Complex Effects of Sertraline and Citalopram on In Vitro Murine Breast Cancer Proliferation and on In Vivo Progression and Anxiety Level.

Some selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors (SSRIs), primarily sertraline, demonstrate anti-proliferative activity in malignant cell-lines and in xenografted mouse models of colorectal tumor. There is, however, a paucity of comparative studies on the anti-tumor effects of SSRIs. We compared the in vitro and in vivo effects of sertraline and citalopram on murine 4T1 breast cancer. Grafted mice were used to determine the rate of tumor growth and survival as well as the impact of stress and antidepressant treatment on tumor progression and mortality and on pro-inflammatory cytokines. Sertraline, in the micromolar range, but not citalopram, induced a significant in vitro concentration-dependent inhibition of murine 4T1 cell proliferation and splenocyte viability. In contrast, sertraline (10 mg/kg/d), enhanced in vivo tumor growth. Contrary to the study's hypothesis, chronic mild stress did not modify tumor growth in grafted mice. The in vitro effects of sertraline on tumor growth seem to be the opposite of its in vivo effects. The impact of sertraline treatment on humans with breast cancer should be further investigated.

BDNF overexpression prevents cognitive deficit elicited by adolescent cannabis exposure and host susceptibility interaction.

Cannabis abuse in adolescence is associated with increased risk of psychotic disorders. Δ-9-tetrahydrocannabinol (THC) is the primary psychoactive component of cannabis. Disrupted-In-Schizophrenia-1 (DISC1) protein is a driver for major mental illness by influencing neurodevelopmental processes. Here, utilizing a unique mouse model based on host (DISC1) X environment (THC administration) interaction, we aimed at studying the pathobiological basis through which THC exposure elicits psychiatric manifestations. Wild-Type and dominant-negative-DISC1 (DN-DISC1) mice were injected with THC (10 mg/kg) or vehicle for 10 days during mid-adolescence-equivalent period. Behavioral tests were conducted to assess exploratory activity (open field test, light-dark box test) and cognitive function (novel object recognition test). Electrophysiological effect of THC was evaluated using acute hippocampal slices, and hippocampal cannabinoid receptor type 1 and brain-derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF) protein levels were measured. Our results indicate that THC exposure elicits deficits in exploratory activity and recognition memory, together with reduced short-term synaptic facilitation and loss of BDNF surge in the hippocampus of DN-DISC mice, but not in wild-type mice. Over-expression of BDNF in the hippocampus of THC-treated DN-DISC1 mice prevented the impairment in recognition memory. The results of this study imply that induction of BDNF following adolescence THC exposure may serve as a homeostatic response geared to maintain proper cognitive function against exogenous insult. The BDNF surge in response to THC is perturbed in the presence of mutant DISC1, suggesting DISC1 may be a useful probe to identify biological cascades involved in the neurochemical, electrophysiological, and behavioral effects of cannabis related psychiatric manifestations.

Intracranial pancreatic islet transplantation increases islet hormone expression in the rat brain and attenuates behavioral dysfunctions induced by MK-801 (dizocilpine).

The treatment of rodents with non-competitive antagonist of the N-Methyl-D-aspartate (NMDA) receptor, MK-801 (dizocilpine), induces symptoms of psychosis, deficits in spatial memory and impairment of synaptic plasticity. Recent studies have suggested that insulin administration might attenuate the cognitive dysfunctions through the modulatory effect on the expression of NMDA receptors and on the brain insulin signaling. Intrahepatic pancreatic islet transplantation is known as an efficient tool for correcting impaired insulin signaling. We examined the capacity of syngeneic islets grafted into the cranial subarachnoid cavity to attenuate behavioral dysfunctions in rats exposed to MK-801. Animals were examined in the open field (OF) and the Morris Water Maze (MWM) tests following acute or subchronic administration of MK-801. We found well-vascularized grafted islets expressing insulin, glucagon and somatostatin onto the olfactory bulb and prefrontal cortex. Significantly higher levels of insulin were detected in the hippocampus and prefrontal cortex of transplanted animals compared to the non-transplanted rats. All animals expressed normal peripheral glucose homeostasis for two months after transplantation. OF tests revealed that rats exposed to MK-801 treatment, showed hyper-responsiveness in motility parameters and augmented center field exploration compared to intact controls and these effects were attenuated by the grafted islets. Moreover, in the MWM, the rats treated with MK-801 showed impairment of spatial memory that were partially corrected by the grafted islets. In conclusion, intracranial islet transplantation leads to the expression of islet hormones in the brain and attenuates behavioral and cognitive dysfunctions in rats exposed to MK-801 administration without altering the peripheral glucose homeostasis.

Anxiety and Cognition in Cre- Collagen Type II Sirt1 K/O Male Mice.

Introduction: Using transgenic collagen type II-specific Sirt1 knockout (CKO) mice we studied the role of Sirt1 in nutritional induced catch up growth (CUG) and we found that these mice have a less organized growth plate and reduced efficiency of CUG. In addition, we noted that they weigh more than control (CTL) mice. Studying the reason for the increased weigh, we found differences in activity and brain function. Methods: Several tests for behavior and activity were used: open field; elevated plus maze, Morris water maze, and home cage running wheels. The level of Glu- osteocalcin, known to connect bone and brain function, was measured by Elisa; brain Sirt1 was analyzed by western blot. Results: We found that CKO mice had increased anxiety, with less spatial memory, learning capabilities and reduced activity in their home cages. No significant differences were found between CKO and CTL mice in Glu- osteocalcin levels; nor in the level of brain SIRT1. Discussion/Conclusion: Using transgenic collagen type II-specific Sirt1 knockout (CKO) mice we found a close connection between linear growth and brain function. Using a collagen type II derived system we affected a central regulatory mechanism leading to hypo activity, increased anxiety, and slower learning, without affecting circadian period. As children with idiopathic short stature are more likely to have lower IQ, with substantial deficits in working memory than healthy controls, the results of the current study suggest that SIRT1 may be the underlying factor connecting growth and brain function.

Long-term effects of intracranial islet grafting on cognitive functioning in a rat metabolic model of sporadic Alzheimer's disease-like dementia.

Accumulating evidence suggests that Alzheimer's disease is associated with brain insulin resistance, as are some other types of dementia. Intranasal insulin administration has been suggested as a potential approach to overcoming brain insulin resistance and improving cognitive functions. Islet transplantation into the cranial subarachnoid cavity was used as an alternative route for insulin delivery into the brain. Recently, the authors showed the short-term beneficial cognitive effect of a small number of intracranially grafted islets in rats with cognitive dysfunction induced by intracerebroventricular administration of streptozotocin (icv-STZ). This was associated with continuous and safe insulin delivery to the rat brain. The current study investigated the long-term effect of intracranial grafting of islets on cognitive functioning in icv-STZ rats. Severe dementia, associated with obesity and cerebral amyloid-ß angiopathy, was induced in Lewis inbred rats by icv-STZ. Two months after icv-STZ, one hundred syngeneic islets were transplanted into the cranial subarachnoid space. Two and six months later, cognitive alterations were assessed by Morris water-maze tests. Islet graft survival was evaluated by immunohistochemical and biochemical assays. Improvement was found in spatial learning and memory of grafted rats as opposed to the sham-operated icv-STZ rats. The grafted islets showed intact morphology, intensive expression of insulin, glucagon and glucose transporter 2. Normoglycemic obesity and cerebral amyloid-ß angiopathy were found in both grafted and sham-operated icv-STZ rats. In conclusion, islet grafting into cranial subarachnoid space provides an efficient and safe approach for insulin delivery to the brain, leading to a long-term attenuation of icv-STZ-induced cognitive dysfunction.

Intracranial Transplantation of Pancreatic Islets Attenuates Cognitive and Peripheral Metabolic Dysfunctions in a Rat Model of Sporadic Alzheimer's Disease.

BACKGROUND: Alzheimer's disease (AD) is often associated with brain insulin resistance and peripheral metabolic dysfunctions. Recently, we developed a model of sporadic AD associated with obesity-related peripheral metabolic abnormalities in Lewis rats using intracerebroventricular administration of streptozotocin (icv-STZ). OBJECTIVE: We aimed to assess the effect of intracranially grafted pancreatic islets on cognitive and peripheral metabolic dysfunctions in the icv-STZ Lewis rats. METHODS: AD-like dementia associated with obesity was induced in inbred Lewis rats using a single icv-STZ. Two months after icv-STZ, syngeneic islets (100 islets per recipient) were implanted in the cranial subarachnoid cavity of icv-STZ rats. Morris water maze and marble burying tests were used for studying cognitive and behavioral functions. Central and peripheral metabolic alterations were assessed by histological and biochemical assays. RESULTS: The icv-STZ induced increases in food intake, body weight, and blood levels of insulin and leptin without alteration of glucose homeostasis. Grafted islets reduced body weight gain, food consumption, peripheral insulin resistance, and hyperleptinemia. Biochemical and histological analysis of the brain revealed viable grafted islets expressing insulin and glucagon. The grafted islets did not affect expression of brain insulin receptors and peripheral glucose homeostasis. Two months after islet transplantation, cognitive and behavioral functioning in transplanted rats were significantly better than the sham-operated icv-STZ rats. No significant differences in the locomotor activity between transplanted and non-transplanted icv-STZ rats were found. CONCLUSIONS: Intracranial islet transplantation attenuates cognitive decline and peripheral metabolic dysfunctions providing a novel therapeutic approach for sporadic AD associated with peripheral metabolic dysfunctions.

Intracerebroventricular Streptozotocin Induces Obesity and Dementia in Lewis Rats.

BACKGROUND: Animal models of dementia associated with metabolic abnormalities play an important role in understanding the bidirectional relationships between these pathologies. Rodent strains develop cognitive dysfunctions without alteration of peripheral metabolism following intracerebroventricular administration of streptozotocin (icv-STZ). OBJECTIVE: We aimed to estimate the effect of icv-STZ on cognitive functions and peripheral metabolism in Lewis rats, which are rarely used for the induction of cognitive abnormalities. METHODS: Inbred adult Lewis rats were treated with single icv-STZ (3 mg/kg). Cognitive functions were assessed using Morris water maze (MWM) test and locomotion by the Open Field test. Metabolic alterations were studied using histological and biochemical analysis of brain and peripheral tissues. RESULTS: The icv-STZ induced rapid weight decline during the first two weeks. Thereafter, the rats showed an accelerated weight gain. Three months after the icv-STZ treatment, the rats were severely obese and revealed fatty liver, pancreatic islet hypertrophy, significantly elevated levels of blood insulin, leptin, and adiponectin, but intact peripheral glucose homeostasis. The icv-STZ rats expressed amyloid-ß deposits in blood vessels of leptomeningeal area, microgliosis, astrogliosis, and spongiosis in fimbria-fornix area of hippocampus. Locomotor activities of icv-STZ treated and sham-operated rats were similar. In the MWM test, the icv-STZ treated rats demonstrated severely impaired spatial learning during both acquisition and reversal phases. CONCLUSIONS: Icv-STZ treated Lewis rats develop severe dementia associated with obesity and peripheral metabolic abnormalities. This animal model may be useful for exploring the pathophysiological relationship between obesity and dementia and provides a new tool for development of effective therapy.

Neurons recruited in the nidopallium caudale, following changes in social environment, derive from the same original population.

Previously, we found that new neurons recruited into the nidopallium caudale in isolated birds were less labeled than those of communally housed birds, suggesting that different types of neurons may survive best under different conditions. Repetition of the experiment revealed no differences between groups, indicating that the new neurons were of the same generation. Hence, social environment does not appear to affect the type of newly recruited nidopallium caudale neurons.