Markers of HPA-axis activity and nucleic acid damage from oxidation after electroconvulsive stimulations in rats

2019 ◽  
Vol 31 (6) ◽  
pp. 287-293
Author(s):  
Anders Jorgensen ◽  
Katrine Breitenstein ◽  
Otto Kalliokoski ◽  
Allan Weimann ◽  
Trine Henriksen ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Oxidative Stress ◽  
Mrna Expression ◽  
Hpa Axis ◽  
Severe Depression ◽  
Male Rats ◽  
Therapeutic Effects ◽  
Middle Aged ◽  
Dna And Rna ◽  
Rna Damage ◽  
Hpa Axis Activity

AbstractObjective:Oxidative stress has been suggested to increase after electroconvulsive therapy (ECT), a treatment which continues to be the most effective for severe depression. Oxidative stress could potentially be mechanistically involved in both the therapeutic effects and side effects of ECT.Methods:We measured sensitive markers of systemic and central nervous system (CNS) oxidative stress on DNA and RNA (urinary 8-oxodG/8-oxoGuo, cerebrospinal fluid 8-oxoGuo, and brain oxoguanine glycosylase mRNA expression) in male rats subjected to electroconvulsive stimulations (ECS), an animal model of ECT. Due to the previous observations that link hypothalamic–pituitary–adrenal (HPA)-axis activity and age to DNA/RNA damage from oxidation, groups of young and middle-aged male animals were included, and markers of HPA-axis activity were measured.Results:ECS induced weight loss, increased corticosterone (only in middle-aged animals), and decreased cerebral glucocorticoid receptor mRNA expression, while largely leaving the markers of systemic and CNS DNA/RNA damage from oxidation unaltered.Conclusion:These results suggest that ECS is not associated with any lasting effects on oxidative stress on nucleic acids neither in young nor middle-aged rats.

scholarly journals Treatment with an SSRI antidepressant restores hippocampo-hypothalamic corticosteroid feedback and reverses insulin resistance in low-birth-weight rats

2010 ◽  
Vol 298 (5) ◽  
pp. E920-E929 ◽  
Author(s):  
Esben S. Buhl ◽  
Thomas Korgaard Jensen ◽  
Niels Jessen ◽  
Betina Elfving ◽  
Christian S. Buhl ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Insulin Resistance ◽  
Birth Weight ◽  
Insulin Sensitivity ◽  
Low Birth Weight ◽  
Mrna Expression ◽  
Hpa Axis ◽  
Whole Body ◽  
Oral Glucose ◽  
Red Muscle ◽  
Hpa Axis Activity

Low birth weight (LBW) is associated with type 2 diabetes and depression, which may be related to prenatal stress and insulin resistance as a result of chronic hypothalamic-pituitary-adrenal (HPA) axis hyperactivity. We examined whether treatment with a selective serotonin reuptake inhibitor [escitalopram (ESC)] could downregulate HPA axis activity and restore insulin sensitivity in LBW rats. After 4–5 wk of treatment, ESC-exposed LBW (SSRI-LBW) and saline-treated control and LBW rats (Cx and LBW) underwent an oral glucose tolerance test or a hyperinsulinemic euglycemic clamp to assess whole body insulin sensitivity. Hepatic phospho enolpyruvate carboxykinase (PEPCK) mRNA expression and red skeletal muscle PKB Ser473phosphorylation were used to assess tissue-specific insulin sensitivity. mRNA expression of the hypothalamic mineralocorticoid receptor was fivefold upregulated in LBW ( P < 0.05 vs. Cx), accompanied by increased corticosterone release during restraint stress and total 24-h urinary excretion ( P < 0.05 vs. Cx), whole body insulin resistance ( P < 0.001 vs. Cx), and impaired insulin suppression of hepatic PEPCK mRNA expression ( P < 0.05 vs. Cx). Additionally, there was a tendency for reduced red muscle PKB Ser473phosphorylation. The ESC treatment normalized corticosterone secretion ( P < 0.05 vs. LBW), whole body insulin sensitivity ( P < 0.01) as well as postprandial suppression of hepatic mRNA PEPCK expression ( P < 0.05), and red muscle PKB Ser473phosphorylation ( P < 0.01 vs. LBW). We conclude that these data suggest that the insulin resistance and chronic HPA axis hyperactivity in LBW rats can be reversed by treatment with an ESC, which downregulates HPA axis activity, lowers glucocorticoid exposure, and restores insulin sensitivity in LBW rats.

scholarly journals Hypoactivity of the Hypothalamo-Pituitary-Adrenocortical Axis during Recovery from Chronic Variable Stress

Endocrinology ◽  
2006 ◽  
Vol 147 (4) ◽  
pp. 2008-2017 ◽  
Author(s):  
Michelle M. Ostrander ◽  
Yvonne M. Ulrich-Lai ◽  
Dennis C. Choi ◽  
Neil M. Richtand ◽  
James P. Herman
Keyword(s):  
Mrna Expression ◽  
Chronic Stress ◽  
Hpa Axis ◽  
Male Rats ◽  
Plasma Acth ◽  
Novel Environment ◽  
Systemic Hypoxia ◽  
Delayed Recovery ◽  
Chronic Variable Stress

Chronic stress induces both functional and structural adaptations within the hypothalamo-pituitary-adrenocortical (HPA) axis, suggestive of long-term alterations in neuroendocrine reactivity to subsequent stressors. We hypothesized that prior chronic stress would produce persistent enhancement of HPA axis reactivity to novel stressors. Adult male rats were exposed to chronic variable stress (CVS) for 1 wk and allowed to recover. Plasma ACTH and corticosterone levels were measured in control or CVS rats exposed to novel psychogenic (novel environment or restraint) or systemic (hypoxia) stressors at 16 h, 4 d, 7 d, or 30 d after CVS cessation. Plasma ACTH and corticosterone responses to psychogenic stressors were attenuated at 4 d (novel environment and restraint) and 7 d (novel environment only) recovery from CVS, whereas hormonal responses to the systemic stressor were largely unaffected by CVS. CRH mRNA expression was up-regulated in the paraventricular nucleus of the hypothalamus (PVN) at 16 h after cessation of CVS, but no other alterations in PVN CRH or arginine vasopressin mRNA expression were observed. Thus, in contrast to our hypothesis, reductions of HPA axis sensitivity to psychogenic stressors manifested at delayed recovery time points after CVS. The capacity of the HPA axis to respond to a systemic stressor appeared largely intact during recovery from CVS. These data suggest that chronic stress selectively targets brain circuits responsible for integration of psychogenic stimuli, resulting in decreased HPA axis responsiveness, possibly mediated in part by transitory alterations in PVN CRH expression.

Prenatal exposure to dexamethasone alters hippocampal drive on hypothalamic-pituitary-adrenal axis activity in adult male rats

2006 ◽  
Vol 290 (5) ◽  
pp. R1366-R1373 ◽  
Author(s):  
Jennifer A. Shoener ◽  
Romana Baig ◽  
Kathleen C. Page
Keyword(s):  
Hpa Axis ◽  
Adult Male ◽  
Restraint Stress ◽  
Exposed Group ◽  
Late Gestation ◽  
Male Rats ◽  
Mrna Levels ◽  
Hypothalamic Pituitary Adrenal ◽  
Hpa Axis Activity ◽  
Circulating Levels

Glucocorticoids are essential for normal hypothalamic-pituitary-adrenal (HPA) axis activity; however, recent studies warn that exposure to excess endogenous or synthetic glucocorticoid during a specific period of prenatal development adversely affects HPA axis stability. We administered dexamethasone (DEX) to pregnant rats during the last week of gestation and investigated subsequent HPA axis regulation in adult male offspring in unrestrained and restraint-stressed conditions. With the use of real-time PCR and RIA, we examined the expression of regulatory genes in the hippocampus, hypothalamus, and pituitary, including corticotropin-releasing hormone (CRH), arginine vasopressin (AVP), glucocorticoid receptors (GR), mineralcorticoid receptors (MR), and 11-β-hydroxysteroid dehydrogenase-1 (11β-HSD-1), as well as the main HPA axis hormones, adrenal corticotropic hormone (ACTH) and corticosterone (CORT). Our results demonstrate that the DEX-exposed group exhibited an overall change in the pattern of gene expression and hormone levels in the unrestrained animals. These changes included an upregulation of CRH in the hypothalamus, a downregulation of MR with a concomitant upregulation of 11β-HSD-1 in the hippocampus, and an increase in circulating levels of both ACTH and CORT relative to unrestrained control animals. Interestingly, both DEX-exposed and control rats exhibited an increase in pituitary GR mRNA levels following a 1-h recovery from restraint stress; however, the increased expression in DEX-exposed rats was significantly less and was associated with a slower return to baseline CORT compared with controls. In addition, circulating levels of ACTH and CORT as well as hypothalamic CRH and hippocampal 11β-HSD-1 expression levels were significantly higher in the DEX-exposed group compared with controls following restraint stress. Taken together, these data demonstrate that late-gestation DEX exposure in rats is associated with persistent changes in both the modulation of HPA axis activity and the HPA axis-mediated response to stress.

Cadmium acts as a silent killer of liver by inducing oxidative stress and hepatocellular injury and a possible amelioration by vitamin B12 and folic acid in rat model

2019 ◽  
Vol 1 ◽  
pp. 105-117
Author(s):  
A. Banerjee ◽  
P. Nandi ◽  
C. Bhattacharya ◽  
Z. Kabir ◽  
S. Mukherjee ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Oxidative Stress ◽  
Folic Acid ◽  
Vitamin B12 ◽  
Rat Model ◽  
Male Rats ◽  
Albino Rats ◽  
Therapeutic Effects ◽  
Hepatocellular Injury ◽  
Male Adult ◽  
Wistar Albino Rats

<br/><b>Purpose:</b> To investigate the involvement of oxidative stress in Cadmium (Cd) induced alteration in the functional status of the liver. And to assess the efficacy of folic acid and vitamin B12 in preventing Cd-induced damage in the same. <br/><b>Materials and methods:</b> The experiment was carried out for four weeks. For the experiment, 25 healthy male adult Wistar albino rats were randomly selected and were divided into five equal groups and treated as control, treated with Cd, supplemented with vitamin B12 and folic acid and in the combination of these two. After 28 days the liver function enzymes and oxidative stress parameters were measured. <br/><b>Results:</b> Cd is the silent killer of the hepatic system through the induction of oxidative stress in male rats. From this investigation, it is evident that the folic acid+vitamin B12 possess significant hepatoprotective and antioxidant activity against Cd-induced hepatotoxicity in the rat model. In addition, results revealed that the folic acid alone and or in combination with vitamin B12 blunted the hepatotoxic effect significantly. <br/><b>Conclusions:</b> Based on results obtained, it can be concluded that folic acid and vitamin B12 offer a protective effect in Cd-induced oxidative stress associated with hepatocellular injury. Folic acid and vitamin B12 can be considered as a potent natural antioxidant which has the capacity to provide protection against Cd-induced oxidative stress in the liver in rats. However, to elucidate the exact mechanism of this modulatory effect and to examine its potential therapeutic effects further studies are essential.

Chronic Testosterone Deprivation Sensitizes the Middle-Aged Rat Brain to Damaging Effects of Testosterone Replacement

2019 ◽  
Vol 110 (11-12) ◽  
pp. 914-928 ◽  
Author(s):  
Charity Smith ◽  
Jo Contreras-Garza ◽  
Rebecca L. Cunningham ◽  
Jessica M. Wong ◽  
Philip H. Vann ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Oxidative Stress ◽  
Cerebral Ischemia ◽  
Focal Cerebral Ischemia ◽  
Male Rats ◽  
Testosterone Replacement ◽  
Middle Aged ◽  
Short Term ◽  
Stress Levels ◽  
Middle Aged Male

Introduction: An increasing number of middle-aged men are being screened for low testosterone levels and the number of prescriptions for various forms of testosterone replacement therapy (TRT) has increased dramatically over the last 10 years. However, the safety of TRT has come into question with some studies suggesting increased morbidity and mortality. Objective: Because the benefits of estrogen replacement in postmenopausal women and ovariectomized rodents are lost if there is an extended delay between estrogen loss and replacement, we hypothesized that TRT may also be sensitive to delayed replacement. Methods: We compared the effects of testosterone replacement after short-term (2 weeks) and long-term testosterone deprivation (LTTD; 10 weeks) in middle-aged male rats on cerebral ischemia, oxidative stress, and cognitive function. We hypothesized that LTTD would increase oxidative stress levels and abrogate the beneficial effects of TRT. Results: Hypogonadism itself and TRT after short-term castration did not affect stroke outcome compared to intact rats. However, after long-term hypogonadism in middle-aged male Fischer 344 rats, TRT exacerbated the detrimental behavioral effects of experimental focal cerebral ischemia, whereas this detrimental effect was prevented by administration of the free-radical scavenger tempol, suggesting that TRT exacerbates oxidative stress. In contrast, TRT improved cognitive performance in non-stroked rats regardless of the length of hypogonadism. In the Morris water maze, peripheral oxidative stress was highly associated with decreased cognitive ability. Conclusions: Taken together, these data suggest that TRT after long-term hypogonadism can exacerbate functional recovery after focal cerebral ischemia, but in the absence of injury can enhance cognition. Both of these effects are modulated by oxidative stress levels.

scholarly journals Role of SIRT1 in Hepatic Encephalopathy: In Vivo and In Vitro Studies Focusing on the NLRP3 Inflammasome

2021 ◽  
Vol 2021 ◽  
pp. 1-23
Author(s):  
Fangzhou Jiao ◽  
Yao Wang ◽  
Qian Chen ◽  
Pan Cao ◽  
Chunxia Shi ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Oxidative Stress ◽  
Hepatic Encephalopathy ◽  
Nlrp3 Inflammasome ◽  
Microglial Activation ◽  
Male Rats ◽  
Therapeutic Effects ◽  
Ht22 Cells ◽  
Brain Oxidative Stress

Hepatic encephalopathy (HE) is a neuropsychiatric disorder resulting from acute or chronic liver failure. This study is aimed at investigating the therapeutic effects and mechanisms of SIRT1 in thioacetamide- (TAA-) induced rat HE models. A selective activator (CAY10602) and inhibitor (EX527) of SIRT1 were used in this study. All male rats were separated into control, TAA, CAY10602+TAA, and EX527+TAA groups. Histological damage, liver function, serum ammonia, behavioral changes, and brain oxidative stress were measured in each group. Western blotting was used to measure SIRT1, NLRP3, ASC, and IL-1β protein expression. The results showed that CAY10602 alleviated liver injury, improved neurological decline, reduced microglial activation and brain oxidative stress, and improved the survival rates of HE rats. Moreover, CAY10602 inhibited activation of the NLRP3 inflammasome in microglia of the brain cortex in HE rats. Next, cell experiments confirmed that CAY10602 inhibited activation of the NLRP3 inflammasome in BV2 microglial cells. However, inhibition of SIRT1 by EX527 or lentivirus could enhance activation of the NLRP3 inflammasome in this process. Finally, CAY10602 reduced the neurotoxicity induced by high levels of ammonia in HT22 cells. Taken together, CAY10602 alleviates TAA-induced HE by suppressing microglial activation and the NLRP3 inflammasome and reducing the neurotoxicity of NH4Cl in HT22 cells. A pharmacologic activator of SIRT1 may be a promising approach for the treatment of HE.

scholarly journals Intranasal Administration of Neuropeptide Y Significantly Antagonized Chronic Stress Responses via Central Gabaa Receptors in Male Rats

2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
Yu Yang ◽  
Haijie Yu ◽  
Reji Babygirija ◽  
Bei Shi ◽  
Weinan Sun ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Neuropeptide Y ◽  
Receptor Antagonist ◽  
Mrna Expression ◽  
Hpa Axis ◽  
Stress Responses ◽  
Intranasal Administration ◽  
Male Rats ◽  
Invasive Technique ◽  
Motor Functions ◽  
Colonic Motor

Abstract Stress is widely believed to play a major role in the pathogenesis of many diseases. Central neuropeptide Y (NPY) counteracts the biological actions of corticotropin-releasing factor (CRF), and in turn attenuates stress responses. Administration (intracerebroventricular, ICV) of NPY, significantly antagonized the inhibitory effects of chronic complicated stress (CCS) on gastrointestinal (GI) dysmotility in rats. However, ICV administration is an invasive technique. The effect of intranasal administration of NPY on the hypothalamus-pituitary-adrenal (HPA) axis and GI motility in CCS conditions have not been studied, and the inhibitory mechanism of NPY on CRF through the gamma-aminobutyric acid (GABA)A receptor needs to be further investigated. A CCS rat model was set up, NPY was intranasal administered every day prior to the stress loading. Further, a GABAA receptor antagonist was ICV injected daily. Central CRF and NPY expression were evaluated, serum corticosterone and NPY levels were analyzed, and colonic motor functions was assessed. CCS rats showed significantly increased CRF expression and corticosterone levels, which resulted in enhanced colonic motor functions. Intranasal NPY significantly increased central NPY mRNA expression and reduced central CRF mRNA expression as well as the plasma corticosterone level, helping to restore colonic motor functions. However, ICV administration of the GABAA receptor antagonist significantly abolished these effects. Intranasal administration of NPY upregulates the hypothalamic NPY system. NPY may, through the GABAA receptor, significantly antagonize the overexpressed central CRF and attenuate the HPA axis activities in CCS conditions, exerting influences and helping to restore colonic motor function.

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