Mehdi Kadivar

Morphine-induced impairment of spatial memory acquisition reversed by morphine sensitization in rats.

In the present study, the effects of systemic administration of morphine on spatial memory acquisition of a Morris water maze (MWM) task have been investigated in morphine-sensitized rats. Sensitization was obtained by subcutaneous (s.c.) injection of morphine, once daily for 3 days followed by 5 days free of the opioid before training. Then the rats were trained in the water maze task which was consisted of single training session of 8 trials and 24 h later a probe trial consist of 60 s free swim period without a platform and then non-spatial visual discrimination task was done. Our data indicated that pre-training single administration of morphine (2.5, 5 and 7.5 mg/kg) decreased the spatial memory acquisition in Morris water maze task with a maximum effect of 5 mg/kg of morphine. Amnesia induced by pre-training morphine was significantly reversed in morphine-sensitized (15 and 20 mg/kg) rats. The inhibition of morphine-induced amnesia in morphine-sensitized rats was decreased by once daily administration of naloxone (1 and 2 mg/kg) 30 min prior to injection of morphine during sensitization. The results suggest that morphine sensitization reverses the impairment of spatial memory acquisition induced by morphine and it is postulated that opioid receptors may play an important role in this effect.

The effect of morphine sensitization on extracellular concentrations of GABA in dorsal hippocampus of male rats

Repeated, intermittent exposure to drugs of abuse, such as morphine results in response enhancements to subsequent drug treatments, a phenomenon referred to as behavioral sensitization. As persistent neuronal sensitization may contribute to the long-lasting consequences of drug abuse, characterizing the neurochemical mechanisms of sensitization is providing insights into addiction. Although it has been shown that GABAergic systems in the CA1 region of dorsal hippocampus are involved in morphine sensitization, the alteration of extracellular level of GABA in this area in morphine sensitization has not been investigated. In the present study, using the in vivo microdialysis technique, we investigated the effect of morphine sensitization on extracellular GABA concentration in CA1 region of dorsal hippocampus of freely moving rats. Sensitization was induced by subcutaneous (s.c.) injection of morphine, once daily for 3 days followed by 5 days free of the opioid treatment. The results showed that extracellular GABA concentration in CA1 was decreased following acute administration of morphine in non-sensitized rats. However, morphine-induced behavioral sensitization significantly increased the extracellular GABA concentration in this area. The enhancement of GABA in morphine sensitized rats was inhibited by administration of naloxone 30 min before each of three daily doses of morphine. These results suggest an adaptation of the GABAergic neuronal transmission in dorsal hippocampus induced by morphine sensitization and it is implied that opioid receptors may play an important role in this effect.

IN VITRO GENERATION OF GLUCOSE-RESPONSIVE INSULIN PRODUCING CELLS USING LENTIVIRAL BASED PDX-1 GENE TRANSDUCTION OF MOUSE (C57BL/6) MESENCHYMAL STEM CELLS

The objective of this study was to evaluate the potential of this type of recombinant lentivirus to generate glucose-responsive insulin producing cells in vitro. All steps of cloning were confirmed using restriction digests. After the transduction, mesenchymal stem cells gradually began to change their morphology and showed differentiation into islet like structures. RT-PCR results confirmed the expression of insulin1, insulin2 and pdx-1 in differentiated cells. Dithizone staining of mouse MSCs showed the concentration of glucose in islet like structures. ELISA analysis validated the insulin secretion of islet like structures which in the high-glucose medium (25mmol/l) was 7.44 fold higher than that secreted in the low-glucose medium (5mmol/l). Our results demonstrated that mouse mesenchymal stem cells can be differentiated into effective glucose-responsive insulin producing cells through our new recombinant lentiviral transduction of pdx-1 gene in vitro. This new lentiviral vector could be suggested as an effective candidate for using in gene therapy of type-1 diabetes.

Amnesia induced by morphine in spatial memory retrieval inhibited in morphine-sensitized rats

The present study investigated the effect of morphine sensitization on the impairment of spatial memory retrieval induced by acute morphine in adult male rats. Spatial memory was assessed by 2-day Morris water maze task which included training and test day. On the training day, rats were trained by a single training session of 8 trials. On the test day, a probe trial consisting of 60s free swim period without a platform and the visible test were administered. Morphine sensitization was induced by subcutaneous (s.c.) injection of morphine, once daily for 3 days followed by 5 days without drug treatment before training. The results indicated that acute administration of morphine (7.5mg/kg, s.c.) before testing impaired spatial memory on the test day. Pre-test morphine-induced amnesia decreased in morphine-sensitized (15 and 20mg/kg, s.c.) rats. Improvement in spatial memory retrieval in morphine-sensitized rats was inhibited by once daily administration of naloxone (1 and 2mg/kg, s.c.) 30 min prior to the injection of morphine for three days. The results suggest that morphine sensitization reverses the impairment of spatial memory retrieval induced by acute morphine and it is implied that mu-opioid receptors may play an important role in this effect.

Morphine sensitization increases the extracellular level of glutamate in CA1 of rat hippocampus via μ-opioid receptor

Repeated administration of abuse drugs such as morphine elicits a progressive enhancement of drug-induced behavioral responses, a phenomenon termed behavioral sensitization. These changes in behavior may reflect plastic changes requiring regulation of glutamatergic system in the brain. In this study, we investigated the effect of morphine sensitization on extracellular glutamate concentration in the hippocampus, a brain region rich in glutamatergic neurons. Sensitization was induced by subcutaneous (s.c.) injection of morphine, once daily for 3 days followed by 5 days free of the opioid treatment. The results showed that extracellular glutamate concentration in the CA1 was decreased following administration of morphine in non-sensitized rats. However, morphine-induced behavioral sensitization significantly increased the extracellular glutamate concentration in this area. The enhancement of glutamate in morphine sensitized rats was prevented by administration of naloxone 30 min before each of three daily doses of morphine. These results suggest an adaptation of the glutamatergic neuronal transmission in the hippocampus after morphine sensitization and it is postulated that opioid receptors may play an important role in this effect.

Increased calcium/calmodulin-dependent protein kinase II activity by morphine-sensitization in rat hippocampus

Repeated exposure to drugs of abuse, such as morphine, elicits a progressive enhancement of drug-induced behavioral responses, a phenomenon termed behavioral sensitization. These changes in behavior may reflect long-lasting changes in some of the important molecules involved in memory processing such as calcium/calmodulin-dependent protein kinase II (CaMKII). In the present study, we investigated the effect of morphine sensitization on mRNA expression of α and β isoforms and activity of CaMKII in the hippocampus of male rats. Animals were treated for 3 days with saline or morphine (20mg/kg) and following a washout period of 5 days, a challenge dose of morphine (5mg/kg) were administered. The results indicate that morphine administration in pre-treated animals produces behavioral sensitization, as determined by significant increase in locomotion and oral stereotypy behavior. In addition, repeated morphine treatment increased mRNA expression of both α and β isoforms of CaMKII in the hippocampus. The present study also showed that induction of morphine sensitization significantly increased both Ca2+/calmodulin-independent and Ca2+/calmodulin-dependent activities of CaMK II in the rat hippocampus. However, acute administration of morphine (5mg/kg) did not alter either α and β CaMKII mRNA expression or CaMKII activity in the hippocampus. The stimulation effects of morphine sensitization on mRNA expression and activity of CaMKII were completely abolished by administration of naloxone, 30min prior to s.c. injections of morphine (20mg/kg/day×3 days). Our data demonstrated that induction of morphine sensitization could effectively modulate the activity and the mRNA expression of CaMKII in the hippocampus and this effect of morphine was exerted by the activation of opioid receptors.

Osteoblast-seeded bioglass/gelatin nanocomposite: a promising bone substitute in critical-size calvarial defect repair in rat.

Introduction Amid the plethora of methods to repair critical bone defects, there is no one perfect approach. In this study, we sought to evaluate a potent 3-dimensional (3D) bioactive SiO2-CaO-P2O5 glasses (bioglass)/gelatin (gel) scaffold for its biocompatibility by seeding cells as well as for its regenerative properties by animal implantation. Methods Osteoblast cells were seeded onto nanocomposite scaffolds to investigate the process of critical-size calvarial defect via new bone formation. Scanning electron microscopy (SEM) was used to validate topography of the scaffolds, its homogeneity and ideal cellular attachment. Proliferation assay and confocal microscopy were used to evaluate its biocompatibility. To validate osteogenesis of the bioactive nanocomposite scaffolds, they were first implanted into rats and later removed and analyzed at different time points post mortem using histological, immunohistochemical and histomorphometric methods. Results Based on in vitro results, we showed that our nanocomposite is highly cell-compatible material and allows for osteoblasts to adhere, spread and proliferate. In vivo results indicate that our nanocomposite provides a significant contribution to bone regeneration and is highly biodegradable and biocompatible. So, seeded scaffolds with osteoblasts enhanced repair of critical bone defects via osteogenesis. Conclusions We demonstrate the feasibility of engineering a nanocomposite scaffold with an architecture resembling the human bone, and provide proof-of-concept validation for our scaffold using a rat animal model.

Possible interaction of hippocampal nitric oxide and calcium/calmodulin-dependent protein kinase II on reversal of spatial memory impairment induced by morphine

The opioid system plays an important role in learning and memory by modulation of different molecules in the brain. The aim of the present study was to investigate the role of hippocampal nitric oxide and calcium/calmodulin-dependent protein kinase II (CaMKII) on the morphine-induced modulation of spatial memory consolidation in male rats. Spatial memory was assessed in Morris water maze task by a single training session of eight trials followed by a probe trial and visible test 24h later. Our data indicated that post-training administration of L-arginine, a nitric oxide precursor (6 and 9 µg/rat, intra-CA1) significantly decreased amnesia induced by morphine (10 mg/kg) in spatial memory consolidation. A reversal effect of L-arginine on morphine-induced amnesia prevented by KN-93 (N-[2-(N-(4-chlorocinnamyl)-N-methylaminomethyl) phenyl]-N-[2-hydroxyethyl] methoxybenzenesulfnamide), CaMKII inhibitor, (10 nmol/0.5 µl/site). In addition, post-training injection of L-NAME, (NG-nitro-L-arginine methyl ester), a nitric oxide synthase (NOS) inhibitor (10 and 15 µg/rat) or KN-93 (10 nmol/0.5 µl/site) with lower dose of morphine (2.5 mg/kg), which did not induce amnesia by itself, caused inhibition of memory consolidation. We also showed that co-administration of L-arginine (9 µg/rat) and morphine (10 mg/kg) significantly increased CaMKII activity in the rat hippocampus. On the other hand, administration of L-NAME (10 µg/rat) led to a decrease in the haippocampal activity of CaMKII in morphine-treated (2.5mg/kg) animals. These results indicate that acute single exposure to morphine can modulate consolidation of spatial memory, which may be mediated by a hippocampal nitrergic system and CaMKII activity.

Could a Possible Crosstalk between AMPK and TGF-β Signaling Pathways Be a Key Player in Benign and Malignant Salivary Gland Tumors?

Background: Salivary gland tumors (SGTs) are known for their specific heterogeneity and ambiguous outcome for the affected patients. The LKB1 and SMAD4 genes are pivotal components of important signaling pathways, including AMPK and TGF-β. To our knowledge, no study has reported an association between the expression levels of these genes in SGTs. The expression levels of LKB1 and SMAD4 were evaluated to clarify their possible crosstalk in SGTs. Materials and Methods: A total of 50 fresh tissue specimens were obtained from patients with SGTs, including pleomorphic adenoma (PA), Warthin’s tumor (WT), intermediate grade mucoepidermoid carcinoma (MEC), salivary duct carcinoma (SDC), and carcinoma ex pleomorphic adenoma (CexPA), as well as 8 normal samples. Quantitative real-time polymerase chain reaction was performed for all samples with specific primers. Results: Data were analyzed using statistical methods. PA, WT, MEC, and SDC showed a significant decrease in LKB1 levels, but the gene was up-regulated in CexPA. SMAD4 was overexpressed in all samples. Conclusion: The results suggest a possible link between downregulation of LKB1 and overexpression of SMAD4 in SGTs. LKB1 depletion leads to upregulation of SMAD4, promoting epithelial-mesenchymal transition in tumor cells. Therefore, LKB1 and SMAD4 could be key players in inducing tumor heterogeneity in SGTs.

Influence of pre-exposure to morphine on cannabinoid-induced impairment of spatial memory in male rats

In the present study, we investigated the effects of repeated morphine pre-treatment on impairment of spatial memory acquisition induced by intra dorsal hippocampus (intra-CA1) administration of the non-selective cannabinoid CB1/CB2 receptor agonist, WIN55,212-2 in adult male rats. 2-day version of Morris water maze task has been used for the assessment of spatial memory. On the training day, rats were trained by a single training session of eight trials and 24 h later a probe trial test consist of 60s free swim period without a platform and the visible test was administered. Animals received pre-treatment subcutaneous (s.c.) injections of morphine, once daily for three days followed by five days drug-free treatment before training trials. The results indicated that bilateral pre-training intra-CA1 infusions of WIN55,212-2 (0.25 and 0.5 μg/rat) impaired acquisition of spatial memory on the training and test day. The amnesic effect of WIN55, 212-2 (0.5 μg/rat) was prevented in rats previously injected with morphine (20 mg/kg/day × 3 days, s.c.). Improvement in spatial memory acquisition in morphine-pretreated rats was inhibited by once daily administration of naloxone (1 and 2 mg/kg, s.c.) 15 min prior to injection of morphine for three days. The results suggest that sub-chronic morphine treatment may produced sensitization to cannabinoids, which in turn reversed the impairment of spatial memory acquisition induced by WIN55,212-2 and mu- opioid receptors may play an important role in this effect.