Search

Autism spectrum disorder (ASD) is a neurodevelopmental disorder displaying the modification of complex human behaviors, characterized by social interaction impairments, stereotypical/repetitive activities and emotional dysregulation. In this study, fecal microbiota transplant (FMT) via gavage from autistic children donors to mice, led to the colonization of ASD-like microbiota and autistic behaviors compared to the offspring of pregnant females exposed to valproic acid (VPA). Such variations seemed to be tightly associated with increased populations of Tenericutes plus a notable reduction (p 0.001) of Actinobacteria and Candidatus S. in the gastrointestinal region of FMT mice as compared to controls. Indeed altered behaviors of FMT mice was reported when evaluated in the different maze tests (light dark, novel object, three chamber tests, novel cage test). Contextually, FMT accounted for elevated expression levels of the pro-inflammatory factors IL-1β, IL-6, COX-1 and TNF-α in both brain and small intestine. Villous atrophy and inflammatory infiltration (Caspase 3 and Ki67) were increased in the small intestine of FMT and VPA mice compared to controls. Moreover, the observed FMT-dependent alterations were linked to a decrease in the methylation status. Overall, findings of the present study corroborate a key role of gut microbiota in ASD. However, further investigations are required before any possible manipulation of gut bacteria with appropriate diets or probiotics can be conducted in ASD individuals.

Current evidence supports the beneficial role of phytoestrogens in metabolic diseases, but their influences on spontaneous motor and anxiety behaviors plus neuroprotective effects have still not been completely elucidated. With the present study, neuro-behavioral activities were correlated to daidzein (DZ)-dependent expression changes of a high affinity catalytic receptor for several neurotrophins, and namely tropomyosin-related kinase B receptor (TrkB) in the cerebellar cortex of high-fat diet (HFD) hamsters (Mesocricetus auratus). Indeed, these changes appear to be tightly linked to altered plasma lipid profiles as shown by reduced low-density lipoproteins plus total cholesterol levels in DZ-treated obesity hamsters accounting for increased spontaneous locomotor together with diminished anxiety activities in novel cage (NCT) and light/dark box (LDT) tests. For this latter case, the anxiolytic-like hamsters spent more time in the light compartment, which was retained the aversive area of the LDT box. As for the evaluation of the neurotrophin receptor site, significantly elevated TrkB levels were also detected, for the first time, in the cerebellum of obese hamsters treated with DZ. In this condition, such a treatment widely led to an overall improvement of HFD-induced neurodegeneration damages, above all in the Purkinje and granular layers of the cerebellum. In this context, the notably active TrkB signaling events occurring in a DZ-dependent manner may turn out to be a key neuroprotective element capable of restoring normal emotional and spontaneously linked locomotor behaviors regulated by cerebellar cortical areas especially in obesity-related conditions.

Excessive fat and sugar intake represents a risk towards the development of different pathologies, such as obesity, diabetes, sociability and memory deficits. Although the adolescence stage is a susceptible period for these and other risks, effects of energy-dense nutrients in such an age period have not been fully investigated. In the present study, neurobehavioral alterations following a 4-week exposure to either normal diet (ND) or high-fat diet (HFD) plus normal water (NW) or liquid sugar (LS) were evaluated in young hamsters. HFD + LS and ND + LS significantly reduced food intake and water consumption, which was, in the latter group, almost completely substituted by LS. All obesogenic diets accounted for increased abdominal fat and liver weight with respect to body weight (p < 0.05–0.001). Additionally, glucose levels notably increased (p < 0.0001) together with insulin and triglycerides in HFD + LS (p < 0.001) and ND + LS (p < 0.01) while cholesterol displayed only a moderate increase (p < 0.05) in HFD + NW and HFD + LS. Animals fed with HFD and/or LS exhibited impaired social memory plus increased winning percentages (0.05 < p < 0.01) during the tube test. Interestingly, these same treatments led to a down-regulation of phosphorylated cAMP Response-Element Binding Protein (pCREB) in HFD + NW (p < 0.0001) for all areas, but rather was upregulated (p < 0.05) in ND + LS of the amygdala. Overall, in view of a brief exposure to palatable foods interfering with normal metabolic and social memory activities, the downregulation of pCREB constitutes a key indicator of neurobehavioral deficits during obesogenic diets. Compensatory mechanisms may be also occurring in the amygdala that strongly regulates emotional states via connections with other limbic areas.

Autism spectrum disorder (ASD) is a heterogeneous neurodevelopmental disorder featuring altered neuronal circuitry and consequently impaired social interactions, restrictive interests plus repetitive stereotypic activities. In the present study, differentiated behaviors of valproic (VPA) and propionic (PPA) acid-mediated autism rats were correlated to cerebral scaffolding proteins (Shank1,3) and BDNF expression variations. Sprague-Dawley offspring that received VPA during pregnancy displayed a notably diminished permanence (-78 %, p < 0.01) in the light chamber of light dark (LD) test, reduced exploratory tasks, i.e. grooming (-90 %) and rearing (-65 %). Moreover, they executed extremely greater climbing intervals (+300 %, p < 0.001) in novel cage (NC) test, plus exhibited an extremely reduced (-331 %) discrimination index in novel object recognition (NOR) test when compared to controls. PPA-treated postnatal days (PND) 12-16 rats also displayed anxiety-like behaviors, although in a less evident manner, as indicated by a moderate time (+55 %; p < 0.05) spent in dark chamber along with notable and moderate decreases in digging (-78 %) plus grooming (-52 %), respectively. Contextually, VPA- more than PPA supplied opposite Shank1,3 expression changes in cerebellum (CB; -62 %; +78 %), dorsomedial prefrontal cortex (DM-PFC; +95 % -76 %), respectively, while resulting extremely upregulated in hippocampus (HIP; +125 % - +155 %). Even BDNF resulted to be substantially and notably diminished in HIP (-85 %) and DM-PFC (-72 %), respectively, of VPA rats while it was only moderately reduced (-35 % to -45 %) in these same areas of PPA rats. The early altered brain-specific expression levels accounting for different behavioral performances may provide useful diagnostic indications and constitute valuable therapeutic strategies for autistic patients.

At present, concerns are pointing to “tasteful” high-fat diets as a cause of conditioning physical-social states that through alterations of some key emotional- and nutritional-related limbic circuits such as hypothalamic and amygdalar areas lead to obesity states. Feeding and energetic homeostatic molecular mechanisms are part of a complex neuronal circuit accounting for this metabolic disorder. In an attempt to exclude conventional drugs for treating obesity, daidzein, a natural glycosidic isoflavone, which mimics estrogenic neuroprotective properties against increased body weight, is beginning to be preferred. In this study, evident anxiolytic-like behaviors were detected following treatment of high-fat diet hamsters with daidzein as shown by extremely evident (p

Background: Previous studies have pointed to the protective role of genistein against stress adaptations although neuromolecular mechanisms are not yet fully known. With this work, we evaluated the influence of such a phytoestrogen on hamster behavioral and molecular activities following exposure to subchronic unpredictable mild stress. Methods: The motor behaviors of hamsters (n = 28) were analyzed using elevated plus maze (EPM) test, hole board (HB) test, and forced swim test (FST). In addition, neurodegeneration events were assessed with amino cupric silver stain, while expression variations of tropomyosin receptor kinase B (TrkB), nuclear factor kappa-B1 (NF-κB1), and heat shock protein 70 (Hsp70) mRNAs were highlighted in limbic neuronal fields via in situ hybridization. Results: Genistein accounted for increased motor performances in EPM and HB tests but reduced immobility during FST, which were correlated with diminished argyrophilic signals in some limbic neuronal fields. Contextually, upregulated Hsp70 and TrkB mRNAs occurred in hippocampal (HIP) and hypothalamic neuronal fields. Conversely, diminished NF-κB1 levels were mainly obtained in HIP. Conclusion: Hormonal neuroprotective properties of genistein corroborating anxiolytic and antidepressant role(s) through elevated expression levels of stress proteins and trophic factors may constitute novel therapeutic measures against emotional and stress-related motor performances.

It is already widely known that the different brain areas involved in blood pressure control, are highly vulnerable to the deleterious effects of this condition. Of particular concern are hypertensive and neuroinflammatory-dependent injuries that by modifying blood flow account for artery structural and functional alterations. It was thus our intention to establish if expression changes of some key brain neuroinflammatory factors like caspase-1,3, NF-kB, IL-1β and NLRP3, which are known to control blood pressure, are actively involved with inflammation regulatory events in a highly valuable spontaneously hypertensive rat (SHR) model. Indeed, notably increased (p 0.001) caspase-1, NLRP3 and IL-1β mRNA levels were detected in amygdalar plus hypothalamic areas of SHR. Contextually, similar up-regulated levels of these factors were also reported in brainstem nuclei with respect to the few hippocampal areas. This trend was supported by moderate increases (p 0.05) of NLRP3 in amygdalar and brainstem sites, while notably greater expression differences of NF-kB protein were observed in hippocampal and hypothalamic areas of SHR. At the same time, moderately increased levels of iNOS were typical of all of the above brain areas with the exception of the consistently (p 0.01) increased levels featured in the brainstem. Moreover, even immunohistochemical evaluations supplied notably and moderately increased cleaved caspase-3 cell levels in hippocampus and hypothalamus areas, respectively. Overall, evident hypertensive bouts correlated to neuroinflammatory events, especially in brain areas controlling blood pressure, tend to underlie the value of novel therapeutic approaches designed to improve brain blood flow and subsequently reduce hypertensive-dependent cerebral complications.

The pesticide mancozeb (mz) is recognized as a potent inducer of oxidative stress due to its ability to catalyze the production of reactive oxygen species plus inhibiting mitochondrial respiration thus becoming an environmental risk for neurodegenerative diseases. Despite numerous toxicological studies on mz have been directed to mammals, attention on marine fish is still lacking. Thus, it was our intention to evaluate neurobehavioral activities of ornate wrasses (Thalassoma pavo) exposed to 0.2mg/l of mz after a preliminary screening test (0.07-0.3mg/l). Treated fish exhibited an evident (p1000%) while exploratory attitudes (total arm entries) diminished (-50%; p

Recently, orexin (ORX)ergic system has gained great attention for its major neuroregulatory role on fish motor, circadian, feeding activities and above all during water toxic conditions. Fish are particularly sensitive to acute sublethal copper (Cu) concentrations while little is known about neurobehavioral data after chronic Cu exposure. For this work, the marine teleost ornate wrasse (Thalassoma pavo) was monitored for 21 days during exposure to a relatively low CuCl2 concentration (0.25 mg/l). In particular, at 1 day fish displayed moderate reductions (−32%) of feeding behaviors versus controls that decreased up to −94% at 21 days. Swimming activities were also moderately (−44%) reduced at 1 day, which diminished even further (~ −75%) from 7 to 21 days. The lethargic attitudes seemed to be frequently interrupted by aquatic surface respiration and abnormal motor behaviors such as rapid and abrupt changes of direction. Contextually, an upregulatory trend of HSP90 mRNAs occurred especially in the lateral part of the dorsal telencephalon (Dl; +72%), medial preglomerular nucleus (NPGm; +87%), and torus longitudinalis (TLo; +108%). Moreover, some of these nuclei displayed extensive argyrophilic signals that are typical of notable neurodegenerative events. Interestingly, a single intraperitoneal administration of ORX-A (10 ng/g of body weight) at 21 days attenuated not only some behavioral impairments but also HSP90 mRNA levels and neurodegenerative events. Behavioral indications of the present results tend to underlie the valuable role of HSP90 transcript together with the ORXergic system as probable rescuing factors operating in marine fish during persistent adverse environmental states with eventual bearings on human health issues.

Emerging studies are beginning to suggest that emotional states together with healthful measures constitute pertinent features of our lifestyle in which bad eating habits but more importantly what our gut has to host are causing great concern. It is well known that humans have established mutual relationships with a wide array of colonized microbes (collectively called gut microbiota) consisting of bacteria, fungi, eukaryotic parasites and viruses. The gut microbiota has exhibited a notable ability of communicating with the brain via a two-way system that includes the vagus nerve, immune sites, and a number of neurotransmitters. Interestingly, stressful along with obesity, cognitive, and brain developmental states are strongly influenced by microbiota homeostatic conditions. It was our aim to investigate behavioral and obesity effects evoked by treatment with probiotics via neuroinflammatory factors and namely IL-1β, NLRP3, Caspase-1 and NF-kB levels in the Syrian golden hamster. Following treatment with a high-fat diet (HFD), in the presence or absence of a multi-species probiotic formulation, hamsters were exposed to an unpredictable chronic mild stress (UCMS) test for 4 weeks. Independently of the diet, probiotics treatment markedly reduced stress-like behaviors in the different mazes. Moreover, probiotics decreased hypothalamic expression levels of the pro-neuroinflammatory factors like IL-1β, NLRP3, Caspase-1 and NF-kB, whereas HFD increased them. Contextually, they decreased plasmatic levels of IL-1β, NLRP3 and caspase-1 but not NF-kB. Our findings clearly support probiotics as a potentially valuable treatment strategy in obesity and anxiety, thereby proposing them for clinical treatments in patients with metabolic and mood disorders.

The mechanisms by which inflammation affects the different emotional moods are only partially known. Previous works have pointed to stress hormones like glucocorticoids plus the vascular factor endothelin-1 as key factors evoking stressful states especially in relation to endothelial dysfunctions. With this work, it was our intention to establish the role of pro- and anti-inflammatory cytokine expression variations towards depression-like behaviors and consequently the development of neurodegeneration events caused by endothelial damages in the hamster (Mesocricetus auratus). Such a rodent, which is considered a valuable animal model to test depression and anxiety states, exhibited a variety of depression-like behaviors including reduction in sucrose consumption, locomotion, and exploration (p

It is well established that the maintenance of energy expenditure is linked to active hypothalamic neural mechanisms controlling adaptive stimuli such as food intake. Variations of glucose levels and hormonal (leptin plus orexin-A) parameters, which are involved with energy homeostasis during different behavioral states, have not yet been fully defined. In this first study, behavioral analyses of an unpredictable stress model dealing with the actions of a sub-chronic administration of orexin-A (ORX-A) and the anti-hunger neuropeptide, i.e., leptin (LEP) within the hypothalamic suprachiasmatic (SCH) nucleus, were conducted on the valuable hibernating rodent (hamster; Mesocricetus auratus) model noted for its distinct depression and anxiety states. Treatment with LEP accounted for a notable reduction (p

The various physiological alterations caused by copper (Cu) exposure in fish have attracted great interests toward neuronal strategies against Cu toxicity. Here, neurobehavioral activities (including anxiety-like behaviors) and transcriptional levels of heat shock protein (Hsp)90 and hypoxia inducible factor-1alpha (HIF-1α) were evaluated in the crucian carp (Carassius carassius) treated with nominal sub-lethal higher (1.45mg/L) and lower (0.30mg/L) concentrations of CuCl2. Both concentrations accounted for diminished swimming speed and food intake plus a strong preference for the dark side of the light/dark apparatus together with a reduction of crossings between the two compartments with respect to controls. Contextually, Hsp90 and HIF-1α transcripts were largely down- and up-regulated, respectively, in some brain areas such as in the medial part of the dorsal telencephalon (Dm, -52%) and in the ventral part of the ventral telencephalon (Vv, +68%). When carps were transferred to CuCl2-free water, some behaviors were rescued especially for fish previously exposed to 0.30mg/L concentration. In this same condition, Hsp90 mRNA levels were recuperated (-94%) in the medial preglomerular nucleus (NPGm) with respect to exposed fish while HIF-1α mRNA was mostly down-regulated in telencephalic stations. Moreover, recovery capacities of this extraordinary resistant fish was exhibited by evident reductions (-80%) of the dark argyrophilic granules such as in the ventral telencephalon (VTel). Overall, our results point to interesting responses against Cu toxicity involving Hsp90 and HIF-1α transcripts that may constitute early indicators of environmental stressors leading to the repair of metal-induced damages in fish with notable brain plasticity properties.

Recent indications are suggesting that high fat and sugar-enriched foods do not only evoke harmful physiological conditions, but they also endure evident structural alterations in cerebral regions controlling cognitive and feeding behaviors. Food consumption plus neuronal energy regulatory mechanisms seem to constitute a complex system assuring that food calories do not exceed body requirements. At the same time obesogenic-related properties of limbic feeding stations like the hypothalamus (HTH), hippocampus (HIP) and amygdala (AMY) tend to control eating habits through the interaction of distinct neuropeptides. For this purpose, it was our intention to correlate expression differences of a key anti-obesogenic neuropeptide receptor i.e. neurotensin1 (NTR1) on mnemonic performances in the hibernating hamster (Mesocricetus auratus) exposed to a high fat diet (HFD). Interestingly, these hamsters exhibited a notable enhanced (p < 0.01) body weight from the fifth on to the twelfth week of treatment, which was accompanied by elevated blood lipid cholesterolo and triglycerides and glucose levels. At the same time these hamsters provided diminished locomotor activities such as exploratory bouts, rearing and grooming behaviors. Of greater relevance was their very extreme (p < 0.001) inability of identifying new objects during novel object recognition (NOR) tests along with not having correctly chosen the chamber of the conditioned place preference (CPP) apparatus, which contained the gratifying reward. Surprisingly the altered behavioral plus mnemonic tasks of HFD hamsters were tightly related to elevated NTR1 expression changes in the above limbic sites thus proposing this neuronal system as a highly probable alternative for treating obesity-dependent mnemonic dysfunctions.

Food intake ensures energy resources sufficient for basic metabolism, immune system and reproductive investment. It is already known that food-seeking performances, which are crucially controlled by orexins (ORXs), may be under the influence of environmental factors including pollutants. Among these, mancozeb (mz) is becoming an environmental risk for neurodegenerative diseases. Due to few studies on marine fish exposed to mz, it was our intention to correlate feeding latency, food intake and feeding duration to potential neurodegenerative processes in key diencephalic sites and expression changes of the ORX neuroreceptor (ORXR) in the ornate wrasses (Thalassoma pavo). Hence, fish exposed for 4 days (d) to mz 0.2 mg/l (deriving from a 0.07, 0.14, 0.2, 0.3 mg/l screening test) displayed a significant reduction (p 0.05) of food intake compared to controls as early as 1d that became more evident (p 0.01) after 3d. Moreover, significant enhancements of feeding latency were reported after 1d up to 3d (p 0.001) and even feeding duration was enhanced up to 3d (p 0.001), which instead moderately increased after 4d (p 0.05). A reduction (-120%; p 0.001) of mean body weight was also detected at the end of exposure. Likewise, a notable (p 0.001) activation of ORXR protein occurred together with mRNA up-regulations in diencephalic areas such as the diffuse nucleus of the inferior lobe (+48%) that also exhibited evident degenerative neuronal fields. Overall, these results highlight an ORX role as a vital component of the neuroprotective program under environmental conditions that interfere with feeding behaviors.

Interaction of the orexinergic (ORXergic) neuronal system with the excitatory (glutamate, l -Glu) or the inhibitory (GABA) neurosignaling complexes evokes major homeostatic physiological events. In this study, effects of the two ORXergic neuropeptides (ORX-A/B) on their receptor (ORX-2R) expression changes were correlated to feeding and grooming actions of the hibernating hamster ( Mesocricetus auratus ). Infusion of the central amygdala nucleus (CeA) with ORX-A caused hamsters to consume notable quantities of food, while ORX-B accounted for a moderate increase. Interestingly the latter neuropeptide was responsible for greater frequencies of grooming with respect to both controls and the hamsters treated with ORX-A. These distinct behavioral changes turned out to be even greater in the presence of l -Glu agonist (NMDA) while the α 1 GABA A receptor agonist (zolpidem, Zol) greatly reduced ORX-A-dependent feeding bouts. Moreover, ORX-A + NMDA mainly promoted greater ORX-2R expression levels with respect to ORX-A-treated hamsters while ORX-B + Zol was instead largely responsible for a down-regulatory trend. Overall, these features point to CeA ORX-2R sites as key sensory limbic elements capable of regulating eating and grooming responses, which may provide useful insights regarding the type of molecular mechanism(s) operating during feeding bouts.

Studies have pointed to both α-amino-3-hydroxy-5- methyl-4-isoxazole propionic acid receptor (AMPAR) antago- nists and GABAA receptor (GABAAR) agonists as potent antistress agents. In this work, separate subchronic injections of the AMPAR antagonist, 6-ciano-7-nitroquinoxaline-2,3- dione (CNQX), and α1 GABAAR subunit agonist (Zol) within the central amygdala nucleus modified the elevated plus maze performances of hamsters exposed randomly to one of the following stressful conditions: food/water deprivation, forced swimming test, and permanence in cold room. Indeed, stressed hamsters treated with CNQX or Zol displayed a very great (p

Hypothermia is a physiological condition assuring brain protection against hypoxic-related damages. In this con- text, investigations carried out on the facultative hibernator Mesocricetusauratusprovedtobeveryusefulfor establishing thetypeofneurosignalingroleexertedbycerebral α-amino-3- hydroxy-5-methyl-4-isoxazole-propionic acid receptor (AMPAR) subtypes during hypoxic/reperfusion injuries of the entrance (EN), torpor (TORP), and arousal (AROU) hi- bernating states. From the evaluation of the major AMPARs (GluR1 and GluR2), together with their scaffold proteins synapse-associated protein 97 kDa (SAP97) and PICK1, it resulted that GluR1 and SAP97 were mostly upregulated during the hypotensive (EN and TORP) states of the brainstem, amygdala, and hypothalamus, sites which are im- plicated with cardiovascular, motor, and sleep-wake events. In addition, elevated expression densities of the pro-apoptotic factor Bcl-2-associated X protein (Bax) resulted to be corre- lated to marked amino-cupric-silver stain signals during both hibernating states. Conversely, an increase of the neuroprotec- tive factor GluR2, together with PICK1 and the anti-apoptotic B cell lymphoma 2 (Bcl-2), appeared to be linked with re- duced argyrophilic signals in most of the above areas of the hypertensive AROU state. These first indications highlight distinct protective/degenerative measures of the above factors constituting key on/off switches during the various hibernat- ing states that may provide potential therapeutic bearings on sleeping disorders.

Several studies have pointed to the amygdala as a main limbic station capable of regulating different stressful states such as anxiety and depression. In this work it was our intention to determine the role of the central amygdala nucleus (CeA) on the execution of either anxiolytic and/or anti-depressant behaviors in the hibernating hamster (Mesocricetus auratus) via infusion of CeA with the antagonist, 6-cyano-7-nitroquinoxaline-2,3-dione (CNQX) specific for α-amino-3-hydroxy-5-methyl-4-isoxazole propionic acid receptor (AMPAR) plus the specific agonist for α4 GABAAR i.e. 4,5,6,7-tetrahydroisoxazolo(5,4-c)pyridin-3-ol (THIP). Treatment with CNQX appeared to mainly prompt anti-depressant effects as shown by the achievements of swimming feats during forced swim test while THIP prevalently accounted for evident bouts of climbing when exposed to the same test. Moreover, even in the presence of the concomitant administration of both of these compounds, hamsters continued to spend more time in swimming despite this significant behavioral effect resulted to be numerically reduced for hamsters treated with only the α4 GABAAR agonist. Conversely, when these animals were tested in elevated plus maze (EPM), THIP tended to mostly favor anxiolytic activities as exhibited by stressed animals spending more time entering and remaining in EPM open arms. It was interesting to note that behavioral changes induced by both drugs appeared to be also responsible for glutamate receptor (GluR) expression differences as indicated by CNQX favoring an evident up-regulation of GluR2-containing neurons whereas THIP induced an up-regulation, this time of GluR1-containing neurons. Overall, the anti-depressant role of CNQX seems to be mostly attributed to elevated GluR2 levels while an anxiolytic-like effect of THIP was correlated to high GluR1values thereby proposing distinct GluRs as useful therapeutic sites against degenerative diseases such as depression-like behaviors.

It's known that neurons in mammalian hibernators are more tolerant to hypoxia than those in non-hibernating species and as a consequence animals are capable of awakening from the arousal state without exhibiting cerebral damages. In addition, evidences have suggested that euthermic hamster neurons display protective adaptations against hypoxia, while those of rats are not capable, even though molecular mechanisms involved in similar neuroprotective strategies have not been yet fully studied. In the present work, overstimulation of glutamatergic receptors NMDA recognized as one of the major death-promoting element in hypoxia, accounted for altered network complexity consistent with a moderate reduction of hippocampal neuronal survival (p < 0.05) in hamsters. These alterations appeared to be featured concomitantly with altered glutamatergic signaling as indicated by significant down-regulation (p < 0.01) of NMDAergic (NR2A) and AMPAergic (GluR1, R2) receptor subtypes together with the metabotropic mGluR5 subtype. Diminished mRNA levels were also reported for NMDA receptor binding factors and namely PSD95 plus DREAM, which exert positive and negative regulatory properties, respectively, on receptor trafficking events. Conversely, involvement of glutamatergic signaling systems on neuronal excitotoxicity was strengthened by the co-activation of GABA(A)R-mediated effects as indicated by toxic morphological effects being notably reduced along with up-regulated GluR1, GluR2, mGluR5, DREAM, and Homer1c scaffold proteins when muscimol was added. Overall, these results point to a neuroprotective role of the GABAergic system against excitotoxicity episodes via DREAM-dependent inhibition of NMDA receptor and activation of AMPA receptor plus mGluR5, respectively, thus proposing them as novel therapeutic targets against cerebral ischemic damages in humans.

At date, studies are beginning to show that ionotropic glutamate receptors (iGluRs) are influenced by the orexin/hypocretin (ORX) system during the regulation of several physiological functions in mammals. In this study, we showed that the effects of ORX-A and specific glutamatergic antagonists (3-(+)-2-carboxypiperazin-4-yl-propyl-1-phosphonate, CPP/cyano-7-nitro-quinoxaline-2,3-dione, CNQX) on the expression of NMDAR (NR1) and AMPAR (GluR2) subtype genes underlie a tight relationship of the ORXergic system with iGluRs in the teleost Carassius auratus (goldfish; Linnaeus, 1758). The application of specific primers for NR1 and GluR2 permitted us to identify two partial coding sequences (cds) of 115 bp and 90 bp that were highly similar (97% and 81%, respectively) to the related sequences of the rat (Rattus norvegicus). These cds were used to carry out a semi-quantitative RT-PCR (reverse transcription-polymerase chain reaction) in which a differentiated expression pattern of NR1 and GluR2 was obta...

Depletion of oxygen and glucose even for brief periods is sufficient to cause cerebral ischemia, which is a predominant worldwide cause of motor deficits with the reduction of life quality and subsequently death. Hence, more insights regarding protective measures against ischemic events are becoming a major research goal. Among the many neuronal factors, N-methyl-D-aspartate receptors (NMDAR), orexinergic neuroreceptors (ORXR), and sympatho-inhibitory neuropeptide catestatin (CST) are widely involved with ischemic episodes. In this study, it was possible to induce in vitro ischemic conditions of the hamster (Mesocricetus auratus) hippocampal and hypothalamic neuronal cultures, grown on a newly compartmentalized membrane system, via oxygen and glucose deprivation (OGD). These cultures displayed notably differentiated NMDARergic and ORXergic receptor expression activities along with evident brain-derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF) plus orexin A (ORX-A) secretion, especially under co-cultured conditions. Interestingly, addition of CST in OGD-insulted hippocampal cells accounted for upregulated GluN1 and ORX1R transcripts that in the case of the latter neuroreceptor was very strongly (p

Catestatin (CST), an endogenously small sympathoinhibitory peptide is capable of interfering with the major cerebral neuroreceptor-blocking site, i.e. γ-aminobutyric acidA receptor (GABAAR) system especially in limbic brain areas that are involved with feeding behaviors. The GABAARergic-related effects seem to derive from its interaction with other molecular neuroreceptors such as dopaminergic, ghrelin and leptinergic. In this context, the present study aimed to investigate probable feeding responses (eating and drinking) induced by treatment with CST and the GABAAR antagonist bicucullin (BIC) alone or simultaneously (CST+BIC) in the Syrian hibernating hamster (Mesocricetus auratus) model. Hamsters that received these compounds via intracerebroventricular infusions displayed notable variations of feeding and drinking bouts. In particular, an anorexigenic response was evident following treatment with CST while BIC evoked a significant increase of eating and drinking behaviors. Surprisingly when both agents were given simultaneously, a predominating anorexigenic response was detected as shown by evident CST-dependent reduction of feeding bouts. Contextually such behaviors, especially those following the combined treatment were tightly correlated with the significantly increased cerebral dopamine receptor 1 (D1) plus reduced ghrelin receptor (GhsR) and leptin receptor (LepR) transcript levels. Overall, the anorexigenic effect of CST deriving from its tight interaction with GABAARs activity plus D1 and GhsR transcripts tends to propose these neuronal elements as pivotal factors responsible for feeding disorders.

This study focuses on the development of an advanced in vitro biohybrid culture model system based on the use of hollow fibre membranes (HFMs) and hippocampal neurons in order to promote the formation of a high density neuronal network. Polyacrylonitrile (PAN) and modified polyetheretherketone (PEEK-WC) membranes were prepared in hollow fibre configuration. The morphological and metabolic behaviour of hippocampal neurons cultured on PAN HF membranes were compared with those cultured on PEEK-WC HF. The differences of cell behaviour between HFMs were evidenced by the morphometric analysis in terms of axon length and also by the investigation of metabolic activity in terms of neurotrophin secretion. These findings suggested that PAN HFMs induced the in vitro reconstruction of very highly functional and complex neuronal networks. Thus, these biomaterials could potentially be used for the in vitro realization of a functional hippocampal tissue analogue for the study of neurobiological functions and/or neurodegenerative diseases.

The selection of appropriate biomaterials that promote cellular adhesion and growth is particularly important for the in vitro reconstruction of neuronal network. This study focused on the development of new polymeric membranes in flat and tubular (hollow-fibre) configurations as novel biomaterials for neuronal outgrowth. Two membrane systems constituted by modified polyetheretherketone (PEEK-WC) and polyacrylonitrile (PAN) membranes were developed and used for the culture of hamster hippocampal neurons. We demonstrated that all investigated membranes supported the adhesion and growth of hippocampal neurons enhancing neuronal differentiation and neurite alignment. The differences in cell behaviours between cells cultured on flat and hollow-fibre (HF) membranes were highlighted by the quantitative analysis of neuronal marker fluorescence intensity, morphometric analysis, RT–PCR analysis and also by metabolic activity measurements. In particular, the PAN HF membranes showed ideal growth culture conditions, guaranteeing adequate levels of metabolic features. Primary hippocampal cells cultured on PAN HF membranes were able to recreate in vitro a 3D neural tissue-like structure that, mimicking the hippocampal tissue, could be used as a tool for the study of natural and pathological neurobiological events.

At present neurobiological interests are directing more attention towards the major role of the amygdalar GABA(A) receptor on orexin-dependent behaviors. This telencephalic region has been widely studied especially in view of its control on various psychiatric disorders such as anxiety and depression. Recently, cross-talking relationships between these two specific neuroreceptor systems of the central-cortical amygdalar complex has been considered an important element for anxiety type of behaviors. In the present study, we investigated the effects of central amygdalar infusions with orexin-A, orexin-B±GABA(A) receptor α₂ subunit agonist (flunitrazepam) on elevated plus-maze and light-dark explorative behaviors of the facultative hibernating Syrian hamster. In a first case, it seemed that doses of orexin administered directly into the central nucleus were responsible for greater anxiogenic type of effects as shown by more time being spent both in the dark compartment and the closed arm of the elevated plus-maze, whereas, these effects were suppressed in the presence of flunitrazepam. At the cellular level, the effects of orexin accounted for evident argyrophilic reactions (neurodegeneration phenomena) including altered cell membrane and loss of cytoplasmic architecture in most amygdalar and hippocampal neuronal fields, while in the presence of flunitrazepam these reactions resulted to either be unappreciable or absent. Overall the actions of α₂-dependent inhibitory signals tend to corroborate, for the first time, a neuroprotective role against the over-excitatory orexinergic neurodegeneration reactions and thus its abnormal anxiety-like indications may prove to be therapeutically useful for orexin-dependent sleeping disorders.

The excessive levels of aquatic endocrine disruptors (EDs) and namely heavy metals plus xenoestrogens account for irregular gas exchange processes, reduced reproductive success, as well as abnormal social interactions of marine teleost fish. These effects at the encephalic level appear to derive from the interference of major signaling factors such as histamine (HA) neuroreceptor subtypes (H(1-4)R). HA is one of the main biogenic amine neuronal system responsible for regulatory homeostatic functions, including sleep-wake rhythms and motor activities. Recently, interests have begun to focus attention on toxic effects of some heavy metals, i.e., cadmium (Cd) and lead (Pb), and how they are capable of eliciting motor dysfunctions via HAergic receptor subtypes. Interestingly, subtype 2 (H(2)R) proved to be a preferential target of heavy metal-dependent altered locomotor maneuvers, as displayed by its specific antagonist (cimetidine)-inducing non-synchronous swimming activities (Santos et al., 2003, Pharmacol Biochem Behav 75:25-33). Conversely, although the preferential H(3)R antagonist (thioperamide) did not interfere with normal swimming behaviors, it surprisingly did ameliorate heavy metal-dependent hyperactive states (Giusi et al., 2008, Toxicol Appl Pharmacol 227:248-256). In the case of the xenoestrogens atrazine and endosulfan, their actions tend to mostly account for feeding alterations through hypothalamic H(3)R-dependent mechanisms. The aim of this review is to highlight the type of ED-HAergic neuroreceptor variations that are involved in stressor-dependent neurobehavioral responses of commercially valuable marine teleosts.

In the present study we considered the effects of bilateral orchiectomy on the metabolism of androstenedione in the adrenal gland of the adult male rat. Adrenal glands of intact animals incubated in the presence of 3H androstenedione resulted in its conversion to testosterone and dihydrotestosterone (the two principal metabolites investigated). The value of the latter metabolite increased with the elapsing of time from castration despite the decrease of testosterone with respect to that observed in the sham operated rats of the same age. This effect is reversed in the presence of testosterone treatment with androstenedione and testosterone levels similar to those obtained in intact animals. Androstenedione adrenal metabolism is greatly lowered following the administration of dihydrotestosterone propionate, resulting in high substrate residue values with respect to untreated castrated rats. Contemporarily, testosterone metabolite value remains unchanged while the production of dihydrotestosterone is significantly lower. Finally a decrease of DHT was also encountered in the presence of estradiol benzoate. The above results clearly point to a progressive activation of the 5 alpha-reductase of the adrenal gland after castration utilizing androstenedione as substrate. The metabolic pathway leading to the production of dihydrotestosterone from androstenedione appears to be modulated differently following the administration of gonadal steroids.

Membranes have become of great interest for tissue engineering application, since they offer the advantage of developing neuronal tissue that may be used in implantable or in vitro hybrid systems for the simulation of brain function. The behaviour of neurons isolated from the hippocampus on membranes with different surface properties was investigated. The different membranes used as substrates for cell adhesion consisted of polyester (PE), modified polyetheretherketone (PEEK-WC), fluorocarbon (FC) and polyethersulfone (PES), all of which coated with poly-l-lysine (PLL) in order to have the same functional groups interacting with cells. The membranes exhibited different morphological surface properties in terms of pore size, porosity and roughness. Hippocampal neurons exhibited a different morphology in response to varying the properties of the membrane surface. Indeed, cells grown on the smoother membranes and namely FC and PES membranes displayed a large number of neurites with consequent formation of bundles. As a consequence while a very complex network was formed on these membranes, cells tend to, instead, form aggregates and most of the processes are developed inside the pores of the membranes when rougher PEEK-WC surfaces were used. In addition, the secretion of brain-derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF) was expressed at high levels in neurons grown on FC membranes with respect to the other membranes. Taken together these results suggest the pivotal role played by membrane surface properties in the adhesion and growth of the hippocampal neurons, which must be considered in the development of tailored membranes for neural tissue engineering. © 2008 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.

Recent evidences indicate that cerebral neurotrophic factors like vascular endothelial growth factor plus signaling pathways of the glutamatergic neuroreceptor system (L-Glu) are determinant modulators of depression-like states. In the present study, the type of interaction(s) exerted by the AMPAergic antagonist, 6-cyano-7-nitroquinoxalin-2,3-dione (CNQX) and the brain derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF) on depression-like behaviors in hamsters (Mesocricetus auratus) were investigated. Sub-chronic administration of BDNF in the hippocampal dentate gyrus (DG) of stressed hamsters was responsible for very evident (p

In this work, we describe the development of a compartmentalized membrane system using neonatal rodent hippocampal cells and human mesenchymal stem cells (hMSCs) to investigate the neuroprotective effects of hMSCs. To elucidate this interaction an in vitro oxygen-glucose deprivation (OGD) model was used that mimics central nervous system insults in vivo . Cells were cultured in a membrane system with a sandwich configuration in which the hippocampal cells were seeded on a fluorocarbon (FC) membrane, and were separated by hMSCs through a semipermeable polyethersulfone (PES) membrane that ensures the transport of molecules and paracrine factors, but prevents cell-to-cell contact. This system was used to simulate a cerebral ischemic damage by inducing OGD for 120 min. The core contribution of the work highlights the neuroprotective effects of hMSCs on hippocampal cells in a membrane system for the first time. The novel results show that hMSC secretome factors protect hippocampal cells against OGD insults as indicated by the conservation of specific structural and functional cell features together with the development of a highly branched neural network after the damage. Moreover, neuronal cells co-cultured with hMSCs before OGD insult were able to maintain BDNF production and O 2 consumption and did not express the apoptotic markers that were expressed in similarly insulted neuronal cells that had not been co-cultured with hMSCs. This compartmentalized membrane system appears to be a very useful and reliable system for studying the neuroprotective effects of hMSCs and identifying secreted factors that may be involved. Statement of Significance This paper is based on a combined synergism of biomaterials technology and stem cell approach, focusing on the development of a compartmentalized membrane system that serves as an innovative tool for highlighting the role of hMSCs on hippocampal neurons upon damage. The membrane system consists of two different flat sheet membranes, giving rise to double and separated cell membrane compartments that prevent cell-to-cell contact but allow the transport of paracrine factors. This system strongly corroborates the paracrine mediated neuroprotection of hMSCs on ischemic damaged neurons. The challenging and pioneeristic approach by using biomaterials allowed to perform a stepwise analysis of the phenomena, providing new insights into the field of MSC therapy.

Brain ischemia is a major cause of death and the most common element of disability in the adult population worldwide. This phenomenon occurs when blood flow is reduced or interrupted in the various brain districts leading to oxygen and glucose deprivation (OGD), which by triggering a complex series of biochemical plus molecular mechanisms such as an exacerbated production of misfolded and oxidized proteins together with the breakdown of cellular integrity are responsible for neuronal cell death. Despite the mechanisms that underlie the triggering of ischemic insults are still unclear, numerous studies are pointing to excitotoxic glutamatergic neuronal signaling processes as key mediators of these events. Indeed, cultured neurons deriving from global cerebral ischemia appear to respond to OGD with a rapid internalization of α ‑ amino ‑ 3 ‑ hydroxy ‑ 5 ‑ methyl ‑ 4 ‑ isoxazolepropionic acid receptors (AMPAR) thereby suggesting them as critical components of OGD-induced cell death. It strongly seems that OGD-dependent neuronal ischemia occurs via GluR2-sites in which a switching from GluR2-containing Ca 2+ -impermeable receptors to GluR2-lacking Ca 2+ -permeable subtypes constitutes an important step. Interestingly attention regarding excitotoxicity-related ischemic events, aside being largely directed to the o veractivation of AMPARs, appear to be also tightly linked to the translocation of the pro-apoptotic protein Bax to the mitochondria accounting for the activation of the caspase factors. Although the brain is able to repair part of the neuronal damages and to restore the morpho-functional organization, cerebral ischemia more than ever continues to attract much attention especially due to its elevated mortality feature. In this review we analyzed the role played by GluR2 AMPAR subunit in the pathological processes that lead to neurodegenerative diseases with particular attention being paid to the assembly of the major synaptic AMPARs together with cellular events that feasibly account for ischemic brain damages. In this context, knowledge of the different molecular mechanisms operating under these conditions may surely provide helpful indications regarding the identification of new therapeutic targets for treating cerebral ischemia.

The hibernating golden hamster (Mesocricetus auratus) is becoming a useful rodent model to study the neurophysiological role of some neuromediators on vital behaviors such as sleep and thermoregulation. Recent works have shown that the histamine neuroreceptor subtypes (H-sub(1-3)R) are able to modulate such behaviors. Here, specific subtype(s) and cerebral nuclei that were actively operating on feeding behaviors in pubertal and adult hamsters were identified. Of the subtypes assessed, H-sub-3R antagonist (thioperamide) provoked significant (p < .001) changes in behavior (very low total food and water intake) in adults, whereas it did not significantly modify these behaviors in pubertals. The H-sub-3R antagonist's role seemed to be related to elevated amounts of stress-induced damaged neurons displaying, mainly, shrunken crenated cell membranes and altered synaptic processes in limbic areas such as amygdala, cortex, and hippocampus. At the transcription level, an evident expression pattern of H-sub-3R messenger RNA appeared in pubertals, especially in neurons of the cortex and hippocampus, whereas the same trend was featured in amygdalar areas of hibernating adult hamsters, suggesting early H-sub-3R regulatory activities, at least in limbic sites of this rodent model.

It has now been established that a large number of man-made and natural chemicals are capable of interfering with the action of natural hormones. In this category "endocrine disruptors" such as the herbicide atrazine, when administered at ecological low doses (1 or 100 microg/kg per day) from gestational day 14 to postnatal day 21, provided a clear dimorphic neurodegenerative pattern in some brain areas of the domestic mouse (Mus musculus). Indeed, the high concentration (100 microg/kg per day) with respect to the low concentration (1 microg/kg per day) induced relevant neuronal damage in extrahypothalamic sites, such as the cortical and striatal areas in both sexes. Marked alterations in other areas, including the hippocampal and hypothalamic nuclei, were mostly typical of the female. At the neuronal level, the neuropeptide somatostatin, specific for the secretion of growth hormone, seemed to be a major target of atrazine effects, as demonstrated by evident subtype2,3,5 receptor mRNA differences of this neuropeptide, at least for the first two subtypes. In particular, a very strong (p0.001) upregulation of subtype2 expressing neurons was detected in female hypothalamic areas, specifically the suprachiasmatic nucleus, whereas a similar downregulatory trend was reported for some extrahypothalamic areas such as the striatum. Interestingly, very strong upregulatory and downregulatory actions were detected for neurons expressing subtype3 in male hypothalamic and amygdalar regions and in the cortical and hippocampal areas, respectively. Overall, it appears that these first neurotoxicological effects of atrazine are very likely linked to dimorphic expression patterns of specific somatostatin subtypes in discrete but key hypothalamic and extrahypothalamic areas of Mus musculus.

Common environmental contaminants such as heavy metals and pesticides pose serious risks to behavioral and neuroendocrine functions of many aquatic organisms. In the present study, we show that the heavy metal cadmium and the pesticide endosulfan produce such effects through an interaction of specific cerebral histamine receptor subtypes in the teleost ornate wrasse (Thalassoma pavo). Treatment of this teleost with toxic cadmium levels for 1 week was sufficient to induce abnormal swimming movements, whereas reduced feeding behaviors were provoked predominantly by elevated endosulfan concentrations. In the brain, these environmental contaminants caused neuronal degeneration in cerebral targets such as the mesencephalon and hypothalamus, damage that appeared to correlate with altered binding levels of the three major histamine receptors (subtypes 1, 2, and 3). Although cadmium accounted for reduced binding activity of all three subtypes in most brain regions, it was subtype 2 that seemed to be its main target, as shown by a very great (p < 0.001) down-regulation in mesencephalic areas such as the stratum griseum central layer. Conversely, endosulfan provided very great and great (p < 0.01) up-regulating effects of subtype 3 and 1 levels, respectively, in preoptic-hypothalamic areas such as the medial part of the lateral tuberal nucleus, and in the suprachiasmatic nucleus. These results suggest that the neurotoxicant-dependent abnormal motor and feeding behaviors may well be tightly linked to binding activities of distinct histamine subtypes in localized brain regions of the Thalassoma pavo.

The neurotoxic 3-nitropropionic acid (3-NP), a freckled milk vetch-derived inhibitor of mitochondrial enzymatic processes that is capable of mimicking the typical pathological features of neurodegenerative disorders, behaved in a differentiated manner in a hibernating rodent (hamster) with respect to a nonhibernating rodent (rat). Treatment of the two rodents with both an acute and chronic 3-NP dose supplied deleterious neuronal effects due to distinct histamine receptor (H(n)R) transcriptional activities, especially in the case of the rat. In hamsters, these treatment modalities accounted for overall reduced global activity in a freely moving environment and overt motor symptoms such as hindlimb dystonia and clasping with respect to the greater abnormal motor behaviors in rats. This behavioral difference appeared to be strongly related to qualitative fewer neuronal alterations and, namely, lesser crenated cell membranes, swollen mitochondria, and darkened nuclei in hamster brain areas. Moreover, a mixed H(1,3)R mRNA expression pattern was reported for both rodents treated with a chronic 3-NP dose as demonstrated by predominantly low H1R mRNA levels (>50%) in rat striatum and cortex, whereas extremely high H3R levels (>80%) characterized the lateral and central amygdala nuclei plus the striatum of hamsters. Interestingly, the H3R antagonist (thioperamide) blocked 3-NP-dependent behaviors plus induced an up-regulation of H1R levels in mainly the above-reported hamster amygdalar nuclei. Overall, these results show, for the first time, that a major protective role against neurodegenerative events appears to be strongly related to the expression activity of H(1,3)R subtypes of amygdalar neurons in this hibernating model.

Characterization of somatostatinergic (sst) neuronal activity through the application of nonpeptidyl agonists L-779,976 and L-817,818 which are highly specific for the sst receptors (sstr) sstr2 and sstr5, respectively, shows for the first time that sstr2, 5-like subtypes are the two major sstr subtypes operating in the brain of the teleost sea wrasse, Coris julis. A somewhat high but heterogeneous distribution pattern (>30

In an effort to establish distinct phylogenetic values for the major GABA(A) receptor subunit mRNAs (alpha(1), beta(2) and gamma(2)) in the telencephalon, the cellular expression capacity of these mRNAs was evaluated in this brain region of two distantly related mammals (hedgehog and rat). Application of emulsion hybridization histochemistry and quantitative film autoradiography approaches allowed us to detect elevated ( P0.01) beta(2) mRNA levels in primitive telencephalic neuronal populations such as those of the glomerular olfactory layer of the hedgehog. Conversely, notable levels of the alpha(1)-subunit mRNA were also registered for the higher telencephalic regions such as the oriens-pyramidalis layer of the hippocampus although elevated levels were mostly obtained for the rat. Interestingly, it was the high number of giant pyramidal neurons that were actively involved in the expression of this subunit. A similar pattern was also detected for pyramidal-like cells of the rat lateral amygdala region expressing the gamma(2)-subunit mRNA. Taken together, these results suggest an early phylogenetic success of GABAergic neuronal mechanisms relying mainly on elevated beta(2)-subunit levels. On the other hand, elevated quantities of gamma(2)- and, above all, of alpha(1)-subunit mRNAs in the rat seem instead to be related to the highly advanced behavioral and mnemonic strategies that are under the control of these telencephalic regions.

Hibernation is a physiological state that by putting vital biological processes at rest enables mammals to protect all organs, especially the brain against ischemic insults and reperfusion injuries. Earlier studies have highlighted the role of hypothalamic (HTH) sites like the periventricular nucleus (Pe) toward sleep-wake and cardiovascular activities of hibernators. In the present work, infusions of Pe with the orexigenic neuropeptide orexin-A (ORX-A) or the novel anti-obesity sympathoinhibitory neuroactive peptide catestatin (CST) have been correlated to differing feeding and motor behaviors in the facultative hibernating hamster Mesocricetus auratus. Behavioral observations showed that treatment with CST provided an anti-obesity activity via the reduction of food intake and body weight for all hibernating states, while ORX-A promoted orexigenic events during mainly the entrance phase. Moreover, hamsters treated with this neuropeptide during the entrance and the arousal hypertensive phases also featured elevated ORX 2 receptor (ORX2R) levels in the third layer of the parietal cortex and lateral HTH (LH), areas involved with feeding, motor plus sleep-wake rhythms. Conversely, ORX-A down-regulated ORX2Rs in the ventromedial (VMH) and supraoptic (SO) HTH nuclei that are associated with anorexigenic effects. Even CST induced mixed ORX2R expression patterns in mostly HTH areas like the evident down-regulation in LH along with the up-regulation in VMH and SO. Overall treatments, especially ORX-A+CST led to reduced neurodegenerative phenomena in HTH supporting their importance together with ORX2Rs in preserving hemodynamic activities, feeding and sleep-wake rhythms of this diencephalic station, which may supply useful therapeutic indications for treating cardiovascular disturbances linked with brain dysfunctions.

The relationship of morphometrical and androgen receptor evaluations of the main testicular interstitium cellular element (Leydig cells) in the domestic pig provided interesting numerical and morphological features during the different aging stages. As early as 25 days (a period in which the pig is sexually immature) there was a low number of Leydig cells (1.46 x 10(8)) with respect to a 78% and 35% increase in the adult (2.48 x 108) and aged (1.78 x 10(8)) animal, respectively. Interestingly, when the volume density of Leydig cells was considered, the average volume of these cells seemed to be high (75%) in the aged pig with respect to the young immature animal whereas a lower increase (27%) was observed for the adult animal. Moreover, the evaluation of testosterone receptor binding sites in the testis at the various stages of development also displayed a differentiated pattern since elevated testosterone receptor binding levels of the high dissociation affinity type were obtained for the adult pig. Thus, from the combined morphological variations of Leydig cells and testosterone receptor binding activity, it appears that this androgenic receptor component exerts distinct autocrine effects on the different functional features of some testicular tissue constituents at the different aging stages of the domestic pig.

This investigation represents a first study dealing with the dimorphic differences of the main alpha-containing gamma-aminobutyric acid (GABA(A)) receptors in the brain of two distantly related mammals (hedgehog and rat). The labeling of these receptors in the presence of zolpidem (highly selective benzodiazepine agonist) and under the different degree of GABA(A)/benzodiazepine allosteric coupling activities accounted for a heterogeneous colocalization of alpha1-enriched and of alpha2/3-enriched and alpha5-enriched GABA(A) receptors in some areas of the cortico-basal ganglia system (including the important ventrolateral thalamic station) of both mammalian sexes. In the hedgehog, the greatest (P0.001) GABA-dependent reduction of zolpidem inhibition constants was mostly registered in alpha1- and/or alpha5-enriched areas, such as the frontoparietal cortex lamina III (235%), ventrolateral thalamic nucleus (128%), and substantia nigra pars reticulata (110%) of the male. However, the greatest reductions in the rat were instead detected in the male substantia nigra pars reticulata (192%) and female striatum (120%), areas which are enriched either by the colocalization of alpha1- with alpha2/3-subunits or by all three alpha-subunits. These results support the contention that a sex-related alpha-containing GABA(A) receptor sensitivity constitutes an important element in the execution of skilled motor activities during the different socio-sexual behaviors of the two mammals.

Different binding activities of 125I-rat atrial natriuretic peptide were evaluated using in vitro quantitative autoradiography in the heart of two antarctic notothenioid teleosts, the red-blooded Trematomus bernacchii and hemoglobinless Chionodraco hamatus. Saturable and specific binding sites for rat atrial natriuretic peptide were found in the atrium, ventricular myocardium, ventricular endocardium and inner and outer layers of the bulbus arteriosus of both fishes. Scatchard analysis of the saturation data showed that the atrium, ventricular endocardium and outer bulbar layer of T. bernacchii were characterized by a single class of high affinity natriuretic peptide binding sites (Kd = 14 ± 3.2, 9.7 ± 2.3 and 6.2 ± 1.3 pM, respectively), whereas the ventricular myocardium and the inner bulbar layer contained elevated numbers of two classes of high and low affinity natriuretic peptide binding sites (1.8 ± 0.6 < Kd < 209 ± 66 pM). In contrast, in C. hamatus, both high and low affinity binding sites were detected in all cardiac regions (2.1 ± 0.7 < Kd < 262 ± 90 pM). In both fishes, competition experiments in the presence of either unlabeled rat atrial natriuretic peptide or porcine brain natriuretic peptide indicated different displacement capacities. Porcine brain natriuretic peptide, able to bind to natriuretic peptides sites in all the heart regions of both notothenioids, provided a higher displacement capacity with respect to that of rat atrial natriuretic peptide in the atrium of T. bernacchii.

Fish are particularly sensitive to copper (Cu) because although it is an essential metal, it becomes dangerous for aquatic ecosystems, thus accounting for physiological alterations. In this study, we investigated Cu effects on neurobehavioral activities of Thalassoma pavo and, above all, its recovery strategies by evaluating behavioral disturbances, neurodegeneration, and expression of heat shock protein (HSP)90 and orexin receptor (ORXR). Ornate wrasses exposed to nominal sublethal higher (1.07 mg/l) and lower (0.25 mg/l) concentrations of CuCl₂·H₂O mostly reduced swimming and feeding activities along with inducing abnormal behaviors in a dose-dependent manner. Concomitantly, ORXR transcripts were mostly upregulated in the diffuse nucleus of the inferior lobe (NDLI, + 142%) and the corpus of the cerebellum (CCe, + 243%), whereas HSP90 was downregulated only in lateral part of the dorsal telencephalon (Dl, -35%), the nucleus glomerulosus (NG; -40%), and the optic tectum (OT; -33%). Interestingly, when fish were transferred to Cu-free water, some behaviors were promptly rescued, especially in fish previously exposed to the lower Cu concentration. This rescuing tendency was confirmed by evident reductions of argyrophilic signals in Dl (-67%), NG (-31%), and OT (-42%) of fish exposed to 0.25 mg/l Cu. Moreover, transcriptional events of both ORXR and HSP90 were further upregulated in order to orchestrate a reactivation of behavioral and neuronal functions. Overall, this study highlights, for the first time, new neuronal strategies against environmental adverse conditions involving both ORXergic system and HSP90 as key elements that may assure, at least in part, protection and recovery processes against toxic agents.

Recent interferences of hemodynamic functions via modified brain neuronal mechanisms have proven to be major causes of dementia and sleeping disorders. In this work, cerebral expression differences of the neuroactive vesicular chromogranin A (CgA) and distinct α GABAAR subunits were detected in the facultative hibernating hamster. In particular, damaged neuronal fields of hypotensive torpor (TORP) state were correlated to elevated CgA and GABAAR α1, α4 mRNA levels in the paraventricular hypothalamic nucleus (PVN), central amygdalar nucleus (CeA) plus solitary tractus nucleus (NTS). Conversely, few neurodegeneration signals of hypertensive arousal (AROU) state, accounted for mostly lower CgA levels in the same areas. This state also provided increased α2-containing sites in amygdala, hippocampal and NTS neurons together with elevated α4-containing receptors in the periventricular hypothalamic nucleus (Pe). Interestingly in our hibernating model, CgA appeared to preferentially feature inhibitory neurosignals as indicated by preliminary perfusion of amygdalar sites with its highly specific antihypertensive derived peptide (catestatin) promoting GABA-dependent sIPSCs. Overall, evident neuronal damages plus altered expression capacities of CgA and α1-, α2-, α4-GABAARs in CeA, Pe, PVN as well as NTS during both hibernating states corroborate for the first time key molecular switching events guaranteeing useful cardiovascular rescuing abilities of neurodegenerative disorders.

A distinct distributional pattern of natriuretic peptide receptors has been demonstrated by in vitro quantitative autoradiography in the heart of Anguilla anguilla where saturable, stable, and specific binding sites for rat atrial natriuretic peptide in atrium, ventricle, and bulbus arteriosus have been detected. Competition experiments in the presence of either rat atrial natriuretic peptide or unlabeled eel peptides, i.e., atrial natriuretic peptide, C-type natriuretic peptide, and ventricular natriuretic peptide, showed differences in the relative affinity orders of these peptides in the various heart chambers. In the atrium and in the ventricular myocardium most receptors likely are type C, while B-type receptors are present in significant amounts in the ventricular endocardium and in the inner and outer layers of the bulbus arteriosus. Scatchard analysis of the competitive data indicates that in the atrium and in the ventricular myocardium only one class of receptors for rat atrial natriuretic peptide is present (Kd = 105 ± 16 and 107 ± 15 pM, respectively), while the ventricular endocardium and the inner and outer layers of the bulbus arteriosus contain two classes of binding sites (6 ± 3.7 < Kd < 20 ± 3.9 pM for site 1; 148 ± 72 < Kd < 271 ± 52 pM for site 2). © 1996 Wiley-Liss, Inc.

The hindering effects of metals and in particular lead (Pb) are representing a growing threat to aquatic organisms such as fish. This observation derives from toxic concentrations of Pb accounting for altered neurophysiological activities of some interesting teleost models like Thalassoma pavo, a fish species highly known for its host-cleaning symbiosis. In this study, the nominal PbNO(3) concentration of 1.6 mg/L was capable of reducing feeding and resting bouts as early as 24 h of exposure while hyperactive swimming episodes were also detected. Such abnormal behaviors were tightly correlated to up-regulated orexin receptor (ORXR) mRNA expression levels in some brain areas such as the lateral thalamic nucleus (+213%) and the optic tectum (+90%) with respect to controls. Interestingly, these transcriptional effects seemed to be attenuated when Pb-exposed fish received either 100 ng/g of ORX-A (-70%) or 0.1 μg/g of γ-aminobutyric acid(A) receptor (GABA(A)R) agonist muscimol (MUS; -97%) compared to fish exposed to Pb alone. Moreover, a net neurodegenerative process of the different brain areas was reported after Pb exposure as displayed by their marked amino cupric silver stained cells while these cells were devoid of any staining reaction after treatment with MUS only. Conversely, addition of the GABA(A)R antagonist bicuculline (BIC; 1 μg/g) moderately (p

Recently, environmental stimuli on different neurobiological events, via participation of distinct amygdalar (AMY) ORXergic fibers have aroused wide interests in view of their ability to modify neuronal linked stressful and physiological homeostatic conditions. Results of the present study indicate that ORXergic (ORX-A/B) circuits of the facultative hibernating golden hamster (Mesocricetus auratus) central AMY (CeA) and basolateral AMY (BlA) nuclei constitute major sites of feeding behaviors. Indeed, hamsters after treatment of BlA with ORX-A frequently ingested greater quantities of food as compared to controls, while ORX-B in CeA induced a very (p0.001) great consumption of water. The same nuclei treated separately with either ORX-A or ORX-B ± the selective α(1) GABA(A) benzodiazepine receptor agonist (zolpidem) dedicated less time to eating and drinking sessions. Conversely, hamsters that received the same neuropeptides but this time with the glutamatergic agonist NMDA displayed greater hyperphagic effects above all for ORX-A. When behavioral changes were compared to the expression of the specific ORXergic receptor (ORX-2R), an up-/down-regulating pattern was detected in some limbic areas (AMY, hippocampus and hypothalamus) following treatment with ORX-A or ORX-B plus NMDA. Overall, indications deriving from this study strongly point to hamster BlA-enriched ORX-A fibers in combination with either inhibitory or excitatory signals as main targets of hyperphagic responses while CeA ORX-B activities in presence of these same neuronal signals predominantly induced drinking motivational behaviors. The distinct behavioral activities of these two neuropeptides may have useful clinical bearings toward psychiatric and sleeping disorders such as bulimia and narcolepsy.

Orexins (ORXs) cross-talking with γ-aminobutyric acid(A) receptor (GABA(A)R) is beginning to constitute a key neuronal signaling feature responsible for the successful promotion of sleep-wake cycle, feeding and motor behaviors plus reward/motivational activities. In this work, ORX-A and the two α GABA(A)R agonists (zolpidem, ZOL; diazepam, DZP) accounted for very great (p