Alpha1-adrenergic receptor antagonist tamsulosin ameliorates aging-induced memory impairment by enhancing neurogenesis and suppressing apoptosis in the hippocampus of old-aged rats

Age-related memory decline is closely associated with decreased neurogenesis and increased apoptosis in the hippocampus. Noradrenaline exerts its effect by selectively binding to and activating adrenergic receptors (ARs). Tamsulosin, α₁-AR antagonist, is reported to have access to the brain and interact with α₁-AR. In this study, the effects of tamsulosin on short-term and spatial learning memory in terms of neurogenesis and apoptosis were investigated using rats. Step-down avoidance test for short-term memory and radial 8-arm maze test for spatial learning memory were conducted. Neurogenesis was detected by 5-bromo-2’-deoxyuridine (BrdU) immunohistochemistry and apoptosis was evaluated by caspase-3 immunohistochemisty and terminal deoxynucleotidyl transferase-mediated deoxyuridine triphosphate nick end labeling (TUNE) staining. Western blot for protein kinase C (PKC), cAMP-responsive element-binding protein (CREB), brain-derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF), tyrosine kinase B (TrkB), phosphatidylinositol 3-kinase (PI 3-kinase), Akt, Bcl-2, and Bax was conducted. In the aged rats, short-term and spatial learning memory was declined. Hippocampal nerogenesis was suppressed and hippocampal apoptosis was enhanced in the aged rats. In addition, phosphorylation of PKCα, CREB, PI-3 kinase, and Akt was decreased in the hippocampus of old-aged rats. Tamsulosin activated PKC/CREB and PI-3 kinase/Akt pathways. With these pathways, BDNF-TrkB signaling enhanced hippocampal neurogenesis and suppressed apoptosis in the old-aged rats. As the results, tamsulosin improved performance of short-term and spatial learning memory in the aged rats.     

负重爬梯与有氧跑台运动对糖尿病大鼠学习记忆能力的影响及其机制探讨

目的：研究负重爬梯与有氧跑台运动对糖尿病大鼠学习记忆能力的改善效果并探索其可能分子机制。方法：40只雄性大鼠,随机分为正常对照组（NC）、糖尿病对照组（DC）、糖尿病负重爬梯组（DL）和糖尿病有氧跑台组（DA）,以单次腹腔注射链脲佐菌素构建糖尿病大鼠模型。DL组在晚上进行负重爬梯训练,10次/组×3组/天,每次间歇2 min,6天/周×6周;DA组在同一时间进行20 m/min的跑台训练,30 min/d。于造模成功和运动干预结束后采用Morris水迷宫检测大鼠的学习记忆能力;第2次水迷宫测试结束后断颈处死大鼠,采用RT-QPCR法检测大鼠海马内脑源性神经营养因子（BDNF）、TRKB、CREB mRNA表达水平。结果：与NC组相比,DC组大鼠海马BDNF、CREB基因表达显著下降,学习记忆能力显著降低。与DC组相比,DL和DA组大鼠海马BDNF、CREB基因表达显著上调,学习能力显著提高;DL大鼠海马TrkB基因显著上调,大鼠空间记忆能力显著改善,而DA组大鼠海马TrkB基因无显著变化,大鼠空间记忆能力无改善,与DA组相比,DL组大鼠海马TRKB、CREB基因显著上调。结论：有氧跑台运动与负重爬梯运动介导BDNF/TrkB/CREB信号通路对糖尿病大鼠的学习能力均有促进作用,而负重爬梯运动对糖尿病大鼠记忆能力的改善优于有氧运动方式。     

Age-related toxicity of amyloid-beta associated with increased pERK and pCREB in primary hippocampal neurons: reversal by blueberry extract

Further clarification is needed to address the paradox that memory formation, aging and neurodegeneration all involve calcium influx, oxyradical production (ROS) and activation of certain signaling pathways. In aged rats and in APP/PS-1 mice, cognitive and hippocampal Ca²⁺ dysregulation was reversed by food supplementation with a high antioxidant blueberry extract. Here, we studied whether neurons were an important target of blueberry extract and whether the mechanism involved altered ROS signaling through MAP kinase and cyclic-AMP response element binding protein (CREB), pathways known to be activated in response to amyloid-beta (Aβ). Primary hippocampal neurons were isolated and cultured from embryonic, middle-age or old-age (24 months) rats. Blueberry extract was found to be equally neuroprotective against Aβ neurotoxicity at all ages. Increases in Aβ toxicity with age were associated with age-related increases in immunoreactivity of neurons to pERK and an age-independent increase in pCREB. Treatment with blueberry extract strongly inhibited these increases in parallel with neuroprotection. Simultaneous labeling for ROS and for glutathione with dichlorofluorescein and monochlorobimane showed a mechanism of action of blueberry extract to involve transient ROS generation with an increase in the redox buffer glutathione. We conclude that the increased age-related susceptibility of old-age neurons to Aβ toxicity may be due to higher levels of activation of pERK and pCREB pathways that can be protected by blueberry extract through inhibition of both these pathways through an ROS stress response. These results suggest that the beneficial effects of blueberry extract may involve transient stress signaling and ROS protection that may translate into improved cognition in aging rats and APP/PS1 mice given blueberry extract.     

Strength exercise suppresses STZ-induced spatial memory impairment and modulates BDNF/ERK-CAMKII/CREB signalling pathway in the hippocampus of mice

Alzheimer's disease (AD) is a progressive neurodegenerative disorder that has generated scientific interest because of its prevalence in the population. Studies indicate that physical exercise promotes neuroplasticity and improves cognitive function in animal models and in human beings. The aim of the present study was to investigate the effects of strength exercise on the hippocampal protein contents and memory performance in mice subjected to a model of sporadic AD induced by streptozotocin (STZ). Swiss mice received two injections of STZ (3 mg/kg, intracerebroventricular). After 21 days, they began physical training using a ladde. Mice performed this protocol for 4 weeks. After the last exercise training session, mice performed the Morris Water Maze test. The samples of hippocampus were excised and used to determine protein contents of brain-derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF), extracellular signal-regulated kinase-Ca²⁺ (ERK), calmodulin-dependent protein kinase (CAMKII) and cAMP-response element-binding protein (CREB) signalling pathway. Strength exercise was effective against the decrease in the time spent and distance travelled in the target quadrant by STZ-injected mice. Strength exercise was also effective against the reduction of mature BDNF, tropomyosin receptor kinase B and neuronal nuclear antigen (NeuN) hippocampal protein levels in STZ mice. The decrease in the hippocampal ratio of pERK/ERK, pCAMKII/CAMKII and pCREB/CREB induced by STZ was reversed by strength exercise. Strength exercise decreased Bax/Bcl2 ratio in the hippocampus of STZ-injected mice. The present study demonstrates that strength exercise modulated the hippocampal BDNF/ERK-CAMKII/CREB signalling pathway and suppressed STZ-induced spatial memory impairment in mice.     

Signaling mechanisms mediating BDNF modulation of memory formation in vivo in the hippocampus

Given that brain-derived neutrophic factor (BDNF) modulates both short-term synaptic function and activity-dependent synaptic plasticity in the adult hippocampus, here we examined signaling mechanisms in vivo in the hippocampus mediating BDNF modulation of long-term memory (LTM) formation of a one-trial fear-motivated learning task in rats. Bilateral infusions of function-blocking anti-BDNF antibody into the CA1 region of the dorsal hippocampus decreased extracellular-signal regulated kinase 2 (ERK2) and CREB activation and impaired LTM retention scores. Inhibition of ERK1/2 activation by PD098059 produced similar effects and also reduced CREB phosphorylation. In contrast, intrahippocampal administration of recombinant human BDNF increased ERK1/2 and CREB activation and facilitated LTM. Activated-p38, activated-PKC isoforms, and activated-AKT were unaltered after BDNF or anti-BDNF infusion. In addition, no changes were found on PKA and PKA catalytic subunits in nuclear samples. Thus, our results suggest that BDNF exerts its role in LTM formation in vivo in CA1 region of the hippocampus, at least in part, via CREB activation. Moreover, BDNF-induced CREB activation appears to be mediated mainly through the activation of ERK1/2 signaling pathway.     

Age-related memory impairment. Is the cure worse than the disease?

Aging impairs multiple memory systems. The neurochemical substrates of normal memory differ between memory systems. In this issue of Neuron, Ramos et al. find that activation of protein kinase A, which has been reported to improve hippocampal-dependent spatial memory in aged animals, has the opposite effect on prefrontal cortex-dependent working memory in aged animals.     

PDE5 Inhibition Improves Object Memory in Standard Housed Rats but Not in Rats Housed in an Enriched Environment: Implications for Memory Models?

Drug effects are usually evaluated in animals housed under maximally standardized conditions. However, it is assumed that an enriched environment (EE) more closely resembles human conditions as compared to maximally standardized laboratory conditions. In the present study, we examined the acute cognition enhancing effects of vardenafil, a PDE5 inhibitor, which stimulates protein kinase G/CREB signaling in cells, in three different groups of male Wistar rats tested in an object recognition task (ORT). Rats were either housed solitarily (SOL) or socially (SOC) under standard conditions, or socially in an EE. Although EE animals remembered object information longer in the vehicle condition, vardenafil only improved object memory in SOL and SOC animals. While EE animals had a heavier dorsal hippocampus, we found no differences between experimental groups in total cell numbers in the dentate gyrus, CA2–3 or CA1. Neither were there any differences in markers for pre- and postsynaptic density. No changes in PDE5 mRNA- and protein expression levels were observed. Basal pCREB levels were increased in EE rats only, whereas β-catenin was not affected, suggesting specific activation of the MAP kinase signaling pathway and not the AKT pathway. A possible explanation for the inefficacy of vardenafil could be that CREB signaling is already optimally stimulated in the hippocampus of EE rats. Since previous data has shown that acute PDE5 inhibition does not improve memory performance in humans, the use of EE animals could be considered as a more valid model for testing cognition enhancing drugs.     

Memory-improving effect of formulation-MSS by activation of hippocampal MAPK/ERK signaling pathway in rats

MSS, a comprising mixture of maesil (Prunus mume Sieb. et Zucc) concentrate, disodium succinate and Span80 (3.6:4.6 :1 ratio) showed a significant improvement of memory when daily administered (460 mg/kg day, p.o.) into the normal rats for 3 weeks. During the spatial learning of 4 days in Morris water maze test, both working memory and short-term working memory index were significantly increased when compared to untreated controls. We investigated a molecular signal transduction mechanism of MSS on the behaviors of spatial learning and memory. MSS treatment increased hippocampal mRNA levels of NR2B and TrkB without changes of NR1, NR2A, ERK1, ERK2 and CREB. However, the protein levels of pERK/ERK and pCREB/CREB were all significantly increased to 1.5+/-0.17 times. These results suggest that the improving effect of spatial memory for MSS is linked to MAPK/ERK signaling pathway that ends up in the phosphorylation of CREB through TrkB and/or NR2B of NMDA receptor.     

Spatio-temporal activation of cyclic AMP response element-binding protein, activity-regulated cytoskeletal-associated protein and brain-derived nerve growth factor: a mechanism for pontine-wave generator activation-dependent two-way active-avoidance memory processing in the rat

The present study explored possible physiological and molecular mechanisms of pontine-wave (P-wave) generator activation-dependent memory processing in the rat using a two-way active-avoidance learning paradigm. The results show that learning training increased rapid eye movement sleep and activated brainstem cells in the P-wave generator. During this period, there was a time-dependent increase in phosphorylation of cAMP response element-binding protein (CREB) in the dorsal hippocampus and amygdala and increased synthesis of activity-regulated cytoskeletal-associated protein (Arc) in the dorsal hippocampus, amygdala, frontal cortex and occipital cortex. Learning training also increased synthesis of brain-derived nerve growth factor (BDNF) in the occipital cortex, amygdala and dorsal hippocampus at different time intervals. During this time, the levels of nerve growth factor did not change. The results also show that the increase in rapid eye movement sleep P-wave density during the post-training 3-h recording session is positively correlated with the increased levels of phosphorylated CREB, BDNF and Arc in the dorsal hippocampus. These results suggest that memory processing of two-way active-avoidance learning may involve excitation of P-wave-generating cells in the brainstem and increased expression of phosphorylated CREB, Arc and BDNF in a time-dependent manner in the forebrain. These dynamic changes in cellular and molecular features provide considerable insight into the mechanisms of the P-wave generator activation-dependent memory consolidation process.     

阻断NMDA受体可增强皮质酮对海马脑源性神经营养因子表达的抑制:cAMP反应元件结合蛋白的作用

高浓度的皮质酮可引起海马形态与功能的损伤,其中脑源性神经营养因子(brain-derived neurotrophic factor,BDNF) 表达的改变在海马形态与功能损伤中扮演重要角色。本实验的目的是观察单次皮下注射皮质酮后海马内BDNF-mRNA、前 体蛋白及成熟型蛋白表达的改变,并观察N-甲基-D-天冬氨酸(N-methyl-D-aspartate NMDA)受体阻滞剂MK801对皮质酮 作用的影响。实验结果显示,单次皮下注射皮质酮2 mg／kg,3 h后海马内BDNF mRNA、前体蛋白及成熟型蛋白的表达 均降低;MK801(0．1 mg／kg)对皮质酮的这一作用有增强效果。单独给予皮质酮或注射MK801 30 min后再给予皮质酮, 均能明显降低海马中cAMP反应元件结合蛋白(cAMP response element binding protein,CREB)的磷酸化水平,MK801与 皮质酮联用时CREB的磷酸化水平降低更为显著(与单独给予皮质酮相比,P<0．05)。实验结果提示,CREB磷酸化水平降 低可能是皮质酮引起海马BDNF表达减少的重要中间环节,阻断NMDA受体可加强皮质酮降低BDNF表达的效应。     

The influence of orally administered docosahexaenoic acid on cognitive ability in aged mice

The purpose of this study was to investigate whether or not the role of docosahexaenoic acid (DHA) supplementation on cognitive capability was related with brain-derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF), nitric oxide (NO) and dopamine (DA) in aged mice. Kunming-line mice were treated with 50 and 100 mg/kg/day of DHA via oral gavage for seven successive weeks. The cognitive ability of mice was assessed by step-through and passageway water maze tests. The levels of NO in hippocampus and striatum tissues were assessed by spectrophotometric method. The levels of DA in hippocampus and striatum tissues were assessed by high-performance liquid chromatography with electrochemical detection. The protein levels of BDNF in hippocampus tissue were assessed by Western blotting. The results showed that the cognitive capability of mice was significantly different between the DHA-treated groups and the control group; the protein level of BDNF was significantly increased in the hippocampus; the levels of NO and DA were significantly increased in hippocampus and striatum tissues. In conclusion, during aging, DHA supplementation can improve the cognitive function in mice and can increase the protein level of BDNF in hippocampus tissue and the levels of NO and DA in hippocampus and striatum tissues. Taken together, our results suggest that DHA supplementation could improve the cognitive dysfunction due to aging, to some extent, and it may have a relationship with increasing the protein level of BDNF and the level of NO and DA.     

Resveratrol Inhibits the Proliferation of Neural Progenitor Cells and Hippocampal Neurogenesis

Resveratrol is a phytoalexin and natural phenol that is present at relatively high concentrations in peanuts and red grapes and wine. Based upon studies of yeast and invertebrate models, it has been proposed that ingestion of resveratrol may also have anti-aging actions in mammals including humans. It has been suggested that resveratrol exerts its beneficial effects on health by activating the same cellular signaling pathways that are activated by dietary energy restriction (DR). Some studies have reported therapeutic actions of resveratrol in animal models of metabolic and neurodegenerative disorders. However, the effects of resveratrol on cell, tissue and organ function in healthy subjects are largely unknown. In the present study, we evaluated the potential effects of resveratrol on the proliferation and survival of neural progenitor cells (NPCs) in culture, and in the hippocampus of healthy young adult mice. Resveratrol reduced the proliferation of cultured mouse multi-potent NPCs, and activated AMP-activated protein kinase (AMPK), in a concentration-dependent manner. Administration of resveratrol to mice (1–10 mg/kg) resulted in activation of AMPK, and reduced the proliferation and survival of NPCs in the dentate gyrus of the hippocampus. Resveratrol down-regulated the levels of the phosphorylated form of cyclic AMP response element-binding protein (pCREB) and brain-derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF) in the hippocampus. Finally, resveratrol-treated mice exhibited deficits in hippocampus-dependent spatial learning and memory. Our findings suggest that resveratrol, unlike DR, adversely affects hippocampal neurogenesis and cognitive function by a mechanism involving activation of AMPK and suppression of CREB and BDNF signaling.     

Chronic Nicotine Treatment Reverses Hypothyroidism-Induced Impairment of L-LTP Induction Phase: Critical Role of CREB

We have previously shown that adult onset hypothyroidism impairs late-phase long-term potentiation (L-LTP) and reduces basal protein levels of cyclic-AMP response element binding protein (CREB), mutagen-activated protein kinase (MAPKp42/44), and calcium calmodulin kinase IV (CaMKIV) in area Cornu Ammonis 1 (CA1) of the hippocampus. These changes were reversed by chronic nicotine treatment. In the present study, levels of signaling molecules important for L-LTP were determined in CA1 area of the hippocampus during the induction phase. Standard multiple high-frequency stimulation (MHFS) was used to evoke L-LTP in the CA1 area of the hippocampus of hypothyroid, nicotine-treated hypothyroid, nicotine, and sham control anaesthetized adult rats. Chronic nicotine treatment reversed hypothyroidism-induced impairment of L-LTP at the induction phase. Five minutes after MHFS, Western blotting showed an increase in the levels of P-CREB, and P-MAPKp42/44 in sham-operated control, nicotine, and nicotine-treated hypothyroid animals, but not in hypothyroid animals. The protein levels of total CREB, total MAPK p42/44, BDNF, and CaMKIV were not altered in all groups 5 min after MHFS. Therefore, normalized phosphorylation of essential kinases such as P-CREB and P-MAPK p42/44 in the CA1 area of nicotine-treated hypothyroid animals plays a crucial role in nicotine-induced rescue of L-LTP induction during hypothyroidism.     

Sertraline联合Aripiprazole可显著上调大鼠脑部的CREB和BDNF水平

为了探讨SSRI联合抗精神病药物对脑源性神经营养因子(brain derived neurotrophic factor, BDNF)-cAMP反应元件结合蛋白(cAMP response element binding, CREB)信号通路的影响,本研究将SD大鼠随机分成5组,每组10只,各组大鼠分别腹腔注射阿立哌唑(5 mg·kg-1·d-1,阿立哌唑组)、舍曲林(5 mg·kg-1·d-1,舍曲林组)、阿立哌唑+舍曲林(5 mg·kg-1·d-1+5 mg·kg-1·d-1,联合组),奥氮平(5 mg·kg-1·d-1,奥氮平组)和不含药物的溶液(对照组),连续注射3周。研究显示,联合组显著增加大鼠的海马区BDNF平均荧光强度和蛋白水平,但在其他组未观察到对BDNF水平的影响。另外,不同组处理对额皮质中的BDNF水平没有影响。联合组显著增加了海马和额皮质的CREB磷酸化,而单独药物处理对CREB磷酸化无影响。联合组显著增加大鼠的海马和额皮质中CREB和TrkB (BDNF受体)的mRNA表达水平,以及AKT的磷酸化。综上所述,舍曲林联合抗精神病药(阿立哌唑)可显著上调大鼠脑部的CREB和BDNF水平,并且参与调节BDNF-CREB-AKT信号通路及相关分子。     

Exercise Prevents Memory Impairment Induced by Arsenic Exposure in Mice: Implication of Hippocampal BDNF and CREB

High concentrations of arsenic, which can be occasionally found in drinking water, have been recognized as a global health problem. Exposure to arsenic can disrupt spatial memory; however, the underlying mechanism remains unclear. In the present study, we tested whether exercise could interfere with the effect of arsenic exposure on the long-term memory (LTM) of object recognition in mice. Arsenic (0, 1, 3, and 10 mg/ kg, i.g.) was administered daily for 12 weeks. We found that arsenic at dosages of 1, 3, and 10 mg/kg decreased body weight and increased the arsenic content in the brain. The object recognition LTM (tested 24 h after training) was disrupted by 3 mg/ kg and 10 mg/ kg, but not 1 mg/ kg arsenic exposure. Swimming exercise also prevented LTM impairment induced by 3 mg/ kg, but not with 10 mg/ kg, of arsenic exposure. The expression of brain-derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF) and phosphorylated cAMP-response element binding protein (pCREB) in the CA1 and dentate gyrus areas (DG) of the dorsal hippocampus were decreased by 3 mg/ kg and 10 mg/ kg, but not by 1 mg/ kg, of arsenic exposure. The decrease in BDNF and pCREB in the CA1 and DG induced by 3 mg/ kg, but not 10 mg/ kg, of arsenic exposure were prevented by swimming exercise. Arsenic exposure did not affect the total CREB expression in the CA1 or DG. Taken together, these results indicated that swimming exercise prevented the impairment of object recognition LTM induced by arsenic exposure, which may be mediated by BDNF and CREB in the dorsal hippocampus.