trained in an inhibitory avoidance task and immediately received the systemic injections of corticosterone (CORT) as well as the intra-hippocampal injections of 5-HT receptors agonist or antagonist. The memory retention test was done 48 hours after training and immediately after the behavioral test, the animals were sacrificed and the hippocampi (left and right) rapidly dissected out for molecular studies. Results: Post-training injections of different doses of CORT (1.25, 2.5, 5, and 10 mg/kg) enhanced memory retention in a dose-dependent manner. The CORT-induced enhancement of memory consolidation was blocked by bilateral intra-hippocampal injections of 5-HT6 receptor antagonist SB271046 (5 or 10 ng/per side), but not agonist EMD386088 (5 or 10 ng/per side). Furthermore, systemic CORT reduced 5-HT6 receptor mRNA and protein expression in the hippocampus. Both doses of 5-HT6 receptor agonist and antagonist significantly enhanced and reduced the expression of the 5-HT6 receptor, respectively, and both ligands at the higher dose (10 ng) enhanced memory consolidation. Moreover, CORT injection attenuated and enhanced, respectively, the effects of agonist and antagonist on 5-HT6 receptor expression. Conclusion: These behavioral and molecular findings indicated an interaction between glucocorticoids and hippocampal 5-HT6 receptors in the consolidation of emotionally arousing experiences.
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Affiliation(s)
| | | | - Seyed Ali Seyedinia
- Student Research Committee, Faculty of Medicine, Semnan University of Medical Sciences, Semnan, Iran
| | - Nasroallah Moradi Kor
- Student Research Committee, Faculty of Medicine, Semnan University of Medical Sciences, Semnan, Iran.,Laboratory of Learning and Memory, Research Center of Physiology, Semnan University of Medical Sciences, Semnan, Iran
| | - Abbas Ali Vafaei
- Laboratory of Learning and Memory, Research Center of Physiology, Semnan University of Medical Sciences, Semnan, Iran.,Department of Physiology, Faculty of Medicine, Semnan University of Medical Sciences, Semnan, Iran
| | - Ali Rashidy-Pour
- Laboratory of Learning and Memory, Research Center of Physiology, Semnan University of Medical Sciences, Semnan, Iran.,Department of Physiology, Faculty of Medicine, Semnan University of Medical Sciences, Semnan, Iran
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Jorjani H, Joneidi M, Vafaei AA, Rashidy-Pour A, Sameni H, Bandegi AR, Yousefi B, Miladi-Gorji H. Corrigendum to "Microinjection of the BDNF receptor antagonist ANA-12 into the nucleus accumbens and medial-prefrontal cortex attenuates morphine-induced reward memory, and alterations of BDNF levels and apoptotic cells in rats" [Pharmacol. Biochem. Behav. 201 (2021) 173111]. Pharmacol Biochem Behav 2021; 203:173150. [PMID: 33601109 DOI: 10.1016/j.pbb.2021.173150] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/15/2022]
Affiliation(s)
- Hassan Jorjani
- Laboratory of Animal Addiction Models, Research Center of Physiology, Semnan University of Medical Sciences, Semnan, Iran; Department of Physiology, School of Medicine, Semnan University of Medical Sciences, Semnan, Iran
| | - Marzieh Joneidi
- Laboratory of Animal Addiction Models, Research Center of Physiology, Semnan University of Medical Sciences, Semnan, Iran; Department of Physiology, School of Medicine, Semnan University of Medical Sciences, Semnan, Iran
| | - Abbas Ali Vafaei
- Laboratory of Animal Addiction Models, Research Center of Physiology, Semnan University of Medical Sciences, Semnan, Iran; Department of Physiology, School of Medicine, Semnan University of Medical Sciences, Semnan, Iran
| | - Ali Rashidy-Pour
- Laboratory of Animal Addiction Models, Research Center of Physiology, Semnan University of Medical Sciences, Semnan, Iran; Department of Physiology, School of Medicine, Semnan University of Medical Sciences, Semnan, Iran
| | - Hamidreza Sameni
- Nervous System Stem Cells Research Center, School of Medicine, Semnan University of Medical Sciences, Semnan, Iran; Department of Anatomical Sciences, School of Medicine, Semnan University of Medical Sciences, Semnan, Iran
| | - Ahmad Reza Bandegi
- Department of Biochemistry, School of Medicine, Semnan University of Medical Sciences, Semnan, Iran
| | - Behpour Yousefi
- Nervous System Stem Cells Research Center, School of Medicine, Semnan University of Medical Sciences, Semnan, Iran; Department of Anatomical Sciences, School of Medicine, Semnan University of Medical Sciences, Semnan, Iran
| | - Hossein Miladi-Gorji
- Laboratory of Animal Addiction Models, Research Center of Physiology, Semnan University of Medical Sciences, Semnan, Iran; Department of Physiology, School of Medicine, Semnan University of Medical Sciences, Semnan, Iran.
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Dadkhah M, Rashidy-Pour A, Vafaei AA. Temporary inactivation of the infralimbic cortex impairs while the blockade of its dopamine D2 receptors enhances auditory fear extinction in rats. Pharmacol Biochem Behav 2021; 203:173131. [PMID: 33545214 DOI: 10.1016/j.pbb.2021.173131] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/21/2020] [Revised: 01/27/2021] [Accepted: 01/28/2021] [Indexed: 10/22/2022]
Abstract
Fear extinction is defined as decline in conditioned fear responses that occurs with repeated and non-reinforced exposure to a feared conditioned stimulus. Experimental evidence suggests that the extinction of fear memory requires the integration of the medial prefrontal cortex (mPFC); nevertheless, the role of its sub-regions in regulating the expression and extinction of auditory fear has been rarely addressed in literature. The present study examined the roles of the infra-limbic (IL) and pre-limbic (PL) regions of the mPFC in the expression and extinction of auditory fear by temporally deactivating these regions using lidocaine (10 μg/0.5 μl) before training male Wistar rats in auditory fear-conditioning tasks. The results showed increased freezing levels and impaired extinction through deactivating the IL rather than the PL cortex. Given the role of the dopaminergic pathways in regulating fear memory, this study also investigated the role of D2 receptors located in the IL cortex in fear extinction. Fear extinction was improved in an inverted U-shape pattern through the intra-IL infusion of 15.125, 31.25, 62.5, 125, 250 and 500 ng/0.5 μl of the D2 receptor antagonist sulpiride. In other words, the moderate doses, i.e. 31.25, 62.5, 125, 250 ng/0.5 μl, enhanced auditory fear extinction, whereas the lowest and highest doses, i.e. 15.125 and 500 ng/0.5 μl, were ineffective. These findings demonstrated the key roles of the IL cortex and its dopamine D2 receptors in regulating auditory fear in rats.
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Affiliation(s)
- Masoomeh Dadkhah
- Research Center of Physiology, Semnan University of Medical Sciences, Semnan, Iran; Pharmaceutical Sciences Research Center, Ardabil University of Medical Sciences, Ardabil, Iran
| | - Ali Rashidy-Pour
- Research Center of Physiology, Semnan University of Medical Sciences, Semnan, Iran
| | - Abbas Ali Vafaei
- Research Center of Physiology, Semnan University of Medical Sciences, Semnan, Iran.
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Kashefi A, Tomaz C, Jamali S, Rashidy-Pour A, Vafaei AA, Haghparast A. Cannabidiol attenuated the maintenance and reinstatement of extinguished methylphenidate-induced conditioned place preference in rats. Brain Res Bull 2020; 166:118-127. [PMID: 33264654 DOI: 10.1016/j.brainresbull.2020.11.021] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.5] [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: 07/07/2020] [Revised: 11/25/2020] [Accepted: 11/26/2020] [Indexed: 12/21/2022]
Abstract
Methylphenidate (MPH) is a mild CNS stimulant that has been used in hyperactive children, and patients with neurodegenerative and major depressive disorders. Exposure to MPH-associated cues enhances craving and arousal in drug users. On the other hand, cannabidiol (CBD) has antipsychotic potential that might be useful in alleviating symptoms of drug addiction. The aim of this study was to investigate the effect of CBD administration on extinction and reinstatement of MPH-induced conditioning place preference (CPP) in rats. Male rats received MPH (1, 2.5 or 5 mg/kg, i.p) or morphine (5 or 10 mg/kg, s.c.) during the conditioning phase. Following the establishment of CPP, during extinction training, 60 min prior to every CPP session, animals were given daily ICV CBD (10 or 50 μg/5 μL), vehicle alone (DMSO) 10 % or were treatment-naïve. On the reinstatement day animals after receiving the initial dose of MPH, 0.5 mg/kg, and were placed into the CPP box to evaluate the CPP scoring for 10-min. Our findings indicated that morphine (5 and 10 mg/kg; s.c.) and MPH (1 and 2.5 mg/kg; i.p.) induced a CPP. The ICV administration of both doses of CBD (10 and 50 μg/5 μL) prevented the reinstatement of MPH-induced CPP, which displayed shorter extinction latency compared to treatment-naïve or DMSO 10 % groups. Therefore, CBD's site of action is a potential target for reducing the risk of MPH relapse; however, more investigation is required.
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Affiliation(s)
- Adel Kashefi
- Laboratory of Neuroscience and Behavior, Department of Physiological Sciences, University of Brasilia, Brasília, Brazil; Neuroscience Research Center, School of Medicine, Shahid Beheshti University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran; Research Center of Physiology, Semnan University of Medical Sciences, Semnan, Iran
| | - Carlos Tomaz
- Laboratory of Neuroscience and Behavior, University CEUMA, São Luís, Maranhão, Brazil
| | - Shole Jamali
- Neuroscience Research Center, Student Research Committee, School of Medicine, Shahid Beheshti University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran
| | - Ali Rashidy-Pour
- Research Center of Physiology, Semnan University of Medical Sciences, Semnan, Iran
| | - Abbas Ali Vafaei
- Research Center of Physiology, Semnan University of Medical Sciences, Semnan, Iran
| | - Abbas Haghparast
- Neuroscience Research Center, School of Medicine, Shahid Beheshti University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran.
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Abdullahi PR, Raeis-Abdollahi E, Sameni H, Vafaei AA, Ghanbari A, Rashidy-Pour A. Protective effects of morphine in a rat model of post-traumatic stress disorder: Role of hypothalamic-pituitary-adrenal axis and beta- adrenergic system. Behav Brain Res 2020; 395:112867. [PMID: 32827567 DOI: 10.1016/j.bbr.2020.112867] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [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: 01/18/2020] [Revised: 07/18/2020] [Accepted: 08/12/2020] [Indexed: 11/25/2022]
Abstract
Post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) arises after tremendous traumatic experiences. Recently, we have reported that morphine has time-dependent protective effects against behavioral and morphological deficits in the single prolonged stress (SPS) as an experimental model of PTSD in adult male rats. To find the mechanisms underlying the protective effects of morphine against SPS-induced PTSD-like symptoms, the present study investigated the interaction between morphine and hypothalamic-pituitary-adrenal (HPA) axis and beta - adrenergic system, which crucially involved in the stress response, on PTSD-like symptoms in male rats. The animals were exposed to the SPS procedure (restraint for 2 h, forced swimming for 20 min, and ether anesthesia) and morphine (10 mg/kg) or saline was injected 24 h following the SPS. The glucocorticoid receptor antagonist RU486 (20 mg/kg), the mineralocorticoid receptor antagonist spironolactone (50 mg/kg), and the corticosterone synthesis inhibitor metyrapone (50 mg/kg) were injected 90 min before morphine administration to block the HPA axis activity. The beta - adrenergic receptor blocker propranolol (10 mg/kg) and the peripheral beta-adrenergic receptor blocker nadolol (5 mg/kg) were administered 30 min before morphine injection to block the beta - adrenergic system. Anxiety-like behaviors were evaluated using the elevated plus maze (EPM) 11 days after the SPS. After that, animals were conditioned in a fear-conditioning task and extinction training was performed on days 1, 2, 3, 4 and 11 after fear conditioning. SPS increased anxiety-like behaviors and impaired fear extinction. Morphine injection 24 h after SPS significantly improved anxiety-like behaviors and enhanced fear extinction. The RU486, spironolactone and metyrapone prevented the protective effects of morphine on both SPS-induced anxiety-like behaviors and impaired fear extinction. The propranolol, and nadolol did not prevent the effect of morphine on anxiety-like behaviors, but the propranolol prevented morphine effects on fear extinction in SPS animals. These findings together suggest that the protective effects of morphine on PTSD-like symptoms in rats require a certain level of the HPA axis and central beta - adrenergic activity and any alteration in the function of these systems can impede the protective effects of morphine.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Ehsan Raeis-Abdollahi
- Department of Physiology, School of Medicine, Tehran University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran
| | - Hamidreza Sameni
- Nervous System Stem Cells Research Center, Semnan University of Medical Sciences, Semnan, Iran
| | - Abbas Ali Vafaei
- Research Center of Physiology, Semnan University of Medical Sciences, Semnan, Iran
| | - Ali Ghanbari
- Research Center of Physiology, Semnan University of Medical Sciences, Semnan, Iran
| | - Ali Rashidy-Pour
- Research Center of Physiology, Semnan University of Medical Sciences, Semnan, Iran.
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Memarpour S, Beheshti F, Baghcheghi Y, Vafaei AA, Hosseini M, Rashidy-Pour A. Neuronal Nitric Oxide Inhibitor 7-Nitroindazole Improved Brain-Derived Neurotrophic Factor and Attenuated Brain Tissues Oxidative Damage and Learning and Memory Impairments of Hypothyroid Juvenile Rats. Neurochem Res 2020; 45:2775-2785. [PMID: 32930947 DOI: 10.1007/s11064-020-03128-6] [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] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/28/2020] [Revised: 08/29/2020] [Accepted: 09/08/2020] [Indexed: 12/11/2022]
Abstract
Hypothyroidism-associated learning and memory impairment is reported to be connected to oxidative stress and reduced levels of brain-derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF). The effects of neuronal nitric oxide inhibitor 7-nitroindazole (7NI) on brain tissues oxidative damage, nitric oxide (NO), BDNF and memory impairments in hypothyroid juvenile rats were investigated. Male Wistar juvenile rats (20 days old) were divided into five groups, including Martinez et al. (J Neurochem 78 (5):1054-1063, 2001). Control in which vehicle was injected instead of 7NI, (Jackson in Thyroid 8 (10):951-956, 1998) Propylthiouracil (PTU) where 0.05% PTU was added in drinking water and vehicle was injected instead of 7NI, (Gong et al. in BMC Neurosci 11 (1):50, 2010; Alva-Sánchez et al. in Brain Res 1271:27-35, 2009; Anaeigoudari et al. in Pharmacol Rep 68 (2): 243-249, 2016) PTU-7NI 5, PTU-7NI 10 and PTU-7NI 20 in which 5, 10, or 20 mg/kg7NI was injected intraperitoneally (i.p.). Following 6 weeks, Morris water maze (MMW) and passive avoidance learning (PAL) tests were used to evaluate the memory. Finally, the hippocampus and the cortex of the rats were removed after anesthesia by urethane to be used for future analysis. The escape latency and traveled path in MWM test was increased in PTU group (P < 0.001). PTU also reduced the latency to enter the dark box of PAL and the time spent and the distance in the target quadrant in MWM test (P < 0.001 and P < 0.01). Treatment with 7NI attenuated all adverse effects of PTU (P < 0.05 to P < 0.001). PTU lowered BDNF and thiol content and superoxide dismutase (SOD) and catalase (CAT) activities in the brain but increased malondialdehyde (MDA) and nitric oxide (NO) metabolites. In addition, 7NI improved thiol, SOD, CAT, thiol, and BDNF but attenuated MDA and NO metabolites. The results of the current study showed that 7NI improvement in the learning and memory of the hypothyroid juvenile rats, which was accompanied with improving of BDNF and attenuation of NO and brain tissues oxidative damage.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sara Memarpour
- Research Center of Physiology, Semnan University of Medical Sciences, Semnan, Iran
| | - Farimah Beheshti
- Neuroscience Research Center, Torbat Heydariyeh University of Medical Sciences, Torbat Heydariyeh, Iran.,Department of Physiology, School of Paramedical Sciences, Torbat Heydariyeh University of Medical Sciences, Torbat Heydariyeh, Iran
| | - Yousef Baghcheghi
- Neurogenic Inflammation Research Center, Mashhad University of Medical Sciences, Mashhad, Iran
| | - Abbas Ali Vafaei
- Research Center of Physiology, Semnan University of Medical Sciences, Semnan, Iran
| | - Mahmoud Hosseini
- Division of Neurocognitive Sciences, Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences Research Center, Mashhad University of Medical Sciences, Mashhad, Iran.
| | - Ali Rashidy-Pour
- Research Center of Physiology, Semnan University of Medical Sciences, Semnan, Iran.
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Kashefi A, Rashidy-Pour A, Vafaei AA, Haghparast A, Tomaz C, Ahmadalipour A. Corticosterone impairs contextual fear recall after reactivation in the ovariectomized rat model of menopause. Behav Brain Res 2020; 394:112817. [DOI: 10.1016/j.bbr.2020.112817] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/25/2020] [Revised: 07/04/2020] [Accepted: 07/18/2020] [Indexed: 01/05/2023]
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Vafaei AA, Safakhah HA, Jafari S, Tavasoli A, Rashidy-Pour A, Ghanbari A, Seyedinia SA, Tarahomi P. Role of Cannabinoid Receptors in Crocin-Induced Hypoalgesia in Neuropathic Pain in Rats. J Exp Pharmacol 2020; 12:97-106. [PMID: 32431552 PMCID: PMC7201010 DOI: 10.2147/jep.s250738] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.8] [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: 02/22/2020] [Accepted: 04/08/2020] [Indexed: 01/11/2023] Open
Abstract
Purpose Neuropathic pain involves injury or alteration of the normal sensory and modulatory nervous systems to produce a set of symptoms that are often difficult to treat. Previous study indicates that crocin has anti-inflammatory properties that may be mediated by the neurotransmitter system. In this study, we determine if there is an interaction between crocin and the cannabinoid system on chronic constriction injury (CCI)-induced neuropathic pain in male rats. Materials and Methods In this experimental study, adult male Wistar rats (220–250 g) were used. CCI was induced by setting four loose ligatures around the sciatic nerve. In part 1, after nerve lesion, vehicle, crocin (60 mg/kg) or Win 55-212-2 (0.1 mg/kg) as an agonist and AM 251 (0.1 mg/kg) as an antagonist of cannabinoid receptors were injected intraperitoneally daily in separate groups for 2 weeks. In part 2, two weeks after nerve lesion, vehicle (5 µL), crocin (6 µg/5 µL), Win 55-212-2 (0.1 µg/5 µL), AM 251 (0.1 µg/5 µL) were administered intracerebroventricularly (ICV) in separate groups. Mechanical allodynia and thermal hyperalgesia were measured using Von Frey filaments and plantar test device, respectively, at day 14. Data were analyzed by two-way ANOVA and Sidak’s multiple comparisons post-test. Results Results indicated that centrally administered crocin significantly decreased thermal hyperalgesia and mechanical allodynia. Also, peripheral injection of crocin significantly decreased mechanical allodynia but not thermal hyperalgesia. Central or peripheral administration of Win 55-212-2 or AM 251 modulates the analgesic effect of crocin significantly. Conclusion Our findings showed that crocin has significant analgesic effects that are probably mediated by an endocannabinoid mechanism.
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Affiliation(s)
- Abbas Ali Vafaei
- Research Center of Physiology, Semnan University of Medical Sciences, Semnan, Iran.,Department of Physiology, Faculty of Medicine, Semnan University of Medical Sciences, Semnan, Iran
| | - Hossein Ali Safakhah
- Research Center of Physiology, Semnan University of Medical Sciences, Semnan, Iran.,Department of Physiology, Faculty of Medicine, Semnan University of Medical Sciences, Semnan, Iran
| | - Simin Jafari
- Research Center of Physiology, Semnan University of Medical Sciences, Semnan, Iran
| | - Azin Tavasoli
- Research Center of Physiology, Semnan University of Medical Sciences, Semnan, Iran
| | - Ali Rashidy-Pour
- Research Center of Physiology, Semnan University of Medical Sciences, Semnan, Iran.,Department of Physiology, Faculty of Medicine, Semnan University of Medical Sciences, Semnan, Iran
| | - Ali Ghanbari
- Research Center of Physiology, Semnan University of Medical Sciences, Semnan, Iran
| | - Seyed Ali Seyedinia
- Student Research Committee, Faculty of Medicine, Semnan University of Medical Sciences, Semnan, Iran
| | - Parnia Tarahomi
- Student Research Committee, Faculty of Medicine, Semnan University of Medical Sciences, Semnan, Iran
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Shahroodi A, Mohammadi F, Vafaei AA, Miladi-Gorji H, Bandegi AR, Rashidy-Pour A. Impact of different intensities of forced exercise on deficits of spatial and aversive memory, anxiety-like behavior, and hippocampal BDNF during morphine abstinence period in male rats. Metab Brain Dis 2020; 35:135-147. [PMID: 31773433 DOI: 10.1007/s11011-019-00518-w] [Citation(s) in RCA: 12] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/27/2019] [Accepted: 11/14/2019] [Indexed: 10/25/2022]
Abstract
Forced exercise can alleviate cognitive-behavioral deficits in an experimental model of addiction. However, the effects of different intensities of forced exercise in improving behavioral, cognitive and biochemical deficits during morphine abstinence period are not well investigated. Thus, the current work examined the effects of different loads of forced exercise on cognition functions, anxiety behavior and BDNF changes in the hippocampus, and prefrontal cortex (PFC), and also serum levels of BDNF and corticosterone during the abstinent period in male rats. Animals received morphine injections (10 mg/kg, twice a day) for 10 consecutive days. Then, the animals were exposed to a 4-week forced exercise training program under low, moderate or high intensities (30 min per session on 5 days a week), which accompanied by behavioral and biochemical tests. In Experiment 1, anxiety-like behaviors using elevated plus maze (EPM), and light/dark box (L/D box) were examined. In Experiment 2, cognitive functions using T-maze alteration and passive avoidance tasks were tested, which accompanied by BDNF measurements in the hippocampus and PFC. In Experiment 3, serum levels of BDNF and corticosterone following the termination of forced exercise regimen were measured. Morphine-abstinent animals exhibited anxiogenic -like behaviors in the EPM, but not L/D box. They also exhibited impaired T-maze alternation performance and passive avoidance memory, and a decline in hippocampal BDNF, but not PFC. Forced exercise at a moderate intensity alleviated anxiety, cognitive and BDNF defects in morphine-abstinent animals. The high load exercise enhanced serum levels of corticosterone in both saline and morphine groups. Thus, regular moderate forced exercise may be beneficial in preserving cognitive and mood functions in male addicts during the abstinent period and drug rehabilitation.
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Affiliation(s)
- Azadeh Shahroodi
- Student Research Committee, School of Medicine, Semnan University of Medical Sciences, Semnan, Iran
- Research Center of Physiology, Semnan University of Medical Sciences, Semnan, 15131-38111, Iran
| | - Fatemeh Mohammadi
- Student Research Committee, School of Medicine, Semnan University of Medical Sciences, Semnan, Iran
- Research Center of Physiology, Semnan University of Medical Sciences, Semnan, 15131-38111, Iran
| | - Abbas Ali Vafaei
- Research Center of Physiology, Semnan University of Medical Sciences, Semnan, 15131-38111, Iran
- Department of Physiology, School of Medicine, Semnan University of Medical Sciences, Semnan, Iran
| | - Hossein Miladi-Gorji
- Research Center of Physiology, Semnan University of Medical Sciences, Semnan, 15131-38111, Iran
- Department of Physiology, School of Medicine, Semnan University of Medical Sciences, Semnan, Iran
| | - Ahmad Reza Bandegi
- Research Center of Physiology, Semnan University of Medical Sciences, Semnan, 15131-38111, Iran
- Laboratory of Endocrine Research, School of Medicine, Semnan University of Medical Sciences, Semnan, Iran
| | - Ali Rashidy-Pour
- Research Center of Physiology, Semnan University of Medical Sciences, Semnan, 15131-38111, Iran.
- Department of Physiology, School of Medicine, Semnan University of Medical Sciences, Semnan, Iran.
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Rashidy-Pour A, Bavarsad K, Miladi-Gorji H, Seraj Z, Vafaei AA. Voluntary exercise and estradiol reverse ovariectomy-induced spatial learning and memory deficits and reduction in hippocampal brain-derived neurotrophic factor in rats. Pharmacol Biochem Behav 2019; 187:172819. [PMID: 31697961 DOI: 10.1016/j.pbb.2019.172819] [Citation(s) in RCA: 11] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/28/2019] [Revised: 10/28/2019] [Accepted: 11/03/2019] [Indexed: 11/19/2022]
Abstract
Ample evidences have demonstrated the beneficial effects of physical exercise on cognitive functions such as learning and memory. It is well established that female sex hormones have an important role in regulating learning and memory. This study was designed to investigate the effects of voluntary exercise and estrogen replacement on learning and memory deficits and reduction in hippocampal brain derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF) levels induced by ovariectomy. Ovariectomized rats were given daily vehicle or 17 β-estradiol (20 μg/kg) and allowed to freely exercise in a running wheel over the course of 2 weeks. After this period, they were trained and tested on a water-maze spatial task for 5 consecutive days, followed by a probe test one day later. At the end of the behavioral tests, all animals were decapitated and their hippocampal levels of BDNF were measured. Ovariectomy impaired spatial learning and memory and reduced hippocampal BDNF levels. Exercise significantly improved performance during both training and the retention of the water-maze task and increased hippocampal BDNF. Exercise, 17 β-estradiol and their combination recovered the impairing effects of ovariectomy on learning and memory performance. The combined treatment did not produce stronger effect than either exercise or 17 β-estradiol alone. Our findings provide an important evidence about positive influences of regular exercise and estrogen treatment against cognitive and BDNF deficits induced in ovariectomized rats, an experimental model of menopause.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ali Rashidy-Pour
- Laboratory of Learning and Memory, Research Center of Physiology, Semnan University of Medical Sciences, Semnan, Iran; Department of Physiology, School of Medicine, Semnan University of Medical Sciences, Semnan, Iran
| | - Kowsar Bavarsad
- Student Research Committee, Semnan University of Medical Sciences, Semnan, Iran; Department of Physiology, School of Medicine, Ahvaz Jundishapur University of Medical Sciences, Ahvaz, Iran
| | - Hossein Miladi-Gorji
- Laboratory of Learning and Memory, Research Center of Physiology, Semnan University of Medical Sciences, Semnan, Iran; Department of Physiology, School of Medicine, Semnan University of Medical Sciences, Semnan, Iran
| | - Zahra Seraj
- Student Research Committee, Semnan University of Medical Sciences, Semnan, Iran
| | - Abbas Ali Vafaei
- Laboratory of Learning and Memory, Research Center of Physiology, Semnan University of Medical Sciences, Semnan, Iran; Department of Physiology, School of Medicine, Semnan University of Medical Sciences, Semnan, Iran.
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Derafshpour L, Saboory E, Vafaei AA, Rashidy-Pour A, Roshan-Milani S, Rasmi Y, Panahi Y, Sameni H. Interactive Effects of Exercise, Sex Hormones, and Transient Congenital Hypothyroidism on Long-Term Potentiation in Hippocampal Slices of Rat Offspring. Basic Clin Neurosci 2019; 10:119-135. [PMID: 31031899 PMCID: PMC6484195 DOI: 10.32598/bcn.9.10.170] [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] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/13/2017] [Revised: 12/25/2017] [Accepted: 04/30/2018] [Indexed: 11/20/2022] Open
Abstract
Introduction: The long-term adverse effects of transient thyroid function abnormalities at birth on intellectual development are proven. The effect of exercise increases in the presence of sex hormones. The current study aimed at investigating the possibility that a combination of sex hormones and exercise has synergistic effects on neural plasticity in Transient Congenital Hypothyroidism (TCH) rats. Methods: To induce hypothyroidism in the mothers, Propylthiouracil (PTU) was added to drinking water (100 mg/L) on the 6th day of gestation and continued until the 21st Postnatal Day. From Postnatal Day (PND) 28 to 47, the female and male pups received 17β-estradiol and testosterone, respectively. The mild treadmill exercise began 30 minutes after the sex hormones or vehicle administration. On PND 48, electrophysiological experiments were performed on brain slices. Results: Increase of Long-Term Potentiation (LTP) was observed in sedentary-non-hormone female rats of TCH group, compared with that of the control. The exercise enhanced LTP in control rats, but the hormones showed no significant effect. The effect of exercise and sex hormone was not significant in the TCH group. The combination of exercise and testosterone enhanced LTP in TCH male rats, while the combination of exercise and estradiol or each of them individually did not produce such an effect on LTP in TCH female rats. Conclusion: The study findings showed an increase in excitatory transmission despite the returning of thyroid hormone levels to normal range in TCH female rats. Also a combination treatment including exercise and testosterone enhanced LTP in male rats of TCH group, which was a gender-specific event.
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Affiliation(s)
- Leila Derafshpour
- Laboratory of Learning and Memory, Research Center of Physiology, Semnan University of Medical Sciences, Semnan, Iran.,Neurophysiology Research Center, Urmia University of Medical Sciences, Urmia, Iran
| | - Ehsan Saboory
- Neurophysiology Research Center, Urmia University of Medical Sciences, Urmia, Iran
| | - Abbas Ali Vafaei
- Laboratory of Learning and Memory, Research Center of Physiology, Semnan University of Medical Sciences, Semnan, Iran
| | - Ali Rashidy-Pour
- Laboratory of Learning and Memory, Research Center of Physiology, Semnan University of Medical Sciences, Semnan, Iran
| | - Shiva Roshan-Milani
- Neurophysiology Research Center, Urmia University of Medical Sciences, Urmia, Iran
| | - Yousef Rasmi
- Cellular and Molecular Research Center, Urmia University of Medical Sciences, Urmia, Iran
| | - Yousef Panahi
- Department of Basic Science, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, University of Tabriz, Tabriz, Iran
| | - Hamidreza Sameni
- Nervous System Stem Cells Research Center, Semnan University of Medical Sciences, Semnan, Iran
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RaiseAbdullahi P, Vafaei AA, Ghanbari A, Dadkhah M, Rashidy-Pour A. Time-dependent protective effects of morphine against behavioral and morphological deficits in an animal model of posttraumatic stress disorder. Behav Brain Res 2019; 364:19-28. [PMID: 30753875 DOI: 10.1016/j.bbr.2019.01.058] [Citation(s) in RCA: 12] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.4] [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: 11/08/2018] [Revised: 01/28/2019] [Accepted: 01/31/2019] [Indexed: 12/21/2022]
Abstract
Post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) arises after an individual has experienced a major traumatic event. Recent evidence suggests that acute morphine treatment may serve as a strategy to reduce PTSD development. In the present study, we investigated the time-dependent effects of morphine on behavioral and morphological deficits induced by the single prolonged stress (SPS), an experimental model of PTSD, in adult male rats. The rats were exposed to SPS (restraint for 2 h, forced swimming for 20 min, and ether anesthesia), and kept undistributed for 11 days. Morphine was injected immediately, 6, 12 and 24 h after SPS. Anxiety profile was evaluated using the elevated plus maze11 days after SPS. Then, animals were conditioned in a fear conditioning task and extinction training was performed on days 1, 2, 3, 4 and 11 after fear conditioning which followed by morphological assessments in the medial prefrontal cortex (mPFC). SPS rats showed increased anxiety levels and impaired contextual fear extinction retention. SPS also decreased dendritic length in the infra-limbic (IL) and dendritic spines in the IL and pre-limbic (PL) regions of the mPFC. Conversely, morphine treatment 6, 12 and 24 h but not immediately after SPS significantly improved anxiety-like behaviors, fear extinction, increased dendritic length, and spines in the mPFC. Morphine-induced much stronger response when injected 24 h after the SPS, and this effect was blocked by naloxone. Our findings show that morphine within a restricted time window selectively reversed the SPS-induced deficits in anxiety profile, fear extinction, and dendritic morphology in the mPFC. Finally, these findings suggest that the time point of morphine injection following a traumatic event is an important determinant of the full therapeutic effect of morphine against PTSD.
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Affiliation(s)
- Payman RaiseAbdullahi
- Student Research Committee, Semnan University of Medical Sciences, Semnan, Iran; Laboratoryof Learning and Memory, Research Center of Physiology, Semnan University of Medical Sciences, Semnan, Iran
| | - Abbas Ali Vafaei
- Laboratoryof Learning and Memory, Research Center of Physiology, Semnan University of Medical Sciences, Semnan, Iran; Department of Physiology, School of Medicine, Semnan University of Medical Sciences, Semnan, Iran
| | - Ali Ghanbari
- Laboratoryof Learning and Memory, Research Center of Physiology, Semnan University of Medical Sciences, Semnan, Iran
| | - Masoomeh Dadkhah
- Research Centers Development and Coordination Office, Deputy of Research& Technology, Ardabil University of Medical Sciences Ardabil, Iran
| | - Ali Rashidy-Pour
- Laboratoryof Learning and Memory, Research Center of Physiology, Semnan University of Medical Sciences, Semnan, Iran; Department of Physiology, School of Medicine, Semnan University of Medical Sciences, Semnan, Iran.
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Samaei A, Nobahar M, Hydarinia-Naieni Z, Ebrahimian AA, Tammadon MR, Ghorbani R, Vafaei AA. Effect of valerian on cognitive disorders and electroencephalography in hemodialysis patients: a randomized, cross over, double-blind clinical trial. BMC Nephrol 2018; 19:379. [PMID: 30591031 PMCID: PMC6309073 DOI: 10.1186/s12882-018-1134-8] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/19/2017] [Accepted: 11/12/2018] [Indexed: 02/08/2023] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND The prevalence of cognitive disorders in hemodialysis patients is twice as high as the general population, while these disorders often are undiagnosed. Timely prevention and treatment can improve their personal and social functions. Aim of study was determined the effect of Valerian on cognitive disorders and electroencephalography (EGG) in hemodialysis patients. METHODS This crossover, double-blind clinical trial was conducted on 39 hemodialysis patients. The patients were randomly divided into two groups. Group A (n = 19) took Valerian capsules and Group B (n = 20) received placebo capsules 60 min before bedtime for one month. The type of treatment was replaced between the two groups after a one-month wash-out. The Mini Mental State Examination (MMSE) questionnaire was completed and EGG was performed before and after intervention in both periods. RESULTS The cognitive scores of the Group valerian were increased significantly in the first (p = 0.003) and the second (p = 0.005) periods. In addition, the mean increase in the cognitive scores in the Group valerian was significant in the first (p = 0.028) and the second periods (p = 0.030). However, the changes in EGG showed no significant difference before and after intervention in two groups. CONCLUSION The findings of this study indicated that valerian could be effective and significantly improve patients' cognitive status; however, no significant changes were observed in the electroencephalography of the hemodialysis patients. TRIAL REGISTRATION IRCT201606076318N7 -2016-06-17.
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Affiliation(s)
- Afshin Samaei
- Research Center and Department of Physiology, Faculty of Medicine, Semnan University of Medical Sciences, Semnan, Iran
| | - Monir Nobahar
- Nursing Care Research Center and Social Determinants of Health Research Center, Faculty of Nursing and Midwifery, Semnan University of Medical Sciences, Semnan, 3513138111 Iran
- Department of Nursing, Faculty of Nursing and Midwifery, Semnan University of Medical Sciences, Semnan, Iran
| | | | - Abbas Ali Ebrahimian
- Department of Nursing, Faculty of Nursing and Midwifery, Semnan University of Medical Sciences, Semnan, Iran
- Nursing Care Research Center, Semnan University of Medical Sciences, Semnan, Iran
| | | | - Raheb Ghorbani
- Social Determinants of Health Research Center, Department of Epidemiology and Biostatistics, Faculty of Medicine, Semnan University of Medical Sciences, Semnan, Iran
| | - Abbas Ali Vafaei
- Rehabilitation Research Center, Neurology Department, Kowsar Hospital, Faculty of Medicine, Semnan University of Medical Sciences, Semnan, Iran
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Sedaghat K, Yousefian Z, Vafaei AA, Rashidy-Pour A, Parsaei H, Khaleghian A, Choobdar S. Mesolimbic dopamine system and its modulation by vitamin D in a chronic mild stress model of depression in the rat. Behav Brain Res 2018; 356:156-169. [PMID: 30144460 DOI: 10.1016/j.bbr.2018.08.020] [Citation(s) in RCA: 28] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/16/2017] [Revised: 08/07/2018] [Accepted: 08/21/2018] [Indexed: 12/27/2022]
Abstract
Depression, a common mood disorder, involves anhedonia and defects in reward circuits and mesolimbic dopamine transmission in the striatum and nucleus accumbens (NAc). Active vitamin-D, (1,25-(OH)2 vitamin-D3), exerts protective and regulatory effects on the brain dopamine system. In this study, key depression-like symptoms were induced in rats by chronic mild-stress (CMS) and the comparative effect of treatment with 1,25-(OH)2 vitamin-D3 (5, 10 μg/kg, or vehicle; i.p., twice weekly) or fluoxetine (5 mg/kg or vehicle, i.p., daily) on anhedonic behavior, locomotor activity and anxiety-like behavior was examined using sucrose preference test (SPT), open field test (OFT) and novel object exploration test (NOT), respectively. We also measured serum corticosterone levels and dopamine transporter-immunoreactivity (DAT-ir) levels in NAc shell and core. CMS exposure for 3 weeks was followed by a SPT and thereafter CMS was continued for 5 weeks, along with vitamin-D or fluoxetine treatment and further testing, which was concluded with another SPT. Vitamin-D treatment enhanced sucrose preference (P < 0.01; an hedonic effect) and increased object exploration (P < 0.01) in CMS rats. CMS significantly reduced the level of DAT-ir in NAc (P < 0.0001). Vitamin-D treatment restored/increased DAT-ir levels (P < 0.0001) in CMS rat NAc (core/ shell), compared to levels in fluoxetine treated and non-treated CMS rats. Vitamin-D did not alter locomotor activity or produce an anxiolytic effect in the OFT. These data suggest that similar to the antidepressant, fluoxetine, regular vitamin-D treatment can improve 'anhedonia-like symptoms' in rats subjected to CMS, probably by regulating the effect of dopamine-related actions in the NAc.
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Affiliation(s)
- Katayoun Sedaghat
- Research Centre of Physiology, Semnan University of Medical Sciences, Semnan, Iran; Department of Physiology, School of Medicine, Semnan University of Medical Sciences, Semnan, Iran.
| | - Zahra Yousefian
- Research Centre of Physiology, Semnan University of Medical Sciences, Semnan, Iran; Department of Physiology, School of Medicine, Semnan University of Medical Sciences, Semnan, Iran
| | - Abbas Ali Vafaei
- Research Centre of Physiology, Semnan University of Medical Sciences, Semnan, Iran; Department of Physiology, School of Medicine, Semnan University of Medical Sciences, Semnan, Iran
| | - Ali Rashidy-Pour
- Research Centre of Physiology, Semnan University of Medical Sciences, Semnan, Iran; Department of Physiology, School of Medicine, Semnan University of Medical Sciences, Semnan, Iran
| | - Houman Parsaei
- Department of Anatomy, School of Medicine, Semnan University of Medical Sciences, Semnan, Iran
| | - Ali Khaleghian
- Department of Biochemistry, School of Medicine, Semnan University of Medical Sciences, Semnan, Iran
| | - Sara Choobdar
- Research Centre of Physiology, Semnan University of Medical Sciences, Semnan, Iran; Department of Physiology, School of Medicine, Semnan University of Medical Sciences, Semnan, Iran
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Aliakbari F, Shabani AA, Bardania H, Mohammad-Beigi H, Tayaranian Marvian A, Dehghani Esmatabad F, Vafaei AA, Shojaosadati SA, Saboury AA, Christiansen G, Otzen DE, Morshedi D. Formulation and anti-neurotoxic activity of baicalein-incorporating neutral nanoliposome. Colloids Surf B Biointerfaces 2018; 161:578-587. [DOI: 10.1016/j.colsurfb.2017.11.023] [Citation(s) in RCA: 25] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/26/2017] [Revised: 10/12/2017] [Accepted: 11/07/2017] [Indexed: 01/05/2023]
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Jadidi M, Khatami MS, Mohammad-pour F, Bandavi A, Rashidy-pour A, Vafaei AA, Taherian AA, Miladi-Gorji H. Effects of extremely low frequency magnetic field on the development of tolerance to the analgesic effect of morphine in rats. Bioelectromagnetics 2017; 38:618-625. [DOI: 10.1002/bem.22089] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/20/2016] [Accepted: 09/05/2017] [Indexed: 11/08/2022]
Affiliation(s)
- Majid Jadidi
- Research Center of Physiology and Department of Medical Physics; School of Medicine; Semnan University of Medical Sciences; Semnan Iran
| | - Mahfouzeh Sadat Khatami
- Research Center and Department of Physiology; School of Medicine; Semnan University of Medical Sciences; Semnan Iran
| | - Fatemeh Mohammad-pour
- Research Center and Department of Physiology; School of Medicine; Semnan University of Medical Sciences; Semnan Iran
| | - Afsaneh Bandavi
- Research Center and Department of Physiology; School of Medicine; Semnan University of Medical Sciences; Semnan Iran
| | - Ali Rashidy-pour
- Research Center and Department of Physiology; School of Medicine; Semnan University of Medical Sciences; Semnan Iran
| | - Abbas Ali Vafaei
- Research Center and Department of Physiology; School of Medicine; Semnan University of Medical Sciences; Semnan Iran
| | - Abbas Ali Taherian
- Research Center and Department of Physiology; School of Medicine; Semnan University of Medical Sciences; Semnan Iran
| | - Hossein Miladi-Gorji
- Research Center and Department of Physiology; School of Medicine; Semnan University of Medical Sciences; Semnan Iran
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Akhoundzadeh K, Vakili A, Sameni HR, Vafaei AA, Rashidy-Pour A, Safari M, Mohammadkhani R. Effects of the combined treatment of bone marrow stromal cells with mild exercise and thyroid hormone on brain damage and apoptosis in a mouse focal cerebral ischemia model. Metab Brain Dis 2017; 32:1267-1277. [PMID: 28547077 DOI: 10.1007/s11011-017-0034-0] [Citation(s) in RCA: 15] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/06/2016] [Accepted: 05/16/2017] [Indexed: 01/20/2023]
Abstract
This study examined whether post-stroke bone marrow stromal cells (BMSCs) therapy combined with exercise (EX) and/or thyroid hormone (TH) could reduce brain damage in an experimental ischemic stroke in mice. Focal cerebral ischemia was induced under Laser Doppler Flowmetry (LDF) guide by 45 min of middle cerebral artery occlusion (MCAO), followed by 7 days of reperfusion in albino mice. BMSCs were injected into the right cerebral ventricle 24 h after MCAO, followed by daily injection of T3 (20 μg/100 g weight S.C) and 6 days of running on a treadmill. Infarct size, neurobehavioral test, TUNEL and BrdU positive cells were evaluated at 7 days after MCAO. Treatment with BMSCs and mild EX alone significantly reduced the infarct volume by 23% and 44%, respectively (both, p < 0.001). The BMSCs + TH, BMSCs + EX, and BMSCs + EX + TH combination therapies significantly reduced the infarct volume by 26%, 51%, and 70%, respectively (all, p < 0.001). A significant improvement in the neurobehavioral functioning was observed in the EX, BMSCs + EX, and BMSCs + EX+ TH groups (p < 0.001). The number of TUNEL-positive cells (a marker of apoptosis) was significantly reduced in the EX, BMSCs, BMSCs + EX, BMSCs + TH, and BMSCs + EX + TH groups (all, p < 0.001). Moreover, the combination therapy considerably increased BrdU-labeled cells in the subventricular zone (SVZ) (p < 0.01). Our findings indicated that the combined treatment of BMSCs with mild EX and TH more efficiently reduces the cerebral infarct size after stroke. More likely, these effects mediate via enchaining generation of new neuronal cells and the attenuation of apoptosis in ischemia stroke in young mice.
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Affiliation(s)
- Kobar Akhoundzadeh
- Research Center and Department of Physiology, Faculty of Medicine, School of Medicine, Semnan University of Medical Sciences, Semnan, Iran
| | - Abedin Vakili
- Research Center and Department of Physiology, Faculty of Medicine, School of Medicine, Semnan University of Medical Sciences, Semnan, Iran.
| | - Hamid Reza Sameni
- Research Center of Nervous System Stem Cells, Department of Anatomy, Faculty of Medicine, Semnan University of Medical Sciences, Semnan, Iran.
| | - Abbas Ali Vafaei
- Research Center and Department of Physiology, Faculty of Medicine, School of Medicine, Semnan University of Medical Sciences, Semnan, Iran
| | - Ali Rashidy-Pour
- Research Center and Department of Physiology, Faculty of Medicine, School of Medicine, Semnan University of Medical Sciences, Semnan, Iran
| | - Manouchehr Safari
- Research Center of Nervous System Stem Cells, Department of Anatomy, Faculty of Medicine, Semnan University of Medical Sciences, Semnan, Iran
| | - Razieh Mohammadkhani
- Research Center and Department of Physiology, Faculty of Medicine, School of Medicine, Semnan University of Medical Sciences, Semnan, Iran
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Ghodrati-Jaldbakhan S, Ahmadalipour A, Rashidy-Pour A, Vafaei AA, Miladi-Gorji H, Alizadeh M. Low- and high-intensity treadmill exercise attenuates chronic morphine-induced anxiogenesis and memory impairment but not reductions in hippocampal BDNF in female rats. Brain Res 2017; 1663:20-28. [DOI: 10.1016/j.brainres.2017.02.024] [Citation(s) in RCA: 22] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/28/2016] [Revised: 02/21/2017] [Accepted: 02/22/2017] [Indexed: 12/14/2022]
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Jadidi M, Biat SM, Sameni HR, Safari M, Vafaei AA, Ghahari L. Mesenchymal stem cells that located in the electromagnetic fields improves rat model of Parkinson's disease. Iran J Basic Med Sci 2016; 19:741-8. [PMID: 27635198 PMCID: PMC5010846] [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] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/16/2015] [Accepted: 12/24/2015] [Indexed: 10/25/2022]
Abstract
OBJECTIVES The main characteristic of mesenchymal stem cells (MSCs) is their ability to produce other cell types. Electromagnetic field (EMF) stimulates differentiation of MSCs into other cells. In this study, we investigated whether EMF can effect on the differentiation of MSCs into dopaminergic (DA) neurons. MATERIALS AND METHODS An EMF with a frequency of 50 Hz and two intensities of 40 and 400 µT 1hr/day was generated around the cells for a week. Afterwards, these cells were injected into the left ventricle of Parkinsonian rats. The rats survived for 2 weeks, and then sampling was performed. RESULTS The injected cells differentiated into DA neurons and sporadically settled in the substantia nigra pars compacta (SNpc). Transplanted rats exhibited significant partial correction apomorphine-induced rotational behavior compared to Parkinsonian rats (5.0±0.1 vs 7.57±0.08). Results demonstrated that endogenous serum and brain derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF) were altered in all experimental groups. The greatest increase was in group of 400 µT EMF in comparison with Parkinsonian rats (398±15 vs. 312±11.79 pg ⁄ mg). Current study have shown that 6-Hydroxydopamine can cause severe loss of dopaminergic neurons (68±6.58), but injected MSCs that exposed to 40 and 400 µT EMF increased dopaminergic neurons in SNpc (108±2.33 & 126±3.89) (P<0.001). CONCLUSION Electromagnetic fields with particular frequencies stimulate MSCs. So, these cells had anti-Parkinsonian properties in our studies.
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Affiliation(s)
- Majid Jadidi
- Department of Medical Physics, School of Medicine, Semnan University of Medical Sciences, Semnan, Iran
| | - Saeed Moghadas Biat
- Research Center of Nervous System Stem Cells, Department of Anatomy, School of Medicine, Semnan University of Medical Sciences, Semnan, Iran
| | - Hamid Reza Sameni
- Research Center of Nervous System Stem Cells, Department of Anatomy, School of Medicine, Semnan University of Medical Sciences, Semnan, Iran
| | - Manouchehr Safari
- Research Center of Nervous System Stem Cells, Department of Anatomy, School of Medicine, Semnan University of Medical Sciences, Semnan, Iran
| | - Abbas Ali Vafaei
- Department of Physiology, School of Medicine, Semnan University of Medical Sciences, Semnan, Iran
| | - Laya Ghahari
- Department of Anatomy, School of Medicine, AJA Medical University, Tehran, Iran
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Shafiee SM, Vafaei AA, Rashidy-Pour A. Effects of maternal hypothyroidism during pregnancy on learning, memory and hippocampal BDNF in rat pups: Beneficial effects of exercise. Neuroscience 2016; 329:151-61. [PMID: 27181637 DOI: 10.1016/j.neuroscience.2016.04.048] [Citation(s) in RCA: 35] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.4] [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: 01/21/2016] [Revised: 04/28/2016] [Accepted: 04/28/2016] [Indexed: 01/13/2023]
Abstract
Hypothyroidism during early development leads to numerous morphological, biochemical and functional changes in developing brain. In this study, we investigated the effects of voluntary and treadmill exercise on learning, memory and hippocampal BDNF levels in both hypothyroid male and female rat pups. To induce hypothyroidism in the mothers, 6-propyl-2-thiouracil (PTU) was added to their drinking water (100mg/L) from their embryonic day 6 to their postnatal day (PND) 21. For 14days, from PNDs 31 to 44, the rat pups were trained with one of the two different exercise protocols, namely the mild treadmill exercise and the voluntary wheel exercise. On PNDs 45-52, a water maze was used for testing their learning and memory ability. The rats were sacrificed one day later and their BDNF levels were then measured in the hippocampus. The findings of the present study indicate that hypothyroidism during the fetal period and the early postnatal period is associated with the impairment of spatial learning and memory and reduced hippocampal BDNF levels in both male and female rat offspring. Both the short-term treadmill exercise and the voluntary wheel exercise performed during the postnatal period reverse the behavioral and neurochemical deficits induced by developmental thyroid hormone insufficiency in both male and female rat offspring. The findings of this study thus demonstrate a marked reversibility of both behavioral and neurochemical disorders induced by developmental thyroid hormone insufficiency through the performance of exercise.
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Affiliation(s)
- Seyed Morteza Shafiee
- Laboratory of Learning and Memory, Research Center and Department of Physiology, School of Medicine, Semnan University of Medical Sciences, Semnan, Iran
| | - Abbas Ali Vafaei
- Laboratory of Learning and Memory, Research Center and Department of Physiology, School of Medicine, Semnan University of Medical Sciences, Semnan, Iran
| | - Ali Rashidy-Pour
- Laboratory of Learning and Memory, Research Center and Department of Physiology, School of Medicine, Semnan University of Medical Sciences, Semnan, Iran.
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Safakhah HA, Taghavi T, Rashidy-Pour A, Vafaei AA, Sokhanvar M, Mohebbi N, Rezaei-Tavirani M. Effects of Saffron (Crocus sativus L.) Stigma Extract and its Active Constituent Crocin on Neuropathic Pain Responses in a Rat Model of Chronic Constriction Injury. Iran J Pharm Res 2016; 15:253-61. [PMID: 27610166 PMCID: PMC4986099] [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] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/14/2022]
Abstract
This study was designed to investigate the therapeutic effects of saffron (Crocus sativus L.) and its main constituent crocin on neuropathic pain behavioral responses induced by chronic constriction injury (CCI) in rats. Adult male Wistar rats (200 to 250 g) were randomly assigned into 5 groups: Sham + saline, CCI + saline, CCI+ saffron (30 mg/kg), CCI + crocin (15 mg/kg) and CCI + crocin (30 mg/kg). CCI was induced by applying 4 loose ligatures around the sciatic nerve. Two weeks after nerve lesion, injections of saline, saffron or crocin were started and continued until 26(th) day post-surgery. Pain behavioral responses including mechanical allodynia (von Frey filament testing) and thermal hyperalgesia were measured in 14, 17, 20, 23, 26, and 40(th) days after CCI. CCI significantly increased pain behavioral responses. Saffron and crocin (30 mg/kg) decreased thermal hyperalgesia and mechanical allodynia on day 26, and this effect continued until the day 40. Crocin at lower dose (15 mg/kg) was ineffective. These findings indicate that treatment of saffron and crocin after CCI may have a therapeutic effect against neuropathic pain, suggesting that these substances may offer new strategies for the treatment of this highly debilitating condition.
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Affiliation(s)
- Hossein Ali Safakhah
- Laboratory of Pain Research, Research Center and Department of Physiology, Faculty of Medicine, Semnan University of Medical Sciences, Semnan, Iran.
| | - Tahereh Taghavi
- Laboratory of Pain Research, Research Center and Department of Physiology, Faculty of Medicine, Semnan University of Medical Sciences, Semnan, Iran.
| | - Ali Rashidy-Pour
- Laboratory of Pain Research, Research Center and Department of Physiology, Faculty of Medicine, Semnan University of Medical Sciences, Semnan, Iran.,E-mail:
| | - Abbas Ali Vafaei
- Laboratory of Pain Research, Research Center and Department of Physiology, Faculty of Medicine, Semnan University of Medical Sciences, Semnan, Iran.
| | - Mina Sokhanvar
- Laboratory of Pain Research, Research Center and Department of Physiology, Faculty of Medicine, Semnan University of Medical Sciences, Semnan, Iran.
| | - Narges Mohebbi
- Laboratory of Pain Research, Research Center and Department of Physiology, Faculty of Medicine, Semnan University of Medical Sciences, Semnan, Iran.
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Ahmadalipour A, Sadeghzadeh J, Vafaei AA, Bandegi AR, Mohammadkhani R, Rashidy-Pour A. Effects of environmental enrichment on behavioral deficits and alterations in hippocampal BDNF induced by prenatal exposure to morphine in juvenile rats. Neuroscience 2015; 305:372-83. [PMID: 26272536 DOI: 10.1016/j.neuroscience.2015.08.015] [Citation(s) in RCA: 40] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.4] [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: 05/21/2015] [Revised: 08/06/2015] [Accepted: 08/06/2015] [Indexed: 01/25/2023]
Abstract
Prenatal morphine exposure throughout pregnancy can induce a series of neurobehavioral and neurochemical disturbances by affecting central nervous system development. This study was designed to investigate the effects of an enriched environment on behavioral deficits and changes in hippocampal brain-derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF) levels induced by prenatal morphine in rats. On pregnancy days 11-18, female Wistar rats were randomly injected twice daily with saline or morphine. Offspring were weaned on postnatal day (PND) 21. They were subjected to a standard rearing environment or an enriched environment on PNDs 22-50. On PNDs 51-57, the behavioral responses including anxiety and depression-like behaviors, and passive avoidance memory as well as hippocampal BDNF levels were investigated. The light/dark (L/D) box and elevated plus maze (EPM) were used for the study of anxiety, forced swimming test (FST) was used to assess depression-like behavior and passive avoidance task was used to evaluate learning and memory. Prenatal morphine exposure caused a reduction in time spent in the EPM open arms and a reduction in time spent in the lit side of the L/D box. It also decreased step-through latency and increased time spent in the dark side of passive avoidance task. Prenatal morphine exposure also reduced immobility time and increased swimming time in FST. Postnatal rearing in an enriched environment counteracted with behavioral deficits in the EPM and passive avoidance task, but not in the L/D box. This suggests that exposure to an enriched environment during adolescence period alters anxiety profile in a task-specific manner. Prenatal morphine exposure reduced hippocampal BDNF levels, but enriched environment significantly increased BDNF levels in both saline- and morphine-exposed groups. Our results demonstrate that exposure to an enriched environment alleviates behavioral deficits induced by prenatal morphine exposure and up-regulates the decreased levels of BDNF. BDNF may contribute to the beneficial effects of an enriched environment on prenatal morphine-exposed to rats.
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Affiliation(s)
- A Ahmadalipour
- Laboratory of Learning and Memory, Research Center and Department of Physiology, School of Medicine, Semnan University of Medical Sciences, 15131-38111 Semnan, Iran; Student's Research Committee, Semnan University of Medical Sciences, Semnan, Iran
| | - J Sadeghzadeh
- Laboratory of Learning and Memory, Research Center and Department of Physiology, School of Medicine, Semnan University of Medical Sciences, 15131-38111 Semnan, Iran; Student's Research Committee, Semnan University of Medical Sciences, Semnan, Iran
| | - A A Vafaei
- Laboratory of Learning and Memory, Research Center and Department of Physiology, School of Medicine, Semnan University of Medical Sciences, 15131-38111 Semnan, Iran
| | - A R Bandegi
- Laboratory of Endocrine Research, Research Center of Physiology and Department of Physiology, School of Medicine, Semnan University of Medical Sciences, Semnan, Iran
| | - R Mohammadkhani
- Laboratory of Learning and Memory, Research Center and Department of Physiology, School of Medicine, Semnan University of Medical Sciences, 15131-38111 Semnan, Iran
| | - A Rashidy-Pour
- Laboratory of Learning and Memory, Research Center and Department of Physiology, School of Medicine, Semnan University of Medical Sciences, 15131-38111 Semnan, Iran.
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Amiri S, Jafarian Z, Vafaei AA, Motaghed-Larijani Z, Samaei SA, Rashidy-Pour A. Glucocorticoids Interact with Cholinergic System in Impairing Memory Reconsolidation of an Inhibitory Avoidance Task in Mice. Basic Clin Neurosci 2015; 6:155-62. [PMID: 26904172 PMCID: PMC4656988] [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] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/05/2022] Open
Abstract
INTRODUCTION Recent studies suggest that glucocorticoids modulate memory reconsolidation. Moreover, cholinergic system is involved in memory reconsolidation. Since glucocorticoids interact with brain cholinergic system in modulating memory processing, we investigated whether glucocorticoid influences on the reconsolidation of emotionally arousing training depend on the cholinergic system. METHODS Mice were trained (1mA, 3s footshock) in an inhibitory avoidance task. Forty-eight hours after training, memory reactivation was occurred (Test 1), and different treatments were given. Two (Test 2), five (Test 3), and seven days (Test 4) after memory reactivation (Test 1), animals were retested for fear memory retention. RESULTS In the first experiment, we observed that administration of corticosterone (CORT, 0.3, 1 and 3 mg/kg) following memory reactivation impaired subsequent expression of memory in a dose-dependent manner. In the second experiment, we found that CORT-induced impairment of memory reconsolidation was reversed by the muscarinic receptor antagonist atropine (0.5 and 2 mg/kg). In the third experiment, the nicotinic receptor antagonist mecaylamine (0.5 or 2 mg/kg) was not able to block the corticosterone response. DISCUSSION These findings indicate that glucocorticoids impair memory reconsolidation by a muscarinic cholinergic mechanism.
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Affiliation(s)
- Somayeh Amiri
- Laboratory of Learning and Memory, Physiology Research Center, Department of Physiology, School of Medicine, Semnan University of Medical Sciences, Semnan, Iran
| | - Zahra Jafarian
- Laboratory of Learning and Memory, Physiology Research Center, Department of Physiology, School of Medicine, Semnan University of Medical Sciences, Semnan, Iran
| | - Abbas Ali Vafaei
- Laboratory of Learning and Memory, Physiology Research Center, Department of Physiology, School of Medicine, Semnan University of Medical Sciences, Semnan, Iran
| | - Zahra Motaghed-Larijani
- Behvarzi Training Center, Semnan Health Center, Semnan University of Medical Sciences, Semnan, Iran
| | - Seyed Afshin Samaei
- Department of Neurology, School of Medicine, Semnan Univesity of Medical Sciences, Semnan, Iran
| | - Ali Rashidy-Pour
- Laboratory of Learning and Memory, Physiology Research Center, Department of Physiology, School of Medicine, Semnan University of Medical Sciences, Semnan, Iran.,Corresponding Author: Ali Rashidy-Pour, PhD, Address: Laboratory of Learning and Memory, Physiology Research Center, Department of Physiology, School of Medicine, Semnan University of Medical Sciences, Semnan, Iran. Tel.: +98 (23) 33451336 E-mail:
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Safari M, Sameni HR, Badban L, Bandegi AR, Vafaei AA, Pour AR, Ghahari L. Protective Effects of Water Extract of Propolis on Dopaminergic Neurons, Brain
Derived Neurotrophic Factor and Stress Oxidative Factors in the Rat Model of
Parkinson’s Disease. INT J PHARMACOL 2015. [DOI: 10.3923/ijp.2015.300.308] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [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] [Indexed: 11/15/2022]
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Mohammadkhani R, Darbandi N, Vafaei AA, Ahmadalipour A, Rashidy-Pour A. Glucocorticoid-induced impairment of long-term memory retrieval in female rats: influences of estrous cycle and estrogen. Neurobiol Learn Mem 2015; 118:209-15. [PMID: 25576134 DOI: 10.1016/j.nlm.2014.12.011] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.9] [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: 09/25/2014] [Revised: 12/19/2014] [Accepted: 12/27/2014] [Indexed: 10/24/2022]
Abstract
Using an inhibitory avoidance (IA) task, the effects of glucocorticoids on memory retrieval in intact and ovariectomized (OVX) female rats were investigated. Young adult female rats were trained in a one trial IA task (1-mA, 3-s footshock). The latency to reenter the dark compartment of the apparatus was recorded in the retention test performed 48h after training. Pre-retrieval injection of corticosterone (CORT, 1, 3, and 10mg/kg) to OVX rats impaired memory retrieval at all doses tested. Similar administration of CORT (3mg/kg) in intact female rats impaired memory retrieval in the estrus phase (when endogenous plasma levels of estrogen are low) but not in the proestrus phase (when endogenous levels of estrogen are high). Concurrent administration of CORT (3mg/kg) and 17-β-estradiol (15μg/kg) in both proestrus and estrous phases impaired memory retrieval. Our findings indicate that the effects of corticosterone on memory retrieval are modulated by the estrous cycle and 17-β-estradiol.
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Affiliation(s)
- Raziyeh Mohammadkhani
- Department of Biology, Faculty of Science, Arak University, Arak 38156-8-8349, Iran; Laboratory of Learning and Memory, Research Center and Department of Physiology, School of Medicine, Semnan University of Medical Sciences, Semnan, Iran
| | - Niloufar Darbandi
- Department of Biology, Faculty of Science, Arak University, Arak 38156-8-8349, Iran
| | - Abbas Ali Vafaei
- Laboratory of Learning and Memory, Research Center and Department of Physiology, School of Medicine, Semnan University of Medical Sciences, Semnan, Iran
| | - Ali Ahmadalipour
- Laboratory of Learning and Memory, Research Center and Department of Physiology, School of Medicine, Semnan University of Medical Sciences, Semnan, Iran; Student's Research Committee, Semnan University of Medical Sciences, Semnan, Iran
| | - Ali Rashidy-Pour
- Laboratory of Learning and Memory, Research Center and Department of Physiology, School of Medicine, Semnan University of Medical Sciences, Semnan, Iran.
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Bandegi AR, Rashidy-Pour A, Vafaei AA, Ghadrdoost B. Protective Effects of Crocus Sativus L. Extract and Crocin against Chronic-Stress Induced Oxidative Damage of Brain, Liver and Kidneys in Rats. Adv Pharm Bull 2014; 4:493-9. [PMID: 25671180 DOI: 10.5681/apb.2014.073] [Citation(s) in RCA: 35] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/20/2014] [Revised: 11/26/2014] [Accepted: 11/29/2014] [Indexed: 11/17/2022] Open
Abstract
PURPOSE Chronic stress has been reported to induce oxidative damage of the brain. A few studies have shown that Crocus Sativus L., commonly known as saffron and its active constituent crocin may have a protective effect against oxidative stress. The present work was designed to study the protective effects of saffron extract and crocin on chronic - stress induced oxidative stress damage of the brain, liver and kidneys. METHODS Rats were injected with a daily dose of saffron extract (30 mg/kg, IP) or crocin (30 mg/kg, IP) during a period of 21 days following chronic restraint stress (6 h/day). In order to determine the changes of the oxidative stress parameters following chronic stress, the levels of the lipid peroxidation product, malondialdehyde (MDA), the total antioxidant reactivity (TAR), as well as antioxidant enzyme activities glutathione peroxidase (GPx), glutathione reductase (GR) and superoxide dismutase (SOD) were measured in the brain, liver and kidneys tissues after the end of chronic stress. RESULTS In the stressed animals that receiving of saline, levels of MDA, and the activities of GPx, GR, and SOD were significantly higher (P<0.0001) and the TAR capacity were significantly lower than those of the non-stressed animals (P<0.0001). Both saffron extract and crocin were able to reverse these changes in the stressed animals as compared with the control groups (P<0.05). CONCLUSION These observations indicate that saffron and its active constituent crocin can prevent chronic stress-induced oxidative stress damage of the brain, liver and kidneys and suggest that these substances may be useful against oxidative stress.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ahmad Reza Bandegi
- Laboratory of Learning and Memory, Research Center and Department of Physiology, School of Medicine, Semnan University of Medical Sciences, Semnan, Iran. ; Laboratory of Endocrine Research, Department of Biochemistry, School of Medicine, Semnan University of Medical Sciences, Semnan, Iran
| | - Ali Rashidy-Pour
- Laboratory of Learning and Memory, Research Center and Department of Physiology, School of Medicine, Semnan University of Medical Sciences, Semnan, Iran
| | - Abbas Ali Vafaei
- Laboratory of Learning and Memory, Research Center and Department of Physiology, School of Medicine, Semnan University of Medical Sciences, Semnan, Iran
| | - Behshid Ghadrdoost
- Laboratory of Learning and Memory, Research Center and Department of Physiology, School of Medicine, Semnan University of Medical Sciences, Semnan, Iran
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Taherian F, Vafaei AA, Vaezi GH, Eskandarian S, Kashef A, Rashidy-Pour A. Propranolol-induced Impairment of Contextual Fear Memory Reconsolidation in Rats: A similar Effect on Weak and Strong Recent and Remote Memories. Basic Clin Neurosci 2014; 5:231-9. [PMID: 25337385 PMCID: PMC4202546] [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] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/24/2013] [Revised: 02/01/2014] [Accepted: 02/04/2014] [Indexed: 11/05/2022] Open
Abstract
INTRODUCTION Previous studies have demonstrated that the β-adrenergic receptor antagonist propranolol impairs fear memory reconsolidation in experimental animals. There are experimental parameters such as the age and the strength of memory that can interact with pharmacological manipulations of memory reconsolidation. In this study, we investigated the ability of the age and the strength of memory to influence the disrupting effects of propranolol on fear memory reconsolidation in rats. METHODS The rats were trained in a contextual fear conditioning using two (weak training) or five (strong training) footshocks (1mA). Propranolol (10mg/kg) injection was immediately followed retrieval of either a one-day recent (weak or strong) or 36-day remote (weak or strong) contextual fear memories. RESULTS We found that propranolol induced a long-lasting impairment of subsequent expression of recent and remote memories with either weak or strong strength. We also found no memory recovery after a weak reminder shock. Furthermore, no significant differences were found on the amount of memory deficit induced by propranolol among memories with different age and strength. DISCUSSION Our data suggest that the efficacy of propranolol in impairing fear memory reconsolidation is not limited to the age or strength of the memory.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Abbas Ali Vafaei
- Laboratory of Learning and Memory, Research Center and Department of Physiology, School of Medicine, Semnan University of Medical Sciences, Semnan, Iran
| | | | | | - Adel Kashef
- Laboratory of Learning and Memory, Research Center and Department of Physiology, School of Medicine, Semnan University of Medical Sciences, Semnan, Iran
| | - Ali Rashidy-Pour
- Laboratory of Learning and Memory, Research Center and Department of Physiology, School of Medicine, Semnan University of Medical Sciences, Semnan, Iran,Corresponding Author: SuAli Rashidy-Pour, PhD, Laboratory of Learning and Memory, Research Center and Department of Physiology, School of Medicine, Semnan University of Medical Sciences, Semnan, Iran. Tel/Fax: +98(231)3354186. E-mail:
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Haghparast A, Omranifard A, Arezoomandan R, Ghalandari-Shamami M, Taslimi Z, Vafaei AA, Rashidy-Pour A. Involvement of dopaminergic receptors of the rat nucleus accumbens in decreasing the conditioned place preference induced by lateral hypothalamus stimulation. Neurosci Lett 2013; 556:10-4. [DOI: 10.1016/j.neulet.2013.09.062] [Citation(s) in RCA: 12] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/09/2013] [Revised: 08/29/2013] [Accepted: 09/26/2013] [Indexed: 01/26/2023]
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Rashidy-Pour A, Pahlevani P, Vaziri A, Shaigani P, Zarepour L, Vafaei AA, Haghparast A. Involvement of CB1 receptors in the ventral tegmental area in the potentiation of morphine rewarding properties in acquisition but not expression in the conditioned place preference model. Behav Brain Res 2013; 247:259-67. [DOI: 10.1016/j.bbr.2013.03.015] [Citation(s) in RCA: 20] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/24/2013] [Revised: 03/08/2013] [Accepted: 03/12/2013] [Indexed: 10/27/2022]
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Tanehkar F, Rashidy-Pour A, Vafaei AA, Sameni HR, Haghighi S, Miladi-Gorji H, Motamedi F, Akhavan MM, Bavarsad K. Voluntary exercise does not ameliorate spatial learning and memory deficits induced by chronic administration of nandrolone decanoate in rats. Horm Behav 2013; 63:158-65. [PMID: 23068768 DOI: 10.1016/j.yhbeh.2012.10.003] [Citation(s) in RCA: 27] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/08/2012] [Revised: 09/30/2012] [Accepted: 10/02/2012] [Indexed: 01/15/2023]
Abstract
Chronic exposure to the anabolic androgenic steroids (AAS) nandrolone decanoate (ND) in supra-physiological doses is associated with learning and memory impairments. Given the well-known beneficial effects of voluntary exercise on cognitive functions, we examined whether voluntary exercise would improve the cognitive deficits induced by chronic administration of ND. We also investigated the effects of ND and voluntary exercise on hippocampal BDNF levels. The rats were randomly distributed into 4 experimental groups: the vehicle-sedentary group, the ND-sedentary group, the vehicle-exercise group, and the ND-exercise group. The vehicle-exercise and the ND-exercise groups were allowed to freely exercise in a running wheel for 15 days. The vehicle-sedentary and the ND-sedentary groups were kept sedentary for the same period. Vehicle or ND injections were started 14 days prior to the voluntary exercise and continued throughout the 15 days of voluntary exercise. After the 15-day period, the rats were trained and tested on a water maze spatial task using four trials per day for 5 consecutive days followed by a probe trial two days later. Exercise significantly improved performance during both the training and retention of the water maze task, and enhanced hippocampal BDNF. ND impaired spatial learning and memory, and this effect was not rescued by exercise. ND also potentiated the exercise-induced increase in hippocampal BDNF levels. These results seem to indicate that voluntary exercise is unable to improve the disruption of cognitive functions by chronic ND. Moreover, increased levels of BDNF may play a role in ND-induced impairments in learning and memory. The harmful effects of ND and other AAS on learning and memory should be taken into account when athletes decide to use AAS for performance or body image improvement.
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Affiliation(s)
- Fatemeh Tanehkar
- Laboratory of Learning and Memory, Research Center and Department of Physiology, School of Medicine, Semnan University of Medical Sciences, Semnan, Iran
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