Minimal Age-Related Alterations in Behavioral and Hematological Parameters in Trace Amine-Associated Receptor 1 (TAAR1) Knockout Mice.

Since the discovery in 2001, the G protein-coupled trace amine-associated receptor 1 (TAAR1) has become an important focus of research targeted on evaluation of its role in the central nervous system (CNS). Meanwhile, impact of TAAR1 in the peripheral organs is less investigated. Expression of TAAR1 was demonstrated in different peripheral tissues: pancreatic ß-cells, stomach, intestines, white blood cells (WBC), and thyroid. However, the role of TAAR1 in regulation of hematological parameters has not been investigated yet. In this study, we performed analysis of anxiety-related behaviors, a complete blood count (CBC), erythrocyte fragility, as well as FT3/FT4 thyroid hormones levels in adult and middle-aged TAAR1 knockout mice. Complete blood count analysis was performed on a Siemens Advia 2120i hematology analyzer and included more than 35 measured and calculated parameters. Erythrocyte fragility test evaluated spherocytosis pathologies of red blood cells (RBC). No significant alterations in essentially all these parameters were found in mice without TAAR1. However, comparative aging analysis has revealed a decreased neutrophils level in the middle-aged TAAR1 knockout mouse group. Minimal alterations in these parameters observed in TAAR1 knockout mice suggest that future TAAR1-based therapies should exert little hematological effect and thus will likely have a good safety profile.

[The time course of changes in the state of monoaminergic systems in the brain of mice under the acute hypoxia with hypercapnia]. / Dinamika izmenenii sostoianiia monoaminergicheskikh sistem golovnogo mozga myshei pod vliianiem ostroi gipoksii s giperkapniei.

In socially isolated male outbred albino mice, the changes of monoaminergic systems under acute hypoxia with hypercapnia were studied. In cerebral cortex, hippocampus and striatum of the right and left sides of the brain, the concentrations of norepinephrine, dopamine, serotonin and their metabolites - dihydroxyphenylacetic, homovanillic and 5-hydroxyindoleacetic acids were investigated using the HPLC method. In isolated mice, which were not subjected to hypoxia with hypercapnia, higher levels of dopamine and serotonin in the left cortex were found. There was no asymmetry in monoamines and their metabolites in other studied brain structures. 10 min after the onset of exposure, acute hypoxia with hypercapnia resulted in a right-sided increase in norepinephrine levels and a decrease in dopamine levels in the striatum and serotonin levels in the hippocampus. In the cerebral cortex, 10 min after of hypoxic exposure beginning, there was a left-sided decrease in the dopamine content, while the original asymmetry found in the cortex of intact animals disappeared. In isolated mice perished of hypoxia with hypercapnia, almost all parameters returned to the control level. The exception was the ratio of serotonin metabolite level to the neurotransmitter, which in the right cortex became lower than in control animals. In white outbred mice, the brain monoaminergic systems are suggested to be relatively resistant to the negative consequences of hypoxia and hypercapnia, and corresponding shifts resulting in the reflex brain response to changes in the gas composition of the respiratory air.

[The effect of acute hypoxia with hypercapnia on the content of monoamines in symmetrical areas of the brain in albino mice]. / Vliianie ostroi gipoksii s giperkapniei na soderzhanie monoaminov v simmetrichnykh strukturakh golovnogo mozga u belykh besporodnykh myshei.

Changes in the activity of monoaminergic systems of the left and right hemispheres of the brain after acute hypoxia with hypercapnia were investigated in male albino mice. The concentrations of dopamine (DA), serotonin (5-HT) and their metabolites dihydroxyphenylacetic (DOPAC), homovanilic (HVA) and 5-hydroxyindolacetic (5-HIAA) acids were measured by HPLC in the brain cortex, hippocampus and striatum of the right and the left hemispheres. In the control mice not exposed to hypoxia with hypercapnia, a higher concentration of DA in the left cortex was detected. No asymmetry in the content of other substances has been identified in the investigated structures. Acute hypoxia with hypercapnia led to the right-sided increase of DA and 5-HT levels and to the left-sided reduction DOPAC in the cerebral cortex. Under the condition of hypoxia with hypercapnia, in the hippocampus, the left-sided increase of the DA content was revealed. In the striatum the contents of monoamines and their metabolites were insignificantly changed. It has been concluded that acute hypoxia with hypercapnia causes asymmetric changes in monoaminergic systems of the archicortex and the neocortex.

[Central monoaminergic systems sensitivity to acute hypoxia with hypercapnia changes after the maintenance under the long-term social isolation]. / Izmenenie chuvstvitel'nosti tsentral'nykh monoaminergicheskikh sistem k ostroi gipoksii s giperkapniei pod vozdeistviem dlitel'noi sotsial'noi izoliatsii.

The experiments were performed in male albino outbred mice kept in a group and under the conditions of long-term social isolation. The changes in the monoaminergic systems of the left and right hemispheres of the brain after acute hypoxia with hypercapnia have been studied. The levels of dopamine (DA), serotonin (5-HT) and their metabolites - dioxyphenylacetic (DOPAC), homovanillic (HVA), and 5-hydroxyindoleacetic (5-HIAA) acids - were determined by HPLC in the cerebral cortex, hippocampus and striatum of the right and left sides of the brain. In the control mice kept both in the group and under the conditions of social isolation, a higher content of DA in the cortex of the left hemisphere has been found. In the other brain structures the monoamine content was symmetric. In the cerebral cortex of the mice in the group, acute hypoxia with hypercapnia led to a right-sided increase in the DA and 5HT levels. At the same time, the DOPAC content decreased in the left cortex. In mice in the group, under the hypoxia with hypercapnia conditions, the DA level in the left hippocampus increased. In the striatum, the content of monoamines and their metabolites did not change significantly. In animals kept for a long time under the conditions of social isolation, hypoxia with hypercapnia no statistically significant changes in the monoamines and their metabolites levels were found. It has been concluded that the preliminary maintenance under the conditions of prolonged social isolation changes the reaction of central monoaminergic systems to acute hypoxia with hypercapnia.

Effects of Oxytocin on the Levels and Metabolism of Monoamines in the Brain of White Outbred Mice during Long-Term Social Isolation.

The effects of intranasal administration of oxytocin on the levels and metabolism of monoamines in symmetrical structures of the brain of white outbred mice kept under conditions of long-term social isolation were studied by HPLC. Disappearance of initial right-sided asymmetry in the content of dopamine metabolites in the striatum, increased 5-hydroxyacetic acid content in the right striatum, and disappearance of the initial left-sided asymmetry in serotonin level in the cortex were noted; we also found a decrease in norepinephrine content in the left hippocampus with appearance of asymmetry and higher content in the right olfactory tubercle. It can be hypothesized that minor changes in the serotoninergic and dopaminergic systems against the background of high reactivity of noradrenergic system represent specific response of the brain to oxytocin in aggressive animals.

Oxytocin-Induced Changes in Monoamine Level in Symmetric Brain Structures of Isolated Aggressive C57Bl/6 Mice.

Changes in activity of monoaminergic systems of the left and right brain hemispheres after administration of saline and oxytocin were studied in male C57Bl/6 mice subjected to social isolation. The concentrations of dopamine, norepinephrine, serotonin, and their metabolites dihydroxyphenylacetic, homovanillic, and 5-hydroxyindoleacetic acids were measured in the cerebral cortex, hippocampus, olfactory tubercle, and striatum of the left and right brain hemispheres by HPLC. In isolated aggressive males treated intranasally with saline, the content of serotonin and 5-hydroxyindoleacetic acid was significantly higher in the right hippocampus. Oxytocin reduces aggression caused by long-term social isolation, but has no absolute ability to suppress this type of behavior. Oxytocin reduced dopamine content in the left cortex and serotonin content in the right hippocampus and left striatum. Furthermore, oxytocin evened the revealed asymmetry in serotonin and 5-hydroxyindoleacetic acid concentrations in the hippocampus. At the same time, asymmetry in dopamine concentration appeared in the cortex with predominance of this transmitter in the right hemisphere. The data are discussed in the context of lateralization of neurotransmitter systems responsible for intraspecific aggression caused by long-term social isolation.

[The time course of experimentally altered thyroid status manifestations in female C3H-A mice].

The female C3H-A mice with agouty fur color were used to model hyper- and hypothyroidism in the long lasting experiment. The study was carried out for 44 weeks. Hyperthyroidism was induced by the administration of the L-thyroxine injections on alternate days during the whole period of the investigation. Hypothyroidism was achieved by adding propylthiouracil to the drinking water. The change of thyroid state was characterized by biphasic change in body weight. At the beginning of the experiment the hypothyroid animals were retarding by their weight. Otherwise the hyperthyroid animals were advancing by their weight. But since the 18th-21st week the initial trends changed, i. e. the hypothyroid mice body weight started ahead the hyperthyroid one. In the open field test both hypo- and hyperthyroid animals demonstrated the higher level of the investigating activity in comparison with the euthyroid mice. In the hyperthyroid mice the frequency of side-activity acts (grooming) increased significantly. Thus, the hyperthyroid animals appeared to be more anxious. To the 18th week of the experiment the animals of study groups started to demonstrate the apparent visual difference in their fur color. The hyperthyroid mice fur color became darker than one of the hypothyroid and the euthyroid mice. It is worthy of note that the hyperthyroid mice fur color was getting lighter than one of the euthyroid animals. The results are discussed in the context of hypothalamic-pituitary-thyroid axis functioning. The possible mechanisms of hormonal regulation of the fur color in mice are considered to include the hypothalamic-pituitary-thyroid axis hormones activities.

[Effect of acute hypoxia with hypercapnia on the content of monoamines in symmetrical brain structures of the BALB/c male mice].

The changes in activity of monoaminergic systems of both the right and the left brain hemispheres of the BALB/c male mice after an acute hypoxia with hypercapnia were studied. The concentrations of dopamine, serotonin and their metabolites dihydroxyphenylacetic, homovanilic and 5-hydroxyindolacetic acids were measured by HPLC in the brain cortex, hippocampus and striatum of the right and the left hemispheres. The more high concentration of serotonin was revealed only in the cortex of the left hemisphere in control mice without hypoxia with hypercapnia. The asymmetry in dopamine level was not registered in all structures studied. Acute hypoxia with hypercapnia decreased the dopamine level in the striatum and the serotonin level both in the hippocampus and the brain cortex. The dopamine metabolites level was reduced in the striatum and in the brain cortex of hypoxed mice: both metabolites in the right brain cortex and only dihydroxyphenylacetic acid in the left br ain cortex. Serotonin metabolism was decreased in all brain structures studied after hypoxia with hypercapnia in mice. Therefore, serotoninergic system of the brain is more sensitive to acute hypoxia with hypercapnia than dopaminergic system.

[Pregnancy and labor problems in patients with acute porphyria].

AIM: To evaluate the impact of developing pregnancy on porphyrin metabolism in reproductive-aged women with acute porphyria (AP). SUBJECTS AND METHODS: The prospective clinical data of 33 pregnancies were analyzed in 28 patients with the established diagnosis of AP. The latter was verified by the quantitative analysis of 24-hour urinary porphyrin excretion and the diminished activity of the pathognomonic enzyme. RESULTS: Each case was analyzed in detail according to different criteria. Poor prognostic factors for pregnancy are identified in AP. The used curation policy for pregnant patients is described. The pregnant women with occurring AP episodes are subdivided into clinical groups requiring different curation approaches. The scheme for the used working protocol is given. CONCLUSION: The accumulated experience with curating the patients with AP will be able to avoid the existing prohibitory practice, providing a way to develop a new quality of life in the patients' families.

[Acute porphyrias: problem of primary diagnosis in Russia and CIS countries].

AIM: To analyse manifestations and experience in primary screening diagnosis of acute porphyrias which are rarely encountered and little known by general practitioners. MATERIAL AND METHODS: The data on 100 patients with the diagnosis acute porphyria have been analysed. Porphyrin metabolism in differential diagnosis was estimated according to standard techniques. RESULTS: Analysis of primary diagnosis of acute porphyria hepatica in Russia (region-related prevalence, duration of diagnosis, complications because of late pathogenetic treatment) demonstrates the importance of screening diagnosis of acute porphyria at the level of municipal clinics. CONCLUSION: Early diagnosis prevents severe complications of acute porphyria and reduces cost of examinations in search of accurate diagnosis.

[A case of the long course of acute intermittent porphyria].

A case of acute intermittent porphyria is described in a 37-year-old female patient treated with normasang, a drug that regulates porphyrin metabolism at the last stages of the disease. Chronic renal failure with the hypertensive syndrome, severe neurological symptoms, and vascular sclerotic changes in all organs were the symptoms of the underlying disease. Infectious complications were the cause of sepsis and favoured deteriorated multiple organ dysfunction that determined lethal exitus.

[Clinical manifestations of porphyrin metabolism disorders]. / Klinicheskie proiavleniia narushenii porfirinovogo obmena.

AIM: To characterize patients with various nosological unities [symbol: see text] of porphyria in accordance with their age, clinical symptoms, provoking factors, therapy and outcome. MATERIAL AND METHODS: Patients with acute intermittent porphyria (43), hereditary coproporphyria (8), variegate porphyria (3), porphyria cutanea tarda (7), hepatoerythropoietic porphyria (1), and hereditary erythropoietic porphyria (2) were studied. One patient was suspected of porphyria caused by deficiency of delta-aminolevulenic acid dehydrogenase. RESULTS: The patients were from the CIS. The overwhelming majority of them were young and middle-aged subjects. Rapid development of the disease and severe neurological symptoms were predominantly observed in patients with acute forms of porphyria. CONCLUSION: Early diagnosis of porphyrin metabolism disorders makes it possible to decrease abruptly the number of cases leading to severe complications, disability, and fatal outcome. The use of inexpensive methods of screening of porphyrin metabolism disorders provides a promising approach to solving this problem. These methods should be used in municipal hospitals. In addition, asymptomatic carriers of defective gene should be revealed at the preclinical stage using various methods of molecular genetic assay.

[Three new mutations in the porphobilinogen deaminase gene, detected in acute intermittent porphyria patients from Russia]. / Tri novye mutatsii v gene porfobilinogendezaminazy, obnaruzhennye u bol'nykh ostroi peremezhaiushcheisia porfiriei iz Rossii.

Porphobilinogen deaminase (PBGD) is a key enzyme of the heme biosynthetic pathway. Defects in the PBGD gene lead to an autosomal dominant disease, acute intermittent porphyria (AIP). Almost all AIP patients with rare exceptions are heterozygous for the defective gene. To date, at least 160 different mutations causing AIP are identified. Extensive investigations along this line are conducted in many countries of the world. In Russia these studies had not been hitherto performed. Here we report the results of molecular genetic examination of four Russian patients with AIP diagnosed from clinical symptoms. By direct sequencing of the PBGD gene or the corresponding cDNA, we have detected four mutations, three of which were not previously encountered in the world population. These are TAAG deletion in intron 7 between positions +2 and (IVS7 2-5 delTAAG); T deletion in the initiation codon ATG of exon 3, and the G for C replacement at position -1 of intron 5 (IVS5 as -1 G:C), which disrupts splicing. In addition, in one female patient, a known deletion CT in codon 68 was revealed. In two patients, expression of PBGD gene alleles was significantly disproportional, so that normal mRNA prevailed in one case and mRNA of nonerythroid type in the other. Deletion in intron 7 was easily detectable due to the formation of a heteroduplex fragment with abnormal electrophoretic mobility directly in PCR. This simple heteroduplex analysis allowed us to exclude AIP carriage in son and daughter of a female patient with the genetic defect.

The effects of development of a food-related operant reflex on the receptor binding of glutamate in the rat brain.

Receptor binding of glutamate was studied in the striatum, hippocampus, and cerebral cortex of rats with different abilities to acquire an operant food-related reflex in a Skinner box. The striatum of rapidly-learning rats and rats unable to learn showed significantly higher levels of glutamate binding than controls were not trained in the Skinner box (p < 0.05). Striatal receptor binding of glutamate in slow-learning rats was lower than that in rapidly-learning rats and rats which were unable to learn (p < 0.05). In the hippocampus, all groups of rats (rapidly-learning, slow-learning, and those unable to learn) showed increased receptor binding of glutamate as compared with controls (p < 0.05), in the cerebral cortex, there was a significant decrease in glutamate binding as compared with controls in all groups of animals subjected to training (p < 0.05).