Corticosterone-mediated microglia activation affects dendritic spine plasticity and motor learning functions in minimal hepatic encephalopathy.
Brain Behav Immun
; 82: 178-187, 2019 11.
Article
em En
| MEDLINE
| ID: mdl-31437533
ABSTRACT
Minimal hepatic encephalopathy (MHE) is characterized as cognitive deficits including memory and learning dysfunctions after liver injuries or hepatic diseases. Our understandings of neurological mechanisms of MHE-associated cognitive syndromes, however, are far from complete. In the current study we generated a mouse MHE model by repetitive administrations of thioacetamide (TAA), which induced hyperammonemia plus elevated proinflammatory cytokines in both the general circulation and motor cortex. MHE mice presented prominent motor learning deficits, which were associated with excess dendritic spine pruning in the motor cortex under 2-photon in vivo microscopy. The pharmaceutical blockade of glucocorticoid receptor or suppression of its biosynthesis further rescued motor learning deficits and synaptic protein loss. Moreover, MHE mice presented microglial activation, which can be alleviated after glucocorticoid pathway inhibition. In sum, our data demonstrates corticosterone-induced microglial activation, synaptic over-pruning and motor learning impairments in MHE, providing new insights for MHE pathogenesis and potential targets of clinical interventions.
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Texto completo:
1
Coleções:
01-internacional
Base de dados:
MEDLINE
Assunto principal:
Encefalopatia Hepática
/
Espinhas Dendríticas
Limite:
Animals
Idioma:
En
Ano de publicação:
2019
Tipo de documento:
Article