Maria Konstandi

Alterations in central monoaminergic neurotrasmission induced by polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons in rats

SummaryBenzo[α]pyrene (B[α]P) is a product derived from incomplete combustion of organic material and is considered responsible for chemically-induced cancer in humans. In the present study, the levels of noradrenaline (NA), dopamine (DA), dihydroxyphenylacetic acid (DOPAC), homovanillic acid (HVA), 5-hydroxytryptamine (5-HT), and 5-hydroxyindoleacetic acid (5-HIAA) were measured in the brains of female Wistar rats 6, 12, 24 and 96 h after a single dose of B[α]P (50 mg kg−1 b.w., i.p.) and also after repeated administration of B[α]P (50 mg kg−1 b.w., i.p., 2×wk, 1 mo). The brain regions studied were the striatum, hypothalamus, midbrain and cortex. Catecholamines were measured using high performance liquid chromatography (HPLC) and electrochemical detection. Significant changes were observed in the striatum where NA, DA, DOPAC were decreased after 24 h and HVA was decreased after 6h. In contrast, no major alterations occurred in 5-HT and 5-HIAA. In the hypothalamus, a significant decrease in NA was observed after 96 h. In the midbrain, the most important change observed was the decrease in NA after 24h. A trend toward an increase in 5-HIAA was observed in the cortex after 6 h. The results demonstrate that B[α]P induces alterations in the dopaminergic and serotoninergic systems throughout the brain. These alterations may lead to behavioural and hormonal disturbances.

Early maternal deprivation-induced modifications in the neurobiological, neurochemical and behavioral profile of adult rats.

Early maternal deprivation (MD) is an animal model of neurodevelopmental stress associated with a variety of abnormalities during adulthood. The present study investigated specific behavioral, neurochemical and neurobiological parameters related to dopaminergic and serotonergic function in adult rats subjected to early life MD. Behavioral responses, including the reaction to novelty, the response to d-amphetamine (d-AMP) and the susceptibility to apomorphine (APO) were evaluated in adulthood. Dopamine (DA) and serotonin (5-HT) levels, their metabolites along with their turnover ratios were assessed in distinct rat brain regions. The impact of MD on DARPP-32 protein, D2 and 5-HT2A receptor expression was also estimated in the same brain regions during adulthood. Our results indicated that MD rats were more reactive to novelty behavior and more sensitive to dopaminergic agonists compared to controls. MD rats displayed elevated dopaminergic and serotonergic function in the amygdala and prefrontal cortex, whereas in the striatum only the dopaminergic activity was also increased. Interestingly, MD induced a region-dependent modulation of D2, 5-HT2A receptor and DARPP-32 protein expression. Our findings clearly indicated that early MD stress produces long term behavioral impairments and region-dependent modifications in various neurochemical and neurobiological indices of dopaminergic and serotonergic function in brain regions holding critical roles in the pathophysiology of central nervous system disorders.

Effects of striatal or accumbens lesions on the amphetamine-induced abolition of latent inhibition.

In this study, we tested the effects of nucleus accumbens or corpus striatum lesions on the abolition of latent inhibition induced by d-amphetamine. In the latent inhibition paradigm, animals learn to ignore a repeatedly presented nonreinforced stimulus. In this paradigm, the repeated nonreinforced preexposure to a stimulus retards subsequent conditioning to that stimulus. Pharmacological manipulations that enhance the dopaminergic function (e.g., d-amphetamine) abolish this ability to ignore an irrelevant stimulus. Previous studies have revealed a major role of the nucleus accumbens in the d-amphetamine-induced abolition of latent inhibition because intraacumbens injections of the drug mimic its systemic effects. The results of this study, however, revealed a significant increase in the disruption of latent inhibition by d-amphetamine between corpus striatum-lesioned and sham-operated rats, but a marginal difference between nucleus accumbens lesioned and sham-operated rats, which had been preexposed to the stimulus. These findings indicate that the corpus striatum plays also a major role in the disruption of latent inhibition by d-amphetamine. It seems, therefore, that the nucleus accumbens and corpus striatum may represent a functionally common system regarding the expression of latent inhibition, although different experimental manipulation can favor the one structure over the other, reflecting probably their complex function.

Stress is a critical player in CYP3A, CYP2C, and CYP2D regulation: role of adrenergic receptor signaling pathways

Stress is a critical player in the regulation of the major cytochrome P-450s (CYPs) that metabolize the majority of the prescribed drugs. Early in life, maternal deprivation (MD) stress and repeated restraint stress (RS) modified CYP expression in a stress-specific manner. In particular, the expression of CYP3A1 and CYP2C11 was increased in the liver of MD rats, whereas RS had no significant effect. In contrast, hepatic CYP2D1/2 activity was increased by RS, whereas MD did not affect it. The primary effectors of the stress system, glucocorticoids and epinephrine, highly induced CYP3A1/2. Epinephrine also induced the expression of CYP2C11 and CYP2D1/2. Further investigation indicated that AR-agonists may modify CYP regulation. In vitro experiments using primary hepatocyte cultures treated with the AR-agonists phenylephrine, dexmedetomidine, and isoprenaline indicated an AR-induced upregulating effect on the above-mentioned CYPs mediated by the cAMP/protein kinase A and c-Jun NH₂-terminal kinase signaling pathways. Interestingly though, in vivo pharmacological manipulations of ARs using the same AR-agonists led to a suppressed hepatic CYP expression profile, indicating that the effect of the complex network of central and peripheral AR-linked pathways overrides that of the hepatic ARs. The AR-mediated alterations in CYP3A1/2, CYP2C11, and CYP2D1/2 expressions are potentially connected with those observed in the activation of signal transducer and activator of transcription 5b. In conclusion, stress and AR-agonists may modify the expression of the major CYP genes involved in the metabolism of drugs used in a wide range of diseases, thus affecting drug efficacy and toxicity.

Evidence of α2-adrenoceptor involvement in B[α]P induction processes of drug-metabolizing enzymes: the effect of stress

SummaryCentral to the appropriate regulation of behavioral and physiological changes induced by stress are the noradrenergic neuronal systems which have been implicated in a large number of stress-induced pathophysiological states. Endoplasmic reticulum-bound cytochromes (CYPs) play a crucial role in drug metabolism, resulting in deactivation or formation of reactive derivatives. In turn, these products may be responsible for the chemotherapeutic, mutagenic or carcinogenic properties of the parent compound. The present study assesses the effect of a specific α2-adrenoceptor agonist, dexmedetomidine (DEXT), on stress-induced modification of cytochrome activity in rats using a restraint stress model. The results indicated that activation of the α2-adrenoceptor with DEXT did not alter basal hepatic methoxyresorufin 7-dealkylase (MROD). On the other hand, it appeared to enhance MROD in benzo[α]pyrene (B[α]P) treated animals. Of interest was the finding that stress blocked DEXT-induced MROD enhancement in B[α]P-treated rats. In addition, DEXT had no effect on basal hepatic pentoxyresorufin 7-dealkylase (PROD), while it further enhanced the strong induction by B[α]P. Stress was also found to block this effect. Hepatic ethoxyresorufin 7-dealkylase (EROD) activity was strongly increased by B[α]P; this effect was enhanced by DEXT. In contrast, the DEXT enhanced induction was further strengthened by stress. These findings suggest that α2-adrenoceptors may modulate the induction of cytochromes CYP1A1, 1A2 and 2B1 by B[α]P in rats and that stress may modify this process. In particular, stress may regulate the inducibility of P4501A1 activity by B[α]P via mechanisms related to α2-adrenoceptors.

D-2-Dopaminergic Receptor-Linked Pathways: Critical Regulators of CYP3A, CYP2C, and CYP2D

Various hormonal and monoaminergic systems play determinant roles in the regulation of several cytochromes P450 (P450s) in the liver. Growth hormone (GH), prolactin, and insulin are involved in P450 regulation, and their release is under dopaminergic control. This study focused on the role of D2-dopaminergic systems in the regulation of the major drug-metabolizing P450s, i.e., CYP3A, CYP2C, and CYP2D. Blockade of D2-dopaminergic receptors with either sulpiride (SULP) or 4-(4-chlorophenyl)-1-(1H-indol-3-ylmethyl)piperidin-4-ol (L-741,626) markedly down-regulated CYP3A1/2, CYP2C11, and CYP2D1 expression in rat liver. This suppressive effect appeared to be mediated by the insulin/phosphatidylinositol 3-kinase/Akt/FOXO1 signaling pathway. Furthermore, inactivation of the GH/STAT5b signaling pathway appeared to play a role in D2-dopaminergic receptor-mediated down-regulating effects on these P450s. SULP suppressed plasma GH levels, with subsequently reduced activation of STAT5b, which is the major GH pulse-activated transcription factor and has up-regulating effects on various P450s in hepatic tissue. Levels of prolactin, which exerts down-regulating control on P450s, were increased by SULP, which may contribute to SULP-mediated effects. Finally, it appears that SULP-induced inactivation of the cAMP/protein kinase A/cAMP-response element-binding protein signaling pathway, which is a critical regulator of pregnane X receptor and hepatocyte nuclear factor 1α, and inactivation of the c-Jun N-terminal kinase contribute to SULP-induced down-regulation of the aforementioned P450s. Taken together, the present data provide evidence that drugs acting as D2-dopaminergic receptor antagonists might interfere with several major signaling pathways involved in the regulation of CYP3A, CYP2C, and CYP2D, which are critical enzymes in drug metabolism, thus affecting the effectiveness of the majority of prescribed drugs and the toxicity and carcinogenic potency of a plethora of toxicants and carcinogens.

Consequences of psychophysiological stress on cytochrome P450-catalyzed drug metabolism

Most drugs are metabolized in the liver by cytochromes P450 (CYPs). Stress can modify CYP-catalyzed drug metabolism and subsequently, the pharmacokinetic profile of a drug. Current evidence demonstrates a gene-, stress- and species-specific interference in stress-mediated regulation of genes encoding the major drug-metabolizing CYP isozymes. Stress-induced up-regulation of CYPs that metabolize the majority of prescribed drugs can result in their increased metabolism and consequently, in failure of pharmacotherapy. In contrast, stress-induced down-regulation of CYP isozymes, including CYP2E1 and CYP2B1/2, potentially reduces metabolism of several toxicants and specific drugs-substrates resulting in increased levels and altered toxicity. The primary stress effectors, the adrenergic receptor-linked pathways and glucocorticoids, play primary and distinct roles in stress-mediated regulation of CYPs. Evidence demonstrates that stress regulates major drug metabolizing CYP isozymes, suggesting that stress should be considered to ensure pharmacotherapy efficacy and minimize drug toxicity. A detailed understanding of the molecular events underlying the stress-dependent regulation of drug metabolizing CYPs is crucial both for the design of new drugs and for physiology-based pharmacokinetic and pharmacodynamic modeling.

Suppression of the acquisition of conditioned avoidance behavior in the rat by 3-methylcholanthrene

Repeated treatment with 3-methylcholanthrene (MC; 25 mg/kg body weight, i.p., two times per week, 1 month) in both male and female Wistar rats resulted in decreased performance in two sessions of a two-way active avoidance procedure. In addition, young male rats that were injected repeatedly with MC prepubertally showed diminished acquisition in conditioned avoidance behavior during both sessions. It appears that MC can alter both avoidance acquisition and retention test performance in adult male and female rats, as well as in young males. This effect was not associated with alterations in sex hormone levels. The findings of this study suggest a significant influence of MC on specific mental functions.

Psychophysiological stress: a significant parameter in drug pharmacokinetics

Introduction: The available evidence suggests that psychophysiological stress regulates a substantial number of factors, which in turn, can alter the pharmacokinetic parameters of a drug. Areas covered: Due to the multi-factorial involvement of stress in the regulation of a drugs pharmacokinetic profile, this review has been limited to and focuses only on the impact of stress on drug metabolism. Specifically, the review presents studies which have indicated that psychophysiological stress can significantly modify the function of the major hepatic drug-metabolizing enzymes belonging to cytochrome P450s (CYP) family in a stress-specific and species-specific manner. Furthermore, the article discusses how stress related changes in CYP regulation appear to be mediated by glucocorticoids and epinephrine/norepinephrine. This can lead to an increased rate of metabolism of the majority of prescribed drugs and chemical pre-carcinogens. Expert opinion: Apparently, psychophysiological stress has a significant impact on some of the major drug-metabolizing enzyme systems. Therefore, stress should be considered as an important factor affecting drug metabolism and pharmacokinetics, with the potential to significantly alter the outcome of drug therapy and toxicity. Despite the fact that the majority of data come from experimental studies, it is conceivable that the elimination of stress is an essential condition in order to ensure the optimal outcome of pharmacotherapy.

Hepatic drug metabolizing profile of Flinders Sensitive Line rat model of depression.

The Flinders Sensitive Line (FSL) rat model of depression exhibits some behavioral, neurochemical, and pharmacological features that have been reported in depressed patients and has been very effective in screening antidepressants. Major factor that determines the effectiveness and toxicity of a drug is the drug metabolizing capacity of the liver. Therefore, in order to discriminate possible differentiation in the hepatic drug metabolism between FSL rats and Sprague-Dawley (SD) controls, their hepatic metabolic profile was investigated in this study. The data showed decreased glutathione (GSH) content and glutathione S-transferase (GST) activity and lower expression of certain major CYP enzymes, including the CYP2B1, CYP2C11 and CYP2D1 in FSL rats compared to SD controls. In contrast, p-nitrophenol hydroxylase (PNP), 7-ethoxyresorufin-O-dealkylase (EROD) and 16alpha-testosterone hydroxylase activities were higher in FSL rats. Interestingly, the wide spread environmental pollutant benzo(alpha)pyrene (B(alpha)P) induced CYP1A1, CYP1A2, CYP2B1/2 and ALDH3c at a lesser extend in FSL than in SD rats, whereas the antidepressant mirtazapine (MIRT) up-regulated CYP1A1/2, CYP2C11, CYP2D1, CYP2E1 and CYP3A1/2, mainly, in FSL rats. The drug also further increased ALDH3c whereas suppressed GSH content in B(alpha)P-exposed FSL rats. In conclusion, several key enzymes of the hepatic biotransformation machinery are differentially expressed in FSL than in SD rats, a condition that may influence the outcome of drug therapy. The MIRT-induced up-regulation of several drug-metabolizing enzymes indicates the critical role of antidepressant treatment that should be always taken into account in the designing of treatment and interpretation of insufficient pharmacotherapy or drug toxicity.